A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH TO INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY OF MAIZE THROUGH STRIGA HERMONTHICA CONTROL IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA

2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Y. KAMARA ◽  
J. ELLIS-JONES ◽  
P. AMAZA ◽  
L. O. OMOIGUI ◽  
J. HELSEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Striga Hermonthica ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Trap Crops ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Farmer Groups ◽  
Local Farmers ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

SUMMARYStriga hermonthica is a parasitic weed that attacks maize, sorghum and other staple cereal crops and has long been considered one of the greatest biotic constraints to cereal production in Africa. Use of resistant or tolerant maize varieties, a maize–legume rotation using trap crops that stimulate suicidal germination of Striga and the application of nitrogen fertilizer are all effective in reducing infestation and damage. This paper reports on the use of a participatory research and extension approach in assessing the performance and scaling-up of integrated Striga control packages in three agro-ecological zones in Borno State, Nigeria. The participatory process which encourages close interaction between research, extension and farmers, involved 30 local communities and 228 farmers representing 193 farmer groups in identifying their own problems and seeking solutions to them. Results showed not only effective Striga control but productivity increases of over 200%. The involvement of local farmers and groups in the evaluation process, firstly, helped to confirm that Striga control can best be achieved using soyabean followed by Striga-resistant maize together with productivity-increasing management practices and, secondly, promoted farmer-to-farmer extension. A participatory adoption assessment exercise indicated widespread adoption of new varieties and management practices, despite the need for increased labour. Great potential exists to scale out the results to similar areas of Guinea and Sudan savannas in the West Africa region.

scholarly journals Prospection, Collecte, Nomenclature Paysanne Et Caracterisation Des Variables Qualitatives Des Varietes Locales De Maïs (Zea Mays L.) Cultivees En Cote d’Ivoire

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 298
Author(s):  
Hugues Annicet N’da ◽  
Louise Akanvou ◽  
Arsène Irié Bi Zoro
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Maize Landraces ◽  
Passport Data ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Ivoirian landraces of maize were maintained for several centuries in different ecological conditions, which allowed them to accumulate a large genetic diversity yet little studied. This study aims to make a first inventory of the existing diversity and establish a representative collection of the diversity of this crop in Côte d’Ivoire. Surveys and collection of maize landraces were conducted in three agro-ecological zones of Côte d'Ivoire. Two hundred and forty seven villages were selected and prospect in twentyfour regions. In each village, passport data were collected using the tools and methods of participatory research. A sample of 829 maize accessions were collected. The preliminary characterization of this collection was performed based on the descriptors of maize developed by Bioversity International. The study revealed a significant varietal diversity. Five varieties have been identified based on the color of the grains: yellow maize, white maize, red maize, purple maize and variegated maize. Varieties with yellow grain, with a percentage of 54.16% have been the most prevalent in different areas surveyed. Varieties with purple and red grain have been rare, with respective numbers of 3.38 and 3.62%. Interviews conducted with producers have permitted to inventory 81 local names. The main criteria of farmers to characterize local ecotypes was grains color. The collected accessions are an important gene pool for the present and future generations in the context of plant breeding work.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Drought Tolerant Top Cross and Three-Way Cross Maize Hybrids for Grain Yield and Related Traits in Three Agro-Ecological Zones of Southwest Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-421
Author(s):  
Lawrence FAYEUN ◽  
Sayo SESAY
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Maize Hybrids ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
Hybrid Maize ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Superiority of hybrid maize cannot be overemphasized. Different types of hybrids are developed by plant breeders to improve productivity and multi-locational evaluation of these hybrids prior to release is necessary to select the best. The objectives of this study were to identify maize hybrids with superior agronomic potentials and compare the performance of top-cross and three-way cross hybrid maize varieties for grain yield and related traits under rain-fed condition in three different locations (Abeokuta, Ibadan and Akure) of Southwest Nigeria. The study consisted of ten hybrids each of top-cross and three-way cross hybrid varieties, tested with two checks. At each location, the experiment was laid out in randomised complete block design with three replications. The results showed that effects of locations, genotypes and genotype x location interactions were highly significant (p<0.01) for all the traits evaluated. Significant differences were also revealed between the top-cross and three-way cross hybrids for all the traits evaluated except days to 50% tasseling, ear diameter and 100-grain weight. The top-cross hybrids were superior over the three-way cross hybrids for grain yield by 5.25%. The hybrids ‘M0926-7’, ‘M0926-8’, ‘M1026-11’, ‘M1026-3’, ‘M1226-2’ (top-cross hybrids), ‘M1124-24’, ‘M1124-27’, ‘M1124-31’, ‘M1227-6’ and ‘M1227-7’ (three-way cross hybrids) showed highest stable yields across the three locations.  Hybrids ‘M0926-7’ (top-cross hybrid) and ‘M1124-24’ (three-way cross hybrid) that expressed early flowering with higher grain yield are recommended for drought stress prone areas because of their abilities to tolerate drought through escape.

