Cotton Research and Development at Institute for Agricultural Research,Samaru,Nigeria

The Institute for Agricultural Research,Samaru,has the national mandate for genetic improvement and development of production technologies for cotton,maize,sorghum,cowpea,groundnut,

Recent Development in Maize Research at Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria

Maize research at Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria resulted in sustained growth in yields in the last two decades. Maize is grown throughout the country with guinea savanna as the most important maize growing zone. In the last five years, four new open pollinating varieties developed in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture （IITA, Ibadan） had been released for production. Hybrid varieties are also marketed by seed companies. The research was focused on variety improvement, improved management practices, integrated pests and disease control, soil fertility management, on-farm testing of improved production packages and socio-economics of production as well as adoption studies. The recently released quality protein maize has improved the nutritional status of vulnerable groups. Drought tolerant maize for Africa research project has contributed to sustainable maize production, poverty reduction and food security in the continent.

Evolving patterns of agricultural production space in China:A network-based approach

The agricultural production space,as where and how much each agricultural product grows,plays a vital role in meeting the increasing and diverse food demands.Previous studies on agricultural production patterns have predominantly centered on individual or specific crop types,using methods such as remote sensing or statistical metrological analysis.In this study,we characterize the agricultural production space(APS)by bipartite network connecting agricultural products and provinces,to reveal the relatedness between diverse agricultural products and the spatiotemporal characteristic of provincial production capabilities in China.The results show that core products are cereal,pork,melon,and pome fruit;meanwhile the milk,grape,and fiber crop show an upward trend in centrality,which is in line with diet structure changes in China over the past decades.The little changes in community components and structures of agricultural products and provinces reveal that agricultural production patterns in China are relatively stable.Additionally,identified provincial communities closely resemble China's agricultural natural zones.Furthermore,the observed growth in production capabilities in North and Northeast China implies their potential focus areas for future agricultural production.Despite the superior production capa-bilities of southern provinces,recent years have witnessed a notable decline,warranting special attentions.The findings provide a comprehensive perspective for understanding the complex relationship of agricultural prod-ucts'relatedness,production capabilities and production patterns,which serve as a reference for the agricultural spatial optimization and agricultural sustainable development.

Floristic Diversity in Forest Management Units: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation in FMU 09-025

The assessment of floristic composition and diversity is very important in forest management units. This study sets out to determine the species diversity and implications for biodiversity conservation in FMU 09-025 of the Campo Ma’an National park, South Region of Cameroon. Due to human activities in the area, the study site was divided into two Blocks (A and B). The transect method was employed in data collection. A total 14 long transects were established parallel to each other in blocks at a distance of 3 km apart, 8 transects in Block A and 6 Transects in Block. In each transect, plots of 20 × 500 m were established at intervals of 500 m. Within each plot, all individual trees ≥ 10 cm were identified, measured, and recorded. The DBH of all trees were measured at 1.3 using the DBH meter tape. The height of trees was measured through estimation (average estimates of all field researchers). Results revealed a total of eight thousand one hundred and twenty four (8124) individual plants with DBH ≥ 10 cm in the entire study area. From this number, 5113 tree stems ≥ 10 cm were identified and measured in Block A. This belongs to 216 species in 47 families. In block B a total of and 5011 stems were identified and measured. This belongs to 239 species in 47 families. Fabaceae, Annonaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae were found to be the most dominant plant families in the study site. Erythrophleum ivorense, Lophira alata, Dialium bipindense, Musanga cecropioides, Alstonia boonei, Pterocarpus soyauxii, Guibourtia ehie, Staudtia kamerunensis, Desbordesia glaucescens, Sacoglottis gabonensis were found to be the most dominant plant species. 41 species are of conservation concern according to the IUCN global Red List 2023 and IUCN local status. These species are considered species with high-priority for conservation. We have 6 endangered species, 11 near Threatened species, and 25 vulnerable species. There was no significant difference in species diversity in the two Blocks.

