& Different Susceptibility in the Two Sympatric Sweet Potato Weevils, Cylas

formicarius and Euscepes postfasciatus, to the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium

anisopliae &

% https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=127671 %

Title: "Using Fungus to Protect Sweet Potatoes from Hungry Bugs"

In this essay, we're going to talk about how scientists are using a special type of
fungus called "M. anisopliae" to help protect sweet potatoes from two different
types of bugs that like to eat them.

First, they tried using this fungus in two different forms: as a liquid and as tiny
grains. They put these forms on the bugs to see if it could kill them. When they
used the liquid form, it worked really well, killing more than 70% of the bugs in
just a week, but they had to use a lot of it. However, when they used the grain
form, it took longer, about 15 to 16 days, to kill the bugs even if they used a lot
of it. If they used less of the grain form, it didn't work very well on one type of
bug and didn't work at all on the other.

To understand how much of the fungus is needed to kill half of the bugs, they did
some math. For one type of bug, they found that you need about 104.78 tiny fungus
things in a milliliter of liquid, and for the other bug, it was about 103.58 tiny
fungus things in a milliliter of liquid.

Next, they took this fungus and tested it in a real sweet potato field for two
years. They wanted to see if it could protect the sweet potatoes from the bugs.
They tried different ways of putting the fungus near the sweet potato plants. They
also compared it to using a chemical called chlorpyriphos, which farmers often use
to kill bugs.

What they found was that the chemical and one way of using the fungus worked really
well. They helped reduce the number of one type of bug and the damage they caused
to sweet potatoes. However, they didn't test the fungus enough on the other type of
bug, so they're not sure if it works for them.

In conclusion, this study suggests that the fungus "M. anisopliae" can be a helpful
tool for farmers to protect their sweet potatoes from certain bugs, but more
research is needed to be sure if it can also work for the other bug. It's exciting
to see scientists finding new ways to keep our crops safe from pests.

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& Determining the Effects of Selected Organic Fertilizer on Growth and Yields of
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum: Var. Rio Grande Tomatoes) in Mundri West County,
Western Equatoria State, South Sudan &

% https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=127863 %

This research looked at how different types of animal manure—specifically chicken,

goat, and cow manure—affect the growth and yield of tomato plants. The study found
that the type of manure used had a significant impact on various aspects of tomato
plant performance, including how tall the plants grew, how long and wide their
leaves were, the extent of damage caused by pests, and the amount of fruit they
produced.

When it comes to helping tomato plants grow better, chicken manure was the winner.
It had the most positive influence on plant height, leaf length, and leaf width
compared to goat and cow manure. This means that using chicken manure led to taller
tomato plants with longer and wider leaves. These improvements happened because
chicken manure is rich in nutrients that are good for plants.

Additionally, when the study looked at pest damage, tomato plants treated with
chicken manure suffered less from pests like aphids and whiteflies. So, chicken
manure not only helped the plants grow better, but it also protected them from
these harmful insects.

Most importantly, when it came to the amount of tomatoes produced, chicken manure
was the clear winner. Tomato yields were significantly higher when chicken manure
was used compared to goat and cow manure. This is because chicken manure is a
highly soluble fertilizer, meaning it dissolves easily in the soil, making
nutrients available to the plants quickly. This helps the plants grow more leaves,
which in turn leads to more tomatoes.

In conclusion, if the goal is to promote the growth of tomato plants and get the
most tomatoes, chicken manure is the best choice among these three types of manure.
This is because it provides important nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium, which are essential for plant growth. These nutrients are easily
absorbed by the tomato plants when they are mixed with chicken manure in the soil.

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations are made:

Farmers are encouraged to use at least 10 tons of chicken manure per hectare of
land. This amount is suggested because chicken manure is environmentally friendly
and promotes good plant growth.

Farmers should consider using chicken manure during tomato plant production to
achieve the highest tomato yields. Its nutrient-rich composition supports better
plant growth and higher yields.

The government and other organizations involved in horticulture should provide

support to farmers, including improved seeds and training, to help them increase
their farming capabilities.

To boost tomato production as a vegetable, the government should create

agricultural policies that favor small-scale farmers' participation in tomato
cultivation.

Future tomato growers should explore mixing different types of animal manures in
different proportions to see how they affect tomato growth and yields.