scholarly journals Productivity, nutrient balance, and economics of monsoon rice under different nutrient management practices in two agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-40
Author(s):  
M.A.H.S. Jahan ◽  
Akbar Hossain ◽  
Jagadish Timsina ◽  
M.A.R. Sarkar ◽  
M. Salim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Abstract Inherently poor soil fertility and non-adoption of fertilizer recommendations based on soil test and yield targets by farmers limit the productivity and profitability from monsoon rice in Bangladesh and much of South Asia. In the Level Barind Tract (LBT; AEZ-25) and the High Ganges River Floodplain (HGR; AEZ-11) agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh, monsoon (aman/kharif) season transplanted rainfed rice (known as T. aman rice) is grown in large areas after maize, wheat and/or mungbeans, with residues of each crop removed from the field after grain harvest. This results in lower grain yield and lower profits in these AEZs as compared with other AEZs. Nutrient management, based on soil test, yield targets, or integrated use of inorganics and organics for each AEZ together with retention of crop residue, has the potential to increase rice yield, reduce production cost and increase income. With this hypothesis, this study was conducted to determine the optimum nutrient management practices for achieving higher yield, maintaining apparent soil nutrient balance, and obtaining high profits from monsoon rice. Twelve nutrient management options were evaluated, of which the first six were: (i) 80-16-44-12-2 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, S, Zn respectively for a high yield goal (T1; ‘HYG’); (ii) 56-12-32-8- 1.5 kg ha-1 respectively for a medium yield goal (T2; ‘MYG’); (iii) 65-13-32-9-2 kg ha-1 respectively plus 5 t ha-1 cowdung as integrated plant nutrient management system (T3, ‘IPNS’); (iv) 67-14-41-9-2 kg ha-1 respectively as a soil test-based fertilizer management strategy (T4; ‘STB’); (v) 40-9-11-0-0 kg ha-1 respectively as per farmers’ practice (T5; ‘FP’) and (vi) 0-0-0-0-0 kg ha-1 as a control (T6; ‘CON’). The remaining six treatments were the same as above but each also included the crop residue incorporation (CRI), i.e., (vii) T7, ‘HYG+CRI’; (viii) T8, ‘MYG+CRI’; (ix) T9, ‘IPNS+CRI’; (x) T10, ‘STB+CRI’; (xi) T11 ‘FP’+CRI’; and (xii) T12, ‘CON+CRI’. In both AEZs, STB plus CRI resulted in the highest rice yield (p≤0.05) followed by ‘STB’ and ‘IPNS+CRI’. In comparison with ‘FP’ and ‘CON’, each without CRI, balances were positive (p≤0.05) for P, S, Zn and B but were negative for N and K in ‘HYG’, ‘MYG’, ‘IPNS’ and ‘STB’ with or without CRI. In both AEZS, STB nutrient management had the highest (p≤0.05) net returns (526 & 487 US$ ha-1, respectively), highest benefit cost ratio (BCR; 3.54 & 3.36) and highest marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR; 10.47 & 10.19). These were followed by STB+CRI’ and ‘IPNS’, while they were lowest (p≤0.05) for CON and FP. We recommend that nutrient application, based on soil test with incorporation of mungbean residue, followed by IPNS, could be the best strategies for achieving high yield, improving soil fertility and for fetching a higher profit from monsoon rice in Bangladesh and similar soils and growing environments of South Asia.

scholarly journals Soil Fertility Level and Cropping Practices Determining Soybean Yield in Northern East and Center of Benin

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
F. O. Chabi ◽  
G. D. Dagbenonbakin ◽  
C. E. Agbangba ◽  
B. Oussou ◽  
G. L. Amadji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Yield Variability ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
Cropping Practices ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Soybean is a food security crop in Benin due to its high nutritional value but its yield in the farmers’ cropping system is very low. The present study aims to provide appropriate response to the yield variability among fields in two agro-ecological zones of Benin namely: Southern Borgou zone (AEZ 3 in the north) and cotton zone of central Benin (AEZ 5). Soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depth in 120 fields (50 in the AEZ 3 and 70 in the AEZ 5). pH (water), soil organic carbon (Walkley and Black method), total nitrogen (Kjeldahl method), CEC (0.01 N ammonium acetate at pH 7 method) and available phosphorus (Bray 1) were determined in the laboratory of Soil Science Water and Environment (LSSEE) of the National Agricultural Research Institute of Benin (INRAB). Cropping system (crop rotations, soil fertility management practices) were also collected using an open ended questionnaire. Classification and regression trees (CARTs) models were used for data analyses. Soybean yield variability among the agro-ecological zones were registered and the highest yield recorded was less than 1 t.ha-1. Considering soil characteristics, soil organic matter level was the most important variable determining yield variability. Furthermore, quantities of P applied and farmyard manure were cropping practices inducing yield variability (86.4% and 15% of the variability respectively). Our results also show that, yield differences noticed among the agro-ecological zones were induced by CEC and pH (water). The study suggested promotion of integrated soil fertility management practices to sustain soybean yield in the study area.

