Tropentag 2014 International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development

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Tropentag 2014

International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development

Bridging the gap between increasing knowledge and

decreasing resources

Book of abstracts

Editor: Eric Tielkes

Reviewers/scientific committee:Folkard Asch, Mathias Becker, Tina Beuchelt, Karolína Brandlová, Bernhard Brümmer,

Sandra Patricia Cuervo-Andrade, Uta Dickhöfer, Maria Gerster-Bentaya, Martin Gierus, Petra Hlásná Cepková, Marcos Alberto Lana, Stefanie Lemke,

Andreas de Neergaard, Zbynek Polesny, Anne Schibora, Bernhard Tischbein, Stephan Winter, Felix Zeiske

Editorial assistance:Annette Holthoff, Vera Sternitzke, Clemens Voigts

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Bibliografische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek

Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detailierte bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.ddb.deabrufbar.

Die Deutsche Bibliothek — Cataloguing in Publication-Data (CIP) Tropentag 2014, Book of Abstracts

Biophysical and Socio-economic Frame Conditions for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources: International research on food security, natural resource management and rural development, Hamburg.

Hrsg.: Eric Tielkes ISBN: 978-3-9801686-7-0

Online-Version:

http://www.tropentag.de Satz:

L^ATEX 2ε Verlag:

Print & Mail (PRIMA), Allendeplatz 1, 20146 Hamburg Oktober 2014- 1. Auflage

The authors of the articles are solely responsible for the content of their contribution.

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The annual Tropentag is the largest European interdisciplinary conference on Research on Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development. Continuous organisational support for the event is provided by the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research (ATSAF e.V.), the German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (DITSL) in Witzenhausen, and the GIZ Advisory Service on Agricultural Research for De- velopment (BEAF). During its 15-year long history in the current constellation, the Tropentagwas hosted by the universities of Bonn, Göttingen, Hamburg, Hohenheim, Kassel-Witzenhausen, Berlin, Zurich, and this year it is for the first time held in Prague, at the Czech University of Life Sciences. The 2014Tropentagis held under the patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Mr. Lubomír Zaorálek.

TheTropentaghas become the most important international conference on development-oriented research in the fields of food security, natural resource management and rural development in Europe and provides a unique platform for scientific and personal exchange for students, junior and senior scientists, development experts and funding organisations together with their international partner institutions. More than 800 participants from around 65 countries underline the importance of inter- and trans-disciplinary scientific exchange to address the challenges ahead of us.

The Tropentag 2014 takes place on the campus of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague from September 17 - 19. It is organised by the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, comprising of four departments and more than 30 academic members – a unique institution in Czech Republic with over fifty years of tradition in tropical agriculture, rural development and sustainable management of natural resources in the tropics.

The theme of the 2014 conference is “Bridging the gap between increasing knowledge and decreasing resources”. Natural resources provide the basis for human survival and development but the increasing demands on these resources, and decrease in availability, emphasise the need for a coordinated approach to sustainable management. A large variety of scientific journals focusing on natural resources management and sustainable development research proves that our knowledge are increasing, but today’s world is still a place of uneven development, unsustainable use of natural resources, worsening impact of climate change, and continued poverty and malnutri- 3

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better management of natural resources and poverty alleviation especially in developing countries.

This year’sTropentaginvites participants to present research on community-based management of resources to reduce poverty, enhance food security, and ensure biodiversity and watershed management. Contributions of the conference should help in answering questions such as to how the current natural resources in developing countries could be managed and conserved in a way that would ensure their accessibility for future generations; how the increasing food demand could be met in a sustainable way, or, which technological innovations would enhance their sustainability; and what type of institutions and regulations are needed to prevent the over-utilisation and exploitation of land-based biological resources.

These aspects will be addressed in the conference by several internationally renowned keynote speakers as well as through 20 oral presentation sessions presenting around 110 talks, 22 guided poster sessions with around 370 posters and number of thematic side events. A special session to commemorate the 40th anniversary of International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is also planned. This will highlight products of ILRI’s livestock research contributing to the global development agenda, from gen- erating research products (performing) to targeting research investments and policy- making (informing) to reshaping whole livestock production systems (transforming).

Our special thanks go to the colleagues from Berlin, Bonn, Bogota, Braunschweig, Copenhagen, Göttingen, Nairobi, Prague, Stuttgart and Vienna, who acted as reviewers for the submitted abstracts and thus contributed substantially to maintaining the scientific standard of the conference. We express our gratitude to Eric Tielkes, DITSL Witzenhausen, without whose support the conference would not have been possible.

Our thanks include the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague for providing substantial financial and logistical support, andTropentag’s regular donors whose financial contributions have made this conference possible and affordable especially for young scientists.

We welcome you to the city of Prague and wish you an enjoyable and rewarding stay.

The organising committee of Tropentag 2014

Bohdan Lojka Jan Banout Martina Opoˇcenská

Vladimír Verner Lucie Ackerman Blažková Jana Mazancová Zbynˇek Polesný Barbora Kulíková Ingrid Melnikovová Olga Leuner Anna Hubáˇcková Katˇrina Hozdecká Iva Nádvorníková Sandra Krupiˇcková Markéta Švejcarová Prague, September 2014

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The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CULS) is connected with life – society – environment. These three branches of knowledge have been the focus of CULS since decades. Our university offers study programs in agriculture, forestry and environmental sciences, nature protection, sustainable resources, food processing, special breeding, economics, informatics, management, and technology. In all these study programs the university’s goal is to implement the principles of sustainable development of the human habitat, as well as protection of natural resources. Teaching goes hand in hand with research activities including Research for Development related to the most important issues in developing countries. Our Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences has a long tradition in research and education focusing on tropical agriculture and development.

The Tropentag is a highly renowned interdisciplinary conference on research in Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Natural Resource Management with a long tradition. Nowadays it has become one of the most important international confer- ences on development-oriented research in the fields of food security, natural resource management and rural development. That is why theTropentag2014 is an important and very meaningful event, which is highly appreciated by our university.

For the very first time in the history ofTropentag, the conference is held outside a German speaking country. On behalf of The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, I would like to welcome all Tropentag participants at our university campus and I believe in the good success of Tropentag 2014. Our organising committee has worked hard to fulfil your expectations. I wish to all of you a very fruitful stay in our beautiful city of Prague.

Prof. Ing. Jiˇrí Balík, CSc.

