The impact of tillage system and herbicides on weed density, diversity and yield of cotton (Gossipium hirsutum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) under the smallholder sector

The study was carried out to evaluate the impact of tillage system in combination with different herbicides on weed density, diversity, crop growth and yields on 18 farms in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. Experiments were set up as a split plot design with three replications on each farm. Tillage was the main plot (Conservation Tillage (CT), Conventional Tillage (CONV)) and weeding option (hand weeding, cyanazine, atrazine, glyphosate only and mixture of cyanazine + alachlor and atrazine + alachlor) as the sub-plots. Due to the heterogeneous nature of farmers' resource base, the farms were grouped into three farm types: high (Type 1), medium (Type 2) and poorly resourced farmers (Type 3). The hand hoe weeded treatments had 49 percent higher total weed densities in CT relative to CONV, and was statistically similar to the glyphosate treatment. The mixed pre-emergence herbicides reduced the diversity indices by 69 and 70 percent when compared to the hand hoe weeded treatment under CT in cotton and maize, respectively. The effectiveness of all pre-emergence herbicides were not influenced by tillage but were affected by farmers resource endowments with pronounced effect in Farm Type 1. Maximum plant heights of 85 and 238 cm were recorded for mixed pre-emergence herbicides under CT for cotton and maize, respectively. Minimum plant heights of 75 and 217 cm were recorded for the respective hand hoe weeded treatments. The hand hoe weeded treatments resulted in average cotton lint yield of 1497 and 2018 kg ha−1 for maize. The mixed pre-emergence herbicides treatments gave yields of 2138 and 2356 kg ha−1 of cotton and maize, respectively. The higher weed densities in CT under hand weeded treatments underscored the need for other weeding options. Similarly, a mixture of cyanazine + alachlor in cotton and atrazine + alachlor in maize is recommended for suppressing broad and grass weed populations and enhancing yields in CT systems

Evaluation of pulp and paper making characteristics of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Shortage of conventional raw material for the pulp and paper products together with the increasing world demand for paper has renewed interest in non-wood fibres. Non-wood pulping capacity has been increasing steadily over the last decade. A lot of crops grown for biomass, like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), are good examples of plants with potential for pulp production. Raw material chemical composition, kraft pulp yield and properties, and fibre characteristics of elephant grass or hybrid pennisetum (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. SDPN3) and switchgrass (cv. Cave-in-Rock) were determined in an effort to evaluate them as raw materials for pulp and paper production. Elephant grass had α-cellulose and Klasson lignin contents of 45.6 and 17.7%, respectively. The respective values for switchgrass were 41.2 and 23.89%. Pulp yields, following a mild kraft process, were 48 and 50% for switchgrass and elephant grass, respectively. The corresponding kappa numbers were 15.5 and 9.2. The weight-weighted fibre length averaged 1.32 mm. Pulp freeness was higher for switchgrass (330 mL) than for elephant grass (139 mL). Elephant grass had a burst index above 5.85 kP.m² g⁻¹. These characteristics demonstrate the suitability of both elephant grass and switchgrass for pulp production

Educating the Next Generation of Plant Breeders in Sub-Saharan Africa

The shortage of plant breeders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) presents a challenge because it limits the development of improved varieties of crops for regional food security. In this article, we describe a novel training model for plant breeders involving a coalition of African and US universities, and non-governmental organizations. The goal was to provide plant breeders with the skills to run successful cultivar development programs focused on delivering high rates of genetic gain. The overall program involved strengthening the applied aspects of plant breeding training with Open Educational Resources that provide faculty and students with an easily updated, state-of-the-art, competency-focused curriculum. Also, 6–12 months internships were supported in private or public sector breeding programs with a breeding pipeline. Using this approach, 91 master’s students were trained from 15 countries at three SSA universities. A Professional Learning Community continues spearheading change in pedagogical approaches away from rote learning of breeding methods and towards understanding key principles and mastery of skills needed to manage and optimize cultivar development pipelines. Faculty and experts from Iowa State University delivered teaching and learning workshops to African faculty and evaluated implementations of pedagogical approaches learned. Substantial improvements to the training process occurred during the project period, with continuing benefits through excellent materials, instructor skill and motivation, and networks formed. Some elements are easily sustained, while others require additional funding and sustainable business models to fully capture the potential benefits.This article is published as Suza, W. P., Mahama, A. A., Gibson, P., Aboobucker, S. I., Sibiya, J., Madakadze, R., Akromah, R., Edema, R., Lübberstedt, T., Retallick, M. S., & Lamkey, K. R. (2023). Educating the Next Generation of Plant Breeders in Sub-Saharan Africa. OpenISU. https://doi.org/10.31274/b8136f97.4e7ae532. Copyright 2023, The Authors. This work is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/