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Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient in plant metabolism, ionic balance, and stress resistance. In this study, the effects of K on agronomic attributes and on mineral and primary metabolite content in African potato were determined. K was administered hydroponically at four concentrations (4.00, 6.00, 8.00, and 10.00 meq·L−1) using Steiner’s universal nutrient solution. Chlorophyll content (CHL), leaf area (LA), fresh corm mass (FCM), number of roots (NR), root fresh weight (RFM), and root dry mass (RDM) were measured 18, 32, and 40 weeks after transplanting. Mineral analysis data were collected at 18 weeks, and primary metabolite data were collected at 32 weeks. Significant effects of K were observed after 18 weeks, and all test concentrations had a positive effect on yield. Calcium and boron significantly accumulated in the corm at 4.00 meq·L−1 K. Alanine and malic acid were the only metabolites affected by K concentrations. More minerals accumulated in the corm at 4.00 meq·L−1 K, whereas at 10.00 meq·L−1 K, more minerals clustered in the leaf. K applied at 4.00 meq·L−1 is recommended when growing African potato using a nutrient solution to improve corm mineral and metabolite accumulation.

Gene editing (GE) has yielded positive results in the management of genetic and nongenetic plant traits. Clustered interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas) (together known as the CRISPR/Cas system) are relatively easy to use, compared to other existing genome editing technologies. The CRISPR/Cas tool produces unchanging gene mutations, with the ability to segregate from the Cas9/sgRNA construct to avoid similar modifications by CRISPR/Cas. CRISPR/Cas GE is fast and accurate; crops developed using this technique are resistant to viruses, fungi, and bacteria and resilient to abiotic and biotic stresses, while crops established using conventional methods take between 10 and 15 years to develop resistance. Therefore, CRISPR/Cas is a useful tool for sustainable agricultural production. Plant traits have been successfully manipulated using this technology. Notwithstanding the technical challenges of transferring CRISPR/Cas9 developed crops from the laboratory to the field, additional obstacles include uncertain policy systems, dispute over intellectual property ownership, and acceptability by consumers. Several Cas9-based applied techniques have gained popularity that enable researchers to enhance plants with speed and accuracy. In conclusion, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful technology for genetically modifying crops.

The density and morphology of glandular trichomes in rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Her.) are often correlated to the essential oil biosynthesis. However, whether the different organs in the same rose geranium plant are affected by hail damage, or if they recover similarly following hail damage is still unknown concerning the essential oil biosynthesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of split-applying cytokinin (CK), gibberellic acid (GA) and defoliation on rose geranium trichome morphology and density, and essential oil biosynthesis. The experiment was carried out in a hail-net covered tunnel structure during 2017-2018 growing season. The experimental design was a complete randomized blocks with a 3x3 factorial arrangement of treatments: three defoliation levels (0, 50, and 100%), two levels of split-application of CK and GA (0.32 mg L-1 CK + 150 mg L-1 GA; and 0.64 mg L-1 CK + 300 mg L-1 GA), and a control. The attenuate, peltate, and capitate trichome groups were identified in the leaf. Morphologically, the attenuate trichome group was less dense on both recovered and new plant leaves, despite split-applied CK and GA treatment. With the peltate group, brevicollate trichome density declined in all plant leaves treated with 0.64 mg L-1 CK + 300 mg L-1 GA on both leaf surfaces. Application of 0.64 mg L-1 CK + 300 mg L-1 GA led to high density of the elongated-capitate type on leaves recovered from 50 and 100% defoliation. The essential oil yield was not affected by density and morphological changes of the trichomes. However, the application of 0.32 mg L-1 CK + 150 mg L-1 GA increased the citronellol content where plants endured 100% defoliation. Results demonstrated that the effects of hail damage stress and subsequent split-applied CK and GA could transform the morphology of trichomes, subsequently increasing the density.