Rector of CULS

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Plenary speeches 9

I Plants and soils 19

1) Crop management 21

2) Crop management and abiotic stresses 43

3) Plant nutrition and soil improvement 61

4) Agrobiodiversity and plant genetic resources 91

5) Crop biotic stresses (DPG session) 125

6) Agrobiodiversity and plant genetic resources II 151

II Animal science 153

1) Animal feeding and nutrition 155

2) Animal breeding and husbandry 179

3) Pastoral livestock production 211

4) Livestock-based options for sustainable food and nutritional secu-

rity and healthy lives (ILRI session) 229

5) Animal breeding and husbandry II 261

III Natural resources management 263

1) Forest management and agroforestry 265

2) Water management 305

3) Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services 325 4) Climate change (mitigation and adaptation) 353

5) Forest management and agroforestry II 377

6) Forest management and agroforestry III 379

IV Technologies and socioeconomics 381

1) Technology, engineering and food 383

2) Value chains and markets 407

3) Livelihood strategies and farm-household systems 437

4) Agricultural policies and institutions 467

5) Value chains and markets II 493

6) Livelihood strategies and farm-household systems II 495 7

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1) Community development and extension 499 2) GIZ experience on bridging the gap between increasing knowledge

and decreasing resources 541

3) Czech development cooperation - Sustainability of development projects

in agriculture 545

4) Community development and extension II 561

5) Community development and extension III 563

Index of Authors 565

Index of Keywords 579

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Plenary speeches

ZUZANAHLAVI ˇCKOVÁ:

Czech Republic’s Contribution to Global Development Beyond 2015 10 RICHARDHALL:

Orientating and Keeping Scientific Research for Development on Track

12 JUDITHFRANCIS:

Food and Nutrition Security and Differing Capacities 13 LOUWRENSC. HOFFMAN:

Can an Integrated Livestock Wildlife Production System Bridge the Gap Between Increasing Knowledge and Decreasing Resources?

14 CHRISTELWELLER-MOLONGUA:

From Lab to Field: The Role of Development Cooperation in Bridging the Gap Between Increasing Knowledge and Decreasing Resources

15JAMES

SMITH:

Sustainable Research Options for Food, Nutrition and Economic Se- curity: Health, Wealth and Environmental Benefits of Livestock

16 MIROSLAVZÁMECNÍK:

Can Well Managed Consumptive and Non-consumptive Use of Wildlife Help in Protecting Endangered Species While Contributing to Local Economic Development?

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2015

ZUZANAHLAVI ˇCKOVÁ

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Depart- ment, Czech Republic

As we are approaching 2015, when the current Millennium Development Goals (MDG´s) should be accomplished, there is a unique opportunity for the international community to set new development priorities best responding to current challenges. The new framework of international development for the post-2015 period should be based on the results achieved at the fulfilment of MDG´s and should put a sustainable development, sustainable growth and eradication of poverty at its core. The Czech Republic is committed to support this process, leading to evidence based, universal, concrete and realistic post-2015 development goals.

The Czech Republic wants to actively contribute to global efforts to identify a new paradigm for international development cooperation going beyond aid, as well as en- hanced aid effectiveness. In this respect, it participates actively in formulation of the new “post-2015” development framework. Development cooperation is an inte- gral part of the Czech Republic’s foreign policy. The main strategic objective of the Czech development policy is to eradicate poverty and promote security and prosper- ity through effective partnership, enabling poor and undeveloped countries to realise their development goals.

The Czech Republic, in accordance with its international commitments, contributes to poverty and sustainable development promotion by specific programs and projects in five programme partner countries (Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Moldova and Mongolia) and five project countries (Cambodia, Georgia, Kosovo, Palestine Autonomous Territories and Serbia). Dozens of scholarships to study at Czech universities are regularly offered to students in about 40 developing countries.

Humanitarian aid to people in need affected by natural disasters or conflicts is provided in a number of countries. In the area of development cooperation the Czech Re- public seeks to assert its comparative advantage, including the transition experience of rebuilding a democratic political system and the transition from centrally planned to market economy. We can, therefore, pass on our knowledge of political transition, reformation of the judiciary and public administration, privatisation, changes in the tax system and building market environment.

Further substantial progress in reducing global poverty can not be reached without the involvement of the private sector as the equivalent engine for further development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Czech Development Agency aims to strengthen the motivation of Czech investors at this new role. Spe-

Contact Address:Zuzana Hlaviˇcková, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Development Cooperation and Hu- manitarian Aid Department, Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail:

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cial attention is paid, therefore, to the promotion of innovative and value-integrated approach leading to long-term sustainable economic and social changes, including creation of new and better paid jobs on both sides.

As an evidence of the successful Czech efforts to increase effectiveness of its development cooperation system, the Czech Republic had been invited to become member of the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD (OECD-DAC). The accession process was completed in May 2013. Membership in the DAC represents for the Czech Republic a new impulse for further enhancement of effectiveness and last- ing impact of its development interventions and for intensifying partnerships with the respective developing countries, international organisations and private sector.

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Track

RICHARDHALL International Foundation for Science, Sweden

The International Foundation for Science (IFS) supports scientists in developing countries with research grants and through training workshops to enhance capacity in e.g.

scientific communication, proposal writing, putting results into use, scientists and the value chain, and more.

IFS support is given for applied research on the sustainable utilisation of biological and water resources. But the question arises how does one ensure that such applied research leads to a likely practical outcome or implementation (an objective of ‘Ap- proach Three’ of the IFS Strategy)? A sample of IFS grants suggested that grantees who were aware of the needs of potential end-users by e.g. consulting with stakeholders at the conceptualisation stage of their research projects, were the most successful later in reporting meaningful implementation of their results.

Clearly, in order to make the best possible use of donor resources for applied research, stakeholder consultation is essential. This may range from a simple process of researchers consulting with targeted beneficiaries of expected research outcomes, through to innovation platforms wherein stakeholders representing different groups of actors are assembled to discuss e.g. how to upgrade a value chain. Such platforms have recently been employed by IFS, and other partners, in sub-Saharan Africa within an EU-ACP project to upgrade value chains of under-utilised crops. These workshops were not only of value to producers and processors of under-utilised crops but also to the researchers who attended inasmuch as many highly relevant researchable questions were identified. However, innovation platforms come with a cost but, within a well targeted long-term research programme, the relative outlay would usually be low.

For the goal of fostering innovative research and putting results into use, preferably low-cost means of stakeholder consultation are needed at the project’s conceptualisation stage and indeed on a continuing basis during the project. One such mechanism in an increasingly digital age would be to expand the use of virtual workspaces as wider communications platforms. This presentation considers the possible options for doing this and introduces also the idea of providing real-time comparisons of research plans with on-going project achievements.