Lastly, it's important to note that this study was conducted in one location in
South Sudan. To confirm these findings, it's recommended that similar experiments
be carried out in different areas with varying conditions to see if the results
hold true in other regions.

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& Can Natural Farming Help to Combat Climate Variability? A Comparison of Natural
and Chemical Farming in Andhra Pradesh, India &

% https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=127859 %

This study focuses on how natural farming methods can help reduce the harmful
effects of climate variability compared to traditional chemical farming. It
examined data from two cyclonic events in 2018 and heavy rainfall in 2021 in Andhra
Pradesh, India, comparing the outcomes of natural farming and chemical farming.
The study found that natural farming shows promise in coping with climatic
variations better than chemical farming. While previous research has suggested that
organic farming might help mitigate climate variability, there has been limited
investigation into the potential of natural farming in this regard. This study
aimed to fill that gap by exploring the capacity of natural farming to withstand
climate change effects, including cyclones and heavy rainfall.

The results of the study, based on events like cyclone Pethai, cyclone Titli, and
heavy rains, clearly demonstrated that natural farming outperformed chemical
farming. In all these cases, the key factor studied was the type of farming system
used, and the results consistently supported the hypothesis that natural farming
could reduce the negative impacts of climate variability. Natural farming showed
resilience against issues like wind damage, submergence, crop lodging, and yield
loss.

The study primarily focused on paddy cultivation because it's a major crop in
coastal districts prone to cyclones and excessive rainfall. Natural farming was
found to benefit soil health by reducing compaction, increasing porosity, and
enhancing water penetration. These soil improvements likely contributed to natural
farming's ability to withstand climate variability, as increased infiltration rates
helped drain excess water from cyclones and floods.

These findings align with previous research on natural farming, which indicated
that it can increase earthworm populations, improve water-holding capacity,
porosity, infiltration, and resilience against floods and cyclones. Key natural
farming practices like using bio-stimulants, applying mulch, and promoting
biodiversity in cropping systems were identified as reasons for this resilience.

The study also highlighted the positive impact of natural farming on root
morphology and root-shoot ratio, which are crucial for withstanding adverse
climatic conditions. It noted a significant increase in root length in natural
farming systems, which helps maintain the structural integrity of the land during
cyclonic events.

Principles such as "365 Days Green Cover" and increased crop diversity in natural
farming were identified as essential for combating climate change impacts. Cover
crops, in particular, were found to have positive effects on various soil
parameters, including bulk density, porosity, water infiltration, water-holding
capacity, and hydraulic conductivity.

In conclusion, this study provides preliminary evidence that natural farming can be
more resilient in mitigating the negative effects of climate change compared to
chemical farming. However, it acknowledges the need for further long-term
experiments to fully understand the cause-and-effect relationships between
different natural farming principles and their effectiveness in adverse climatic
conditions.

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& Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Land Equivalent Ratio under Maize-
Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) Intercropping System &

% https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=127759 %

Title: Enhancing Crop Growth: A Closer Look at Mixing Maize and Groundnut for
Better Farming

Introduction:
Intercropping is a smart farming technique where different crops grow together in
the same field. It's like teamwork for plants, helping them use the land
effectively, share nutrients, and reduce the chances of crop problems. In this
essay, we'll explore the findings and recommendations from a study about
intercropping maize and groundnut. We'll dig deeper into how to plant them together
and where they grow best.

Conclusions:

This study dug into different ways of growing maize and groundnut side by side and
when to plant groundnut. Here's what we discovered:

Helping Maize Thrive: When we planted one row of maize next to one row of groundnut
(imagine them as friends standing together), or one row of maize followed by two
rows of groundnut, or two rows of maize followed by one row of groundnut, the maize
plants grew better. It's like they were giving each other a boost.

More Maize Seeds: Planting groundnut within the first week of planting maize
(within seven days) was a game-changer. It led to more maize seeds, especially when
we planted two rows of maize and two rows of groundnut together.

Strong Teamwork: We used a special number called the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) to
see if intercropping is better than growing crops separately. The results were
clear:

When we planted groundnut within two weeks of planting maize, it worked better for
the major season.
When we planted groundnut within one week of planting maize, it was better for the
minor season. No matter when we paired groundnut with maize, it was always better
than growing them alone.

