Needs assessment of cowpea production practices, constraints and utilization in South Africa

Cowpea is an important grain legume. Research and production of cowpea have been neglected in South Africa in the last three decades due to lack of funding and interest of researchers to work on the improvement of the crop. The consequence of these are that cultivated varieties are unimproved and the lack of knowledge of good agronomic practices worsen the limitations to cowpea production. In order to ascertain the extent of these problems and determine the needs of farmers, a baseline survey was conducted among cowpea production provinces of South Africa (Limpopo, Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga) between 2004 and 2006 cropping seasons. Questionnaires were administered among farmers in co-operative societies. Data were collected on cropping systems, cultural practices, yield levels, constraints to production and utilization. Responses obtained from farmers were analysed using non-parametric or descriptive statistics. The data was summarised into averages, percentages or ranges. Results identified major production practices, importance and constraints to cowpea production in the provinces. The results form a useful pathway for needs towards the development of well-tailored breeding objectives to improve cowpea production in South Africa

Determination of quality traits, and the nutrient and mineral contents of Cowpea varieties in South Africa

Eastern Cape, followed by Limpopo, have the highest numbers of citizens experiencing food insecurity. The Limpopo and Free State provinces share the highest prevalence rate of children affected by iron deficiency anaemia leading to severe stunting and underweight. Cowpea is an important grain legume that is rich in proteins (20-24%), minerals and vitamins for human and animal nutrition. Cowpea stands to enhance food security and nutrition in rural South African communities. Introduction of cowpea varieties that are rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins will improve the quality of the dietary intakes and nutritional status of the poor. To fast-track the development of improved cowpea varieties that meet the nutritional needs of consumers and farmers, thirty cowpea improved varieties were introduced and evaluated to determine their qualities and the nutrients they contain. This will assist breeders in ascertaining their usefulness and how to deploy the traits in breeding programmes. The seeds were harvested from seed multiplication plots during 2017 growing season, and were analysed in three replications to determine their nutrient and mineral contents (crude protein or CP, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, P, K and moisture). The mineral contents were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer while CP content was determined by the Kjeldahl method using Kjeltec™ Model 2300, as described in Foss Analytical AB manual. Results showed that the varieties exhibited significant (P<0.05) variations for the nutrients and minerals determined except for P and moisture. Eight varieties out-performed the two local control varieties (Glenda and Bechuana White with 24% and 20% respectively) in CP with a range of 25-31%. Many varieties also significantly out-performed the local checks in respect of minerals tested: 4, 12, 6, 5, 14, and 15 varieties exhibited higher concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu and Fe, respectively. Results also show that the quality of grains varied in terms of seed colour, texture, and eye colour. The results not only demonstrate that many of the improved varieties were better than the control varieties, but have also provided a database for utilising the promising varieties in breeding programme for the development of new cowpea germplasm with better quality traits and nutrient contents. Variation in seed qualities offers opportunities for farmers and consumers to make choice as these quality traits influence acceptability and marketability of cowpea in South Africa

The impact of phosphate fertilizer as a pest management tactic in four cowpea varieties

Insect pests constitute serious threat to cowpea production in sub-Saharan Africa. In some severe situations, total yield loss results. Chemical control, although most effective, is very costly, hazardous and unsustainable. Investigation of other control options such as cultural practices that areenvironment friendly is critically important. This paper reports the effects of four levels of phosphorus fertilizer application (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg P2O5 ha-1) on insect population, damage and grain yield of four cowpea varieties (IT91K-180, IT95M-118, TVu 1890 and Vita 7) planted at research farm of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria. Data were collected on insect counts, pod evaluation index and damage by Aphis craccivora, Megalurothrips sjostedti, Maruca vitrata and pod-sucking bugs.Results indicated that damage by A. craccivora, M. sjostedti and M. vitrata were significantly (P < 0.05) lower at 30 and 45 kg P2O5 ha-1 and consequently higher grain yields were obtained

Assessment of N2 fixation in 32 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) genotypes grown in the field at Taung in South Africa, using 15N natural abundance

