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Impacts of Industry Towards the Structure of Customary Land Tenure on the Natural Sago Forest in Imekko, Sorong Selatan Regency-West Papua
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
135-140
Received:
15 July 2016
Accepted:
25 July 2016
Published:
12 August 2016
Abstract: The goal of the research is to assess structural dynamics of customary land tenure in Imeko communities as a result of emergence regarding the operations of PT ANJ-AgriPapua and PerumPerhutani in Sorong Selatan Regency. The objectives are as follows: (1) to identify and map the structure of customatyland tenure rightsover the Natural Sago Forest (NSF) in Imekko; (2) to identify and mapstuructural dynamics of customary land tenure on the NSF in relation with the emergence of PT ANJ-Agri Papua and PerumPerhutani in Imekko. The research reveals that the customary land tenure exists under communal and collective ownership with regard to keret/fam (family names). Local communities are entitled with rights to access, collect forest products, use, control, manage, transfer and release, reclaim, and own their land. Individuals who do not have rights over the customary land are able to acquire ownership after obtaining permission with or without compensation on the line. In the case of Dusun Sagu, ownership belongs to family groups (member of nuclear family). Inheritanceon the NSF and Dusun Sagu are passed downtosons, or to the keret/fam, heirsof the family who cultivated the land. Moreover, the research finds that the structures of customary land tenure among Imekko communities are changing due to the emergence of PT ANJ-Agri Papua and Perum Perhutani in the area. From the eight rights that have been practiced for generations, only three rights remain: rights for limited access, use, and collecting forest products in the concession area of the factories. The community groups are supported to utilize these rights in order to meet their basics needs as well as and to generate income through forest utilization.
Abstract: The goal of the research is to assess structural dynamics of customary land tenure in Imeko communities as a result of emergence regarding the operations of PT ANJ-AgriPapua and PerumPerhutani in Sorong Selatan Regency. The objectives are as follows: (1) to identify and map the structure of customatyland tenure rightsover the Natural Sago Forest (N...
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Effects of Different Soil Amendments on Soil pH and Heavy Metals Content in Maize (Zea Mays [l.])
Mamba Mangaliso Mandisi,
Shongwe Gideon Ngaka,
Edje Todo Oghenetsavbuko
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
141-150
Received:
14 July 2016
Accepted:
25 July 2016
Published:
15 August 2016
Abstract: Manure from livestock is an important source of nutrient for crop production in the small holder sector. It helps farmers reduce inputs of commercial fertiliser, thereby, increasing the profit margin of the farmer. Not much been done to determine the effects of kraal, goat, poultry and lime on soil pH in Swaziland and nothing has been done to assess if the levels of heavy metals each of these manure contributes to the soil in maize production are within the WHO’s safe standards for human consumption. The objectives of the study were to find out the effects of organic and inorganic soil amendments on soil pH and to find the content of heavy metals in maize tissues and grain on maize grown in soil amended with organic and inorganic soil ameliorants. A field experiment, in a randomised complete block design was conducted at Nhlangano Research Station in the 2014/2015 cropping season. Treatments were effective in increasing the soil pH. Goat manure treatment improved soil pH from 4.77 to pH 5.14 whilst the lime treatment improved the soil pH to pH 5.13 at full rate. Chicken manure treatment raised the pH to 4.86 at half rate whilst the goat manure treatment raised soil pH to 4.86 at half rate. The content of Zn was highest in the grain with the goat manure treatment at full rate (0.128 g/kg) and lowest in the chicken manure and lime treatments at half rate (0.025 and 0.021 g/kg). This was due to the high Zn content in the manure. The control treatment had 0.117 g/kg Fe in the grain while the cattle manure treatment at half rate had 0.101 g/kg Fe in the grain. Cadmium was highest in the lime treatment at full rate, goat manure at full rate and both chicken manure treatments (0.022 g/kg Cd). Copper was highest in the control treatment (0.009 g/kg) and lowest in the chicken manure treatment at half rate, goat and lime at full rate (0.003 g/kg). Goat and cattle manure was recommended for amelioration of acid soils.
Abstract: Manure from livestock is an important source of nutrient for crop production in the small holder sector. It helps farmers reduce inputs of commercial fertiliser, thereby, increasing the profit margin of the farmer. Not much been done to determine the effects of kraal, goat, poultry and lime on soil pH in Swaziland and nothing has been done to asses...
