bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RhizobiumInoculation Increases of Bean and Maize Yields in Intercrops on Farms in the Peruvian Sierra
Authors: Pineda P. , Kipe-Nolt J. A. , Rojas E. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYNitrogen deficiency severely limits production of the bean–maize association grown by small-scale farmers in upland Peru. Sixty-four beanRhizobiumisolates were evaluated for induction of a plant growth response in pots of soil from the area and 14 of the most promising strains of these were tested on farmers' fields in 13 trials over a three year period. Bean yields were increased by inoculation with at least oneRhizobiumstrain in seven of the trials, with increases ranging from 0.21 to 0.68 t ha−1. Bean yields were not increased by the application of 120 kg N ha−1to the intercrop. Maize yields were increased byRhizobiuminoculation in nine of the 13 trials by between 0.34 and 1.85 t ha−1. Maize responded to nitrogen fertilizer on the same nine farms. ThisRhizobiumselection strategy, although laborious, was effective in identifying strains that can be recommended for use as inoculants by farmers in the region.
Profitability of Alley Farming with and without Fallow in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Jabbar M. A. , Larbi A. , Reynolds L. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe profitabilities of three land use systems in the humid zone of southwest Nigeria are compared using a capital budgeting procedure combining on-station and on-farm experimental data. The systems are: non-alley farming with fallow; alley farming with fallow; and continuous alley farming. The results indicate that: continuous alley cropping is more profitable than non-alley or alley cropping with fallow; short fallowing in alley cropping reduces the rate of mining soil fertility and thus helps preserve future productivity; alley farming with small ruminants enhances the profitability of alley systems and increases their advantage over the non-alley system; and alley systems remain profitable even when terminal clearing costs are internalized in the current project cycle.
A Wet Excavation Method for Root/Shoot Studies of Pearl Millet on the Sandy Soils of the Sahel
Authors: Sivakumar M. V. K. , Salaam S. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYRoot/shoot relations of two cultivars of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) were studied on a sandy soil at Sadore in Niger using a wet excavation method. For the first 10 days after emergence (DAE), the length of the seminal root showed an exponential growth rate while plant height increased more or less linearly. The maximum rooting depth for millet was 168 cm and the maximum number of root axes and primary laterals, 172 per plant. Root length continued to increase up to 75 DAE, the maximum length exceeding 5000 cm per plant. The proportion of total day matter accumulated in the roots decreased from 30% in the early stages to less than 20% by maturity. The wet excavation method is a promising technique for the rapid removal of intact root systems of pearl millet from the sandy soils of the Sahel.
The Impact of Cashew (Anacardium Occidentale) on Forest Soil
Authors: Aweto A. O. , Ishola M. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe impact of a 20-year-old cashew plantation on a forest soil was evaluated by comparing the properties of soil under cashew with that under an adjoining logged rain forest. The levels of organic carbon, nitrogen, exchangeable calcium and magnesium, and available phosphorus were similar under logged forest and cashew, suggesting that organic matter and nutrient cycles in a cashew plantation are similar to those in a logged rain forest and that cashew has no significant adverse effect on soil organic matter and nutrient status.
Suppression of Striga hermonthica on Sorghum Using a Cowpea Intercrop
Authors: Carsky R. J. , Singh L. , Ndikawa R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIntercropping with a spreading type of cowpea was studied as a technique for the control of Striga hermonthica on sorghum in northern Cameroon. Alternate rows of cowpea did not reduce Striga density but planting the cowpea and sorghum in the same row, in the same or alternating hills, reduced Striga density and numbers of Striga per sorghum stand. Yields of sorghum grain in the same-row planting treatments were not significantly less than sole sorghum yields, and 200 to 700 kg ha−1 of cowpea grain was produced. Alternating stands of sorghum and cowpea within the same row gave the best yield of sorghum and greater reduction of Striga. Production of mature Striga with capsules decreased with increasing cowpea ground cover, so that while cowpea may not reduce Striga emergence, it may hinder Striga development, possibly reducing the Striga seed bank over time.
