B P International

During the 2008 and 2009 crop seasons, a field experiment was conducted in Imla, Gambella Zuria District, Gambella, southwestern Ethiopia, to determine the application rates of N and P fertilisers for rice variety NERICA-3 (Oryza sativa x Oryza glaberrima). Rice may provide grain yields of up to 10-18 t ha-1 in advanced rice-growing areas. However, due to poor crop management methods, its productivity in Ethiopia (2.31 t ha-1 of paddy rice) and Africa as a whole (2.31 t ha-1 of paddy rice) is well below the world average (4.35 t ha-1 of paddy rice). The treatments were factorial combinations of four rates of N (0, 46, 92, and 138 kg N ha-1) and P (0, 46, 92, and 138 kg P ha-1) (0, 23, 46 and 69 kg P ha-1) Plant height, panicle length, and grain quality are all measured in 1000 grains. Similarly, the effects of N on productive tillers plant-1, grains panicle-1, LAI, plant height, panicle length, grain yield, crude protein, ether extract, and crude fibre were significant (P (le) 0.01). W...

In spite of advances in grain storage, as high as 8 to 23% postharvest losses in maize storage is being reported in Ghana. These losses emanate from poor postharvest practices and use of indigenous storage methods, which are inexpensive to construct and maintain but provide poor protection against biological, physical and environmental hazards. The objective of this study was to demonstrate best practices to reduce losses in maize storage. A study unit involved 50 kg of grain stored in jute bags, polypropylene bags, PICS bags and plastic drums. Each unit was treated with recommended doses of Actellic Super 5EC (80 g Pirimiphos-methyl and 15 g Permithrin/L), Phostoxin (Aluminum phosphate) and a control. From this study, losses of 2.2 to 5.8% was incurred in grain stored in PICS bags and plastic drums as compared to 7.2 to 21.7% losses when stored in jute and polypropylene bags during 12 months of storage. Due to differences in varieties, harvest timing and drying operations among far...