Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi prevalence and diversity in Zimbabwean soils

A JASSA article on the prevalence and population levels of VAM fungi in a range of field soil environments in Zimbabwe.The prevalence and population levels of VAM fungi in a range of field soil environments in Zimbabwe were determined. The main VAM genera Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Gigaspora, Glomus, Sclerocystls and Entrophospora were represented in the study sites. The relative abundance was Glomus > Acaulospora > Scutellospora > Sclerocystis > Gigaspora > Entrophospora at all sites except at Chabwino (fallow soil) and Thorn Park (sorghum) where Acaulospora Scutellospora = Acaulospora. Relative proportions of the different VAM genera were similar across soils but population sizes varied with soil management. There was no clear relationship between VAM spore numbers and cropping history although among the cultivated plots, soils that had legumes as the previous or current crop generally had higher VAM populations than under sorghum. Of the soil parameters measured, only percent organic carbon was significantly correlated with VAM numbers and infective propagules

Determinants of Output Market Participation by Smallholder Farmers in Upper Guruve District, Zimbabwe

Market participation by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa is characteristically low, with most of these farmers having limited access to both input and output markets. This paper investigates the factors associated with output market participation by smallholder farmers in Upper Guruve District, Zimbabwe. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 200 households for the survey, with the collected primary data analyzed using STATA version 15 through a Multinomial Logistic regression model. The key determinants to output market participation included gender, age and experience, area cropped to soyabean, input and output market prices, profitability and access to market and extension support services. The study demonstrates the need for market information dissemination so as to promote and increase soyabean productivity. Government intervention should also focus on providing an enabling environment for improved private sector involvement and gender empowerment since women are currently marginalized in soyabean production and market participation. This paper is critical for guiding policy-making and development of strategies to increase soya production for the benefit of both farmers and the economy in general. Keywords: Soyabean, Output Market Participation, Smallholder Farmers, Zimbabwe DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-2-02 Publication date: January 31st 202