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Blended Fertilizers Effects on Maize Yield and Yield Components of Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
151-162
Received:
17 July 2016
Accepted:
28 July 2016
Published:
21 August 2016
Abstract: Appropriate fertilization practices based on actual limiting nutrients and crop requirement for a given crop is economic and judicious use of fertilizers for sustainable crop production. In view of this, a study was conducted at Kejo and Ongobo farmers’ fields, located at GobuSeyo District of East Wollega Zone of Oromia region in 2011 to evaluate the effects of blended fertilizers for maize production. The five treatments used for the field experiment were control (without fertilizer), recommended NP, recommended NP + Cu + Zn, blended fertilizer and blended fertilizer + Cu+ Zn. The treatments were laid out in RCBD design with four replications. The results of the study revealed that the analysis of variance among fertilizers types showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) on almost all the maize characters tested. However, applied Cu and Zn to either of the recommended NP fertilizers or blended fertilizer showed no significant difference on maize agronomic characters and yield except leaf area. The shortest mean days to 50% tasseling (85.25), silking (87.25) and maturity (154.25) of maize were obtained from blended fertilizers with Cu and Zn, whereas the longest days were recorded for the control plot. The maximum mean grain yield (8399.7 kg ha-1), stover yield (8553.1 kg ha-1) and total biomass yield (16867.7 kg ha-1) were recorded for blended fertilizers with Cu and Zn, whereas the lowest mean grain yield (2824.8 kg ha-1) were recorded for control. Blended fertilizers had improved grain nutrient uptakes and agronomic efficiency of maize. It was also apparent that much of the nutrients applied were assimilated by the grain than that achieved by the stover. The result of the study showed that blended fertilizers increased maize productivity compared to the previously existing NP fertilizers in the country and appropriate fertilization practices can improve the current situation.
Abstract: Appropriate fertilization practices based on actual limiting nutrients and crop requirement for a given crop is economic and judicious use of fertilizers for sustainable crop production. In view of this, a study was conducted at Kejo and Ongobo farmers’ fields, located at GobuSeyo District of East Wollega Zone of Oromia region in 2011 to evaluate t...
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Effect of Long-Term Continuous Cotton Mono-Cropping on Depletion of Soil NPK and Changes in Some Selected Soil Chemical Characters on Vertisols and Fluvisols
Melese Menaleshoa,
Ashenafi Worku,
Wondimagegne Chekol,
Girma Tadesse
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
163-169
Received:
5 June 2016
Accepted:
15 June 2016
Published:
6 September 2016
Abstract: A long-term cotton exhaustion trial was conducted on lowland Vertisols and Fluvisols at Werer Agricultural Research Center during the 1968–2002 in Ethiopia to investigate nutrient depletion rate and changes in selected soil chemical properties. Treatments used include cultivated fallow, control, 80kgN ha-1, 80-80 kgNP ha-1, 80-80kgNKha-1 and 80-80-80kgNPKha-1 arranged in RCBD with four and six replications in Vertisols and Fluvisols, respectively. The cotton was grown as a test crop and the status of soil N, P, K, OC, pHe and ECe were periodically monitored every seasons. Seed cotton yield had shown significant response to treatments imposed after 10 and 3 years of continuous cotton mono-cropping, respectively, on Vertisols and Fluvisols, and consistently continued for further 3 consecutive periodical checking years. Then onwards, until the end of the experiment, seed cotton yield didn't showed consistent yield response. Combined analysis revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) yield response to N applications. Despite the long-term continuous mining of soil nutrients through seed cotton harvest and crop residue removal, soil analytical result revealed no indication of depletion in total nitrogen, available K and P. Soil pHe (in both soil types) and ECe only in Fluvisols tend show gradual increase.
Abstract: A long-term cotton exhaustion trial was conducted on lowland Vertisols and Fluvisols at Werer Agricultural Research Center during the 1968–2002 in Ethiopia to investigate nutrient depletion rate and changes in selected soil chemical properties. Treatments used include cultivated fallow, control, 80kgN ha-1, 80-80 kgNP ha-1, 80-80kgNKha-1 and 80-80-...
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Cocoa Farming System in Indonesia and Its Sustainability Under Climate Change
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
170-180
Received:
12 July 2016
Accepted:
28 July 2016
Published:
7 September 2016
Abstract: The Indonesian cocoa sector has experienced tremendous growth in the past twenty five years with massive growth, driven by rapid expansion of smallholder farmer participation. Cocoa production provides the main source of income of millions smallholder farmers and their families in Indonesia. Smallholders contribute more than ninety percent of national production; the remainder comes from state-owned plantations and private estates. In parts of Indonesia, cocoa is responsible for the opening up of primary forests and the establishment of settlements in these previously forested areas. Cocoa intensification system, which increases the fragmentation of primary forests and is considered agriculturally unsustainable, is becoming common in Indonesia. This paper presents the synthesis that resulted from this review as well as the researcher’s critical appraisal of the state of the research field of intensification system and its effect under climate change which the objective remaining stakeholder relevant to the sustainable intensification of farming practices of the poor smallholder farmers in Indonesia.
Abstract: The Indonesian cocoa sector has experienced tremendous growth in the past twenty five years with massive growth, driven by rapid expansion of smallholder farmer participation. Cocoa production provides the main source of income of millions smallholder farmers and their families in Indonesia. Smallholders contribute more than ninety percent of natio...
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Efficacy of BotaniGard (Beauveria bassiana) Against Whiteflies on Poinsettia and Dahlia
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
181-185
Received:
6 August 2016
Accepted:
17 August 2016
Published:
10 September 2016
Abstract: Efficacy of the entomopathogen fungus, Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard) was compared with conventional insecticides against whiteflies on Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and Dahlia (Dahlia coccinea) in Maranque plant located at Doni in Eastern Shoa zone of Ethiopia between December 2010 and March 2011. The experimental site measuring 1250 m² was divided in 6 bays. Three bays in alternative fashion were allocated for treatment with the test pesticide, BotaniGard and the other three for spraying with the conventional insecticides according to the routine practice of the farm. BotaniGard was applied at the concentration of 0.15% by mixing 150 ml of the product with 100 l of water weekly for the first ten weeks and twice weekly thereafter until the termination of the experiment. Mean whitefly number per treatment was calculated to examine population fluctuation in adjacent BotaniGard and control treatments of both Dahlia and poinsettia. To assess presence of statistical differences in whitefly population between treatments as well as between plant species, a student t-test was used using counts recorded from each of the 12 cards per treatment at the different weeks. Population of whiteflies was generally low in both plant species until 17 January 2011 without appreciable difference in whiteflies number between the BotaniGard and the conventional insecticides. Whiteflies number increased after 17 January in both plant species and peaked on 7 February 2011. Pest population in BotaniGard treated bed was lower than conventional insecticides treated bed during this period in both plant species. Whiteflies population in Poinsettia fluctuated between 3.9 and 42 per trap compared to between 0.6 and 24.8 in Dahlia in the conventional insecticide treatment. On BotaniGard treated plot, whiteflies number fluctuated between 2.5 and 17.6 in poinsettia and between 1.8 and 12.5 in Dahlia. This difference between Dahlia and poinsettia was significant (P<0.05) in 5 out of 12 sampling dates in the conventional treatment and in 7 out of 12 weeks in BotaniGard treatment. Dahlia was less susceptible to whiteflies and BotaniGard resulted in lower number of whiteflies than the conventional insecticide treatment. Hence, BotaniGard may be used as a viable alternative to reducing the use of chemical insecticides in the management of whiteflies in green house produced plants.
Abstract: Efficacy of the entomopathogen fungus, Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard) was compared with conventional insecticides against whiteflies on Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and Dahlia (Dahlia coccinea) in Maranque plant located at Doni in Eastern Shoa zone of Ethiopia between December 2010 and March 2011. The experimental site measuring 1250 m² was ...
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A Study of the Genetic Variability of West Indian Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) in Kerala State of India
P. V. Shintu,
V. V. Radhakrishnan,
K. V. Mohanan
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
186-190
Received:
10 August 2016
Accepted:
19 August 2016
Published:
10 September 2016
Abstract: West Indian arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) is a major component of family farming in Kerala state of India. The starch obtained from its rhizomes is used both for food and nutraceutical purposes. A study was carried out to assess the genetic variability of West Indian arrowroot in the region in relation to morphological growth and yield characters. Sixty accessions collected from farmer homesteads were grown in the experimental garden and assessed for variability in terms of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heritability (H2) and genetic advance (GA). High estimates of PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance in the case of the characters studied indicated the presence of substantial variability in the genetic resources of this important crop in the study area and also the scope for selection for crop improvement and release of promising varieties. Yield per plant showed the highest range of performance followed by starch content and leaf area. The minimum range of performance was observed for diameter of primary fingers. Wide range of characters indicates the involvement of higher number of contributing alleles and higher involvement of environmental factors in the expression of the character whereas narrow range indicates the involvement of lower number of contributing alleles and lesser involvement of environment. Heritability of characters varied from 16.69% to 99.22% and the highest heritability was shown by starch content, which was followed by plant height (79.08%) and yield per plant (72.13%). Genetic advance was found to be the maximum for starch content followed by number of primary fingers and number of tillers. The results indicate the occurrence of broad genetic base in the case of the Indian arrowroot populations studied and also the feasibility of selection of superior genotypes in Maranta arundinacea based on the characters that show broad range of variation.
