Volume 6, Issue 4

Comparing the Effectiveness of the “weevil warehouse” and “laboratory bioassay” as Techniques for Screening Maize Genotypes for Weevil Resistance
Original Research
The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamaisMotschulsky), causes devastating post-harvest grain losses, especially in tropical countries. Development of weevil resistant maize hybrids requires a rapid, inexpensive but effective screening method which can easily be incorporated in a maize breeding program without any advanced training in entomology. The current study compared the efficacy of weevil warehouse which is a kind of free-choice test with laboratory bioassay following a no-choice test, for discriminating maize genotypes into different weevil resistance/susceptibility classes. Fourteen maize genotypes were simultaneously screened using the weevil warehouse and the laboratory bioassay techniques. Results from both shelled grain and suspended ears under weevil warehouse assessments were compared with those from laboratory bioassay technique. Grain damage and grain weight loss were measured. High levels of consistency were detected during grouping of maize genotypes. The shelled grain option of the weevil warehouse and the laboratory bioassay screening methods were equally effective towards discriminating maize genotypes for their response to weevil attack (CVs of 7.1% vs 6.5% for grain damage and 12% vs 13% for grain weight loss, respectively). Therefore, the “weevil warehouse” technique, which is simple, inexpensive, time saving and precise would be recommended for rapid screening of maize germplasm for maize weevil resistance.
Journal of Food Security. 2018, 6(4), 170-177. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-6-4-5
Pub. Date: December 14, 2018
9481 Views2177 Downloads
Evaluation of Rice Germplasm Reveals Sources of Bacterial Leaf Streak Disease Resistance in Uganda
Original Research
In 2014, researchers in Uganda spotted signs typical bacterial leaf streak disease (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola) in rice fields in Eastern Uganda. The disease was later confirmed to be bacterial leaf streak. In order to effectively plan for measures to manage this potentially devastating disease, it was imperative to score rice germplasm in Uganda for reaction to Xoc. Eighty four genotypes from the National Rice Improvement program were evaluated for their reaction to BLS using two Xoc isolates collected from Namulonge and Iganga. These were inoculated by the infiltration method using a needless syringe 30 days after planting. Data were collected on the streak length induced by BLS on the leaves 15 days after inoculation. The mean streak length per genotype was interpreted as; Resistant (R), 030mm. Genotypes showed signficant variability (P < 0.001) in their reaction to BLS. The Xoc isolates reacted signficantly differently (P=0.011) on the rice genotypes. For the Iganga isolate, 6 genotypes were resistant while 17 were moderately resistant. For the Namulonge isolate, 3 genotypes were resistant while 7 were moderately resistant. Three genotypes were resistant to both isolates. The observations ranged from highly resistant in Nerica1 to highly susceptible in Du 363. The resistant genotypes identified could be used as sources of genes for introgression into susceptible but agronomically desirable genotypes.
Journal of Food Security. 2018, 6(4), 163-169. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-6-4-4
Pub. Date: December 12, 2018
6879 Views1231 Downloads
Gene Action for Grain Yield and Agronomic Traits in Selected Maize Inbred Lines with Resistance to Striga Hermonthica in Uganda
Original Research
Combining ability of inbred lines is crucial information in maize hybrid breeding programs incorporating materials from various germplasm sources. This study was conducted to assess the gene action for grain yield and other agronomic traits for germplasm having varying resistance to Striga hermonthica and genetic. In a half diallel cross of ten parents, general and specific combining abilities for grain yield, plant and ear height, plant and ear aspect, ears and plants harvested, ear rot, husk cover, moisture and resistance to Striga hermonthica were determined. The grain yields of the single crosses were significantly higher for 1368STR x TZISTR1198, TZISTR1132 x CML442, TZISTR1174 x TZISTR1198 and TZISTR1199 x TZISTR1174. The importance of both GCA (50%) and SCA (50%) for grain yield, ear rot, ear texture and ears harvested were observed, but a preponderance of GCA was existed for AUSNPC, whereas plant and ear height, plant and ear aspect, and moisture content exhibited preponderant SCA. TZISTR1174, TZISTR1162, TZISTR1192, and CML442 were good general combiners for grain yield showing highly significant positive GCA effects of 0.40, 0.2, 0.17, and 0.22, respectively while lines TZISTR1199, TZISTR1192, TZISTR1174 and TZISTR1162 were good general combiners for resistance to Strigashowing highly significant negative GCA effects of-646.99,-428.21,-338.00, and-76.51. These inbred lines could be exploited in hybrid breeding to develop high yielding Striga resistant maize varieties. Hybrids such as TZISTR1174 x CML312, TZISTR1192 x CML442and TZISTR1174 x 1368STR had significant positive SCA effects for grain yield whereas crosses like TZISTR1162×TZISTR1198, TZISTR1199×TZISTR1181, TZISTR1192×1368STR had highest negative significant SCA effects of-1453.19,-1058.28, and-808.252 for AUSNPC which can be used for direct production as single cross hybrids or developed further as three way cross hybrids.