Uapaca kirkiana is an underutilised indigenous fruit tree (IFT) found in the miombo ecological zone in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, sub-Saharan Africa is home to many nutritionally insecure people who suffer from micronutrient deficiency. The incorporation of probiotic strains in jams as a possible way of enhancing mineral accessibility, food quality, and health is limited in Africa. This study monitored the probiotic potential, bioaccessible iron and zinc, and organoleptic properties of U. kirkiana fruit jam fermented with L. rhamnosus yoba. U. kirkiana fruits were collected from semiarid rural areas of Zimbabwe. The L. rhamnosus yoba strain was obtained from the Yoba for Life Foundation, Netherlands. Mineral and biochemical properties of the probiotic jam were analysed using AOAC standard methods. The U. kirkiana fruit tree was ranked first as a food resource by most rural populations in Zimbabwe. The probiotic jam formulation had 55% (wt/vol) U. kirkiana fruit pulp, 43% (wt/vol) sugar, 1.25% (wt/vol) pectin, 0.5% (wt/vol) citric acid, and 0.25% (wt/vol) L. rhamnosus yoba strain. The probiotic jam had6.2±0.2log CFU/mL viable L. rhamnosus yoba cells. Iron and zinc content (mg/100 g w.b.) was4.13±0.22and0.68±0.02with pH3.45±0.11, respectively. Nutrient content was g/100 g w.b., carbohydrate66±4.1, fat0.1±0.01, crude protein0.2±0.01, ash0.7±0.02, and crude fiber0.3±0.01. Bioaccessible iron and zinc were6.55±0.36%and16.1±0.50%and increased by 4% and 2% in the probiotic jam, respectively. Mineral bioaccessibility and nutrient content were significantly different (p<0.05) in jam with 0.25% L. rhamnosus yoba. Jam acceptance rating was 83%. The probiotic jam can be used as a sustainable food containing probiotic with potential nutritional and health benefits.

Many smallholder farmers face crop production constraints, especially under rapidly changing climatic conditions. A survey was carried out to assess farmers’ production constraints, traits, and preferred cowpea varieties. A semi-structured questionnaire was used in a survey of Buhera District, Zimbabwe, in March and April of 2018. Women farmers dominated the survey as they were 52% of the surveyed population, while men occupied 48% of the total population. Eighty-three percent of farmers cited the shortage, unavailability, and cost of fertiliser. Sixteen per cent of farmers acknowledged that they do not have access to quality seeds, and 1% cited labour as the major constraint in cowpea production. Cowpea yield varied from 100 to 500 kg/ha. However, 48% of farmers harvested 200 kg/ha. As for abiotic factors, farmers ranked heat (86%), drought (10%), and soil fertility (4%) as the most important abiotic factors. Ninety-one percent of farmers ranked rust as the most destructive disease, while 2% ranked storage rot, 1% ranked anthracnose, and 1% ranked downy mildew. Eighty-one percent of farmers cited aphids as the main pests, while 3% ranked thrips, 3% ranked legume borers, and 2%ranked pod borers as other pests. Fifty-two percent of farmers preferred varieties that are resistant to diseases such as rust, whereas 48% were not concerned about diseases. As for qualitative traits, 50% of farmers had no specific colour preference, 32% preferred white colour, 14% preferred brown colour, 3% preferred red colour, and 1% preferred tan colour. For quantitative traits, such as grain size, pod size, plant height, and head size, the preferences of farmers varied. Ninety-nine percent of the farmers interviewed preferred cowpea varieties that are bred for drought tolerance, as Buhera District is frequented by intermittent droughts. Farmers’ experience in growing cowpeas ranged from 5 to 30 years. The top ranked accessions were CBC1, IT 18, and Chibundi Chitsvuku, while the least ranked was Kangorongondo. Identified constraints to cowpea farming included lack of education, insect pests, diseases, drought, weeds, harvesting difficulties and a lack of agriculture extension advice. The survey showed that there is a need to breed for biotic factors such as pests and diseases and abiotic factors such as drought and moisture stress. Key words: Buhera District, Constraints, cowpeas, perceptions, preference, variety, Zimbabwe

