Recent Trends and Future Directions on Value Addition of Irish potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) among Smallholder Farmers

Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) value addition has the potential to enhance food security, household income and nutrition. This cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted to examine value addition of Irish potato among smallholder farmers in Ntcheu, central Malawi. Data was collected using a standard structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. The results revealed that there were significant differences (X2=103.3; p<0.001) on value addition techniques practiced by farmers. The following value addition techniques were identified: chips (65%), packaging (27.5%), crisps (25%), grading (12.5%), salad (5%), baking (5%), soup (2.5%) and grounding into flour (2.5%). It was noted that factors influencing Irish potato value addition among farmers significantly (X2=8.020; p=0.046) differed. The majority (70%) of the farmers were influenced by knowledge of value addition, followed by ready markets for products (57.5%), while a few were influenced by capital (45.5%) and availability of value addition equipment (40.0%). The study further revealed that education level and group participation significantly (P<0.05) influenced Irish potato value addition technique practices. Farmers with secondary education level or above and those in Irish potato group production are involved in diverse value addition techniques. Encouraging farmer group formation, access to loans to buy value addition equipment, linking farmers with supermarkets, and farmer’s exposure to field days and workshops are the strategies identified to promote effective Irish potato value addition among smallholder farmers

Impact of Climate Variability on Forest Vegetation Zones in Malawi

A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of climate variability on forest type and forest living biomass. Three scenarios were used in the assessment. Namely: Near century (2011–2040), mid-century (2041–2070), and end-century (2071–2100). Holdridge Life Zone model and GAP Formind modified were used for the assessment. The results show that three forest vegetation zones will be observed from near century to end century. Namely: dry forest, very dry forest and thorn woodland forest. Under near century climate conditions, there are two forest vegetation zones occurring: dry forest and very dry forest. Under mid-century climate conditions, thorn woodland forest will emerge, and dry forest will disappear in the end-century. There will be a significant decrease in forest living biomass (1000 kg ha−1 yr−1) from near century to end-century. The study has demonstrated that future climate change will be conducive to growth and expansion of very dry forest vegetation zone, which causes positive effects on reforestation planning and adaptive strategies. Therefore, the study suggests the following as some possible strategies to adapt climate change: promotion of natural regeneration of tree species, promotion of tree site matching, production and promotion of new tree seed varieties; and seed banking for drought resistant tree species

Phenotypic Variation in Fruit Morphology among Provenances of Sclerocarya birrea

Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. is a multipurpose fruit tree which is very useful in providing food security and meeting nutritional and economic needs. This study was conducted to assess eighteen provenances of Sclerocarya birrea planted in Mangochi, Malawi. The trial was assessed for fruit traits at fifteen years of age. There were significant (P<0.001) variations among the provenances in number of fruits, fruit weight, pulp weight, seed weight, fruit length, and diameter. Magunde provenance from Mozambique had the highest mean number of fruits, 2196 ± 200. Mangochi and Moamba provenances from Malawi and Mozambique were the most outstanding in the other parameters measured attaining the mean fruit weight of 20.89 ± 0.25 g and 25.67 ± 0.67 g, pulp weight of 25.70 ± 0.08 g and 21.55 ± 0.83 g, seed weight of 4.81 ± 0.35 g and 4.12 ± 0.18 g, fruit length of 2.61 ± 0.14 cm and 2.33 ± 0.07 cm, and fruit diameter of 2.33 ± 0.15 cm and 1.97 ± 0.08 cm, respectively. There was no significant (P>0.05) correlation between number of fruits and the other fruit traits. However, there were significant (P<0.05) and strong positive relationships between fruit weight and pulp weight (r=0.987) and fruit length and diameter (r=0.775). This suggests that fruit weight can be used indirectly for selection of pulp. Further studies should investigate fruit taste quality of products from the fruits

