Extent and Management of Low pH Soils in Ghana

A review of soil acidity problems with regards to causes, extent and management in Ghana shows that the extent of soil acidity has changed within a period of 2–3 decades. In the 1970s' soil acidity was a major problem in the Western region and the lowlands. Oxisols and Ultisols are common soils found in this area. However, anthropogenic causes have augmented natural causes resulting in more low pH soils. Soil acidity has therefore become a serious problem throughout the country. Anthropogenic causes identified include general agronomic practices such as tillage, use of mineral fertilizers and continuous cultivation. Rates of 1–2 t ha⁻¹ lime on ultisols and oxisols in Ghana are more than adequate to meet the calcium demands and sufficient to neutralize residual acidity of any nitrogen fertilizer. Addition of organic amendments on low pH soils was also found to be beneficial and resulted in increased yields. The adoption of the "sawah" technology for lowland rice production has also resulted in improved water management, increased nutrient availability and significant increases in rice yields.     

Economics of rainwater harvesting for crop enterprises in semi-arid areas of East Africa

This paper presents an analysis of economics of rainwater harvesting by poor farmers in Tanzania. A questionnaire was used to survey 120 households to obtain information on the performance of their enterprises over 6 years (1998–2003). The information was mainly based on recollection as few farmers kept detailed records. Actual monitoring and measurements of yield and inputs was done in the farmers’ enterprises over 2 years during 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 production seasons. The analysis was done for four categories of rainwater harvesting systems differentiated by the size of catchments from which water is collected and the intensity of concentration and/or storage of the collected rainwater. These categories are: micro-catchments, macro-catchments, macro-catchments linked to road drainage and micro or macro-catchments with a storage pond. Results show that rainwater harvesting for production of paddy rice paid most with returns to labor of more than 12 US$ per person-day invested. These benefits are very high due to the fact that without rainwater harvesting it is not possible to produce paddy in the study area and rainfed sorghum crop realizes a return to labor of only US$ 3.7 per person-day during above-average seasons. For the rainwater harvesting systems, those designed to collect water from macro-catchments linked to road drainage, performed best during both categories of seasons. The results also show that contrary to expectations, improving rainwater harvesting systems by adding a storage pond may not lead to increased productivity. Another finding that goes against the widely held belief is that rainwater harvesting results in more benefits during the above-average seasons compared to below-average seasons. It is therefore, concluded that there is a potential for combining rainwater harvesting with improved drainage of roads. The construction of rural roads in semi-arid areas can beneficially be integrated with efforts to increase water availability for agricultural needs.     

Managing water in rainfed agriculture—The need for a paradigm shift

Rainfed agriculture plays and will continue to play a dominant role in providing food and livelihoods for an increasing world population. We describe the world's semi-arid and dry sub-humid savannah and steppe regions as global hotspots, in terms of water related constraints to food production, high prevalence of malnourishment and poverty, and rapidly increasing food demands. We argue that major water investments in agriculture are required. In these regions yield gaps are large, not due to lack of water per se, but rather due to inefficient management of water, soils, and crops. An assessment of management options indicates that knowledge exists regarding technologies, management systems, and planning methods. A key strategy is to minimise risk for dry spell induced crop failures, which requires an emphasis on water harvesting systems for supplemental irrigation. Large-scale adoption of water harvesting systems will require a paradigm shift in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), in which rainfall is regarded as the entry point for the governance of freshwater, thus incorporating green water resources (sustaining rainfed agriculture and terrestrial ecosystems) and blue water resources (local runoff). The divide between rainfed and irrigated agriculture needs to be reconsidered in favor of a governance, investment, and management paradigm, which considers all water options in agricultural systems. A new focus is needed on the meso-catchment scale, as opposed to the current focus of IWRM on the basin level and the primary focus of agricultural improvements on the farmer's field. We argue that the catchment scale offers the best opportunities for water investments to build resilience in small-scale agricultural systems and to address trade-offs between water for food and other ecosystem functions and services.     

石墨烯低温远红外辐射干燥稻谷干燥特性与品质研究

为研究稻谷的石墨烯低温远红外干燥特性及其对稻谷干燥品质的影响,以辐射温度、排粮流量和除湿风量为影响因素,以整精米率和应力裂纹指数增值为评价指标,用自制的循环式石墨烯低温远红外干燥机进行稻谷干燥试验,通过BBD（Box-Behnken设计）响应面法,分析了低温远红外干燥对稻谷干燥品质的影响以及工艺参数优化。结果表明：影响稻谷干燥特性和品质的最主要因素是辐射温度,其次是排粮流量和除湿风量。随着辐射温度的升高,稻谷干燥速率和应力裂纹指数增值逐步增大,整精米率则逐步降低。与同温度的热风干燥相比,石墨烯低温远红外干燥平均干燥速率和干燥品质均有显著提高。经优化后,稻谷最佳石墨烯低温远红外干燥工艺条件为：辐射温度43℃、排粮流量4kg/min、除湿风量193m3/h,此时应力裂纹指数增值为9,整精米率为79.75%,稻谷干燥品质最佳。这说明利用石墨烯低温远红外干燥稻谷,可以明显提高干燥速率并改善稻谷干燥品质。     

Cowpea weevil bioassay: A simple prescreen for plants with grain protectant effects

Abstract

Peasant farmers in northern Nigeria indigenously use various plants to protect cereals and legumes against pest damage during storage. We have developed and employed a simple bioassay technique to assess plants for their ability to protect cowpea from damage by weevil during storage. Of the 10 plants screened, Hyptis suaveolens Poit. (Labiatae) and Sphenoclea zeylanica G earth (Sphenocleacea) showed the best protectant effects after 4 months. The details of the bioassay procedure used and the results obtained are reported.