Who does what and why? Intra-household roles and explanatory models for sourcing soybean seed from the formal sector in Malawi

Open Access ArticleThis study asks whether there is utility in knowing who sources soybean seed within the household and why when explaining variation in seed obtained from the formal versus informal sector. Survey data collected in Malawi in 2018 were used to explore the question. Results suggest that the identity of the person who sources seed has little to do with whether the seed was obtained from the formal sector. Instead, why the person sources soybean seed is the better predictor. As formal seed system actors mobilize to persuade more smallholder farmers to adopt improved varieties, understanding why people source seed may be key for targeting and when designing agricultural development interventions

Physicochemical, microbial, and aflatoxin analyses of selected high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) from the major markets of Zambia

Open Access Journal; Published online: 13 May 2021Various quality grades of high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) are found in markets due to the rapid increase in its utilization for product development. Therefore, this study assessed the chemical, functional and pasting properties and the microbial and aflatoxin content of HQCF being sold in Lusaka markets. Nine samples of HQCF (coded CM 01 to 09) were collected from supermarkets, one major open market, and one cassava processing centre. The samples were analyzed for chemical, functional and pasting properties and the microbial and aflatoxin content using standard laboratory methods. Samples CM 01, CM 08, and CM 09 had starch content above 60%, while CM 02 to CM 07 had starch slightly above 40%. The mean value of bulk density (BD) was 0.51 ± 25.49 g ml−1, dispersibility 68 ± 2.63%, swelling power (SP) 7.84 ± 0.76%, solubility index 135.80 ± 18.8%, and water absorption capacity (WAC) 6.28 ± 32.49%. The mean value for the peak viscosity was 437.46 ± 94.12 RVU, trough viscosity 217.55 ± 27.41 RVU, breakdown viscosity 219.91 ± 77.94 RVU, final viscosity 284.31 ± 29.96 RVU, and setback viscosity 66.77 ± 5.30 RVU. There was no detection of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that belongs to group 1 carcinogens for humans. Bacteria colony counts in samples CM 02, CM 03, CM 07, and CM 09 were higher with CFU mg−1 of 2,280,000, 260,000, 200,000, and 510,000, respectively. The study’s information will guide the quality standard specifications, breeding programs, and end-use of HQCF

Evaluation of improved cassava genotypes for yield and related traits for a better breeding strategy under different agroecologies in Nigeria

Open Access Article; Published online: 29 Mar 2021This study aimed at determining shoot and root characteristics of cassava as affected by root yield and the influence of soil moisture on vegetative growth and yield. Thirty cassava genotypes were evaluated for morphological and physiological characterization in three locations in Nigeria: Ibadan, Mokwa and Zaria. Randomized complete block design was used with four replicates. Studies on the pasting properties of the genotypes were also carried out. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, stay-green ability, garri and fresh root weight. Genotypes differed significantly (P < 0.05) across and within locations for shoot and root characteristics. Across locations, genotype 011663 had the highest plant height (132.4 cm); 30572 had the largest stem girth (8.6 cm); and 010040 was the best stay-green (2.2). Genotype 011086 had the highest number of roots per plot (95.7), 950289 had the highest fresh root yield (24.3 t/ha), and 990554 had the highest percentage of dry matter (35.2). Trends in root yields across locations were Ibadan (28.9 t/ha), Mokwa (20.3 t/ha), and Zaria (8 t/ha). Five genotypes IITA-TMS-IBA950289, 010034, 990554, 011807, and 980581 had negligible interactions with the environment and so have broad adaptation and are considered stable; and two clones 011807 and 950166 were found to be the best for pasting properties. Breeding strategies that consider root size, total root number, harvest index, dry matter, with applications for household foods and industrial uses, will be an effective and efficient way to select genotypes for high yield

