Water and nitrogen footprint assessment of integrated agronomic practice management in a summer maize cropping system

The footprints of water and nitrogen(WF and NF)provide a comprehensive overview of the type and quantity of water consumption and reactive nitrogen(Nr)loss in crop production.In this study,a field experiment over two years(2019 and 2020)compared three integrated agronomic practice management(IAPM)systems:An improved management system(T2),a high-yield production system(T3),and an integrated soil-crop management system(ISCM)using a local smallholder farmer’s practice system(T1)as control,to investigate the responses of WF,Nr losses,water use efficiency(WUE),and nitrogen use efficiency(NUE)to IAPM.The results showed that IAPM optimized water distribution and promoted water use by summer maize.The evapotranspiration over the whole maize growth period of IAPM increased,but yield increased more,leading to a significant increase in WUE.The WUE of the T2,T3,and ISCM treatments was significantly greater than in the T1 treatment,in 2019 and 2020respectively,by 19.8-21.5,31.8-40.6,and 34.4-44.6%.The lowest WF was found in the ISCM treatment,which was 31.0%lower than that of the T1 treatment.In addition,the ISCM treatment optimized soil total nitrogen(TN)distribution and significantly increased TN in the cultivated layer.Excessive nitrogen fertilizer was applied in treatment T3,producing the highest maize yield,and resulting in the highest Nr losses.In contrast,the ISCM treatment used a reduced nitrogen fertilizer rate,sacrificing grain yield partly,which reduced Nr losses and eventually led to a significant increase in nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen recovery.The Nr level in the ISCM treatment was34.8%lower than in the T1 treatment while NUE was significantly higher than in the T1 treatment by 56.8-63.1%in2019 and 2020,respectively.Considering yield,WUE,NUE,WF,and NF together,ISCM should be used as a more sustainable and clean system for sustainable production of summer maize.

Practicality of power load management system in Chongqing City verified

Began from early 1992, Chongqing Power Supply Bureau had spent 3 and half years to build up a power load management system consisting of I master station, 6 relay stations, 1280 terminals and the distributed monitoring device. This system distributes in the hilly and mountainous areas where geographically complicated and the load widely scatters, it can supervise about 72% load and curtail more than 15% load

Analysis of Practical Teaching Methods for Logistics Management Major in Higher Vocational Colleges-Taking the Procurement Management Practice Course as an Example

As a teacher majoring in Logistics Management in higher vocational colleges with deep understanding of the course for many years and taking the Procurement Management Practice course as an example,this study selects the after-school cases in the"'Purchase Price and Cost ControF5 chapter in the second edition textbook of Procurement Management Practice of Machinery Industry Press as the research subject of this case analysis.In addition,combined with the chapter content of this textbook,this paper expounds the teaching methods of practical training projects.In hope to provide some ideas for practical teaching,through research and analysis,there is a clearer understanding of the practical teaching of the core curriculum of Logistics Management major.

Management Practices:Shaping Employee Satisfaction and Commitment in Large German Companies

The rapid evolution of the political,economic,and social landscape has generated increased interest in understanding the contextual application of management styles and behaviours toward employees.In this context,organizations must comprehend and assess employee satisfaction to enhance productivity and realize their strategic and economic goals.Therefore,this study aims to investigate the prevailing and significant management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment.To achieve the research objective,the study will employ a qualitative method to explore management behaviours toward employees.Data were collected through interviews with randomly selected managers from different companies and departments.The study aims to uncover discrepancies or variations in employee expectations regarding management behaviour.The findings will provide a better understanding of the most prevalent and significant management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment.The results will be valuable to management in adopting suitable leadership styles and improving employee satisfaction,leading to increased productivity and organizational performance.The research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field of management and human resource management by providing insights into the impact of management behaviours on employees.It will also offer recommendations to management on how to enhance employee satisfaction and job commitment,leading to improved organizational performance.In conclusion,this study will investigate the prevailing management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment.

Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management in the Farmgate Area of Dhaka North City Corporation

This investigation is focused on conducting a thorough analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM). MSWM encompasses a range of interdisciplinary measures that govern the various stages involved in managing unwanted or non-utilizable solid materials, commonly known as rubbish, trash, junk, refuse, and garbage. These stages include generation, storage, collection, recycling, transportation, handling, disposal, and monitoring. The waste materials mentioned in this context exhibit a wide range of items, such as organic waste from food and vegetables, paper, plastic, polyethylene, iron, tin cans, deceased animals, byproducts from demolition activities, manure, and various other discarded materials. This study aims to provide insights into the possibilities of enhancing solid waste management in the Farmgate area of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). To accomplish this objective, the research examines the conventional waste management methods employed in this area. It conducts extensive field surveys, collecting valuable data through interviews with local residents and key individuals involved in waste management, such as waste collectors, dealers, intermediate dealers, recyclers, and shopkeepers. The results indicate that significant amounts of distinct waste categories are produced daily. These include food and vegetable waste, which amount to 52.1 tons/day;polythene and plastic, which total 4.5 tons/day;metal and tin-can waste, which amounts to 1.4 tons/day;and paper waste, which totals 5.9 tons/day. This study highlights the significance of promoting environmental consciousness to effectively shape the attitudes of urban residents toward waste disposal and management. It emphasizes the need for collaboration between authorities and researchers to improve the current waste management system.

Effects of Vegetation Coverage and Management Practice on Soil Nitrogen Loss by Erosion in a Hilly Region of the Loess Plateau in China

Soil erosion and nutrient loss due to erosion are world-wide problems. Similar to soil loss by erosion, soil nitrogen (N) loss by erosion in small catchments is affected by vegetation coverage. The practice of comprehensive management for catchments mainly by adjusting cropland, grassland and woodland areas was widely adopted to reduce soil and water loss in catchments of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Three experiments under natural and artificial rainfall conditions on N loss by erosion for a model catchment and for an actual catchment in Zhifanggou of Ansai County in China was performed to determine the relationships between comprehensive management and N loss by runoff in small catchments. The results for vegetation coverage of 60%, 40%, 20% and 0 show that runoff loss of ammonium, nitrate, and total N were 87.08, 44.31, 25.16, 13.71 kg/km(2); 85.50, 74.06, 63.95, 56.23 kg/km(2); and 0.18, 1.18, 1.98, 7.51 t/ km(2), respectively. Due to reduction in the size of cropped area on steeply sloping land, soil N loss by erosion in the catchments was decreased by 15.8% as compared with that in 1992, i.e., from 8 758.5 kg in 1992 to 7 562.2 kg in 1998. Whereas, catchments act as a filter for ammonium and nitrate in rain, the catchment filtering effects on nitrate is remarkably higher than that on ammonium. The enrichment of < 20 mum aggregate in sediment results in the enrichment of organic matter and total N in flood sediment. Greater vegetation coverage can effectively decrease soil erosion and total N loss. However, soil mineral N loss increased as vegetation coverage increased.

Reductions in non-point source pollution through different management practices for an agricultural watershed in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

Non-point source water pollution generated by agricultural production is considered a major environmental issue in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area （TGRA） of China. The Annualised Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution （AnnAGNPS） model was selected to assess the impact of the application of various management treats, including seven crops, five fertilizer levels and three-group management practice scenarios, on water quality from Heigou River Watershed in TGRA. The scenario subsets include conservation tillage practice （CTP）, conservation reserve program （CRP） and conversion of cropland into forestland program （CCFP）. Results indicated that tea can not be replaced by other crops because comparatively tea resulted in a higher sediment yield. CTP with no-tillage was more effective to reduce sediment yield, but could increased nutrient loss. CRP reduced sediment yield significantly, but slightly benefited on nutrient loss. CCFP reduced not only sediment yield but also the nutrient loss significantly. The conversion of cropland with a slope greater than 10° into forestland was found to be the best scenario as the sediment yield export is less than 5 tons/ha and nutrient loss is within the permissible limit.