Changes in Soil Physicochemical Properties under Selected Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices in Central African Republic

Soil nutrient depletion as a result of continuous cultivation with insufficient external nutrient replenishment is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A trial using the organic and mineral fertilizer was established in the cassava cropping system of the Pissa and Damara areas to address the declining soil fertility. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of cow manure and mineral fertilizer in combination or sole application on soil physico-chemical properties and macronutrients. The experimental trial adopted a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated four times. The treatments comprised of;T1 (Control), T2 (Peasant practice), T3 (sole NPK), and T4 (Cow manure + NPK). The data on soil physicochemical analysis was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance in SAS 9.4 and the mean was separated by Tukey’s HSD test at p < 0.005. The soil pH values ranged from 4.20 to 4.91;and 4.53 to 5.28 in Pissa and Damara respectively. According to the treatments, a low pH value is observed in T3 (4.13) in the Pissa. Combined use of cow manure and the mineral fertilizer resulted in higher Mg K and N in the Pissa region and higher soil pH in Damara. The use of sole NPK (T3) gave a higher soil carbon and CN ratio. In the Pissa region the CEC, Cu, Fe, and Zn were higher in the treatments with mineral fertilizer compared to the control. Conclusively, the use of mineral fertilizer and cow manure can be used with optimum rates to improve soil physico-chemical properties on a sustainable basis.

Critical Soil Phosphorus Values for Yield Reduction in Intensive Agricultural Systems

Phosphorus(P)is an essential element for agricultural production.Over-fertilization during decades caused an accumulation of P in soils leading to eutrophication in regions characterized by intensive agriculture.These environmental concerns together with the non-renewability of P resources have led to a more sustainable P use.Knowledge about the P need of crops is essential for a sustainable agriculture thereby minimizing P losses to the environment without lowering the yield substantially.Therefore,in this study,critical soil P values for yield reduction(PCrit)were determined based on fertilizer trials conducted between 1970 and 1988 and more recent fertilizer trials(2016-2017).At rotational level a common PCrit value of 109 mg P/kg dry soil(in an ammonium lactate and acetate extract)was determined.Crop specific PCrit values were also determined for seven crops(potato,winter wheat,barley,rye,maize,sugar beet and temporary grassland).These critical values ranged from 59 mg P/kg dry soil to 164 mg P/kg dry soil with winter wheat the least and maize the most sensitive towards P deficiency.The diversity in PCrit values among crops can mainly be explained by the root intensity but also rooting depth,exudation of organic acids and phosphatases may influence the PCrit value.The soil pH also influenced the P availability significantly.Soils with a favorable pH had a significantly higher availability(i.e.,lower PCrit value)for all crops compared to soils with a suboptimal pH.Critical soil P values might help to set up new or to evaluate current soil P in target zones used for P fertilizer recommendations.

Development of the electric automatic steering system for agricultural vehicles

Automatic guidance of agricultural vehicles requires automatic execution of operation commands received from the navigation controller by using electronically controlled mechanisms for wheel steering,speed changing and work implementing.Automatic steering contributes as a prerequisite technique in automatic and semi-automatic agricultural navigation.This research aimed to develop an electric automatic steering system that was compact in its structure and integrated into original steering mechanism in a simply and convenient way for aftermarket modification.A brushless motor and reducer assembly was utilized to provide an adequate steering torque instead of manual maneuver.A rapid assembling approach was proposed by passing the steering shaft through the hollow output shaft.A digital proportional-integral-differential(PID)algorithm was implemented to calculate the rotation speeds and directions by comparing the desired angle and the actual angle,which was implemented in a printed circuit board with a microcontroller unit(MCU)and interface chips.An unmanned wheeled tractor was applied as test platform to integrate the newly developed electric automatic steering system.Tests were conducted to evaluate its performance in terms of stability and responsiveness.An autonomous navigation system guided the tractor along target paths in the field by sending steering commands to the electric automatic steering system.The results show that the steering angle error was less than 0.81°when desired steering angle was less than 10°.The lateral error difference was no more than 4.76 cm when repeating following the same target path,which indicated that the electric automatic steering system responded accurately and robustly to steering commands.

