An assessment of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices skills amongst extension practitioners in South Africa

One of the roles of extension services is to link farmers to the developers of technological solutions (research outputs). Extension officers act as facilitators and assist farmers in their decision-making and technology adaptation. With the changing climate threatening production resources, extension officers need to encourage farmers to adopt various climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. The paper seeks to reflect on a study by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to assess their skills and knowledge about climate change and CSA. The study aimed to conduct a skills audit on CSA and related concepts. Through a stratified sampling method, all extension practitioners (EPs) registered with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) were included in the survey. The survey, administered through a user-friendly tool (online google forms), was developed to investigate: familiarity with, and current skills in climate-smart agriculture and collect biographic information, field of responsibility (e.g. cropping, livestock and mixed farming). Both quantitative and qualitative data was sourced through the survey tool to draw generalized conclusion and perceptions of how best to improve the capabilities of EPs on CSA. The results of the survey showed that EPs had a theoretical understanding of climate change and CSA. Generally, EPs across all positions, education levels, age categories and experience could identify the correct definition and cause of climate change, despite the fact that the majority had not received any CSA training. On the contrary, the majority of respondents had little understanding of how best to apply the CSA approach in practice, to assist farmers curb the effects of climate change. A CSA training programme was developed to establish a strong theoretical base, together with an understanding of the challenges presented by climate change and climate variability to sustainable agriculture in South Africa.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Sustainable Agriculture Research, Vol. 10, No. 4

Sustainable Agriculture Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated. Sustainable Agriculture Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please contact us for the application form at: [email protected] Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 4 Aaron Norris, Texas Tech University, USA Bed Mani Dahal, Kathmandu University, Nepal Darwin Pangaribuan, Lampung University, Indonesia Jiban Shrestha, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Nepal Katarzyna Panasiewicz, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland Luciano Chi, Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, Belize Manuel Teles Oliveira, University Tras os Montes Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal Patrice Ngatsi Zemko, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon Roberto José Zoppolo, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (Uruguay), Uruguay Tenaw Workayehu, Hawassa Research Center, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia Waqar Majeed, University of Agriculture, Pakistan

Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics

This study investigated the effects of MUN and climatological factors on the inter calving period (ICP), reproductive performance (RP%), and reproductive index (RI) in Holstein Friesian (n = 1177) and Jersey cows (n = 3305) in different seasons in the subtropics. Threshold values for MUN on the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics remain controversial due to complex environmental interactions, especially with high environmental temperatures. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data obtained from the National Milk Recording scheme of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa. The results confirm that MUN influences the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics. MUN concentrations exceeding 18.1 ± 4.28 mg/dL in Holstein Friesian cows and 13.0 ± 4.70 mg/dL in Jersey cows extended the inter calving period (ICP), and decreased RP% and RI. Jersey cows have a lower threshold MUN concentration compared to Holstein Friesian cows, but they are not adversely affected by high humidity or temperatures, while Holstein Friesian cows are.

