Production Of High-value Crops Research Articles

Training need Assessment and Knowledge of Village Agricultural Assistants of NTR District of Andhra Pradesh

The present study was designed to assess the training need and knowledge level of village agricultural assistants NTR district of Andhra Pradesh. A total sample of 60 village agricultural assistants working in Rythu Bharosa Kendra’s were taken for the study. The major findings of the study was integrated farming systems and identification of micro nutrient deficiencies in crops in crop production, bio-control of pests and diseases in plant protection, production of low volume and high value crops in horticulture, gender mainstreaming through SHGs in home science as well as women empowerment, feeding management in dairy management practices were the major areas of training needed by them. Similarly, majority of the VAAs were medium followed by high level of knowledge in selected crop management practices. Major constraints expressed by VAAs are excessive work load followed by less number of RBK staff, lack of educational or work related tours and RBK should render service based on seasonal news of farmers along with its regular work, Joint diagnostic field visit of RBK staff with SAU scientists and the suggestions to overcome the constraints are development of mobile application for availing diagnostic, advisory services, development of mobile application for availing diagnostic, advisory services.

The Role of Private and Public Agricultural Sector Advisory Service Institutions in Linking Small-Scale Vegetable Farmers to Contract Farming

One of the fundamental challenges facing the South African government is expanding the smallholder farmer sector as part of its broader job creation strategy to ensure support services for productive activity on land once it is transferred to beneficiaries. There is insufficient information in the literature about the predisposition of private and public advisory services and the types of investments needed in extension services, which might improve small-scale vegetable farmers' productivity and participation in the supply chain. Qualitative methods were used to collect data from 55 small-scale vegetable farmers, 15 government extension officers and 16 agribusiness firm informants from Amathole District Municipality and Sarah Baartman (formerly Cacadu) District Municipality in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The respondents were selected using a non-purposive sampling technique, and data were collected using self-administered interviews and focus group discussions. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that even though the government has increased the budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector over the last two decades, these resources are skewed. Moreover, in most instances, the distribution favours a politically connected minority. Agribusinesses were found to focus more on capturing agricultural value chains by prioritising the production of high-value crops at the expense of small-scale farmers' livelihoods while failing to provide support services. It is recommended that both private and public advisory services should tailor support services provided to small-scale farmers based on the needs of the type of market targeted by these farmers.

Effect of Seaweed-Based Biostimulants on Growth and Development of Hydrangea paniculata under Continuous or Periodic Drought Stress

To adapt to climate change and water scarcity during dry, hot summers, more sustainable, or even deficit, irrigation is required in the ornamental sector, as it uses large amounts of water to sustain high-value crop production. Biostimulants, especially seaweed extracts, could offer a sustainable solution against drought stress as they are known to increase plant tolerance to abiotic stress. The effect of four seaweed extracts based on Ascophyllum nodosum, Soliera chordalis, Ecklonia maxima, and Saccharina latissima and one microbial biostimulant were tested on container-grown Hydrangea paniculata under drought stress conditions for two years. During the first trial year, in 2019, overall irrigation was reduced by 20%. In 2021, plants were subjected to repeated drying and wetting cycles. In general, less irrigation, and thus a lower substrate moisture content, reduced stomatal conductance, biomass production, and root development, but increased plant compactness. The biostimulants showed minor effects, but these were not observed in both experiments. Treatment with the A. nodosum extract resulted in longer branches and more biomass under deficit irrigation but tended to accelerate flowering when repeated drying and wetting cycles were applied. The E. maxima extract negatively affected the branching of Hydrangea under repeated drying and wetting cycles.