Abstract: West Indian arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) is a major component of family farming in Kerala state of India. The starch obtained from its rhizomes is used both for food and nutraceutical purposes. A study was carried out to assess the genetic variability of West Indian arrowroot in the region in relation to morphological growth and yield charact...
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Farmers’ Goals and Efficiency in Small-Scale Maize Production: The Case of Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
Douglas Kibirige,
Ajuruchukwu Obi,
Micah Bheki. Masuku,
Ajay Shankar Singh
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
191-201
Received:
11 August 2016
Accepted:
22 August 2016
Published:
10 September 2016
Abstract: Farmers’ goals in complementarity with natural, physical and financial assets are crucial for efficient production and productivity especially for rural development and economic growth. Goals can be defined as aspirations for which a person has decided to undertake for improved well-being. This article examined correlates of farmers’ production efficiency, and their goals and other farmer/farm characteristics. The study was carried out at Qamata and Tyefu irrigation scheme in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, respectively. The study involved about 108 of farmers who were interviewed as source of primary data. This article assumes that farmers’ goals have a greater impact on their production efficiency. The principal component analysis was employed to establish generalized perceived farmers’ goals. Established principal component coefficients were regressed with generated production efficiency scores. A stochastic production frontier analysis was employed to generate the efficiency scores. Generated perceived principal component of farmers’ goals included self-expression (Farm status), business (profit) related goals, social (internal and external network and rules) related goals and independence goals (self-reliance). On average, smallholder farmers were technically inefficient in maize production with a score of about 44%. Farm and farmers’ characteristics found to be significantly related to technical efficiency included household size (at 5% level of significance), years spent in school (at 5% level of significance), access to training on agronomy (at 5% level), crop incomes (at 5% level), and government social grants (at 1% level of significance). The perceived farmers’ goal found to have a positive and significant impact on technical efficiency was farm status at 10% level, while farmers’ goal related to business (profit maximization) had a negative relationship with technical efficiency at 5% level of significance. This study recommends that all stakeholders in smallholder agricultural sector should participate in planning and implementing policies that match farmers’ goals and aspiration, and farmers’ improved formal education and access to farm loans, without changing the existing technology.
Abstract: Farmers’ goals in complementarity with natural, physical and financial assets are crucial for efficient production and productivity especially for rural development and economic growth. Goals can be defined as aspirations for which a person has decided to undertake for improved well-being. This article examined correlates of farmers’ production eff...
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Bacteriological Quality of Tilapia Fish from Treated Wastewater in Peri-Urban Areas, Morogoro, Tanzania
Ofred Jonas Mhongole,
Robinson Hammerthon Mdegela,
Lughano Jeromey Moses Kusiluka,
Anders Dalsgaard
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2016
Pages:
202-206
Received:
16 August 2016
Accepted:
5 September 2016
Published:
6 October 2016
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess faecal bacterial contamination in tilapia fish from wastewater treatment ponds at Mzumbe and in pristine water in Mindu dam. Tilapia fish (fish flesh and fish intestines) and water samples were analysed for Escherichia coli and total plate count. The concentration of E. coli in fish intestines ranged from about 1 - 3.5 log cfu/g and <1 log cfu/g in fish flesh. Total plate count ranged from 1 – 3 log cfu/g in fish flesh and 2 – 6 log cfu/g in fish intestines. The concentration of E. coli in pristine water in Mindu dam ranged from 0 to 15 cfu/mL. From the inlet to outlet of Mzumbe wastewater treatment pond, there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) of E. coli concentration along the gradient from 2.05 to 0.55 log cfu/mL, respectively. These findings demonstrated that tilapia fish from the two study sites were of good quality for human consumption based on microbial faecal contamination. On the other hand treated wastewater of the quality found in this study may be used for aquaculture. However, continuous monitoring for bacteriological quality and safety parameters including E. coli and total plate count is required.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess faecal bacterial contamination in tilapia fish from wastewater treatment ponds at Mzumbe and in pristine water in Mindu dam. Tilapia fish (fish flesh and fish intestines) and water samples were analysed for Escherichia coli and total plate count. The concentration of E. coli in fish intestines ranged from about 1...
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