Treatment of soils with lime compounds and fertilizers

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Foods from the grain sorghums

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Canonical Distribution Law and KCl: Sm2+ Fluorescence: The C2v Paradox

A combination of critical experiments has been carried out in order to elucidate the recent conclusions of Bradbury and Wong, who attributed all the dominant KCl: Sm2+ fluorescence lines to the nearest-neighbor C2v(1,1,0)Sm2+−K+ vacancy site. In an extensive investigation into the radiationless quenching, characteristic lifetimes, excitation spectra, and Zeeman polarization of KCl: Sm2+ fluorescence lines, all the prominent lines are unequivocally attributed to a distribution of three different Sm2+ - K+ vacancy sites. In addition, 18 weak lines are shown to originate from dimeric cluster and O2− compensated sites. The paradoxical C2v interpretations of Bradbury and Wong are shown to be based on incorrect premises, inadequate experimentation, and confusion in the identity of samples with different dopant concentrations

Method of identifying inhibitors of glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene expression

Complementary DNA and genomic clones for three variants of GST-.pi. are disclosed. It is demonstrated that certain of these variants are overexpressed in gliomas, thereby indicating an involvement with that form of cancer. This permits the detection and treatment of certain classes of tumors using new compositions such as GST-.pi. genes, oligonucleotides, peptides and antibodies.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Effects of Oil Exploration on Wildlife Resources in Murchison-Semliki Landscape

The fresh water fish in the Albertine lakes and large mammals are under severe threats due to   an increase in human population which has resulted in over fishing and poaching. In order to understand the effects of oil exploration on the local communities and natural resources, a total of 374 youths and 51 academic staff from eight (8) Vocational Training Institutions (VTIs) operating in the Albertine region were  selected to participate in this study. Additionally, 28 graduate students on a Master of Science in Conservation and Natural Resources Management participated in group discussions focusing on effects of oil exploration on biodiversity conservation. Interviews were held with key informants selected from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the local community members selected from the study districts. Competing land uses that were identified through surveys in the study area included conservation, tourism, agriculture, timber extraction and oil exploration. There was clear evidence of Conservation interests competing with oil industry and human livelihoods. The study has shown that the positive impact of oil and gas exploration includes provision of health services, support for conservation agriculture and providing oil industry skills for the youth in Murchison-Semliki Landscape. Keywords: Agriculture, Albertine Rift, Oil exploration, Wildlife resources, Biodiversity DOI: 10.7176/JEES/14-3-02 Publication date: April 30th 202

Student-Conducted Farmer Video Interviews

High school agricultural education teachers have expressed concern about the lack of easily accessible educational materials dealing with contemporary topics in sustainable agriculture. There are numerous textbooks and monographs available for farmers and students at the college level, including the highly practical resources available from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) book series on soil fertility (Magdoff and van Es, 2010), cover crops (Bowman et al., 2007) and building a farm business (DiGiacomo et al., 2003), among others. Although these are full of color photos and easily accessible graphs and tables, they are still in the print media category. Many of today’s students, accustomed to personal electronic devices and instant access to entertaining (and hopefully educational) video material are more apt to use information from newer formats. As one student said, perhaps in jest, “If it is not online, for me it does not exist.” So we determined to meet high school students where they are. The regional SARE grant committee agreed with our assessment and a modest proposal was approved to develop accessible sustainable agriculture teaching materials for high school students. With the help of experienced Nebraska high school teachers, we selected topics that would supplement their current modules in courses and raise interest by virtually ‘bringing farmers into the classroom’. To add interest for the high school agriculture classes, students were selected to do the interviews. Questions were carefully edited by a member of the SARE grant team (Jenn Simons) and professionally produced by information technology experts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Here are the methods used and results of the project

Evaluation and Perceived Impacts of the North-Central Region SARE Grants, 1988-2002