Linking Crop Specialization to Agricultural Commercialization: Empirical Evidence from the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone of Ghana

Specialization and intensification have been the main focuses of agricultural development and modernization for decades, among those who claim that doing so will increase agricultural output. Specialization and commercialization in agriculture are linked to greater efficiency than subsistence farming, as these can boost the production and competitiveness of smallholder farmers. However, in recent years, some have questioned this model's resilience and long-term viability. Specialization, as well as increasing output and commercialization, are part of the agricultural transformation processes. Research needs to be done to answer why farmers switch to high-value crop production to increase profits and deal with the resultant issues. The question of whether crop specialization would lead to greater commercialization within the Ghanaian context requires an answer. This study explores the link between crop specialization and agricultural commercialization by utilizing secondary data from the Ghana Feed the Future baseline survey involving a total sample of 2,952 farm households. As a novelty, the study addresses the seeming simultaneity between crop specialization and agricultural commercialization that has been overlooked in the literature. The bivariate probit regression result indicates that estimating separate univariate probit models is inappropriate. Therefore, failure to jointly model crop specialization and commercialization could yield biased estimates. This study applies the recursive bivariate probit model to establish a causal relationship between crop specialization and agricultural commercialization. The findings have revealed that crop specialization stimulates commercialization. The synergy between crop specialization and agricultural commercialization has implications for enhancing food security and increasing farmers' incomes. To improve commercialization and crop specialization, the Government of Ghana should intensify land registration and modify the land tenure systems to make lands easily accessible to farmers.

Investigation of BADC installed arctype plastic and net covered greenhouse for production of high value crops in Bangladesh

Climate vulnerable country like Bangladesh is struggling to produce high value crops and to ensure food security. High value crops can ensure food se- curity by reducing poverty and helping farmers to use updated technologies. Greenhouse technology could be potential solution for providing high-value crops year-round. Recently, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corpora- tion (BADC) installed a greenhouse with modern technologies and facilities to cultivate off-season vegetables and high-value crops at Godhkhali in Jashore for the farmers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the design construction, technical and financial performances of the BADC in- stalled greenhouse for ensuring high-value crops year-round. The relevant data for this study were collected through field visit, experiment, secondary sources, and direct interviews of BADC personnel and greenhouse farmers. The results showed that the solar intensity varied from 40 W m−2 to 150 W m−2 inside the greenhouse from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM with shed net condition. The maximum temperature was 36 ̊C and minimum was found 26 °C inside greenhouse and the average temperature ranged between 29 °C to 34 °C.The Relative Humidity (RH) was found 75% (maximum) and 46% (minimum). The air velocity was found of 1.3 m s−1 (maximum) and 0 m s−1 (minimum) inside the greenhouse. Comparing crops’ optimum and greenhouse condi- tion, the study has found that the greenhouse has achieved the optimum parameters (solar intensity, temperature, RH) for capsicum and tomato culti- vation in November. The payback period for summer tomato and capsicum was found 1.94 years for the rotation cultivation. The benefit-cost ratio was found of 1.83 which indicates the greenhouse is profitable for farmers. The smart greenhouse can be developed by adding a fan, pad cooling system, and sensor-based system which will help to cultivate lettuce leaf, peas, beans, eggplant, cucumber, strawberry and other high-value crops.

Development, Current Status and Challenges of Multiple Use Water Systems in Nepal: A Review

Drinking water supply systems in Nepal, originally designed to meet domestic water needs, are currently being used to fulfill the multiple water needs beyond domestic use which created inefficiency, risking water shortage and even causing premature system failure and breakdown. International Development Enterprises (IDE) first implemented the scheme, which is referred, to as Multiple-Use Water Systems (MUWS) that addresses the productive as well as domestic water needs. The MUWS systems are implemented in middle hill districts of the western, mid-western and far-western development regions of Nepal. The onset point for MUWS is classified as domestic-plus in which users have access to water for productive uses but maintain the priority for domestic uses around homesteads; irrigation-plus in which, users can accommodate water for both productive and domestic uses but maintain the priority for irrigation uses; and community-driven in which communities and their existing water practices and priorities as a starting point for improvement, and offers technology choices designed for multiple uses. MUWS shows multiple benefits by ensuring water availability, enhanced economy and community involvement. However, the system faced challenges of water shortage during the lean period and unaffordable system connection fees and tariffs for the poor and marginalised. Properly planned, managed and regulated MUWS can be seen as one of the several potential adaptation options utilising scarce water for high-value and off-season crop production, more effectively and efficiently in the context of changing climate.