Grazing Pressure and Plant Functional Types in Puna Highlands,Northwestern Argentina

The Puna grasslands support grazing systems that produce meat and wool in multi-species herds,especially from llama(Lama glama)and sheep.However,it is yet unknown whether grazing pressure can modify grassland structure and Plant Functional Types diversity and cover in Puna grasslands.We analyzed the relationship between grazing pressure and Plant Functional Types by comparing transects located near stockyards(high grazing pressure)and far from them(low pressure)and by evaluating the relationship between the Plant Functional Types cover to a Grazing Pressure Index(GPI).This index incorporates the heterogeneity of traditional pastoral management.At two ecological sites(Ciénego and Tolar),we sampled paired transects(near-far).Plots near and far from corrals were similar in all the variables measured except for plots in Tolar,which tend to have higher total cover,possibly due to fecal fertilization near stockyards.Furthermore,we recorded an increase in total cover and grass cover at higher GPI in Ciénego,while in Tolar we found lower values of total cover and herbaceous dicotyledonous cover at intermediate intensities of GPI.The only negative relationship found was the cover of clonal and non-clonal shrubs,possibly explained by the greater use of these shrubs as firewood near stockyards.In summary,our study does not show important changes in Plant Functional Types as a function of grazing pressure in the studied grasslands probably because grazing pressure is diluted or diminished when livestock rotates in different areas and grazing durations vary.Finally,the long grazing history with which the Puna has evolved could also contribute to the co-structuration between native vegetation and livestock farming.

Advances in Utilization of Agricultural Waste Based on Production of Edible Fungi

Along with the rapid development of edible fungus industry in China,the traditional mode of production giving priority to wood chips will be severely limited,and using agricultural waste distributed widely,having large yield,and containing high content of organic matter to produce edible fungi has good economic and ecological benefit. In this paper,based on the analysis of characteristics of agricultural waste in China,the present situation of application of agricultural waste in the production of edible fungi at home and abroad was introduced,and the main problems existing in production of edible fungi by using agricultural waste in China at the present stage were pointed out. Finally,the development direction of using agricultural waste to cultivate edible fungi was discussed,and some suggestions were put forward,such as improving the theoretical system for using agricultural waste to produce edible fungi,and establishing the standardized technical system for using agricultural waste to produce edible fungi.

Forest pasturing of livestock in Norway: effects on spruce regeneration

Forest pasturing of free-roaming livestock is a common prac- tice in many parts of the world, but knowledge on how it affects tree regeneration in boreal forests is lacking. We mapped tree density, live- stock site use and accumulated damage to young trees of commercial interest （Norway spruce, Picea abies L. Karst.） on 56 clearcuts inside and outside a fenced forest area used for livestock pasturing in Ringsaker, Norway. Inside the fence 56-1.8% of spruce trees were damaged com- pared to 37-3.4% outside. Proportion of damaged spruce trees was posi- tively related to cattle use of the clearcut, but not so for sheep. On the most intensively used clearcuts, four out of five trees were damaged. The density of deciduous trees was five times lower inside compared to out- side of the fence （varying with plant species）. While livestock grazing may reduce resource competition in favour of spruce, the current animal density clearly is impeding forest regeneration in the study area.

Genetics of carotenoids for provitamin A biofortification in tropical-adapted maize

Yellow maize contains high levels of β-carotene(βC), making it an important crop for combating vitamin A deficiency through biofortification. In this study, nine maize inbred lines were selected at random from 31 provitamin A(PVA) maize inbred lines and crossed in a partial diallel mating design to develop 36 crosses. The crosses were evaluated in the field in two locations(Samaru and Kerawa) and their seed carotenoid content were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The modes of gene action, heritability, and correlations between agronomic traits and carotenoid content were estimated. Additive genetic variances(σ~2a) were lower than non-additive genetic variances(σ~2d) for all the carotenoids, plant height(PH), and grain yield(GY), suggesting a preponderance of non-additive gene action. Broad-sense heritability(H^2) was high(H^2> 60%) for zeaxanthin,days to anthesis, and PH, moderate(30% < H^2< 60%) for lutein and GY, and low(H^2< 30%)for alpha carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, βC, and PVA. Genetic advance as a percentage of mean, considered with H^2, also suggests a preponderance of non-additive gene action for PVA carotenoids. Hybrid variety development is thus an appropriate approach to improving grain yield and PVA. GY showed no significant genotypic correlations with carotenoid content, suggesting that these traits can be improved concurrently. Thus, there is ample scope for improvement of PVA and GY in the sample of tropical-adapted maize.

Allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass and carbon in Faidherbia albida and Prosopis africana under agroforestry parklands in drylands of Niger

This study developed allometric models to estimate aboveground biomass and carbon of Prosopis africana and Faidherbia albida. The destructive method was used with a sample of 20 trees per species for the two parkland sites. Linear regression with log transformation was used to model aboveground biomass according to dendrometric parameters. Error analysis, including mean absolute percentage of error(MAPE) and root mean square of error(RMSE), was used to select and validate the models for both species. Model 1(biomass according to tree diameter) for P. africana and F. albida were considered more representative. The statistical parameters of these models were R2 = 0.99, MAPE 0.98% and RMSE1.75% for P. africana, and R2 = 0.99, MAPE 1.19%,RMSE 2.37% for F. albida. The average rate of carbon sequestered was significantly different for the two species(P ≤ 0.05). The total amount sequestered per tree averaged0.17 × 10-3 Mg for P. africana and 0.25 × 10-3 Mg for F. albida. These results could be used to develop policies that would lead to the sustainable management of these resources in the dry parklands of Niger.

Yield models for predicting aboveground ectomycorrhizal fungal productivity in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster stands of northern Spain

Background: Predictive models shed light on aboveground fungal yield dynamics and can assist decision-making in forestry by integrating this valuable non-wood forest product into forest management planning. However, the currently existing models are based on rather local data and, thus, there is a lack of predictive tools to monitor mushroom yields on larger scales.Results: This work presents the first empirical models for predicting the annual yields of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms and related ecosystem services in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster stands in northern Spain, using a long-term dataset suitable to account for the combined effect of meteorological conditions and stand structure.Models were fitted for the following groups of fungi separately: all ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, edible mushrooms and marketed mushrooms. Our results show the influence of the weather variables(mainly precipitation) on mushroom yields as well as the relevance of the basal area of the forest stand that follows a right-skewed unimodal curve with maximum predicted yields at stand basal areas of 30–40 m2·ha-1.Conclusion: These models are the first empirical models for predicting the annual yields of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster stands in northern Spain, being of the highest resolution developed to date and enable predictions of mushrooms productivity by taking into account weather conditions and forests’ location, composition and structure.

Forested Farmlands:Forest Management by Agroforestry Symbiosis in A Land Management Framework in South and South East Asia

Forests provide multiple benefits as a safety net to the poor and also help to increase the overall ecological balance.Of particular importance in this respect this research has been conducted in six typical villages in South and Southeast Asia,located in Northern Bangladesh,Southern Myanmar and Northwest Thailand.Data collection methods were used by means of observation,FGD,interviews,and a structured survey of farm households.Data were analyzed through qualitative methods

Method for Fault Feature Selection for a Baler Gearbox Based on an Improved Adaptive Genetic Algorithm

The performance and efficiency of a baler deteriorate as a result of gearbox failure.One way to overcome this challenge is to select appropriate fault feature parameters for fault diagnosis and monitoring gearboxes.This paper proposes a fault feature selection method using an improved adaptive genetic algorithm for a baler gearbox.This method directly obtains the minimum fault feature parameter set that is most sensitive to fault features through attribute reduction.The main benefit of the improved adaptive genetic algorithm is its excellent performance in terms of the efficiency of attribute reduction without requiring prior information.Therefore,this method should be capable of timely diagnosis and monitoring.Experimental validation was performed and promising findings highlighting the relationship between diagnosis results and faults were obtained.The results indicate that when using the improved genetic algorithm to reduce 12 fault characteristic parameters to three without a priori information,100%fault diagnosis accuracy can be achieved based on these fault characteristics and the time required for fault feature parameter selection using the improved genetic algorithm is reduced by half compared to traditional methods.The proposed method provides important insights into the instant fault diagnosis and fault monitoring of mechanical devices.

