Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Endomycorrhizal Inoculation under Different Phosphorus Application Levels in South-Kivu, Eastern DRC

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been reported to increase yield and phosphorus (P) uptake. However, it is still unclear how the common bean responds to mycorrhizal inoculation when there is a phosphate supply. This research focused on finding out how bean performance will be affected by mycorrhizal inoculation and increasing P dosages in order to reduce phosphate input. The study was conducted during the A 2021 cropping season in Kabare, while a split-plot design was used to compare two levels of inoculation and increasing phosphorus doses. Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation significantly improved mycorrhizal colonization, biomass, yield, and harvest index of beans at 0 and 30 kg P ha-1. Bean plants inoculated with R. irregularis performed better in terms of biomass, yield, and harvest index at 30 kg P ha-1 than non-inoculated and inoculated plants at 60 and 120 kg P ha-1, indicating the potential of AMF in lowering phosphate input. Phosphorus levels of 60 and 120 kg P ha-1 significantly decreased mycorrhizal infection, indicating the impact of inorganic P on the mycorrhizal symbiosis. In the ferralitic soils of Kashusha, mycorrhizal inoculation with R. irregularis may be a key tool for increasing bean production and ensuring phosphate fertilizer savings

Typology of smallholder maize farmers in South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo: implications in improving farming practices and markets

peer reviewedUnderstanding the typology of smallholder maize farmers is crucial to elucidate the diversity in local farming systems, and therefore, devise effective interventions and policies that maximize the impact of agricultural innovations in South-Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed at characterizing maize farmers in South-Kivu province and clustering them based on various socioeconomic and agronomic factors to identify specific production constraints and devise more effective interventions. A household survey among 300 South-Kivu maize farmers allowed to identify four distinct clusters based on farm size, land use, income, and agricultural technology adoption. The clusters ranged from resource-poor smallholder (Types 1 and 2) to medium-resource semi-innovative producers (Type 3) and highly equipped innovative farmers (Type 4). Key discriminative factors included total farm size, maize farm size, farming experience, access to agricultural credit, income, and innovation adoption rate. This study revealed specific constraints for each cluster, including low soil fertility, poor weed management, low market access, and labor scarcity. This study’s findings demonstrate the value of farm typology in guiding targeted interventions to address specific constraints and improve maize productivity, and suggest specific strategic directions for research and development projects in rural areas of the South-Kivu province

Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and plant density improve grain yield, nodulation capacity, and profitability of peas (Pisum sativum L.) on ferralsols in eastern D.R. Congo

peer reviewedAbstractSustaining high crop yield and profitability on marginal soils, such as degraded ferralsols, calls for the use of adequate farming practices. In this study, we assessed for four cropping seasons the effect of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer application doses (100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) and plant densities (100,000, 166,666, and 250,000 plants ha−1) on growth, yield, nodulation capacity, and profitability of two pea varieties (Adei and Rwanda) under degraded ferralsols in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Results showed that pea growth, yield, nodulation, and profitability were significantly affected by the DAP dose and the plant density. Application of 150 kg ha−1 of DAP improved pea yields from 730 to 1720 kg ha−1 and nodulation from 17 to 22 nodules per plant. The number of active nodules was positively correlated with total number of nodules, DAP doses, yield parameters, and plant height. High grain yield was recorded during the long rainy season (1400 kg ha−1) compared to the short one (930 kg ha−1). All DAP doses were profitable according to the agronomic efficiency (AE) and value–cost ratio (VCR) analyses. For improved and profitable pea production on degraded South-Kivu ferralsols, applying 150 kg ha−1 of DAP combined with low plant density are to be recommended and preferably in the long rainy season

Gully erosion susceptibility mapping using four machine learning methods in Luzinzi watershed, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

peer reviewedSoil erosion by gullying causes severe soil degradation, which in turn leads to severe socio-economic and environmental damages in tropical and subtropical regions. To mitigate these negative effects and guarantee sustainable management of natural resources, gullies must be prevented. Gully management strategies start by devising adequate assessment tools and identification of driving factors and control measures. To achieve this, machine learning methods are essential tools to assist in the identification of driving factors to implement site-specific control measures. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of four machine learning methods (Random Forest (RF), Maximum of Entropy (MaxEnt), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Boosted Regression Tree (BRT)) to identify gully's driving factors, and predict gully erosion susceptibility in the Luzinzi watershed, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Effets des substrats à base de fanes de haricot et de feuilles de bananier sur la productivité des souches de Pleurotus ostreatus (P969 et HK51) sur étagère et gobetage

L’objectif de la présente étude était de contribuer à la mise en place des pratiques mycicoles susceptibles d’accroitre la productivité du champignon en utilisant des matériaux localement accessibles. Ces différents substrats ont été découpés et trempés dans l’eau froide de robinet et égouttés pendant 24 h. Le son de riz y a été ajouté comme additif. Les sachets ont été remplis à raison de 1 kilogramme de substrat, puis pasteurisés à la vapeur dans un demi-fût pendant 2 h 30, ensuite refroidis pendant 24 h et enfin inoculés avec la culture-mère. Les sachets ont été incubés jusqu’à ce que le mycélium ait entièrement colonisé le substrat. À l’issu de l’étude, la technique de fructification et le type de substrat ont influencé le poids et le diamètre de pileus. Les meilleures moyennes en termes de poids ont été obtenues sur la technique de gobetage et sur le substrat à base de fanes d’haricot alors que les moyennes les plus faibles ont été obtenues sur l’étagère. Les effets dus aux souches n’ont pas été très significatifs.Abstract : The objective of this study was to contribute to the establishment of mushroom cultivation practices that increase productivity of the mushroom by using locally available materials. These substrates were cut and dipped in cold tap water and drained for 24 hours. Rice bran was added thereto as an additive. The bags were filled at 1 kilogram of substrate, and then pasteurized in steam in a half shaft for 2h30, then cooled for 24 hours and then inoculated with the mother culture. The pouches were incubated until the mycelium has fully colonized the substrate. At the outcome of a study, fruiting technique and substrate type influenced the weight and diameter of pileus. The highest averages in terms of weight were obtained on the technique of casing and the bean vines based substrate while the lowest average was obtained on the shelf. Effects due to strains were not significant

Factors driving utilization patterns of marshlands in the vicinity of South-Kivu urban agglomerations based on Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES)

peer reviewedMarshlands are vulnerable ecosystems; being disturbed for several decades as the population density rises. These disturbances, due to anthropogenic activities, impact their ability to deliver important ecosystem services (ES). This study analyzed the current state of marshes in the vicinity of South-Kivu urban agglomerations, (DRC). The methodology combined both remote sensing and household surveys. Results showed that marshes' ecosystem utilization patterns in South-Kivu comprised of unsustainable farming practices, clay extraction for brick making, dwelling and settlement expansion, and aquaculture for fish production

Estimation of soil erosion using RUSLE modeling and geospatial tools in a tea production watershed (Chisheke in Walungu), eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Soil erosion is a major concern for agricultural practices leading to topsoil losses and decreased soil fertility. Walungu’s Chisheke watershed (RD Congo) supports the staple food and industrial tea production, which are the basis for the food and income security in the region. The Chisheke watershed’s soil loss estimate is, therefore, vital for its sustainable management. To facilitate the implementation of an erosion management plan, this study estimated soil losses in the Chisheke watershed using the Revised Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)