Keywords:Innovative research, stakeholders

Contact Address: Richard Hall, International Foundation for Science, Karlavägen 108 , SE-115 26 Stockholm, Sweden, e-mail:richard.hall@ifs.se

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Food and Nutrition Security and Differing Capacities

JUDITHFRANCIS CTA, Science & Technology Policy, The Netherlands

Food and nutrition security (FNS) is a complex, multi-dimensional, multi-sectoral issue, with links to health, economic development, environmental sustainability, and trade. The food and economic crisis of 2007/2008, a world population that is expected to reach 9 billion or more by 2050, climate change, diminishing natural resources — land, biodiversity and water have put FNS and improving nutrition outcomes on the global policy agenda requiring international science and technology cooperation and social and technological innovation among other interventions. Yet, FNS is the re- sponsibility of nation states, requiring policy responses and actions by governments, the research and academic community and the private sector. FNS is also on the radar of major economic blocs and global private sector corporations. Herein lies the tensions in the quest for producing and accessing ‘new’ knowledge for addressing the global FNS challenge with its related national dimensions while operating within a complex global system involving multiple actors with differing interests and resources. What are the implications for research partnerships; North-South, South- South, public-private? Who determines the research priorities and how? What cri- teria will be used for dispensing funding — scientific merit vs social relevance or both? Whose interest will be served — public or private? Who will own the knowledge generated — knowledge as a public good and what will be the role of traditional knowledge? Using cases from across Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) and lessons from ACP-EU research cooperation and international trends; this presentation will explore these related issues and posit that progress can only be made in addressing global challenges which have national dimensions through investments in science, technology and innovation, if we acknolwedge the limitations in capacities and resources and are willing to address them at national and global levels.

Keywords:Economic development, food security

Contact Address:Judith Francis, CTA, Science & Technology Policy, Wageningen, The Netherlands, e-mail:francis@cta.int

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the Gap Between Increasing Knowledge and Decreasing Resources?

LOUWRENSC. HOFFMAN Stellenbosch University, Dept. of Animal Sciences, South Africa

By now it is accepted within the scientific community, by regulators and to a lesser extent, by commercial producers that the agricultural sector needs to dramatically change their way of doing things to meet the challenge of feeding an exponentially fast growing population. Although a large sector of the role players are propagating more intensive/factory farming-like systems as the answer to the challenge, the reality is that large sections of the surface area of the earth does not have the natural resources to allow this type of production system. In fact, most of these areas are only suitable for extensive animal production systems.

This paper explores the suitability of indigenous wildlife species towards meeting the challenge of increasing protein production, either in isolation or combined with traditional livestock production. It further explores our knowledge, or lack thereof, as pertaining to such production systems. This paper explores the farming of cervids in intensive systems as well as the production of various ungulates in the more extensive pastoral systems utilised in Africa.

Two of the major obstacles to the development of meat production from wildlife are access to land (land tenure) and ownership of the wildlife occurring on the land. As example, in Africa it is only the countries (Namibia, South Africa) where the land owner has ownership of the fauna occurring there that we have seen an increase in wildlife numbers resulting in the sustainable usage thereof.

Another understudied area that warrants further research and garnering of knowledge is the use of mini-livestock species in the production of food. Here focus is placed in the production of species such as nutria, cavy and other rodents. Within war-torn central Africa this is frequently the only meat protein source available.

Keywords:Land tenure, livestock, Namibia, South Africa, wildlife protection

Contact Address: Louwrens C. Hoffman, Stellenbosch University, Dept. of Animal Sciences, Matieland, South Africa, e-mail:lch@sun.ac.za

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From Lab to Field: The Role of Development Cooperation in Bridging the Gap Between Increasing Knowledge and Decreasing

Resources

CHRISTELWELLER-MOLONGUA

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Rural Development and Agriculture, Germany

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has long-standing expe- riences in bringing knowledge and practice together for the improvement of agricultural production systems in developing and transition countries. For more than 15 years, GIZ supports international agricultural research of the CGIAR global research partnership as well as The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). Innovations produced by international agricultural research include, amongst others, improved varieties, management techniques, and diagnostic tools. They are not only integrated in farming systems by national research and extension systems, but also promoted and scaled up through international development cooperation. In Vietnam, for instance, GIZ and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have been closely working together to develop and promote salt-tolerant rice varieties and alternative management practices which so far reached thousands of farmers and increased their income substantially. Moreover, GIZ is running a programme on Innovation Transforming Agriculture-Adaptation to Climate Change (ITAACC), which aims at matching supply for innovations based on international agricultural research and demand from farmers for agricultural innovations in Africa. Besides this, GIZ also develops innovations together with partners in bilateral or regional projects as well as in sectorial projects and integrates them in farmer’s productions systems in close cooperation with farmers and partner organisations. For example, in several countries in sub-Sahara Africa, GIZ promoted the development and refinement of water-spreading weirs that offer improved water management technics to entire river basins and increased yields by 25 to 90 percent. GIZ is also strongly committed to strengthen the role of gender in agricultural development and maximise its potentials: yield increases up to 30 percent are possible, should women receive the same support, inputs and trainings as men do. In order to sustain the momentum of bringing knowledge and innovations into use in agriculture on a large scale, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development launched major new initiatives. In cooperation with GIZ, it will establish agricultural innovation centres in Africa, which will link research, value chain management and training, and setup a global programme for soil fertility management.

Keywords:Development cooperation, international cooperation

Contact Address:Christel Weller-Molongua, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Rural Development and Agriculture, Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1 - 5, 65760 Eschborn, Germany, e-mail:schmidt_heh@web.de

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Security: Health, Wealth and Environmental Benefits of Livestock

JAMESSMITH

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Directorate, Kenya

Feeding the world, eradicating absolute poverty and keeping both people and the planet healthy dominate the global development agenda as the challenges presented by a population of almost 10 billion people by mid-century loom ever closer. While the large roles of agriculture and agricultural science in addressing such global challenges are increasingly recognised, the specific roles of animal agriculture and related sciences are commonly under-appreciated or neglected entirely. This despite all the evidence showing that the biggest opportunities regarding not just adequate food production but also mitigating hunger, ensuring balanced nutrition, ending poverty, balancing equity, averting public health threats and sustaining our environmental resources all relate intimately to the livestock sector. This presentation will make the case that the growth and transformation of smallholder livestock systems in developing countries is one of the biggest opportunities for creating a more nourished, healthy, environmentally sound/balanced and equitable world. The presentation will set out the global livestock research issues impinging on major development challenges facing the world. It will further explore the new opportunities for translating livestock research knowledge into practical development solutions to ensure that science-based solutions result in outcomes and impacts at significant scale.

Keywords:Smallholder livestock systems

Contact Address: James Smith, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Directorate, P O Box 30709 00100, Nairobi, Kenya, e-mail:j.smith@cgiar.org

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Can Well Managed Consumptive and Non-consumptive Use of Wildlife Help in Protecting Endangered Species While

Contributing to Local Economic Development?

