Incidence of Stem Borers on Postrainy-season Transplanted Sorghum in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad in 1995/96

Incidence of stem borers (Sesamia poephaga, S. calamistis, an unidentified Sesamia sp. and Eldana saccharina) on post-rainy season-transplanted sorghum on 9 farms was often quite high, ranging from 10% at Zigi Chokrai in Chad to 100% at Maltam and Fokotol in Cameroon. Damage symptoms are described. The percentage of larvae and pupae from which natural enemies emerged was low (less than 1%). The parasitoids recorded were Sturmiopsis inferens, Pediobius amaurocoela and Apanteles sesamiae [Cotesia sesamiae], while Nesolynx phaeosoma was recorded as a hyperparasitoid of C. sesamiae

A rocky road to evidence: Evaluating literacy programmes using a trust-based approach in a context of fragility

Background: Evaluation in contexts of fragility and violence has recently received attention because of the increased complexity of conducting such evaluations. The use of digital tools has been advocated for conducting these evaluations, but with limited results. Objectives: This article presents an in-depth analysis of combining digital tools with in-person activities to build trust and develop the type of human interaction required to improve the quality of evaluation design and implementation in the context of insecurity, fragility and violence. Method: Data collection was conducted both offline and online. Enumerators collected data through face-to-face individual interviews, and statistical analysis was performed using STATA software version 17. Results: The objectives of data collection were achieved at 99%, notwithstanding the challenging security environment. Several factors contributed to this achievement, notably our methodological framework based on trust building, digitisation and iterative programming. Despite this commendable performance, the overall efficiency was found to be 63%, indicating a potential for a 37% reduction in data collection time. Conclusion: The proposed trust-based approach has been successfully tested to enhance the quality of baseline studies and establish conditions for the success of other phases of evaluations. Contribution: This case study serves as an evidence to what we call a trust-based approach to the use of digital tools in evaluation processes. We contend that the effectiveness of digital tools in enhancing the quality of evaluation design, especially in the context of fragility and violence, hinges on their integration with face-to-face activities, trust-based human interaction and careful timing

Effect Of Plant Population Density On The Growth And Yield Of Sorghum Varieties Grown On A Vertisol

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important crop that is usually grown on the Vertisols of north eastern Nigeria during the dry season. The crop is grown on soils with residual moisture, and thus exposing it to terminal drought stress. Improvement of resource use efficiency and yields is probably possible through the use of appropriate plant densities. Field trials were therefore conducted to study the effects of four plant densities, varying from 2.0 to 12.5 plants m-2 on water and radiation use and performance of two Masakwa sorghum varieties grown on a Vertisol under residual soil moisture conditions. At higher plant densities the locally adapted Nigerian variety, Bulwalana produced higher grain yields than the selection from Cameroun, Bourgouri-28. It also had more efficient water use and better light interception. At low plant densities, Bourgouri-28 yielded higher than Bulwalana. Leaf area index and radiation interception increased with increasing plant density. Stem borer incidence decreased with increasing plant density. More stem borer holes and stem tunnelling were recorded in Bulwalana than in Bourgouri-28. Covered kernel smut [Sporisorium sorghi (Ehrenberg) Link] appeared to be a potentially serious disease of the crop. The study showed that the performance of the crop can be improved through manipulation of plant population and use of early maturing cultivars

The European Para Sport Coaching Workforce: A Quasi-Professional Space

Coaches in Paralympic and disability sport (Para coaching) play a significant societal role by providing opportunities for disabled people in sport and physical activity. Such is its importance; this role is now recognised by the European Union and its professionalisation agenda. Therefore, drawing on Abbott’s theory of professions and Thomas’ social relational model of disability, this original transnational study considers critically the characteristics of the European Para coaching workforce. Data collection followed a mixed methodology via an online survey of Para coaches (N = 275). Combining quantitative and qualitative data, the analysis generated three higher order themes, “Exclusion, differentiated labour force and working contexts,” “Uneven coach education and development opportunities” and “Impairment effect as a source of coaches professional knowledge.” These themes illuminate Para coaching as a quasi-professional space shaped by specific workforce characteristics and those mediated by sporting domains. The findings and recommendations prompt significant considerations for policy makers, coach educators, and sport organisations

Water Use and Yield of Millet Under the Zai System: Understanding the Processes Using Simulation

In the drylands of Africa about 90% of the population is rural and depends on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. There is an increasing pressure on the natural resources due to the high population growth, and farmers are constrained to cultivate marginal lands, thereby compounding the land degradation problem. Low and erratic rainfall, its poor distribution within the growing season, prolonged dry spells, lack of adequate water supply due to soil physical degradation (soil crusting) and nutrient shortage adversely affect crop growth and yields. To address these problems, indigenous, easy to implement innovations such as the zai system may provide solutions to increase productivity. The effect of three planting techniques (Flat, zai pit of 25 cm and zai pit of 50 cm diameter) and three fertility management options (control, crop residue, cattle manure) were tested at Damari in 1999 in Niger. Soil water was monitored from weekly measurements using a Didcot Wallingford neutron probe throughout the growing period. Data from that experiment were used to determine if the CERES-Millet model of the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) is sufficiently robust to predict yield response to the zai water harvesting system. The model simulated the observed yield response of the control and the manure-amended plots with high r-square (0.99), low residual mean error square (340 kg·ha−1 for above ground biomass and 94 kg·ha−1 for grain yield) and high d-statistic (0.99), but this was not the case for the crop residue treatment, which was over-predicted. Soil water content and extractable soil water were also well simulated for the control and manure treatments. This evaluation of DSSAT provides a starting point for research to evaluate the performance of these technologies over wider areas in West Africa. The application of models for such studies must be interpreted in the context of limitations of the model to address some constraints. Nevertheless, the highly variable crop responses due to interacting effects of rainfall, management and adverse soil conditions in this region make this an extremely important approach in planning for technology ­adoption in an area and in interpreting results from experimental field researc