Perceptions of Small-Scale Farmers on Tobacco Contract Farming: The Case of Marondera Rural District, Zimbabwe

Small-scale farmers’ perceptions of tobacco contract farming schemes in the Marondera rural district of Zimbabwe were critically assessed in this paper. The multi-stage sampling design was used to select five wards with the highest number of tobacco contracted farmers from where 60 contract and 60 non-contract tobacco farmers were randomly selected. A 5-point Likert scale was used to rank farmers’ perceptions. The paper established that small-scale farmers in Marondera rural district strongly believe contract farming makes it possible for the majority of farmers to venture into the production of high-value crops as it provides access to the much-needed markets while reducing the risk of price fluctuations. However, the majority of the respondents believed that contract farming is not profitable and there is a manipulation of farmers in contract farming arrangements. The independent samples t-test indicated a significant difference in perception score between participants and non-participants of tobacco contract farming schemes (p<0.05). The farmers who were not participating in tobacco contract farming schemes had a more positive perception of these schemes while those who participated had a more negative perception. The major implication is that gains associated with tobacco contract arrangements are not always apparent to farmers while the disincentives may be more visible. It is therefore fundamental that contract companies address some of the shortcomings existing in these contractual arrangements as well as change the perception of the farmers to develop mutually beneficial lasting relationships with their major stakeholders.

Evaluation of the use of polyethylene mulches in the production of organic flue‐cured tobacco

AbstractWeed and insect pest management in organic flue‐cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is challenging due to lack of effective and affordable approved control options. Polyethylene plastic mulches are used in vegetable and berry production to manage in‐row weed populations, buffer soil temperatures, limit rain‐induced soil loss, and maintain soil moisture. Mulch color can affect plant growth, soil temperature, and insect pest populations in vegetable crops. Field trials were conducted in Kinston, NC, in 2019 and 2020 and Whiteville, NC, in 2020. Red, white, black, and silver polyethylene mulch (with drip irrigation) and bare ground with and without drip irrigation were compared to evaluate effects on tobacco yield, quality, and pests. Tobacco yields were elevated by at least 290% in mulch treatments compared with bare ground with irrigation in 2020 (p < .05), but did not differ in 2019 due to precipitation and temperature differences that conveyed an increased benefit in 2020. Opaque mulches successfully suppressed weed emergence. Fewer aphids were present in highly reflective silver mulch than all other treatments with irrigation in both years. Black and red mulch warmed soils while silver cooled them, affecting nitrogen mineralization rates. Higher levels of plant available nitrogen were maintained in mulch treatments, but tobacco nitrate levels and overall quality were not affected. These results are consistent with plasticulture research in other crops. The factors that make plasticulture well suited to intensively managed, high value crop production may benefit organic flue‐cured tobacco production especially when grown in rotation with other intensively managed crops.

Assessment of Transverse Runoff in the Terraced Area for Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change

The inland water regime is a major problem in crop production due to the irregular formation of the soil surface which includes water as the main factor for crop production. The objectives of the study were to measure and evaluate the performance of intercepted in terms of trapped soil sediments, water storage capacity, and crops produced through economic analysis. The research was carried out at BPSU, Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan, Philippines (North 14°46' East 120°30'). During the study period, the average yearly rainfall depth at BPSU-AWS Station was 2,899.4 mm, whereas the average rainfall depth from January 2019 to May 2020 was 4,059.6 mm. Four benches or terraces were built, along with four runoff interceptors. The runoff interceptor, which retained water during a rainy runoff event, is 131.6 meters long and 0.5 meters wide by 0.4 meters deep. A total of 26.32 m³ of water was stored. Vertisols were the type of soil (Antipolo Clay). At the peak of the first-year season, 4.11 m³ of soil was eroded within the runoff interceptor (4,808.7 kg of dry soil). In 284.5 m², three rice varieties were sown. Rice was harvested with a total weight of 248.5 kg. Three vegetable crops were planted during the second crop, while Wax Pepper had the highest gross income. The ROI and payback period for the two seasons studied were 0.09 percent and 11.05 years, respectively. Water stored in runoff interceptors can be used to supplement irrigation water for the production of rice, high-value crops, and crops with low water requirements.

