The choice of grass species to combat desertification in semi‐arid Kenyan rangelands is greatly influenced by their forage value for livestock

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dickson Nyariki ◽  
Nashon Musimba ◽  
Moses Nyangito ◽  
Agnes Mwang'ombe ◽  
Kevin Mganga
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Forage Value ◽  
Species Preferences ◽  
Area Percentage

<p>Livestock production is the main source of livelihood in the arid and semi‐arid lands in Africa. However, desertification characterized by vegetation degradation and soil erosion is a major threat to the sustainability of land‐based production systems. Native rangeland forage species <em>Cenchrus ciliaris </em>L. (Buffel grass/African foxtail grass), <em>Eragrostis superba </em>Peyr. (Maasai love grass) and <em>Enteropogon macrostachyus</em> (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) Monro ex Benth. (Bush rye grass) have been used to combat desertification. The objectives of the study were to identify the best‐suited native grass species to combat desertification in a semi‐arid environment in Kenya and to identify the preferred grass species among the agropastoralists in the area. Percentage basal cover, plant densities and frequencies of the three grasses in pure stands and mixtures were estimated. Grass species preferences were through household survey and focus group discussion. Results showed a significant difference (<em>P</em> < 0·05) in plant densities and cover estimates: <em>E. macrostachyus</em> was ranked first; <em>C. ciliaris</em> and <em>E. superba</em> were ranked second and third respectively. The agropastoral farmers, however, preferred <em>E. superba</em> followed by <em>C. ciliaris</em> and <em>E. macrostachyus,</em> a reverse trend. These results suggest that the choice of grass species to combat desertification is influenced more by its contribution as a source of forage for livestock than its contribution for rehabilitation purposes.</p>

scholarly journals Assessment of husbandry practice and egg production performance of indigenous chickens in urban and peri urban area of Guder town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
pp. 124-132
Author(s):  
Chala Duguma
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Indigenous Chicken ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Random Survey

The study was undertaken from May up to July 2020 in Guder town of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to explore husbandry practices and egg production performance of indigenous chicken in the study area. A cross-sectional systematic random survey of 40 households was undertaken by using semi-structured and pre tested questionnaire. Information on management practices, production systems, egg production performances and constraints of indigenous chicken kept in Guder town was generated by semi-structured questionnaire. The primary data collected from house hold survey was processed and analyzed by using a statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20.0 software. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, ranking, standard deviation, and cross tabulation were used to analyze the data quantitatively. Data gathered through key informant interviews, focus group discussion and personal observation was analyzed qualitatively to strengthen data obtained from the household survey. Due to its small space and lower capital requirement sample household’s ranked chicken as the first important animals kept in the study area. The main purposes of keeping indigenous chicken in the study area were for home consumption followed by generation of income. The most important feed resources of indigenous chicken kept in the study area were feed obtained from scavenging, house hold wastes, the market left over, and industrial by products. Majority of the households accommodated their indigenous chicken in a separate house constructed for the confinement of the chicken. The higher mortality rate of indigenous chicken in the study area was caused by disease and predator. The most commonly happening and economically important disease in the study area was Newcastle. The commonly observed predators in the study area were cat and dog. Health and feed problems were the first and the second constraint of indigenous chicken production in the study area respectively. Therefore area based development involvement could help to increase the productivity of indigenous chicken and thereby improve the income of small holders.

Comparison of Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Occurrence of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella in Antimicrobial-Free and Conventional Pig Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
WONDWOSSEN A. GEBREYES ◽  
SIDDHARTHA THAKUR ◽  
W. E. MORGAN MORROW
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
Swine Production ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Conventional Farms ◽  
Resistance Patterns ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
On Farm