Aspects of Statistical Technique and Presentation
Authors: Riley Janet 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThis paper offers guidelines for the presentation of statistical material in scientific journals and project reports. Emphasis is given to the importance of planning a study so that the various components of statistical material can be linked to ensure the full efficiency of the work; if this is done well, the presentation of the results of the study, including the statistical components, can be achieved with greater ease.
The Impact of the International Agricultural Centres: Measurement, Quantification and Interpretation
Authors: Collinson M. P. , Tollens E. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYImpact assessment is important to agricultural research. It quantifies benefits from both proposed and past research, and allows comparisons of the cost effectiveness of different research investments as a basis for priority setting. Though there are important economies of scale in the global and regional level research done by the international centres of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), this research covers only one small sector in the sequence of research and development reaching down into farmers' fields. CGIAR impact thus depends on the rest of the research and development (R&D) sequence operating effectively, something largely beyond its control. In deciding a strategy for impact assessment, the international centres need to resolve two dilemmas: first, how much impact assessment they should do, for their own programme planning and monitoring, and to satisfy their stakeholder constituencies; and secondly, how sophisticated this assessment should be. Impact measurement is itself research and, like all research, is very much concerned with how much is gained from the extra costs of collecting further information.Centros agrícolas internacionales
Effects of Liming and Cultivation on the Establishment and Persistence of Rainfed Mediterranean Pastures
Authors: Moreira N. , Trindade H. , Coutinho J. , Almeida J. F. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe influence of liming and method of cultivation on the dry matter yield, botanical composition and seedling density of a rainfed pasture grown in a Mediterranean environment from a commercial seed mixture based on subterranean clover was investigated. Liming resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in pasture dry matter yield. Yields were greater when the soil was scarified before sowing than when it was ploughed, and when the lime was spread after cultivation rather than before. Liming and scarifying increased the proportion of sown species (subterranean clover, white clover and tall fescue) and reduced the proportion of native species and bare ground. Subterranean clover seedling density was higher after scarifying than after ploughing.Uso de cal en pastos mediterráneos regados por precipitaciones
Intercropping Cotton and Groundnut in Low and High Rainfall Areas in Eastern Zambia
Authors: Waterworth J. V. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYYields of intercropped cotton and groundnuts grown on alternate ridges 75 cm apart were compared in areas of high (more than 1000 mm a year) and low (less than 800 mm a year) rainfall and in rainy seasons with a low and high frequency of drought periods. There was no advantage from intercropping in the low rainfall area but in the high rainfall area land equivalent ratios of about 1.4 were obtained, confirming that intercropping is more suited to wet conditions. These high land equivalent ratios were associated with enhanced yields per plant in the cotton and unsuppressed yields per plant in the groundnuts, suggesting that a crop such as cotton, which both tolerates a wide range of population density and has a late-developing leaf canopy, may be particularly well suited to intercropping.Cultivo simultáneo de algodón y chufa en zonas con altas y bajas precipitaciones en el este de Zambia
The Effect of Frequency of Defoliation on the Productivity of Selected Forage Legumes (Stylosanthes hamata, Stylosanthes capitataand Centrosema pascuorum) in the Sub-humid Zone of Nigeria
Authors: Tarawali G. , Mohamed-Saleem M. A. , Chionuma P. C. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe dry matter yield, nutritive value and persistence of three legume species (Stylosanthes hamata Taub., S. capitata Vog. and Centrosema pascuorum Mart. ex. Benth.) cut at different frequencies during the growing season or only once at the end of the growing season were compared. The shorter cutting intervals enhanced regrowth, but very frequent cutting reduced total dry matter and seed yields. A defoliation interval of three to six weeks is recommended. Generally, S. hamata gave the best performance.Efecto del deshoje en tres legumbres
Farmer Participation in On-Station Tree Species Selection for Agroforestry: a Case Study from Burundi
Authors: Franzel Steven , Hitimana Leonidas , Akyeampong Ekow 
Published: October 2008

SummarySurveys and on-farm trials are frequently used to facilitate farmer participation in agricultural research. This paper reports on a less common method-farmer involvement in on-station trials. Thirty-nine farmers were invited to multipurpose-tree screening trials in Burundi. Three different methods were used to determine which species the farmers wanted to test on their own farms. Private interviews and voting by a show of hands in plenary sessions gave very similar results whereas focus group interviews produced different and contradictory results. Researchers also learned what criteria farmers used to evaluate trees and the reasons for their choices. A supplementary survey of farmers’ preferences for trees grown on their own farms confirmed the findings and more clearly defined their criteria. In this survey, farmers used a local board game, Bao, to rate tree species across criteria they considered important. Overall, the visit to the trials and follow-up survey proved to be a useful and cost-effective method for getting farmer input and applying it in the screening process.La participación de los agricultores en la selección de especies de árboles
Response of Chickpea to Nitrogen, and a Comparison of the Factors Affecting Chickpea Seed Yield with those Affecting Wheat Grain Yield
Authors: Bonfil D. J. , Pinthus M. J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryChickpea yields in Israel are usually considerably lower than wheat yields under comparable conditions. This study aimed to examine the possible yield limiting factors in chickpeas. Increasing the availability of nitrogen during seed development by a pre-sowing application of nitrate or by nitrogen top dressing at the onset of flowering led to an increase in the percentage of nitrogen in the straw but had no significant effect on seed yield. Growth analysis of chickpeas and wheat grown in two adjacent field experiments revealed that during the fruiting period these crops accumulated similar amounts of dry matter. However, the proportion of total wheat dry matter accumulated in the wheat grains was twice the proportion of total chickpea dry matter accumulated in the chickpea seeds. It was concluded that the main intrinisic factor limiting the seed yield of chickpeas is the continuation of vegetative growth during the period of seed development, which reduces the amount of assimilate allocated to the seeds.Los factores restrictivos del rendimiento en el garbanzo
Effects on the Yield and Growth of a Young Compact Arabica Coffee Hybrid of Intercropping with Food Crops in Three Agro-ecozones in Kenya
Authors: Njoroge J. M. , Kimemia J. K. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe intercropping of a young compact Arabica coffee hybrid with food crops was studied in three coffee growing areas in Kenya. Intercropping with Irish potatoes, dry beans, tomatoes, cabbages, kale, carrots, finger millet, sorghum or soyabeans was feasible in suitable coffee ecological zones. Intercropping with maize or sweet potatoes was not feasible because of their adverse effects on coffee growth in the early stages of coffee establishment, which led to substantial reductions in coffee yield.Siembra simultánea de café arábica con cultivos de comestibles
Seed Imbibitation and Drying as a Technique in Evaluating Sorghum Lines for Adaption to Dry Sowing in the Semi-arid Tropics
Authors: Maiti R. K. , Moreno L. S. 
