Farmers’ production constraints, perceptions and preferences of cowpeas in Buhera District, Zimbabwe

Many smallholder farmers face crop production constraints, especially under rapidly changing climatic conditions. A survey was carried out to assess farmers’ production constraints, traits, and preferred cowpea varieties. A semi-structured questionnaire was used in a survey of Buhera District, Zimbabwe, in March and April of 2018. Women farmers dominated the survey as they were 52% of the  surveyed population, while men occupied 48% of the total population. Eighty-three percent of farmers cited the shortage, unavailability, and cost of fertiliser. Sixteen per cent of farmers acknowledged that they do not have access to quality seeds, and 1% cited labour as the major constraint in cowpea production. Cowpea yield varied from 100 to 500 kg/ha. However, 48% of farmers harvested 200 kg/ha. As for abiotic factors, farmers ranked heat (86%), drought (10%), and soil fertility (4%) as the most important abiotic factors. Ninety-one percent of farmers ranked rust as the most destructive disease, while 2% ranked storage rot, 1% ranked anthracnose, and 1% ranked downy mildew. Eighty-one percent of farmers cited aphids as the main pests, while 3% ranked thrips, 3% ranked legume borers, and 2%ranked pod borers as other pests. Fifty-two percent of farmers preferred varieties that are resistant to diseases such as rust, whereas 48% were not concerned about diseases. As for qualitative traits, 50% of farmers had no specific colour preference, 32% preferred white colour, 14% preferred brown colour, 3% preferred red colour, and 1% preferred tan colour. For quantitative traits, such as grain size, pod size, plant height, and head size, the preferences of farmers varied. Ninety-nine percent of the farmers interviewed preferred cowpea varieties that are bred for drought tolerance, as Buhera District is frequented by intermittent droughts. Farmers’ experience in growing cowpeas ranged from 5 to 30 years. The top ranked accessions were CBC1, IT 18, and Chibundi Chitsvuku, while the least ranked was Kangorongondo. Identified constraints to cowpea farming included lack of education, insect pests, diseases, drought, weeds, harvesting difficulties and a lack of agriculture extension advice. The survey showed that there is a need to breed for biotic factors such as pests and diseases and abiotic factors such as drought and moisture stress. Key words: Buhera District, Constraints, cowpeas, perceptions, preference, variety, Zimbabw

Bioactive compounds and functional potential of Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. arg.) fruits

Consumption of Uapaca kirkiana indigenous fruit by the local populace is growing in popularity because of the acclaimed health and  functional benefits. The aim of the study was to determine the bioactive compounds and functional properties of the U. kirkiana fruit. Besides the fruit’s pulp yield, the bioactive phytochemical constituent, physicochemical properties and functional characteristics of the pulp were analysed. The sugar, starch, minerals, and ascorbic acid constituents of the fruit pulp were, respectively determined using the following instruments: brix refractometer, megazyme kit, inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer and 2,6- dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) titration test. The total phenolic content (TPC), tannin, and flavonoid contents were evaluated using Folin Ciocalteau test, tannin binding test and vanillin test, respectively. The average weight of the U. kirkiana fruits harvested from three  regions having different climatic conditions ranged from 23.56 to 34.20 g per fruit. The mean pulp weight was from 12.15 g/100 g to 15.09 g/100 g per fruit. The biochemical and functional parameters obtained include total titratable acid (0.3 - 0.48 g/kg), antioxidantactivity (34.96 - 36.68%), vitamin C (15.74 - 16.63 mg/100 g), dry matter content (28.81 - 29.38%), pH (4.3 - 4.6) and sugar content (20.29 - 21.87 g/100 g). Fructose was the dominant sugar (10.12-11.0 g/100 g). Preliminary phytochemical screening of the pulp indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, amino acids and carbohydrate content. Total phenolic content ranged from 67.0 to 82.5 µg GAE/g. The essential elements constituent evaluation of the pulp revealed that Fe content was 11.3 - 12.2 mg/100 g, K (383.07 - 439.8 mg/100 g), Mg (28.7 - 35.1 mg/100 g), Ca (16.4 - 17.3 mg/100 g), P (13.4 - 15.1 mg/100 g), Na (9.08 - 9.78 mg/100 g), Cu (0.8 - 0.94 mg/100 g) and Zn (0.87 - 0.94 mg/100 g). This study, besides establishing U. kirkiana fruit as a good source of micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn), reveals that the fruit is also an excellent source of phenolic compounds, vitamin C and sugars, hence use as a dietary supplement may combat some nutritional deficiencies. We, therefore, recommend U. kirkiana fruits to be used to produce nutritive functional foods with health  benefits such as probiotic jams and as an additive. Key words: Indigenous fruit, micronutrients, phenolic, pulp, phytochemicals, U.kirkiana, megazyme ki