Conventional swine production evolved to routinely use antimicrobials, and common occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella has been reported. There is a paucity of information on the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in swine production in the absence of antimicrobial selective pressure. Therefore, we compared the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from antimicrobial-free and conventional production systems. A total of 889 pigs and 743 carcasses were sampled in the study. Salmonella prevalence was significantly higher among the antimicrobial-free systems (15.2%) than the conventional systems (4.2%) (odds ratio [OR] = 4.23; P < 0.05). Antimicrobial resistance was detected against 10 of the 12 antimicrobials tested. The highest frequency of resistance was found against tetracycline (80%), followed by streptomycin (43.4%) and sulfamethoxazole (36%). Frequency of resistance to most classes of antimicrobials (except tetracycline) was significantly higher among conventional farms than antimicrobial-free farms, with ORs ranging from 2.84 for chloramphenicol to 23.22 for kanamycin at the on-farm level. A total of 28 antimicrobial resistance patterns were detected. A resistance pattern with streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline (n = 130) was the most common multidrug resistance pattern. There was no significant difference in the proportion of isolates with this pattern between the conventional (19.5%) and the antimicrobial-free systems (18%) (OR = 1.8; P > 0.05). A pentaresistance pattern with ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline was strongly associated with antimicrobial-free groups (OR = 5.4; P = 0.01). While showing the higher likelihood of finding antimicrobial resistance among conventional herds, this study also implies that specific multidrug-resistant strains may occur on antimicrobial-free farms. A longitudinal study with a representative sample size is needed to reach more conclusive results of the associations detected in this study.

scholarly journals Host plant recognition by the root feeding clover weevil, Sitona lepidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.N. Johnson ◽  
P.J. Gregory ◽  
P.J. Murray ◽  
X Zhang ◽  
I.M. Young
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Root Feeding

AbstractThis study investigated the ability of neonatal larvae of the root-feeding weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal, to locate white clover Trifolium repens L. (Fabaceae) roots growing in soil and to distinguish them from the roots of other species of clover and a co-occurring grass species. Choice experiments used a combination of invasive techniques and the novel technique of high resolution X-ray microtomography to non-invasively track larval movement in the soil towards plant roots. Burrowing distances towards roots of different plant species were also examined. Newly hatched S. lepidus recognized T. repens roots and moved preferentially towards them when given a choice of roots of subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L. (Fabaceae), strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum L. (Fabaceae), or perennial ryegrass Lolium perenneL. (Poaceae). Larvae recognized T. repens roots, whether released in groups of five or singly, when released 25 mm (meso-scale recognition) or 60 mm (macro-scale recognition) away from plant roots. There was no statistically significant difference in movement rates of larvae.

Plant height and height of the main ear in maize (Zea mays L.) at different locations and different plant densities

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Gyenes-Hegyi ◽  
I. Pók ◽  
L. Kizmus ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Height ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Considerable Effect ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
The Best Approximation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Ear Height

The plant height and the height of the main ear were studied over two years in twelve single cross maize hybrids sown at three different plant densities (45, 65 and 85 thousand plants/ha) at five locations in Hungary (Keszthely, Gönc, Gyöngyös, Sopronhorpács, Martonvásár). The results revealed that plant height and the height of the main ear are important variety traits and are in close correlation with each other. It was found that the hybrids grew the tallest when the genetic distance between the parental components was greatest (Mv 4, Mv 5). The height of the main ear was also the greatest in these hybrids, and the degree of heterosis was highest (193% for plant height, 194% for the height of the main ear). The shortest hybrids were those developed between related lines (Mv 7, Mv 11). In this case the heterosis effect was the lowest for both plant height (128%) and the height of the main ear (144%). The ratio of the height of the main ear to the plant height was stable, showing little variation between the hybrids (37–44%). As maize is of tropical origin it grows best in a humid, warm, sunny climate. Among the locations tested, the Keszthely site gave the best approximation to these conditions, and it was here that the maize grew tallest. The dry, warm weather in Gyöngyös stunted the development of the plants, which were the shortest at this location. Plant density had an influence on the plant size. The plants were shortest when sown at a plant density of 45,000 plants/ha, and the main ears were situated the lowest in this case. At all the locations the plant and main ear height rose when the plant density was increased to 65,000 plants/ha. At two sites (Gönc and Sopronhorpács) the plants attained their maximum height at the greatest plant density (85,000 plants/ha). In Keszthely there was no significant difference between these two characters at plant densities of 65 and 85 thousand plants/ha, while in Gyöngyös and Martonvásár the greatest plant density led to a decrease in the plant and main ear height. The year had a considerable effect on the characters tested.