MIROSLAVZÁMECNÍK Boston Venture Central Europe, Czech Republic

1. Case of Markhor (Capra falconeri) in Pakistan and Tajikistan (key words: sharing of permit hunts’ proceeds to locals where hunting takes place; increase in income;

population stats)

2. Case of Indian One Horned Rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Chitwan N.P. in Nepal as an example of non-consumptive use of key species benefiting local communities (key words: sharing of gross park entrance revenues- 50 % to communities;

increase in alternative income through tourism and participation; limited but legal use of resources inside protected areas; cooperation between govt. agencies and local communities)

3. Case of Namibia’s Community Wildlife Management (key words: ownership of wildlife/communal management in a low corruption environment, increase in income via multiple uses, alternatives to cattle/sheep/goat ranching in arid areas)

4. Kenya-the case of Ishaqbini communal reserve (key words: non-consumptive use of single species-hirola)

5. “Communal rhinos in South Africa” (key words: transfer of rhinos to local community reserves as a response to poaching crisis, stakeholder issues- how to spread the benefits so that they could possibly overweight poachers’ incentives)

6. “Pride , money and protection”- the case of Delacour’s Langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) in Van Long Reserve, Viet Nam (key words: non-consumptive use and tourism development, pride in unique species, proceeds sharing, community involvement, factor of pride)

7. General discussion: Can we ever achieve success in endangered species protection without sharing the benefits with those who do actually share the same environment and obtain livelihood from it? No way. So- the community involvement is the key:

they have to own it and share it: not only the costs but significant part of the benefits, too. Then, probably, we can hope that we will be able to mitigate to some extent, what will happen anyway.

Keywords:Wild life management

Contact Address: Miroslav Zámecník, Boston Venture Central Europe, Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail:miroslav.zamecnik@bostonventure-ce.com

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Plants and soils

1) Crop management 21

2) Crop management and abiotic stresses 43

3) Plant nutrition and soil improvement 61

4) Agrobiodiversity and plant genetic resources 91

5) Crop biotic stresses (DPG session) 125

6) Agrobiodiversity and plant genetic resources II 151

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Invited Paper 23 PATRICK VANDAMME:

‘Traditional’ Agriculture Versus Biotechnology: Challenges for Research and (development) Practice 23

Oral Presentations 24

SIEGLINDESNAPP, REGISCHIKOWO, WEZIMHANGO, VICKI

MORRONE, MATEETEBEKUNDA, IRMGARDHOESCHLE-ZELEDON: Doubled-Up Legumes in Malawi: An Innovation for Sustain- able Rain-Fed Cereal Production in Developing Countries 24 STEFANHAUSER, TONYBAKELANA, DENISBUNGU, MBUTA

KUHUMAMWANGU:

Root Yield Response of 12 Cassava Varieties to Leaf Harvest

in DR Congo 25

ANDREASWILHELMEBERT, TIEN-HORWU:

Overcoming Seed Germination Problems of Traditional Veg-

etables after Cold Storage 26

CHRISTIANANDRES, EUCEBIOPEREZ, FREDDYALCON, ROMERO

CHOQUE, GERMÁNTRUJILLO, JOACHIMMILZ, MONIKASCHNEIDER: Cocoa Yield in Bolivian On-Farm Trials 2010–2013: Monitor-

ing Outstanding Farmers and Comparing Clones and Sites 27

Posters 28

NOAHADAMTEY, JUANGUILLERMOCOBO, MARTHAMUSYOKA, EDWARD KARANJA, KOMIK. M. FIABOE, ANNE MURIUKI, MONICAH MUCHERU-MUNA, ESTELLE BERSET, ANDREAS

FLIESSBACH, DIONYSFORSTER:

Productivity of Maize and Baby Corn in Organic and Con-

ventional Farming System 28

AYSUNPEKSEN, GULSUNDADAYLI, ZEHRASATILMIS, SAVAS

CATAL:

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreotus) Yield in Different Sub- strates Prepared by Cowpea Pod Shell Waste 29 SAYEDEISA, AHMEDABDEL-ATI, MOHAMEDEBRAHIM, MO-

HAMEDEID, EMADEL-DINABDEL-SAMAD, SAYEDHUSSIN, NASREL-BORDENY, SAFWATALI, ABD-EL-RAHMANEL-NAGGAR: Chenopodium quinoaas a New Non-Traditional Crop in Egypt 30

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LEITERGRANDA, ELENADUSKOVA, GUILLERMOCORREDOR, DEISYROSERO, AMPAROROSERO, RADIMCERKAL:

Studying QuinoaChenopodium quinoaWilld Adaptability from

Tropical to Temperate Conditions 31

UTAPRIEGNITZ, WILLEMIENLOMMEN, RENÉ VAN DERVLUGT, STEPHENONAKUSE, PAULSTRUIK:

Improving Seed Potato Quality in Southwestern Uganda for

Strengthening Food and Cash Security 32

ELIZABETHMETTO, BERNHARD FREYER, KIBET NGETICH, ARTHURWASUKIRA, SUSANKAMURU, CATHERINEMUNYUA: Dramatic Loss of Potato Yields – The Failure of Crop and Storage Management in Ugandan Smallholder Farms 33 SALAHELDINABDELGADIRMUKHTARELTAHIR, AHMEDOBEID, HAYDERABDELGADER:

Performance of Sugarbeet Sown in Sudan under Compara-

tively High Temperatures (May-July) 34

SAYEDEISA, SAFWATALI, SAYEDHUSSIN, NASREL-BORDENY: Evaluate the Potential Yields ofSesuvium portulacastrum(L.) Cultivated in Coastal Salt Marshes of Egypt 35 KRISTENKELLY:

Impact of Cultivation and Gathering on Medicinal Aromatic Plants: A Case Study in Makwanpur District, Nepal 36 MAJIDROSTAMI, ABDOLREZAAHMADI:

Analysis of Weed Flora in Traditional Vineyards of Malayer 37 SIMEONOLATAYOJEKAYINFA, AFOLAYANSTEPHENOLAOYE: On Farm Energy Analysis of Sweet Orange Production in

Nigeria 38

SONIANATALIAVÁSQUEZDÍAZ, ELBERGIOVANNIPAEZ: Implementation of Cocoa Crops as a Measure for Replace- ment of Illicit Crops in Western Boyacá, Colombia 39 ROSELLA GIUNTA, GAETANO LAGHETTI, PAOLO DIRENZO, PATRIZIO VIGNAROLI, FEDERICO VALORI , VIERI TARCHI-

ANI, DOMENICOPIGNONE:

Research and Development for a Modern Horticulture in the

Groundnut Basin of Senegal 40

DANNYHUNTER, MARYTAYLOR, ADELINOLORENS: Promoting Nutrition Sensitive and Climate Smart Agricul- ture through Increased Use of Traditional Underutilised Species

in the Pacific 41

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‘Traditional’ Agriculture Versus Biotechnology: Challenges for Research and (development) Practice

PATRICK VANDAMME

University of Ghent, Dept. of Plant Production - Lab. for Tropical Agronomy, Belgium The human population continues to increase against a background of dwindling natural resources and changing climates. The biotechnology lobby tries to convince the world the only solution is to develop tailor-made GMOs that w/should guarantee high output and quality with less input use. Nutrition science has brought biofortification and brings health solutions in a pill. It is the contention of this presentation that traditional approaches that build on experience gained through years of practice, sound scientific reasoning and principles, and integrate natural resource use eventually offer more sustainable production solutions that are user- and consumer-friendly. Agro- ecology and agro-sylvo-pastoral systems are cited and highlighted as examples of good practices that would need to be further developed and implemented to continue to guarantee food security, esp. in the developing world.