Effects of cotton field management practices on soil CO2 emission and C balance in an arid region of Northwest China

Changes in both soil organic C storage and soil respiration in farmland ecosystems may affect atmospheric CO2 concentration and global C cycle. The objective of this field experiment was to study the effects of three crop field management practices on soil CO2 emission and C balance in a cotton field in an arid region of Northwest China. The three management practices were irrigation methods（drip and flood）, stubble managements（stubble-incorporated and stubble-removed） and fertilizer amendments（no fertilizer（CK）, chicken manure（OM）, inorganic N, P and K fertilizer（NPK）, and inorganic fertilizer plus chicken manure（NPK＋OM））. The results showed that within the C pool range, soil CO2 emission during the whole growing season was higher in the drip irrigation treatment than in the corresponding flood irrigation treatment, while soil organic C concentration was larger in the flood irrigation treatment than in the corresponding drip irrigation treatment. Furthermore, soil CO2 emission and organic C concentration were all higher in the stubble-incorporated treatment than in the corresponding stubble-removed treatment, and larger in the NPK＋OM treatment than in the other three fertilizer amendments within the C pool range. The combination of flood irrigation, stubble incorporation and application of either NPK＋OM or OM increased soil organic C concentration in the 0-60 cm soil depth. Calculation of net ecosystem productivity（NEP） under different management practices indicated that the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation and NPK＋OM increased the size of the C pool most, followed by the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation and NPK. In conclusion, management practices have significant impacts on soil CO2 emission, organic C concentration and C balance in cotton fields. Consequently, appropriate management practices, such as the combination of drip irrigation, stubble incorporation, and either NPK＋OM or NPK could increase soil C storage in cotton fields of Northwest China.

Management scheme influence and nitrogen addition effects on soil CO_(2),CH_(4),and N_(2)O fluxes in a Moso bamboo plantation

Background:It is still not clear whether the effects of N deposition on soil greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions are influenced by plantation management schemes.A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of conventional management(CM)versus intensive management(IM),in combination with simulated N deposition levels of control(ambient N deposition),30 kg N·ha^(−1)·year^(−1)(N30,ambient+30 kg N·ha^(−1)·year^(−1)),60 kg N·ha^(−1)·year^(−1)(N60,ambient+60 kg N·ha^(−1)·year^(−1)),or 90 kg N·ha^(−1)·year^(−1)(N90,ambient+90 kg N·ha^(−1)·year^(−1))on soil CO_(2),CH_(4),and N_(2)O fluxes.For this,24 plots were set up in a Moso bamboo(Phyllostachys edulis)plantation from January 2013 to December 2015.Gas samples were collected monthly from January 2015 to December 2015.Results:Compared with CM,IM significantly increased soil CO_(2) emissions and their temperature sensitivity(Q_(10))but had no significant effects on soil CH_(4) uptake or N_(2)O emissions.In the CM plots,N30 and N60 significantly increased soil CO_(2) emissions,while N60 and N90 significantly increased soil N_(2)O emissions.In the IM plots,N30 and N60 significantly increased soil CO_(2) and N_(2)O emissions,while N60 and N90 significantly decreased soil CH_(4) uptake.Overall,in both CM and IM plots,N30 and N60 significantly increased global warming potentials,whereas N90 did not significantly affect global warming potential.However,N addition significantly decreased the Q_(10) value of soil CO_(2) emissions under IM but not under CM.Soil microbial biomass carbon was significantly and positively correlated with soil CO_(2) and N_(2)O emissions but significantly and negatively correlated with soil CH_(4) uptake.Conclusion:Our results indicate that management scheme effects should be considered when assessing the effect of atmospheric N deposition on GHG emissions in bamboo plantations.

Effects of Land Management Practices on Soil Water in Southwestern Mountainous Area, China

The effects of selected land management practices （cross-sloping tillage, ridge culture, organic manure, and straw mulch） on soil water conservation in a southwestern mountainous area, China, were studied during November 2002 to November 2004. The experimental field is divided into three parts based on soil layer depths, 0-60 cm （part Ⅰ）, 0-40 cm （part Ⅱ）, and 0- 20 cm （part Ⅲ）, and they all had the same slope azimuth （SE）, slope （10°）, and slope type （linear）. The experimental plots were subjected to the following treatments： cross-sloping tillage （CST）; cross-sloping tillage with organic manure （CST/ OM）; cross-sloping tillage with straw mulch （CST/SM）; contour ridge culture （CRC）; contour ridge culture with organic manure （CRC/OM）; and contour ridge culture with straw mulch （CRC/SM）, to identify the effects of management practices on soil water. Water contents were determined for soil samples collected, using a 2.2 cm diameter manual probe. Soil water was monitored once every five days from Nov. 20, 2002 to Nov. 20, 2004. The results indicated that, in the study stages, an integration of rainfall, evaporative losses, and crop transcription controlled the basic tendencies of profile （mean） soil water, while land management practices, to a certain extent, only modified its amount, distribution, and routing. Moreover, these modifications also mainly focused on the first 20 cm depth of topsoil layer. When each management practice was compared with control treatment, season changes of profile （mean） soil water were pronounced, while interannual changes among them were not significant. More comparisons indicated that, in the study stages, contour ridge culture had better effects than cross-sloping tillage. And under the same tillage, the combination of organic manure could achieve more than straw mulch. These management practices should be recommended considering the effectiveness of soil and water management techniques in the southwestern mountainous area, China.

Sedimentation retention basin utilization for best management practice

Approaches to the artificial impoundment and theoretical design of sedimentation retention basin are reviewed with particular attention to best management practice(BMP) to control agriculture and surface runoff. Sediments retention basins are the small version of farm pond used where a criteria of farm pond is not met. Such basin traps the pollutants and suspended solids prior to entry into streams and lakes. The study is focused with special reference to the assessment and control of non point source pollution(NPSP) from the sub basin area of Tai Lake in the Xishan County of Wuxi City of China. The author suggested two different approaches to conduct this study including theoretical design for sedimentation retention basin and computation of flow, sediment transport and deposition during the artificial impoundment of retention basin for BMP's utilization. Theoretical design will provide a useful function as a first line defense against the movement of sediments and transport of pollutants into the Tai Lake while the assessment of sediments deposition will help to make its proper use and periodic cleanup.

Integrated agronomic practices management improved grain formation and regulated endogenous hormone balance in summer maize (Zea mays L.)

Compared with single agronomic practices management during grain formation, knowledge about integrated agronomic practices management on grain-filling characteristics and physiological function of endogenous hormones was limited. In order to clarify this issue, two field experiments, integrated agronomic practices management(IAPM), T1(local conventional cultivation practices), T2(an optimized combination of cropping systems and fertilizer treatment), T3(treatment based on high-yield studies), and T4(further optimized combination of cropping systems and fertilizer treatment), and nitrogen rate testing(NAT)(four nitrogen rates, 0, 129.0, 184.5, and 300.0 kg N ha–1) were performed with summer maize hybrid Zhengdan 958(ZD958). Results showed that with increased nitrogen rate, the endogenous hormone balance was promoted and the grain-filling characteristics were improved sufficiently to resulting in a significant increase in grain yield. However, the grain-filling characteristics deteriorated and yield was reduced with excessive nitrogen fertilization. However, IAPM could promote hormone balance and improve grain filling characteristic. The indole-3-acetic acid(IAA), zeatin riboside(ZR), and gibberellin(GA3) contents under T2 and T4 treatments were higher and the abscisic acid(ABA) content was lower, and the ZR and GA3 contents under T3 were higher than those under T1. Those resulted in the maximum grain-filling rate(Wmax) and the active grain-filling period(P) under T2, T3 and T4 were significantly increased than those under T1, and hence promoted kernel weight and grain yield. So IAPM promoted hormone balance by improving tillage model, optimizing fertilizer rate and fertilization period, appropriately increasing planting density and delaying harvest, which promoted grain filling rate and lengthened active grain-filling period, finally increased grain yield.