Recommendations:

Here are some suggestions for farmers and researchers based on what we learned:

Plant Groundnut Early: Farmers should plant groundnut within one week of planting
maize, especially when they're putting two rows of maize and two rows of groundnut
together. This will not only give more maize seeds but also improve farming
overall.

Keep Exploring: We need to keep studying this in different places to make sure it
works everywhere. We should also try different ways to arrange maize and groundnut,
like one row of maize and two rows of groundnut, two rows of maize and one row of
groundnut, or one row of maize and one row of groundnut. This will help us gather
more knowledge about smart farming.

Conclusion:
This study shines a light on how mixing maize and groundnut together and planting
groundnut early can make farming better. Farmers can use these ideas to grow more
crops and improve their farms. By exploring this further in various locations and
trying out different arrangements, we can help even more farmers and make farming
smarter all around the world.

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& Characterization of Seed Storage Proteins in Eight Bambara Groundnut Landraces in

Burkina Faso &

% https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=127520 %
Title: Exploring the Protein Treasure in Bambara Groundnut Landraces of Burkina
Faso

Introduction:
This study delves into the protein composition of Bambara groundnut landraces,
specifically those grown in the dry savannahs of Burkina Faso. The goal is to
understand how much protein these seeds contain and to identify any variations
among different types of Bambara groundnut landraces.

Key Findings:

Protein-Rich Seeds: The research revealed that the protein content in Bambara
groundnut seeds falls within a range of 17.69% to 19.17%. While this might not
sound like a big difference, it's still noteworthy because it tells us that Bambara
groundnuts are a good source of protein.

Albumins Take the Lead: When we looked at the types of proteins present in Bambara
groundnuts, we found that albumins were the most common in the total soluble
protein fraction. These albumins are a type of protein that can be easily dissolved
in water. This is exciting because it means Bambara groundnut has great potential
as a protein-rich crop.

Promise for Nutrition Security: The high protein content in Bambara groundnuts
makes them quite promising for improving nutrition, especially in places where
climate change and food shortages are a big concern. They could be a key to helping
people get the nutrition they need, even when times are tough.

More to Discover: While this study looked at a specific set of Bambara groundnut
landraces in Burkina Faso, there's still more to learn. Future studies could
explore a wider variety of landraces from different regions. This might show us
even more diversity in the protein content of these seeds.

Conclusion:
In a world where good nutrition is crucial, this study shines a light on the
potential of Bambara groundnut as a rich source of protein. The slight variations
in protein content among different landraces remind us that there's still much to
discover about this amazing crop. This research not only adds to our knowledge of
Bambara groundnut but also emphasizes the need for further exploration of this
often-underestimated crop. It has the power to help us tackle food and nutrition
challenges, particularly in areas where they hit the hardest.

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& Determinants of Smallholder Farmers Adoption of Acacia decurrens in Northwest

Ethiopia &

% https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=127519 %

Title: Growing Climate-Smart Trees for a Sustainable Future: The Adoption of Acacia
decurrens (AD) in Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Introduction:
In Ethiopia, a remarkable agricultural practice known as Acacia decurrens (AD) tree
cultivation has gained attention as a climate-smart solution. This practice
involves planting fast-growing AD trees, which serve multiple purposes and have the
potential to enhance livelihoods. While AD adoption is widespread in Awi Zone, its
extent varies among households. This study aims to uncover the factors influencing
the degree of AD adoption among 385 randomly selected rural households in Awi Zone.
We collected data through a household survey, and our analysis employed descriptive
statistics and the Two-limit Tobit model.

Key Findings:

Extent of AD Adoption: On average, farmers in the study area allocated about 43% of
their land for AD cultivation. This means that nearly half of their agricultural
land was dedicated to these special trees. However, it's important to note that the
majority of farmers (almost 49%) practiced AD adoption at a relatively low level.

Determinants of Adoption: Our analysis revealed several factors that influence the
intensity of AD adoption:

Positive Influencers:

Male-headed households.
Higher levels of education.
Easy access to AD tree seeds.
Experience in successful AD tree cultivation.
Regular interactions with agricultural experts (extension services).

Negative Influencers:

Older heads of households.

