Variability in yield of some selected Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. lines under varying shade conditions

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important legume in the tropics providing an inexpensive source of vegetable protein for both human beings and livestock. It is well adapted to relatively dry environments, and contributes to the sustainability of cropping systems in marginal lands of semi-arid areas by virtue of its high levels of nitrogen fixation, effective ground cover and soil improvement from plant residues. Given that light is an important limiting factor especially in intercropped cowpea, the shade adaptability of the selected cowpea varieties were analyzed in a pot experiment. The study was conducted to elucidate the effect of varying shade conditions of some selected cowpea lines in relation to their vegetative growth and yield which has proven to be of particular value in intercropping systems. The experiment was conducted in the screen house at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kano, Nigeria with cultivars exposed to three levels of shading. Vegetative growth parameters measured revealed positive phenotypic correlation coefficients of higher magnitudes for varieties grown under the single and double shading conditions

Handbook On Improved Agronomic Practices Of Groundnut Production In North East Nigeria

This handbook is intended to guide farmers, extension personnel, students of agriculture and researchers in Nigeria to use improved varieties and associated production practices to increase productivity. The guide draws its lessons from the work and experiences of ICRISAT and its partners in Research for Development on crop-based systems in Nigeria. The publication of this handbook is a demonstration of effective collaboration between ICRISAT, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), numerous farmers’ groups and Innovation Platform (IPs). The authors are grateful to the Management of these Institutes and organizations and gratefully acknowledge the work of other researchers that have helped immensely in compiling this manual

Handbook on Improved Agronomic Practices for Sorghum Production in North East Nigeria

This handbook is intended to guide farmers, extension personnel, students of agriculture and researchers in Nigeria to use improved varieties and associated production practices to increase productivity. The guide draws its lessons from the work and experiences of ICRISAT and its partners in Research for Development on crop-based systems in Nigeria. The publication of this handbook is a demonstration of effective collaboration between ICRISAT, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), numerous farmers’ groups and Innovation Platform (IPs). The authors are grateful to the Management of these Institutes and organizations and gratefully acknowledge the work of other researchers that have helped immensely in compiling this manual

Understanding the response of sorghum cultivars to nitrogen applications in the semi-arid Nigeria using the agricultural production systems simulator

The Agricultural Production Systems simulator (APSIM) model was calibrated and evaluated using two improved sorghum varieties conducted in an experiment designed in a randomized complete block, 2014–2016 at two research stations in Nigeria. The results show that the model replicated the observed yield accounting for yield differences and variations in phenological development between the two sorghum cultivars. For early-maturing cultivar (ICSV-400), the model indicated by low accuracy with root means square error (RMSE) for biomass and grain yields of 20.3% and 23.7%. Meanwhile, Improved-Deko (medium-maturing) cultivar shows the model was calibrated with low RMSE (11.1% for biomass and 13.9% for grain). Also, the model captured yield response to varying Nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications in the three agroecological zones simulated. The N-fertilizer increased simulated grain yield by 26–52% for ICSV-400 and 19–50% for Improved-Deko compared to unfertilized treatment in Sudano-Sahelian zone. The insignificant yield differences between N-fertilizer rates of 60 and 100 kgha−1 suggests 60 kgNha−1 as the optimal rate for Sudano-Sahelian zone. Similarly, grain yield increased by 23–57% for ICSV-400 and 19–59% for Improved Deko compared to unfertilized N-treatment while the optimal mean grain yield was simulated at 80 kgNha−1 in the Sudan savanna zone. In the northern Guinea savanna, mean simulated grain yield increased by 8–20% for ICSV-400 and 12–23% for Improved-Deko when N-fertilizer was applied compared to unfertilized treatment. Optimum grain yield was obtained at 40 kgha−1. Our study suggests a review of blanket recommended fertilizer rates across semi-arid environments for sorghum to maximize productivity and eliminate fertilizer losses, means of adaptation strategies to climate variability

Intensive Cereal–Legume–Livestock Systems in West African Dry Savannas

The dry savannas of West Africa are undergoing rapid transformation of agricultural practices owing to the rapid human and livestock population growth, increase in agricultural intensification and accelerated climate change which has increased the incidence and severity of diseases, pests and drought. The major constraints to agricultural production in the savanna include poor soil fertility, pests and diseases of crops and livestock, parasitic weeds such as Striga hermonthica, drought, and competition between crops and livestock for resources, Inadequate policies, weak institutional mechanisms, and poor linkages among farmers, and researchers prevent adoption of improved agricultural technologies that can combat these constraints. The risk of continuous cultivation on these poor and fragile soils is huge. Integrating crop and livestock production offers ways to increase production while protecting the environment. Over the years, research and development institutions have generated several agricultural technologies to alleviate the majority of the production constraints in the West African savannas. However, most development organizations use traditional extension methods that result in poor adoption of the improved technologies. The integration of crop and livestock production is particularly desirable in intensively farmed and densely populated areas with access to urban markets. Proper integration of these practices will diversify smallholder income and increase food security. Integrated genetic and natural resource management provides the keys improved eco-efficiency. This includes integrating pesticide use with cultural practices such as modified planting date and disease control; rotating/intercropping cereals and legumes; use of pest resistant\tolerant cultivars to increase the effectiveness of pest control and reduce the need for pesticides; and improving soil fertility restoration/maintenance. Government and national institutions in West Africa are encouraged to scale-out these technologies to wider areas for increased benefit to farmers through the use of proven extension methods

Hand book on recipes of sorghum and sorghum based foods in Nigeria

Sorghum is one of the top cereal crops in the world that is extremely drought tolerant and excellent choice for arid and dry areas, it was originally cultivated in Africa, although the cultivation of this grain is on the rise, it has spread to southern Asia and the Americas. This annual grass has special adaptations to weather extremes and is a very stable source of nutrition. In much of the rest of the world, however, it is consumed by humans as well as animals..

Response of Irrigated Groundnut to Polythene Mulching on Broad Bed and Furrows during the Low Temperature Months in Nigeria

Experiments were conductedduring 2014- 2015 and 2015-2016 dry seasons to evaluate the response of selected groundnut varieties to Polythene Mulching (PM) onBroad Bed and Furrows (BBF)in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria.The treatments consisted of Polythene mulch vs without mulch (control) and four groundnut varieties,laid outin Split plot design with four replications. The result showed that polythene mulch positively and significantly influenced the phenological and physiological variables as well as the yield and yield component of groundnut.Plot withPM emergence at mean of 8 days earlier and attained days to 50% flowering and maturity 11 and 10 days earlier than the control.Polythene mulch had positive and significant effects on all of the phenological, growth and yield parameters (100 seed weight,Spad Chlorophyll Meter Reading, LAI and shelling percentage) of groundnut. These effects ranged from 5% advantage in Spad Chlorophyll Meter Reading at 40DAS to 29% at LAI 60DAS.Mean pod yield of the mulch treatments (3401 kgha-1) was 39% higher than the control (2102 kgha-1). Samnut-24 had highest pod yield of 4009 kgha-1under the polythene mulch treatments. Polythene mulch also increased the haulm production by 26% over the control treatment (4775 vs 3505 kgha-1). The experiment showed that it is possible to produce high groundnut pod and haulm yields using PM onBBFin the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria