Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Endomycorrhizal Inoculation under Different Phosphorus Application Levels in South-Kivu, Eastern DRC

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been reported to increase yield and phosphorus (P) uptake. However, it is still unclear how the common bean responds to mycorrhizal inoculation when there is a phosphate supply. This research focused on finding out how bean performance will be affected by mycorrhizal inoculation and increasing P dosages in order to reduce phosphate input. The study was conducted during the A 2021 cropping season in Kabare, while a split-plot design was used to compare two levels of inoculation and increasing phosphorus doses. Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation significantly improved mycorrhizal colonization, biomass, yield, and harvest index of beans at 0 and 30 kg P ha-1. Bean plants inoculated with R. irregularis performed better in terms of biomass, yield, and harvest index at 30 kg P ha-1 than non-inoculated and inoculated plants at 60 and 120 kg P ha-1, indicating the potential of AMF in lowering phosphate input. Phosphorus levels of 60 and 120 kg P ha-1 significantly decreased mycorrhizal infection, indicating the impact of inorganic P on the mycorrhizal symbiosis. In the ferralitic soils of Kashusha, mycorrhizal inoculation with R. irregularis may be a key tool for increasing bean production and ensuring phosphate fertilizer savings

Post-harvest constraints of Solanaceae species produced in Kabare Wetlands, Estern Democratic Republic of Congo.

peer reviewedThe Kabare territory wetlands produced a significant quantity of solanaceous crops (potato, tomato and eggplant, etc.). One of the observations is the fact that significant losses are being observed during production and mostly after harvesting. The objective of this study was to assess the post-harvest constraints of the main solanaceous crops grown in these wetlands. A survey was carried out among 225 randomly selected households from four wetlands that lied down six districts to characterize the producers, identify the post-harvest techniques used and the constraints observed. Samples of solanaceous products were preserved for 15 days according to the local preservation techniques used to evaluate their effectiveness. The results showed that the producers face numerous post-harvest constraints of three types: structural, technical, and technological. These constraints a varied from value chain actor group to another. Most of the methods used by producers were mostly classified as moderately effective, and did not allow the quality of the products to be preserved, while quantitative losses remained very significant high. Besides, other external factors such as environmental and socio-economic factors contributed significantly also to these losses. Much losses are observed on tomato than on potato and eggplant; only a few preservation methods were classified as effective, notably tuber sorting (– 60%), the use of ice cubes (– 65%), and the use of pesticides (– 70%). Methods such as spreading out in a corner of the house (60%) and storage in the bag (50%) were classified as less effective for more than half by the farmers. Although suffering significant losses, these solanaceous crops provided important household income and thus contributed to food security in the area. Crop production and preservation have to be improved while effective production practices in Kabare and South-Kivu wetlands, eastern of DR Congo, have to be implemented

Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and plant density improve grain yield, nodulation capacity, and profitability of peas (Pisum sativum L.) on ferralsols in eastern D.R. Congo

peer reviewedAbstractSustaining high crop yield and profitability on marginal soils, such as degraded ferralsols, calls for the use of adequate farming practices. In this study, we assessed for four cropping seasons the effect of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer application doses (100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) and plant densities (100,000, 166,666, and 250,000 plants ha−1) on growth, yield, nodulation capacity, and profitability of two pea varieties (Adei and Rwanda) under degraded ferralsols in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Results showed that pea growth, yield, nodulation, and profitability were significantly affected by the DAP dose and the plant density. Application of 150 kg ha−1 of DAP improved pea yields from 730 to 1720 kg ha−1 and nodulation from 17 to 22 nodules per plant. The number of active nodules was positively correlated with total number of nodules, DAP doses, yield parameters, and plant height. High grain yield was recorded during the long rainy season (1400 kg ha−1) compared to the short one (930 kg ha−1). All DAP doses were profitable according to the agronomic efficiency (AE) and value–cost ratio (VCR) analyses. For improved and profitable pea production on degraded South-Kivu ferralsols, applying 150 kg ha−1 of DAP combined with low plant density are to be recommended and preferably in the long rainy season

Typology of smallholder’s pig production systems in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Challenges and opportunities

Pig farming plays an important role in farmers’ livelihoods in many tropical countries. It contributes to food security of the poorest as well as the development of rural economy through multiplier effects. In the South Kivu province, pig farms are almost exclusively owned by smallholders. A few studies have attempted to describe thoroughly pig farming systems in this province. This study was undertaken to characterise pig production systems, in order to better understand their current situation, namely constraints they face and opportunities they offer. Investigation was conducted based on a structured survey questionnaire and participatory interviews with the owners of 989 farms in South-Kivu. Collected data was analysed using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and clustering techniques. Results showed that there are two types of smallholder pig farms differing mainly in the type of husbandry and feeding management. One category includes farms that raise pigs in free-range system consuming forages and scavenge feed (heaps picked-up from garbage and trash on their ways), which are sometimes, combined with crop residues and kitchen leftovers. The second category includes improved pig farms raising tethered pigs or in lairage where feed is mostly based on forages combined with kitchen leftovers, crop residues and concentrate feed. Nevertheless, all these different farm types share many common characteristics, including having pigs of local breeds, small herd sizes, absence of breeding boars and absence of adequate prophylactic measures. It emerged that female farmers together with experienced farmers mainly own pig farms with better characteristics (breed type, management practices, litter size, etc.). Hence, the involvement of women in pig farming can offer better prospects for the improvement of this sector. In addition, access to agricultural credit can also be an alternative to foster investment in livestock in South Kivu. All this can only lead to better results though improved local market access to smallholder producers

