This study analysed farmers’ pesticides usage, awareness and health effects on the field. Information was obtained from 265 farmers through structured questionnaire and results were analysed using frequency and percentage to present the results. The results of this survey indicated 13 variety of chemicals were being applied heavily use as pesticides for control of different pests and diseases. As a result, farmers use pesticides without full understanding of their effects on human health 69.8%, this attributed to lack of agriculture extension services. Farmers behavior related to pesticides use showed that 30.2% ate and drinks during application, 15.1% do not wear protective cover and 11.3% smoke during pesticide application, this attributed to 35.8% of farmers are illiterate. Majority of the farmers showed different toxicity symptoms of sickness resulting from pesticides exposure. This study recommended that government and NGO’s should participate in minimizing health risks caused by the misused of pesticides.

Even though Ethiopia had undertaken different policy measures since 1991 to boost agricultural production and increase the spillover effects of agriculture, there is no available study done to know the effects of such policies. This study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing the supply response of the commodity chosen haricot bean in Sidama Zone of Southern Ethiopia. The study applies the modified Nerlovian model and uses price data and non price data from 1991-2012.The result of the estimates of the time series data shows that acreage is positively and significantly influenced by change in its own price in the long run. Acreage and yield are highly influenced by price and non price factors both in the long run and short run. Generally farmers respond to price incentives by reallocating land and increase yield. The error correction term shows that deviation of acreage from the equilibrium corrected in the current period and it takes less than five years to come to the equilibrium. On the other hand any deviation of yield from the equilibrium corrected in the current period and takes less than two years to come to the equilibrium. The empirical results illustrate that there is still great potential to increase production through improvement of price and non price inputs. Hence the ongoing measures should be directed towards assuring appropriate remunerative prices and increase investment and supply of other non price factors like, increase investment in irrigation.

Bean anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum causes severe common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield losses of up to 100% worldwide. Breeding for resistance is the best method to mitigate this problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the appropriateness of C. lindemuthianum multiple race inoculation in breeding for resistance to C. lindemuthianum in common bean. Seven parents with varying reactions to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum were mated in all possible combinations to generate fourty-two progeny crosses. These crosses together with their parents were evaluated in the green house for their reaction to C. lindemuthianum. The experiment was laid out following a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with four replications. The treatments used were: (1) inoculation with race 54; (2) inoculation with race 311 and (3) multiple inoculation of race 54 X race 311. The mean genotypic score among treatments were found to be 1.76, 2.62 and 3.06 for treatments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. There were significant differences (P < 0.01) among genotypic responses to C. lindemuthianum with respect to race 311. The t-test analysis revealed that multiple race inoculation (Treatment 3) had a higher mean disease severity expression than those of singly race inoculations (Treatment 1 and Treatment 2) (P< 0.01). The results suggest that multiple infection had a synergistic effect, indicating its suitability for screening resistant genotypes in the breeding program.

Agriculture in Ethiopia yet bases on small scale farming is experiencing frequent drought. The study examines, does improved wheat seed adoption benefit farmer’s wheat yield or not in Ofla woreda, Tigrai? A primary data sources from a survey of random sample 300 small scale farm households were gathered. Of which 100 were certified wheat seed adoptor farmers and the remaining 200 were non users. In dealing with propensity score matching (PSM) was applied. The average treatment effects on the treated (ATT) result revealed that improved wheat seed adoptor household’s earn 35 to 54 quintal of wheat yield per hectare at a cost of plowing 9,400 Birr larger in a single production year compared to non adoptors earn below 18 quintal at a cost of Birr 7,000. Adoption of certified wheat seed complementary with other packages is more recommendable to enhance wheat yield at small scale level.