The potential of Uapaca kirkiana fruit jam for the delivery of Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba as a probiotic food

Probiotics are important in enhancing food quality, reducing incidences of diarrhoea and promoting good health. A fruit jam is an ideal food to deliver probiotics because it is easy to produce, a good source of sugar, and most rural population consume it. A probiotic jam was developed using an underutilised fruit, U. kirkiana, to benefit the resource-poor population in southern Africa. U. kirkiana fruit is found abundant in most semi-dry rural areas of Zimbabwe. Ripe U. kirkiana fruits were obtained from preferred domesticated trees by households residing in semi-dry rural areas of Zimbabwe. The fruits were pulped by removing seeds, mashing and sieving through an 800 μM sieve. Pectin content of the pulp was determined. A probiotic jam was developed using the formulation 55 % (wt/vol) pulp, 43 % (wt/vol) sugar, 1.5 % (wt/vol) pectin, and 0.5 % (wt/vol) citric acid. The fruit pulp was mixed with sugar in a stainless steel pot and cooked at 110 °C. Citric acid was added and stirred whilst cooking until it reached 55 oBrix. Pectin was added and the jam was continuously stirred until it reached 68 oBrix. The jam was inoculated with 0.25 % L. rhamnosus yoba and left to propagate for 24 hours, while bacterial growth was monitored. The physicochemical and functional properties (pH, total soluble solids, sugars, total titratable acidity, iron content, zinc content, and vitamin C), and L. rhamnosus yoba viability in the probiotic jam was analysed. The probiotic jam had vitamin C, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and moisture content of 0.34 ±0.02 mg /100 g FW, 2.2 ± 0.11 g / L FW, 68.5 ± 0.2 % FW, and 34.8 ± 1.2 % FW, respectively; iron and zinc content of 4.13 ± 0.52 mg /100 g FW and 0.36 ± 0.02 mg /100 g FW, respectively; high  fructose and sucrose content of 12.84 ± 0.21 g /100 g FW and 24.61 ± 0.12 g /100 g FW, respectively; and a total titratable acidity content of 2.2 g / L at day 0 (after production), 2.37 ± 0.01 g / L FW at day 4, and 2.48 ± 0.02 g / L FW at day 7 of storage (25 °C). The probiotic jam had 6.2 ± 0.2 Log CFU / mL viable cells on point of consumption. U. kirkiana fruit jam can potentially deliver live L. rhamnosus yoba cells as a probiotic food. Key words: Probiotic food, vitamin C, fruit jam, L. rhamnosus yoba, pectin, U. kirkiana fruit, sub-Saharan Afric

Processors preference and effectiveness of extension teaching methods used by raw material research development council for dissemination of shea butter processing technologies in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State Nigeria

