Soyabean as an emerging crop: A baseline survey on its potential uses in a mixed smallholder farming system in Zimbabwe

A diagnostic study was conducted to determine the potential uses of the soyabean crop and its residues in on-farm research in the Mushagashe smallholder mixed farming system. Farm sizes averaged 78.5 ha ± 6.3 (se) and ranged from 16 ha to 210 ha. Arable land averaged 10.7 ha ± 0.8 (se). Maize and groundnuts were the major crops grown in the area. Soyabean had been grown in the area for the past two seasons, and 17 % of the farmers were producing the crop. A lack of inputs was the major constraint to soyabean production. Poor soil fertility also affected crop production in general. As a result, 46 % of the farmers left some land fallow. Farmers aimed at maximizing manure output for use in their fields. All farmers owned cattle and 66 % of them engaged in dairy. Poor dry season nutrition was the major limitation to cattle production. Utilizing the soyabean crop to tackle some of the farmers' constraints appeared viable. SA Jnl. Agric. Ext. Vol. 33 2004: 64-7

Evaluation of carcass performance of Matebele goats managed extensively based on the eruption of permanent incisors teeth

Matebele goats were slaughtered at different state of permanent incisors eruption 1st pair (I1 )(237records), 2nd pair (I2 )(312 records), 3rd pair (I3 )(237records), 4th pair (I4)(232 ), Broken Mouth (BM)(214) and Smooth Mouth (SM)(218) over a period of 15 years (1989- 2004) and analysed for carcass performance. Performance parameters and weight of organs as a percentage of empty body weight (EBW) containing the effects of number of permanent incisors at I1, I2, I3, I4,, BM and SM were analysed using the General Linear Models. Live weight averaged 21.57 kg ± 0.02, 27.01± 0.02 kg, 28.40± 0.02 kg, 28.88± 0.02 kg, 36.92± 0.02 kg and 37.33± 0.02 kg for goats slaughtered at I1, I2, I3, I4,,, BM and SM, respectively. There was a significant (p<0.01) difference in slaughter weight at different periods of permanent incisors teeth eruptions. The goats slaughtered at I1 and I2 had significantly heavier hot carcass mass,cold carcass mass and rib barrel than those slaughtered I3, I4,, BM and SM. The goats slaughtered at I3 had the highest dressing percentage and goats slaughtered at BM had the lowest dressing percentage (DP). For external noncarcass components, the proportion of the head did not change but it was the feet proportion that increased markedly from I1 to I3 which coincided with the decrease in pelt. The proportion of hind barrel, head and kidney fat seemed to be constant. There was a significant (p< 0.01) difference between mesenteric fat amongst teeth groups, which increased with increasing number of permanent incisors eruption representing age increase. The lower proportion of noncarcass components in I3 may have contributed to a higher DP

Effect of priming regimes on seed germination of field crops

Germination, early emergence and stand establishment of crops are major yield determining factors in semi-arid and arid rainfed areas. Farmers in marginal and low input areas tend to have poor germination due to poor and shallow soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of priming regimes on seed germination of field crops. A study was conducted at Lupane State University, Biotechnology Laboratory in 2019. Treatments included seed priming techniques, namely hydropriming, halopriming (2% NaCl solution) osmopriming (10% PEG 6000), and solid matrix priming (18% volume/weight sand); and timing at 6, 12, 24 hours for maize and 2, 4, 6 hours for cowpea, sorghum and millet. Solid matrix priming, followed by hydropriming significantly (P<0.05) improved germination parameters (germination percentage, daily germination, peak value and germination speed) of all crops. Halopriming and osmopriming were similar in their ineffectiveness, and resulted in the least germination parameter values. Six hour solid matrix priming in 18% v/w sand was the most effective method among most crops; suggesting that solid matrix priming is an effective and possibly low cost technology, with potential to improve germination of field crops.La germination, l\u2019\ue9mergence pr\ue9coce et l\u2019\ue9tablissement des peuplements sont des facteurs d\ue9terminants du rendement dans les zones pluviales semi-arides et arides. Les agriculteurs des zones marginales et \ue0 faible apport ont tendance \ue0 avoir une mauvaise germination en raison de sols pauvres et peu profonds. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer l\u2019effet des r\ue9gimes d\u2019amor\ue7age sur la germination des semences des cultures de champs. Une \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 faite \ue0 Lupane State University, laboratoire de biotechnologie en 2019. Les traitements comprenaient des techniques d\u2019amor\ue7age des semences, \ue0 savoir l\u2019hydroprimage, l\u2019halopriming (solution \ue0 2% de NaCl), l\u2019osmopriming (10% PEG 6000) et l\u2019amor\ue7age \ue0 matrice solide (18% volume / poids de sable) ; et chronom\ue9trage \ue0 6, 12, 24 heures pour le ma\uefs et 2, 4, 6 heures pour le ni\ue9b\ue9, le sorgho et le mil. L\u2019amor\ue7age de la matrice solide, suivi de l\u2019hydropriming, a significativement am\ue9lior\ue9 (P <0,05) les param\ue8tres de germination (pourcentage de germination, germination quotidienne, valeur maximale et vitesse de germination) de toutes les cultures. L\u2019halopriming et l\u2019osmopriming \ue9taient similaires dans leur inefficacit\ue9 et ont donn\ue9 les valeurs de param\ue8tres de germination les moins \ue9lev\ue9es. L\u2019amor\ue7age de la matrice solide sur six heures dans du sable \ue0 18% v / w \ue9tait la m\ue9thode la plus efficace parmi la plupart des cultures; sugg\ue9rant que l\u2019amor\ue7age \ue0 matrice solide est une technologie efficace et peut-\ueatre \ue0 faible co\ufbt, avec un potentiel pour am\ue9liorer la germination des cultures de champs