The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) method was employed to monitor the nutrients status of onion plants (Allium cepa L.) grown in sandy soil at winter season in the Nubaria, Behira Governorate. DRIS norms were established for various nutrient ratios obtained from high yield group of onion plants. Seventy two samples of bulb were analyzed for N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu content and bulb yield were recorded of onion farms fromNubaria, Behira Governorate. The forms of expression for different nutrients and their norms were selected, based on the highest variance ratio between low and high yielding group. The results showed that the average yield in the high-yielding group was 16.14ton ha-1, while the average yield in the low-yielding group was 11.18ton ha-1. Theselected DRIS norms of onion plants grown in sandy soil wereP/N: 0.154, K/N: 0.348, N/Fe: 83.45, Mn/N: 0.0015, Zn/N: 0.0017, Cu/N: 0.006, P/K: 0.441, P/Fe: 12.74, P/Mn: 106.5, Zn/P: 0.011, Cu/P: 0.004, Fe/K: 0.035, Mn/K: 0.004, Zn/K: 0.005, Cu/K: 0.002,Fe/Mn: 8.382, Fe/Zn: 7.202, Fe/Cu: 20.34, Zn/Mn: 1.164, Cu/Mn:0.413, Cu/Zn: 0.355. The sufficient ranges for N, P and K were 1.987 - 2.769 %, 0.282 - 0.448 % and 0.704 - 0.944 %, respectively. As well as, the sufficient ranges for Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu were 258.3 - 312.7, 29.72 - 38.64, 34.96 - 44.46 and 11.79 - 16.51 ppm, respectively. Determine the optimum values in bulb are an important indicator of the high quality of the bulbs, becausethe relationship between of those nutrientsand all these vehicleswhich are expressive on bulbquality.

An isolate of loose kernel smut obtained from Johnson grass was inoculated unto six BTx643 sorghum plants in the greenhouse to determine its aggressiveness. All the BTx643 sorghum plants inoculated with the Johnson grass isolate were infected. Mean size of the teliospores from the Johnson grass, infected BTx643, and naturally infected sorghum was similar, measuring 0.79, 0.75, and 0.82 µm, respectively. This short communication shows that loose smut on Johnson grass if not controlled around production areas could pose a serious threat to sorghum production.

Natural pesticides derived from plants are one of the best alternative approaches for the management of nematodes, as excessive use of chemicals eradicate beneficial organisms in the soil and disturb ecological equilibrium and ultimately cause environmental degradation. Six different weed plants viz., Achyranthes aspera L., Solanum xanthocarpum Schard. & JC wendl. Amaranthus spinosus L., Ranunculus pensylvanicus L.f., Cassia tora L., Oxalis stricta L. were collected from in and around the campus of the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The nematode eggs and juveniles were exposed at 24, 48 and 72 h in different concentrations (S, S /2, S /10, S /100, S is the standard concentration and S/2, S/10, S/100 is the dilution of Standard solution) of weeds extracts. The plant extract of weeds S. xanthocarpum and A. aspera exhibited highly promising mortality (86-100%) after 72 h exposure period respectively, while the plant extract of O. stricta and C. tora exhibited minimum promising mortality (48-52%) after 24 h of exposure period respectively. There was a gradual decrease in egg hatching with an increase in the concentration of aqueous extracts of weeds. A. aspera, S. xanthocarpum and A. spinosus were found to be most effective in reducing egghatching and increase in mortality of second stage juveniles of M. incognita. Efficacy of treatments improved with increase in their concentration and exposure period. Hatching of larvae and juvenile mortality were strongly influenced by concentration of plants extract.

Effect of time of tapping on R. hookeri palm wine production was investigated at NIFOR Raphia Experimental Station, Otegbo, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, during the 2010 / 2011 and 2011 / 2012 cropping season with the view of determine the most appropriate time to tapped palm wine for bottled palm wine production. Tapping was done in the morning between 7 to 10 am and evening between 4 to 6 pm respectively. Data were collected on palm wine production (litres / palm), duration of tapping (number of days) and sugar content (%). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and descriptive statistics. Their means were compared using the Least Significant Differences (P<0.05). Result of the statistical analysis showed that time of tapping significantly influenced R. hookeri palm wine production. Palms tapped in the morning produced significantly higher palm wine than palm tapped in the evening. The duration of tapping and sugar content were not affected by time of tapping; however, duration of tapping significantly affected the palm wine production. The longer the duration of tapping the higher the palm wine produced. The least mean averaged palm wine produced (225.5 litres / palm) was obtained when the palm was tapped for 24 days, while the mean averaged highest (818 litres / palm) palm wine produced was obtained when the palm was tapped for 86 days.