Adoption and Cost-benefit Analysis of Drip Irrigation for Production of High-Value Crops in Pakistan

Drip irrigation is regarded as one of the highly efficient methods that allow limited water resources to be properly utilized. The study has been conducted to perform the economic analysis of low and high head drip irrigation systems throughout the country based on data from 100 adopters of drip irrigation through a research & development project funded by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA-Pakistan)/United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A field survey for the study was conducted in the year 2018 in all the provinces of Pakistan. The study revealed that technology is generally adopted by the farmers having diversified income sources and medium-sized land holdings i.e. ranging from 12.5 to 25 acres. System installation cost-shared 11 percent in low-head drip system of the annual production cost of fruits. While, it shared 29, 32, and 27 percent in case of a high-head system for grapes orchards, vegetables in tunnels, and open fields, respectively. Low-head drip irrigation is profitable for dates/ lemon orchards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.27:1.00. It results in considerable profitability for grapes orchards with BCR of 1.73:1.00 and 1.32:100 in Punjab and Balochistan provinces, respectively. The low-head system is also beneficial for mixed fruit orchards in rain-fed Punjab with a BCR of 1.24:1.00. Similarly, for high-head systems, the benefit-cost ratio was the highest for grapes produced in rain-fed Punjab (2.62:1.00), followed by squash-gourd in irrigated Sindh (2.17:1.00) bitter-gourd in rain-fed Punjab (1.50:1.00) and okra in Sindh (1.22:1.00). However, low and high-head systems could not result in considerable returns for farmers in the case of mixed fruits in Balochistan and cucumber production in tunnels in Punjab province during the study year.

Computational Systems Biology of Alfalfa - Bacterial Blight Host-Pathogen Interactions: Uncovering the Complex Molecular Networks for Developing Durable Disease Resistant Crop.

Medicago sativa (also known as alfalfa), a forage legume, is widely cultivated due to its high yield and high-value hay crop production. Infectious diseases are a major threat to the crops, owing to huge economic losses to the agriculture industry, worldwide. The protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between the pathogens and their hosts play a critical role in understanding the molecular basis of pathogenesis. Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae ALF3 suppresses the plant’s innate immune response by secreting type III effector proteins into the host cell, causing bacterial stem blight in alfalfa. The alfalfa-P. syringae system has little information available for PPIs. Thus, to understand the infection mechanism, we elucidated the genome-scale host-pathogen interactions (HPIs) between alfalfa and P. syringae using two computational approaches: interolog-based and domain-based method. A total of ∼14 M putative PPIs were predicted between 50,629 alfalfa proteins and 2,932 P. syringae proteins by combining these approaches. Additionally, ∼0.7 M consensus PPIs were also predicted. The functional analysis revealed that P. syringae proteins are highly involved in nucleotide binding activity (GO:0000166), intracellular organelle (GO:0043229), and translation (GO:0006412) while alfalfa proteins are involved in cellular response to chemical stimulus (GO:0070887), oxidoreductase activity (GO:0016614), and Golgi apparatus (GO:0005794). According to subcellular localization predictions, most of the pathogen proteins targeted host proteins within the cytoplasm and nucleus. In addition, we discovered a slew of new virulence effectors in the predicted HPIs. The current research describes an integrated approach for deciphering genome-scale host-pathogen PPIs between alfalfa and P. syringae, allowing the researchers to better understand the pathogen’s infection mechanism and develop pathogen-resistant lines.

Development of Suitable Microclimate Using Low˗tech Greenhouse for Off-Season Production of High Value Crops in Bangladesh

