Search
Now showing items 1-10 of 310
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Plantain mycorrhization with native consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) induce solubilisation of metals (Fe2+ and Al3+) in soil from Azaguié (south-east of Côte d’Ivoire)
(2023-04-28)
New agroecological practices propose to manage soil fertility using soil microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, few studies have been conducted on the impact of plantain mycorrhization and metal (Fe²+ and Al³+) solubilisation in soil. This study evaluates the effectiveness of native AMF on plantain growth and metal leaching from soil. Trap plants (maize, sorghum and cowpea) were grown to produce various inoculums. Then, plantains were grown under controlled conditions, with six treatments ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Contribution of dairy goat farming to household dietary diversity among smallholder farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya
(2023-02-21)
In Kenya, dairy goat farming has highly been practiced for food provision and as an income-generating enterprise. However, there is scanty information on the contribution of dairy goat farming to the quality of diets consumed at household level especially among rural smallholder farmers. This study therefore analysed the contribution of dairy goat farming to household dietary diversity of the smallholder farmers. Data was collected at the end of the wet season (April-May) from a sample of 385 households in Kirinyaga ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Small-scale farmers’ coping strategies to extreme weather events in Upper Guinea
(2023-03-06)
Extreme weather events pose a serious threat to subsistence farming and food security in Upper Guinea, where most farmers rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture. Following crop failures, farmers use what is available to them to try to maintain household food security. This paper investigated the coping strategies chosen by farmers in Upper Guinea and the motivating factors behind them. A multistage sampling method was used to select a purposive random sample of 1,500 farm households within nine selected livelihood zones ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Comparison of linear discriminant analysis, support vector machine and artificial neural network in classifying Nigerian local turkeys based on plumage colours using biometric traits
(2022-10-18)
The ability of linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN) models to differentiate biometric traits of Nigerian local turkeys was investigated in this study. The biometric traits (bodyweight, body length, breast girth, thigh length, shank length, keel length, wing length, and wingspan) in 200 (20-week-old) turkeys were measured. Seventy percent of the datasets were used to train the three models, with the remaining 30% being used to test their performance. All ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Use of corncob biochar and urea for pakchoi (Brassica rapa L.) cultivation: Short-term impact of pyrolysis temperature and fertiliser dose on plant growth and yield
(2022-10-18)
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pyrolysis temperature of corncob biochar as a soil amendment and urea fertiliser on the growth and yield of pakchoi. Pakchoi was cultivated in pots
(13 cm height, 19 cm upper diameter, and 13.5 cm bottom diameter). Two factors including pyrolysis temperature of biochar and urea dose were combined with four levels each. Pyrolysis temperature factor consisted of B0 (no biochar), B1 (250 °C), B2 (300 °C), and B3 (350 °C). Urea dose consisted of F0 (no urea), F1 (0.6 g pot-¹), ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Agripreneurial drive among women shea butter processors in Kwara State, Nigeria: the motivating factors and efficiency
(2022-10-12)
This study examined agricultural entrepreneurship among women shea butter processors in Kwara State Nigeria. It assessed their motivation factors, level of efficiencies, determinants of output and challenges faced in the entrepreneurial drive by the women. Primary data, collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, were collected from randomly selected 120 shea butter women processors. The data obtained were analysed with descriptive statistics, index ranking and the stochastic frontier function. The results showed ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Characterisation of the lactation curve of Gyr and Sardo Negro cattle
(2023-07)
The objectives were to characterize the lactation curves (LC) of tropical Gyr and Sardo Negro (SN) cattle from Mexico for the design of breeding and management programs for these breeds. A total of 3561 records of 504 lactations and 3927 records of 449 lactations were used for Gyr and SN, respectively. Three lactation lengths (LL) were evaluated, namely 240 (240d), 270 (270d), and 300 (300d) days, with five non-linear models (NLM): Wood, Wiltmink, Cobby, Brody, and Sikka. Milk production was obtained at the beginning ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Intervention options for small-scale family poultry development in south-eastern Madagascar: an expert survey
(2023-03-14)
The diets of resource-poor farmers in the Atsimo Atsinanana (AA) region of south-eastern Madagascar have limited diversity and are low in animal protein. Although poultry farming is widespread, productivity is low, and consumption of eggs is uncommon. To enable effective development interventions targeting poultry value chains, this study pursues two goals: (i) to describe current challenges in small-scale poultry rearing and egg consumption in AA, and (ii) to explore viable options for promoting poultry production. ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Identification of socio-economic characteristics and farmers’ practices affecting rice (Oryza spp.) yields in Benin (West Africa)
(2022-12-28)
Rice (Oryza spp.) is one of the major staple foods in Benin. Benin has increased rice production through the expansion of cultivation area rather than increasing rice yields. To better understand the factors affecting rice yields, a thorough understanding of the current rice production system characteristics and constraints is required. The present study identifies socio-economic characteristics and farmers’ practices affecting rice yields and suggests improved cultivation practices in the sector. Data were collected ...
Aufsatz
![Open Access](/themes/Mirage2/images/Open_Access_logo_PLoS_transparent.svg)
Exploring inclusiveness of vulnerable and marginalized people in the cassava value chain in the Lake Region, Kenya
(2023-03-21)
Vulnerable and marginalised groups (VMGs) who comprise widows, orphans, people living with disability and HIV, have not been given sufficient attention in agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by policy makers, development partners, research, and extension, yet they comprise nearly one-quarter of all smallholder farmers. This study explored inclusion of VMGs in cassava value chain in the Lake Region of Kenya. Formal survey, focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews (KIIs) were used to collect data ...