Published: October 2008

SummarySeeds of 50 sorghum genotypes were tested for emergence after imbibition in water for different times followed by up to 30 days of drying. The emergence of a large number of sorghum genotypes was then tested after 40 h imbibition in water followed by 10 h drying. Genotypes selected as resistant to 45 hours imbibition and 10 days drying regained turgor in the radicle and plumule when exposed to imbibition and drying injury. Genotypes showed significant difference both for emergence and seedling dry weight after exposure to this stress. The genotypes resistant to imbibition injury and drying had a specific protein of 33.0 KDa which was absent from those which were susceptible to such stress.La adaptación del sorgo a la siembra seca
Estimating Potato Tuber Yield in a Sub-tropical Environment with Simple Radiation-Based Models
Authors: Prihar S. S. , Arora V. K. , Singh G. , Singh R. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryDry matter and tuber yields of potato grown in a sub-tropical environment were estimated employing simple radiation-based models which require meteorological information on air temperature and solar radiation. Two versions of the MacKerron and Waister (1985) model, in which estimation of dry matter accumulation relies on a single composite parameter, radiation use efficiency (RUE), were compared with the Versteeg and Van Keulen (1986) model, which explicitly accounts for temperature and radiation effects on dry matter accumulation. In the original version of the MacKerron and Waister model, a linear change in the radiation interception factor with leaf area index is assumed; in the modified version an exponential change in the interception factor with leaf area index is considered. The accumulation of dry matter estimated from all three models was close to the measured values throughout the growing season, but estimates of tuber yield differed widely. Our analysis showed that the best agreement with measured values was obtained using the MacKerron and Waister linear model with RUE values adjusted according to the incident radiation level.Estimatión del rendimiento del tubérculo de la patata
Statistics for Environmental Change
Authors: Barnett Vic , Riley Janet 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYMajor changes to the global environment and their impact upon statistical requirements are presented. The need for extensive yet accurate datasets is stressed and the difficulties of achieving appropriate sampling strategies are described. Examples are presented of environmental studies in use in diverse field such as global warming, sustainability, agroforestry and intercropping, and local community studies. The history of the use of environmental statistics is highlighted as is the need for modern methods to handle large, multivariate datasets likely to be subject to both spatial and temporal variability.
Relative Importance of Air and Floodwater Temperatures on the Development of Rice (Oryza Sativa)
Authors: Collinson S. T. , Ellis R. H. , Summerfield R. J. , Roberts E. H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYPlants of rice (Oryza sativa)cultivar IR36 were grown under flooded and free-draining conditions at a constant air temperature of 28°C with an 11.5 h d−1 photoperiod in both a growth cabinet and a glasshouse. The nutrient solution within flooded pots was maintained at 20°, 24° or 28°C, or was not controlled. Rate of floral development was enhanced by warmer nutrient solution temperatures at the same air temperature; times to panicle emergence were reduced by an average of 17 d with increase in the nutrient solution temperature from 20° to 28°C. In comparable treatments, plants grown in the growth cabinet reached panicle emergence later than those grown in the glasshouse, possibly because mean air temperature was on average 0.8°C cooler in the growth cabinet. An independent model, derived from a previous investigation, provided a good prediction of the times from sowing to panicle emergence for plants grown in both the glasshouse and the growth cabinet when based on the mean of the temperatures of the nutrient solution and the air, showing that it is important to determine water/root temperature as well as air temperature when investigating the effect of environment on development of the rice plant.
Effects of Variety, Altitude, and Undersowing with Legumes on the Nutritive Value of Wheat Straw
Authors: Schulthess Urs , Tedla Abate , Mohamed-Saleem M. A. , Said Abdullah N. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYWheat was planted at different altitudes in the Ethiopian highlands. Increased altitude led to a lower neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content and a higher in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of the leaf blades, leaf sheaths and stems. The varieties tested did not differ in NDF content, however, because of the improved NDF digestibility of all three straw fractions. The semi-dwarf varieties had a higher IVOMD than the standard tall wheats. The local durum wheat variety showed a much higher sodium content and a more favourable Na:K ratio. Undersowing with an equal mixture of Trifolium ruepellianum (Fres.) and Trifolium steudneri (Schwf.) led to a small reduction in straw yield but increased the crude protein content of the crop residues from 2.3 to 7.1% and the IVOMD from 44 to 51% as compared to the sole wheat stand.
Some Design Problems in Crop Experimentation. I. The Use of Blocks
Authors: Pearce S. C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYField experiments are commonly designed in blocks and there are sound reasons for using them, for example, control of unwanted environmental differences and administrative convenience. If used, they should be chosen to correspond to perceived differences in the site or to simplify farm operations and not merely to conform to statistical desiderata. Thus, it is not essential that each must contain one plot for each treatment, though there are advantages if they do. Some of the consequences of using other block sizes are examined, it being borne in mind that modern computer packages will perform most of the tiresome arithmetic. The effectiveness of blocks is considered and it is noted that they sometimes do harm rather than good. The analysis of variance is explained in terms of strata as used in many modern computer programs and is extended to include the recovery of information and resolvability. Recommendations are made as to randomization.
Effect of the Treatment of Wheat Seeds with Vegetable Oils on Germination and Emergence
Authors: Klein Joshua D. , Hebbe Yonit 
Published: October 2008

SummarySeeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were coated with a range of vegetable oils before sowing, in an effort to provide a hydrophobic coating that would only dissolve or wash away in the presence of sufficient water to maintain continued seedling growth. Germination of oil-treated seeds was reduced by 20–50% and time to 50% emergence was increased by two to five days. Treating pesticide-coated seeds with vegetable oil further decreased germination and extended time to emergence. Oil treatment did not decrease water uptake or affect seed respiration. Degree of saturation and linoleic acid:oleic acid ratio were not correlated with the effects of the various oils. The decreased germination and delayed emergence associated with the oil treatment were probably due to physiological rather than physical factors.
On-Farm Evaluation of Nitrate-Nitrogen Dynamics Under Maize in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
Authors: Webert G. , Chude V. , Pleysier J. , Oikeh S. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryNitrate-nitrogen was analysed over two cropping seasons in 57 farmers' fields in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Differences between fields were at least five-fold and often ten-fold irrespective of fertilization rates. Average concentrations were highest at the beginning of the rainy season. Loamy soils had a later peak for nitrate release and maintained high concentrations for a longer period after the start of the rains than the more sandy soils. Nitrate-N was not correlated with soil organic carbon or total nitrogen content. Grain yield of maize was closely associated with nitrate-N in the soil but not with organic carbon or total N. Four patterns of nitrate-N release over the season could he differentiated using cluster analysis. Soil texture, soil pH, soil organic carbon, stover management and cropping history contributed most to a differentiation of the four cluster groups in a discriminant model. There was wide variability in the inherent soil-nitrate level and in its importance in explaining differences in yield among farmers' fields. The development of technologies resulting in improved nitrogen availability or better nitrogen utilization should be based on research of inherent soil processes. For the transfer of such technologies, recommendation domains should be defined based on different native patterns of soil-nitrogen availability.
Morphological Development and Yield Potential in Hesperaloe Funifera (AGAVACEAE), An Experimental Fibre Crop for Dry Regions
Authors: McLaughlin Steven P. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryHesperaloe funifera (Agavaceae) is an experimental fibre crop which produces strong, fine fibres with potential uses in the specialty-paper industry. Hesperaloe's agronomic potential was evaluated in two long-term studies. The plant is a perennial with a rosette habit. Growth occurred by production of new leaves from the primary rosette until Year 3 and from secondary rosettes from Year 3 on. Rates of biomass growth increased over the five years studied. High-density stands (27 000 plants ha-l) produced 190 t fresh weight ha-1 after five years. Plots harvested once, after Year 5, produced more biomass than plots harvested twice, after Years 3 and 5. Increased biomass production can be achieved by improved stand establishment and nutrient management.
Development in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). I. The Influence of Temperature on Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence
Authors: Craufurd P. Q. , Ellis R. H. , Summerfield R. R. J. , Menin L. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe base (Tb), optimum (To) and ceiling (Tce) temperature for 50% seed germination and seedling emergence, and the thermal time at sub-optimal temperatures (θ1), were examined in experiments with a range of cowpea genotypes from different habitats and latitudes. There was substantial genotypic variation in seed germination for Tband To, but not for Tce. There was no evidence that genotypes from semi-arid habitats had higher values of Toor Tce, but estimates of Tbfor seed germination were related to latitude and were highest in genotypes originating from close to the equator. The significance of these responses as a component of developmental plasticity in relation to the adaptation of cowpeas is discussed.