Evaluation of government-funded programs is essential to identify ways in which initial funding makes an impact and programs can improve. The purpose of this study was to understand the value of the North Central Region\u27s Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education (SARE) grants operated through the United States Department of Agriculture, from their inception through 2002. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, impacts were explored from the perspective of former grant recipients. Survey data were collected from 171 former SARE and 33 interviews conducted with grant recipients who represented three different grant families --researchers, producers and educators. Descriptive, comparative, and exploratory analyses were conducted to: (1) evaluate the cascade social, economic and environmental impacts of SARE funding, from inception through 2002; (2) explore ways in which the SARE experience influenced the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of past grant recipients; (3) understand participants\u27 perception of a successful SARE project; (4) provide recommendations for strengthening the SARE program and processes; and (5) compare responses between groups. Quantitative results indicated moderate impacts; however, interviews revealed considerable support for the program and offered specific examples of long-term impacts directly attributable to earlier SARE-funded projects. Producers were significantly more in favor of supporting niche production research, more satisfied with two-year project length, and rated the value of the final SARE reports significantly higher than the other two groups. Partial results from the study are presented in this article. Study limitations, implications of results, and suggestions for expanding program participation are discussed

Biochemical quality indices of sorghum genotypes from east Africa for malting and brewing

There is a gradual shift to substitute barley with sorghum in brewing industry to reduce the cost of doing business and make beer products more competitive. This study evaluates the sorghum genotypes for desirable malting and brewing characteristics. Biochemical characteristics assayed for 131 sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] accessions included total starch, amylopectin, amylose, proteins, tannins contents, germination energy and germination capacity. Results indicate that starch contents ranged from 22.8 - 81.2%, amylose from 11.5 - 30.2% while the amylopectin content ranged from 6.6 - 59.8%. Generally, amylose contents of sorghum genotypes were lower than their amylopectin contents, with a ratio of 1:2. The mean protein content for the sorghum accessions was 9.4% with a range of 3 - 18%, while that of barley was from 7.7 - 9.8%. Germination energy and germination capacity for sorghum ranged from 82.9 - 99.8% and 74.0 to 99.5%, respectively. Barley varieties showed germination energy and capacity greater than 98%. Sorghum tannin contents ranged from 2.55 mg/100 ml to as high as 100 mg/100 ml while barley varieties had tannin contents of 8.9 to 10.3 mg/100 ml. Two genotypes, SDSA 1x ICSR 43 and SP 993520-1 were the most favorable for brewing.Keywords: Sorghum, starch, protein, tannin, germination energy, malting and brewingAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(2), pp. 313-321, 8 January, 201

Climate Change Awareness and Coping Strategies of Cocoa Farmers in Rural Ghana

The study assessed the perception of farmers on the awareness, causes and impact of climate change on their farming activities. The study further identifies and describes the various coping strategies adopted by farmers and ways of improving upon them to effectively tackle change in climatic conditions. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, and percentages. The other key technique that was employed to address the objective includes the Chi square analysis. The findings indicates that, the ( ) calculated (25.846) is greater than critical (18.307); implying that, respondents (cocoa farmers) in all the cocoa growing regions in the country are much aware of climate change and its impact on their farming activities ranging from the time of planting cocoa to the time of harvesting and drying cocoa beans. Main causes of climate change by farmers’ perception include God’s plan signifying the end of time, usage of heavy machines on land, air and water, deforestation, indiscriminate bush burning before farming or in search of game, farming alongside river bodies and illegal mining. Amongst the coping strategies identified include the soil fertility strategy, shade management strategy, land preparation strategy, farm size strategy and lining and pegging strategy.  It evident that the existing agencies and government bodies have not been responsive enough in addressing the climatic problems, forecasting skills and opportunities facing cocoa farmers as crucial factors of risk posed by climate change. The study advocates that government and stakeholders should put up educational programmes tailored to meet the climatic information needs of farmers especially the causes to enable them cope with the emerging challenges to enhance their production. This could be realized through effective extension services. Keywords: Cocoa Farmers, Climate Change, Chi square, Coping strategies, Rural Ghana.

Western medicine and traditional healers: partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Prevention and control programs for HIV/AIDS have had limited success, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Not surprising, most residents see traditional healers as their only option to meet their healthcare needs. Some patients refuse surgery or other medical treatment unless their traditional healer sanctions the treatment first. Formally trained doctors have finally begun to consider traditional healers as potential allies in the battle to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS by recognizing that the longstanding trust and credibility of these healers in the black communities can facilitate change in sexual behavior. Innovative and effective approaches, including utilization of traditional healers, can play a vital role in Africa's AIDS prevention and control programs