Effect of Sowing Date and Intra-Row Spacing on Growth and Yield of Groundnut at El Rahad Agricultural Scheme

The effects of sowing date and intra-row spacing on growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were evaluated over a 3- year period in the irrigated Rahad Scheme. The main effects of sowing date and intra-row spacing were significant but their interactions were not. Late sowing in August and September resulted in small plants with fewer pods, low biological and pod yields due to their development under the low temperatures of November, December and January. On the other hand, high number of pods was produced per plant at wide intra-row spacing but most of the pods were immature with poor shelling percentage and low 100-seed weight. This was attributed to the uneven maturity of groundnut at harvest where pods were initiated over a longer period of time particularly in the low plant population. Early sowing (June) and the high plant population (250000 plants/ ha) proved to be essential package components for the alternately branched variety (MH383) under irrigated vertisol of El Rahad Agricultural Scheme

Identification of a Novel Recombinant Protein for Improved Diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Sudan

Die effiziente Kontrolle der viszeralen Leishmaniose (VL) in Ostafrika hängt ganz besonders von einer schnellen und sensitiven Diagnostik ab. Gegenwärtige Testsysteme sind für die Diagnostik der VL im Sudan leider nicht besonders gut geeignet. Ziel dieses Projektes war die Identifikation und Testung neuer Antigene eines aus dem Sudan stammenden Leishmania donovani-Stammes zur Verbesserung der VL-Diagnose in Ostafrika. Es wurde ein neues Antigen aus Leishmania donovani identifiziert und kloniert (rKLO8), das eine hohe Sequenzübereinstimmung mit dem immundominaten Kinesinprotein verschiedener Leishmania-Stämme aufweist. Die Immun-reaktivität des aufgereinigten rekombinanten Proteins wurde durch Westernblot und ELISA getestet und bestätigt. Es zeigte sich, dass rKLO8 nur mit Seren von VL- Patienten, nicht jedoch gesunden Individuen reagiert. Zusätzlich wurde ein auf dem rKLO8-Protein basierter Test (ELISA) etabliert und mit Patientenseren aus dem Sudan, Indien und Frankreich evaluiert. Eine vergleichende Studie zeigte, dass das diagnostische Potential des neu entwickelten rKLO8 Tests im Sudan und Indien gegenüber dem derzeit verwendeten Testantigen, rK39, deutlich besser ist. Weiterhin wurde das diagnostische Potential der rKLO8 - und rK39 ELISA mit verschiedenen kommerziellen Tests, den rK39- und rKE16-Schnelltests und dem direkten Agglutinationstest (DAT) verglichen. Alle Tests zeigten bei Patienten aus Indien ähnlich gute Ergebnisse, bei VL-Patienten aus anderen Ländern jedoch zeigten der rKLO8- und rK39-ELISA die höchste Sensitivität. Ein weiterer Befund war, dass die Koinfektion mit dem HI-Virus die Sensitivität aller Testsysteme beträchtlich reduzierte. Zuletzt wurde der neu entwickelte rKLO8-Test auch mit Seren VL-infizierter Hunde aus Portugal, Kroatien und Brasilien getestet. Der ELISA war in seiner diagnostischen Potenz ähnlich dem DAT, im Vergleich zum routinemäßig eingesetzten immunofluoreszenz-basierten Antikörpertest (IFAT) jedoch deutlich sensitiver. Zusammengefasst stellt rKLO8 aufgrund seiner erhöhten Reaktivität mit Patientenseren aus dem Sudan ein potentielles Antigen dar, mit dem die VL- Diagnostik im Sudan und anderen Leishmania donovani endemischen Regionen Ostafrikas verbessert werden kann

The Implications of World Trade Liberalization on Agricultural Trade and Food Security: A Case Study of Sudan