scholarly journals Choices of Research Methodologies on Climate Change Adaptation Especially Focusing on Agriculture Sector: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Shree Kumar Maharjan ◽  
Keshav Lall Maharjan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Model Analysis ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Specific Research ◽  
The Public ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Agriculture Sector

A rapid increase in climate researches by applying diverse methodologies and approaches in recent decades. These researches have directly or indirectly contributed in better understanding of climate issues, risks and vulnerabilities. It has improved awareness and capacities of the public and communities to adapt to the vulnerabilities and impacts. It, further, contributes in formulation of climate policies and plans to address climate risks and vulnerabilities at the local and national levels. Appropriate methodologies lead to better results in the researches. This paper has applied systematic review of the published papers (2010 -2017) to understand the general and specific research methodologies in climate discourse especially in Web of Science (WS), Springer Link (SL) and Science Direct (SD). Altogether, 37 journal papers (10 WS, 13 SL and 14 SD) were selected for the detail analysis based on the assessment of abstracts, which was mainly concentrated on research methodologies specializing in agriculture. In the process, the authors have analyzed the contents, research methodologies, data analysis, and geographical coverages. The analysis, further, concentrated on the scope and limitations of the research methodologies used.  Wide-ranging research methodologies are found that are applied by the researchers in the climate change discourse. Some researchers have applied general research methodologies whereas others have used specific research methodologies and model analysis. Furthermore, it is comprehended that the combination of research methodologies and approaches through focus group discussion together with household survey and model analysis is the effective way for the research by using quantitative and qualitative data. 

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF MODERN COMMERCIAL PORK PRODUCTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Garmatyk ◽  
R. Susol ◽  
M. Broshkov ◽  
O. Danchuk ◽  
Ih. Panikar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristic ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Physicochemical Analysis ◽  
Large White ◽  
Pork Products ◽  
Cooking Properties ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Exudative Meat ◽  
Terminal Sire

By a morphological study of carcasses of young pig stock of different origin, it has been proved that up-to-date crossbreeding schemes using meat-type breeds as parents increase the percentage of meat in a carcass and optimise the lean-to-fat ratio. Physicochemical analysis of pork obtained from pigs of different breeds has shown that all the parameters investigated are within the current physiological standards. Most parameters have shown no significant difference, though tend to exhibit some peculiarities associated with the effect of a genotype on how this or that physicochemical characteristic manifests itself. The use of the Piétrain breed as the sire line decreases the intramuscular fat content, and hence the calorific value of pork. The back fat of this breed has the highest melting point, which indicates its high storability, but somewhat lower cooking properties than those of similar products obtained from offspring of Large White and Landrace parents. The pH and water-holding capacity of the pork of Piétrain-sired offspring make it quite similar to PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) meat: this pork is slightly less tender and paler in colour and exhibits greater weight loss during thermal processing. Also, the result of a comprehensive sensory evaluation of boiled pork and pork broth obtained from Piétrain-sired young stock was the lowest, which is consistent with most of the physicochemical properties of pork from pigs of this genotype. So, it is the 75% purebred Landrace that should be favoured as a terminal sire line in crossbreeding programmes in order to obtain pork and bacon of improved quality in intensive commercial swine production systems. It is recommended to combine Piétrain and Duroc lines to produce terminal sires, ½ (Piétrain + Duroc), that will be further mated with two-breed-cross dams – ½ (Large White + Landrace).

scholarly journals A Multi-Site Evaluation of Winter Hardiness in Indigenous Alfalfa Cultivars in Northern China

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1538
Author(s):  
Lijun Xu ◽  
Qian Liu ◽  
Yingying Nie ◽  
Feng Li ◽  
Guixia Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Winter Hardiness ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Field Evidence

