A more complete definition for promiscuous soybean

Open Access JournalAbstract Following a series of research on promiscuous nodulation, it came out that it is incomplete to define ‘promiscuous soybean’ as soybean cultivars with the sole ability to form nodules freely with indigenous Bradyrhizobium strains without requiring the specific type, Bradyrhizobium japonicum. This paper proposes a more complete definition which caters for both nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation ability. Keywords : Promiscuous soybean; Nodulation; Biological nitrogen fixation; Bradyrhizobiu

SCREENING SOYBEAN GENOTYPES FOR PROMISCUOUS SYMBIOTIC ASSOCIATION WITH Bradyrhizobium STRAINS

The current low soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill) yields in Sub-Saharan Africa can be alleviated by developing promiscuous genotypes. The research trend in Africa is towards developing promiscuous varieties for less labour and high yields in soybean production. A greenhouse experiment was conducted at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) with the aim of screening of soybean germplasm for promiscuous symbiotic association with Bradyrhizobium sp. in order to identify genotypes with potential to be used as parents to initiate a breeding programme focusing on promiscuous nodulation. The response of 65 soybean genotypes from different origins to cowpea-type inoculant, Bradyrhizobium sp. strain USDA 3456 were evaluated. Soybean seeds inoculated with both Bradyrhizobium sp. strain USDA 3456 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA 110 were planted in buckets filled with steam-sterilised soil. Significant differences in the number of nodules, effective nodules, fresh and dry weight of nodules were observed among genotypes (P<0.001). Twelve of the 65 genotypes were highly responsive to Bradyrhizobium sp., with over 10 nodules per plant, over 50 mg dry weight of nodules, and 50% effective nodules. A highly positive correlation was shown between dry weight of nodules and nodule number. This study proposes the soybean genotypes NamII, WonderSoya, Bulindi 48C, NamSoy 4M, MakSoy 3N, NamSoy 3, K-Local, Kabanyolo 1, UG 5, Soprano, MakSoy 2N, and MakSoy 5N as potential parental materials for subsequent breeding work.La s\ue9lection de vari\ue9t\ue9s de soja \ue0 nodulation facile peut contribuer grandement \ue0 l\u2019am\ue9lioration des rendements de production en Afrique sub-Saharienne. Les vari\ue9t\ue9s de soja \ue0 nodulation facile rendent superflus l\u2019utilisation d\u2019engrais azot\ue9s, l\u2019application d\u2019inoculum aux fins de fixation biologique d\u2019azote, am\ue9liorent le rendement de soja, ainsi que la qualit\ue9 du sol pour les cultures subs\ue9quentes. Une exp\ue9rimentation en serre a \ue9t\ue9 conduite \ue0 l\u2019Institut de Recherche Agricole de l\u2019Universit\ue9 de Makerere \ue0 Kabanyolo (MUARIK). L\u2019objectif \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer l\u2019habilet\ue9 des accessions de soja \ue0 r\ue9aliser la symbiose avec Bradyrhizobium sp. En vue d\u2019identifier les cultivars qui peuvent constituer de potentiels parents \ue0 utiliser pour initier un programme d\u2019am\ue9lioration g\ue9n\ue9tique du soja visant la nodulation facile. 65 accessions d\u2019origines diverses ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9es pour leur r\ue9action en pr\ue9sence de rhizobium de type ni\ue9b\ue9 (Bradyrhizobium sp. souche USDA 3456). Les graines de soja inocul\ue9es avec le rhizobium de type ni\ue9b\ue9 (Bradyrhizobium sp. souche USDA 3456) ou de type soja ( Bradyrhizobium japonicum souche USDA 110) ont \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9es dans des pots en plastic soigneusement remplis de terre arable st\ue9rilis\ue9e \ue0 base de vapeur surchauff\ue9e. Des diff\ue9rences significatives ont \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9es entre accessions, au niveau des nombres de nodules, pourcentages de nodules actives, poids frais et secs des nodules (P<0.001). Douze accessions ont notablement r\ue9agi face \ue0 Bradyrhizobium sp. avec chacune plus de 10 nodules par plante, 50 mg comme poids sec de nodules, et 50% de nodules actives. Une corr\ue9lation positivement tr\ue8s significative a \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9e entre poids sec et nombre de nodules. Cette \ue9tude propose les accessions NamII, WonderSoya, Bulindi 48C, NamSoy 4M, MakSoy 3N, NamSoy 3, K-Local, Kabanyolo 1, UG 5, Soprano, MakSoy 2N, and MakSoy 5N comme potentiels parents \ue0 utiliser dans un programme ult\ue9rieur d\u2019am\ue9lioration g\ue9n\ue9tique