Journal of Food Security. 2018, 6(4), 155-162. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-6-4-3
Pub. Date: December 04, 2018
8845 Views2366 Downloads
Upgrading Strategies and Food Security Implications on Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Value Chain Review
Review Article
The upgrading and value chain literature has tended to focus on the buyers in the value chain such as processors, international retailers and industries as they are the decision makers in the chain ignoring role played by smallholders with regard to food security implications. Recent research has begun to recognize the critical role that smallholder farmers will play in local, regional and global food security in the future. The population in dire need of food is growing rapidly in Africa compared to the rest of the world despite progress in market liberalization and other innovative reforms raising the concern of food security in the continent. It has largely been recognized that there is no one solution that fits all smallholder farmers in Africa. The main conclusions that emerge from the theoretical review and evidence provided in this paper include: Process, product and functional upgrading have different implications in the value chain as interventions with regard to their effect on improved food security and reduction in poverty levels. Smallholder farmers in developing countries are likely to benefit from being members of a value chain in terms of product and process upgrading, but their potential to reap the benefits of increased market opportunities, increased incomes and food security is curtailed by various factors, suggesting immiserizing growth. This paper proposes targeted agricultural interventions based on context specific integrated strategic innovations using tacit knowledge that aims at empowering smallholder farmers to add value to their farm produce using innovative models they participated in developing, while incorporating climate smart agricultural practices, to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable food security and nutrition in Sub- Saharan Africa.
Journal of Food Security. 2018, 6(4), 141-154. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-6-4-2
Pub. Date: November 26, 2018
6693 Views1983 Downloads
Combined Effects of Fermentation, Germination and Cooking Processes on the Nutritional Profile of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) Grown in Côte d'Ivoire
Original Research
The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriate technological treatments and the couple time / temperature optimizing the availability of nutrients in cowpea grains. White cowpea grains used were bought at Abobo (Abidjan) market. After germination and fermentation, these grains were heated to boiling for 1 hour (h) and 1h30 min at coal and gas fires and then crushed. The biochemical and nutritional profile was performed on the flour obtained. The results showed a significant difference on the parameters studied according to the treatment applied. The dry matter content of the flours was higher than 90%. The protein content was high on the flours from sprouted grains after cooking for 1 h on charcoal (Gfc2) and gas (Gfg2) fire with respective values of 18.31 ± 0.05% and 19, 83 ± 0.50%. On the other hand, the lipid content was less than 3%. The total carbohydrate content in all the flours is between 68 and 80 %. Fibers content varies between 23 and 31 %. Whatever the cooking method used, results showed that the mineral contents were higher after 1 hour cooking. The nutrient profile by the determination of scores SAIN > 5 and LIM <7.5 classified the cowpea in food of group 1, recommended foods for health. The flours from germinated and fermented Cowpea with a high energy value could be recommended as a local product in the formulation in infant food.
Journal of Food Security. 2018, 6(4), 133-140. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-6-4-1
Pub. Date: November 15, 2018
10604 Views2455 Downloads