Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparison of potential pod yield and loss in old and rehabilitated cocoa plots

Olaiya, A.O¹; Fagbayide, J.A²; Hammed, L.A¹ and M.O. Aliyu³

¹Agronomy Group Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria P.M.B. 5244,Ibadan Oyo State,Nigeria

²Agronomy Department University of Ibadan.

³Plant Breeding Group Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria,Ibadan.

Accepted 20 October, 2022

Abstract

A field study was carried out between 1999 and 2001 to comparatively evaluate the potential pod yield and losses in old and rehabilitated cacao plots. Two plots made up of an old and a rehabilitated plots were chosen and four trees were randomly selected as experimental unit at four different locations within each of the plots to serve as the replicates. The experimental units were then laid out in a randomized complete block design. Data on total fruit set (TFS), number of damaged pods (DMP), number of diseased pods (DSP), number of Cherelle wilted pods (CWP) and number of fermentable pods FMP) were collected over two years and subjected to ANOVA and correlation analysis. The result showed that pod loss to cherelle wilt was 34.9% and to diseases 22.3% while the damaged pods amounted to 11.5% in the old plot. In the rehabilitated plot, damage due to mirid infestation was responsible for about 27.4% pod loss followed by cherelle wilt of 25.6% and diseased pods 11.7%. The total number of fermentable pods of 19.8% and 41.6 were obtained in both old and rehabilitated plots respectively. The result showed that TFS was significantly (P<0.01) improved by rehabilitation though damage due to insect infestation and pod loss to cherelle wilt still accounted for the loss of over 50% TFS.

Key words: Cherelle wilt,damaged pods,diseased pods,old plot,rehabilitated plot.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A phenotypic study of growth traits in indigenous Nguni cattle of Zimbabwe

N. Assan

Matopos Research Station, Bag K 5137, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. E-mail: nassan@mrs.gatorzw.co.uk.

Accepted 10 October, 2022

Abstract

Data from 2438 indigenous Nguni calves born at Matopos Research Station representing a total of 526 dams and 56 sires were used to evaluate the phenotypic variability and correlations of growth traits. Traits analyzed were weights at birth (BWT) (, weaning (WWT), yearling (YWT) and eighteen. A multivariate statistical model was used to analyze the data using SAS (1985 ). Sex and year of birth were highly significant (p<0.01) on all growth traits. Males were significantly heavier than females for all growth traits. The correlation of BWT with WWT, YWT and 18MO were positive, medium and significant. WWT was highly correlated with post weaning growth traits (YWT and 18MO). The estimates of phenotypic correlations were positive showing no antagonism among the growth traits.

Key words: Growth Traits, Correlation, Indigenous Nguni cattle, Zimbabwe.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Effect of Intra- and inter-row mixing of sorghum with two varieties of cowpea on host crop yield in a Striga hermonthica infested field

B.S. Aliyu¹* and A.M. Emechebe²

¹Biological Sciences Department, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

²International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kano, Nigeria.

Accepted 26 October, 2022

Abstract

A trial was conducted in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research farm in Kano, Nigeria during the 2002/2003 cropping season to evaluate the effect of intrarow and interrow mixing of sorghum with two varieties of cowpea on host crop yield in a Striga hermonthica infested field. Significantly (P 0.05) highest number of Striga per sorghum plant were obtained with sorghum only, which also have the lowest yield (2370 kg/ha). A significantly (P 0.05) higher yield (3709 kg/ha) was obtained with intra-row mixture of sorghum and densely planted cowpea variety, IT96D -452-1. This treatment also had the least number of Striga per net plot and per plant, which may be attributed to the effectiveness of the cowpea trap crop in stimulating the suicidal germination of the Striga seeds which would have otherwise attacked and reduced the productivity of the host plant. It may also be attributed to the effectiveness of the cropping method, with a ratio of sorghum : cowpea plants of 1:13, which improves the productivity of the system and at the same time suppresses the germination of Striga seeds.

Key words: Sorghum, yield, Intra-row, inter-row, cowpea, mixed-cropping.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of essential capacities required for the performance of farming small, micro and medium enterprise (SMMEs) in South Africa

V. M. Mmbengwa^1,2*, T. Ramukumba, J. A. Groenewald³, H. D. van Schalkwyk³, M. B. Gundidza⁴ and A. N. Maiwashe⁵

¹School of Natural Resource Management, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), George Campus, Republic of South Africa.

²University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa.

³Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa.

⁴School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 1710, Republic of South Africa.

⁵Livestock Business Division, Agricultural Research Council, P/Bag X2, Irene, 0062, South Africa.

Accepted 21 October, 2021

Abstract

The capacity of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the viability and sustainability of the enterprise. Various types of capacities need to be identified and used to guide farming SMMEs’ planning, implementation and support in the after-care phase. The main objective of the study was to identify and evaluate essential capacities that are instrumental in ensuring the financial success of farming SMMEs in South Africa. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to determine the performance of farming SMMEs under consideration. The results revealed that market capacity is essential for financial returns of farming SMMEs in South Africa. Farming SMMEs should be linked to sustainable markets and they must actively participate in both supply and value chains in order to be profitable. Thus, farming SMMEs and their support service stakeholders should consider market access as crucial during pre-and post settlement support. It is essential therefore, that both public and private sectors prioritise market access in their supportive programmes.

Key words: Profitability, capacities, planning, sustainable, performance.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN 6732-4215 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Acute toxicity and antioxydant property of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth (Scrophulariaceae)

Martin KIENDREBEOGO ¹*, Marie-Geneviève DIJOUX-FRANCA², Charles Euloge LAMIEN¹, Aline MEDA¹, Denis WOUESSIDJEWE³, Odile Germaine NACOULMA¹

¹Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Chimie Appliquées, UFR Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre, Université de Ouagadougou, OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso.

²Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire (DPM), UMR 5063 CNRS-UJF, Equipe de Pharmacognosie, UFR de Pharmacie, Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble, LA TRONCHE, France.

³Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire (DPM), UMR 5063 CNRS-UJF, Equipe de Pharmacotechnie, UFR de Pharmacie, Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble, MEYLAN, France.

Accepted 10 October, 2020

Abstract

Plants containing flavonoids have been reported to possess strong antioxidant properties. The aqueous acetone extract of Striga hermonthica was further separated into aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions and assayed for their in vitro antioxidant properties using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The crude extract exhibits a weak antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ of 95.27±2.30 µg/ml) and an insignificant acute toxicity on mice (LD₅₀: 1753±44 mg/kg). Luteolin was isolated and identified by mean of its spectral data as the main DPPH radical scavenger of the ethyl acetate fraction, exhibiting an IC₅₀ value of 6.80±1.46 µg/ml. These results suggest an antioxidant potential for S. hermonthica.

Key words: Striga hermonthica, luteolin, antioxidant, acute toxicity.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN 6732-4215 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-003, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals