Effects of Complementary use of Organic and Inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Cucumber (Cucumu sativus. L.) on an ultisol

A field study was conducted in 2008 and 2009 early cropping seasons to assess the response of cucumber (Cucumus sativus L.) to complementary use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in Uyo agro-ecology. The fertilizer treatments were: NPK (15:15:15) at 100 and 200 kgha-1, poultry manure (PM) at 5 and 10 tha-1 , and complementary application of 100 kgha-1 of NPK + 5 tha-1 of PM, 100 kgha-1 of NPK + 10 tha-1 of PM, 200 kgha1 of NPK +5 tha-1 of PM ,200 kgha-1 of NPK +10 tha-1 of PM and control (no fertilizer). Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all the growth and yield parameters considered in both cropping seasons. The combined application of 200 kgha-1 of NPK and 10 tha-1 of PM performed better than sole application of either organic or inorganic fertilizer, with fresh fruit yield of 14.63 and 14.92 tha-1 in 2008 and 2009, respectively and exceeded other treatments by 1 -76% and 1-73% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. This indicates strongly the synergistic benefits of using both organic and inorganic fertilizers even at lower rates

Stirring up sorghum hybrid breeding targeting West African smallholder farmers low input environments

Food supply and income in rural areas of West Africa (WA) depend strongly on the local production, and mostly on farmers field production of root and tuber crops, and cereals. To feed an ever-increasing population in a context of climate-change and low-input cultural conditions, breeding for resilient crops can guarantee smallholder farmers food security and cash income for a sustainable rural development. Sorghum hybrids for WA were first explored in the early 1970s and hybrid crosses of Malian landraces with introduced Caudatum-race seed parents were evaluated in the early 80s. Although those hybrids exhibited good heterosis for grain yield, their lack of grain quality made them commercially unsustainable. Efforts by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and its partners resulted in the first series of Guinea-race based hybrids. The short statured hybrids were evaluated in several on-farm farmer-managed yield trials, and showed satisfactory grain yield and quality under farmers cultivation conditions. Although taller- relative to shorter- height sorghum can help reduce risks of panicle loss by grazing transhumant cattle, no indication on the yield potential of the tall statured hybrids is available. The advances achieved by ICRISAT and its partners in hybrid development justified establishing a long-term hybrid breeding program to provide farmers with hybrids with sufficient grain yield and good grain quality under low input conditions. However, the lack of quantitative genetic information about the genetic value of new experimental hybrids and their parents (Guinea-Caudatum to complete Guinea background, from different WA origins), or about the efficiency of alternative selection methods for targeting yield performance in the predominantly low-input and phosphorous-deficient sorghum production conditions hinders sorghum hybrid development for this region. Sorghum hybrid breeding was commercially feasible only after the identification of a heritable and stable cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) mechanism. Hybrid breeding in WA can benefit from molecular marker, especially for the fertility restoration/sterility maintenance of the predominant A1-type of CMS. The major outcomes of this thesis are presented as follow: Mean yields of tall hybrids were 3 to 17% (ranging from 6 to 28 g m&#8722;2) higher than that of the local check across all 37 on-farm farmer-managed environments and were highest (1447%) averaged across the seven trials with the lowest mean yields. The yields of the new set of experimental hybrids were substantially superior to farmers local Guinea-race varieties, with 20 to 80% higher means over all hybrids in both low phosphorus (LP) and high phosphorus (HP) environments. Average mid-parent and better-parent heterosis estimates were respectively 78 and 48% under HP, and 75 and 42% under LP. Direct selection under LP was predicted to be 20 to 60% more effective than indirect selection under HP conditions, for hybrid performance under LP. The combining ability estimates provide initial insights into the potential benefit of germplasm from further east in West and Central Africa for developing a male parental pool that is distinct and complimentary to the Malian female pool. On chromosome SBI-05, we found a major A1 CMS fertility restorer locus (Rf5) explaining 19 and 14% of the phenotypic variation in either population. Minor quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected in these two populations on chromosomes SBI-02, SBI-03, SBI-04 and SBI-10. In the third population, we identified one major A1 CMS fertility restorer locus on chromosome SBI-02, Rf2, explaining 31% of the phenotypic variation in the F2 mapping population. Pentatricopeptide repeat genes in the Rf2 QTL region were sequenced, and we detected in Sobic.002G057050 a missense mutation in the first exon, explaining 81% of the phenotypic variation in an F2:3 validation population and clearly separating B- from R-lines. The Guinea-race hybrids substantial yield superiorities over well adapted local Guinea-race varieties suggests that a strategy of breeding hybrids based on