A Review of Research Directions and Research Methods of Farmland Weeds

Farmland weeds are an important part of farmland ecosystems. Research on farmland weeds is one of the major research fields in agricultural ecology. It is of great significance for achieving high yield, high quality and high efficiency in agriculture. In recent years, research on farmland weeds has focused on investigation of weed communities, research on weed seed banks, and research on weed control. These three research directions complement each other. Among them, the investigation work of weed communities and the research of weed seed banks are helpful for us to grasp the occurrence of farmland weeds more accurately and provide references for the control of farmland weeds. This article summarizes the research directions of farmland weeds in recent years (weed community investigation, weed seed bank, weed control) and the research methods used, provide reference value for the follow-up research work of farmland weeds, and provide theoretical support for promoting the development of rural ecological industry and building beautiful villages.

Major Causes of Calf Morbidity and Mortality in Smallholder Dairy Farms in Shashemene Town, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the major causes of calf morbidity and mortality in smallholder dairy farms and associated potential risk factors in Shashemene. A total of 187 calves from 46 farms were included in the present study. The overall crude morbidity and crude mortality rates were 27.8% and 6.4%, respectively. The most frequent disease syndrome was diarrhea with incidence rate of 28(15%) followed by pneumonia 8(4.3%), Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorder 8(4.3%) and septicemia 5(2.7%). In addition skin lesion, navel ill and unidentified cases were encountered. The main causes of death were diarrhea 6(3.2%), Septicemia 2(1.1%), GIT disorder 2(1.1%), pneumonia 1(0.5%) and others 1(0.5%). The most important risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality were housing hygiene, floor condition and calf size in farm. Out of 187 calves examined for GIT parasites; 63(33.3%) were positive for nematode eggs. Prevalence of helminthes parasite increased with increasing age, showing higher prevalence (P<0.05) in calves above 2 months than in calves below 2 months of age. Besides, majority of the calves, 48(25.7%) were found positive for coccidian oocyst. In general; diarrhea, pneumonia and septicemia were the major causes of calf morbidity and mortality. Interms of risk factors housing hygiene, floor condition, calf size in the farms, age and breed were identified major role players. Therefore, identifying major causes and improving management practices and breed should be given to emphasis by advisory of smallholder dairy farms.

Parasitoids Collected from Animal Feces in Brazil

The purpose of the paper is to report the species of dipteran parasitoids in poultry feces on farms, buffalo, and cattle in the field in Brazil. The experiments were carried out from April 2006 to December 2007. The pupae were obtained by the flotation method. They were individually placed in gelatin capsules until the emergency of the adult flies or their parasitoids. The specie more frequent was S endius with 7.2%. Were obtained from bovine feces 628 pupae of dipterous in buffalo feces, 3,437 pupae were collected and from chicken feces 2,799 pupae, from which 78, 172 and 504 parasitoids emerged, respectively. The most frequent species in bovine, of buffalo and chicken feces were: Gnathopleura quadridentata Wharton (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with 25.6%, Spalangia drosophilae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) with 21.5% and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani, 1875) with 46.8%, respectively.

Saline Irrigation Water Retards Growth of Amaranthus in Coastal Kenya

Salinity is a major biotic factor that negatively affects growth and yield of crops. Over 90% of the coastal region of Kenya is arid and semi-arid, most farmers in the region use borehole irrigation water which is saline. Amaranthus spp. is one of the main vegetables grown in coastal region. There is limited information regarding the effect of salinity on amaranthus production. The study sought to determine the effect of saline irrigation water on amaranthus growth in coastal Kenya. Two experiments were set up, one at Mivumoni Secondary School farm in Kwale County and another at Pwani University farm in Kilifi County from beginning of September 2019 to the end of January, 2020. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The six treatments tested were: fresh water alone, 75% saline water alone, 100% saline water alone, fresh water + DAP, 75% saline water + DAP, 100% saline water + DAP. Crop growth data collected were: emergence rate, plant height, leaf number, leaf area, chlorophyll content, stem thickness, root density, root weight, root volume and total plant biomass. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical package (SAS, Version 10) and treatment effects were tested for significance using F-test. Significant means at F-test was ranked using Tukey’s test at 5% level of significance. Amaranthus seeds sown in fresh water had higher emergence rate compared to seeds sown in saline water. Salinity regardless of concentration used and application of DAP, resulted in decrease in height, leaf number, leaf area, stem tickness, chlorophyll content, root length, root weight, root volume and total biomass. The study demonstrates that saline irrigation water in coastal Kenya has a negative effect on Amaranthus growth.

Development of Micro Food Processing Sector through Food Processing Entrepreneurship in Manipur

Micro Food processing industry is gaining its momentum in the recent years in Northeast India and particularly in Manipur. This sector plays a vital role in connecting the bridge between the agricultural produce and the entrepreneurship development. The region bestows by the abundance of unique and rich horticultural produce gives thrust to developing the food processing sector in the region. Government schemes and projects also add to the development of the sector and to the food entrepreneur by providing financial, technical and business support. The state sharing its border with the Myanmar has a significant impact on the food processing industry particularly in terms of marketing and trading aspects. Food Entrepreneurs should enhance their work on diversifying the horizons of the value added products, increasing job opportunities, marketing and technical skills etc. which will ultimately help in developing the food processing industry in the state.

