Retooling Cotton Growers for Improved Productivity in Mozambique: Implications of Integrated Crop Management Practices

In Mozambique average yields of seed cotton range from 400-750 kg/ha on smallholders’ farms, while those in research plots average 3,000 kg/ha. To improve productivity, integrated crop management (ICM) practices were promoted in cotton production systems, using farmer field schools (FFS). In addition, relevant information on cotton marketing was provided to the cotton growers. This paper examines the extent to which the initiative contributed to changes in farmer practices, productivity and income. The ICM farmers had significantly larger area (p<0.01) under cotton, which was due to an overall average increase of 0.19 ha above that of non-ICM farmers. Ninety seven per cent of the ICM farmers rated cotton as the key contributor to income compared to 80% of the non-ICM farmers. Net incomes from cotton were significantly higher (p<0.01) for the ICM farmers. The ICM farmers had better access to information and knowledge of cotton production compared to the other farmers. The ICM farmers used significantly (p<0.01) less pesticides by up to US$ 9.27 and realized better seed cotton yields of up to 250 kg/ha above non-ICM farmers. Efficient use of ICM practices contributed to sustained increase in productivity and incomes. Keywords: Productivity, sustainability, yield, income, pesticides

Energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy at LNLS: Investigation on strongly correlated metal oxides

An energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy beamline mainly dedicated to X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and material science under extreme conditions has been implemented in a bending-magnet port at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory. Here the beamline technical characteristics are described, including the most important aspects of the mechanics, optical elements and detection set-up. The beamline performance is then illustrated through two case studies on strongly correlated transition metal oxides: an XMCD insight into the modifications of the magnetic properties of Cr-doped manganites and the structural deformation in nickel perovskites under high applied pressure. © 2010 International Union of Crystallography. Printed in Singapore - all rights reserved.Fil: Cezar, Julio C.. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Síncrotron; BrasilFil: Souza Neto, Narcizo M.. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Síncrotron; BrasilFil: Piamonteze, Cínthia. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Síncrotron; BrasilFil: Tamura, Edilson. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Síncrotron; BrasilFil: Garcia, Flávio. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Síncrotron; BrasilFil: Carvalho, Edson J.. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Síncrotron; BrasilFil: Neueschwander, Régis T.. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Síncrotron; BrasilFil: Ramos, Aline Y.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Tolentino, Hélio C. N.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Caneiro, Alberto. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Massa, Nestor Emilio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Lope, Maria Jesus. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Alonso, José Antonio. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Itié, Jean Paul. L'Orme des Merisiers. Synchrotron SOLEIL; Franci

Energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy at LNLS: investigation on strongly correlated metal oxides

An energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy beamline mainly dedicated to X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and material science under extreme conditions has been implemented in a bending-magnet port at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory. Here the beamline technical characteristics are described, including the most important aspects of the mechanics, optical elements and detection set-up. The beamline performance is then illustrated through two case studies on strongly correlated transition metal oxides: an XMCD insight into the modifications of the magnetic properties of Cr-doped manganites and the structural deformation in nickel perovskites under high applied pressure.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Química Inorgánic

Energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy at LNLS : investigation on strongly correlated metal oxides.

An energy-dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy beamline mainly dedicated to X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and material science under extreme conditions has been implemented in a bending-magnet port at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory. Here the beamline technical characteristics are described, including the most important aspects of the mechanics, optical elements and detection set-up. The beamline performance is then illustrated through two case studies on strongly correlated transition metal oxides: an XMCD insight into the modifications of the magnetic properties of Cr-doped manganites and the structural deformation in nickel perovskites under high applied pressure