Farmers perceptions on dual-purpose sorghum and its potential in Zambia

Food feed crops play a cardinal role in mixed crop-livestock production systems yet views of farmers on their usage are limited. Farmers perceptions in predominant sorghum growing areas of Zambia were solicited on socio-economic factors affecting sorghum production, awareness and willingness to adopt dual-purpose sorghum cultivars for food and feed. Preferred traits of a model dual-purpose cultivar were identified. The aim of the study was to generate information that would support the genetic improvement of dual-purpose sorghum. Questionnaires were used to generate this information. Results showed that less than 50% of sorghum growing SSFs had limited knowledge on the use of sorghum to produce feed silage; however, there was full awareness among the LSFs. Among other traits, farmers ideal variety should combine high grain yield potential (100 %) with high biomass (100 % of LSFs and 80 % of SSFs) and high stem sugar content (100 % of LSF and 70 % of SSFs). All the SSFs and 20 % of the LSFs indicated that adequate production could be hampered by low grain yield, poor access to improved seed and unavailability of farmers- preferred cultivars. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22654 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 76-81, December, 201

Mapping quantitative trait loci for fusarium root rot in common bean (phaseolus vulgaris l.)

The common bean is a primary protein source in the diet of many low-income populations. Bean root rots occur in most bean fields. Genetic resistance to Fusarium root rot caused by Fusarium solani f.sp. phaseoli is polygenic and is strongly influenced by environmental factors that confound the expression and detection of resistance mechanisms. Response to selection for root rot resistance is slow due to genetic complexity of the trait that makes it difficult to evaluate. Indirect selection for Fusarium root rot resistance based on DNA markers linked to the resistance QTL would facilitate improvement of Fusarium root rot, given the limitations of field selection. The study is aimed at identify significant QTL- simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker associations, which could be used to facilitate marker-assisted selection for Fusarium root rot resistance in common bean

BIOCHEMICAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CASSAVA RESISTANCE TO WHITEFLY INFESTATION

Cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) an important food security crop, is inflicted by whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci ) worldwide, causing direct damage of up to 80% of yield loss. Although resistance to the pest has been associated with antibiosis, changes that occur in metabolite activity, and their effect on the pest have not been fully elucidated. A study was carried out to evaluate changes in peroxidase, tannin and flavonoid activity in cassava genotypes attacked by B. tabaci in order to contribute to knowledge on whitefly resistance in cassava. Five genotypes showing resistance, and three susceptible, were selected based on whitefly count and leaf damage scores, and assayed for peroxidase, tannin and flavonoid activity. There were significant differences among genotypes for leaf damage (P < 0.01) of three to six months plants. Genotypes CS1-144, UG 120133 and NAM 130 showed low damage scores (< 2.00); but a high damage score (> 2.5) was incurred by UG 130068. All genotypes showed significant (P < 0.05) differences for peroxidase activity, with CS1-144 having a high activity rate three months after planting. The lowest activity was observed in UG 120170, a susceptible genotype. A significant (P < 0.01) negative correlation (r = -0.84) was observed between peroxidase activity and cassava leaf damage scores, as well as between tannin and damage (r = -0.57), indicating that peroxidase and tannin play a part in cassava resistance to B. tabaci.Le manioc ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) qui est une importante culture de s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire, est influenc\ue9e par la mouche blanche ( Bemisia tabaci ) sur le plan mondial, \ue0 travers des dommages directs allant jusqu\u2019\ue0 80% de perte du rendement. Par ailleurs, la r\ue9sistance \ue0 la peste a \ue9t\ue9 associ\ue9e \ue0 l\u2019antibiose, des changements qui apparaissent dans l\u2019activit\ue9 m\ue9tabolique, et leur effet sur la peste n\u2019ont pas encore \ue9t\ue9 compl\ue8tement \ue9lucid\ue9s. Une \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 entreprise pour \ue9valuer les changements d\u2019activit\ue9 en peroxydase, tannin et flavono\uefde dans les g\ue9notypes du manioc attaqu\ue9s par B. tabaci dans le but de contribuer au savoir sur la r\ue9sistance du\ua0manioc. Cinq g\ue9notypes, montrant r\ue9sistance, et trois susceptibles, \ue9taient s\ue9lectionn\ue9s sur la base du nombre de la mouche blanche et les sores de dommages et analys\ue9s pour l\u2019activit\ue9 en peroxydase, tannin and flavono\uefdes. Il y avait de diff\ue9rences significatives entre les g\ue9notypes pour les dommages caus\ue9s sur les feuilles (P< 0,01) des plantes de trois \ue0 six mois. Les g\ue9notypes CS1-144, UG 120133 et NAM 130 ont montr\ue9 de faibles scores de dommage (< 2,00); mais un score \ue9lev\ue9 de dommage (> 2,5) \ue9tait re\ue7u par UG 130068. Tous les g\ue9notypes ont montr\ue9 de diff\ue9rences significatives (P < 0,05) pour l\u2019activit\ue9 de peroxydase, avec CS1-144 ayant un taux d\u2019activit\ue9 \ue9lev\ue9 trois mois apr\ue8s la plantation. La faible activit\ue9 \ue9tait observ\ue9e sur UG 120170, un g\ue9notype susceptible. Une corr\ue9lation significative (P < 0,01) et n\ue9gative (r = -0,84) \ue9tait observ\ue9e entre l\u2019activit\ue9 de peroxydase et les scores de dommages sur les feuilles de manioc, ainsi que entre tannin et dommage (r = -0,57), indiquant que peroxydase et tannin jouent une part de r\uf4le dans la r\ue9sistance du manioc au B. tabaci

