Egyptian Society of Biological Sciences
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany
2090-3812
2090-3820
1
1
2010
12
01
Assessment of Production Constraints, Crop and Pest Management Practices in Peri-Urban Vegetable Farms of Botswana
1
11
EN
Madisa
M.
E.
Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
Assefa
Y.
Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
Obopile
M.
Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
10.21608/eajbsh.2010.17011
Enhancing the environmental soundness of agricultural practices, particularly in high input systems, is of increasing concern to those involved in crop production, agricultural research and development. This study assessed farmers’ assets, production constraints, and farm and pest management practices of peri-urban vegetable farmers in Botswana. The study was meant to provide basic information that could be used to advice farmers, researchers and agricultural extension agents to improve the production of vegetable farming in the country. A random sampling procedure was used to select and survey 48 vegetable farmers across the country. The survey was carried out using a structured questionnaire. The study established that peri-urban vegetable farming is a male dominated business with more than 75% of the farmers at their prime age and with a good educational back ground (>52% received at least secondary school education). Water stress, pests, market and labour were among the major production constraints that the interviewed peri-urban vegetable farmers were facing. Vegetable production in the peri-urban areas of the country was intensive and pest management relied completely on the use of pesticides. Vegetable production ranked as the sole source of income for 50% of the interviewed farmers and one of the three main sources of income for farmers interviewed. It was also noted that majority (>54%) of the vegetable farms are managed by employed farm managers with little supervision from the owners. Although vegetable farming in Botswana is improving the living standard of farmers, there is need to encourage participation of females in the activity, improve the supply of inputs and reduce the overdependence on synthetic chemicals through development of integrated pest management strategies.
: Botswana,Peri-urban,Pest management,Production constraints,Water-stress
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17011.html
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17011_908d034ba9b484d993b722cdd33f54b7.pdf
Egyptian Society of Biological Sciences
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany
2090-3812
2090-3820
1
1
2010
12
01
Crop diversity, extension services and marketing outlets of vegetables in Botswana
13
22
EN
Madisa
M.
E.
Department of Crop Sciences and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone Botswana
Assefa
Y.
Department of Crop Sciences and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone Botswana
yosepharm@yahoo.com
Obopile
M.
Department of Crop Sciences and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone Botswana
10.21608/eajbsh.2010.17012
The strategy of encouraging agricultural production through incentives in Botswana has contributed to an increase in vegetable production and improved farmers’ livelihood. However, studies on agricultural extension service issues and marketing problems that farmers experienced over the last years are either rare or absent. This article presents results of surveys conducted in different parts of Botswana to assess the diversity of vegetables produced, evaluate the impact of agricultural extension services provided and the marketing outlets of vegetables in the country. For this purpose a structured questionnaire was used to interview 48 farmers in different parts of the country. Results of the surveys indicated the presence of a high level of crop diversity (17 vegetable crop species) which is planted by rotation in time and space on small fields as mono-crops. Mixed cropping was very rare. Leafy vegetables were the dominant crops in all the surveyed areas. Results indicate that agricultural extension service in vegetable farming system is exclusively provided by governmental organizations and are limited to providing technical advices in vegetable production. Advisory services in marketing and financial management are absent. Vegetable farmers in Gantsi, Southern, Kgalagdi and Northern districts received better advisory service than those in Kweneng and Kgatleng districts. Most of the interviewed farmers travel long distances to get production inputs (85%) and others even import from South Africa (30%). The need of policies encouraging the use of inorganic fertilizers, high-yielding varieties, reduction of reliance on pesticides, provision of inputs and improving extension services and market outlets for vegetables are discussed.