This study assessed shea butter processors preference and effectiveness of extension teaching methods used by Raw Material Research Development Council (RMRDC) for dissemination of improved processing technologies in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara state, Nigeria. Data were collected from 74 respondents selected through snow-ball sampling technique with a structured interview schedule and analysed using frequency count, percentages and means. The results show that all the processors were females between the ages of 31 and 50 years. About 70.3% of them were married whilst 52.7% had no formal education. Many of the processors had more than 11 years of experience in shea butter processing and were capable of making between ₦6,000 to ₦15,000 per month from sales of shea butter. The results also show that only group contact method was used for dissemination of improved processing technologies while group discussion was perceived to be very effective in acquiring skills hence it’s most preferred by the processors compared to other group teaching methods. It is therefore, suggested that individual and mass media contact methods be used along with the group contact method in teaching processors, as this will have the advantages of reaching different age and social groups, a situation that will make all groups access improved shea butter processing technologies.Keywords: Improved processing technologies, extension methods, shea butter, processors, Kwara Stat

Constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training programmes on modern shea butter processing in Niger State, Nigeria

This study examined the constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 108 processors selected through a multistage sampling technique. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that all the processors were females, young and married with a household size of 5-9 and a low educational status. Results also revealed that the majority (67.6%) of the processors were not aware of training programmes, while 72% of them had not accessed training programmes. The results further revealed that non-awareness of training programmes (χ2 = 2.95), inadequate information on available training opportunities (χ2 = 2.90), inappropriate time for training (χ2 = 2.87), and illiteracy (χ2 = 2.36) were the major constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing. Creation of adequate awareness and dissemination of information by extension officers, extension agents and women in agriculture (WIA) officers on training programmes through the use of mass media, postal and leaflets in the study area is recommended.Keywords: Extension, constraints, access, training, modern technology, shea butte

Constraints Hindering Processors' Effective Access To Training Programmes On Modern Shea Butter Processing In Niger State, Nigeria

This study examined the constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 108 processors selected through a multistage sampling technique. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that all the processors were females, young and married with a household size of 5-9 and a low educational status. Results also revealed that the majority (67.6%) of the processors were not aware of training programmes, while 72% of them had not accessed training programmes. The results further revealed that non-awareness of training programmes (χ2 = 2.95), inadequate information on available training opportunities (χ2 = 2.90), inappropriate time for training (χ2 = 2.87), and illiteracy (χ2 = 2.36) were the major constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing. Creation of adequate awareness and dissemination of information by extension officers, extension agents and women in agriculture (WIA) officers on training programmes through the use of mass media, postal and leaflets in the study area is recommended

Processors' training needs on modern shea butter processing technologies in North Central Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Published ArticleThe need for continual production of high quality shea butter in Nigeria through the use of modern processing technologies necessitated this study. The study was carried out to ascertain training needs of shea butter processors on modern processing technologies in North Central Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 216 processors through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that processors were mostly young, married females. Half of the processors had no formal education but had between six and 15 years of processing experience. Extension officers were not fully involved in the training of processors, especially in the areas of teaching and practical demonstrations. The study shows that age (χ2 = 38.865, p = 0.000), educational level (χ2 = 69.018, p = 0.000), and years of processing experience (χ = 40.118, p = 0.000) were significantly related to the training needs of shea butter processors. Furthermore, evidence suggests that kneading, milling, crushing, and roasting are areas of operations where processors require additional training. The training of processors by extension officers at least twice a year, especially in the identified areas of training need, is recommended

Bioactive Compounds and Functional Potential of Uapaca Kirkiana (Muell. arg.) Fruits