Low˗tech greenhouses (low˗techs) have been used globally to cultivate horticultural crops since many years, but their utilization in Bangladesh is a recent phenomenon. Moreover, information on altered microclimate inside the low˗tech is hardly reported. An investigation has been conducted in the Crop Botany Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University (24o72´N, 90o43´E and 18 masl), Mymensingh during the late autumn to winter seasons from mid-October to mid-February of 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 years to find out the variation in microclimatic parameters between inside and outside of low˗techs and to evaluate the suitability of altered microclimate inside the low˗techs for off˗season production of high value crops in Bangladesh. Three low˗techs were erected in each year using bamboo frame covered with single inflated polyethylene film (thickness = 0.2 mm). Major microclimatic parameters inside and aside outside the low˗techs were measured with standard devices or techniques. Around 30 percent incoming photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was cut˗off by low˗tech cover during solar noon when the sun’s zenith gets minimum value (around 0o). However, this cut˗off portion of PAR was gradually increased with the sunrise and sunset when zenith is around 90o. During the daytime, low˗tech retains higher air temperature than that found at outside and the differences in air temperature between inside and outside of low˗techs was gradually increased after sunrise with a peak difference of 7 to 9 oC following the solar noon (i.e., 13:00-14:00 hour). No distinct variation in relative humidity was recorded between inside and outside of the low˗tech. Low˗tech cover retains higher soil temperature than that was recorded in outside. The variation of both air and soil temperatures between inside and outside of low˗techs was higher during the daytime but lower at nighttime or even at daytime when the sky remained overcast. The variation in microclimatic parameters under low˗techs not only protect the growing crops from climate vagaries during autumn, winter and spring seasons but also provide suitable warmer environment for growing many high value crops during that seasons and thus crop production in off˗season and/or season extension benefits can easily be achieved by low˗techs.

Morel Production Related to Soil Microbial Diversity and Evenness.

ABSTRACTBlack morel is a widely prized ascomycetous mushroom with culinary value. It was once uncultivable but can now be cultivated routinely in ordinary farmland soils. Large-scale morel farming sometimes encounters nonfructification for unknown reasons. In spring 2020, many morel farms in the area of Chengdu-Plain, China, exhibited no fructification at all, causing disastrous economic loss to the farmers. To determine potential ecological factors associated with the different performance of morel production in these farms, 21 affected sites versus 11 sites with normal fructification performance were analyzed to compare soil microbiota and physiochemical characteristics during fructification. The results indicated that soil physiochemical characteristics were unlikely to be a major reason for the difference between successful fructification and nonfructification. The soils with successful fructification had significantly higher diversity in both the fungal and bacterial communities than those with nonfructification. Morel yield was positively correlated with the α-diversity of fungal communities. The higher diversity of the successfully fructified soils was contributed by community evenness rather than taxonomic richness. In contrast, most nonfructification soils were dominated by a high proportion of a certain fungal genus, typically Acremonium or Mortierella, in the fungal communities. Our findings demonstrate the importance of microbial ecology to the large-scale agroindustry of soil-cultivated mushrooms.IMPORTANCE Saprotrophic mushrooms cultivated in soils are subject to complex influences from soil microbial communities. Research on growing edible mushrooms has revealed connections between fungi and a few species of growth-promoting bacteria colonizing the mycosphere. The composition and diversity of the whole microbial community may also have an influence on the growth and production of soil-saprotrophic mushrooms. Morel mushrooms (Morchella spp.) are economically and culturally important and are widely prized throughout the world. This study used the large-scale farming of morels as an example of an agroecosystem for soil-saprotrophic mushroom cultivation. It demonstrated a typical pattern of how the microbial ecology in soil agroecosystems, especially the α-diversity level and community evenness among soil fungal taxa, could affect the production of high-value cash crops and the income of farmers.

The Effects of Irrigation and Weather on Agriculture in Haiti: A Machine Learning Approach

Low program uptake and the prevalence of highly non-linear relationships between variables can make the evaluation of development interventions challenging. This study highlights the potential for using Machine Learning (ML) as a supplement to the traditional econometric toolkit for causal inference in such complex settings. We illustrate this approach by using data from an RCT in rural Haiti to measure the causal relationship between access to small-scale irrigation, weather and household outcomes. We use ML techniques to generate predictions of productivity, revenue and high value crop production from the baseline and then estimate treatment effects on the residuals. Our Intent to Treat (ITT) program estimates suggest that irrigation increased crop revenue by 24%. We find no statistically significant effects on maize quantity harvested and the production of high value crops, even though the corresponding point estimates go in the right direction.