Keywords:Biotechnology, food security, traditional agriculture

Contact Address: Patrick van Damme, University of Ghent, Dept. of Plant Production - Lab. for Tropical Agronomy, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, e-mail:patrick.vandamme@ugent.be

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Doubled-Up Legumes in Malawi: An Innovation for Sustainable Rain-Fed Cereal Production in Developing Countries

SIEGLINDESNAPP1, REGISCHIKOWO1, WEZIMHANGO2, VICKIMORRONE3, MATEETEBEKUNDA4, IRMGARDHOESCHLE-ZELEDON5

1Michigan State University, Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, United States of America

2Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Crop Science, Malawi

3Michigan State University, Commuity Sustainability, United States of America

4International Insitute of Tropical Agriculture, Tanzania

5GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species), Italy

The basis for calorie production and income generation on many smallholder farms is monoculture cereals. Legume crops occupy only about 10 to 15 % of the land on rain-fed smallholder farms in Malawi, which is typical of mixed-maize systems across Africa. Overall, the widespread cultivation of cereal crops is understandable in that farmers prioritise production of large amounts of calories, and crops with minimal labour inputs; however, this has led to cropping systems that are dependent on nutrient inputs. Fertiliser subsidies in Malawi and neighbouring countries have to some extent addressed this need, but this is an expensive strategy. Over 10 % of Malawi gross domestic product has supported this – hampering alternative investments. A sustainable intensification strategy in African agriculture is urgently needed, and we will present evidence on a promising innovation: ‘doubled-up legumes’. This system promotes growing improved types of N₂-fixing shrubby food legume pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) which is being evaluated in new regions of Malawi, in combination with an understory crop of soybean, groundnut or cowpea. Doubled up legumes ad- dresses the urgent need for protein and high caloric food in combination with soil organic matter replenishment through leaf litter and root biomass. The performance of this system on-farm is being tested at field-scale in central Malawi through participatory action research supported by a USAID project ‘Africa RISING’. This research involves collaboration of IITA, Michigan State University, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi Department of Agricultural Extension and about 1000 small-holder farmers. Farmers and researchers are co-experimenting with doubled-up legumes and related innovations, intensifying planting of improved varieties and integrated nutrient management. On-farm results show evidence for substantial gains in both grain legume productivity (0.6 to 2.4 t ha^-1) and fertiliser-use efficiency (30 to 100 % increase in maize response over monoculture maize). We will report on agronomic and farmer assessments of performance over two years from this large-scale sustainable intensification project.

Keywords:Multipurpose legumes, nutrient efficiency, smallholder cropping

Contact Address: Sieglinde Snapp, Michigan State University, Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, 1066 Bogue St., 48824 East Lansing, United States of America, e-mail:snapp@msu.edu

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Root Yield Response of 12 Cassava Varieties to Leaf Harvest in DR Congo

STEFANHAUSER1, TONYBAKELANA2, DENISBUNGU3, MBUTAKUHUMA

MWANGU2

1International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), The Dem. Rep. of the Congo

2INERA DR Congo, National Cassava Program, The Dem. Rep. of the Congo

3University of Kinshasa, Crop Science, The Dem. Rep. of the Congo

Cassava leaves are a major source of protein for a large portion of poor people in DR Congo. No recent information exists on the root yield response of newly released cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistant varieties, nor exist leaf production data. Eleven CMD resistant and one susceptible variety were planted in 6 locations, leaves were harvested 3 times (4, 8 and 11 months after planting (MAP)) before final root harvest (12 MAP). Edible leaf dry matter (DM) yields were affected by location and variety with a significant location×variety interaction. Root DM yields were significantly affected by location, variety and leaf harvest with significant location×variety interaction. Across varieties and locations, leaf harvest caused 15 % root DM yield reduction. All locations except Mvuazi2 and Mampu1 produced significantly different root yields (in Mg ha⁻¹ DM) in the order Kisangani: 9.25 (province Oriental, coarse sand soil), Kiyaka: 6.78 (Province Bandundu, coarse sand soil), Mvuazi1:

4.42 (Province Bas Congo, heavy clay soil), Mvuazi2: 3.40 (Province Bas Congo, degraded clay soil), Mampu1: 3.30 (Province Kinshasa, coarse poor sand soil) and Mampu2: 2.54 (Province Kinshasa, coarse poor sand soil) out-yielded all others.

Across locations and leaf harvest variety TME419 produced highest root DM yields (7.55 Mg ha⁻¹). The susceptible variety produced the lowest edible leaf (209 kg ha⁻¹) and root (2.53 Mg ha⁻¹) DM yields in all locations. Root yield reductions due to leaf harvest ranged from 0–10 % in varieties producing the lowest root yields and were insignificant. Higher yielding varieties suffered root yield reductions of 13–26 %, equivalent to 1–1.6 Mg ha⁻¹DM. Root yield reductions across varieties were significant in all locations except Kiyaka. Significant reductions in all other locations ranged from 12–31 % being equivalent to 0.8–1.2 Mg ha⁻¹ DM. There was no significant correlation between edible leaf yield and root yield. Results indicate that maximising root and leaf yields requires location specific selection of varieties. Variety TME419 produced the highest average yield and highest yields in 3 of 6 locations. The best three leaf producing varieties were not among the best root producers indicating an incompatibility of the two production objectives.