The correlation between the functional and chemical properties of U. kirkiana fruit pulp was studied. The functional and chemical properties of the fruit pulps were determined and data were analyze...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Ca:Mg ratio, magnetic field (MF), and mycorrhizal amendment on the yield and mineral composition of rose geranium. The experiment was structured as a 3 × 2 factorial experimental design, with three levels of the Ca:Mg ratio (2.40:6.78, 4.31:4.39, and 6.78:2.40 meq·L−1), 6.78 Ca:2.40 Mg meq·L−1 denoted by “High-Ca:Low-Mg,” equal proportion of Ca and Mg (4.31 Ca:4.39 Mg meq·L−1) represented by “EP-Ca:Mg,” and 2.32 Ca:6.38 Mg meq·L−1 denoted by “Low-Ca:High-Mg,” two levels of MF (no MF, denoted by “0 MF,” and 110 mT, denoted by “1 MF”) and split treatments of mycorrhizae (zero mycorrhizae denoted by “0 Myco,” and 20 mL mycorrhizae denoted by “1 Myco”) were used in this study. The results show that the plant height and branch dry mass were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the Ca:Mg ratio. No significant effect of Ca:Mg ratio, MF, or mycorrhizae on the number of leaves, foliar mass, leaf dry mass, or yield was detected. Phosphorus, K, S, Fe, and B accumulation in the stem were unaffected, as were leaf N, P, K, Ca, S, Fe, B, and Cu. However, some agronomic attributes (plant height, number of branches, root length, and chlorophyll content) and mineral composition (Stem-N) were optimized when the 1 MF exposed nutrient solution was used with about equal proportions of Ca and Mg. This Ca:Mg ratio in the nutrient solution, together with the exposure of rose geranium plants to 1 MF, yielded positive results. The findings of this study can be applied to improve the production of rose geranium by enhancing the growth and mineral concentration of this crop.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and polymorphism among 30 soybean genotypes maintained by the ARC using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Soybean genotypes were characterized using 20 SSR primers. DNA was extracted using the standard cetyl trimethylammonium bromide method and amplified using PCR. Allele size was determined via comparison with a 100 base pair (bp) DNA ladder. Molecular data were analyzed, and a dendrogram and matrix were generated using GGT 2.0 software. A total of 216 alleles with an average of 10.8 alleles per locus were detected. The allele sizes ranged between 2 and 33 bp with an average of 18.7 bp. The polymorphic information content among genotypes varied from 0.85 (Satt001) to 0.75 (Satt43) with an average of 0.716, and heterozygosity ranged from 0.87 to 0.78 with an average of 0.7485. The most diverse genotypes were B 66 S 31, 69S 7, and R5-4-2 M, which indicated the efficiency of the SSR markers for the detection of genetic diversity. The results of the current study revealed the diversity among the soybean genotypes tested, which might aid breeders in the future in the selection of parents for breeding.

Consumption of Uapaca kirkiana indigenous fruit by the local populace is growing in popularity because of the acclaimed health and functional benefits...

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. L) is an important leguminous crop largely grown by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa for food security and animal feed. The objective of this study was to review the production constraints and improvement strategies of cowpea genotypes for drought tolerance. Data were analysed through use of literature review from various sources. In sub-Saharan Africa, cowpeas are produced mainly from West Africa, which accounts for 60% of worldwide production. A lot of pests and diseases affect cowpeas, and this often results in total crop loss. Through continuous improvement, many new cultivars are continually being identified and genetically characterised, and it is thus necessary to evaluate these new lines under different environments. There is a need for multidisciplinary collaborations among breeders and other relevant stakeholders such as farmer and extension workers because the improved cultivars must be according to the farmers preferred traits. Due to declining rainfall pattern in sub-Saharan Africa, there is an urgent requirement for cowpea breeding programmes that focus on developing varieties with short maturity, drought, pest, and disease tolerance. The present review discusses the constraints and improvement strategies of cowpea varieties for drought tolerance.