Management Practices and Production Constraints of Indigenous Somali Cattle Breed in Shabelle Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Shabelle zone of Somali Regional State to assess management practices and production constraints of indigenous Somali Cattle. A total of 200 household heads were selected from four cattle potential districts;Dhanan, Ber’ano, Godey & Adadle. The relevant information was collected through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, key informants interview, and personal observations. Majority of the respondents were illiterate. The average cattle holding size was 8.97 heads/household and cattle were mainly kept for milk production. The major feed resources in the study area were natural pasture and crop residue, and communal grazing was the most important feeding system in the area. Feed shortage was a problem hindering cattle production in the study area during dry season mainly January up to March. Animals traveled long distances to watering points (>5 km) during dry season, while in wet season, animals were watered in nearby water sources. Cattle housing was open kraal fenced with the thorned plenty acacia trees and calves were housed separately from other cattle. Breeding in the study area was uncontrolled and was bred with their own or neighbors’ bull. Age at first mating, age at first calving and calving interval were 3.25 years, 4.05 years and 16.56 months, respectively. The daily milk yield and lactation length were 2.22 liters and 8.07 months, respectively. The production and reproduction performance of Somali cattle was relatively higher than other local breeds in the country mainly in terms of milk yield and fertility potential under the existing environmental conditions. The major constraints of cattle production were feed shortage, disease, water scarcity, lack of veterinary services, marketing problem and predator. Among those constraints, inadequate supply of quality feed, diseases and water shortage were the main reasons for low productivity of cattle and are the major factors limiting productivity. Therefore, to sustain the production system in the study areas, it is recommended to improve the current condition of communal rangelands through management of degraded areas by awareness creation on the value of these common resources and development of rules and regulation to sustain the existing resource and implement over the utilization of communal/pastoral rangeland management systems to reduce constraints such as shortage of feed, drought and grazing land deterioration which perpetuated through time due to land-use changes and seasonal fluctuation).

Preference and adoption of Farmer Field School (FFS) Prosopis juliflora management practices: Experiences in Baringo District, Kenya

This research was carried out to evaluate the preference and adoption of harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning practices for controlling the spread ofProsopisjuliflora （prosopis） within Marigat Division of the Baringo District, Kenya. A survey methodology was employed using a random sample of 25 Farmer Field School （FFS） members and 5 non=FFS members from each of the five locations of Marigat Division. In total, 100 FFS members and 25 non-FFS members participated in the study; addi- tional supplementary data were collected from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute （KEFRI）, a major facilitator and trainer of the identified FFS activities and practices in the study area since 2004. More than 80% of the local community never undertook any form of prosopis management practice; however, this changed after FFS training, indicating an acquisition and retention of knowledge which probably diffused to the non-FFS counterparts, through either formal or informal ways. Harvesting was the most preferred （100%） and stump burning the least preferred （46%） practice of managing the spread of prosopis. The success and preference of any prosopis management practice was attributed to wood and non-wood benefits derived from prosopis and growing of animal fodder and food crops on rehabilitated land. More than 80% of respondents attributed ineffectiveness of any prosopis management practice to coppicing and viable seed banks of the tree, while 50% highlighted a lack of consistency and integration in carrying out manage- ment practices. The reported negative attitude towards prosopis changed after training with none of the view to eradicate it. Labor intensity and frequent regeneration of seedlings were identified as the major challenges faced during the implementation of proso- pis management practices. In conclusion, the study shows that harvesting, uprooting, stump burning, pruning and thinning realized through consistent holistic integration contribute to containing the spread of prosopis trees in Baringo, Kenya.