scholarly journals IDENTIFYING FARMERS’ PREFERENCES AND CONSTRAINTS TO PEARL MILLET PRODUCTION IN THE SAHEL AND NORTH-SUDAN ZONES OF BURKINA FASO

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-775
Author(s):  
INOUSSA DRABO ◽  
ROGER G. ZANGRE ◽  
ERIC Y. DANQUAH ◽  
KWADWO OFORI ◽  
JOHN R. WITCOMBE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
The North ◽  
Production Environments ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Crop Cycle ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

SUMMARYThe low yield of pearl millet largely due to the low adoption of improved varieties substantiates the application of client-oriented plant breeding for pearl millet. Hence to enhance adoption, new varieties must correspond to farmers’ preferences and respond to the constraints prevailing in the production environments, participatory rural appraisals were conducted in two agro-ecological zones (Sahel and North-Sudan) to determine farmers’ preferences in the choice of varieties and to identify constraints to pearl millet production. The study revealed that the major production constraints are hierarchically drought, Striga, head miner, bird and downy mildew. Compact panicle, large grain size and non-bristle panicle were the most preferred traits in pearl millet across agro-ecological zones. Very long panicle and early maturity crop cycle were more preferred in the Sahel zone whereas, in the North-Sudan zone medium panicle length and medium maturity cycle were more preferred by farmers. Traits largely rejected by farmers were small grain size, narrow, loose and bristled panicle. Very few investigations were done to understand the raison of the low adoption of improved technologies in pearl millet. This study identified the major criteria of new pearl millet variety adoption by farmers. It is expected that breeding program must integrate these criteria in new pearl millet variety profiling to enhance adoption.

AN ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED STRIGA HERMONTHICA CONTROL AND EARLY ADOPTION BY FARMERS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

2004 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. ELLIS-JONES ◽  
S. SCHULZ ◽  
B. DOUTHWAITE ◽  
M. A. HUSSAINI ◽  
B. D. OYEWOLE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Key Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Striga Hermonthica ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Trap Crop ◽  
Trap Crops ◽  
Increase In Productivity

Two sets of on-farm trials, each covering two years, were conducted in the northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria over the period 1999–2001, the objective being to compare integrated Striga hermonthica control measures (soybean or cowpea trap crops followed by maize resistant to Striga) with farmers' traditional cereal-based cropping systems. In both sets of trials, this proved to be highly effective in increasing productivity over the two year period, especially where soybean was used as a trap crop. Resistant maize after a trap crop increased the net benefit over the two cropping seasons in both trials by over 100% over farmer practice. However, in the second set of trials there was no significant increase in productivity between a trap crop followed by Striga resistant maize, and a trap crop followed by local maize especially where legume intercropping and fertilizer had been applied in the farmer practice. There was also no increase in productivity between two years' traditional cereal cropping and one year's local maize followed by Striga resistant maize. This indicates the importance of a legume trap crop in the first year in order to ensure high productivity in the second year, regardless of variety. Up to 20% of farmers obtained higher productivity from their own practices, notably intercropping of cereals with legumes and use of inorganic fertilizers. Leguminous trap crops and Striga resistant maize, together with two key management practices (increased soybean planting density and hand-roguing) were seen to be spreading both within and beyond the research villages, indicating that farmers see the economic benefits of controlling Striga. Survey findings show that explaining the reasons why control practices work can greatly increase the adoption of these practices. Wider adoption of Striga control will therefore require an extension approach that provides this training as well as encouraging farmers to experiment and adapt Striga control options for their local farming systems.

scholarly journals Towards Understanding Variability in Droughts in Response to Extreme Climate Conditions over the Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6910
Author(s):  
Adil Dilawar ◽  
Baozhang Chen ◽  
Arfan Arshad ◽  
Lifeng Guo ◽  
Muhammad Irfan Ehsan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Precipitation Extremes ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Climate Extreme ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

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.

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