Probiotics are important in enhancing food quality, reducing incidences of diarrhoea and promoting good health. A fruit jam is an ideal food to deliver probiotics because it is easy to produce, a good source of sugar, and most rural population consume it. A probiotic jam was developed using an underutilised fruit, U. kirkiana, to benefit the resource-poor population in southern Africa. U. kirkiana fruit is found abundant in most semi-dry rural areas of Zimbabwe. Ripe U. kirkiana fruits were obtained from preferred domesticated trees by households residing in semi-dry rural areas of Zimbabwe. The fruits were pulped by removing seeds, mashing and sieving through an 800 μM sieve. Pectin content of the pulp was determined. A probiotic jam was developed using the formulation 55 % (wt/vol) pulp, 43 % (wt/vol) sugar, 1.5 % (wt/vol) pectin, and 0.5 % (wt/vol) citric acid. The fruit pulp was mixed with sugar in a stainless steel pot and cooked at 110 °C. Citric acid was added and stirred whilst cooking until it reached 55 oBrix. Pectin was added and the jam was continuously stirred until it reached 68 oBrix. The jam was inoculated with 0.25 % L. rhamnosus yoba and left to propagate for 24 hours, while bacterial growth was monitored. The physicochemical and functional properties (pH, total soluble solids, sugars, total titratable acidity, iron content, zinc content, and vitamin C), and L. rhamnosus yoba viability in the probiotic jam was analysed. The probiotic jam had vitamin C, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and moisture content of 0.34 ±0.02 mg /100 g FW, 2.2 ± 0.11 g / L FW, 68.5 ± 0.2 % FW, and 34.8 ± 1.2 % FW, respectively; iron and zinc content of 4.13 ± 0.52 mg /100 g FW and 0.36 ± 0.02 mg /100 g FW, respectively; high fructose and sucrose content of 12.84 ± 0.21 g /100 g FW and 24.61 ± 0.12 g /100 g FW, respectively; and a total titratable acidity content of 2.2 g / L at day 0 (after production), 2.37 ± 0.01 g / L FW at day 4, and 2.48 ± 0.02 g / L FW at day 7 of storage (25 °C). The probiotic jam had 6.2 ± 0.2 Log CFU / mL viable cells on point of consumption. U. kirkiana fruit jam can potentially deliver live L. rhamnosus yoba cells as a probiotic food. Key words: Probiotic food, vitamin C, fruit jam, L. rhamnosus yoba, pectin, U. kirkiana fruit, sub-Saharan Africa