Parasitoids of Agricultural Importance Collected at Atlantic Forest Biomes in Brazil: A Bibliographic Summary

Its ecological processes evolved from the eocene, when the continents were already relatively willing as they are today . Currently, the Atlantic Forest has only 7%. of its original area Parasitoids are organisms that cause the death of their hosts to complete their development and act as parasites only in the larval stage, when they develop in only one host, with adults having a free life.This manuscript consists of the elaboration of a bibliographic summary of the parasitoids collected in Atlantic Forest biomes. A bibliographic research was carried out that contained published works in the years 2002 to 2021.

Milk Market Performances and cofounding factors along Milk Value Chain in Pastoral Area: A Case of Borana Pastoralists, Borana Zone, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Borana zone with the objectives understanding the milk market performance and challenges along the value chain. The primary data was collected from 123 households that drawn proportionally following multistage sampling based randomly selected households. Additionally, relevant information was collected from different sectors besides relevant literatures session. Similarly, Focused Group Discussions, key informant interview and visual observations were also undertaken to collect the primary data. In the course of data collection, different set of checklists were used for different group of actors to guide survey data collection, group discussions and key informant interview. The study found that input supply, natural calamity, marketing system, declining of livestock productivity, infrastructure and hygiene are among the major challenges along the dairy value chain. Above all, the dominance of value chain actors by pastoralists coupled with fragmented milk marketing system were the critical factors that stunted the milk market system in the study area. As a result, the performance of milk value chain is fragmented and distorted. Moreover, the supply of milk to the market become meager even though the milk selling practices has been flamed. Additionally, the dilution of pure drought resistant Borana cattle called “Qorti” is at its critical level of its extinction which challenge the milk production. Thus, it is important to enhance the milk marketing, encouraging milk supply and improving milk productivity.

From Novelty to Normalcy: Making Entomophagy a Common Diet

This paper presents an analysis of the future of insect eating in two dimensions: the barriers of making insect eating popular and possible pathways to make entomophagy a common diet. Firstly, the brief introduction is stated to make a clear statement of normalizing insect eating, discuss the topic’s relevance with current news regarding COVID-19 and provide a clear thesis statement. Then, the obstacles that prevent many people eating insects are evaluated through the framework of Failure of Diffusion Theory and “Yuck” factors. In the last part, possible solutions are offered accordingly, to help accomplish the goal of making insect food popular. Finally, some end notes and closing thoughts are included in the conclusion.

Exploring constraints and opportunities for sorghum production in dry regions of Zimbabwe

The objective of the study was to explore the constraints and opportunities for small-holder sorghum farmers in dry regions.Two hundred and fifty farmers were sampled by using the simple random and snowball sampling to provide the information that answered the research questions. Questionnaire and interviews were used as the research instruments. Out of 250 participants, 80% were males and 20% were females showing that more males were selected for the research. Data was coded and processed using excel. Descriptive statistics were used to describe results. Of all the participants, 4% were in the age range of 25-30 years, 10% in the age range of 31-35 years, 14% in the age range of 36-40 years, 16% in the age range of 41-45 years and 56% in the age range of 46 years and above. Out of all the participants, 20% attained primary education while 68% had attained secondary education. Only 12% had tertiary education. Results indicated availability of resources (60%) such as certified seed, fertilizers, herbicides and draught power as the major constraint in the production of sorghum. Lack of technical knowhow (20%) of sorghum production, poor farming methods (9.6%) such as mono-cropping, Striga weed (12%), outbreak of fall armyworm (14.4%) and marketing of produce (8%) were also amongst the major constraints indicated by most participants. 66% of the 250 participants showed that they produce sorghum due to its drought tolerant nature. Beer brewing was just slightly above half (52%) whilst making mealie meal was slightly below half (48%). Lack of knowledge, resources and poor markets hindered sorghum production in dry regions. Farmers were using retained seeds which are populated and affected by diseases and this contributed to low yields. Opportunities such as reducing poverty, food insecurity and income generation drives some farmers to venture into sorghum production.

Rediscovering pride in agricultural heritage through cultivation of African Indigenous vegetables (AIVs) as climate acquiescent vegetables, immune and health in response to COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

African Indigenous Vegetables are assert to cope with climate variability beside their great potential as both food and medicine in Zimbabwe. They can be easily grown in drought prone areas with low rainfall as they are resistant to adverse environmental factors. Inimitable opportunities are offered through cultivation of AIVs to diversify farming systems so as to ensure food security and are cheap alternatives as compared to their expensive exotic counterparts. Alternative approaches to reduce escalating numbers of current Covid-19 patients and death is to introduce nutrient intervention through rediscovering of pride in agriculture through cultivation and commercialisation of AIVs in Zimbabwe. AIVs have great potential to improve immune response by supplementing dietary requirements (micronutrients) of an individual and can have a positive impact on COVID-19 outcome as they play a significant role in the immune system. AIVs have antifungal, acaricidal, antiviral, anticancer and act as immune stimulants. There is need for persuasive research based information, suitable national legislation and information campaigns on cultivation and consumption of AIVs in Zimbabwe.