Production of Dried Lactobacillus plantarum HL-15 Culture for Inhibition Growth of Mycotoxin Producing Fungi

Lactobacillus plantarum HL-15 is able to inhibit the growth of mycotoxin producing fungi.To support the application of that culture,the research aimed to produce dried L.plantarum HL-15 and observe its stability during storage was conducted.Production of dried culture was started by fermentation of L.plantarum HL-15 then centrifuged to get the pellet.The pellet was mixed with filler(rice flour or tapioca)with a ratio 1:1(pellet:filler(10%),v/v)then dried.The temperature of the inlet and outlet of the spray dryer used were 105°C and 65°C,respectively.Dried culture was packaged in aluminum foil and sealed then stored at 4°C.Results showed that viable cells of dried inoculum with rice flour filler was 11.99±0.01 log CFU/g and dried inoculum with tapioca filler was 11.90±0.04 log CFU/g.Spray dried L.Plantarum HL-15 was proved being able to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus niger.During six months storage,there is a decrease in the viability of spray dried L.plantarum HL-15 either with rice flour or tapioca filler.During four months of storage,there was a decrease in the activity of inhibition of spray dried culture of L.plantarum HL-15 both with fillers of rice flour and tapioca to the growth of A.niger.L.plantarum HL-15 spray dried cultures could be stored at 4°C for four months for tapioca and five months for rice flour as filler.L.plantarum HL-15 spray dried cultures could inhibit the growth of A.niger so it could be used as a culture for inhibiting the growth of mycotoxin producing fungi in food.

The Relationship of the Population Density of Larvae Spodoptera litura with the Leaf Damage and Decrease of Seed Yield for Soybean,Indonesia

This study aimed to illuminate the relationship of population density of larvae on the level of leaf damage and declining seed yields in some varieties of soybeans that have been implemented in Maros Experimental Garden from April to August,2016.The experiment consisted of four population densities,i.e.,0,2,4 and 6 larvae instar-3 per plant and three soybean varieties,i.e.,Anjasmoro,Argomulyo and Grobogan.The experiment was conducted in split plot design with varieties as main plot and population densities of larvae as subplot treatment with five replications.The results showed that the damage attack highest for Anjasmoro from 20.19%to 28.61%,Argomulyo from 14.68%to 21.18%and Grobogan from 13.28%to 18.00%.So the seed yields,the highest for Argomulyo 14.50 g/plant and lowest was for Grobogan 12.55 g/plant.The relation between population density of larvae and leaf damage intensity of Spodoptera litura in three days after investation(DAI)follows an equation,Anjasmoro,Y=8.587x and r=0.9583,Argomulyo,Y=6.251x and r=0.9558,and Grobogan,Y=5.45x and r=0.9459.The relationship between larval density population and the level of leaf damage in 6 DAI follows a regression equation,Anjasmoro,Y=8.174x and r=0.96107,Argomulyo,Y=6.392x and r=0.9609,and Grobogan,Y=5.977x and r=0.9626.The relationship between larvae population density and the level of leaf damage in 9 DAI follows a regression equation,Anjasmoro,Y=5.8879x and r=0.9358,Argomulyo,Y=4.3671x and r=0.954685,and Grobogan,Y=3.917x and r=0.9467.The declining seed yield caused by addition one larvae of S.litura,the highest on Anjasmoro variety(0.80 g/plant or 6.04%)and the lowest on Argomulyo(0.65 g/plant or 4.48%).

Characteristic of Chocolate Candy Produced from Fermented Cocoa Bean with Lactobacillus plantarum HL-15 Starter Culture for Inhibition Growth of Mycotoxin-Producing Fungi

Chocolate candy is a snack product that is liked by many people.The presence of mycotoxin producing fungi is a problem in chocolate product.The objective of this research was to observe the characteristic of chocolate candy which is produced from fermented cocoa bean with Lactobacillus plantarum HL-15 starter culture.The cocoa bean(47.5 kg)is fermented by adding L.plantarum HL-15 culture about 500 mL(10^10 CFU/mL)in the new and old fermentation box and in another new and old fermentation box without adding culture.Chocolate candy processing is done based on standard processing of chocolate candy.The results showed that the addition of L.plantarum HL-15 culture in cocoa bean fermentation and use of the new fermentation box give lower fungi concentration on chocolate candy,reducing 1 log cycle from 1.7×10^3 to<10^2 colony/g,while the addition of L.plantarum HL-15 culture in the old fermentation box is not effect.The average aw value of chocolate candy is 0.64 and pH value is 6.7.Fat content of chocolate candy is about 44.9%-46.2%.

Tillage, <i>Desmodium intortum</i>, Fertilizer Rates for Carbon Stock, Soil Quality and Grain Yield in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria soils are continuously and intensively cultivated, resulting in soil quality degradation, carbon stock depletion, accelerated soil erosion and soil nutrient depletion. Effects of land use change on soil carbon stocks (SOC) are of concern regarding greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and sustainable crop production, because there is a need for food sufficiency while conserving the environment. Also, managing soils under intensive use and restoring degraded soils are top priorities for a sustained agronomic production while conserving soil and water resources. Hence, this study;“Tillage, Desmodium intortum, fertilizer rates for carbon stock, soil quality and grain yield in Northern Guinea Savanna” is aimed at devising possible mitigating measures for soil quality degradation, carbon stock depletion and impoverished crop yields using Zea mays as test crop. The study was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in split-split plot arrangement with four replicates. The four main tillage and Desmodium intortum combination treatments were: 1) Maize &#8722;without Desmodium + Conventional tillage (MC), 2) Maize + Desmodium live-mulch incorporated and relayed + Conservation tillage (MDIC), 3) Maize + Desmodium in no-tillage system (MDNT), 4) Maize + Desmodium in strip tillage (MDST). The main treatment plots were each divided to accommodate four (4) rates of N (60, 80, 100 and 120 kg·ha&#8722;1) as sub plots, while the N rate plots were further divided to accommodate three (3) rates of P (6.6, 13.2, and 26.4 kg·ha&#8722;1) as sub-subplots. Findings support that Desmodium intercrops with Maize treatments (MDIC, MDNT, and MDST) resulted in increased organic carbon contents in 2013, with MDNT resulting in significantly higher organic carbon content (7.37 g·kg&#8722;1 in 2012 and 8.37 g·kg&#8722;1 in 2013) than the other treatments. Also, zero tillage practice (MDNT) sequestered significantly higher carbon stock (18.06 t C ha&#8722;1), followed by minimum tillage (MDIC) that sequestered 15.99 t C ha&#8722;1 than the other treatments. Highest grain yield of 2.61 tha&#8722;1 under MDIC and MDNT was followed by MDST and least under MC. Total score of soil quality assessment gave least score values of 13 under MDIC and MDNT;thus best soil quality (SQ1) was ascribed to the minimum tillage with D. intortum intercrop and relayed (MDIC) and Zero tillage with D. intortum (MDNT) treatments. Maize Strip cropped with D. intortum treatment (MDST) was ranked SQ2.

Research Advances in Mechanization of Pesticide Spraying Technology for Facility Agriculture

Firstly,this paper introduced the special requirements of pesticide application technical equipment for the facility agriculture. Secondly,it analyzed domestic situation of pesticide application technical equipment for the facility agriculture. Then,it discussed existing controlled droplet pesticide sprayer from operating principle,structural characteristics,and innovation points,and pointed out existing research findings and future research modules of the controlled droplet pesticide sprayer. Finally,in line with main research points and development direction of controlled droplet pesticide sprayer for the facility agriculture,it came up with pertinent recommendations and measures. It is intended to provide references for the application and development of pesticide application technical equipment for the facility agriculture in China.