Effect of Mulching on Soil Temperature and Moisture for Potato Production in Agro-Ecological Zones of Central Highlands of Kenya

Author(s):  
Eva N. Gacheru ◽  
Charles K. Gachene ◽  
Patrick T. Gicheru ◽  
Lieven Claessens
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-87
Author(s):  
MM Haque ◽  
N Tabassum ◽  
NAME Kabir ◽  
S Akter ◽  
M Saha

The study on Economics Faculty in using modern inputs against traditional inputs and practices for potato production were conducted in the different agro-ecological zones and agro-climatic locations of Bangladesh during 2011-2012. The aim of the study was how to enrich the knowledge of farmers and traders by the use of modern inputs (fertilizers, green pesticides and micronutrients) for potato production and management technologies. A total number of 150 farmers were randomly selected from Rangpur, Thakurgaon, and Comilla regions under agro-ecological zones of Tista Meander Floodplain, Old Himalayan Piedmont Plain and Middle Meghna River Floodplain respectively. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to measure the effect of various factors on potato production. The factors of production considered in this study were land preparation, labor cost, seed, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation and land use cost. The cost was comparatively low in modern practices than higher in traditional practices as it was mainly due to adoption of recommended technology, appropriate dose and time in case of modern inputs and practices whereas non-recommended technology, higher dose of inputs adopted in traditional practices. The out-put in-terms of per unit yield was found 26 t ha-1 in modern practices but 24 t ha-1 in traditional practices. The net profit was significantly higher in modern practices than traditional practices; the net profit in modern practices was found at Rangpur Tk 98,079, Thakurgaon Tk 72, 741 and Comilla Tk 46, 950. It transpires from the study that the farmers would be economically benefitted if they use modern inputs; adopt technologies and practices in terms of using quality seed of improved varieties at recommended dose and time of use of fertilizers and pesticides, timely application of irrigation and appropriate crop management including weeding and other practices.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 83-87 2015


2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (4II) ◽  
pp. 1137-1154
Author(s):  
Noor P. Khan ◽  
Javed Akhtar

Potato (L. Solanum tuberosum) belongs to Solanaceae family. It is the most important dicotyledonous tuber crop and possesses major socio-economic importance worldwide. It is the fourth most cultivated food crop after wheat, rice and maize in world. Potato is a good and cheaper source of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and proteins and also provides most of the trace elements, which can meet the energy requirement of the people living in the developing countries like Pakistan [Rahman (1986)]. About 325 million metric ton of potato is produced annually throughout the world [World Book (2001)]. This crop is financially more remunerative than cereals from food security and can be recommended as a partial replacement of cereals.


Author(s):  
John Ocampo ◽  
Tatiana Ovalle ◽  
Ricardo Labarta ◽  
Dung Phuong Le ◽  
Stefan de Haan ◽  
...  

Abstract Key message A molecular analysis using informative SNP markers in 1570 clones of cassava from Vietnam reveals varietal composition from farmers’ field and genebank collections Abstract Cassava is the most important smallholder cash crops in Southeast Asia and is especially used in industrial products. Yet, systematic genetic studies on molecular markers from Vietnamese germplasm have not been considered for breeding and conservation programs. We conducted a molecular analysis of 1570 clones of cassava germplasm from farms across six agro-ecological zones using informative SNP markers. We unraveled the genetic diversity and population structure and provided insights into the value of breeding and conservation programs. Duplicated genotypes comprised 98% of the total sample of the Central Highlands region. Ninety-six SNPs were amplified Central Highlands and South East provinces had the highest allelic richness, covering up to 83% of alleles. The average observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.43) was slightly higher than expected (He = 0.40) across SNP markers, suggesting an excess of heterozygotes plants. Diversity indexes indicated that cassava populations from North West and Eastern Vietnam are genetically diverse (mean He = 0.40). Genetic parentage tests identified 85 unique genetic groups within the varieties KM94, KM419, BRA1305, KM101, KM140, PER262, KM60, KM57 and two unidentified varieties, which accounted for 82% of the frequency distribution. KM94 is the most dominant variety in Vietnamese farms surveyed (38%), reflecting its superior quality and productivity. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) revealed four main subgroups, which were partially corroborated by neighbor joining (NJ) analyses. After removing duplicates, 31 unique genotypes were distributed across five of the agro-ecological zones. These were well distributed in the subgroups revealed via DAPC and NJ analyses. The genetic groups identified herein could be used to select unique accessions that should ideally conform with ex situ germplasm collections and identify areas where on-farm conservation programs should be targeted. Newly identified genotypes may also contribute as genetic breeding resources that could be used to adapt cassava to future changes and farmers’ needs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6910
Author(s):  
Adil Dilawar ◽  
Baozhang Chen ◽  
Arfan Arshad ◽  
Lifeng Guo ◽  
Muhammad Irfan Ehsan ◽  
...  

