300 farmers were involved with gender representation of 52%, 38% and 10% male, female and youth, ... more 300 farmers were involved with gender representation of 52%, 38% and 10% male, female and youth, respectively Introduction Feeds and feeding are major constraints in improving dairy production in Tanzania. Improper feed strategies due to information gap on feeds and feeding situation. A Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was designed to assess feeds and the feeding situation and optimize utilization of available resources. FEAST was applied within the MilkIT project in Tanzania.
Under-utilised orphan crops hold the key to diversified and climate-resilient food systems. Here,... more Under-utilised orphan crops hold the key to diversified and climate-resilient food systems. Here, we report on orphan crop genomics using the case of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet (lablab) - a legume native to Africa and cultivated throughout the tropics for food and forage. Our Africa-led plant genome collaboration produces a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of the lablab genome. Our assembly highlights the genome organisation of the trypsin inhibitor genes - an important anti-nutritional factor in lablab. We also re-sequence cultivated and wild lablab accessions from Africa confirming two domestication events. Finally, we examine the genetic and phenotypic diversity in a comprehensive lablab germplasm collection and identify genomic loci underlying variation of important agronomic traits in lablab. The genomic data generated here provide a valuable resource for lablab improvement. Our inclusive collaborative approach also presents an example that can be explored by other resea...
Abstract Homegardens are considered a sustainable production system in the tropics, which contrib... more Abstract Homegardens are considered a sustainable production system in the tropics, which contributes to biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was the description of crop diversity, structure and management of homegardens in Central Sulawesi and their ...
ABSTRACT Rangeland condition assessment was conducted in the Borana lowlands, southern Ethiopia t... more ABSTRACT Rangeland condition assessment was conducted in the Borana lowlands, southern Ethiopia to determine the current status and future trend of the grazing land with emphasis on comparing different functional land use units, called Kalo, Worra and Foora. An approach that integrated data from herbaceous and woody plants, soil and pastoralists' perceptions was followed. Density and canopy cover of woody plants were determined in 123 plots of 500m2. Scores of grass species composition, basal cover, litter cover, number of grass seedlings, grass age distribution, soil erosion and compaction were recorded from 615 subplots of 0.25m2. Furthermore, relationships between rangeland condition score and herbaceous biomass production, percent bare soil, and density, frequency and percent cover of woody plants were determined by applying multivariate analyses. The overall rangeland condition appeared to be in a transitional state from good to poor with a downward trend. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Redundancy Analysis (RDA) illustrated that woody plants were negatively correlated with rangeland condition score, botanical composition and basal cover of grasses. The pastoralists perceived that woody plants encroachment, lack and/or shortage of rain, and ban of rangeland burning were among the major factors that caused rangeland deterioration. Therefore, rangeland rehabilitation, re-utilization of fire as a rangeland management tool, and selective clearing of woody plants are recommended as a result of this study.
... on both sides. Then all trees/shrubs rooted within the plot were recorded. Trees/shrubs were ... more ... on both sides. Then all trees/shrubs rooted within the plot were recorded. Trees/shrubs were defined as woody plants with diameter at breast height/diameter at stamp height (DBH/DSH) ≥2.5 cm. Saplings are young woody ...
Mineral element, protein-energy and micronutrient deficiencies are primary public health concerns... more Mineral element, protein-energy and micronutrient deficiencies are primary public health concerns in Eastern and Southern Africa. Promoting the consumption of traditional vegetables such as leaves of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp could provide cheap sources of protein, micronutrients and mineral elements that can improve the nutritional status of resource-poor subsistence farmers. This study evaluated leaves of two Ugandan cowpea landraces (Icirikukwai and Ebelat) in comparison to four Tanzanian varieties (UG-CP-9, Dakawa, Ex-Iseke and IT 93K-2045-29) for leaf crude protein and iron contents. Tender vegetable leaves of landraces, four cowpea varieties and all possible 2-way, 3-way and 4-way combinations were harvested from three trial sites in the villages of Serere, Kikota and Kogili in eastern Uganda. Near Infrared Spectrometry (NIRS) was used to determine the crude protein content and iron concentration of open-air dried leaf samples. ANOVA for the leaf crude protein content and iron concentration data was done using the GLM procedure of SYSTAT. Leaf crude protein of Icirikukwai and Ebelat was 33.0 and 31.3%, while iron concentration was 332.8 and 379.4 µg/g, respectively. Leaf crude protein for the individual varieties was highest (31.84 %) in UG-CP-9 leaves and lowest (28.02%) in Ex-Iseke variety. Leaf crude protein for 2-way, 3-way and 4-way mixtures was 30.99, 29.98 and 30.32%, respectively. Leaves from Dakawa variety had the highest iron concentration (349.1 µg/g) of the four Tanzanian varieties tested. The mixture involving leaves from all the four varieties had the highest iron concentration values of 266.1 µg/g while 2-way mixtures gave the lowest iron concentration of 253.2 µg/g. Compared to the tested varieties and their mixtures, iron concentration of landraces was not significantly higher. The protein content varied significantly across all the treatments and sites and was relatively high for a plant source. In addition, cowpea leaves are available as food throughout the cropping season and, thus, can be used for improved food security. These benefits, thereby, make cowpea leaves an indispensable tool to improve the nutritional status of resource-poor subsistence farmers in countries where cowpea is grown.
