Effect of cutting position and vine pruning level on yield of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas L.)

There is significant variation in yield of storage roots and vines of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) among farmers due to use of different cutting positions and pruning of vines at different levels. This study was carried out to establish the cutting position and the vine pruning level that give the best yield of both the storage roots and vines. The study was conducted in a 3x3 factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments included cutting position at three levels (apical cutting, middle cutting and basal cutting) and pruning at three levels, 0%, 25% and 50% respectively. Pruning was done. 50 days after planting. And storage root harvesting was done 100 days after planting. The two measurements were summed up to give the total vine weight. Storage root length, diameter and weight were measured at 100 DAP. Storage root length indicated significant difference (P<0.05) only among cutting positions with highest mean length (16.20 cm) obtained from apical cutting and the lowest (11.98 cm) from basal cutting. Storage root diameter, storage root weight and vine weight indicated significant interaction (P<0.05) of cutting position and vine pruning level. Highest mean root diameter and root weight were obtained from middle cutting and 25% vine pruning level, with the lowest being obtained from basal cutting and 50% vine pruning level. Highest vine weight was recorded from middle cutting and 50% vine pruning level, with the lowest being recorded from basal cutting and 0% vine pruning level. Both middle and apical stem cuttings can be recommended for higher storage root and vine yield. Vine pruning at 25% can be adopted for higher storage root yield while pruning at 50% can be suggested for higher vine yield

CASSAVA FORTIFICATION AND QUALITY EVALUATION

The broad objective of this work is to improve the nutrient content of cassava flour by inclusion of cowpeas seed flour and cassava leaf powder to assess the effects of the cowpeas flour and cassava leaf powder inclusion on the nutrient quality and acceptability of the flour. Cassava tuber flour was fortified with cowpeas flour and from cassava leaves at 20% and 30% of dry weight. Standard methods were used for the determination of parameter such as protein and carbohydrates. All samples were analysed for potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and cyanide. Unfortified cassava had significantly lower (P<0.05) values (protein: 0.942%, P: 0.093%, K: 0.749 Mg: 0.052%, Fe: 5.008ppm) than fortification with both cowpeas flour and cassava leaf flour. Fortification with cowpeas flour did not significantly (P>0.05) change the Ca content however they were significant (P<0.05) increases cassava leaf flour. Cyanide content increased significantly for Treatment LF20 and LF30 but remained unchanged for Treatment CW20 and CW30. Both cowpeas and cassava leaves had significantly (P<0.05) lower carbohydrate content than cassava tuber flour. Both cowpeas and cassava leaves are excellent for fortification but cassava leaves have to be used with additional pre-treatments to reduce the cyanide content in them. Organoleptic qualities analysed indicate high acceptability of fortification of cassava tuber flour with cowpeas flour

Postharvest losses to agricultural product traders in Mutare, Zimbabwe

The study examined the nature and causes of postharvest losses incurred by formal and informal traders in Mutare urban. A survey was conducted where questionnaires were administered to various respondents in the formal and informal sector of fruits and vegetables. The research study assessed the profitability of trading in fruits and vegetables to formal and informal traders. It also assessed traders’ perception of the losses of fruits and vegetables and further determined the possible ways of reducing these postharvest losses so as to enhance profitability in the sector. The study from a sample of 34 respondents revealed that both formal and informal traders experience losses during storage and transportation of goods. Losses incurred during storage were due to the unavailability of proper storage facilities specifically to informal traders. Furthermore, postharvest losses were also resulting from excessive exposure of crops to sunlight, poor packaging, poor carrying containers, attacks by insect pests as well as microbial or disease attacks. Postharvest losses affect profitability and growth of the fruits and vegetables sectors. There is need for farmers to improve on the quality of their produce and harvesting practices as emphasized by traders as they suffered losses as a result of poor quality goods supplied. Further postharvest practices should be improved by traders with special emphasis on adequate storage, handling and proper transportation of goods

Different nursery growing systems and growth media improved germination and seedling growth of fever tea (Lippia javanica)

An experiment was set up in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to examine the influence of nursery growing methods and growth medium on fever, tea germination, and seedling development. Two nursery growth methods (Conventional-CON and Float tray system FTs) and six different growing medium (pine bark, peat moss, coco peat, vermiculite, sand, and cattle manure) were used. ANOVA was used to compare treatment means, and means were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) at a 5 % significance level. The nursery growing method and growth material exhibited a strong interaction regarding the germination index, germination percentage, seedling height, leaf area, root length, density, and final crop stand. The float tray approach yielded the greatest germination index for peat moss and the lowest for cattle manure. In the float tray method, peat moss and coco peat had the highest germination percentages, whereas cattle manure had the lowest. Under the float tray technique, the tallest seedlings emerged in peat moss and the smallest in coco peat. Peat moss had the most leaf area in the float tray system, whereas coco peat had the least in the conventional technique. Peat moss in the float tray system had the highest root length density while coco peat in the conventional technique had the lowest. Peat moss in the float tray system had the highest final crop stand, whereas seedlings in the conventional and float tray systems had nothing. based on the findings, it is recommended that fever tea seedlings be grown on peat moss using the float tray metho

Hydropriming improves seed germination in horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey. Ex Naudin) landraces