Doing Business and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose- This study examines how doing business affects inclusive human development in 48 sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2012. Design/methodology/approach- The measurement of inclusive human development encompasses both absolute pro-poor and relative pro-poor concepts of inclusive development. Three doing business variables are used, namely: the number of start-up procedures required to register a business; time required to start a business; and time to prepare and pay taxes. The empirical evidence is based on Fixed Effects and Generalised Method of Moments regressions. Findings- The findings show that increasing constraints to the doing of business have a negative effect on inclusive human development. Originality/value- The study is timely and very relevant to the post-2015 Sustainable Development agenda for two fundamental reasons: (i) Exclusive development is a critical policy syndrome in Africa because about 50% of countries in the continent did not attain the MDG extreme poverty target despite enjoying more than two decades of growth resurgence. (ii) Growth in Africa is primarily driven by large extractive industries and with the population of the continent expected to double in about 30 years, scholarship on entrepreneurship for inclusive development is very welcome. This is essentially because studies have shown that the increase in unemployment (resulting from the underlying demographic change) would be accommodated by the private sector, not the public sector

The Comparative Economics of ICT, Environmental Degradation and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

This study examines how information and communication technology (ICT) could be employed to dampen the potentially damaging effects of environmental degradation in order to promote inclusive human development in a panel of 44 Sub-Saharan African countries. ICT is captured with internet and mobile phone penetration rates whereas environmental degradation is measured in terms of CO2 emissions per capita and CO2 intensity. The empirical evidence is based on Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions using data from 2000-2012. In order to increase the policy relevance of this study, the dataset is decomposed into fundamental characteristics of inclusive development and environmental degradation based on income levels (Low income versus (vs.) Middle income); legal origins (English Common law vs. French Civil law); religious domination (Christianity vs. Islam); openness to sea (Landlocked vs. Coastal); resource-wealth (Oil-rich vs. Oil-poor) and political stability (Stable vs. Unstable).Baseline findings broadly show that improvement in both of measures of ICT would significantly diminish the possibly harmful effect of CO2 emissions on inclusive human development. When the analysis is extended with the abovementioned fundamental characteristics, we observe that the moderating influence of both our ICT variables on CO2 emissions is higher in the group of English Common law, Middle income and Oil-wealthy countries than in the French Civil law, Low income countries and Oil-poor countries respectively. Theoretical and practical policy implications are discussed

Basic Formal Education Quality, Information Technology and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

This study assesses the relevance of basic formal education in information technology for inclusive human development in 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2012. The question it aims to answer is the following: what is the relevance of basic formal education in the effect of mobile phone penetration on inclusive human development in sub-Saharan Africa when initial levels of inclusive human development are taken into account? The empirical evidence is based on instrumental quantile regressions. Poor primary education dampens the positive effect of mobile phone penetration on inclusive human development. This main finding should be understood in the perspective that, the education quality indicator represents a policy syndrome because of the way it is computed, notably: the ratio of pupils to teachers. Hence, an increasing ratio indicates decreasing quality of education. It follows that decreasing quality of education dampens the positive effect of mobile phone on inclusive development. This tendency is consistent throughout the conditional distribution of inclusive human development. Policy implications for sustainable development are discussed

Who is Who in Knowledge Economy in Africa?

This study assesses the knowledge economy (KE) performance of lagging African countries vis-à-vis their frontier counterparts with regard to the four dimensions of the World Bank’s knowledge economy index (KEI). The empirical exercise is for the period 1996-2010. It consists of first establishing leading nations before suggesting policy initiatives that can be implemented by sampled countries depending on identified gaps that are provided with the sigma convergence estimation approach. The following are established frontier knowledge economy countries. (i) For the most part, North African countries are dominant in education. Tunisia is overwhelmingly dominant in 11 of the 15 years, followed by Libya which is a frontier country in two years while Cape Verde and Egypt lead in a single year each. (ii) With the exception of Morocco that is leading in the year 2009, Seychelles is overwhelmingly dominant in ICT. (iii) South Africa also indomitably leads in terms of innovation. (iv) While Botswana and Mauritius share dominance in institutional regime, economic incentives in terms of private domestic credit are most apparent in Angola (8 years), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3 years) and Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Malawi (each leading in one year)