Effect of seed size of Afzelia quanzensis on germination and seedling

Afzelia quanzensis Welw is a valuable timber producing tree species in Africa. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of seed size on seed germination and seedlings quality of Afzelia quanzensis. Seed was categorized into three groups in regard to their length, small (&lt;1.5 cm), medium (≥ 1.5 ≤ 2.5 cm), and large (&gt;2.5 cm). The treatments were completely randomized into four replications. Germination percentage was not significantly ( &gt; 0.05) different between the treatments, although large seeds had the highest germination percentage of 94.9%. There were significant ( &lt; 0.05) differences in seedling height and root collar diameter among the different seed sizes, with large seeds having the highest seedlings height and largest root collar diameter. This was attributed to differences in the food reserves. Survival of transplants from shoot dieback was significantly ( &lt; 0.05) different such that seedlings from large seed attained the highest survival of 92%. It is therefore recommended that, for production of high quality transplants in the nursery, large seeds should be used

Effect of Seed Size of Afzelia quanzensis

Afzelia quanzensis Welw is a valuable timber producing tree species in Africa. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of seed size on seed germination and seedlings quality of Afzelia quanzensis. Seed was categorized into three groups in regard to their length, small (2.5 cm). The treatments were completely randomized into four replications. Germination percentage was not significantly (P>0.05) different between the treatments, although large seeds had the highest germination percentage of 94.9%. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in seedling height and root collar diameter among the different seed sizes, with large seeds having the highest seedlings height and largest root collar diameter. This was attributed to differences in the food reserves. Survival of transplants from shoot dieback was significantly (P<0.05) different such that seedlings from large seed attained the highest survival of 92%. It is therefore recommended that, for production of high quality transplants in the nursery, large seeds should be used

Genetic Improvement of Wood Properties in Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon for Sawn Timber Production in Malawi

Accurate prediction of genetic potential and response to selection in breeding requires knowledge of genetic parameters for important selection traits. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for wood properties in Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) grown in Malawi. Data on wood properties and growth traits were collected from six families of Pinus kesiya at the age of 30. The results show that wood density had a higher genetic control (h2 = 0.595 ± 0.055) than wood stiffness (h2 = 0.559 ± 0.038) and wood strength (h2 = 0.542 ± 0.091). The genetic correlation among wood quality traits was significantly moderate (0.464 ± 0.061) to high (0.735 ± 0.025). The predicted genetic response indicated that selection for wood density at 10% selection intensity would increase stiffness and strength by 12.6% and 8.85%, respectively. The genetic correlations between growth and wood quality traits were moderately unfavourable. However, sufficient variation exists within the breeding population to select individuals with both good growth rate and high wood quality traits. It is therefore suggested that all trees with both diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 32.0 cm and density greater than 0.593 g/cm3 must be selected in order to increase the efficiency of the breeding programme. However, in the long term, it is recommended that the best selection strategy would be to develop a multiple-trait selection index. The selection index should be developed using optimal index weights for the advanced Pinus kesiya breeding programme in Malawi

Multiple Trait Selection Index for Simultaneous Improvement of Wood Properties and Growth Traits in Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon in Malawi

Tree breeders face the problem of negative correlations between wood properties and growth traits. It is necessary to overcome this difficulty in order to obtain promising genotypes. The selection index is one of the helpful tools in this process, because it allows multiple features of interest to be selected. In this study, a multiple trait selection index for Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) grown in Malawi was developed. Data on wood properties and growth traits were collected from six families of P. kesiya at the age of 30 years. The breeding objective was defined in terms of wood stiffness, wood strength and volume. Selection traits included in the index were wood stiffness (MoE), wood strength (MoR), volume (Vol.), wood density (WD), and diameter at breast height (DBH). The index was termed as I T = − 80.36 M o E − 14.60 M o R + 132.07 V o l . + 4858.09 W D − 7.56 D B H . The accuracy of the index was 98.8% and the correlation between the index and the aggregate breeding objective was 0.994. A genetic gain of 16.7% for volume, 14.8% for wood stiffness and 13.2% for wood strength would be expected from a standardized 10% selection intensity. Therefore, application of the developed selection index is necessary in order to increase the efficiency of the Pinus kesiya breeding programme in Malawi

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Measures within the Forestry and Other Land Use Subsector in Malawi

