Agriculture

In view of the place of biological parameters in defining soil health, many scientists of repute have developed methods of assessing environmental parameters one of which is soil health. Soil health is assessed from several angles: biological, chemical, physical, bearing in mind that the top and sub soils are the zones of plant growth and active flora and fauna activities. Biological parameters of the soil cannot do without reference to enzyme, humic acid and microbial activities. A lot of methods have been developed for their assessment and a lot of scientists have adopted and modified the methods with varying results. Each of them have additional benefits. There may be limitations but that is the basis of science. A big thank you to all the scientists living and dead who have shaped the scientific community and the world from their research and findings. All of them have been recognized globally directly as nobel laureates and indirectly through other honours by peer groups. This paper presents enzyme and microbial activities methods of assessment and their pros and cons.

The cactus plant (Beles) grows profusely in Ethiopia and has adapted perfectly to the arid zones of the country characterized by droughty conditions, erratic rainfall, and poor soils subject to erosion. Cactus can be used for several purposes like sources of food, feed, as wind break, fence for crop and soil conservation for the people of the area. Although it is an important fruit and forage plant, there is no clear cut information about its current status, utilization, income contribution and marketing constraints in Bale Zone, South Eastern Ethiopia. To this end, the objective of this research was to assess the Current status, utilization, income contribution and marketing constraints of Cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) in selected districts of Bale Zone. In this study, three districts, namely, Sinana, Agarfa and Gasera were purposively selected based on their potential in cactus production and utilization. In addition, two kebeles from each district were selected purposefully based on their potential in cactus production. A total of 400 Cactus Grower and Non grower Households were selected to achieve the objectives of the study. Both qualitative and quantitative types of data were collected from sampled households. The quantitative type of data gathered from the respondents was analyzed using SPSS 20 versions whereas the data generated from group discussion and key informant interview were narrated and interpreted in the form of word. The descriptive result of the study indicated that Cactus feeding management includes the practices of cutting, scrubbing and chopping of young cladodes from branches of the stand for their animals and grazing. Regarding Cactus utilization in the study districts, farmers uses cactus pear for consumption (18.4%), live fence for crop field (13.7%), soil conservation (13.2%), and backyard live fence, (10.8%), for food security motive (9.9%), for forage (9.4%) and for wind break (8.5%) in the entire cactus growing areas of the study districts. Despite the fact that the vast majority of the respondents which accounts 61.3. % of the cactus growers reports they get unreasonable price from the sale of cactus due to lack access to potential market and low quality Cactus production, they obtained an average of 1007.9 Ethiopian Birr per annum. The study revealed that the income obtained from Cactus production was benefited 30.7% of farmers to cover their domestic consumables and purchase closes for their children. Also about 15.6% and 11.3% of the respondents were used the income obtained from the sale of cactus to cover costs of sending children to school and purchase improved crop varieties respectively. Regarding marketing constraints, the farmers indicated that Absence of Transportation facilities (20.3%), absence of market place (12.3%), low bargaining power (15.1%), perishability problem (17%), fluctuation of market price (9.4%) and availability of illegal brokers (14.2%) are the major problems they faces while selling their produce to the market. Regarding the income share of cactus grower and non grower Households it was found that the annual average income earned by cactus owner households were 13,910.6 birr whereas 12,371.3 birr for non cactus grower households with maximum earnings of up to Birr 30, 900 for non cactus grower and 35,960 for cactus grower households. Econometric result also reveals that the “average treatment effect on the treated” (ATT) for household income suggested, due to pure effect of cactus, the cactus owners obtain 1433.2049 birr of total income higher than non-owners; among which the mean difference of income between these two group is statistically significant at 5% probability level after matching. Considering the above mentioned fact, local government and other development partners should improve Access to market for cactus fruit so that farmers can get the best benefits from the cultivation of the crop.

The application of 20t/ha OF in each treatment supplemented with FE, in different frequencies of application resulted to higher yield as compared with control. Also, continued application of solid organic fertilizer in the soil, markedly improved all the soil properties after each cropping. Labor cost in land preparation and weeding were also reduced in different treatments with 20 t/ha + FE frequency. FE supplementation to organic solid fertilizer relatively reduced insect pest population and incidence of diseases

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a major staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa, valued for both its storage roots and edible leaves. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, cassava leaf harvesting is widely practiced; however, limited information is available regarding its effects on vegetative growth and foliar biomass production among local cultivars. This study assessed the influence of leaf harvesting frequency on vegetative growth and leaf biomass production of three cassava cultivars (Obama, Kelenga, and Kavide) under the agroecological conditions of Kindu, Maniema Province.The experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with three replications. The evaluated vegetative parameters included sprouting rate, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, regenerated buds, and fresh leaf biomass. The results revealed significant varietal effects on stem diameter (p = 0.01893), number of leaves (p < 0.001), and leaf biomass yield. The cultivar Kavide produced the highest fresh leaf biomass after the first harvest (400 ± 29 g), significantly exceeding those of Kelenga (252 ± 35.8 g) and Obama (240 ± 37.2 g). However, at five months after planting, differences in biomass production among cultivars were no longer significant (p = 0.5975), suggesting a convergence in regeneration capacity following repeated harvesting.Leaf harvesting frequency significantly affected plant height, stem diameter, and leaf production. These findings emphasize the importance of appropriate cultivar selection and harvesting management strategies for optimizing cassava leaf production systems in tropical agroecosystems.