Two lowlands under continuous rice-rice cropping in the centre of Côte d’Ivoire were surveyed in 2013 and 2014 considering 31 rice fields (farmers) for each location. Soil samples (93) were taken in 0 – 20 cm depth systematically (50 m along × 20 m across) extending the hydromorphic zone (HZ), the fringe valley (FV) and the valley bottom (VB) along the upper stream (US), median (MS) and downstream (DS) positions respectively. Highest yields of 6.09 – 6.16 tha-1 were observed in DS and MS while limited chances of 24% to 30.17% were characterizing the yield over 5 tha-1 (yield class I) in dry season against 18% - 46.31% in wet season. Weeding and irrigation were the most significant agricultural practices for yield improvement during wet and dry seasons respectively meanwhile, soil content of silt and humification rate (K2) were reversibly accounting for 65.85% contributions of the yield class I in addition to Ca and Mg effects. Of course, the recommended NPK fertilizer (150 and 200 kgha-1) should contained Mg in basal application (transplanting) when, 75 and 150 kgha-1 of urea were required at the tillering stage in dry and wet seasons respectively. However, applying NPK fertilizer at heading stage could further increase the yield during the wet season. Definitively, the yield gap was defined as absolute and relative for well understanding and research priority was identified as relevant matters for dry season and hydromorphic zone during further study.

Among the biotic stresses that affect cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) productivity, infestation by cowpea bruchid beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus) is a major problem, causing yield losses of up to 100 %. To alleviate this problem, use of resistant varieties is a feasible approach for small-scale farmers. In Zambia, there are no reported sources of resistance to C. maculatus. The objectives of this study were: i) to evaluate certain cowpea mutants, generated at the University of Zambia, for resistance to C. maculatus; ii) to cluster the tested genotypes based on height, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, yield ha-1, number of eggs laid and adult emergence; and iii) to evaluate the candidate mutants for protein content. Experiments were conducted at three locations in 2014/15. The mutants, LT 11-5-2-2, BB 7-9-7-5 and BB-14-16-22, were found to be resistant to C. maculatus across locations and they out-performed their respective parents (p< 0.05) in the degree of resistance to C. maculatus. Cluster analysis, using selected agronomic parameters, showed that the selected resistant mutants (cluster B) were more similar to each other (95 %) than to Namuseba and Msandile (included as susceptible genotypes), which clustered at a similarity level of 78 % (cluster A). The mutants, LT 11-5-2-2, BB 7-9-7-5 and BB-14-16-22, showed resistance to C. maculatus, but their protein content was similar to their parents, indicating that this crucial trait had been maintained in the mutants.

An experiment was conducted at the Crops Research Station of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Alupe, Busia County. The experiment was performed to find out the most suitable mulching material and an ideal spacing for green pepper cultivation under Busia County Conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatments comprised of four mulching materials viz. black plastic mulch, transparent plastic mulch, straw mulch and bare soil which was the control with three row spacings viz. 30 x 50 cm, 40 x 40 cm and 50 x 40 cm. Data collected was subjected to SAS statistical software for analysis and means separated using LSD at P=0.05. Significant responses on plant height and number of branches per plant were observed for both seasons due to spacing and mulching treatments. The highest branches (6.97) per plant were recorded in the 40 by 40 cm spacing under the transparent mulch with the lowest (2.83) shown under the same spacing in the straw mulch of California Wonder variety. The widest spacing elicited the highest number of fruits per plant (7.37) in the black plastic mulch while only a mean of 1 fruit per plant was recorded in the mulch control during the short rain season. The highest fruit mean yield per plant of 1556 g and 1533 g was recorded in the widest spacing (50 by 40cm) during the long and short rain seasons respectively. Therefore this study recommends the use of plastic mulches at wider spacing.

Shallow rooted crops are very sensitive to both nutrients and water stresses; thus, they have to be frequently irrigated and fertilized with balanced nutrients or the two materials together as fertigation especially in semi-arid and arid areas of agriculture. So, this paper was reviewed with the objective of evaluating the effects of soil water and nutrients interaction on the yields and nutrients use efficiency of shallow rooted vegetable crops. Many research activities have been done regarding the interactions of water and nutrients and their use efficiency in different vegetable crops under different agro-ecological conditions. Short supply of fresh water and fertilizer pollution has promoted many investigations into the interaction effects of water and nutrients on crop yield and nutrient and water use efficiency of crops, and some achievements have been made. The value of soil nutrients in plant growth and agricultural output is closely related to water availability and also the agricultural water productivity is in larger part determined by nutrient supplies. Yield or crop productivity is more or less closely correlated with water and nutrients utilization. Nutrient and water application can destabilize the soil nutrient balance and have long-term negative impacts on crop growth and harvest then on the final productivity of the crop. To overcome these problems it requires different mechanisms to be adopted in areas where nutrients and water stresses are a serious problem. Thus, it is possible to increase crop productivity through utilization of an opportunity of selecting improved variety and balanced nutrients application or application of organic fertilizers for dry areas. In conclusion, integrated nutrient and water management is an important issue to minimize the negative impacts of water and nutrients stresses and to increase both yield potential and quality of shallow rooted crops for producers.

The seed from the fruit of the Beilschmiedia mannii (Lauraceae) tree provides edible oil. In order to contribute to the valorization of this seed, which is a traditional Vegetable in Côte d’Ivoire; study of its food potential has been carried out, Particular the determination of some physico-chemical characteristics of its oil. The results obtained are as follows: the yield (8.75%); the refractive index (1.41); the acid index (2.62); the Iodine index (83.8); Saponification index (263.14); the peroxide index (8.97).

The study probed into the statistical analysis of the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the yield of sorghum; which was carried out at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) School Farm, Bauchi State. The study relied on secondary data from ATBU school farm structured using a single variety of sorghum at three level of organic (0, 1 and 2t/kg) and four level of inorganic (0, 15, 30, 45kgN/ha) fertilizer. Cow dung and NPK were sources of fertilizer used in the secondary data. SPSS version 20 software was employed to analyze the data obtained. Each variable considered was subjected to univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison of the means by employing Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result indicated that the effect of fertilization on yield and weight of sorghum were significant at p=0.001. Application of 45kgN/ha of NPK gave the highest yield of 3.6t/ha among sole application of NPK, while 1t/ha of cow dung recorded the highest yield (2.37t/ha) among sole application of cow dung. It was observed that a combination of 2t/ha of cow dung + 45kg/ha of NPK significantly (P=0.001) gave the highest yield of 4.4t/ha of sorghum. However, it was not significantly better than sole application of 45kg/ha of NPK and a combine application of 2t/ha of cow dung + 30kg/ha of NPK. Similarly, 2t/ha of cow dung + 45kg/ha of NPK significantly gave the highest weight of 418kg/ha of sorghum.

Despite the sago palm’s significant contribution to village economies since early times, it has never been cultivated in a systematic manner by local farmers in Luwu Utara Regency, Indonesia. This study examines farmers’ willingness to plant sago palm and the determinant factors influencing farmers’ adoption behavior. A descriptive analysis and binary logit model were used for this paper. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents agree that replanting is generally important and they believe it to be of concern for every local farmer. The results further indicate that knowledge of an integrated cultivation system of sago, access to information and training, internal motivation, work experience, and the size of the sago area are the determinant factors influencing farmers to plant sago palm. The findings in this study could explain farmers’ adoption of a better cultivation system plays an important role in the future of sustainable sago palm production.