The aim of this study was to evaluate plant growth, grain yield and symbiotic N contribution by 32 cowpea genotypes, at Taung in South Africa. The data from a 2-year field study conducted in 2005 and 2006 showed that genotypes Fahari, Pan 311 and Glenda exhibited the highest dry matter yield and N contribution as they produced 2.9-, 2.7- and 3.5-fold more dry matter than cv. ITH98-46 and yielded 2.7-, 2.2- and 3.2-fold more N than cultivar ITH98-46 from IITA. Except for Benpila, all the 32 cowpea genotypes derived between 52.0 and 80.9% of their N nutrition from symbiotic fixation in 2005, with IT82D-889, Botswana White, IT93K-2045-29 and Ngonji exhibiting the highest %Ndfa values. The genotype Fahari showed the highest amount N-fixed (182 kg N-fixed/ha), followed by Pan 311, Glenda, TVu11424 and Mamlaka which contributed 160, 146, 130 and 125 kg N/ha, respectively. Genotypes Pan 311, Fahari and Glenda were among those that produced highest grain yield in 2005 and except for CH14 and IT86S-2246 (which produced 131 kg N/ha each), Fahari, Glenda and Pan 311, were again the highest in symbiotic N contribution (112, 106 and 105 kg N/ha, respectively). Grain yield was similarly high in Glenda, Pan 311 and Fahari (3.3, 3.1 and 2.9 t/ha, respectively) in 2006. In general, these data show that genotypes that fixed more N also produced more biomass and grain yield and are therefore, the best candidates for inclusion in cropping systems as biofertilizers.Key words: Symbiotic performance, N nutrition, biomass, N-fixed, cowpea varieties

Effects of insecticide spray application on insect pest infestation and yield of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in the Transkei, South Africa

Field studies were conducted during the 2008 - 2009 cropping season to determine the minimal insecticide application which can reduce cowpea yield losses on the field due to insect pest infestations in the Transkei region of South Africa. Treatments consisted of five cowpea varieties andfour regimes of insecticide spray which were laid out with a split-plot experimental design with four replications. Observations were taken on the incidence of major insect pests, cowpea pod and seed damage by insects as well as growth and yield parameters of the cowpea varieties. Results showed that spray regimes had significant effects on insect population counts, pod and seed damage and consequently on cowpea yield parameters. Application of insecticide once each at flower budding andearly podding significantly reduced pod borers and pod-sucking bugs infestations by 44 and 56%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Application of insecticide, once at flower budding, early podding and pod filling significantly reduced pod and seed damage, resulting in substantial increase in number of pods, pod weight and seed weight per plant, and also number of seeds per pod of cowpea compared to the untreated control. This study provides information on the incidence ofmajor insect pests of cowpea as well as the minimum insecticide control intervention necessary for effectively reducing cowpea yield losses on the field. Two insecticide spray regimes (once at flowering and podding) significantly reduced insect population and damage of cowpea

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A MOBILE (WIRELESS) PHONE CONTROLLED ROBOT

In modern technological innovation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) method are now applied to do our manual tasks. Robots are becoming common in our homes, public places, industries, entertainment, and relaxation centers hence, we need to control and monitor them for easy and suitable usage. In the research, we have not only proposed but developed a robot that can be controlled by mobile phones through which we can call for some emergency situations for the Fire brigade, Law enforcement agencies (Police, Army), National Emergency Management Agency (MENA), Area Guard so on. This mobile phone-controlled robot is powered by a 9V battery for the system circuit. Whenever the user calls the mobile phone, the call is received by auto-answer mode and as the call is ongoing, the user presses a button on his handset the tone that is generated is decoded by the DTMF decoder, and the command is passed to the pre-programmed microcontroller. The Microcontroller then processes the command signal which activates the motor driver ICs for motion. This system can also be useful in reconnaissance or surveillance and applicable anywhere the GSM network service is active. The designed system is compactable, robust, and cost affordable