In recent years, so-called ‘lost crops’ have been
appraised in a number of reviews, among them La... more In recent years, so-called ‘lost crops’ have been appraised in a number of reviews, among them Lablab purpureus in the context of African vegetable species. This crop cannot truly be considered ‘lost’ because worldwide more than 150 common names are applied to it. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to put forward four theses, (i) Lablab is one of the most diverse domesticated legume species and has multiple uses. Although its largest agro-morphological diversity occurs in South Asia, its origin appears to be Africa. (ii) Crop improvement in South Asia is based on limited genetic diversity. (iii) The restricted research and development performed in Africa focuses either on improving forage or soil properties mostly through one popular cultivar, Rongai, while the available diversity of lablab in Africa might be under threat of genetic erosion. (iv) Lablab is better adapted to drought than common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), both of which have been preferred to lablab in African agricultural production systems. Lablab might offer comparable opportunities for African agriculture in the view of global change. Its wide potential for adaptation throughout eastern and southern Africa is shown with a GIS (geographic information systems) approach.
Homegardens are regarded as sustainable agricultural production systems, although support for thi... more Homegardens are regarded as sustainable agricultural production systems, although support for this statement by quantitative data has been rare. Out of t he suggested indicators/descriptors for assessing sustainability, plant diversity has been frequently studied. However, species diversity is not static: it varies with time and according to ecological and socioeconomic factors and/or characteristics of the gardens and gardeners. In order
... 6, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany 2 Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture,... more ... 6, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany 2 Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB, Bogor, Indonesia *corresponding author: Katja Kehlenbeck, phone +49-(0)511-393750, Email: katja kehlenbeck@yahoo.de Summary ... 2002, Wezel and Bender 2003). ...
300 farmers were involved with gender representation of 52%, 38% and 10% male, female and youth, ... more 300 farmers were involved with gender representation of 52%, 38% and 10% male, female and youth, respectively Introduction Feeds and feeding are major constraints in improving dairy production in Tanzania. Improper feed strategies due to information gap on feeds and feeding situation. A Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was designed to assess feeds and the feeding situation and optimize utilization of available resources. FEAST was applied within the MilkIT project in Tanzania.
Under-utilised orphan crops hold the key to diversified and climate-resilient food systems. Here,... more Under-utilised orphan crops hold the key to diversified and climate-resilient food systems. Here, we report on orphan crop genomics using the case of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet (lablab) - a legume native to Africa and cultivated throughout the tropics for food and forage. Our Africa-led plant genome collaboration produces a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of the lablab genome. Our assembly highlights the genome organisation of the trypsin inhibitor genes - an important anti-nutritional factor in lablab. We also re-sequence cultivated and wild lablab accessions from Africa confirming two domestication events. Finally, we examine the genetic and phenotypic diversity in a comprehensive lablab germplasm collection and identify genomic loci underlying variation of important agronomic traits in lablab. The genomic data generated here provide a valuable resource for lablab improvement. Our inclusive collaborative approach also presents an example that can be explored by other resea...
Abstract Homegardens are considered a sustainable production system in the tropics, which contrib... more Abstract Homegardens are considered a sustainable production system in the tropics, which contributes to biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was the description of crop diversity, structure and management of homegardens in Central Sulawesi and their ...
ABSTRACT Rangeland condition assessment was conducted in the Borana lowlands, southern Ethiopia t... more ABSTRACT Rangeland condition assessment was conducted in the Borana lowlands, southern Ethiopia to determine the current status and future trend of the grazing land with emphasis on comparing different functional land use units, called Kalo, Worra and Foora. An approach that integrated data from herbaceous and woody plants, soil and pastoralists' perceptions was followed. Density and canopy cover of woody plants were determined in 123 plots of 500m2. Scores of grass species composition, basal cover, litter cover, number of grass seedlings, grass age distribution, soil erosion and compaction were recorded from 615 subplots of 0.25m2. Furthermore, relationships between rangeland condition score and herbaceous biomass production, percent bare soil, and density, frequency and percent cover of woody plants were determined by applying multivariate analyses. The overall rangeland condition appeared to be in a transitional state from good to poor with a downward trend. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Redundancy Analysis (RDA) illustrated that woody plants were negatively correlated with rangeland condition score, botanical composition and basal cover of grasses. The pastoralists perceived that woody plants encroachment, lack and/or shortage of rain, and ban of rangeland burning were among the major factors that caused rangeland deterioration. Therefore, rangeland rehabilitation, re-utilization of fire as a rangeland management tool, and selective clearing of woody plants are recommended as a result of this study.