This paper assesses and quantifies the consequences of world trade liberalization in agriculture on trade and food security of Sudan. Sudan, with the agricultural sector as the main sector of economy, is characterized by its small open economy, and is classified as one of the least developed countries. Thus, Sudan becomes more vulnerable to any changes in international agricultural markets. The liberalization of international agricultural trade has a great influence on Sudan's food security and on the whole economy. An extended form of a multi-market model for Sudan is developed and used for the analysis. The model embodies important characteristics of agriculture in Sudan like substitution effects and stages of production. As agriculture is the main sector of Sudan's economy, the model is extended to explicitly integrate some of the key important macroeconomic linkages, and to establish certain feedback effects between agriculture and the macro-economy. The model simulations reveal that a higher world market price would overall lead to measurable gains in food security and agricultural trade of the country. However, when the effect of a higher cost of production is considered, the positive results are reversed. Furthermore, the results of the model simulations show that the domestic policy environment matters very much with respect to the potential impact of world trade liberalization of agriculture. The paper concludes that Sudan should reorient its national policies towards export promotion in order to benefit from the new emerging trading opportunities in world markets. However, to capture a greater benefit from the new environment in the international markets, Sudan should consider and manage carefully all factors, domestically or internationally - e.g. quality standard, loss of preference, dumping effects - that hinder its economic and trade growth.International Relations/Trade,

Effect of Plant Density and Spatial Arrangement on Growth, Quality and Yield of Morphologically Varying Cotton Varieties

Field experiments were conducted at Rahad Research Station for two seasons (2000/2001 and 2001/2002) focusing on how the vari- ation in genotypes, plant density and spatial arrangement affects cotton yield and quality . The combined analysis indicated significant responses due to main effects but their interactions were not. Regr- ession analysis for plant density-yield response curve exhibited a curvilinear relationship with the highest seed cotton yield (3895 kg/ha(. achieved at 125000 plants/ha and thereafter started to decrease. Such an optimum density was achieved by planting 3 plants/hill spaced at 30cm intra-row spacing. On average, Acala (93)H out-yielded Barac (67)B and Sudac-K by 22% and 59%, respectively. Sticky cotton due to honeydew secretions was thermodetectly measured, with sticky spots for Acala 93H, Barac(67)B and Sudac-K being in the ranges of 6-40, 4-22  and 0-12, respectively. Yet ,for each variety, the sticky spots range increased concomitantly with the increase in planting density. This was discussed in relation to variability in variety specific traits such as hairiness, glabrousness and plant canopy architecture. Nevertheless, these values were dramatically lower than those recorded internationally for the Sudan Cotton. Days to the last pick were 130, 170 and 185 for Sudac-K, and Acala (93)H, respectively. Accordingly, Sudac-K which is an early maturing, super- okra-leaf (SOL), highly resistant to whiteflies(Bemisia tabaci) but of comparatively low yield, emerged as a suitable choice for a short duration low management system where problems of late irrigation and build up of whiteflies are anticipated. Conversely, Acala (93)H (Nour 93), being hairy, physiologically efficient in compensating for yield losses due to late adversities and with stay green character is best fitted into long season high management strategy

Implications of a Doha Agreement on Agricultural Markets in Sudan

The latest round of multilateral trade negotiations was launched at the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001. Agriculture is a major item on the agenda for the Doha Round. The primary focus is on the three “pillars” of the Uruguay Round agreement—domestic support, market access, and export competition. The framework for a final agreement was finalized at a Ministerial meeting in Geneva in July 2004, but contains few details on modalities (e.g., the formula to be used for reductions in tariffs/increases in tariff-rate quotas, quantitative limitations on domestic support, and the schedule for the elimination of export subsidies). Detailed proposals on a number of these issues were put forward in October 2005 by the European Union and the United States, in addition to the G10 and G20 groups of countries. The Doha Round negotiations have since run into several major hurdles, and it is unclear at this time if, or when, an agreement might be reached. Nevertheless, the range of alternatives for key parameters is becoming increasingly clear. In this paper we analyze empirically the implications of the provisions of a Doha agreement for agricultural markets in Sudan. The analysis is based on the PEATSim model (Partial Equilibrium Agricultural Trade Simulator) developed by the Penn State University in collaboration with the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This dynamic, multi-country, multi-commodity model covers 35 of the major traded agricultural commodities and contains a detailed representation of markets and policies in twelve countries/regions that are particularly significant for world agricultural trade. The model is used to analyze the US, EU, and G20 negotiating proposals from October 2005. The PEATSim model has previously been used to analyze a number of agricultural trade and policy reform scenarios, including global agricultural trade liberalization in all commodities, trade liberalization in global dairy markets, and trade liberalization in coarse grain markets. Sudan is not a currently member of the WTO although it has been in the accession process since 1994. Assuming that Sudan continues outside of WTO membership, its trade policies will not be directly affected by a Doha agreement. But Sudan could be affected significantly by changes in global agricultural markets. Preliminary results using PEATSim indicate an increase in Sudanese production and exports of course grains, peanuts, cotton, sunflowers, and beef due to increases in world prices. Imports of several products increase, especially wheat, rice, and poultry meat. On the whole the preliminary results suggest that Sudanese agriculture should benefit from a Doha agreement.Doha Agreement, Sudan, agricultural markets, trade policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Development, International Relations/Trade, Political Economy,