Botswana,Extension service,Market outlet,vegetable
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17012.html
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17012_39a845a7117349e20631ba7ac7d452b5.pdf
Egyptian Society of Biological Sciences
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany
2090-3812
2090-3820
1
1
2010
12
01
Ecophysiology of Nitrogen Fixation Ability on 3 cultivars Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with some types of Inoculants which contain different strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum; bv.phaseoli
23
27
EN
Mehdi
Mehrpouyan
Islamic Azad University of Miyaneh Branch. Iran
10.21608/eajbsh.2010.17013
Nitrogen<br />Fixation Ability on Common Bean (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.) cultivars with<br />Some types of Inoculants which contain different strains of <em>Rhizobium leguminosarum; </em>bv<em>. phaseoli</em>was<br />evaluated in an<br />experimental design. In this investigation three types of biological<br />fertilizers such as Rb117, Rb123, Rb136 and a commercial inoculants (Rhizobean<br />super plus) with two treatment N100 (use of 100 Kg nitrogen/ha) and control (without<br />seeds inoculated and fertilizer) and three bean cultivars: COS16 (spotted<br />bean), Derakhshan and Akhtar (red beans) used as factorial experiment in<br />randomized complete block design in 2006 and 2007 in Zanjan<br />province(Khoramdareh Region). Combined Analysis preformed with SAS9.2 of<br />statistical program and graphs were provided by Excel and Σplot<br />programs and means comparison were done with Duncan<sup>,</sup>s Multiple Range Test. Rb117 strain was showed an<br />59 percent increasing in seed yield compared with non-inoculants treatment.<br />Among of inoculants the effect of Rb123 strain, was at least (32%) in compared<br />with others. The results showed that significant difference in seed yield,<br />nitrogen percent per plant, seed protein percentage, number and weight of<br />nodules (50 day after emergence),seed and dry matter yield were observed among<br />seed inoculated and non-inoculated. Most protein percent were achieved from 100<br />kg nitrogen, and Rb117 treatment (About 24%) and highest protein yield (864<br />kg/ha) was gained from Rb117 and lowest protein yield was produced from<br />control. Among of all inoculants (or strains of <em>Rhizobium leguminosarum;</em>bv<em>.phaseoli</em>) The Rb117 <br />strain has more effectiveness on common bean, as compared with other<br />strains. In three cultivars the COS16 line was successful in<br />compared with other cultivars. High seed yield and many evaluated traits<br />achieved from COS16 line (spotted bean), second year of experiment and Rb117<br />strain. This investigation showed that to achievement for satisfying yield and<br />sustainable agriculture, all of industrial bio fertilizers must be used as<br />complementary materials with mineral fertilizers
Common bean, Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Seed yield, Rhizobium leguminosarum,bv.phaseoli
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17013.html
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17013_af5285fe79e43fd760178b9dfd1140d3.pdf
Egyptian Society of Biological Sciences
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany
2090-3812
2090-3820
1
1
2010
12
01
Timing and Rate of Phosphorus Application Influence Maize Phenology, Yield and Profitability in Northwest Pakistan
29
39
EN
Amanullah
Amanullah
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar-PAKISTAN
Muhammad
Zakirullah
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar-PAKISTAN
10.21608/eajbsh.2010.17014
Phosphorus (P) is the second most important crop nutrient after nitrogen that increase productivity and profitability of maize (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) on P deficient soils of NWPF (North West Frontier Province), Pakistan. The objective of this study was to find out the best level and time of P application for higher maize (cv. Azam) productivity and profitability. Field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar during summer 2005, consisting of five P application timings [40, 30, 20 and 10 days before sowing (DBS), at sowing and 15 days after sowing (DAS)] as main plots, and three P levels (30, 60 and 90 kg P ha<sup>-1</sup>) as subplots. The highest level of P enhanced phenological development, and increased ear length, number of rows and grains ear<sup>-1</sup>, grain weight, economic yield, shelling percentage, and net returns. Application of P at 10 DBS had marked increase in ear length, grain weight, grain yield, shelling percentage and net returns; while plots that received P at sowing time produced the highest number of rows and grains ear<sup>-1</sup>. There was no much difference in the net returns when P was applied 10 DBS (22, 560 PKR ha<sup>-1</sup>) or at sowing (21, 883 PKR ha<sup>-1</sup>). It could be concluded from the study that application of 90 kg P ha<sup>-1</sup> either at 10 DBS or at sowing time is necessary for profitable maize production in the study area.
Zea mays L,Maize,P levels and timing,Phenology,yield components,grain yield and net returns
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17014.html
https://eajbsh.journals.ekb.eg/article_17014_e943f74273987d00bdfa3c72935fff40.pdf