Keywords:Cassava, DR Congo, leaf yield, root yield

Contact Address: Stefan Hauser, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Av- enue Haut Congo, Quartier Revolution, Commune de Gombe, Kinshasa, The Dem. Rep. of the Congo, e-mail:s.hauser@cgiar.org

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Overcoming Seed Germination Problems of Traditional Vegetables after Cold Storage

ANDREASWILHELMEBERT, TIEN-HORWU

AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, Genetic Resources and Seed Unit, Taiwan The experiments described here address the constraints of hard-seededness of fresh and stored seed of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) and water spinach (Ipomoea aquaticaForssk.). Freshly harvested fruits of two water spinach and two okra accessions were dried for two weeks in a screenhouse prior to manual seed ex- traction and cleaning. Cleaned seed was dried to 6 % seed moisture content in a dehumidified drying room for 8 days at 18°C and 15 % RH. The two accessions of both crops showed a marked difference in initial germination rate prior to storage. The water spinach accession from Thailand (VI050476) had a very low initial germination rate of 4 % compared to 77 % for the accession from Taiwan (VI054533). Okra seeds of an accession from Thailand (VI046536) had an initial germination rate of 26 % compared with 90 % for the accession from Zambia (VI050598). Seed priming was conducted after 6 months of storage at 5°C and -15°C. The germination rate of water spinach seed from Thailand (VI050476) remained very low at 4 % and 1 % after 6 months of storage at 5°C and -15°C, respectively (T1; control). Partial removal of the seed coat followed by 24 h soaking in water (T3) elevated the germination rate substantially to 82 % and 85 % after 6 months of storage at 5°C and -15°C, respectively. The germination rate of seed from Taiwan (VI054533) increased from 77 % prior to storage to 92 % and 93 % after 6 months of storage at 5°C and -15°C, respectively. Seed priming of the latter did not have any additional beneficial effect on the germination rate. Storage temperature of okra seed had a major impact on the germination rate. While the germination rate of seed stored for a 6-month period at 5°C was low for the accessions from Thailand (18 %) and Zambia (20 %), the germination rate reached 99 % and 96 %, respectively, when seed was stored at -15°C. Seed priming was highly beneficial for seed stored at 5°C (T3), but was not required when seed was stored under sub-zero temperatures.

Keywords:Cold storage, germination rate, hard-seededness, okra, seed priming, water spinach

Contact Address:Andreas Wilhelm Ebert, AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, Genetic Resources and Seed Unit, P.O. Box 42, Shanhua, 74199 Tainan, Taiwan, e-mail:andreas.ebert@worldveg.org

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Cocoa Yield in Bolivian On-Farm Trials 2010–2013: Monitoring Outstanding Farmers and Comparing Clones and Sites

CHRISTIANANDRES1, EUCEBIOPEREZ2, FREDDYALCON3, ROMERO

CHOQUE4, GERMÁNTRUJILLO3, JOACHIMMILZ3, MONIKASCHNEIDER1 1Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Dept. of International Cooperation,

Switzerland

2PIAF - El Ceibo Foundation, Bolivia

3ECOTOP, Consulting on Successional Agroforestry, Bolivia

4Catholic University Carmen Pampa, Bolivia

Cocoa (Theobroma cacaoL.) trees have a lifespan of up to 100 years in their natural environment, the lower strata of tropical alluvial forests. Sustainability of global cocoa production is at stake due to the deterioration of soil fertility, high losses due to pests and diseases (P&D) and old tree stock. Producing cocoa in shaded, low- input agroforestry systems offers a potential solution for achieving long-term productivity and sustainability. However, shade-tolerant cocoa clones are needed which are productive and resistant to P&D, as well as meeting the quality standards requested by the industry. In Bolivia, the cocoa mirid (Monalonion dissimulatum) and the novel disease frosty pod rot (“Monilia”Moniliophthora roreri) are among the most devastat- ing P&D. The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and its local partners have been conducting cocoa production systems research in the Alto Beni region of Bolivia since 2008. A participatory rural appraisal revealed that indeed, how to reduce incidences of the cocoa mirid and frosty pod rot was the top priority of cocoa farmers. Furthermore, a need for evaluating the productivity of different cocoa clones and for the documentation of best practices was expressed. In order to address these points, several research activities were carried out:

1. 16 cocoa clones have been evaluated for productivity and susceptibility to P&D for four consecutive years (2010—13) in on-farm trials at multiple locations.

2. The yield development and prevalence of P&D in the fields of four outstanding farmers was assessed for two years (2012–13)

Data analysis revealed that some locally selected clones (elite tree selection program) were not only among the most productive, but also showed earliest maturation and some degree of resistance to Monilia (i.e. with lower incidences of the disease). Thus these clones hold the potential to escape attacks by P&D which occur later on in the season and may serve as a basis for further germplasm development towards clones with resistance to Monilia. However, before disseminating information to farmers and farmers’ organisations, sound scientific data from at least five years is required.

Keywords:Cocoa, diseases, pests, production system, yield development

Contact Address:Christian Andres, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Dept. of Interna- tional Cooperation, Ackerstrasse 113, CH-5070 Frick, Switzerland, e-mail:christian.andres@fibl.org

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Productivity of Maize and Baby Corn in Organic and Conventional Farming System

NOAHADAMTEY1, JUANGUILLERMOCOBO1, MARTHAMUSYOKA2, EDWARD

KARANJA2, KOMIK. M. FIABOE2, ANNEMURIUKI3, MONICAH

MUCHERU-MUNA4, ESTELLEBERSET1, ANDREASFLIESSBACH1, DIONYS

FORSTER1

1Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland

2International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kenya

3Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, National Horticultural Research Center, Kenya

4Kenyatta University, Environmental Sciences, Kenya

Productivity (output per unit of land or labor) growth in Africa is far behind that in other regions of the world and is well below the growth required to meet food security and poverty reduction goals set forth in national and regional plans. To increase food security, reduce hunger and poverty, soil fertility improvement is urgently needed in sub-Saharan Africa. Farming systems have been developed using conventional (fertilisers, improved seeds, pesticides) and organic (system optimisation, organic fertilisers, nutrient recycling) approaches. Conventional farming systems aim at high productivity but also at high financial and environmental costs. Organic farming systems aim at improving the stability and resilience of the whole agro-ecosystem, maximising nutrient and energy use efficiency and using natural renewable inputs, but have generally been perceived not to be able to support and sustain high productivity and production levels. To create a scientific basis for discussions the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) established long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya, India and Bolivia.

In two agro-ecological zones in Kenya (Chuka and Thika), FiBL and its partners are comparing two farming systems (organic and conventional) at low and high level of management intensity (low fertilisation without irrigation/high fertilisation with irrigation) since 2007. The three-year crop rotation is consisting of maize-beans-vegetable-Irish potato. The productivity of maize and baby corn in the organic and conventional farming systems will be presented. The maize yields in 2007 and 2010 for the conventional high input system (Conv-High) were similar to those of the organic high input systems (Org-High) at both Chuka and Thika, except in the first year (2007), when Conv-High yields were 4 times higher (P<0.05) than the ones from Org-High in Thika. In the low input systems, Conv-Low and Org-Low showed similar yields in 2007 and 2010 at Chuka, whilst at Thika, maize yields for Conv-Low was 3.5 times (P=0.010) higher than the yields of Org. Low in 2007 and 2010. Baby corn yields over 4 years were similar for both Conv. High and Org. High at both sites.