Performance of Dyeing and Printing of Polyester / Viscose Yarns Blends for Clothing use

This study highlights the effects of the dyeing and printing processes on the tensile strength of blended suiting fabrics (65% polyester : 35% viscose) as compared to grey blended fabrics. The obtained results showed negative effects of dying and printing applications on the strength of the produced fabrics. Also, there were positive effects of dying and printing applications on the elasticity of produced fabrics. The strength of the printed fabric along the warp direction was found to be greater than that of the dyed. As well the strength of the dyed fabric along the weft direction was found to be greater than that of the printed. It was found that the elongation of the printed fabric along the warp direction was greater than that of the dye

Foot Shape Determinant Factors for Sudanese Individuals in Khartoum State

This study was conducted to identifythe Sudanese foot shape and anatomy as it is necessary in the field of foot wear industry and to study the determinant factors affecting the shape of Sudanese foot for citizensdwelling in Khartoum state.The study was conductedthrough a questionnaire investigating a sample of 480 individuals from medical cadres operating in medical and health institutions in Khartoum state. The questionnaire addressed most effective determinant factors on the shape of Sudanese feet from Sudanese land vastness, land topography, work, diet and genetic factors.Then the acquired data were subjected to analysis using The Statistical Package for Social Science application program (SPSS). SPSS showed that the land topography is the most effective determinant factor on the shape of Sudanese feet when it is compared with diet and work factors. The work factor is more effective than diet factor. Whereas the genetic factor is the most effective factor on the shape of Sudanese feet when it is compared with land topography, diet and work factors. Generally, it was found that the genetic and land topography are more effective than other factors on determination of Sudanese foot shap

The types and treatment outcomes of germ cell tumours of the ovary seen at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, between 1994-2008 : a retrospective survey

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references

Traffic light control design approaches: a systematic literature review

To assess different approaches to traffic light control design, a systematic literature review was conducted, covering publications from 2006 to 2020. The review’s aim was to gather and examine all studies that looked at road traffic and congestion issues. As well, it aims to extract and analyze protruding techniques from selected research articles in order to provide researchers and practitioners with recommendations and solutions. The research approach has placed a strong emphasis on planning, performing the analysis, and reporting the results. According to the results of the study, there has yet to be developed a specific design that senses road traffic and provides intelligent solutions. Dynamic time intervals, learning capability, emergency priority management, and intelligent functionality are all missing from the conventional design approach. While learning skills in the adaptive self-organization strategy were missed. Nonetheless, the vast majority of intelligent design approach papers lacked intelligent fear tires and learning abilities

Factors influence consumer intention for continuous uses of herbal medicine as an alternative way of diseases treatment and a healthy lifestyle in Indonesia

This research paper aims to explore the satisfaction, social influence, health benefits and time of use influencing consumer intentions to continuously use herbal medicine as an alternative way of disease treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This research used, Theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective to explain research phenomena. This study uses a quantitative approach. This study was done, survey method to collect data on consumers who have used herbal medicine for medicinal purposes. The samples used were 150 respondents. Sampling is done by a purposive sampling technique. Data was processed and analyzed by SPSS as analytical tools. This study shows that satisfaction, health benefits, social influence and time of use are factors which impact on continuous intention to consume herbal medicine. The findings of this research can contribute to a better understanding of consumer behavior towards herbal medicine, enabling healthcare practitioners and policymakers to develop targeted strategies for promoting herbal medicine usages