Insect left-over substrate as plant fertiliser

The production of insect protein as human food and livestock feed (entomophagy) may provide a more environmentally beneficial alternative to traditional animal agriculture. However, the resulting waste product from insect production has resulted in large accumulations of left-over substrate and frass. Due to its nutrient and microbial profile, this left-over product has the potential to be utilised as a biofertiliser for high value crop production. Studies have been conducted using the frass of various insects (e.g. black soldier flies, houseflies, and mealworms) to monitor its impact on crop productivity. Overall, frass tends to have similar or better results when compared to inorganic fertilisers, especially when combined with them. Aside from productivity and growth, frass may also preserve soil fertility by decreasing leaching and infiltration, and reducing the prevalence of disease and pathogens. In addition, chitin found in frass also has beneficial properties for plant/crop growth and disease resistance. Monitoring the dietary inputs of industrially reared insects may be the best way of mitigating the potential negative impacts of frass application, such as increased electrical conductivity and heavy metal toxicity. No single study confirms all of these benefits at once. Future studies should focus building onto these results by demonstrating systems levels benefits.

AN EVALUATION OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING VEGETABLE COMMERCIALIZATION IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish factors that influence vegetable commercialization among smallholder farmers of fresh vegetables in Kenya. The present study defined commercialization against farmer characteristics including portion of land committed to vegetable farming, share of household income generated from it, and the producers’ perception that the vegetables they consumed at the farm were produced or procured without any substantial cost.
 Methodology: The researcher adopted a cross-sectional survey design to randomly recruit a sample of crop farmers (n=118) from Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties in Kenya. Data on agrochemical use, crop diversity and scale as well as logistical issues regarding proximity to markets and social status of the crop farmers were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire in a one-on-one interview. These data were initially entered on MS Excel spread sheets for cleaning and later transferred to Minitab (Ver 12) for statistical analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to isolate crucial commercialization factors responsible for varying agrochemical use behaviours among crop farmers and later presented in scree plots.
 Results/Findings: The study revealed that commercialization of tomatoes and kale was real in different areas of study which was influenced by structural and socio-demographic factors. From the study findings, structural policies to promote horticulture and high value crop production had a positive impact on production of vegetables while wildlife conservation and livestock development resulted to human-wildlife conflicts due to agrochemical abuse. Various socio-demographic factors that influence commercialization of vegetables included: household size, farm size, proportion of land used for vegetable production and household income. It emerged that household size (Eigen value EV=3.63), income (EV=2.61) and farm size (EV=1.27) accounted for 68.4% of variability in agrochemical abuse. This finding also explains their marginalization from county government extension services and high costs of market access.
 Unique contribution to theories, practice and policy: The study finds that vegetable farmers’ perception of commercialization leaned more towards increasing production in response to consumer demand and not necessarily to raise household food supplies. Famers dedicated over two thirds (66.67%) of their land to vegetable farming to support their livelihood (97.1%, SE= 1.30). Commercialization of vegetable farming was influenced by the level of education (SE=3.68). The study found out that that access to ICT equipment, particularly mobile phones, were the prime means via which farming techniques and agribusiness practices were learnt or improved (V= 0.196 Pearson, p=0.11).

A Novel Graft between Pac Choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) and Daikon Radish (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus)

Vegetable grafting has primarily been used in the commercial production of high-value crops in the Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae families. In this study, we explored the feasibility of making a novel graft between pac choi (Brassica rapa L. var. chinensis) and daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus) to create a plant with harvestable pac choi leafy vegetable above-ground, and a daikon radish taproot below-ground. ‘Mei Qing Choi’ pac choi (scion) was grafted onto ‘Bora King’ daikon radish (rootstock). Grafted pac choi–daikon radish plants did not show a decrease in SPAD value, canopy size, leaf number, leaf area, or above-ground weight compared with self-grafted pac choi plants. However, taproot formation was reduced in grafted pac choi–daikon radish plants, as shown by decreased taproot length, diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight compared with non- and self-grafted daikon radish plants. Surprisingly, grafting with radish increased the photosynthetic rate of the pac choi. This pilot study demonstrated the potential of creating a new pac choi–daikon radish vegetable product to help save growing space and minimize waste at consumption, as pac choi roots are not eaten and radish leaves are usually discarded. The inter-generic grafting between B. rapa var. chinensis and R. sativus var. longipinnatus could also provide a unique model system to help elucidate scion-rootstock synergy and above- and below-ground sink competition in horticultural crops.