Typology of smallholder maize farmers in South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo: implications in improving farming practices and markets

peer reviewedUnderstanding the typology of smallholder maize farmers is crucial to elucidate the diversity in local farming systems, and therefore, devise effective interventions and policies that maximize the impact of agricultural innovations in South-Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed at characterizing maize farmers in South-Kivu province and clustering them based on various socioeconomic and agronomic factors to identify specific production constraints and devise more effective interventions. A household survey among 300 South-Kivu maize farmers allowed to identify four distinct clusters based on farm size, land use, income, and agricultural technology adoption. The clusters ranged from resource-poor smallholder (Types 1 and 2) to medium-resource semi-innovative producers (Type 3) and highly equipped innovative farmers (Type 4). Key discriminative factors included total farm size, maize farm size, farming experience, access to agricultural credit, income, and innovation adoption rate. This study revealed specific constraints for each cluster, including low soil fertility, poor weed management, low market access, and labor scarcity. This study’s findings demonstrate the value of farm typology in guiding targeted interventions to address specific constraints and improve maize productivity, and suggest specific strategic directions for research and development projects in rural areas of the South-Kivu province

Gully erosion susceptibility mapping using four machine learning methods in Luzinzi watershed, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

peer reviewedSoil erosion by gullying causes severe soil degradation, which in turn leads to severe socio-economic and environmental damages in tropical and subtropical regions. To mitigate these negative effects and guarantee sustainable management of natural resources, gullies must be prevented. Gully management strategies start by devising adequate assessment tools and identification of driving factors and control measures. To achieve this, machine learning methods are essential tools to assist in the identification of driving factors to implement site-specific control measures. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of four machine learning methods (Random Forest (RF), Maximum of Entropy (MaxEnt), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Boosted Regression Tree (BRT)) to identify gully's driving factors, and predict gully erosion susceptibility in the Luzinzi watershed, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Soil Properties Shape the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Status of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) and Soil Mycorrhizal Potential in Kabare and Walungu Territories, Eastern DR Congo

peer reviewedCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) stands as the main leguminous crop cultivated in South-Kivu Province, DR Congo. However, there is a scarcity of information regarding the soil mycorrhizal potential, natural mycorrhization, and the spore density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with P. vulgaris in South-Kivu Province. Sample of rhizospheric soil and roots were collected from famer’s field in three localities in two territories namely Kabare and Walungu. The goal was to determine the natural mycorrhization rate of common beans, AM fungi spore density, and the soil mycorrhizal potential in relation with soil chemical properties. Our findings revealed that bean root colonization was notably high in Katana, Kavumu and Miti, while being comparatively low in Lurhala, Walungu centre, and Nduba. Katana and Kavumu exhibited a high number of spores (242.9 ± 37.8 and 183 ± 13.1 spores.100 g−1 soil, respectively) compared to other sites. Soil mycorrhizal potential was higher in Katana, Kavumu, and Miti sites, located in Kabare territory (10.8 ± 0.7, 9 ± 1.3 and 8.8 ± 0.9 AM fungi propagula g−1 soil). The AM fungi potential was positively and significantly correlated with bean mycorrhizal colonization (p < 0.0001). As soil phosphorus (P) content increased, mycorrhization frequency and intensity significantly decreased (r = − 0.69, p < 0.0001 and r = − 0.54, p = 0.002, respectively), along with the soil mycorrhizal potential (r = -0.87, p < 0.0001), regardless the study sites. Conversely, soil pH positively influenced mycorrhizal colonization (r = 0.73, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.54, p = 0.002, respectively), and the soil mycorrhizal potential (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001). This study underscores a substantial variation in common bean mycorrhizal status and soil mycorrhizal potential across sites. To enhance common bean productivity, it is recommended to consider site-specific identification of AM fungi morphotypes and inoculum production

Estimation of soil erosion using RUSLE modeling and geospatial tools in a tea production watershed (Chisheke in Walungu), eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Soil erosion is a major concern for agricultural practices leading to topsoil losses and decreased soil fertility. Walungu’s Chisheke watershed (RD Congo) supports the staple food and industrial tea production, which are the basis for the food and income security in the region. The Chisheke watershed’s soil loss estimate is, therefore, vital for its sustainable management. To facilitate the implementation of an erosion management plan, this study estimated soil losses in the Chisheke watershed using the Revised Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)

Farmers' knowledge and Practices of Soil Conservation Techniques in Smallholder Farming Systems of Northern Kabare, East of D.R. Congo

peer reviewe

Socio-economic drivers of improved sweet potato varieties adoption among smallholder farmers in South-Kivu Province, DR Congo

Promotion of improved crop varieties is an effective means of increasing farm productivity and alleviating poverty in rural areas. A successful dissemination of such varieties requires a deep understanding of target farmers’ attitudes, preferences and socio-economic status. This study aimed at assessing factors linked to smallholder farmers’ adoption decision for improved sweet potato varieties (ISPVs) in South-Kivu. A household survey was conducted on 360 smallholder farmers from four South-Kivu territories, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including Idjwi, Kabare, Kalehe and Walungu, and data were analyzed using a logit regression model. The adoption decision was negatively affected by farmers’ age and the field-to-house distance. In contrast, the ISPVs adoption was favored by farmers’ education level, reduced farm size, off-farm incomes, high monthly income and use of hired farm labor. Besides, farmers’ cooperative membership, access to credit and planting materials, and contacts with extension services were instrumental in adopting improved sweet potato varieties in South-Kivu. This study highlighted the need to strengthen extension services, seed delivery systems, and amending the credit systems for increased impact on improved varieties adoption among South-Kivu sweet potato farmers