Working Document Series Open Access Translating Integrated Soil Fertility Management Empirical Knowledge into Action through Participatory Learning and Marketing Agricultural Produce in Zimbabwe R. Chikowo · D. Dhliwayo · P. Mapfumo · F. Mtambanengwe +2 more The study sought to identify suitable mechanisms for transferring the available knowledge on concepts and principles of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies to smallholder farmers and agricultural service providers in Z… RUF-32722 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access An Assessment of the Processes and Pathways to Achieve Innovation in Conservation Agriculture in Malawi: A Case of Machinga Agricultural Development Division D. Kambewa · J. Kamoto · C. Mloza-Banda · H.R. Mloza-Banda +1 more A study was carried out in Machinga Agricultural Development Division, located in the Southern Region of Malawi to assess the institutional arrangements for implementation of conservation agriculture (CA). Social network analysis was used … RUF-32706 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Utilisation of Fallow Land in South Central Zimbabwe E. Manzungu · L. Mtali The purpose of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of fallow land between 1984 and 2010 in Zimbabwe’s communal areas and its utilisation. Chivi district, which is located in south central Zimbabwe, was used as a … RUF-32695 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The Effectiveness of Lignite Coal and Biochar in Reducing Nitrogen (N) Losses from Cattle Feedlot Manure F.M. Kagimbo · H. Suter · A. Weatherley This study was conducted at the University of Melbourne Burnley campus aimed at investigating the effectiveness of lignite coal and biochar in reducing nitrogen losses from feedlot cattle manure. Forty (40) kg of manure was mixed with eith… RUF-32679 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Water and Nutrient Supply Differently Impact Seedling Performance of Acquisitive and Conservative Dry Woodland Species Frans Bongers · Birhane Emiru · Gebrehiwot Kindeya · T.W. Kuyper +1 more Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are known to increase seedling survival and performance through enhancement of nutrient and water uptake. Acacia etbaica, Acacia senegal and Boswellia papyrifera dominate large areas in African drylands. W… RUF-32661 2012 CC BY 4.0 18 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Assessing the Potential of Camel Milk as a Livelihood Option in the Face of Climatic and Environmental Changes in Drylands of Kenya D.M. Nyariki · V.O. Wasonga · A.M. Yazan Elhadi In drylands of Kenya, the adverse effects of climate variability and change has directly weakened the pastoral production system and made it less effective as a livelihood option. This has med most pastoral household food insecure. However… RUF-32642 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Production Performance and Contribution of Dairy Goats to Income of Small Scale Farmers: A Case of Babati and Kongwa Districts in Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · Mary Jackson · D.M. Komwihangilo · E.E. Ndemanisho This study was carried out in Babati and Kongwa districts in Tanzania to determine the lactation performance, reproduction performance, profitability and contribution of dairy goats to household income of small scale farmers. The data were… RUF-32638 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of Locally Available Feed Resources for Dairy Goat Feeding in Kongwa District, Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · T. Damas Msaki · D.M. Komwihangilo An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three concentrate diets made from locally available feed resources on milk production and growth rates of dairy goats kept by small-scale farmers in Kongwa district. The concentrate diet… RUF-32632 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Development of Management Practices for Sustainable Improvement of Dairy Goat Productivity in Tanzania S.W. Chenyambuga · T. Damas Msaki · Mary Jackson · D.M. Komwihangilo +1 more This study was carried out to evaluate the performance of dairy goats introduced in rural areas of Babati and Kongwa districts, Tanzania. In addition, the study was aimed at developing good quality and cheap supplementary feed rations base… RUF-32621 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Improving Tenderness of Off-layer Chicken Meat Using Dried Papaya (Carica papaya) Leaves Dietary Supplementation H.O. Abdalla · N.N.A. Ali · S.A.M. Ali · F.S. Siddig This experiment was carried out at Gezira University Poultry Farm to evaluate the effect of adding papaya dry leaves to offlayer chicken diet before slaughter. Forty eight hens were used, half of them fed a concentrate ration containing 10… RUF-32612 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access The Potential of School Gardening to Mitigate Short-term Hunger among Universal Primary Schools in Kamuli District, Eastern Uganda P. Kibwika · F.B.I. Kyazze · Dorcas Elizabeth Loga This paper reports on a Field Attachment Program Award (FAPA), an internship undertaken by the first author to report back to the communities where the MSc thesis research was done, and come up with ideas to scale up the Masters’ research … RUF-32598 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access A Synthesis of Factors that Contributed to the Decline in the Number of Practical Assessed Projects for the Junior Secondary Education in Botswana K Hulela The purpose of this ethnographic research study was to investigate the factors that contributed to the decline in the number of practical assessed projects in junior secondary education in Botswana. The study was conducted at the Botswana … RUF-32594 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing Efficient Energy Coping Mechanisms in Olio Sub-County, Eastern Uganda A. Egeru · J.G.M. Majaliwa This field attachment programme aimed at disseminating the MSc. study findings and train women and local artisans in constructing improved cook stoves. The programme thus provided an opportunity to the community to discuss the issues affec… RUF-32592 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access School Gardens for Improved Quality of Primary Education and Community Food Security in Soroti District, Uganda S. Apolot · P. Okaje · J.A. Olaja School gardening was practiced in Uganda over 30 years ago. Perceptions about school gardening were however varied, with many people looking it negatively. It is however known to have positive attributes including transferring practical ag… RUF-32589 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Potential of School Gardening as a Laboratory for Developing Life Skills in Agriculture: The case of Universal Primary Education Schools in Kamuli and Soroti Districts, Uganda S. Apolot · P. Kibwika · B.F. Kyazze · Dorcas Elizabeth Loga School curricula in Africa emphasise competitive academic subjects and prioritize terminal examinations over practical skills. Although it has been argued that schools can serve as platforms for reaching rural communities with farming inno… RUF-32585 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Vegetative Propagation of Vitellaria Paradoxa by Stem Cuttings: Effects of Rooting Substrate and Planting Technique M. Malinga · M. Okao · C.A. Okia A study to evaluate the effects of rooting substrate and planting techniques on the rooting of Vitellaria paradoxa stem cuttings is being conducted at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Lira district-Northern Uga… RUF-32557 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Adapting Selected Grafting Techniques to Propagation of Vitellaria Paradoxa ssp. Nilotica (the Shea Butter Tree) in Uganda M. Malinga · D. Obua · C.A. Okia · J.B.L. Okullo This preliminary study is being carried out in Adwari Sub County, Otuke District (Northern Uganda). The aim of the study is to adapt an appropriate grafting technique for propagating Vitellaria paradoxa in Uganda. Two grafting techniques (… RUF-32552 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Inheritance of Phosphorus use Efficiency and Resistance to Anthracnose in Selected Sorghum Genotypes Grown in the Acid Soils of Western Kenya S. Gudu · A. Nyambok · P. Okori The acid soils of Western Kenya where most of the sorghum is grown have very low available phosphorus, and thus cannot support optimal sorghum productivity. In addition, foliar anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum L.) also reduces sorgh… RUF-32546 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Mass propagation of selected papaya planting materials through shoot tip culture in Kenya A.W. Kihurani · E.G. Mamati · N.N. Mumo · F.K.R. Wanzala The objective of this study was to optimise media conditions in order to develop an efficient plantlet regeneration system of papaya planting materials. Twelve combinations of different levels of BAP (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 & 0.7mg/L) and NAA (… RUF-32525 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Potential Sources of high Iron and Zinc Content in Ugandan Bean Germplasm R. Edema · P. Gibson · F. Mukamuhirwa · C. Mukankusi +1 more The study was conducted at National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL) at Kawanda in order to identify potential sources of high iron and zinc content, Such varieties would contribute to improved health of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) … RUF-32517 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Screening of Rice Varieties for their Weed Competitiveness A. Ahanchede · W. Bonou · Y.D. Moukoumbi · M. Sie +2 more Weed competition is a major constraint in rice production systems in Africa. This study was conducted at the Africa Rice Experimental Station in Benin in the dry and rainy seasons to screen rice varieties for weed competitiveness. The expe… RUF-32511 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic Analysis of Tropical Maize Inbreds and Hybrids for Grain Yield and Traits Associated with Drought Tolerance P. Gibson · C. Magorokosho · X. Mhike · P. Okori Drought tolerance is a complex trait, hence genetic improvement of this trait in maize requires indirect selection methods based on highly heritable traits that correlate strongly with grain yield. This study aimed at determining the modes… RUF-32504 2012 CC BY 4.0 17 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Generation Mean Analysis for Turcicum Leaf Blight in Ugandan Sorghum M. Abdelbagi Ali · Beshir Mayada M. · P. Okori Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is frequently devastated by Turcicum leaf blight, caused by Exserohilum turcicum, leading to considerable grain and fodder yield losses. However, the mechanism of inheritance of resistance to E. turcic… RUF-32494 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Enhancing soybean rust resistance through gene pyramiding M. Maphosa · H. Talwana · P. Tukamuhabwa The threat posed by soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) on soybean production is worsened by resistance breakdown associated with single gene resistance present in most cultivars. Few studies have, however, been undertaken to use mapped s… RUF-32490 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014
Working Document Series Open Access Combining Ability for Resistance to Soybean Rust in F2 and F3 Soybean Populations M. Maphosa · H. Talwana · P. Tukamuhabwa Combining ability for soybean rust resistance was estimated from a half diallel cross of eight soybean lines using disease severity and sporulation rates as indices for resistance. A consistent contribution of additive gene action was obse… RUF-32486 2012 CC BY 4.0 16 May 2014