Engagement of employees in a research organisation : a relational perspective

Abstract: Increasing work engagement in a sustainable way remains a challenge despite years of research on the topic. Relationships at work are vital to foster engagement or disengagement. While the relational model by Kahn and Heaphy is conceptually appealing to explain work engagement, it lacks empirical support. Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the associations among relational factors, psychological conditions (psychological meaningfulness, availability and safety) and work engagement and to test a structural model of work engagement. Setting: A total of 443 individuals in an agricultural research organisation participated in a cross-sectional study. Methods: Four scales that measured relational factors, the Psychological Conditions Scale and the Work Engagement Scale were administered. Latent variable modelling was used to test the measurement and structural models. Results: The results confirmed a structural model in which relational facets of job design contributed to psychological meaningfulness. Emotional exhaustion (inverse) and co-worker relationships contributed to psychological availability. Supervisor relationships contributed to psychological safety. Psychological meaningfulness and psychological availability contributed to work engagement, while emotional exhaustion contributed to disengagement. Conclusion: The relational context is an important target for intervention to affect the psychological conditions which precede work engagement. To promote work engagement, it is vital to focus on psychological meaningfulness, psychological availability and emotional exhaustion

KASPar SNP genetic map of cassava for QTL discovery of productivity traits in moderate drought stress environment in Africa

Open Access Journal; Published online: 28 May 2021Cassava is an important staple in Sub-Sahara Africa. While its production has rapidly expanded to the dry savannahs of the continent, productivity is low in this ecology due to drought by farmers, extending the growth cycle from 12 months to 18, and sometimes 24 months to ensure better harvests. Yield is a complex trait and often difficult to manipulate for genetic gain in conventional breeding. Unfortunately, the dearth of molecular tools for decades has hampered molecular breeding (MB) to improve cassava productivity. This study was conducted to explore KASpar SNPs to generate more molecular tools to enhance genetic dissection of elite African germplasm for improved cassava productivity in dry environments of Africa where molecular resources are highly limited for crop improvement. To aid molecular genetic analysis of traits, a linkage map covering 1582.8 cM with an average resolution of 3.69 cM was constructed using 505 polymorphic SNP markers distributed over 21 linkage groups. Composite interval mapping using 267 F1 progeny in initial QTL mapping identified 27 QTLs for productivity traits in the dry savannah of Nigeria. The availability of KASPar SNPs are anticipated to improve the implementation of MB for the development of high performing drought-tolerant cassava varieties in Africa

KNOWLEDGE OF ASTHENOPIA AND AMMETROPIC STATUS AMONG FRESHERS: OPTOMETRIST VISIBILITY IN UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER

The society register a large population of person who has never visited the clinic and most of these subjects suffer asthenopia due to either uncorrected spherical or astigmatic condition. This can lead to other damaging visual disorders like amblyopia and strabismus. Most tertiary institutions seem unaware of these indices and the dangers associated; therefore, do not take deliberate steps in the prevention and correction of these disorders leading to a rise in visual impairment among students. This study wished to close the gap between knowledge of asthenopia and its indices in tertiary institutions. The research adopted an incidental random sampling technique and recruited 258 subjects from the target population. Snellen Visual Acuity Test, Slit Acuity Test and Near Point of Convergence (NPC) were performed on the student and findings recorded. Furthermore, questionnaires were administered to subjects for assessment their level of personal refractive error status awareness. Research observed that the percentage of students who were presumed to have spherical ocular aberrations were 18.2% and those without were 81.8%. Cylindrical ocular aberrations were 15.1% and those without cylindrical ocular aberrations were 84.9%. This study also predicted that students with spectacle prescription (8.5%) are less than students with aberrations (24.8%). Furthermore, study showed a weak negative relationship between spherical and cylindrical aberration when compared to NPC (r ₌ -0.116). Conclusively, this study observed that a greater number of this population were ignorant of their refractive status and therefore, study wish to advocate for a proper ocular health screening on-admission and, periodic medical fitness check which must include a comprehensive eye examination with treatment plans including lens prescription coverage