Determinants of cassava commercialization for export development among farmers in Abia state

This review presents an overview of how genomics have developed over the years and how genomic tools have helped to change our approach to crop improvement. In the years preceding now, Plant breeding has been very successful in developing improved varieties using conventional tools and methodologies. Nowadays, the availability of genomic tools and resources has led to a new revolution of plant breeding, as they facilitate the study of the genotype and its relationship with the phenotype, in particular for complex traits. Recent technological advancements like Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Genome-wide expression studies, Resequencing of genomes for the genome-wide discovery of markers amenable for high-throughput genotyping platforms, like SSRs and SNPs, or the construction of high density genetic maps, have substantially expanded our ability to analyze and understand plant genomes and to reduce the gap existing between genotype and phenotype. The fast evolving field of genomics allows scientists to analyze thousands of genes in parallel, to understand the genetic architecture of plant genomes and also to isolate the genes responsible for mutations. Conclusively, advances in genomics are providing breeders with new tools and methodologies that allow a great leap forward in plant breeding, including the ‘superdomestication’ of crops and the genetic dissection and breeding for complex traits. Keywords: Genotyping, phenotyping, genomics, and sequencin

Effect of mulching on growth of ginger in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The paper investigates effect of mulching on growth of ginger in ishiagu, ebonyi state, Nigeria. The experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, during the 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons, using ginger as test crop. In 2009, there was less than 40% sprouting of ginger at 4 WAP but all the mulched plots were significantly higher than the control. In 2010, there was also significant difference (P < 0.05) in sprouting at 4 WAP but not at 6 and 8 WAP. At 6 WAP there was 50 to 62% sprouting across the treatments. However, at 8 WAP, there was 80% or more sprouting across the treatments. Number of leaves per plant showed that at 6 WAP on average, the organic mulch materials produced higher number of leaves when compared with either the control plot or the black polythene mulched plot. No significant differences occurred between the treatments at 8 WAP. In both years, the dry grass mulch resulted in significantly higher leaf area than the saw dust mulch. The mean leaf area for 2009 and 2010 was in the magnitude of dry grass >rice husk> saw dust > black polythene > control. There was increase in plant height from 4-12 WAP in 2009 and 2010. The organic mulches available were suitable for ginger production in the study area and the test crop UG1 is well adaptable to Ishiagu Environment. It is therefore concluded that mulching is imperative for ginger production and variety UG1 could be used to maximize production at Ishiagu environment. Dry grass and rice husk mulches should be used in Ishiagu environment.Keywords: mulch, growth, ginger, rice husk

Assessment of weeds of cassava and farmers management practices in Nigeria

Open Access JournalLa concurrence des mauvaises herbes est un obstacle à la rentabilité de la production du manioc. La connaissance des espèces de mauvaises herbes qui affectent négativement la productivité du manioc est essentielle pour une gestion efficace. Une étude a été conduite entre mai et juin 2014 et 2015 pour évaluer les mauvaises herbes dans 200 exploitations agricoles de manioc, dans trois zones agroécologiques au Nigeria. L’Analyse des Correspondances Détendancées (ACD) a permis d’identifier quatre groupes distincts illustrant la variation des espèces de mauvaises herbes parmi les zones agroécologiques. Le pH du sol et la teneur en limon, la durée des jachères, la méthode de culture et la méthode de gestion des mauvaises herbes ont contribué à la variation de la composition des espèces. L’évaluation par les agriculteurs et sur le terrain ont identifié Euphorbia heterophylla, Imperata cylindrica, Aspilia africana, Panicum maximum, Chromolaena odorata, Commelina benghalensis, Digitaria horizontalis, et Rottboellia cochinchinensis comme principales mauvaises herbes du manioc. La gestion de ces mauvaises herbes par les paysans varie à travers les zones, suggérant ainsi que les stratégies de gestion de ces mauvaises herbes devraient être axées sur les zones écologiques. Dans la zone forestière humide, le désherbage à la houe (51,2%) et à la machette (43,0%) étaient les principales méthodes de contrôle. L’utilisation d’herbicides était élevée dans le sud de la savane guinéenne et modérée dans la savane dérivée. L’éducation afin d’accroitre la connaissance des agriculteurs sur la problématique des mauvaises herbes et l’amélioration de leur choix à la fois sur les herbicides appropriés et leur utilisation sans risque est essentielle pour une gestion efficace des mauvaises herbes dans la culture du manioc. Competition from weeds is an obstacle to profitable cassava production. Knowledge of weed species negatively affecting productivity is essential for effective management. A field evaluation of weeds and management practices was conducted between May and June in 2014 and 2015 in 200 cassava farms in three agroecologies in Nigeria. Detrended Correspondence Analysis identified four distinct clusters depicting variation in weed species composition among the agroecologies. Soil pH and silt content, fallow length, cultivation method, and weed management method contributed to the variation in species composition. Farmers and field evaluations identified Euphorbia heterophylla, Imperata cylindrica, Aspilia africana, Panicum maximum, Chromolaena odorata, Commelina benghalensis, Digitaria horizontalis, and Rottboellia cochinchinensis as major problem weeds in cassava. Farmers’ management of these weeds varied across zones, suggesting that weed management strategies in cassava should be focused on ecological zones. In the Humid forest, hoe-weeding (51.2%) and slashing (43.0%) with machetes were the predominant methods of control. Herbicide use was high in the Southern Guinea Savanna and medium to high in the Derived Savanna (26.3-42.2%). Education to increase farmers’ knowledge of the problematic of weeds and to improve both their choice of appropriate herbicides and their safe use is critical to effective and efficient weed management in cassava