Absence of effects of herbicides use on yam rots : a case study in Wulensi, Ghana

Yam farmers in Ghana have, over the years, used herbicides for weed control, particularly glyphosate. Although this has been helpful to them, there are complaints and concerns, among the yam farmers and a section of the public, that the yam tuber rots easily under the use of herbicides. This study, therefore, was set up at the field level to investigate the possibility of herbicides use causing yam rot. Two yam varieties, laribako and olodo, were grown under the conditions of chemical weed control (use of glyphosate) and manual weed control in three replicate sites in Wulensi in the Nanumba traditional area of northern Ghana. The study revealed that there was no difference in rots between herbicide treated yams and manually weeded yams, but that there was a difference in rots between laribako and olodo yam varieties. The results also showed that there was no difference in yield between herbicide treated yams and manually weeded yams. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that, there was no difference in yam rot and yield between herbicides treated and manually weeded yams, but laribako was more susceptible to rot than olodo

The Problems of Bulk-Selling Yams in Harvest and Poverty of Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study examined the problem of instant sale of yams in bulk during harvest and poverty of yam farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The main objective of this study was to examine the purpose of clearance sale of yams in harvest in Ekiti State. The study is a descriptive survey. The study population are all yam farmers in 16 (sixteen) Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. The study sample are the farmers and yam marketers in three local Government Area one each from Senatorial district. The reveals instrument are two types of quantities. The sample size of 300 yam farmers and yam business men and women. Simple percentages and frequency tables were used in analyzing the data. Results from this study show that poor storage facilities, poor marketing strategy, problem of income and culture of the people account for the bulk-selling of yams in the study area. The study recommends that there is need for the provision of modern yams storage facilities, provision of credit facilities to farmers, the organization of agricultural education and yams operation enlightenment programmes for farmers annually by the appropriate and relevant agencies in the study area.Keywords: Bulk-selling, Farmers, Poverty, Problems and Yams

Lightweight electrically-powered flexible thermal laminate

Cross-layered woven or unwoven yarns are used to provide an active thermal control mechanism for spacecraft use. One set of yarns is composed of flexible electrically conductive metal fibers which are capable of being resistance heated by the application of voltage. Another set of yarns, nonconductive and flexible, provides mechanical strength and precludes the passage of electrical current between the metal yarns by virtue of the spacing between them. A lightweight, electrically nonconductive film is bonded to the cross-layered yarns to protect the metal yarns from the elements (minimize electrical shorts from moisture such as rain), to provide additional strength to the fabric, and to prevent conductive loss of heat in nonvacuum applications. The nonconductive film is metalized on its obverse side to provide a more uniform heat load distribution

Integral fill yarn insertion and beatup method using inflatable membrane

An apparatus and method for integral fill yarn insertion and beatup are disclosed. A modified rapier contains a channel for holding fill yarn. The channel is covered with a flexible and inflatable boot, and an inflating apparatus for this boot is also attached. Fill yarn is inserted into the channel, and the rapier is extended into a shed formed by warp yarn. Next, the rapier is pushed into the fell of the fabric, and the flexible and inflatable cover inflated, which both pushes the yarn into the fell of the fabric and performs beatup. The rapier is withdrawn and the shed closed to complete one step of the weaving process