Keywords:Conventional farming, crop rotation, farming systems, organic farming, productivity

Contact Address:Noah Adamtey, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Dept. of Interna- tional Cooperation, Ackerstrasse 21, 5070 Frick, Switzerland, e-mail:noah.adamtey@fibl.org

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Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreotus) Yield in Different Substrates Prepared by Cowpea Pod Shell Waste

AYSUNPEKSEN, GULSUNDADAYLI, ZEHRASATILMIS, SAVASCATAL Ondokuz Mayis University, Horticulture Department, Turkey

Recently, mushroom cultivation gains more attention as a possibility to use agricultural wastes, and to help alleviate poverty and food insecurity in Turkey. Rising demand for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) leads to an increasing interest among small-scale farmers in rural areas and also consumers. This is due to its flavor, aroma and high nutritional value and easy grow process with low inputs, minimum require- ments for growing conditions and also equipments. Also, some agricultural and in- dustrial wastes can be used for oyster mushroom production.

This experiment was conducted to determine the possible use of cowpea dry pod shells remaining as a waste after threshing in the oyster mushroom cultivation. In the experiment, ten different substrates prepared from poplar sawdust (S), cowpea pod shell (CP) and rice bran (RB) mixtures were tested. Substrate mixtures were 100S, 90S+10RB, 75S+25CP, 50S+50CP, 25S+75CP, 65S+25CP+10RB, 40S+50CP+10RB, 15S+75CP+10RB and 90CP+10RB, 100CP. HK35 strain of oyster mushroom was used in the study. Moisture, pH, ash, nitrogen (N), carbon (C) content and C:N ratio of the substrates were determined after sterilisation.

Mycelia did not grow on the substrate prepared by S alone. The highest mushroom yields were obtained from 90CP+10RB, 100CP, 15S+75CP+10RB, 25S+75CP and 65S+25CP+10RB (264.80, 257.60, 219.20, 217.6 and 206.00 g per kg substrate, respectively). It was concluded that cowpea dry pod shells can be used in the cultivation of oyster mushrooms. The use of agricultural wastes such as cowpea pod shells will ameliorate the product: efficiency for small scale farmers.

Keywords:Cowpea pod shell, oyster mushroom,Pleurotus ostreatus, substrate

Contact Address: Aysun Peksen, Ondokuz Mayis University, Horticulture Department, Atakum, 55139 Samsun, Turkey, e-mail:aysunp@omu.edu.tr

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Chenopodium quinoa as a New Non-Traditional Crop in Egypt

SAYEDEISA1, AHMEDABDEL-ATI2, MOHAMEDEBRAHIM1, MOHAMEDEID3, EMADEL-DINABDEL-SAMAD4, SAYEDHUSSIN1, NASREL-BORDENY5,

SAFWATALI6, ABD-EL-RAHMANEL-NAGGAR1 1Ain Shams University (ASU), Dept. of Agricultural Botany, Egypt

2Desert Research Center, Plant Production Dept., Ecology & Dry Land Agriculture Di- vision, Egypt

3Ain Shams University, Dept. of Soil Science, Egypt

4National Research Center, Vegetable Crop Research Dept., Agricultural & Biological Research Division, Egypt

5Ain Shams University (ASU), Dept. of Animal Production, Egypt

6Ain Shams University (ASU), Dept. of Agricultural Biochemistry, Egypt

Dry land salinity increasingly affect large tracts of agriculture land in Egypt. Efforts are hence needed to find alternate solutions to allow farmers to make productive use of saline land. One option is the use of high potentiality halophytes for crop production.

Chenopodium quinoaWilld is one of the promising halophyte cash crops for cultivation on saline soils. The aim of this study was to compare the potential seed yield and quality of quinoa grown under high saline soil conditions (ECe=27 ds.m⁻¹) with neutral-soil conditions (ECe=1.9 ds.m⁻¹). Seed yield and weight of 1000 seeds significantly decreased under saline-soil to record 40 % and 20 % reduction compared with neutral-soil conditions, respectively. Beside quantity, the composition of reserves also changed under saline conditions. The concentration of the total carbohydrates decreased significantly whereas, concentration of protein, Fe, Na and ash increased significantly in seeds. No significant differences were found for oil, fiber, P and K contents under saline conditions. However, the higher accumulation of ash in seeds under saline condition was not obtained solely by an increase of Na concentration;

it was achieved also by increasing K and Fe concentrations. The Energy Dispersive X-ray microanalysis clearly indicated that the passage of Na to seed interior was hin- dered by seed pericarp leading to low accumulation of Na in seed interior reserving tissue. Quinoa as a new cultivated halophyte cash crop has a potential as grain crop under saline conditions due to its high nutritional quality of seeds.

Keywords:Chenopodium quinoa, halophyte cash crop, nutritional value, saline soil, yield

Contact Address: Sayed Eisa, Ain Shams University (ASU), Dept. of Agricultural Botany, 68 Hadyke Shubra, 12244 Cairo, Egypt, e-mail:sayed_eisa@hotmail.com

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Studying Quinoa Chenopodium quinoa Willd Adaptability from Tropical to Temperate Conditions

LEITERGRANDA1, ELENADUSKOVA2, GUILLERMOCORREDOR3, DEISY

ROSERO4, AMPAROROSERO4, RADIMCERKAL1

1Mendel University in Brno, Dept. of Crop Science, Breeding and Plant Medicine, Czech Republic

2Crop Research Institute, Genetic Resources of Vegetables and Special Plants, Czech Republic

3Agriculture University Foundation of Colombia-UniAgraria, Dept. of Animal Produc- tion, Colombia

4Indigenous Organization for Research ORII-Tierra y Vida, Crop Production Program, Colombia

The low diversity in cultivated crop species has been considered a potential treat to food security. The homogeneity of the used crops in the human diet affects human health by increasing high-energy and low-nutrients diets ignoring an adequate nutritional diversity and also producing genetic erosion in crops. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld) is an important andean crop that can increase the food and nutritional security due to its healthly composition and gluten absence. This alternative crop has an exceptional adaptability that could mitigate the effects of the climate change in several countries around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptability and production of nine quinoa varieties under tropical and temperate conditions.

Multi-environment trial involving were diverse sets of 9 varieties tested in 4 places under tropical (Colombia) and temperate (Czech Republic) environmental conditions using a randomised complete block design with four replicates. Yield parameters and phenological phases were evaluated. In the first phenological stage, the varieties Pasankalla, Blanca de Hualhuas, Blanca Sajama, Tunkahua, Amarilla de Marangani showed the best adaptation to both tropical and temperate conditions, while Blanca Dulce, Dark Commercial and Rosada de Huancayo had low germination rate and weak seedlings under conditions of Czech Republic. The selected varieties showed a great range of pericarp colours, flavour and grain size. Our first observations, con- firm that some quinoa varieties have good adaptability to temperate conditions and the final effect on yield components will be determined.