Guinea-germplasm can contribute to improving the livelihood of many smallholder farmers in WA. Although the usefulness of direct selection under LP for hybrid performance in the predominantly P-limited target environments was proven, companion evaluations of hybrids under HP would be desirable to identify also new hybrids that can respond to improved fertility conditions for sustainable intensification. The developed KASP marker stands as a promising tool for routine use in WA breeding programs.Die Nahrungsmittelversorgung und das Einkommen in den ländlichen Gebieten Westafrikas (WA) hängen stark von der lokalen Produktion, vor allem von der Wurzel- und Knollenpflanzen sowie der Getreideproduktion der Landwirte ab. Um eine ständig wachsende Bevölkerung in Anbetracht des Klimawandels und unter Anbaubedingungen mit geringem Produktionsmitteleinsatz zu ernähren, kann die Züchtung widerstandsfähiger Nutzpflanzen den Kleinbauern Ernährungssicherheit und Einkommen für eine nachhaltige ländliche Entwicklung garantieren. Die kleinwüchsigen Hybriden wurden in mehreren, von Landwirten geführten Ertragsversuchen auf landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben evaluiert und zeigten unter den Anbaubedingungen der Landwirte zufriedenstellende Getreideerträge und -qualität. Obwohl größeres, im Vergleich zu kürzerem Sorghum - dazu beitragen kann, das Risiko eines Rispenverlustes durch die Beweidung in Wanderweidewirtschaft gehaltenem Vieh zu verringern, gibt es keine Hinweise auf das Ertragspotenzial der hochwüchsigen Hybriden. Die Fortschritte, die ICRISAT und seine Partner bei der Hybridentwicklung erzielt haben, rechtfertigten den Aufbau eines langfristigen Hybridzuchtprogramms, um den Landwirten Hybriden mit ausreichenden Getreideerträgen und guter Getreidequalität bei geringem Produktionsmitteleinsatz zur Verfügung zu stellen. Der Mangel an quantitativen genetischen Informationen über den genetischen Wert neuer experimenteller Hybriden und ihrer Eltern (Guinea-Caudatum bis vollständiger Guinea Hintergrund, aus unterschiedlicher WA Herkunft) oder über die Effizienz alternativer Selektionsmethoden zur Ausrichtung der Ertragsleistung unter den überwiegend phosphorarmen Bedingungen mit geringem Produktionsmitteleinsatz behindert jedoch die Hybridentwicklung von Sorghum für diese Region. Die Sorghum-Hybridzüchtung war erst nach der Identifizierung eines vererbbaren und stabilen zytoplasmatischen männlichen Sterilisationsmechanismus (CMS) kommerziell möglich. Die Hybridzüchtung in WA kann von molekularen Markern, vor allem für die Fruchtbarkeitswiederherstellung/Sterilitätserhaltung des vorherrschenden A1 CMS Typs, profitieren. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit werden wie folgt dargestellt: Die mittleren Erträge hoher Hybriden waren 3 bis 17% (im Bereich von 6 bis 28 g m-2) höher als die der lokalen Kontrollsorte in allen 37 von Landwirten verwalteten Umwelten und waren am höchsten (14-47%), gemittelt über die sieben Versuche mit den niedrigsten Durchschnittserträgen. Die Erträge der neuen, experimentellen Hybriden waren mit 20 bis 80% höheren Mittelwerten über alle Hybriden, wesentlich höher als die der lokalen Guinea-Rasse Sorten der Bauern. Sowohl in Umwelten mit niedrigem Phosphorgehalt (LP) als auch mit hohem Phosphorgehalt (HP). Die durchschnittlichen Schätzungen der Heterosis über das Elternmittel sowie über den besseren Elter lagen bei 78 bzw. 48% unter HP und 75 bzw. 42% unter LP. Es wurde berechnet, dass die direkte Selektion unter LP 20 bis 60% effektiver ist als die indirekte Selektion unter HP-Bedingungen für die Hybridleistung unter LP. Die Schätzung der Kombinationsfähigkeit liefern erste Erkenntnisse über den potenziellen Nutzen von Genmaterial aus weiter östlich gelegenen Gegenden West- und Zentralafrikas für die Entwicklung eines männlichen Elternpools, der sich vom malischen weiblichen Pool unterscheidet und ihn ergänzt. Auf dem Chromosom SBI-05 fanden wir einen großen A1 CMS Fertilitätswiederherstellungs-Locus (Rf5), der 19 und 14% der phänotypischen Variation in beiden Populationen erklärt. Regionen eines quantitativen Merkmals (QTL) mit geringem Effekt wurden in diesen beiden Populationen auf den Chromosomen SBI-02, SBI-03, SBI-04 und SBI-10 nachgewiesen. In der dritten Population identifizierten wir einen großen A1 CMS Fertilitätswiederherstellungs-Locus auf dem Chromosom SBI-02, Rf2, der 31% der phänotypischen Variation in der F2-Kartierungspopulation erklärt. Pentatricopeptid repeat Gene in der Rf2-QTL-Region wurden sequenziert, und wir entdeckten in Sobic.002G057050 eine sinnverändernde Punktmutation im ersten Exon, die 81% der phänotypischen Variation in einer F2:3-Validierungspopulation erklärt und B- von R-Linien klar trennt. Die erheblichen Ertragsüberlegenheiten der Guinea-Rasse Hybriden gegenüber gut angepassten lokalen Guinea-Rasse Arten deuten darauf hin, dass eine strategische Hybridzüchtung auf der Grundlage von Guinea-Keimmaterial zur Verbesserung der Lebensgrundlage vieler Kleinbauern in WA beitragen kann. Obwohl die Nützlichkeit der direkten Selektion unter LP für die Hybridleistung in den überwiegend P-begrenzten Zielumwelten etabliert wurde, wären Begleitbewertungen von Hybriden unter HP wünschenswert, um auch neue Hybride zu identifizieren, die auf verbesserte Fertilitätsbedingungen für eine nachhaltige Intensivierung reagieren können. Der entwickelte KASP-Marker steht als vielversprechendes Werkzeug für den routinemäßigen Einsatz in WA-Zuchtprogrammen bereit