Analysing past trends of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remains indispensable to the understanding of current GHG emissions, thereby enabling prediction of future emissions as well as development of their mitigative pathways. This study quantified GHG emissions within the Forest and Other Land Use (FOLU) subsector in Malawi for the period 2011 to 2020. Results indicate that Malawi’s GHG emissions in the FOLU subsector fluctuated but decreased by 0.84 MtCO2e (13%) from 2011 to 2020, averaging to −1.3% annually. The GHG emissions of different categories within the subsector were highly significant (p<0.001) and contributed the highest (99.72%) of the total variation. Forestland contributed the highest (74%) of the subsector category emissions, followed by biomass burning (19%). The uncertainties for the estimated GHG emissions were low (<15%). This shows that the estimated GHG emissions within the FOLU subsector were significantly minimised. Notable interventions that have abated the emissions include afforestation and natural/assisted regeneration; protection and conservation of protected areas through the REDD+ mechanism; establishment of seed banks for raising drought-tolerant tree species; and breeding of fast-growing and drought-tolerant tree species; as well as screening of disease and pest-resistant species and promotion of biological control

Genetic Improvement of Wood Properties in Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon for Sawn Timber Production in Malawi

Accurate prediction of genetic potential and response to selection in breeding requires knowledge of genetic parameters for important selection traits. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for wood properties in Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) grown in Malawi. Data on wood properties and growth traits were collected from six families of Pinus kesiya at the age of 30. The results show that wood density had a higher genetic control (h2 = 0.595 ± 0.055) than wood stiffness (h2 = 0.559 ± 0.038) and wood strength (h2 = 0.542 ± 0.091). The genetic correlation among wood quality traits was significantly moderate (0.464 ± 0.061) to high (0.735 ± 0.025). The predicted genetic response indicated that selection for wood density at 10% selection intensity would increase stiffness and strength by 12.6% and 8.85%, respectively. The genetic correlations between growth and wood quality traits were moderately unfavourable. However, sufficient variation exists within the breeding population to select individuals with both good growth rate and high wood quality traits. It is therefore suggested that all trees with both diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 32.0 cm and density greater than 0.593 g/cm3 must be selected in order to increase the efficiency of the breeding programme. However, in the long term, it is recommended that the best selection strategy would be to develop a multiple-trait selection index. The selection index should be developed using optimal index weights for the advanced Pinus kesiya breeding programme in Malawi

COMPARISON OF VARIED FOREST INVENTORY METHODS AND OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR ESTIMATING ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS IN MALAWI’S MIOMBO WOODLANDS

This study assessed forest inventory methods and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for estimating above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon, as employed in the key REDD+ Miombo Forest Reserves of Malawi. Analysis of Variance statistical technique was applied to investigate the following methods and SOPs: (i) allometry, (ii) sample plot configuration, and (iii) dendrometric measurements. Results indicate that the allometric equations parameter significantly (P&lt;0.001) affected the AGB estimations and was the highest contributor (97.95%) of the total variation. Malawi’s specific allometry provided the highest AGB estimate (113.08±1.56 t/ha). In contrast, the Pan-Tropical/generalized allometric models substantially underestimated AGB within the range of 16.7-67.9%. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that the use of varied sampling plot sizes significantly (P&lt;0.001) affected the estimates of AGB. However, the plot size parameter contributed only 1.65% to the total variation. The 20m radius plot size registered the highest AGB (75.31±0.77 t/ha) compared to the 17.84m radius plot (66.12±1.61 t/ha). This signifies that the plot size of 17.84m radius underestimated the AGB by 12.2%. However, results on dendrometric measurements showed no significant (P&gt;0.05) differences in the AGB estimates between the use of diameter tape (D-tape) and calliper in measuring dbh of individual trees despite the former yielding higher estimates of AGB (74.65±0.93 t/ha) than the latter (72.53±0.98 t/ha). This demonstrates that the use of calliper in measuring dbh underestimated AGB t/ha by only 2.8% compared to the use of D-tape. Therefore, the study recommends; employment of local allometry, adoption of a circular sampling design of 20m radius, and consistent use of D-tape in measuring dbh for AGB in Malawi’s Miombo Woodlands. In conclusion, incorporation of these changes is envisaged to facilitate quick realisation of Malawi’s REDD+ carbon payments, smooth running of the National Forest Inventory system, robust implementation and global recognition of the REDD+ efforts