Smaller land and livestock holdings.
Poor soil fertility.
Occurrence of diseases affecting AD trees.
Greater distance from the main road.

Recommendations:

Drawing from our findings, we propose the following recommendations to enhance AD

adoption and its benefits for farmers:

Access to Resources: Farmers should be provided with resources such as easy access
to AD tree seeds and extension services for guidance. Additionally, capacity-
building initiatives through education can empower farmers to make the most of AD
cultivation.

Improved Infrastructure: Investing in road infrastructure, particularly in areas

distant from the main road, can reduce transportation costs for farmers and
facilitate better access to markets for their AD tree products.

Land Tenure Security: Ensuring secure land ownership, especially for marginal and
underutilized land, can encourage landless and economically disadvantaged youth
farmers to adopt AD cultivation more enthusiastically.

Disease Management: Government and relevant stakeholders should actively engage in

identifying, assessing, and managing diseases affecting AD plots. Timely
intervention can prevent discouragement among farmers.

Climate-Smart Farming: AD tree cultivation is an excellent climate-smart practice.

Policymakers should consider formulating policies and providing support to enable
more farmers in Awi Zone to embrace this approach, aligning it with their socio-
economic and ecological conditions.

Conclusion:
The study underscores the significance of AD tree cultivation in Awi Zone,
Ethiopia, as a climate-smart agricultural practice with the potential to transform
livelihoods. However, to unlock its full potential, farmers need support in terms
of knowledge, resources, and infrastructure. By implementing the proposed
recommendations and focusing on policy interventions, stakeholders can ensure the
sustainable adoption of AD tree cultivation, benefitting both smallholder farmers
and the environment. This study's findings serve as a valuable resource for
policymakers, development practitioners, and service providers working towards a
more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector in Awi Zone.

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& Meta-Analysis Study of the Effects of Yeast Probiotic Supplementation on Milk

Production and Energy Corrected Milk of Lactating Dairy Cows &

% https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=127456 %

Title: How Special Yeast Helps Cows Make More and Better Milk

Introduction:
Dairy farming is a crucial part of agriculture, and farmers always want to find
ways to get more milk and better-quality milk from their cows. Recently, people
have been looking at using something called "yeast probiotics" to help with this.
This essay explains a study that looked at how one specific yeast probiotic,
Actisaf® Sc 47, affects how much milk cows make and how good that milk is. The
study also checked how things like the cow's environment and food can change the
yeast's effects.

Different Studies, Similar Goals:

Sometimes, scientists combine information from many studies to get a bigger
picture. In this case, they wanted to see if all the studies agreed about how yeast
probiotics affect cows. They found that the results were a bit different from study
to study, but not too much. This means that using yeast probiotics can help cows
make more and better milk, but there are some differences depending on the
situation.

Checking for Bias:

Sometimes, people only publish studies that show good results and hide the ones
that don't. This can make things look better than they really are. To make sure
this didn't happen in their study, the scientists looked at both published research
and industry reports, whether they were positive or not. This way, they got a more
honest view of what the yeast probiotic can really do.

Effect on Milk Production (MY):

The study found that when they gave cows Actisaf® Sc 47, the cows made about 1.72
kilograms more milk every day. This matches what other studies have seen – yeast
probiotics can help cows make more milk. It seems that yeast probiotics make the
cow's stomach work better, helping them digest their food and use it to make milk.

Effect on Better Milk (ECM):

Not only did the cows make more milk, but it was also better milk. The special
milk, called ECM, had more energy in it. This kind of milk is great for making
products like cheese. The yeast probiotic seems to make the milk have more fat and
protein, which is what you need for cheese. This is a big deal for farmers who want
to make cheese or other dairy products.

How It Works:
The yeast probiotic makes the cow's stomach work better, and this helps the cow's
body use its food more efficiently. It's like a boost for the cow's digestion
system, making sure more of the food gets turned into milk. The yeast also seems to
help with the milk's fat and protein, which is great for making high-quality dairy
products.

Conclusion:
In short, the study showed that giving cows Actisaf® Sc 47, a special yeast
probiotic, can help them make more milk and better-quality milk. It seems to work
by improving the cow's digestion and how they use their food. While there's still
more to learn, this research can be a helpful tool for farmers looking to get the
most out of their dairy cows and improve their milk production and quality.

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