Here, we provided a comprehensive analysis of long-term drought and climate extreme patterns in the agro ecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan during 1980–2019. Drought trends were investigated using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at various timescales (SPEI-1, SPEI-3, SPEI-6, and SPEI-12). The results showed that droughts (seasonal and annual) were more persistent and severe in the southern, southwestern, southeastern, and central parts of the region. Drought exacerbated with slopes of −0.02, −0.07, −0.08, −0.01, and −0.02 per year. Drought prevailed in all AEZs in the spring season. The majority of AEZs in Pakistan’s southern, middle, and southwestern regions had experienced substantial warming. The mean annual temperature minimum (Tmin) increased faster than the mean annual temperature maximum (Tmax) in all zones. Precipitation decreased in the southern, northern, central, and southwestern parts of the region. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a robust increase in temperature extremes with a variance of 76% and a decrease in precipitation extremes with a variance of 91% in the region. Temperature and precipitation extremes indices had a strong Pearson correlation with drought events. Higher temperatures resulted in extreme drought (dry conditions), while higher precipitation levels resulted in wetting conditions (no drought) in different AEZs. In most AEZs, drought occurrences were more responsive to precipitation. The current findings are helpful for climate mitigation strategies and specific zonal efforts are needed to alleviate the environmental and societal impacts of drought.


2021 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 107317
Author(s):  
Nirmalendu Basak ◽  
Biswapati Mandal ◽  
Ashim Datta ◽  
Manik Chandra Kundu ◽  
Arvind Kumar Rai ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-393
Author(s):  
Patient Farsia Djidjonri ◽  
Nukenine Elias Nchiwan ◽  
Hartmut Koehler

The present study investigates the effect of intercropping (maize-cowpea, maize-okra, maize-okra-cowpea, okra-cowpea) compared to insecticide application on the level of infestation of insect pests and the final yield of maize, cowpea and okra. Field experiments were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the Guinean Savannah (Dang-Ngaoundere) and Sudano Sahelian (Gouna-Garoua) agro-ecological zones in Cameroon. Our experimental design was a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block with four replications. The main factor was assigned to the use of insecticide (Cypermethrin) and sub plots were devoted for cropping systems. We compared the efficiency of intercropping to that of Cypermethrin application on the Yield of maize, cowpea and okra as influenced by insect pest damages. The comparison of monocropped sprayed by Cypermethrin to unsprayed showed that, in Dang, insect pests reduced maize yield by 37% and 24% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was lower than 8% during the both years. Reduction in seed yield by insect pests on cowpea in Dang represented 47% and 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was 55% and 63% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. For okra, insect pests reduced okra fruit yield by 25% and 44% in Dang and 23% and 28% in Gouna, respectively, in 2016 and 2017. Crop yield was lower in intercropping compared to monoculture due to competition of plants in association on different resources. Considering the total yields obtained from each intercropping, intercropping trials resulted generally in higher yields compared to mono-culture (LER > 1) in both sites and years but the respective yields were quite different. On the basis of the results obtained, we recommend maize-cowpea intercropping as a sustainable solution to reduce the infestation level of their pest insects.


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