3 research outputs found
Intensification of Symbiotic Performances of Grain Legumes and Rhizobia through Joint Use of Agro-inputs: Review
As it holds in sub-Saharan Africa, low grain legume crop productivity has been facing Ethiopia and is often associated with reduced N2-fixation. For low-input users, symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) can be an affordable, feasible and sustainable option particularly when employed in appropriate inoculation of effective rhizobial strains to improve the productivity of legumes. Here, we review past research interventions on agro-inputs and Rhizobium-legume symbiosis interaction with a view of understanding the consequence on productivity of the symbiosis. First of all, information on farm-based need-to-inoculate and reinoculate legumes with rhizobia remain fundamental when benefit-oriented inoculation is thought. In addition, co-application of nutrients like phosphorus (P) or Sulphur (S), organic amendments, plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and lime highly complemented rhizobia in enhancing symbiotic effectiveness. Sole lime application appeared no to improve yield of legumes, its co-application with rhizobia, acid tolerant variety and P fertilizer enhanced nitrogen (N) and grain yield of legumes. The reaction of rhizobia and symbiosis to seed-dresser pesticides may be detrimental or beneficial (indirectly) depending on the rate, and type of the pesticide and the legume. Thus, co-application of rhizobial strains and agro-inputs generally enhanced the productivity of rhizobial-legume symbiosis, but this should be done with prior refining through context-based scientific research. Key words: Agro-input, Inoculation, Nodulation, Rhizobia, Symbiotic Effectiveness DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-19-01 Publication date:October 31st 2020
Guideline for soil biology data collection in Ethiopia: National standard
Recently, recognition has been growing of the
power of data and information for better decisionmaking
and service provision in agriculture. To
ensure good data quality, an agreed standard to
collect, store, and share data along the agricultural
value chain is required.
With this background, the purpose of this guideline
is to provide guidance on standardizing soil biology
data collection and thereby enhance temporal and
spatial data interoperability.
Standard field research design, data collection,
and data reporting are required for well-informed
meta-analyses and syntheses of agricultural
research data as well as for making these data
more accessible for calibration and evaluation of
process-based models. Hence, this guideline is
a contribution toward enabling meta-analysis of
different data collected over years and/or space to
accumulate evidence and generate new knowledge
or insights to facilitate informed decision-making
in the agricultural sector in general and in the crop
development subsector.
This guideline is compiled and intended for use
by researchers, academicians, students, and
other interested professionals in Ethiopia and
beyond. The guideline is developed based on
accepted standards and procedures in the field.
Nevertheless, it is not exhaustive in its coverage of
the soil biology data types and crops grown in the
country. Hence, additions and updates depending
on the development of research facilities, the
ever-changing focus of agricultural research and
production systems, and advances in technology
are warranted