Decadal Trend of Coastal Water Quality in Orange County Beaches and Management Efficacy at Improving Public Health Protection

Historical fecal indicator bacteria measurements （n = 125,000; 10 years） in Orange County coastal zone, an interface with urban watershed that is one of the most developed areas in the United States and source of highly polluted runoff discharges, have been compiled and analyzed. During the period from 2000 to 2010, fecal indicator bacteria concentrations in Orange County Beaches progressively increased （poor water quality） in the first half of the decade and progressively decreased （improved water quality） during the last half of the decade. Among all physical, chemical and environmental factors, 59%-74% of the variability in the fecal indicator bacteria concentrations in the coastal zone records can be attributed to seasonal and interannual variability in local rainfall, implying that stormwater runoff from the surrounding urban watershed is a primary source of fecal pollution in Orange County Beaches. These results suggest that efforts to improve water quality in Orange County Beaches and protect beach-goers from pollution will likely have greater efficacy during wet weather periods than the rest of the year. In addition, this study identified the effect of alongshore surf zone current on fecal pollution caused by coastal waves. The data and analysis presented in this paper provide a framework for evaluating the longer period water quality trend in the coastal area, and elucidate Best-Management-Practices that can improve public health protection by managing coastal water quality compliance with standards.

Management Practices, Utilization and Challenges of Donkey in Godey Town, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Godey town of Shebelle zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to assess management practices, utilization, and challenges of donkey. A total of 200 households who own working donkeys were selected purposely for this study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, key informants interviews, focus group discussions with communities who own donkeys and personal observations. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents were illiterate which might be associated with poor education access in the area. The study further revealed that 92% of working donkeys were involved in drought work, whereas 18% were used for pack work. The common feed resources for donkeys were feeds obtained from natural pasture, green maize leaves, hay, household wastes and grain supplements. Pipe water, river water, and pond water were the main water sources for working donkeys in the study area. About 91% of households kept their donkeys in an open backyard, while 9% of them kept them in a separate shed built adjacent to or a short distance away from the family home. Donkeys provide cart services in the study area, transporting various items weighing more than 300 kg in order to obtain a high benefit in a short period of time and are more than six days per week. Working donkeys in the current study area had a life span of fewer than 6 years, 7 - 10 years, and more than 10 years, with 18.5%, 75.5%, and 6%, respectively. The most important constraints that affect donkey production and utilization in the study area were a lack of feed, health problems (sickness, wounds, etc.), overloading and overworking, poor road and harnessing problems, and poor attitude/lack of awareness. As a result, in order to enhance working donkey management concerns, area-based development interventions that can overcome current constraints should be employed.

Effect of Land Management on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity in Gidan Kwano, Niger State, Nigeria

Hydraulic conductivity is one of the most important parameters for flow and transport related phenomena in soil and also a criterion for measuring soil ability to transfer water. There is concern arising from the suitability, efficiency and ease of the different measuring methods use under different land management practices. The purpose of this paper is to determine and evaluate soil hydraulic conductivity under different land management practices which include forest land (teak and Melina plantation), grassland and maize cultivated land using the constant head method. The measurement is at different depth of 0 - 15 cm, 15 - 25 cm, 25 - 50 cm, 50 - 75 cm. The limited means of each land use were used to compare the result obtained through statistical means. All tests were carried out using SPSS at a significance level of 0.05. An ANOVA test was conducted to check if each of the land use is significantly different. The soil in forest zone (Teak plantation and Gmalina plantation) had a significantly high bulk density as 1.7533 cm-3 and 1.6967 cm-3 respectively at depth 50 - 75 cm compared to the low bulk density in the grass, maize cultivated land as 1.5000 cm-3 and 1.4833 cm-3 respectively at depth 50 - 75 cm. However, soil hydraulic conductivity was significantly high in the grass site or soil at the surface with 2.8833 cm·h-1. Results obtained from the different land use serve as Knowledge of variability of soil that can assist in defining the best strategies for sustainable soil management through the provision of vital information for estimating soil susceptibility to erosion, hydrological modelling and efficient planning of irrigation projects.

Study on Management Practices and Constraints of Black Head Somali Sheep Reared in Awbarre District of Fafen Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess management practices and constraints of Black head Somali sheep in Awbarre district of Fafen zone, Somali regional state, Ethiopia. A total of 120 households were purposively selected for this study using purposive sampling technique. The data were collected through the questionnaire, key informants interview, focus group discussions & field observations. The primary purpose of keeping sheep was for income generation followed by saving, meat production, milk, social and cultural functions. The main feeds for sheep during wet season were communal & private natural pastures. In dry season, communal natural pasture, crop residues & private natural pasture were used. The major source of water during wet season was dam/pond, whereas in the dry season spring & pipe water were used. The majority of the respondents (85.8%) used houses enclosed with thorn woody trees and houses enclosed with stone/brick fence were also reported. Majority of the respondents used controlled mating system and sheep are bred to lamb when forage is plentiful because they are less drought tolerant than goats and to avoid unwanted lambing in dry season. Majority (90%) of respondents own their breeding ram and those who have no breeding males used their neighbors’ rams and borrow from others. The breeding rams were born in the flock implying that animals within the flock are very closely related which leads to inbreeding. The most important health problems affecting sheep were circling disease, sheep pox, tick lameness (tick paralysis), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), bloating, and Foot & mouth disease (FMD). The major constraints hindering sheep production in the study area were shortage of veterinary service, feed shortage, scarcity of water, predators, diseases, and marketing. Therefore, to improve and increase the productivity of sheep production in the study area, better management practices and establishing of veterinary service centers are necessary.

Effects of Management Practices on Agronomic Parameters in Cocoa Agroecosystems at Peripheral Zone of Ebo Forest Reserve, Littoral Region, Cameroon

The study was carried out to assess the effect of management practices on agronomic parameters of cocoa agroecosystems in the peripheral zone of Ebo Forest Reserve. Purposive random sampling was conducted to establish experimental plots on the farms of willing farmers. Demonstration plots were established and agronomic parameters were monitored for “farmers’ practice (FP) and integrated crop pest and disease management (ICPM) practice” using indicators of Cocoa agro-ecosystem analysis (AESA). The FP and ICPM treatments were replicated in ten sites. From AESA records of agronomic parameters, the “observe, learn, decide and act” (OLDA) model was implemented in the ICPM treatments only. The effects of management practices were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means compared using Turkey’s T-test at 5% probability. Results of ANOVA between the two Management practices showed that over 50% of the response variables were statistically significant. Means separated through GLM ANOVA with Tukey pairwise comparisons at α = 0.05 showed that 14 (53.8%) out of 26 response variables monitored were statistically significant between the two management practices. Pruning, shade management, phytosanitary harvest, rational use of pesticides, farm sanitation, pod harvesting, breaking, fermentation of beans and drying were regular in the ICPM treatment and time-bound in the FP treatment. The average total production varied from 385.83 kg/ha in FP treatment to 572.8 kg/ha in the ICPM treatment, still below the average standard of 1000 kg/ha. The OLDA model applied in ICPM treatment following AESA is a relevant tool to enhance sustainability in the management of cocoa agroecosystems. Farmers should be sensitized and trained on appropriate farm management techniques and enhance access to extension services as well as make available improved and grafted planting materials to ensure appropriate productivity levels.

Managing Complexity and Speed of Processes in the Organizations—A Philosophical and Practical Approach

The business challenges of today are managing complexity and the speed of changes with processes and systems since there are continuously new requirements from market, consumers, suppliers, employees, government etc. For example, when product and service innovations are launched on the market, the relevant processes, policies, people, systems, and technologies should have been prepared and set up in advance. Depending on the business sector, the implementation of new processes and systems as well as their continuous improvement can be easy to very complex and of course very costly. Responding to those challenges, there are several methodologies and approaches like Continuous Improvement Process, Lean Management and Kaizen etc. On the other hand, the application of these methodologies to other industries like service and technology companies is not always successful since their conditions and requirements are different than those of manufacturing organizations. Because of these reasons, the management needs to find out （new） ways of working and to implement new solutions in order to master those challenges and problems. This is not always easy and successful. There are different types of solution options that can be applied situational in every organization. Philosophy can help essentially by asking and answering critical questions in order to provide with solution options to reduce the complexity and to increase the speed of processes. There are several proven and new governance concepts, frameworks, and tools which follow their philosophies. This paper demonstrates how those challenges can be responded and managed as well as how a philosophical approach can help primarily to provide with appropriate solutions.