Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa

Abstract

This chapter presents the results of studies on a production system calJed Dryland Eco-Farm (DEF) that addresses a range of constraints to agricultural productivity in dryland Africa. It combines the use of live hedges and alJeys of Acacia colei, "demi-Iunes" in which are planted domesticated Ziziphus mauritiania. Annual crops like pearl millet (Pellllisetumglaucu111 (L.) R.Br.), cowpeas and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) are planted in rotation. This trial teststhe effect of the system on (1) soil erosion control, soilfertility and water use efficiency,(2) crop yield and biomass production, and (3) improving income generation and diversification. Averagepearl millet yields in the DEF were twice the control (880 vs. 430 kg ha-I) whenno mineral fertilizer was applied. With the applicationof NPK, millet yields were almost similar under both conditions (950 vs. 780 kg ha-I). Cowpea yields were on average seven times higher than the control without NPK (1,400 vs. 200 kg ha-I total biomass) andthree times with NPK (1,850 vs. 650 kg ha-J total biomass). RoselJe yield increased four times on averagewithout NPK (205 vs. 60 kg ha-I calices yield) and twotimes with NPK (234 vs. 114 kg ha-I). Therefore, the system has the potential to produce yield response similar to that of the recommended rate of 100 kg of the 15-15-15fertilizer per ha. The return to land is estimatedat US $224 for the DEF compared to US $77 for the traditional millet-cowpea system. This system has the potential to improve productivity and rural livelihood in the drylands of Africa while sustaining the naturalresources base.

Provenance and pretreatment effect on seed germination of six provenances of Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev

“…Acacia albida Del. ), commonly referred to as Apple-ring acacia (Barnes and Fagg 2003), is a multipurpose leguminous tree species belonging to the mimosoideae subfamily (Dangasuk et al 2011). It is widespread and commonly found in all tropical Africa from Senegal to Sudan and as far as Natal or Angola (Danthu et al 2002).…”

“…It is also known to grow on the banks of seasonal and perennial rivers and streams on sandy alluvial soils or on flat land where Vertisols predominate. It is very important for agro-silvopastoral as well as soil conservation and soil fertility improvement throughout the arid and semi-arid areas (Dangasuk et al 2011).…”

Nursery Soil Amendments for Cashew Seedling Production: A Comparative Analysis of Coffee Husk and NPK

“…Documented reports (Rajesh et al, 2003;Veeken et al, 2005, Janvier et al, 2007, Lazcano et al, 2009Yadessa et al, 2010) have indicated that amending agricultural soils with organic matter aided plant nutrition and enhanced physicochemical and biological characteristics of the soil on the field. The use of mineral and organic sources of nutrient in varied proportion evolved from long experiences in soil fertility management (Rajesh et al, 2003;Bationo & Waswa, 2011).…”

Alysicarpus ovalifolius (Fabaceae, Desmodieae), a new record for the flora of Brazil

“…26 genera and 520 species (Schrire 1988, Chen & Huang 1993, Bailey et al 1997. Species of Fabaceae have an immense ecological, agricultural and economic importance as nitrogen fi xers (Soltis et al 1995, Crews 1999, Mafongoya et al 2004, Wojciechowski et al 2004, Tobita et al 2011.…”

“…(Linné 1753:746;Candolle 1825:353), are known to occur in the Americas (Huang & Ohashi 2010), where they are not native. The introduction of plants of these species is usually intentional, due to their use as forage crops (Gramshaw et al 1987, John & Thengane 1994, Tobita et al 2011, and secondarily also because of their medicinal properties, especially for treating wounds and fractures (Huang & Ohashi 2010). However, these Alysicarpus species have also raised conservation concerns, as they can be considered potentially invasive species (Cowie & Werner 1993, Sánchez-Blanco et al 2012.…”