Consumption of Uapaca kirkiana indigenous fruit by the local populace is growing in popularity because of the acclaimed health and functional benefits. The aim of the study was to determine the bioactive compounds and functional properties of the U. kirkiana fruit. Besides the fruit’s pulp yield, the bioactive phytochemical constituent, physicochemical properties and functional characteristics of the pulp were analysed. The sugar, starch, minerals, and ascorbic acid constituents of the fruit pulp were, respectively determined using the following instruments: brix refractometer, megazyme kit, inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer and 2,6- dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) titration test. The total phenolic content (TPC), tannin, and flavonoid contents were evaluated using Folin Ciocalteau test, tannin binding test and vanillin test, respectively. The average weight of the U. kirkiana fruits harvested from three regions having different climatic conditions ranged from 23.56 to 34.20 g per fruit. The mean pulp weight was from 12.15 g/100 g to 15.09 g/100 g per fruit. The biochemical and functional parameters obtained include total titratable acid (0.3 - 0.48 g/kg), antioxidantactivity (34.96 - 36.68%), vitamin C (15.74 - 16.63 mg/100 g), dry matter content (28.81 - 29.38%), pH (4.3 - 4.6) and sugar content (20.29 - 21.87 g/100 g). Fructose was the dominant sugar (10.12-11.0 g/100 g). Preliminary phytochemical screening of the pulp indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, amino acids and carbohydrate content. Total phenolic content ranged from 67.0 to 82.5 µg GAE/g. The essential elements constituent evaluation of the pulp revealed that Fe content was 11.3 - 12.2 mg/100 g, K (383.07 - 439.8 mg/100 g), Mg (28.7 - 35.1 mg/100 g), Ca (16.4 - 17.3 mg/100 g), P (13.4 - 15.1 mg/100 g), Na (9.08 - 9.78 mg/100 g), Cu (0.8 - 0.94 mg/100 g) and Zn (0.87 - 0.94 mg/100 g). This study, besides establishing U. kirkiana fruit as a good source of micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn), reveals that the fruit is also an excellent source of phenolic compounds, vitamin C and sugars, hence use as a dietary supplement may combat some nutritional deficiencies. We, therefore, recommend U. kirkiana fruits to be used to produce nutritive functional foods with health benefits such as probiotic jams and as an additive. Key words: Indigenous fruit, micronutrients, phenolic, pulp, phytochemicals, U.kirkiana, megazyme kit

The objective of this study were to conduct association mapping for drought tolerance at the seedling stage and yield-related traits. 60 cowpea accessions were used in the study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered through genotyping by sequencing (GBS) were used for genotyping. Association mapping was conducted using single-marker regression (SMR) in Q Gene, and general linear model (GLM) and mixed linear model (MLM) built in TASSEL. The population of the cowpea accessions were analysed using STRUCTURE 2.3.4 and the peak of delta K in the greenhouse showed seven population types, whereas the peak of delta K in the glasshouse indicated the presence of six population types. One SNP marker, 14083649|F|0-9 was associated with NP with a p value

One of the most important screening techniques used in cowpea selection for drought tolerance is screening at the seedling stage. The objective of this study was to phenotype 60 cowpea genotypes for seedling drought tolerance in screen houses (glasshouse and greenhouse). A triplicated 6 × 10 alpha lattice design with four blocks was used for the experiments. After planting, pots were watered to field capacity, thereafter watering was completely withheld for 4 weeks after planting (WAP), when plants were at the three-leaf stage. Principal component analysis revealed that of the 14 variables, the first four expressed more than 1 eigenvalue. Data showed that PC1, PC2, and PC3 contributed 39.3%, 15.2%, and 10% respectively, with 64.68% total variation. Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant at pKangorongondo, and IT 90K-59 were the major individuals that contributed mainly to domain information model (DIM) 1 and 2. The accessions that contributed the least were IT 89KD288, Chibundi mavara, and TVU12746. Thirty-six cowpea accessions from both screen houses were tolerant to drought, 15 were moderately tolerant, while 23 were susceptible. The findings of the study provided a useful tool for screening and determining drought-tolerant and susceptible accessions at the seedling stage. Thirty-six cowpea accessions from both screen houses were tolerant to drought as well as those that showed great variability can be used as parents in future cowpea breeding programmes.

This study assessed shea butter processors preference and effectiveness of extension teaching methods used by Raw Material Research Development Council (RMRDC) for dissemination of improved processing technologies in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara state, Nigeria. Data were collected from 74 respondents selected through snow-ball sampling technique with a structured interview schedule and analysed using frequency count, percentages and means. The results show that all the processors were females between the ages of 31 and 50 years. About 70.3% of them were married whilst 52.7% had no formal education. Many of the processors had more than 11 years of experience in shea butter processing and were capable of making between ₦6,000 to ₦15,000 per month from sales of shea butter. The results also show that only group contact method was used for dissemination of improved processing technologies while group discussion was perceived to be very effective in acquiring skills hence it’s most preferred by the processors compared to other group teaching methods. It is therefore, suggested that individual and mass media contact methods be used along with the group contact method in teaching processors, as this will have the advantages of reaching different age and social groups, a situation that will make all groups access improved shea butter processing technologies. Keywords: Improved processing technologies, extension methods, shea butter, processors, Kwara State