An Intercropping Bibliography

This issue was undated. The date given is an estimate.126 pages, 1 article*An Intercropping Bibliography* (Federer, Walter T.) 126 page

African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation

This open access book discusses current thinking and presents the main issues and challenges associated with climate change in Africa. It introduces evidences from studies and projects which show how climate change adaptation is being - and may continue to be successfully implemented in African countries. Thanks to its scope and wide range of themes surrounding climate change, the ambition is that this book will be a lead publication on the topic, which may be regularly updated and hence capture further works. Climate change is a major global challenge. However, some geographical regions are more severly affected than others. One of these regions is the African continent. Due to a combination of unfavourable socio-economic and meteorological conditions, African countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change and its impacts. The recently released IPCC special report "Global Warming of 1.5º C" outlines the fact that keeping global warming by the level of 1.5º C is possible, but also suggested that an increase by 2º C could lead to crises with crops (agriculture fed by rain could drop by 50% in some African countries by 2020) and livestock production, could damage water supplies and pose an additonal threat to coastal areas. The 5th Assessment Report produced by IPCC predicts that wheat may disappear from Africa by 2080, and that maize— a staple—will fall significantly in southern Africa. Also, arid and semi-arid lands are likely to increase by up to 8%, with severe ramifications for livelihoods, poverty eradication and meeting the SDGs. Pursuing appropriate adaptation strategies is thus vital, in order to address the current and future challenges posed by a changing climate. It is against this background that the "African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation" is being published. It contains papers prepared by scholars, representatives from social movements, practitioners and members of governmental agencies, undertaking research and/or executing climate change projects in Africa, and working with communities across the African continent. Encompassing over 100 contribtions from across Africa, it is the most comprehensive publication on climate change adaptation in Africa ever produced

Tropical root crops: research strategies for the 1980s : proceedings of the First Triennial Root Crops Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops-Africa Branch, 8-12 Sept. 1980, Ibadan, Nigeria

Meeting: Root Crops Symposium, 1st, 8-12 Sept. 1980, Ibadan, NGFrench version available in IDRC Digital Library: Plantes racines tropicales: stratégies de recherches pour les années 1980 : compte rendu du Premier symposium triennal sur les plantes racines de la Société internationale pour les plantes racines tropicales - Direction Afrique, 8-12 sept. 1980, Ibadan (Nigéria