Farmers perceptions on dual-purpose sorghum and it’s potential in Zambia

Food feed crops play a cardinal role in mixed crop-livestock production systems yet views of farmers on their usage are limited. Farmers perceptions in predominant sorghum growing areas of Zambia were solicited on socio-economic factors affecting sorghum production, awareness and willingness to adopt dual-purpose sorghum cultivars for food and feed. Preferred traits of a model dual-purpose cultivar were identified. The aim of the study was to generate information that would support the genetic improvement of dual-purpose sorghum. Questionnaires were used to generate this information. Results showed that less than 50% of sorghum growing SSFs had limited knowledge on the use of sorghum to produce feed silage; however, there was full awareness among the LSFs. Among other traits, farmers ideal variety should combine high grain yield potential (100 %) with high biomass (100 % of LSFs and 80 % of SSFs) and high stem sugar content (100 % of LSF and 70 % of SSFs). All the SSFs and 20 % of the LSFs indicated that adequate production could be hampered by low grain yield, poor access to improved seed and unavailability of farmers- preferred cultivars. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i2.22654 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (2): 76-81, December, 201

FARMERS PERCEPTIONS ON DUAL-PURPOSE SORGHUM AND IT’S POTENTIAL IN ZAMBIA

Food feed crops play a cardinal role in mixed crop-livestock production systems yet views of farmers on their usage are limited. Farmers’ perceptions in predominant sorghum growing areas of Zambia were solicited on socio-economic factors affecting sorghum production, awareness and willingness to adopt dual-purpose sorghum cultivars for food and feed. Preferred traits of a “model” dual-purpose cultivar were identified. The aim of the study was to generate information that would support the genetic improvement of dual-purpose sorghum. Questionnaires were used to generate this information. Results showed that less than 50% of sorghum growing SSFs had limited knowledge on the use of sorghum to produce feed silage; however, there was full awareness among the LSFs. Among other traits, farmers’ “ideal” variety should combine high grain yield potential (100 %) with high biomass (100 % of LSFs and 80 % of SSFs) and high stem sugar content (100 % of LSF and 70 % of SSFs). All the SSFs and 20 % of the LSFs indicated that adequate production could be hampered by low grain yield, poor access to improved seed and unavailability of farmers’- preferred cultivars

Situational analyses on cowpea value chain in Zambia: the case of an untapped legume

Open Access JournalCowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a vital legume crop for Zambia’s urban and rural households. The crop is an important legume used as human and animal food and as a component of the agricultural production system, which improves the fertility of many depleted soils because of its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Government through the ministries of health and agriculture recommend its’ use. Despite the importance of cowpea in the nation, there is limited information on the crop along with its’ value chain components. This review aims to assemble pertinent information on cowpea and its value chain components in Zambia. A critical look through the food system from production to consumption reveals the prevailing gaps in knowledge and output. The information covered here touches on crop breeding, production, marketing, processing, and consumption. This paper delves into various literature, bringing out the salient issues that are not commonly discussed about on the crop. It is a situation analyses focusing on finding solutions to improving the relevance and appreciation of the crop. There is a need for agricultural policies to promote cowpea production and use with the active participation of relevant actors. This would create a conducive environment for determining user needs, and leading to the development of beneficial impact-related activities at various stages. The country needs to begin incorporating a variety of crops within the food system to complement maize to improve nutrient intake, contribute to climate-smart practices, and sustainability of agricultural practices within communities in Zambia