ArticleConsumption of Uapaca kirkiana indigenous fruit by the local populace is growing in popularity because of the acclaimed health and functional benefits. The aim of the study was to determine the bioactive compounds and functional properties of the U. kirkiana fruit. Besides the fruit’s pulp yield, the bioactive phytochemical constituent, physicochemical properties and functional characteristics of the pulp were analysed. The sugar, starch, minerals, and ascorbic acid constituents of the fruit pulp were, respectively determined using the following instruments: brix refractometer, megazyme kit, inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer and 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) titration test. The total phenolic content (TPC), tannin, and flavonoid contents were evaluated using Folin Ciocalteau test, tannin binding test and vanillin test, respectively. The average weight of the U. kirkiana fruits harvested from three regions having different climatic conditions ranged from 23.56 to 34.20 g per fruit. The mean pulp weight was from 12.15 g/100 g to 15.09 g/100 g per fruit. The biochemical and functional parameters obtained include total titratable acid (0.3 - 0.48 g/kg), antioxidant activity (34.96 - 36.68%), vitamin C (15.74 - 16.63 mg/100 g), dry matter content (28.81 - 29.38%), pH (4.3 - 4.6) and sugar content (20.29 - 21.87 g/100 g). Fructose was the dominant sugar (10.12-11.0 g/100 g). Preliminary phytochemical screening of the pulp indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, amino acids and carbohydrate content. Total phenolic content ranged from 67.0 to 82.5 μg GAE/g. The essential elements constituent evaluation of the pulp revealed that Fe content was 11.3 - 12.2 mg/100 g, K (383.07 - 439.8 mg/100 g), Mg (28.7 - 35.1 mg/100 g), Ca (16.4 - 17.3 mg/100 g), P (13.4 - 15.1 mg/100 g), Na (9.08 - 9.78 mg/100 g), Cu (0.8 - 0.94 mg/100 g) and Zn (0.87 - 0.94 mg/100 g). This study, besides establishing U. kirkiana fruit as a good source of micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn), reveals that the fruit is also an excellent source of phenolic compounds, vitamin C and sugars, hence use as a dietary supplement may combat some nutritional deficiencies. We, therefore, recommend U. kirkiana fruits to be used to produce nutritive functional foods with health benefits such as probiotic jams and as an additive

Physiological And Phytochemical Responses Of Baby Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.) Cultivars To Combined Npks Nutrition And Bacillus Subtilis BD233 Inoculation Using LC-MS

ArticleBaby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is grown for its nutritional benefits, edible leaves and medicinal purpose. The use of crop amendments such as inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) together with fertilizers for crop cultivation is more sustainable as it reduces the excessive use of fertilizers and increases crop yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and phytochemical response of baby spinach cultivars to different levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulphur (NPKS) nutrition, amended with Bacillus subtilis strain BD233 inoculation. A factorial field experiment with treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was carried out. The results showed that NPKS fertilization significantly affected the total biomass of baby spinach but not B. subtilis (BD233) inoculation and cultivar or their interaction. The level of chlorophyll varied between cultivars ranging from 19.96±1.62b mg/m2 and 24.79±1.98a mg/m2, however, no significant differences occurred in stomatal conductance among the three cultivars. However, significant difference was observed on compounds among cultivars with NPKS fertilizer application in most identified compounds such as patuletin-3-glucosyl-(1-6)[apiosyl(1-2)]-glucoside, spinacetin-3-glucosyl-(1-6)[apiosyl(1-2)]-glucoside, (S)-Malate and N-Acetyl-D-tryptophan. Therefore, the study recommends that fertilizer at 22N:22P:30K:5S kg/ha and 33N:33P:45K:7S kg/ha amended with B. subtilis inoculation be considered when cultivating baby spinach

Evaluation of soilless production systems for small scale production of two Amaranthus species and Swiss chard, Beta vulgaris

To improve the diet of rural families, small scale production of leafy vegetables, as a source of vitamin A and other nutrients should be encouraged. In this study, conducted under controlled environmental conditions (day temperatures in the greenhouse varied between 22 and 29°C with night temperatures between 13 and 16°C), Beta vulgaris (Swiss chard) and Amaranthus spp. (imbuya) were grown, using gravel and pumice as substrates for 'Ebb-and-Flood' and 'constant level' production systems. The results of this study showed that a combination of an 'Ebb-and-Flood' system with gravel as substrate, gave the best results of root development and leaf yield, especially for 'imbuya'. The water-use-efficiency (WUE) of 'imbuya' was significantly higher than that of Swiss chard. The yield and leaf chlorophyll content of 'imbuya' was low for the 'constant level' system with gravel used as substrate. Pumice improved root production, leaf yield and leaf chlorophyll content only for the 'constant level' system, probably owing to capillary action in pumice and associated improved root aeration.Articl