... on both sides. Then all trees/shrubs rooted within the plot were recorded. Trees/shrubs were ... more ... on both sides. Then all trees/shrubs rooted within the plot were recorded. Trees/shrubs were defined as woody plants with diameter at breast height/diameter at stamp height (DBH/DSH) ≥2.5 cm. Saplings are young woody ...
Mineral element, protein-energy and micronutrient deficiencies are primary public health concerns... more Mineral element, protein-energy and micronutrient deficiencies are primary public health concerns in Eastern and Southern Africa. Promoting the consumption of traditional vegetables such as leaves of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp could provide cheap sources of protein, micronutrients and mineral elements that can improve the nutritional status of resource-poor subsistence farmers. This study evaluated leaves of two Ugandan cowpea landraces (Icirikukwai and Ebelat) in comparison to four Tanzanian varieties (UG-CP-9, Dakawa, Ex-Iseke and IT 93K-2045-29) for leaf crude protein and iron contents. Tender vegetable leaves of landraces, four cowpea varieties and all possible 2-way, 3-way and 4-way combinations were harvested from three trial sites in the villages of Serere, Kikota and Kogili in eastern Uganda. Near Infrared Spectrometry (NIRS) was used to determine the crude protein content and iron concentration of open-air dried leaf samples. ANOVA for the leaf crude protein content and iron concentration data was done using the GLM procedure of SYSTAT. Leaf crude protein of Icirikukwai and Ebelat was 33.0 and 31.3%, while iron concentration was 332.8 and 379.4 µg/g, respectively. Leaf crude protein for the individual varieties was highest (31.84 %) in UG-CP-9 leaves and lowest (28.02%) in Ex-Iseke variety. Leaf crude protein for 2-way, 3-way and 4-way mixtures was 30.99, 29.98 and 30.32%, respectively. Leaves from Dakawa variety had the highest iron concentration (349.1 µg/g) of the four Tanzanian varieties tested. The mixture involving leaves from all the four varieties had the highest iron concentration values of 266.1 µg/g while 2-way mixtures gave the lowest iron concentration of 253.2 µg/g. Compared to the tested varieties and their mixtures, iron concentration of landraces was not significantly higher. The protein content varied significantly across all the treatments and sites and was relatively high for a plant source. In addition, cowpea leaves are available as food throughout the cropping season and, thus, can be used for improved food security. These benefits, thereby, make cowpea leaves an indispensable tool to improve the nutritional status of resource-poor subsistence farmers in countries where cowpea is grown.
In recent years, so-called ‘lost crops’ have been
appraised in a number of reviews, among them La... more In recent years, so-called ‘lost crops’ have been appraised in a number of reviews, among them Lablab purpureus in the context of African vegetable species. This crop cannot truly be considered ‘lost’ because worldwide more than 150 common names are applied to it. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to put forward four theses, (i) Lablab is one of the most diverse domesticated legume species and has multiple uses. Although its largest agro-morphological diversity occurs in South Asia, its origin appears to be Africa. (ii) Crop improvement in South Asia is based on limited genetic diversity. (iii) The restricted research and development performed in Africa focuses either on improving forage or soil properties mostly through one popular cultivar, Rongai, while the available diversity of lablab in Africa might be under threat of genetic erosion. (iv) Lablab is better adapted to drought than common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), both of which have been preferred to lablab in African agricultural production systems. Lablab might offer comparable opportunities for African agriculture in the view of global change. Its wide potential for adaptation throughout eastern and southern Africa is shown with a GIS (geographic information systems) approach.
Homegardens are regarded as sustainable agricultural production systems, although support for thi... more Homegardens are regarded as sustainable agricultural production systems, although support for this statement by quantitative data has been rare. Out of t he suggested indicators/descriptors for assessing sustainability, plant diversity has been frequently studied. However, species diversity is not static: it varies with time and according to ecological and socioeconomic factors and/or characteristics of the gardens and gardeners. In order
... 6, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany 2 Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture,... more ... 6, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany 2 Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB, Bogor, Indonesia *corresponding author: Katja Kehlenbeck, phone +49-(0)511-393750, