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Responses of elite sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) lines developed via gamma-radiation for grain yield, component traits and drought tolerance

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Maliata Athon Wanga, Hussein Shimelis, Jacob Mashilo, Lydia N. Horn, Fatma Sarsu
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Description/Abstract

Induced plant mutagenesis is a powerful technique to create genetic variation for agronomic traits and drought tolerance selection programs. The objective of this study was to determine the response of elite sorghum (Sor- ghum bicolor [L.] Moench) lines developed via gamma-radiation for grain yield, component traits, and drought tolerance to select best performing lines for cultivation in water-stressed environments. Ten newly developed mutant lines and four check varieties were evaluated in two growing seasons under drought-stressed (DS) and non-stressed (NS) conditions in Namibia. Mutant lines were evaluated using a factorial experiment laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in custom-made rainout-shelter facility. Data on grain yield and yield-related traits were collected and drought tolerance selection indices were computed using mean genotype yield under non-stressed condition and drought-stressed condition. Data were subjected to standard analysis of variance, correlation and principal component analyses. The interaction effect of genotype × drought stress × season was non-significant for most assessed traits suggesting the relatively stable performance of the test lines for selection. Grain yield response of test genotypes varied from 0.55 to 2.27 t/ha under DS and 1.84 to 4.05 t/ha in NS conditions. Grain yield positively and significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with harvest index (r = 0.79), panicle weight (r = 0.75) and panicle length (r = 0.37), and negatively correlated with days to flowering (r = − 0.35) under DS condition. Principal component (PC) analysis identified two PCs accounting for 96.35 % of total genotypic variation based on drought tolerance selection indices. Biplot analysis using a combination assessed traits allowed selection of drought tolerant mutant lines designated as ML4, ML10, ML6, and ML5 with mean grain yield of 2.27, 2.05, 1.89 and 1.67 t/ha under DS conditions, in that order. The selected lines are recommended for further multi-environment evaluations for release and large-scale production in Namibia or other related agro-ecologies.

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African Journal of Agricultural Research

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L. P. Kudumo,F. Itanna,C. Thierfelder,J. Kambatuku
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This article focuses on the results from trials developed to monitor the short-term effects of conventionally tilled systems versus CA on soil quality and crop productivity under conditions of the major cropping systems in central, north-central and north-eastern regions of Namibia. Conventional tillage (CT), Minimum tillage (MT), Minimum tillage, mulch (MT-M), Minimum tillage, rotation (MT-R) and Minimum tillage, mulch and rotation (MT-MR) were the primary treatments tested. Significant differences (p≤0.000) among the treatments were observed in the 0-60 cm soil profiles where MT-M plots had the highest soil moisture content (39.8 mm, Standard Error of Mean 0.2815) over the study period. A significant difference (p=0.0206) in grain yield was observed in the second season with CT plots yielding the highest grain yield (3852.3 kg ha-1, standard error of mean 240.35). Results suggest that CA has the potential to increase water conservation and contribute to reduction of the risk of crop failure. Climate change driven degradation under conventional tillage necessitate alternative sustainable tillage methods. Conservation tillage methods and conservation agricultural practices that minimize soil disturbance while maintaining soil cover need to be adopted more locally as viable alternatives to conventional tillage.

Citation

APA /

Kudumo, L. P., Itanna, F., Thierfelder, C., & Kambatuku, J. (2023). Soil moisture content and maize grain yield under conventional and conservation agriculture practices - results of short term field tests in Liselo, Namibia. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 19(9), 891-896. 

Chicago /

L. P. Kudumo, F. Itanna, C. Thierfelder and J. Kambatuku    . "Soil moisture content and maize grain yield under conventional and conservation agriculture practices - results of short term field tests in Liselo, Namibia." African Journal of Agricultural Research 19, no. 9 (2023): 891-896. 

MLA /

L. P. Kudumo, et al. "Soil moisture content and maize grain yield under conventional and conservation agriculture practices - results of short term field tests in Liselo, Namibia." African Journal of Agricultural Research 19.9 (2023): 891-896. 

DOI //https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2023.16327

URL //https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJAR/article-abstract/CC5998D71187

 

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Terms Of Reference: Fundraiser for CCARDESA – Gaborone Botswana

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CCARDESA
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 Fundraiser for CCARDESA – Gaborone Botswana-Individual Consultant Selection

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Terms Of Reference: REVISION OF THE CCARDESA LONG-TERM STRATEGY AND MEDIUM-TERM OPERATIONAL PLAN

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CCARDESA
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TORS: REVISION OF THE CCARDESA LONG-TERM STRATEGY AND MEDIUM-TERM OPERATIONAL PLAN

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Africa: a new frontier for tree invaders?

Author or Institution as Author
Ignazio Graziosi
Co-authors

Mathias Tembo, Jean Kuate, Alice Muchugi

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Africa: a new frontier for tree invaders?

Genetic Diversity of Mitochondrial DNA of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Associated with Cassava and the Occurrence of Cassava Mosaic Disease in Zambia

Author or Institution as Author
Patrick Chiza Chikoti
Co-authors

Mathias Tembo , James Peter Legg , Rudolph Rufini Shirima, Habibu Mugerwa and Peter Sseruwagi 

Date of publication
Edition or Version
1.00
Institution
ZARI
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Description/Abstract

Bemisia tabaci is an important vector of cassava brown streak viruses and cassava mosaic begomoviruses, the causal agents of cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic disease (CMD), respectively. A study was carried out to determine the genetic variability of B. tabaci associated with cassava and the occurrence of CMD in Zambia in 2013 and 2015. Phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of only the sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1) genetic group in Zambia. The SSA1 population had three population subgroups (SGs): SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG2 and SSA1-SG3. All three SSA1 population subgroups occurred in Western Province. However, only SSA1-SG3 occurred in Eastern Province, while only SSA1-SG1 occurred in North Western and Luapula Provinces. Adult B. tabaci were most abundant in Western Province in 2013 (11.1/plant) and 2015 (10.8/plant), and least abundant (0.2/plant) in Northern Province in both 2013 and 2015. CMD was prevalent in all seven provinces surveyed, with the highest incidence recorded in Lusaka Province in both 2013 (78%) and 2015 (83.6%), and the lowest in Northern Province in both 2013 (26.6%) and 2015 (29.3%). Although SSA1-SG1 occurred at greater abundances than the other subgroups, there was no direct association demonstrated between whitefly subgroup and incidence of CMD. Establishing which B. tabaci genetic groups and populations are associated with CMD and their distribution in the country is a key factor in guiding the development of CMD control strategies for cassava-dependent households.

Keywords
whitefly; genetic diversity; mtCOI; Manihot esculenta; CMD; Southern Africa
Contact name (for further information)
Patrick C. Chikoti
Contact email (for further information)
Contact institution (for further information)
ZARI
Citation

Chikoti,P., Tembo, M., Legg . P.J., Shirima, R., Mugerwa, H., & Sseruwagi, P. (2020). Genetic Diversity of Mitochondrial DNA of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Associated with Cassava and the Occurrence of Cassava Mosaic Disease in Zambia. Insect

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INTENSIVE CROP PRODUCTION TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY IN LESOTHO

Content Type
Author or Institution as Author
Mamoholi Mphutlane
Date of publication
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1.00
Institution
Agricultural Information Services
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The article is about the initiative taken by the government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, whereby Intebsive Crop Production through formation of blocks is practised in order to increase production. This is done in an effort to attain Food Security.

Contact name (for further information)
Mamoholi Mphutlane
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+ 266 58913821
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Agricultural Information Services
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MAFSN MANAGEMENT EMBARKS ON A 2 DAY TEAM BUILDING TRAINING

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Author or Institution as Author
RETHABILE NCHEE
Funding Partner
Date of publication
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1.00
Institution
Department of Agricultural Research
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Description/Abstract

This article is about the team building exercise that the Managment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition undertook to "self introspect". The reasoning behind this training was the lack of coorination between the Ministry's Departments and its Donor Funded Projects which has led to the Minstry's clients suffering due to limitted and sometimes poorly provided services. The engaged consultant was able to creat awareness to the Managers on the dangers of the "silo mentality" and encouraged them to work together for the benefit of Basotho farmers. The participation of the Minister, PS and DPS gave participants moral and encouragement that the decisions and plans made during this traning will be implemented with full supoort from these three offices. 

Keywords
Coordination, Silo Mentality, Introspect
Contact name (for further information)
Rethabile Nchee
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Contact phone (for further information)
(+266) 63019521
Contact institution (for further information)
Department of Agricultural Research
Target audience
CCARDESA Category

Smallholder Cassava Planting Material Movement and Grower Behavior in Zambia: Implications for the Management of Cassava Virus Diseases

Author or Institution as Author
Anna Maria Szyniszewska
Co-authors

Patrick Chiza Chikoti, Mathias Tembo,Rabson Mulenga, Christopher Aidan Gilligan, Frank van den Bosch, and Christopher Finn McQuaid

Date of publication
Edition or Version
1.00
Institution
ZARI
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Language
Gender marker
Youth marker
Description/Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important food crop across subSaharan Africa, where production is severely inhibited by two viral diseases, cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), both propagated by a whitefly vector and via human-mediated movement of infected cassava stems. There is limited information on growers’ behavior related to movement of planting material, as well as growers’ perception and awareness of cassava diseases, despite the importance of these factors for disease control. This study surveyed a total of 96 cassava subsistence growers and their fields across five provinces in Zambia between 2015 and 2017 to address these knowledge gaps. CMD symptoms were observed in 81.6% of the fields, with an average incidence of 52% across the infected fields. No CBSD symptoms were observed. Most growers used planting materials from their own (94%) or nearby (<10 km) fields of family and friends, although several large transactions. over longer distances (10 to 350 km) occurred with friends (15 transactions), markets (1), middlemen (5), and nongovernmental organizations (6). Information related to cassava diseases and certified clean (diseasefree) seed reached only 48% of growers. The most frequent sources of information related to cassava diseases included nearby friends, family, and neighbors, while extension workers were the most highly preferred source of information. These data provide a benchmark on which to plan management approaches to controlling CMD and CBSD, which should include clean propagation material, increasing growers’ awareness of the diseases, and increasing information provided to farmers (specifically disease symptom recognition and disease management options).

Keywords
cassava, cassava mosaic disease, clean seed system, farmer behavior, planting material movement, Zambia
Citation

Szyniszewska, A M.,  Chikoti, P., Tembo, M., Mulenga, R., Gilligan, C A., Bosch, F V D,& McQuaid,  C M., (2021). Smallholder Cassava Planting Material Movement and Grower Behavior in Zambia: Implications for the Management of Cassava Virus Diseases. Disease Control and Integrated Management

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Funding Partners

4.61M

Beneficiaries Reached

97000

Farmers Trained

3720

Number of Value Chain Actors Accessing CSA

41300

Lead Farmers Supported