Body composition is related to cognitive function among young adults in Ghana

Abstract Background A growing body of evidence suggests that obesity can affect cognitive function. However, it is unclear whether this effect is independent of obesity-related comorbidities. This study thus sought to determine the association between body composition and cognitive function of young adults in Ghana with less predisposition to obesity-related comorbidities. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 381 participants recruited by simple random sampling. After consenting, participants completed questionnaires that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, along with assessments for anthropometric measures and cognitive function. Analyses for associations were conducted by either Pearson’s correlation test or chi-Square test of independence. Results Over half (60%) of participants were females and 69.6% were in the first year with a mean age of 20.18 ± 2.52 years. Based on Pearson’s correlation test, no significant association was found between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR), and Trail Making Test-A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B). Nonetheless, a chi-square test showed a significant association, between BMI and TMT-A (p = 0.01), and WHR and both TMT-A (p = 0.001) and TMT-B (p = 0.02). Weak direct correlations were found between body fat percentage and TMT-A (r = 0.120, p = 0.019) and TMT-B (r = 0.133, p = 0.009). Further, a weak inverse correlation was found between muscle mass and TMT-A (r = − 0.141, p = 0.006) and TMT-B (r = − 0.144, p = 0.005). Conclusion High body fat, low muscle mass and body fat distribution may have a significant association with cognitive functions and must be considered in obesity interventions. This study provided more insight on the association between BMI and cognitive function and would be helpful in designing new weight management interventions or modifying existing interventions to consider the influence of obesity on cognitive function

Cytological and Wet Mount Microscopic Observations Made in Urine of Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children: Hint of the Implication in Bladder Cancer

Background. Schistosomiasis is the second major human parasitic disease next to malaria, in terms of socioeconomic and public health consequences, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) is a trematode and one of the species of Schistosoma that cause urogenital schistosomiasis (urinary schistosomiasis). Although the knowledge of this disease has improved over the years, there are still endemic areas, with most of the reported cases in Africa, including Ghana. Not much has been done in Ghana to investigate cytological abnormalities in individuals within endemic communities, although there are epidemiologic evidences linking S. haematobium infection with carcinoma of the bladder. Aim. The aim of this study was to identify microscopic and cytological abnormalities in the urine deposits of S. haematobium-infected children. Methodology. Three hundred and sixty-seven (367) urine samples were collected from school children in Zenu and Weija communities. All the samples were examined microscopically for the presence of S. haematobium eggs, after which the infected samples and controls were processed for cytological investigation. Results. S. haematobium ova were present in 66 (18.0%) out of the 367 urine samples. Inflammatory cells (82%, 54/66), hyperkeratosis (47%, 31/66), and squamous cell metaplasia (24%, 16/66) were the main observations made during the cytological examination of the S. haematobium-infected urine samples. Conclusion. Cytological abnormalities in S. haematobium-infected children may play an important role in the severity of the disease, leading to the possible development of bladder cancer in later years, if early attention is not given. Therefore, routine cytological screening for urogenital schistosomiasis patients (especially children) at hospitals in S. haematobium-endemic locations is recommended

Persistent Urogenital Schistosomiasis and Its Associated Morbidity in Endemic Communities within Southern Ghana: Suspected Praziquantel Resistance or Reinfection?

Background: schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by helminths of the genus Schistosoma. The disease has a worldwide distribution, with more cases occurring in Africa. Urogenital schistosomiasis caused by S. haematobium with its associated morbidity is prevalent in many areas of Ghana. Praziquantel is still the recommended drug of choice for schistosomiasis treatment, although a number of studies have reported sub-therapeutic effects and associated treatment failure. The current study, therefore, assessed whether persistent schistosomiasis, with its associated morbidity among children living in endemic areas within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, is as a result of reinfection or suspected praziquantel resistance. Methodology: this was a longitudinal study involving a baseline and follow-up sampling after praziquantel treatment. Urine samples were collected from school children (whose parents had also consented) for the detection of S. haematobium ova using a sedimentation technique. The morbidity parameters were examined with urine chemistry strips, as well as microscopy. Viability was assessed using a modified hatchability technique, vital staining (0.4% trypan blue and 1% neutral red) and fluorescent (Hoechst 33258) microscopy. Infected individuals were treated with a single dose of praziquantel (40mg/kg). Resampling to determine reinfection was done sixth months post-treatment, after evidence of total egg clearance. For possible resistance assessment, egg counts and viability testing were conducted on the positive samples at the baseline, as well as weekly post-treatment follow-ups for 12 weeks. Results: out of the 420 school children sampled, 77 were initially positive but, after the sixth month sampling for reinfection assessment, eight out of the initial positives were infected again, giving a reinfection percentage of 10.4%. No suspected praziquantel resistance was recorded in the 21 positives detected out of the 360 sampled for suspected resistance assessment. The egg reduction rate increased weekly in the follow-up samples with a gradual reduction in the egg count. The study also recorded a gradual decrease in the percentage of live eggs after the first week; with all viability testing methods used complimenting each other. The morbidity parameters (proteinuria, haematuria and pyuria) changed between the baseline and post-treatment samples, eventually reducing to zero. Conclusions: the outcome of this study suggests that the persistent schistosomiasis, with its associated morbidity observed in these endemic communities, is not likely to be as a result of praziquantel resistance, but reinfection. Even though there was no suspected resistance observed in the study, there remains the need to continuously intensify the monitoring of praziquantel in other endemic communities