There is a growing need to increase productivity in poultry. Growth hormones and antibiotics have the ability to improve health, weight gain and feed efficiency in meat-producing animals. The growth-promoting antibiotics are administered to poultry to improve the general performance of the chicken. However, the use of the xenobiotic drugs in food-producing animals has been a concern and a sensitive issue of debate for several decades in the EU and many other regional blocks of the world. Consequently, the use of hormones in animal production has been banned in Italy, Denmark and Germany for over 4-5 decades, while Belgium and Greece had never permitted its use for livestock fattening purposes. Bioactive phytochemicals exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties and consequently have several beneficial effects on appetite, growth and the immune status of the animal. In South Africa, different species of pumpkin are produced for food due to their high nutrient content. The flesh serves as a traditional food, while the seeds and peels are commonly discarded. Pumpkin seed extract is reported to be useful for immunomodulation, reproductive health, therapeutics over a wide range of disease conditions and stimulates metabolism of accumulated fats. Studies have also shown that pumpkin seeds are a valuable source of protein and fat. Their complexity and extent of bioactivity offers sustainable prospects for natural control of pathogenic/parasitic organisms, stimulate nutrition or enhance resistance to disease infections, and reduce abdominal fat and serum levels of harmful lipids, while increasing serum levels of beneficial lipids.

This study examined the constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 108 processors selected through a multistage sampling technique. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that all the processors were females, young and married with a household size of 5-9 and a low educational status. Results also revealed that the majority (67.6%) of the processors were not aware of training programmes, while 72% of them had not accessed training programmes. The results further revealed that non-awareness of training programmes (χ 2 = 2.95), inadequate information on available training opportunities (χ 2 = 2.90), inappropriate time for training (χ 2 = 2.87), and illiteracy (χ 2 = 2.36) were the major constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing. Creation of adequate awareness and dissemination of information by extension officers, extension agents and women in agriculture (WIA) officers on training programmes through the use of mass media, postal and leaflets in the study area is recommended. Keywords: Extension, constraints, access, training, modern technology, shea butter

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of four concentrations of potassium (K; 1.3, 3.3, 5.3 and 7.3 mmol L−1) and two potting-bag sizes (5 and 10 L) on foliar biomass and related attributes and oil composition of rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Plants were grown in a climate-controlled greenhouse at the University of the Free State and treatments were arranged in a split plot design. Potassium concentrations were allocated to the main plots and potting-bag size to the subplots replicated three times. Plant height, K tissue content, linalool, geraniol, geranyl formate and citronellol:geraniol ratio were affected by the K application. Plant height, number of branches, branch:height ratio, foliage fresh mass, K tissue content and oil yield were affected by the potting-bag size. Foliar fresh mass was significantly increased by the interaction between K concentration and potting-bag size. Growers may use a 5.3 mmol L−1 K concentration and a 5 L potting bag for optimum production of rose geran...

The structural core of flavene (2-phenyl-2H-chromene) is commonly found in plant flavonoids, which exhibit a wide range of biological activities and diverse pharmacological profiles (e.g., antioxidant and anticancer activities). Flavonoids have attracted significant interest in medicinal and synthetic chemistry. Substituted flav-3-ene 13 was exclusively synthesized by the stereoselective elimination of the O-mesyl moiety on C-3 of 5,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavan-3-mesylate 12 with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene. The reaction of 5,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavan-3-one 15 with ytterbium trifluoromethanesulfonate in methanol afforded a novel 3-O-substituted flav-3-ene derivative (3,5,7,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflav-3-ene) 17. The reduction of 4-(1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene)-5,7,3′,4′-tetra-O-benzylflavan-3-one 19b with hydrogen afforded a new compound: 3-hydroxy-4-(1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene)-5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan-3-en-3-ol 21 in good yield (95%), while the acetylation of 19a and 21 afforded the expected novel flav-3-en-3-acetoxy derivatives 20 (92%) and 22 (90%), respectively.

The need for continual production of high quality shea butter in Nigeria through the use of modern processing technologies necessitated this study. The study was carried out to ascertain training needs of shea butter processors on modern processing technologies in North Central Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 216 processors through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that processors were mostly young, married females. Half of the processors had no formal education but had between six and 15 years of processing experience. Extension officers were not fully involved in the training of processors, especially in the areas of teaching and practical demonstrations. The study shows that age ( χ 2 = 38.865, p = 0.000), educational level ( χ 2 = 69.018, p = 0.000), and years of processing experience ( χ = 40.118, p = 0.000) were significantly related to the training needs of shea butter processors. Furthermore, evidence suggests that kneading, milling, crushing, and roasting are areas of operations where processors require additional training. The training of processors by extension officers at least twice a year, especially in the identified areas of training need, is recommended. Keywords: Training, processors, extension officers, shea butter, modern technologies, Nigeria

Sulphur and phosphorus are essential plant macronutrients. Sulphur is involved in the formation of chlorophyll, activation of enzymes and is part of coenzyme A. Phosphorus forms part of the structure of nucleic acids and phospholipids. Two separate studies were conducted to determine the effects of sulphur and phosphorus levels in nutrient solutions on yield and quality of hydroponically grown rose geranium as well as setting standards of sulphur and phosphorus amounts to be used in the production process. The effect of four levels of sulphur (0.36, 1.90, 3.44 and 4.98 mmol l−1) was investigated in the first study and in the second study four levels of phosphorus (0.1, 0.8, 1.5 and 2.2 mmol l−1) were also investigated. All treatments were assigned in a completely randomised block design with five replicates. The results of the first study showed a significant effect of sulphur on the number of branches, plant height and foliar fresh mass. Foliar fresh mass and oil yield peaked at the 3.44 mmol l−1 concent...

Family scale vegetable production should be enhanced in rural areas in order to prevent vitamin A deficiencies. A soil-less water-use-efficient ‘Ebb-and-Flood’ production system, developed for areas with limited water resources, was compared with two conventional soil irrigation systems, using Amaranthus hypochondriatus L., locally known as Imbuya. The soil-grown plants were flood- and drip irrigated once every week, using nutrient solutions at two electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 1.80 mS cm−1 and 3.60 mS cm−1. The same volumes of nutrient solution were applied to these soil-irrigated plots as was used in the preceding week by the soil-less ‘Ebb-and-Flood’ system. With the soil-less ‘Ebb-and-Flood’ system, plants were fertigated five times per day and the containers were randomly allocated between the soil-grown field plots. Leaf yield as well as water use efficiency was highest when the high EC nutrient solution was drip irrigated. As part of the drip treatment, the dripper lines were covered with ...

To improve the diet of rural families, small scale production of leafy vegetables, as a source of vitamin A and other nutrients should be encouraged. In this study, conducted under controlled environmental conditions (day temperatures in the greenhouse varied between 22 and 29°C with night temperatures between 13 and 16°C), Beta vulgaris (Swiss chard) and Amaranthus spp. (imbuya) were grown, using gravel and pumice as substrates for ‘Ebb-and-Flood’ and ‘constant level’ production systems. The results of this study showed that a combination of an ‘Ebb-and-Flood’ system with gravel as substrate, gave the best results of root development and leaf yield, especially for ‘imbuya’. The water-use-efficiency (WUE) of ‘imbuya’ was significantly higher than that of Swiss chard. The yield and leaf chlorophyll content of ‘imbuya’ was low for the ‘constant level’ system with gravel used as substrate. Pumice improved root production, leaf yield and leaf chlorophyll content only for the ‘constant level’ system, probably ...