Transforming agricultural service delivery institutions for greater responsiveness

Agribusiness,

Statistical methods and models for analyzing sugarcane (Saccharum species hybrids) plant breeding data

Early generation selection of sugarcane families using means is inadequate while visual seedling selection is subjective and inefficient. Data from advanced variety trials (yield, quality and agronomic traits) are collected over several crop-years to determine yield potential and ratooning ability of genotypes follow a multivariate repeated measures structure. In Louisiana, the sugarcane borer and recently the Mexican rice borer are major insect pests of sugarcane. Both borers have similar feeding habits, providing an opportunity for investigating if genotypes resistant to one species would provide resistance to the other (cross-resistance). The objectives of the study were to identify statistical methods to evaluate family yield potential and repeatability, enhance seedling selection for yield, analyze advanced variety trials data and prove cross resistance between the sugarcane borer and the Mexican rice borer. Random coefficient models (RCM) identified elite families with higher cane yield potential and higher repeatability between seedlings and clones. These elite families comprised a larger proportion of higher yield seedlings that produced high yielding clones. Logistic regression models (LRM) provided an objective statistical decision support tool for selecting high yielding seedlings and were more flexible at adjusting the number of seedlings to advance than visual selection. The LRM can be used to identify important traits in breeding populations as well as directionally shifting population trait values during selection. Neural network models can be used to automate the LRM. The multivariate repeated measures analysis (MRM) reduced Type I errors associated with univariate analysis by including covariance to compute experimental errors. The MRM showed greater statistical differences among genotypes for yield traits than univariate analysis. Cross resistance between the sugarcane and Mexican rice borer was proved using log linear models, and using a population with known sugarcane borer resistance status. Using RCM will significantly increase the efficiency of early generation selection by identifying families with high yield potential and repeatability while LRM will increase efficiency of identifying high yielding seedlings from these elite families. MRM will increase the accuracy of evaluating genotypes for yield and ratooning ability. Cross-resistance will allow breeders to take advantage of parents from the sugarcane borer recurrent selection program

Marrying water and soil: adaptation to climate by a smallholder farmer in Zvishavane, rural Zimbabwe

This thesis is a qualitative ethnographic study of innovations implemented by Mr Zephaniah Phiri Maseko, a smallholder farmer from Zvishavane, rural Zimbabwe. Ethnographic data provides insight and lessons of his practices for rethinking existing strategies for adaptation to climate change. The concept of adaptation is probed i n relationship to the closely related concepts of vulnerability, resilience and innovation. This study also explores the concept of conviviality and argues that Mr Phiri Maseko's adaptation to climate hinges on mediating barriers between local and exogenous knowledge systems. Ethnographic fieldwork aided by an analytical framework of resilience makes clear that his farming practices are informed by a realisation that dualisms are problematic. His innovations are a way of building resilience to climate change and his practices demonstrate the interdependencies in a socio - ecological system. This study argues that innovations by smallholders play a complementary role to interventions by outsiders in the discourse of adaptation to climate in the drylands of southern Zimbabwe. Mr Phiri Maseko harvested water as a way of adapting to climate variability. I argue that he offered tangible adaptive climate strategies through his innovations that "marry water and soil so that it won't elope and run - off but raise a family" on his plot. His agricultural practices are anchored on the Shona concept of hurudza (an exceptionally productive farmer). This thesis explores the concept and practices of uhurudza , to suggest that the latter - day hurudza (commercial farmer) as embodied by Mr Phiri Maseko offered an important set of resources for the development of climate adaptation strategies in the region. Therefore, his activities call for a revisit of the notion of hurudza based on grain harvested, one that includes consistent income generated from selling farm produce. His innovations demonstrate elements of conviviality, resilience, accommodating local knowledge as well as ideas he learnt from various educational institutions in order to adapt to climate variability. This thesis explores the usefulness of Mr Phiri Maseko's innovations for other smallholder farmers in the Zvishavane area who have replicated it. I demonstrate that due to the success of his innovations, uptake has been high underpinning the fact that these smallholders appear to be managing to adapt to climate variability. This ethnographic study of smallholder farmers' adoption of innovations to climate highlights the "complex interplay" of multiple factors that act as barriers to uptake. Such interplay of multiple stressors increases the vulnerability of smallholders. I conclude by arguing that in as much as the skewed colonial land policy impoverished the smallholder farmers, Mr Phiri Maseko nonetheless redefined himself as a latter - day hurudza and thus breaks free from the poverty cycle by 'conjuring ingenious' ways of reducing vulnerability to climate. I do not suggest that his innovations offer a 'silver bullet' solution to the insecure rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers; nevertheless, they are a source of hope in an environment of uncertainty

Modeling variety differences in canopy growth and development of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) using Canegro.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.Crop models have great potential as research tools, for crop system management and policy analysis. One of the most promising future uses of crop models is in crop improvement. The limitation in the use of models for crop improvement has been the inability of crop models to predict variety differences. Currently, the CANEGRO model, a sugarcane crop model developed the South African Sugar Association Experiment Station (Inman-Bamber, 1991a) can only model the performance of the NC0376 variety. Experiments were undertaken in the South East Lowveld of Zimbabwe, which is a hot and dry environment where sugarcane is grown under irrigation, to examine the canopy growth and development of four commercial varieties, ZN6, ZN7, N14 and NC0376. The study aimed at determining variety differences in canopy (tillers and leaves) development, develop parameters that can be used to model variety differences and test the improved CANEGRO canopy model for its ability to predict variety differences in canopy growth and development. For the late season, the numbers of leaves and tillers produced by each variety were counted every fortnight throughout the crop cycle. The total leaf area of the varieties and the individual leaf area on a stalk were determined using a Delta-T leaf area meter every fortnight. The date of emergence of successive leaves on a stalk was recorded daily. The leaf angles of each variety were measured every fortnight. The amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted by the varieties was measured using a SunScan Ceptometer. Tillering and tiller senescence rates, phyllochron intervals, extinction coefficients and base temperatures were determined for the growth and development processes of varieties ZN6, ZN7, N14 and NC0376. Tiller and leaf population development was varietal. Tillering and leaf emergence were highly correlated to thermal time while tiller and leaf senescence were less correlated to thermal time. The poor correlation of the senescence phases to thermal time could mean that tiller and leaf senescence was driven by other factors other than thermal time. PAR interception could be one of these factors. The data showed that PAR interception could be a trigger of tiller senescence. The study showed that the tiller and leaf population development could be approximated by two linear equations. Tillering will be the first linear phase and tiller senescence the second linear phase. The first linear phase is driven by thermal time. While the second linear phase is triggered by PAR interception, the major driving factors need to be determined. This study proposed the use of two linear equations to model tiller and leaf population development as opposed to the polynomial equations used in the current CANEGRO model. Polynomial equations assume the factors driving tillering and tiller senescence are the same. The green leaf numbers per plant showed that all varieties experienced a decline in green leaf numbers with crop age. Varieties NC0376 and ZN7 had the greatest decline in green leaf numbers per plant while varieties N14 and ZN6 had the least decline. Variety ZN7 had the highest number of green leaves per plant while NC0376 had the least. The tiller growth and development was divided into three phases: the exponential phase during the initiation of stalks, the first linear phase during a period of rapid stalk elongation and the second linear phase during sucrose accumulation and maturation. The first two phases of development were driven by thermal time while the sucrose accumulation was not. There were variety differences in tiller growth and development. There were variety differences in base temperature for the development of various components of the canopy. Internode formation occurred at lower air temperatures than stalk elongation and tillering while canopy heights were correlated with higher air temperatures. This implies that internode formation could occur under conditions unsuitable for stalk elongation and may explain the short internodes frequently observed in stalks exposed to winter during rapid stalk elongation. The basic requirements for physiological parameters are that they should be stable across different environments, have significant differences between varieties and have physiological meaning. The parameters studied were thermal time requirement for shoot emergence, leaf appearance, to reach peak tiller population and to start of stalk elongation; surface area of the youngest biggest leaf, leaf number of the youngest biggest leaf, PAR transmission at the start of tiller senescence, extinction coefficients, and peak and mature tiller population. The difference between varieties in thermal time to shoot emergence was least using a base temperature of 16 QC compared to using 10 QC and therefore 16 QC could be a more appropriate base temperature for shoot emergence. The accumulated soil temperatures were less variable than accumulated air temperature and could therefore be a more reliable driver of shoot emergence. However, the limitations in the use of soil temperature are that it is not a readily available measurement and that it is not easy to measure. The gradual increase in phyllochron intervals appeared to be a better method of predicting leaf appearance compared to using a broken stick model. The phyllochron gradient was proposed, as it is likely to be a more robust way of modelling leaf appearance. The varieties had different phyllochron gradients. Variety ZN7 had highest rate of leaf appearance and produced the highest number of leaves per stalk while NC0376 had the lowest rate and produced the least number of leaves. There were statistically significant differences between varieties (P = 0,05) in PAR transmission at the start of tiller senescence and a base temperature of 16 QC was best at determining accumulated thermal time to the start of tiller senescence. Varieties with higher peak tiller population had higher final tiller population, lower thermal time per tiller and a higher ratio of final to peak tiller population. There were differences between varieties in the youngest leaf number attaining maximum leaf area and the leaf area of the youngest biggest leaf. Variety Nl4 had the biggest leaves and NC0376 had the smallest. Variety Nl4 had the highest leaf area index (LAI) while ZN7 had the lowest. There were significant differences (P = 0,01) in PAR intercepted by the varieties but there were no significant differences in extinction coefficients. Extinction coefficients increased with crop age. The varieties had significantly different (P = 0,01) leaf angles and ellipsoidal leaf angle distribution parameters. The measurement of LAI using SunScan ceptometer provided a better estimate of extinction coefficients than LAI measured using Delta-T leaf area meter. Model evaluation showed that CANEGRO canopy model version 2 was improved compared to than version 1. The model (version 2) was accurate in predicting tiller heights and dead leaf numbers per stalk. It was fairly accurate in predicting green leaf numbers per plant, stalk population and intercepted PAR but was poor in predicting LA!. Version 2 has proved to be a substantial improvement over version 1 in predicting stalk population. Generally, the version 2 model overestimated tiller heights early and underestimated later, overestimated the tiller population and LAI after peak, underestimated green leaf numbers per stalk for varieties ZN6, ZN7 and N14 and overestimated dead leaf numbers per stalk and intercepted PAR. The version 2 model predicted a constant green leaf numbers per plant and LAI from peak to harvest while observed data showed that green leaf numbers per stalk and LAI decreased towards harvest. Version 2 model predicted the tiller population of NC0376 closely but underestimated tiller senescence in N14 and also underestimated final tiller population in varieties ZN6 and ZN7. Future model refinements may need to focus on the prediction of the sigmoid pattern of tiller heights. The model may need to be calibrated to predict the green leaf numbers per stalk accurately, which should possibly improve the prediction of LAI that in turn could improve the prediction of intercepted PAR. The improvement in the timing and rate of tiller senescence should improve the prediction of tiller population particularly in varieties ZN6, ZN7 and N14. The study showed that the broken stick method IS superior in explaining leaf and tiller population development compared to using polynomial equations. The development of variety parameters helped improve the prediction of variety differences in canopy growth and development. A major weakness of most crop models is modelling variety differences in canopy growth and development. The inability of crop models to predict variety differences has limited their use in plant breeding. This study has resulted in an improved version of CANEGRO version 1 that is an initial attempt at modelling variety differences of sugarcane

Knowledge Management (KM) Practıces of the Retaıl Industry in Camarınes Norte, Phılıppınes: A Descrıptıve Quantıtatıve Analysıs

This study was conducted to ascertain the Knowledge Management (KM) practices of the retail industry, utilizing the quantitative descriptive research design. Using survey within the Philippines border the findings revealed that the majority of the retail industries in the province were highly understand the concept of Knowledge Management. Among its four major components the retail industries have the highest level of awareness towards the component of people, whereas, on the level of application, it is on the component of the strategy. While on customers' needs and satisfaction, KM strongly contributed to the retail industry and help uplift business operation and performance as well as long-term sustainability. It is concluded that by embracing Knowledge Management in business operations, the status of retail industry would rise up. The formulation of a centralized Knowledge Management system and collaboration to the government agency like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will steadfast the growth of the retail industry in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines

Entrepreneurs’ Perspective in Coping with the New Normal: Basis for Business Model Development

This descriptive quantitative study was conducted to determine the entrepreneurs’ perspective in coping with the new normal using weighted and average mean as statistical tools in analyzing the data.  Findings revealed that the 22 restaurant owners had experienced challenges or business gaps in the new normal situation, which centered on the administrative, production, and financial aspects. Whereas, respondents' perspectives on the opportunity in the new normal situation are on working in flexibility, creating a more responsive business environment, and creating new needs as a break in restaurant business operations. To support the plight of the restaurant entrepreneurs, a business model named 3Ms Strategic Innovation Business Model is developed to reinvent and redesign its corporate strategies in response to the new normal situation. The study concluded that restaurant entrepreneurs in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines need to adopt a business model suited to the new normal context in order to promote business growth, create competitive advantage, and generate value for their business, its customers, and other stakeholders, making them more empowered individuals in dealing with this crisis

Assessment of the Effect of the Oral Iron Chelator Deferiprone on Asymptomatic Plasmodium Falciparum Parasitemia in Humans

While the parenteral iron-chelating agent desferrioxamine B has anti- malarial activity in humans, the usefulness of an orally active chelator for this indication has not been investigated previously in vivo. We conducted a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of deferiprone (L1; CP20; 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one) in 25 adult Zambians with asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia. Deferiprone was administered daily for three or four days in divided doses of 75 or 100 mg/kg of body weight, dosages that are effective for treating iron overload. No reduction in asexual intra-erythrocytic parasites was observed during or after deferiprone treatment. The mean peak plasma concentration of deferiprone (108.9 ± 24.9 μmol/L) achieved was within the range demonstrated to inhibit the growth of P. falciparum in vitro, but the systemic exposure as determined by the 24-hr plasma concentration-time curve would not be predicted inhibit growth in vivo. No evidence of deferiprone- associated hematological toxicity was noted in this short-term study of these subjects, all of whom had clinical evidence of normal body iron stores. Because of the risk of neutropenia and other adverse effects with higher doses or prolonged use of the chelator, additional trials of deferiprone as a sole anti-malarial agent would not seem to be justified. In contrast, further efforts are needed to develop other orally active iron-chelating agents specifically for their antimalarial action

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Artemotil (Β-Arteether) in Zambian Children With Cerebral Malaria

The efficacy and safety of intramuscular artemotil (ARTECEF®) was compared to intravenous quinine in African children with cerebral malaria. This prospective block randomized open-label study was conducted at two centers in Zambia. Subjects were children aged 0 to 10 years of age with cerebral malaria and a Blantyre Coma Score of 2 or less. Ninety two children were studied; 48 received artemotil and 44 quinine. No significant differences in survival, coma resolution time, neurologic sequelae, parasite clearance time, and fever resolution time were seen between the two regimens. Rates for negative malaria smears one month after therapy were similar in both groups. Artemotil was a well-tolerated drug in the 48 patients in this study. It appears to be at least therapeutically equivalent to quinine for the treatment of pediatric cerebral malaria. It has the advantage of being able to be given intramuscularly once daily for only five days

Plasma Cell Granuloma Associated with Pulmonary Actinomycosis: A Case Report

Plasma cell granuloma (PCG) of the lung is a rare disease that usually presents as a pulmonary nodule or mass on incidental radiographic examination without symptoms. Although the etiology of PCG is still controversial, many findings have lent support to the lesion being a reactive inflammatory process rather than a neoplastic one. We describe a 53-yr-old male who presented with a hemoptysis and have a lung mass at the left upper lobe on chest radiograph. The lung mass was primarily diagnosed as PCG by percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy, and the patient was treated with oral steroid because he and relatives refused the operation. However, the size of the lung mass did not change and open thoracotomy and lobectomy were done therefore. He was confirmed as having pulmonary actinomycosis with PCG after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PCG associated with actinomycosis in Korea