The tripartite interaction between sorghum, Striga hermonthica, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Striga hermonthica is a major biological constraint to cereal production inAfrica. The intricate association between this phytoparasite and the cereal host makes management difficult. Damage to the host begins before Striga comes out of the soil. Also, infestation correlates negatively with soil fertility. Arbuscular mycorrrhizal (AM) fungi have a variety of ecological functions ranging from improved uptake of immobile nutrients, protection of host from pathogens, to soil aggregation. The question whether these beneficial micro-organisms could play a role within the Striga -cereal (patho)systemwas addressed. Inoculating Striga -infested sorghum with AM fungi in pots or in the field resulted in a significant reduction in the performance of Striga in terms of numbers attached to the roots, relative time of emergence, numbers emerged and dry weight of Striga shoots at sorghum harvest. AM effects on Striga were more pronounced with the Striga -tolerant S-35 sorghum cultivar compared to effects with the Striga -sensitive CK60B. Inoculation with AM fungi compensated for damage by Striga in the S-35 cultivar. This compensation was independent of AM inoculum density and was not affected by P application. Germination of preconditioned Striga seeds after exposure to root exudates from sorghum colonized by AM fungi was significantly reduced, with effects more prominent with exudates from S-35 plants. AM fungi have the potential to affect Striga during germination, attachment, emergence, and possibly subsequent growth and development. It is important to understand the kind of management practices that farmers can apply to enhance mycorrhizal performance in an integrated management system

INTSORMIL 2007 Annual Report

The 2007 INTSORMIL Six Year Report presents the progress and notable achievements by the Sorghum/Millet CRSP during the period of July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2007. These results are an outcome of partnerships between scientists at seven U.S. Land Grant Universities (Kansas State University, Mississippi State University, Ohio State University, University of Nebraska, Purdue University, Texas A&M University and West Texas A&M University), scientists of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Tifton, Georgia and the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and National Universities in nineteen countries in Central America, West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. Introduction and Program Overview Project Reports Sustainable Plant Protection Systems Agroecology and Biotechnology of Stalk Rot Pathogens of Sorghum and Millet — John F Leslie (KSU 210) Low Input Ecologically Defined Management Strategies for Insect Pests on Sorghum — Henry N Pitre (MSU 205) Striga Biotechnology Development and Technology Transfer — Gebisa Ejeta (PRF 213) Sustainable Management of Insect Pests — Bonnie B Pendleton (WTU 200) Sustainable Production Systems Economic and Sustainability Evaluation of New Technologies in Sorghum and Millet Production in INTSORMIL Priority Countries — John H Sanders (PRF 205) Cropping Systems to Optimize Yield, Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Pearl Millet and Grain Sorghum — Stephen C Mason (UNL 213) Soil and Water Management for Improving Sorghum Production in Eastern Africa — Charles Wortmann and Martha Mamo (UNL 219) Germplasm Enhancement and Conservation Breeding Pearl Millet for Improved Stability, Performance, and Pest Resistance — Jeffrey P Wilson (ARS 206) Breeding Grain Mold Resistance in High Digestibility Sorghum Varieties — Dirk Hays (TAM 230) Development and Enhancement of Sorghum Germplasm with Sustained Tolerance to Biotic and Abiotic Stress — Gebisa Ejeta (PRF 207) Enhancing the Utilization of Grain Sorghum and Pearl Millet through the Improvement of Grain Quality via Genetic and Nutritional Research — Mitch Tuinstra, Joe Hancock, William Rooney and Clint Magill (KSU 220A, KSU 220B, TAM 220C, TAM 220D) Germplasm Enhancement for Resistance to Insects and Improved Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture Systems — Gary C Peterson (TAM 223) Crop Utilization and Marketing An Evaluation of New Market Development and Marketing Strategies on Sorghum and Millet Farmers\u27 Income in Tanzania and Zambia — Donald Larson and J Mark Erbaugh (OSU 200) Chemical and Physical Aspects of Food and Nutritional Quality of Sorghum and Millet — Bruce R Hamaker (PRF 212) Food and Nutritional Quality of Sorghum and Millet — Lloyd L Rooney (TAM 226) Entrepreneurship and Product Development in East Africa: A Strategy to Promote Increased Use of Sorghum and Millet — David S Jackson (UNL 220) Host Country Program Enhancement Central America — Stephen C Mason Hom of Africa — Gebisa Ejeta Southern Africa — Gary C Peterson West Africa — Bruce R Hamaker Educational Activities Educational Activities Appendices INTSORMIL Sponsored and Co-Sponsored Workshops 1979-2007 Acronym

INTSORMIL 2000 Annual Report

Presently, worldwide, more than 800 million people are hungry and over I billion are desperately poor, and food demand is increasing rapidly. The majority of poor live in rural areas in developing countries and agricultural and food systems development is vital to economic growth; improving environmental quality; strengthening nutrition, health and child survival; improving the status of women; and promoting democratization. It is estimated that by 2000, the number of people living in developing countries will grow from 4.9 billion to 6.8 billion people. More than 1.3 billion people today live on less than one dollar per day. It is estimated that the number of hungry people will exceed one billion by 2020. The global population of underweight children below age five is expected to increase from 193 million in year 2000 to over 200 million in year 2020. Increased production of cereals, which are crucial sources of food energy and other nutrients, is necessary to reduce world hunger. Sorghum and millet are two major cereal grains, particularly in semi-arid regions of the world. In 1999,65.8 million metric tons (MT) of sorghum were produced worldwide, of which 19.7 million MT were produced in Africa, mainly for direct consumption by humans, and 14.7 million MT were produced in the United States, mainlyfor livestock feed to produce meat for human consumption. In the crop year 1997-1998, the United States exported 5.3 million MT of grain sorghum mainly for livestock feed, and in 1998, U.S. grain sorghum exports were worth $531 million. Large areas are planted to sorghum each year. For example, in 1999 sorghum was produced on 44.8 million hectares (ha, or 173,036 square miles, [sq mi]) worldwide, 23 million ha (88,728 sq mi) in Africa, and 3.4 million ha (13,278 sq mi) in the United States. About 500 million people worldwide depend upon sorghum for food, and most of these people are in developing countries where droughts and famine are common occurrences. Clearly, sorghum production and utilization as food and feed are vitally important to developing countries and to the United States

INTSORMIL 2000 Annual Report

Presently, worldwide, more than 800 million people are hungry and over I billion are desperately poor, and food demand is increasing rapidly. The majority of poor live in rural areas in developing countries and agricultural and food systems development is vital to economic growth; improving environmental quality; strengthening nutrition, health and child survival; improving the status of women; and promoting democratization. It is estimated that by 2000, the number of people living in developing countries will grow from 4.9 billion to 6.8 billion people. More than 1.3 billion people today live on less than one dollar per day. It is estimated that the number of hungry people will exceed one billion by 2020. The global population of underweight children below age five is expected to increase from 193 million in year 2000 to over 200 million in year 2020. Increased production of cereals, which are crucial sources of food energy and other nutrients, is necessary to reduce world hunger. Sorghum and millet are two major cereal grains, particularly in semi-arid regions of the world. In 1999,65.8 million metric tons (MT) of sorghum were produced worldwide, of which 19.7 million MT were produced in Africa, mainly for direct consumption by humans, and 14.7 million MT were produced in the United States, mainlyfor livestock feed to produce meat for human consumption. In the crop year 1997-1998, the United States exported 5.3 million MT of grain sorghum mainly for livestock feed, and in 1998, U.S. grain sorghum exports were worth $531 million. Large areas are planted to sorghum each year. For example, in 1999 sorghum was produced on 44.8 million hectares (ha, or 173,036 square miles, [sq mi]) worldwide, 23 million ha (88,728 sq mi) in Africa, and 3.4 million ha (13,278 sq mi) in the United States. About 500 million people worldwide depend upon sorghum for food, and most of these people are in developing countries where droughts and famine are common occurrences. Clearly, sorghum production and utilization as food and feed are vitally important to developing countries and to the United States

Discussion Paper for an International Upland Crops Program

Review prepared by a Rockefeller Foundation scientist as a follow up to Bellagio meeting of April 1970 concerning the idea of an international institute for upland crops, emphasizing unirrigated, rainfed, highly populous areas of Asia which had been largely bypassed by new yield increasing technologies. Proposals by other Rockefeller staff for an institute on rice and upland crops, a sorghum-millet institute, and an upland crops institute are appended. Agenda item presented at TAC First Meeting, June-July 1971