Drastic reduction in density of Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana cockroaches after the application of fenitrothion and lindane in Dema, Zimbabwe

Field studies were conducted in villages near the peri urban Dema area, Seke district, Zimbabwe, in order to understand the effect of the insecticides fenitrothion and lindane on Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica cockroaches. A total of 63, 72 and 71 rooms were used for control, fenitrothion and lindane respectively. The mean density per room for P. americana before spraying was 43.5, 42.7 and 44.1 for the control, fenitrothion and lindane respectively. The mean density per room for B. germanica before spraying was 51.4, 50.2 and 47.1 for the control, fenitrothion and lindane respectively. A reduction in population density of P. americana was 3.2%, 83.8% and 99.3% in the control, fenitrothion and lindane rooms respectively. A reduction in population density of B. germanica was 87.8% and 82.8% in fenitrothion and lindane rooms respectively. An increase of 9.9% in the control rooms was observed. The majority of P. americana cockroaches died one month post spray with fenitrothion killing 78.2% and lindane 37.4% of all cockroach collections. However, the number of dead B. germanica cockroaches was almost of the same order for fenitrothion (71.9%) and lindane (74.5%). The residual effect of fenitrothion was 3 months on both cockroach nymph species and that of lindane was 1 month. In conclusion, both fenitrothion and lindane had impact on cockroach density, and fenitrothion showed a residual effect of 3 months

Knock down and insecticidal activity of the plants Tagetes minuta, Lippia javanica, Lantana camara, Tagetes erecta and Eucalyptus grandis on Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes

The knock down and insecticidal effects of the plants Tagetes minuta, Lippia javanica, Lantana camara, Tagetes erecta and Eucalyptus grandis were evaluated against Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes in thatched round huts in Mumurwi village. Leaves from these plants were smouldered in order to provide mosquito repellent smoke. Complete knock down was provided 40 minutes after mosquitoes were exposed to smoke of T. erecta, 60 minutes to smoke of T. minuta and E. grandis and 120 minutes to smoke of L. javanica. Complete knock down of mosquitoes could not be provided by L. camara within the 140-minute exposure period. The KT50 (time required to knock down 50% of the mosquitoes) values were 24.985 minutes (T. minuta), 34.473 minutes (T. erecta), 59.119 minutes (L. javanica), 59.828 minutes (L. camara) and 25.245 minutes (E. grandis). The KT90 (time required to knock down 90% of the mosquitoes) values were 48.060 minutes (T. minuta), 50.169 minutes (T. erecta), 178.341 minutes (L. javanica), 140.220 minutes (L. camara) and 47.998 minutes (E. grandis). Mortality rates 24h after exposure were 40% (T. minuta), 100% (T. erecta), 75% (L. javanica), 90% (L. camara) and 100% (E. grandis). In conclusion, smoke from the plants T. erecta, T. minuta and E. grandis had very fast knock down rates with T. erecta, L. camara and E. grandis killing over 90% of the An. arabiensis mosquitoes. Plant smoke is important in mosquito control

Femoral neck fracture after electrical shock injury

A case of femoral neck fracture is reported after electrical shock injury with 300 V direct current in a 41-year old male. He had two small full thickness burns on his left heel, probably the exit wounds. A fracture after electrical shock due to musculoskeletal contractions is a very rare condition. Surgeons caring for patients with electrical injury should be aware of the possibility of skeletal injuries. Without vigilance for these injuries, delay in diagnosis may occur

Implementing a Novel Facility-Community Intervention for Strengthening Integration of Infant Nutrition and Family Planning in Mara and Kagera, Tanzania

Tanzania has high fertility, low contraceptive prevalence and low exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). The Lake Zone, including Mara and Kagera regions, leads the country in total fertility; use of the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is negligible. This pre-/post-study explored the effects of a multi-level facility and community intervention (service delivery support, community engagement, media and LAM tracking) to integrate maternal and infant nutrition and postpartum family planning (FP) within existing health contacts. Mixed methods were used, including service statistics, exit interviews, patient-tracking tools for community health workers, client self-tracking tools, supervision data, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Results are presented using the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) implementation science framework. The intervention reached primarily the second and fourth wealth quintiles, increased FP and EBF at six weeks postpartum. LAM was very acceptable, provided an entry point for FP conversations and for addressing misconceptions, and reinforced EBF practices. Partners felt encouraged to support spousal nutrition, breastfeeding and FP. Higher adoption in Kagera may be influenced by performance-based financing. The intervention was implemented with generally high fidelity. Maintenance data reflected stakeholder interest in continuing the intervention. A multi-level facility and community intervention was feasible to implement and likely contributed to improved EBF practices and FP uptake, including LAM use

The Cost of Health-related Brain Drain to the WHO African Region

The African Region continues to experience loss of a sizeable number of highly skilled health professionals (physicians, nurses, dentists and pharmacists) to Australia, North America and European Union. Past attempts to estimate cost of migration were limited to education cost only and did not include the lost returns from investment. The objective of this study was to estimate the social cost of emigration of doctors and nurses from the African Region to the developed countries. The cost information used in this study was obtained from one nonprofit primary and secondary school and one public university in Kenya. The cost estimates represent unsubsidized cost. The loss incurred by African countries through emigration is obtained by compounding the cost of educating a medical doctor and a nurse over the period between the age of emigration and the retirement age in recipient countries. The main findings were as follows: total cost of educating a single medical doctor from primary school to university is US$65,997; for every doctor that emigrates, a country loses about US$1,854,677 returns from investment; total cost of educating one nurse from primary school to college of health sciences is US$43,180; for every nurse that emigrates, a country loses about US$1,213,463 returns from investment. Developed countries continue to deprive African countries of billions of dollars worth of invaluable investments embodied in their human resources. If the current trend of poaching of scarce human resources for health (and other professionals) from African countries is not curtailed, the chances of achieving the Millennium Development Goals would remain dismal. Such continued plunder of investments embodied in human resources contributes to further underdevelopment of Africa and to keeping majority of her people in the vicious circle of poverty. Therefore, both developed and developing countries need to urgently develop and implement strategies for addressing this issue

Protecting migratory farmers in rural Tanzania using eave ribbons treated with the spatial mosquito repellent, transfluthrin.

BACKGROUND: Many subsistence farmers in rural southeastern Tanzania regularly relocate to distant farms in river valleys to tend to crops for several weeks or months each year. While there, they live in makeshift semi-open structures, usually far from organized health systems and where insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) do not provide adequate protection. This study evaluated the potential of a recently developed technology, eave ribbons treated with the spatial repellent transfluthrin, for protecting migratory rice farmers in rural southeastern Tanzania against indoor-biting and outdoor-biting mosquitoes. METHODS: In the first test, eave ribbons (0.1 m × 24 m each) treated with 1.5% transfluthrin solution were compared to untreated ribbons in 24 randomly selected huts in three migratory communities over 48 nights. Host-seeking mosquitoes indoors and outdoors were monitored nightly (18.00-07.00 h) using CDC light traps and CO2-baited BG malaria traps, respectively. The second test compared efficacies of eave ribbons treated with 1.5% or 2.5% transfluthrin in 12 huts over 21 nights. Finally, 286 farmers were interviewed to assess perceptions about eave ribbons, and their willingness to pay for them. RESULTS: In the two experiments, when treated eave ribbons were applied, the reduction in indoor densities ranged from 56 to 77% for Anopheles arabiensis, 36 to 60% for Anopheles funestus, 72 to 84% for Culex, and 80 to 98% for Mansonia compared to untreated ribbons. Reduction in outdoor densities was 38 to 77% against An. arabiensis, 36 to 64% against An. funestus, 63 to 88% against Culex, and 47 to 98% against Mansonia. There was no difference in protection between the two transfluthrin doses. In the survey, 58% of participants perceived the ribbons to be effective in reducing mosquito bites. Ninety per cent were willing to pay for the ribbons, the majority of whom were willing to pay but less than US$2.17 (5000 TZS), one-third of the current prototype cost. CONCLUSIONS: Transfluthrin-treated eave ribbons can protect migratory rice farmers, living in semi-open makeshift houses in remote farms, against indoor-biting and outdoor-biting mosquitoes. The technology is acceptable to users and could potentially complement ITNs. Further studies should investigate durability and epidemiological impact of eave ribbons, and the opportunities for improving affordability to users