Modeling nutrient and water productivity of sorghum in smallholder farming systems in a semi-arid region of Ghana

The CERES-sorghum module of the Decision Support System for Agro-Technological Transfer (DSSAT) model was calibrated for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) using data from sorghum grown with adequate waterand nitrogen and evaluated with data from several N rates trials in Navrongo, Ghana with an overall modified internal efficiency of 0.63. The use of mineral N fertilizer was found to be profitable with economically optimal rates of 40 and 80 kg N ha−1 for more intensively managed homestead fields and less intensively managed bush fields respectively. Agronomic N use efficiency varied from 21 to 37 kg grain kg−1 N for the homestead fields and from 15 to 49 kg grain kg−1 N in the bush fields. Simulated grain yield for homestead fields at 40 kg N ha−1 application was equal to yield for bush fields at 80 kg N ha−1. Water use efficiency generally increased with increased mineral N rate and was greater for the homestead fields compared with the bush fields. Grain yield per unit of cumulative evapo-transpiration (simulated) was consistently higher compared with yield per unit of cumulative precipitation for the season, probably because of runoff and deep percolation. In the simulation experiment, grain yield variability was less with mineral N application and under higher soil fertility (organic matter) condition. Application of mineral N reduced variability in yield from a CV of 37 to 11% in the bush farm and from 17 to 7% in the homestead fields. The use of mineral fertilizer and encouraging practices that retain organic matter to the soil provide a more sustainable system for ensuring crop production and hence food securit

Gendered Analysis of Stakeholder Perceptions of Climate Change, and the Barriers to its Adaptation in Mopti Region in Mali, Research Report no. 68

The current study presents the farmer and community perceptions of the causes and effects of climate change, the barriers to adoption of the resilient practices, and the present level of practices adoption in Mopti region in Mali, paying special attention to the gender of household head and farming systems in the region. The study results show that the majority of farmers perceive changes in climate in the past 10-20 years and that female-headed household in the region are more vulnerable to climate change. Strategies to adapt to climate change are diversified, but as expected, the proportion of adopting households is lower among the female-headed households than their male counterparts. The most commonly cited constraints to climate resilient practices adoption are low agricultural productivity, declining soil fertility and poor seed quality. However, female headed households have to withstand specific barriers including lack of finances, labor shortages and lack of access to land. Adoption of adaptation technologies was also assessed in various farming systems. The more diversified a farmer’s system is, the more climate resilient it is. Farmers’ reports that the most important adaptation methods influencing positively crop yield are mixed farming, irrigation, fertilizers and improved seed varieties. Crop yields, livestock units owned and per capita income significantly increase through technology diversification, but no clear relationship was observed with respect to food security indicators. In summary, the farming systems in the area are diversified but in order to have a more adaptive and resilient system, there is a need to design and implement inclusive locally adapted strategies promoting mixed farming and crop diversification, including use of improved crop varieties and soil fertility management. The lack of labor and finance, and lack of access to land and to adapted livestock breeds is also an important barrier to climate resilient strategies, in particular for female farmers. There is a need to implement innovative and inclusive credit schemes to increase farmers’ liquidity and capacity to invest in climate change adaptation. Increased adoption of climate resilient practices can also be enhanced by integrating climate change and agro-meteorological forecasts in the current extension and advisory services. Finally, improving local nutritional skills through enhanced diets could increase climate resilience by augmenting food security

Comparison of cowpea and groundnut haulm trading in urban and rural fodder markets in Niger

In West Africa 80% of small holder farmers are living in mixed crop-livestock/agro-pastoral systems..

Rothamsted carbon model reveals technical options to maintain soil organic carbon under semi-arid climate

Soil organic matter in the Sahel is severely reduced by continuous cultivation. Reductions of soil organic matter decrease in turn soil productivity. Nonetheless, reports show that organic matter application in the Sahel improves crop yield. However, long-term effects of organic matter application on soil fertility have not been fully studied. In particular, it is essential to get information on organic matter decomposition and annual carbon requirement. Model simulation is suitable for evaluating long-term sustainability. The Rothamsted carbon model is convenient and has been recently validated for use in Sahelian conditions. Here, we studied the annual carbon requirement for sustainable soil organic carbon management in the Sahelian zone using datasets of short-term trials conducted in the Sahel. We estimated the long-term effect of various agricultural managements on soil organic carbon dynamics as one of the soil fertility indices. The 10-year soil organic carbon value changes were predicted by the Rothamsted carbon model for 59 treatments. Results show that, contrary to previous short-term experiments that indicated crop yield enhancement, these technical options also cause a decline in soil organic carbon if enough organic resource is not applied. Soil productivity should therefore decrease. The annual carbon requirement to maintain the soil organic carbon level is approximately 0.8 tons of carbon per hectar