Keywords:Adaptability,Chenopodium quinoa, food security, quinoa, variety

Contact Address: Leiter Granda, Mendel University in Brno, Dept. of Crop Science, Breeding and Plant Medicine, Zemedelská 1/1665, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail:leiter.granda@gmail.com

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Improving Seed Potato Quality in Southwestern Uganda for Strengthening Food and Cash Security

UTAPRIEGNITZ1, WILLEMIENLOMMEN1, RENÉ VAN DERVLUGT2, STEPHEN

ONAKUSE3, PAULSTRUIK1

1Wageningen University and Research Centre, Centre for Crop System Analysis (CSA), The Netherlands

2Wageningen University and Research Centre, Plant Research International, The Nether- lands

3University College Cork, Food Business and Development, Ireland

Uganda is highly vulnerable to poverty, and further investment in agriculture is crucial for sustainable, long-term food security, and rural development. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an important crop for poverty reduction in the rural environment of southwestern Uganda because it is both a source of food and a source of income. The national mean potato yield is about 7 t ha^-1, which is low compared to a potential yield of 25 t ha^-1. The major yield constraining factor is the overall poor seed potato quality. The majority of smallholder farmers use seed from the informal sector, in which seed-borne virus diseases accumulate over time. Lack of disease-free seed tubers and of commercially traded high quality seed tubers are main imped- iments for small-scale farmers. This research aims at improving agricultural productivity in southwestern Uganda by evaluating and understanding improved seed potato production technologies and their opportunities at local scale. The project will focus on testing and adoption of the method positive seed selection to maintain and improve seed quality. Positive selection, pegging healthy looking plants during flowering to potentially serve as seed for the next season, is a tool to create alternative seed multiplication and develop knowledge on how to sustainably improve the quality of seed potatoes and therefore food and cash security for small-scale farmers in southwestern Uganda. Positive selection can lead to yield increases after one season and is easily adoptable by seed producers, but is not tested across multiple seasons; moreover, the mechanisms behind it and virus incidence are not fully understood. On-farm field trials over several generations will provide a proof of concept and further insight in why positive selection causes regeneration of the seed potato stock. A sociological study among small-scale farmers will provide more insight into farmers’ livelihoods and opportunities and bottlenecks of different seed technologies, and will investigate adoption of seed technologies and perspectives of the availability of high-quality potato seed tubers in southwestern Uganda. An economic analysis will assess and evaluate costs and benefits of the different technologies to develop recommendations with respect to affordability and feasibility for smallholder farmers.

Keywords:Positive selection, potato, seed potato systems, Uganda, viruses

Contact Address:Uta Priegnitz, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Centre for Crop System Analysis (CSA), Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands, e-mail:uta.priegnitz@

wur.nl

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Dramatic Loss of Potato Yields – The Failure of Crop and Storage Management in Ugandan Smallholder Farms

ELIZABETHMETTO1, BERNHARDFREYER2, KIBETNGETICH3, ARTHUR

WASUKIRA4, SUSANKAMURU1, CATHERINEMUNYUA1 1Egerton University, Applied Community Development, Kenya

2University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Division of Organic Farm- ing, Austria

3Egerton University, Sociology and Anthropology, Kenya

4National Agricultural Research Organization, Uganda

On the slopes of Mt. Elgon in eastern Uganda, potato is one of the leading crops grown by small scale farmers for food and income. However, their yields are low (7 tons ha⁻¹) compared to that of Kalengere and Buginyanya research stations (25 tons ha⁻¹). A qualitative study was carried out to assess the influence of the farmer’s crop and storage management on potato production in the region. Cluster and pur- posive sampling techniques were used to select 40 farmers and five key informants who included four National Agricultural Advisory (NAADS) service providers and one official of Appropriate Technology Uganda (AT) (an NGO whose mission is to empower rural households in Uganda). In addition, four focus group discussions made up of between eight and twelve small scale farmers were held. The most important finding was that the low potato production among small scale potato farmers was a result of the use of low quality, recycled seed potato made up of small tubers that remained after the selection of ware potatoes, short rotations with a high share of potatoes resulting in accumulation of disease pathogens in the soil, limited use of both organic and inorganic fertiliser, and the effects of pests and diseases, the most important being late blight and bacterial wilt which destroy much of the potato before and after harvest. Additionally, low soil pH are seen as an important cause of the low yields. Interventions by government and non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to minimise or eradicate these factors will bring into realisation the inherent potentials of potato farming among the farmers within the region.

Keywords:Crop management, low yield, potato, smallholder, storage management

Contact Address: Elizabeth Metto, Egerton University, Applied Community Development, Univer- sity of Eastern Africa Baraton P. O. Box 2500-30100 Eldoret, Nairobi, Kenya, e-mail:jepkorireliza@

gmail.com

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Performance of Sugarbeet Sown in Sudan under Comparatively High Temperatures (May-July)

SALAHELDINABDELGADIRMUKHTARELTAHIR1, AHMEDOBEID1, HAYDER

ABDELGADER2 1Sugarcane Research Center-Guneid, Sudan

2Agricultural Research Corporation, Crop Protection Research Center, Sudan

This study was carried out in seasons 2012 and 2013 in the Sugarcane Research Center-Guneid, Sudanese Sugar Company, Sudan following attempts of mixing sugarbeet with sugarcane in cane mills. The overall idea was to synchronise the maturity of beet crop (5 to 6 months of age) with the beginning of cane crushing season (factory start-up at November) where sugarcane quality was usually low. However ambient temperature in these months was relatively high (max temp.: 40–45 and min temp.:

20–25°c). In the first season sugarbeet cultivar (Posada) was sown on three sowing dates: May 21, June 6 and 21 and in the second season it was sown on May 15, 30, June 15, 30 and July 15. Harvest was programmed at three crop ages: 5, 5.5 an 6 months. In the first season some deaths of seedlings occurred and in the second season there was complete failure of germination for May 15 and 30 sowing dates. Other- wise, no significant differences between treatments were shown; however, tuber yield was relatively low in the two seasons recording 23 to 40 t ha^-1compared to the sown sugarbeet in winter months (October-December) that usually yielding 60 to 80 t ha^-1 tuber. Beet plants were still green and growing at harvest where high leaf weight (fodder) was recorded. Sugarbeet quality was relatively high. Brix, pol and estimated recoverable sugar (ERS) % recorded 17.95, 15.74 and 13.24 in average respectively.

The study emphasises the need for more research in the subject including selection of proper sugarbeet cultivars. Crop management operations such as pre watering before sowing and water stoppage (dry-off) at harvest should be thoroughly investigated.

Keywords: Brix, cultivars, ERS, pol, pulp, sowing dates, sugarbeet cultivars, tuber yield

Contact Address:Salaheldin Abdelgadir Mukhtar Eltahir, Sugarcane Research Center-Guneid, Agron- omy and Soil Science, Alguneid, Sudan, e-mail:salahamukhtar@hotmail.com