The global popularity of horned melon highlights the need of sound crop establishment processes, since uniform and quick seed germination has a substantial influence on crop yield and quality. Using a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with a factorial structure, the effects of hydro priming durations (0, 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 h) on seeds of two horned melon landrace (L1&L2) were investigated. Hydro priming had significant (P>0.05) influence on several germination indices (germination percentage, relativized percentage, mean germination rate, germination index, synchronization, duration to 50 % germination, mean daily germination, peak value, and germination value). Among the germination indicators tested, landrace (L2) exhibited a considerably stronger germination response than L1. The findings also reveal a curvilinear relationship between priming length and germination percentage, with 24 hours being greatest proportionately. The mean germination rate, germination index, mean daily germination, peak value of germination, and germination value all rose as the hydro priming duration increased. Primed seeds germinated more quickly than unprimed ones. With increasing priming duration, the synchronization index fell linearly. The interaction between landraces and hydro priming was not significant (P>0.05) for final seed germinated, relativized germination, and synchronization indices, but it had a significant impact on all other indices. Because the efficacy of hydro priming tends to lessen with extended soaking, we recommend using it for a maximum of 32 hours. Future study should concentrate on alternative priming chemicals and the applicability of various priming solutions for various agroecosystem

Priming seeds with potassium nitrate is associated with modulation of seed germination and seedling growth ecology of cucumis metuliferus

The horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) is mostly grown in tropical and subtropical countries, where it thrives on deep to shallow, well-drained soils. Seed dormancy, which causes poor and delayed germination, has remained a problem for farmers in several African countries, including Zimbabwe, who have begun producing horned melon. Midlands State University conducted a laboratory experiment to evaluate the effects of potassium nitrate on seed germination and early seedling growth of horned melon. The experiment was set up in a Completely Random Design (CRD) with seven different potassium nitrate (KNO3) concentrations (0 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 %, 2.0 %, 2.5 %, and 3.0 %), each duplicated three times. The data was analyzed using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in Genstat 18th edition. The characteristics of germination and early seedling development were assessed. All germination and early seedling development characteristics were significantly affected by potassium nitrate. Germination %, mean germination rate, germination index, mean daily germination percent, synchronization of germination, peak value for germination, and germination value all had a significant influence. Potassium nitrate had a significant influence on mean germination time and time to 50 % germination, with the lowest values obtained on seeds primed with 3 % KNO3. There was a significant difference in seedling height, root length, seedling length, fresh biomass, and dry weight between seeds primed with 2.5 % KNO3 and seeds not primed with 2.5 % KNO3. Farmers are advised to use 2.5 % KNO3 concentration for seed priming for optimal germination and early plant development of horned melo

Evaluating the Suitability of Baobab Fruit Shells as Substrate for Growing Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

The baobab fruit shells were evaluated for their suitability as a substrate for growing oyster mushrooms and compared to three base substrates (wheat straw, maize cobs, and sawdust) of 1 kg dry weight. The duration of developmental stages, mycelium vigor, yield, and biological efficiency of the oyster mushroom from the four different substrates were recorded. Yields from the first 3 harvests (flushes) were considered, as they were the most productive ones. Wheat straw demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) higher mycelial colonization rate taking an average of 23 days to complete full spawn run followed by baobab fruit shells, sawdust, and maize cobs which took averages of 25.8, 27.2, and 29.5 days, respectively. Baobab fruit shells had the longest number of days taken between full spawn run and first pinhead formation with an average of 14.4 days which was significantly different (p<0.05) to the wheat straw, sawdust, and maize cobs which had 7.4, 9.4, and 10.5 days. The highest yield was observed on the sawdust which had an average of 682 g followed by wheat straw with 594 g. Maize cobs and baobab fruit shells had the least yield of 518 g and 482 g, respectively. The results showed that baobab fruit shells could be used as a substrate for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms and it can be recommended for commercial cultivation of oyster mushrooms

The Effects of Different Substrate Combinations on Growth and Yield of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

This research was aimed at evaluating the effect of mixing substrates on the growth and yield of Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). Seven substrates, namely, Trt1 (cotton waste), Trt2 (wheat straw), Trt3 (crushed baobab fruit shells, 100%), Trt4 (cotton husk + wheat straw + crushed baobab fruit shells, 1 : 1 : 1), Trt5 (baobab fruit shells + cotton husks, 1 : 1), Trt6 (baobab fruit shells + wheat straw, 1 : 1), and Trt7 (cotton waste + wheat straw, 1 : 1) were used. Each treatment was replicated 5 times and laid out in a CRD. The duration of developmental stages, yield, and biological efficiency was recorded. Cotton waste demonstrated a significantly (p0.05) different from that of Trt4 (1.289 kg). From the research, it was observed that mixing substrate can help to increase yield and, as a result, a higher benefit-cost ratio. Therefore, further studies should be done to evaluate the effects of mixing other substrates besides the ones used in this current research

Effect of Spent Button Mushroom Substrate on Yield and Quality of Baby Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

Disposal of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) generated after mushroom cultivation is a subject of great concern. Unplanned disposal causes land, water, and air pollution together with the nuisance in the surroundings. During recent years, environmental legislation has forced mushroom growers to think about more amicable ways of SMS disposal. Hence, farmers in different corners of the country are using SMS as manure for various field crops and horticulture but without any support of the recommended rates from scientific data and therefore may not be getting the optimum benefits. This study sought to evaluate the effects of spent mushroom substrate on the yield and quality of baby spinach. The experiment was conducted in Mazowe, Zimbabwe, with 5 treatments (10 t ha−1, 20 t ha−1, 30 t ha−1 of SMS, and two controls) arranged in a CRBD and replicated 3 times. Biomass production (fresh mass, dry mass, root length, fresh root mass, and dry root mass) and sensory evaluation were determined 35 days after planting. Results showed that increasing rates of spent mushroom substrate significantly (p < 0.05) increased the fresh yield and quality of baby spinach. Application of spent mushroom substrate beyond 30 t ha−1, however, increased the bitterness of baby spinach. The results of the study present the potential of the spent mushroom substrate as an organic fertilizer for the production of quality baby spinach