Heritability and correlation coefficient analysis for yield and its components in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The objectives of this study were to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, broad sense heritability, genetic gain and correlations in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria during 2008/2009 cropping season. Genotypes differed significantly at (p>0.001) for all the traits studied, which implies that the genotypes constitute a pool of germplasm with adequate genetic variability. Genotypic coefficients of variation were lower than the corresponding phenotypic coefficients in all the traits studied, indicating considerable influence of the environment on the expression of the traits. High to medium broad sense heritability estimates observed on days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, grain yield and number of grains per panicle, panicle weight, number of panicles per m2 and panicle length suggests high component of heritable portion of variation, which is the portion exploited by breeder and that selection for these traits can be achieved directly based on their phenotypic performance. The low broad sense heritability observed for the number of tillers per plant and 1000 grain weight is indicative of the influence of the environment on these traits. Low heritability of these traits indicates the ineffectiveness of direct selection for these traits. High to medium heritability and genetic advance were recorded for the number of grains per panicle, grain yield, panicle weight and the number of panicles per plant. This suggests that these traits are primarily under genetic control and selection for them can be achieved through their phenotypic performance. Grain yield exhibited significantly positive correlation with the number of tillers per plant (r = 0.58**), panicle weight (r =0.60*) and number of grains per panicle (r= 0.52*). Therefore, the results suggest that these traits can be used for grain yield selection

Comparative Performance of Lowland Hybrids and Inbred Rice Varieties in Nigeria

The objective of this study was to compare the grain yield performance of lowland hybrids with that of some inbred varieties of rice in Nigeria with a view to identifying which of the two groups exhibits higher grain yield. Yield potential of 14 rice varieties comprising 10 commercial hybrids, 2 inbred varieties and 2 lowland NERICAs were evaluated at the Africa Rice Center, Ibadan Station during 2008 wet and 2009 dry seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Agronomic data were collected on days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of panicles per m2, panicle length, number of tillers per plant, panicle weight, number of grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. The number of panicles per m2, panicle weight and number of grains per panicle were significantly higher in the hybrids than in the inbred and interspecific varieties. The hybrids had the highest grain yield compared to the inbred and the interspecific lowland NERICA varieties. The results indicated that hybrids exhibited significant yield increase of 13.44% over the best lowland NERICAs and 15.17% over the best inbred variety WITA 4. The number of panicles per m2, panicle weight and number of grains per panicle appeared to be the main traits that contribute to higher grain yield in the hybrids. Therefore, the hybrids with the highest grain yield have huge potential in raising rice productivity in Nigeri

The productivity and income effects of adoption of improved soybean varieties and agronomic practices in Malawi

Soybean constitutes an important component of the maize-based smallholder cropping systems in Malawi and holds considerable potential for countering soil fertility decline, enhancing household food and nutrition security, and raising rural incomes. A number of yield-enhancing improved soybean varieties and agronomic practices (ISVAPs) have been developed and disseminated in Malawi, but there is limited evidence on the adoption and impacts of these technologies. This paper assesses the productivity and income effects of adopting ISVAPs using plot level data collected from a nationally representative sample of 1237 soybean growing households in Malawi. Our results show that over a third of the sampled households have adopted ISVAPs. Furthermore, results from a stochastic dominance analysis showed that soybean yields and net crop incomes for adopters are significantly higher than those of non-adopters over the entire probability distribution of ISVAPs adoption. Endogenous switching regression model results further demonstrated that adoption of ISVAPs is associated with an average of 61% yield gain and 53% income gain for adopters. Overall, the results point to the need for further scaling of ISVAPs for greater adoption and impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Malawi

The poverty impacts of improved soybean technologies in Malawi

Published online: 06 Jul 2021Improved soybean varieties and agronomic practices have been widely disseminated to smallholder farmers in Malawi over the last 15 years. However, there is no empirical evidence on the welfare impacts of adopting improved soybean technologies. This paper estimated the poverty impacts of adopting improved soybean technologies using data from 1,234 households in six soybean growing districts accounting for over 80% of the total soybean production in the country. The results from an endogenous switching regression model showed that 32% of the sample households adopted improved soybean varieties and agronomic practices. The adoption benefits were higher for female-headed households and increased with the household head’s education and cultivated land areas. A comparison of the observed and counterfactual incomes for adopters based on the international poverty line of US$1.90 per capita per day showed a 4.16 percentage-point reduction in poverty among the sample households, translating to over 150,000 people lifted out of poverty. The household head’s education level, household size, cultivated land area, livestock size, and asset ownership are associated with the daily per capita income. The results point to the need for scaling up of improved soybean varieties and agronomic practices for greater impacts on poverty reduction among smallholders in Malawi