Growth and yield responses of tomato to irrigation in screenhouse-potted soil amended with varying levels of poultry manure

The need for production of high value crops has increased over the years, hence the need to more appropriately determine irrigation water levels in water-scarce scenarios. The Aim of this research was to 1) determine the effect of deficit irrigation on growth and yield of tomato, and 2) determine how poultry manure amendments of soil would interact with irrigation to influence the observed growth and yield responses. There were two irrigation levels namely 0.75 and 1.5 l per plant per week, combined with 0, 34 and 68 g/plant poultry manure, in a 2 x 3 factorial design with three replicates. Growth and yield parameters were measured till maturity. Data were analysed through RTANOVA in a GLM at α=0.05. Results showed that the combination of 0.75 l irrigation water per plant per week with 34 g poultry manure per plant significantly increased number of leaves, branches and collar diameter. At low levels of irrigation (0.75 l/plant/week) the highest number of flowers (196) is produced under fertilization with 68 g poultry manure per plant, with a reproductive success rate of 18.37%. When the irrigation rate doubles, the highest number of flowers (126 /plant) is produced in plants fertilized with 34 g/plant poultry manure, with a reproductive success rate of 42.06%., representing the best combination of treatments for maximum fruit yield; doubling manure rates to 68 g/plant results in increased flower abortion and reduced reproductive success.

Managing Phosphate Rock to Improve Nutrient Uptake, Phosphorus Use Efficiency, and Carrot Yields

The objectives of this study were to assess (a) the efficiency of lemon and pineapple juices and the concentration and time needed to release more than 50% of available phosphorus from phosphate rock (PR), and (b) the effect of different types of PR management on carrot yields, nutrient uptake, and phosphorus use efficiency. Field trials were set up at two sites with humic andosols and orthic acrisols over two seasons in Kenya. In a randomized complete block design, replicated three times, the following treatments were compared: (i) composted dissolved PR in lemon juice; (ii) powdered PR composted; (iii) dissolved PR in lemon juice added to compost; (iv) powdered PR and compost; (v) triple superphosphate and compost; (vi) compost alone; (vii) triple superphosphate and Tithonia diversifolia mulch; with (viii) un-amended soil as a control. Lemon juice was effective in solubilizing PR, releasing 63% of the total phosphorus applied into available phosphorus, compared to 11% for pineapple juice and 6% for water. The combined application of compost and PR dissolved in lemon juice at planting significantly increased phosphorus and potassium uptake, phosphorus use efficiency, and carrot yields that was comparable to the use of triple superphosphate and compost. The study concludes that the dissolution of phosphate rock with lemon juice at a ratio of 1:5 phosphate rock to lemon juice and its combined application (immediately after dissolution) with compost at planting improves nutrient uptake, phosphorus use efficiency, and crop yields. We recommend further studies to explore the possibility of using citrus peels or other acidic organic materials to enhance the solubility of phosphate rock, and to assess their practical feasibility and the economic advantage(s) in the large-scale production of high value crops.

Sustainable crop diversification to stabilize system productivity and profitability

Crop diversification refers to the addition of new crops or enterprises with or without the addition a shift from one crop or enterprise in a production system. It needs to sustain the production system of the region by enhancing the soil health, reducing biotic and abiotic stresses and increasing employment generation. Rice-potato-mungbean cropping system was sustainable, compared with a rice-wheat cropping system, in terms of higher productivity, protein yield, and energy output (Vyas, 1996). Crop diversification considering crop and forage rotation strategies, involving alternative winter crops and summer crops/forages with supplemental irrigation; and also high value options: vegetables, dry land fruit trees, medicinal and aromatic plants, development of plant-based and livestock- based products is market oriented and environmentally healthy. (Sharma, 2010). By adopting an integrated genetic and natural resource management approach, crop diversification can able to provide an improvement in livelihoods on a sustainable basis in rainfed areas, particularly by introducing high-value fruit, vegetables and value-added plant products and with options of additional irrigation (Vyas, 1996). Besides developing technologies for promoting intensification, the country /state must give greater attention to the development of technologies that will facilitate agricultural diversification particularly towards intensive production of fruits, vegetables, flowers and other high value crops that are expected to increase the income growth and generate effective demand for food. Thus, accelerating the pace of crop yields (through technological change) and crop diversification (In favor of high-value commodities) are the options to provide sustainable sources of agricultural growth in future.