Integration of perennial grass species into the current food production systems, especially in the agropastoral regions worldwide, may produce multiple benefits including, among others, a more stable productivity and a smaller eco-environmental footprint. However, one of the fundamental challenges facing the large-scale adoption of such grass species is their ability to withstand the vagaries of winter in these regions. Here, we present a comprehensive evaluation of the winter hardiness of 50 indigenous Chinese cultivars of alfalfa, a high-quality leguminous perennial grass, in comparison with six introduced U.S. cultivars in a multi-site field experiment in northern China. Our results reveal that indigenous cultivars have stronger winter hardiness than introduced cultivars. Cultivars native in the north performed better than southern cultivars, suggesting that suitability evaluation is an unavoidable step proceeding any regional implementations. Our results also show that the metric we used to assess alfalfa’s winter hardiness, the average score index (ASI), produced more consistent results than another more-widely used metric of winter survival rate (WSR). These findings offer a systematic field evidence that supports regional cropping system adjustment and production system betterment to ensure food security under climate change in the region and beyond.

scholarly journals Effect of cropping technologies on the yield of dry bean variety ’Diana’

2016 ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
Gyuláné Györgyi ◽  
István Henzsel ◽  
Antal Ferenczy
Keyword(s):  
Weak Efficiency ◽  
Growth Season ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Ecological Sensitivity ◽  
Dry Bean ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Bean Yield ◽  
The University

An experiment on three dry bean varieties (Start, Hópehely, Diana), using different sowing-times, fertilizers and plant densities was performed on sandy soil in the University of Debrecen, Centre for Agricultural Sciences, Research Institute of Nyíregyháza in 2015. The aim of the experiment was to study which treatment gives the highest yield, and whether the different treatments result in significant differences in the yields. In this paper the dry bean yield at ‘Diana’ variety is analyzed. The treatments were done with three fertilizer doses and three plant densities at different sowing-times (April 24; May 8; May 18). As a result of the high temperature and the drought during the growth season, the yields we harvested were in low, which shows the ecological sensitivity of the plant we examined. We concluded that the poorest yield was harvested at the third sowing-time. There was no significant difference in the yields at the first and second sowing- time. Examining all the three fertilizer treatments we applied at the experiment, we achieved the highest yields in the control plots. It might be due to the weak efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer under the extremely dry conditions. The highest yield was harvested at the control treatments during the second sowing-time. Regarding the effect of the plant densities, the highest crop yield was achieved at the treatment using 400 000 germs ha-1, followed by 300 000 germs ha-1 and 200 000 germs ha-1.

scholarly journals Nigerian Fulani ecotype chickens - I – Growth performance under two production systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
A. R. Sanusi ◽  
 S. O.  Oseni
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Production System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Litter Production ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Significant Difference

The rearing of indigenous chickens is an integral part of the smallholder farming systems in  developing countries, where they are kept by the rural poor to satisfy multiple functions Thus,  the growth performance of Nigerian Fulani ecotype chicken (NFEC) under intensive and  pastured poultry production systems was evaluated. Two hundred, day-old chicks of Nigerian  Fulani ecotype chicken (NFEC) were obtained. The chickens were separated randomly to  intensive and pastured poultry production systems at 12 weeks of age. Data on body weight  ® were taken weekly from day-old to 20 weeks. Data were analyzed using PROC GLM of SAS at statistical significance level of P<0.05. Results showed significant effect of sex of chicken  th th from the 10 to the 20 week of age (P<0.05). Significant interaction effect was observed  between sex and production system at weeks 16 and 18 (P<0.05) when the male chickens  under the intensive production system outpaced their male counterparts in the pastured  poultry. Average daily gain for the period of 20 weeks was 6.83g and 9.21g for female and  male chickens, respectively. Weight gain pattern across weeks was not uniform. There was no  significant difference in the growth rate in the two production systems (P>0.05). The study  revealed that little disparity exists in growth performance of NFEC under the pastured and  deep-litter production systems. 

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