Root Interactions and Evaluation of Agroforestry and Intercropping Systems in Benin, West Africa

Root Interactions and Evaluation of Agroforestry and Intercropping Systems in Benin, West Africa
Author: Sigmund Johannes Lose
Publisher:
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2003
Genre: Agroforestry
ISBN:

About the book In West Africa, traditional smallholder fallow systems urgently need sustainable intensification while maintaining soil fertility. Agroforestry systems were propagated to attain these targets. Earlier work, however, had not shown the expected positive effects on yield of the interplanted staple crops due to shading as well as root competition for nutrients and water. From 1995 until 1999, within the frame of the special research programme 308 (1985-1999) "Adapted farming in West Africa" of the University of Hohenheim, root studies were carried out in Southern Benin using the profile wall method for direct root observation and destructive soil monolith sampling. To estimate sustainability of the various treatments, i.e. fertilised, annual and perennial alley cropping in comparison to local practice, and production systems, i.e. maize-cassava intercropping, cassava sole-cropping as well as alley vs. block arrangement of perennial leguminous trees, yield trends were calculated for the three central trial sites at different edapho-climatical ecozones. Additionally, to quantify the complex interactions in agroforestry as well as in intercropping systems, data were used in system process modelling to give quantification of sustainable land management.

Cover Crops in West Africa

Cover Crops in West Africa
Author: International Development Research Centre (Canada)
Publisher: IDRC
Total Pages: 319
Release: 1998
Genre: Cover crops
ISBN: 088936852X

Cover Crops in West Africa Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture

Agroforestry: Science, Policy and Practice

Agroforestry: Science, Policy and Practice
Author: Fergus L. Sinclair
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2013-03-09
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9401706816

Agroforestry research is central to developing methods for the sustainable use of natural renewable resources, evolving to address the needs of the coming century. It is now necessary to consolidate the scientific gains now being made in process-oriented research and to develop a policy framework to encourage the adoption of sustainable land use practices. Agroforestry plays an important role in conserving forest resources, reducing the need for deforestation. Further, if `forest' is broadly defined as tree cover, agroforestry will also increase the proportion of woody biomass in farming landscapes. The papers selected for inclusion in Agroforestry: Science, Policy, and Practice establish agroforestry as an interdisciplinary science focused on the practical imperative of assisting farmers, forest dwellers and landscape-level planners to achieve sustainable food, fuel and timber production into the 21st century.

Diseases of Sorghum Bicolor in West and Central Africa and Their Management Approaches

Diseases of Sorghum Bicolor in West and Central Africa and Their Management Approaches
Author: Paul Shaba Marley
Publisher:
Total Pages: 108
Release: 2004
Genre: Sorghum
ISBN:

Diseases constitute serious biotic constraints to sorghum production within West and Central Africa (WCA). Many of the diseases incited by fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes cause significant and economic losses. Further, sorghum production is constrained by water and nutrient stresses. This book describes the various biotic and abiotic constraints limiting sorghum production within WCA. Drawing heavily on research and development activities within the region, the book concentrates on the causal organisms identified, symptoms produced on sorghum and control measures. Various possibilities used in the control of all the diseases are described such as host plant resistance, cultural practices such as sanitation and planting date, and fungicidal use in seed treatment. A chapter of this book focuses on Striga hermonthica, a major root parasite of sorghum and other cereals in West and Central Africa. Methods involved in its control are described and novel approaches e.g. biological control that has recently received significant attention within the sub-region is highlighted. Further, extension approaches to Striga control are discussed. The book intends to contribute to a more meaningful and practical approach to research, development and control of diseases on sorghum in West and Central Africa.

Management of Agroforestry Systems for Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency and Crop Productivity

Management of Agroforestry Systems for Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency and Crop Productivity
Author: Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2008
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9789201109088

Soil and water management is the key to sustainable crop production and food security. This book contains contributions from participants of an IAEA coordinated research program on the use of nuclear techniques for developing integrated nutrient and water management practices for agroforestry systems.

The Granulovirus of the Potato Tuber Moth Phthorimaea Operculella (Zeller)

The Granulovirus of the Potato Tuber Moth Phthorimaea Operculella (Zeller)
Author: Marc Sporleder
Publisher:
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2003
Genre: Potato tuberworm
ISBN:

The potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the most important pest in potato production in the tropics and subtropics. Faced with serious and increasing problems due to the extensive use of chemical pesticides to control this pest, safer alternatives such as the use of entomopathogens are of growing interest. The research presented here focus on the efficient integration of the endemic granulovirus infecting the potato tuber moth (PoGV) as biopesticide into IPM strategies. The investigations include basic research on the granulovirus-host interaction and ecology which allows a comprehensive understanding of the system and how the system is influenced by environmental factors, and applied research to improve the virus mass propagation technique and the UV-stability of the virus. The results presented allow differentiation between conditions occurring in different agroecological regions for appropriate management of the virus.