Evaluation of Yield and Resistance Effect of Some Yam Genotypes (Dioscorea rotundata Pior) to Pest Attack at Harvest in Uyo, Southeastern Nigeria

Two years study was carried to assess level of resistance to yam beetle and termite attack by some yam genotypes in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design replicated three times. The five yam genotypes tested for yam beetle and termite attack at harvest were; TDr 95/19127, 95/18894, 95/19531, 75/1/2 and Uyo popular local variety eteme. The results showed variations in yield and susceptible to termite and beetle attack at harvest. The TDr 75/1/2 had highest yield 30.41 and 29.75t/ha, followed by TDr 95/18894, 28.86 and 27.93t/ha in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The local variety had lowest yield 9.75 and 10.07 t/ha in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The local variety had 14.58% termite attack in 2008 while 95/19127 had 12.64% in 2009. The local variety had highest beetle attack 45.83% and 32.76% in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The least prone to termite and beetle attack was recorded in TDr 75/1/2, 2.72 and 8.15% respectively in 2008 and 2.99 and 6.59% in 2009 respectively. The study suggested that TDr 75/1/2 and 95/18894 should incorporate in the farming system of the study area due to their high yielding capacity and resistance to pest attack at harvest.

Preference for improved varietal attributes of Bambara groundnut among smallholder farmers in Ghana

This paper examines farmers’ preferences for an improved Bambara groundnut variety, the key attributes desired, factors influencing preference, and the number of attributes desired by smallholder farmers in Ghana. Using data collected from 113 randomly selected households growing Bambara in the Wenchi and Nkoranza municipalities in southern Ghana, we estimate the factors influencing preference decisions and the intensity of the desired attributes using probit and Poisson regression models respectively. Preference for an improved Bambara variety is influenced by experience in farming, availability of extension services, credit access, membership of farmer-based organisations, plant type, seed colour, household size and yielding capacity. The attributes desired the most by farmers are high yielding capacity, high protein content, branched plant type and seeds that are dark or brown in colour. Furthermore, key factors influencing the number of attributes desired in an improved Bambara variety include the farmer’s sex, education, years of experience in Bambara cultivation, household size, membership of farmer-based organisations and extension services. There is a need to consider these varietal attributes and the factors as integral to research and development efforts, as well as to the policy agenda, to enhance the adoption of improved Bambara varieties for increased productivity and incomes of smallholders in Ghana.

Effect of the next-generation stimulants on the yielding capacity of winter wheat in moisture deficit conditions

In the conditions of the Stavropol Krai arid region the single nutrient fertilizer treatment of winter wheat does not always justify the costs expended due to the moisture deficit during the growing season. In this regard, one of current promising areas is the additional combined use of chemical fertilizers, growth-stimulating agents and micronutrients intended for seed and vegetative plant treatment. In 2018–2020 a research was conducted into the effect of the VL 77 growth stimulants and the Orakul Semena, Orakul Multikompleks, and Orakul Sera Activ micronutrient complexes at different growth and development stages during winter wheat cultivation in the volatile weather conditions of the Stavropol Krai arid region. The research establishes the effectiveness of the combined use of the next-generation stimulants during winter wheat cultivation on chestnut soils in the conditions of the Stavropol Krai arid region. The highest yield of the Idilliya winter wheat variety (4.68 t/ha) was achieved by initially dressing the seeds with the VL 77 growth stimulants combined with the Orakul Semena micronutrient complex and treating the seeds with the VL 77 growth stimulants in combination with the Orakul Multikompleks micronutrient complex during the spring growth resumption period. The second treatment of vegetative plants during the flag leaf stage stimulated their growth, but moisture deficit reduced the yields by 2.3%. Still, the yields obtained exceeded the test yields by 4.3%. On average, during the three years of research the growth stimulant and micronutrient complex treatment boosted the yielding capacity in moisture deficit conditions by 4.6–5.1%. The cost effectiveness concurrently increased from 66.0% to 89.0%.

The study of multivariance in realization of the plum graft and rootstock combinations adaptivity systems to the changing conditions of environment in the Krasnodar region with the use of digital technologies

The study of rootstocks group, providing the average vigor of growth for the grafted fruit plants, discovered their significant influence on the frost hardiness of the “graft-rootstock” system. The adaptivity of the plum varieties in the different graft and rootstock combinations was studied according to the “frost hardiness” criterion in the stages of the winter and spring development of the flower buds. The computer maps of the plum efficient allocation were created on the studied rootstocks, permitting to lay down the plantings with the lesser risks in the terms of climate fluctuation. It was established, that in the south of Russia the climatic conditions to cultivate Stanley variety on PK SK 1 rootstock, as compared with the rootstock of cherry plum seedling, mostly often used in industrial plantings of plum are mostly favorable. The conducted research contributes to isolation and allocation of the most adaptive graft and rootstock combinations based on their frost hardiness and, consequently, regularity of fruit-bearing and yielding capacity.