The access to agricultural information in Sudan continues to be challenging to farmers due to use of inadequate sources and traditional extension approaches. The rapid growth of smart-mobile phones usage in developing countries resulted in several advantages compared to other alternatives in term of costs, geographic coverage and ease of use. This research was conducted in North Kordofan Sate to explore the role of smart-mobile phone in accessing agricultural information. Primary data were obtained by structured questionnaires and focus group discussion through participatory rural appraisal and observation while secondary data were collected from scientific journals, books and authenticated web sources. A number of 230 respondents (10% from total farmers) were interviewed and five focus group discussions were done. Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyze the data with aid of descriptive statistics and Chi-squire Test. The result indicated that most of the respondents fall in age group between 21-40 years, and they depend on farm activity. There was 90% of farmers processed mobile phone since more than three years ago, 90.8%continuedto use smart mobile phone to access agricultural information and showed positive contribution towards income generation. The results also revealed that there was positive perception towards using mobile phones which showed more efficient in use than radio and TVs. The results showed great advantages of using smart mobile phone where 75.2 % of respondents preferred to get agricultural information, logistics and other needs through successful communication in the mid of agricultural season. Results of Chi-squire test showed significant differences between the parameters tested. The study recommended that farmers should be connected with mobile phones to admit ease communication with agricultural extension offices and quick access to their needs and logistics.

This study aimed to determine the haematological values as well as the phenotypic correlation among the parameters of haematology. One hundred and twenty (120) Japanese quails were raised on a deep litter system. Two experimental diets (starter diet and layers diet) were given to the birds. Blood samples were taken from the birds at six (6) weeks for haematological analysis. According to the result obtained, sex did not have any significant (P> 0.05) effect on any of the haematological parameter. Meanwhile, it was also observed that increment in body weight was found supportive of the haematological parameters.

Although the magnetic field is an indispensible environmental factor for plants in soil, there is dearth of research regarding its effect on plant growth. In order to evaluate the effect of magnetic water on concentration of micronutrient elements in basil leaves, the present experiment was conducted under completely randomized factorial design with two treatments and three replications in greenhouse. The treatments consisted of the kind of water (magnetic and nonmagnetic water) and salinity treatment in three levels (distilled water, 30 mM and 50 mM salinity). The results indicated that the maximum effects on Mn, Zn and Cu concentration in basil leaves were produced by magnetic water. Concerning salinity treatments, the maximum effects on Mn, Zn, Cu and Total Fe in basil leaves were for water with 30 mM salinity. The interaction effects between the kind of water and salinity levels showed that maximum effects on these elements were related to magnetic distilled water.

In the present study, we tested the possibility of developing an appropriate technical itinerary for the green carpet crop system (ATV) involving pruning of grass hedges, composting of their clippings, direct seeding and fertiliser application that would ensure high overall productivity and major agroecological benefits. Compost with NPK 17- 17- 17 was applied to some plots of degraded soil in the ATV production system, while other plots were either treated with pig manure with NPK 17- 17- 17 on the side of the Slash and Burn production system. All treated plots are then used for maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation. A split-plot design was used with five replications per treatment. The study showed that the large amount of both forage and soil biomass was observed on the plots that received composts and chemical fertilizers in the ATV production system. These different results show that the ATV production system combined with organo-mineral fertilisation is a good source of mineral elements and make it possible to envisage its use in programmes to restore degraded soils.

This study aimed at identifying constraints of yam and soil fertility evaluation and management among smallholder farmers in Kabba/Bunu area. Ten communities were purposely selected and ten yam farmers randomly selected from each community.100 questionnaires were administered to and collected from the farmers. The questions were collated and analyzed using frequency, mean and percentage. 98% of the farmers cultivate white yam and 64% are aware of the existence of improved varieties. Constraints to yam production are lack of access to finance (84%), poor market/sales (71%), availability and cost of seed yam (70%), Lack of access to improved varieties (68%), low soil fertility (64%) and lack of access to fertilizer (56%). Prominent soil fertility indicators are soil colour, crop performance, vegetation type, presence of earthworm activities and topographic position. 59% of the farmers assessed their farm soil to be fertile while 41% is non-fertile. Fertility management practices adopted among the farmers are: mulching (98%), use of legume in intercropping system (62%) and post-harvest residue management (50%). The adoption and cultivation of other varieties of yam apart from white yam, use of organic manure and post-harvest residue management of slash-and-mulch as well as intervention of government and non-governmental organization were recommended.

In Maniema, average yields in smallholder farming areas are far lower than those obtained on large farms and at research stations. To address this shortfall and the resulting dependence on imports due to low yields, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the productivity of several maize varieties cultivated under the agro-ecological conditions of Kindu, specifically at the Lwama I site. These varieties were sown using a randomized complete block design with six replications, each consisting of three treatments. All of these varieties produced good maize yields and were well-received by the population of Kindu.