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Journal of Agricultural Studies (JAS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 3Ahmad Reza Pirali Zefrehei, Gorgan University, IranAlessandra M. Lima Naoe, Federal University of Tocantins, BrazilAlexandru Ioan Apahidean, Univ. of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, RomaniaAna Daniela Lopes, Universidade Paranaense, BrazilAnca-Luiza Stanila, ICPA, RomaniaAndré Luiz Rodrigues Magalhães, UFAPE, BrazilAngel Ramon Sanchez Delgado, Universidade federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BrazilArnaud Z. Dragicevic, IRSTEA, FranceBenard Kiplangat Rop, University of Nairobi, KenyaCamilla H. M. Camargos, University of Campinas, BrazilCleber Duarte, University of Guararapes, BrazilDarwin Pangaribuan, University of Lampung, IndonesiaEben von Well, Agricultural Research Council, South AfricaEliana Mariela Werbin, National University of Cordoba, ArgentinianEmmanuel E. Omeje, University of Nigeria, NigeriaEric Krawczyk, University of Michigan, USAEric Owusu Danquah, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, GhanaFernando Rodrigues de Amorim, State University of Paulista (UNESP), BrazilGuitong Li, China Agricultural University, ChinaHabu Saleh Hamisu, National Horticultural Research Institute, NigeriaHedayatollah K. Soureshjani, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, IranJacquelin Teresa Camperos Reyes, São Paulo State University (UNESP), BrazilJorge A. López, University Tiradentes, BrazilJuliana Nneka Ikpe, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, NigeriaLuh Suriati, Warmadewa University, IndonesiaMahyar Gerami, Sana Institute of Higher Education, IranMaría Francisca Perera, ITANOA, EEAOC-CONICET, ArgentinaMariana Esteves, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture University of Sao Paulo, BrazilMohamed Mattar, King Saud University, Saudi ArabiaMohammed El Basuini, Kagoshima University, JapanMohammed Jamal Uddin, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), BangladeshNkemkanma Vivian Agi, Rivers State University Port Harcourt, NigeriaOlga Mykhailenko, National University of Pharmacy, UkraineRadu Liviu Sumalan, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary, RomaniaRaul Pașcalău, Banat's University, RomaniaSaiful Irwan Zubairi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), MalaysiaSarir Ahmad, Abdul Wali Khan University, PakistanShubha Kumari, ICAR-RCER, IndiaSina Nabaei, Azad University, IranSudu Hakuruge Pushpa Malkanthi, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Sri LankaSybelle Mesquita Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilToncho Gospodinov Penev, Trakia University, BulgariaTugay Ayasan, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, TurkeyUtkarsh R. Moon, Mahatma Gandhi College of Science, IndiaZakaria Fouad Abdallah, National Research Centre, EgyptZeinab Mohammadi Shad, Iowa State University, USAZhao Chen, Clemson University, USA Richard WilliamsEditorial AssistantJournal of Agricultural Studies--------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Fax: 1-702-420-2900Email 1: [email protected] 2: [email protected]: http://jas.macrothink.org

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Journal of Agricultural Studies (JAS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 2Ai-Ping Wu, Hunan Agricultural University, ChinaAlessandra M. Lima Naoe, Federal University of Tocantins, BrazilAlexandra-Nadia Cirdei, Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest, RomaniaAlexandru Ioan Apahidean, Univ. of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, RomaniaAna Daniela Lopes, Universidade Paranaense, BrazilAnca-Luiza Stanila, ICPA, RomaniaAndré Luiz Rodrigues Magalhães, UFAPE, BrazilAngel Ramon Sanchez Delgado, Universidade federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BrazilArnaud Z. Dragicevic, IRSTEA, FranceCleber Duarte, University of Guararapes, BrazilDarwin Pangaribuan, University of Lampung, IndonesiaEben von Well, Agricultural Research Council, South AfricaEliana Mariela Werbin, National University of Cordoba, ArgentinianEric Krawczyk, University of Michigan, USAEric Owusu Danquah, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, GhanaErnest Baafi, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, GhanaEwa Moliszewska, Opole University, PolandFernando Coelho Eugenio, Federal University of Santa Maria, BrazilFernando Rodrigues de Amorim, State University of Paulista (UNESP), BrazilHabu Saleh Hamisu, National Horticultural Research Institute, NigeriaHedayatollah K. Soureshjani, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, IranJoão Manoel da Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilJorge A. López, University Tiradentes, BrazilJuliana Nneka Ikpe, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, NigeriaMahyar Gerami, Sana Institute of Higher Education, IranMariana Esteves, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture University of Sao Paulo, BrazilMohammed El Basuini, Kagoshima University, JapanMpho Tshikororo, University of Venda, South AfricaNkemkanma Vivian Agi, Rivers State University Port Harcourt, NigeriaRadu Liviu Sumalan, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary, RomaniaRaul Pașcalău, Banat's University, RomaniaSaiful Irwan Zubairi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), MalaysiaSait Engindeniz, Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, TurkeySamir Neggaz, Université Oran, AlgeriaServet Aras, Bozok University, TurkeyShubha Kumari, ICAR-RCER, IndiaSina Nabaei, Azad University, IranSybelle Mesquita Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilToncho Gospodinov Penev, Trakia University, BulgariaTugay Ayasan, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, TurkeyUtkarsh R. Moon, Mahatma Gandhi College of Science, IndiaWossenie Shibabaw Mebratie, Bahir Dar University, EthiopiaZakaria Fouad Abdallah, National Research Centre, Egypt Richard WilliamsEditorial AssistantJournal of Agricultural Studies--------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Fax: 1-702-420-2900Email 1: [email protected] 2: [email protected]: http://jas.macrothink.org

Institutional Assessment of the Impact of Microsoft Excel on Data Base Management in Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Borno State, Nigeria

The study is an effort to assess the impact of Microsoft Excel on data based management in Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga – Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through face-to-face interview and the used of check list from 1st to 31st March, 2021. Both qualitative and descriptive techniques were employed in the analysis of the data. The result shows that Microsoft Excel was used to calculate, analyze, visualize, processes data and information by the use of columns and rows with formulas. Enables statistical thinking and enhances understanding of important ideas in statistics. It is recommended that holistic approach should be made in the development of information communication technology (ICT) in all spheres of governance in the study area and environs and also at the apex level; Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).

Conservation Agriculture Mitigates the Effects of Climate Change

Intensive tillage based conventional agriculture have high global warming potential. Alternative to this, conservation agriculture (CA) systems utilize soils for the production of crops by reducing excessive tillage, maintaining crop residue on the soil surface, and adoption of crop rotations. The paper attempts to review the findings of CA based experiments under different cropping systems within and outside of the country. It has been found that CA increases and sustains the crop productivities, mitigates green house gas emissions from agriculture by enhancing soil carbon sequestration, improving soil nutrient status and water use efficiencies, and reducing fuel consumption. Mainstreaming of CA systems in Nepal is hindered by its knowledge gap, inadequate farm machineries and tools, small holdings, poor infrastructures, and lack of CA friendly policy support. Therefore, there is an urgent need to test, verify and scale-out the CA based technologies by Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) across the different agro-ecologies through farmer-centered partnership among the international institutions, public and private sector of Nepal.

Reviewer Acknowledgements

Journal of Agricultural Studies (JAS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 1Ahmed Mohamed Elbeltagi, Mansoura University, EgyptAi-Ping Wu, Hunan Agricultural University, ChinaAlessandra M. Lima Naoe, Federal University of Tocantins, BrazilAlexandra-Nadia Cirdei, Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest, RomaniaAlexandru Ioan Apahidean, UASVM, RomaniaAna Daniela Lopes, Universidade Paranaense, BrazilAnca-Luiza Stanila, ICPA, RomaniaAngel Ramon Sanchez Delgado, Universidade federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BrazilArnaud Z. Dragicevic, IRSTEA, FranceBenard Kiplangat Rop, University of Nairobi, KenyaCleber Duarte, University of Guararapes, BrazilDarwin Pangaribuan, University of Lampung, IndonesiaEben von Well, Agricultural Research Council, South AfricaEric Krawczyk, University of Michigan, USAEric Owusu Danquah, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, GhanaFábio Cassola, UNICAMP, BrazilFernando Coelho Eugenio, Federal University of Santa Maria, BrazilGuitong Li, China Agricultural University, ChinaHabu Saleh Hamisu, National Horticultural Research Institute, NigeriaHedayatollah K. Soureshjani, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, IranJanerson Jose Coelho, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, BrazilJoão Manoel da Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilJorge A. López, University Tiradentes, BrazilMahyar Gerami, Sana Institute of Higher Education, IranMaría Elena Estrada Martínez, Universidad Metropolitana, EcuadorMaría Francisca Perera, ITANOA, EEAOC-CONICET, ArgentinaMariana Esteves, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture University of Sao Paulo, BrazilMd. Sadique Rahman, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, BangladeshNeha Jha, Massey University New Zealand, New ZealandNkemkanma Vivian Agi, Rivers State University Port Harcourt, NigeriaOlga Mykhailenko, National University of Pharmacy, UkraineOscar Mitsuo Yamashita, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, BrazilRaul Pașcalău, BUASVM, RomaniaSaiful Irwan Zubairi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), MalaysiaSamir Neggaz, Université Oran, AlgeriaSarir Ahmad, Abdul Wali Khan University, PakistanShakirudeen Abimbola Lawal, University of Cape Town, South AfricaShubha Kumari, ICAR-RCER, IndiaSomaia Alkhair, Alzaeim Alazhari University, SudanSybelle Mesquita Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilToncho Gospodinov Penev, Trakia University, BulgariaUtkarsh R. Moon, Mahatma Gandhi College of Science, IndiaWossenie Shibabaw Mebratie, Bahir Dar University, EthiopiaZakaria Fouad Abdallah, National Research Centre, EgyptZhao Chen, Clemson University, USA Richard WilliamsEditorial AssistantJournal of Agricultural Studies--------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Fax: 1-702-420-2900Email 1: [email protected] 2: [email protected]: http://jas.macrothink.org

ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS ADAPTABILITY ON AKHA BIOCHAR FOR WHEAT PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH

Akha biochar has the potential to exploit by farmer in Bangladesh. This study was undertaken to assess the perception of Akha biochar to utilize for wheat cultivation in the several farmer’s field of Bangladesh. This study aims to assess farmer’s adaptability on akha biochar for enhancing wheat production in Bangladesh. The utilization of Akha biochar as a source of nutrients supply for wheat production was investigated in this study. Akha Chula produced biochar was used as a Akha biochar source and the BARI Gom 28 was used as a testing plant. Five treatments like control (nothing was added), BARC (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council) recommended fertilizer for wheat production, 5 kg/decimal biochar only, BARC recommended fertilizer plus 2.5 kg/decimal biochar and BARC recommended fertilizer plus 5 kg/decimal biochar. Same treatment was applied in three separate farmer’s field namely Mansur, Latif and Nayan. Among three farmers, Latif farmer field was highly fertile that resulted highest wheat productivity in several treatments. Result also showed that the BARC recommended dose with 2.5 kg biochar/ decimal produced highest wheat yield among the other treatments in all farmer’s field. These findings suggested that optimum level of Akha biochar amendments have potential benefits to improve soil fertility. The use of Akha biochar in addition to the chemical fertilizers in wheat production systems is an economically feasible and practical nutrient management practice. Our findings urged that reduction of chemical fertilizer application is possible with supplementation of Akha biochar. This study concluded that Akha biochar has the potential to improve soil fertility and productivity of wheat in Bangladesh.

Historical development of the Puccinia triticina population in South Africa

In contrast to many other countries, the virulence and genetic diversity of the South African Puccinia triticina population before 1980, is unknown due to the absence of regular and systematic race analysis data and viable rust cultures. Herbarium specimens housed at the National Collection of Fungi, Biosystematics Unit, Plant Health and Protection, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa (SA), provided the opportunity to investigate the genetic development of the population using isolates collected between 1906 and 2010. Five sub-populations that survived between 21 and 82 years in the field, were found. While three of these could represent the original races that entered SA during European settlement, two appear to be recent exotic introductions into SA, most probably from other African countries. The demise of the three oldest sub-populations might be due to the release of resistant wheat cultivars. The population is clonal where new virulence develops through single step mutations and selection for virulence. Whereas a possible case of somatic hybridization was found, sexual reproduction appears to be absent in SA. This study confirmed the importance of annual surveys, not only in SA, but also in neighboring countries, to timeously detect the presence of new virulent races that could threaten wheat production in SA.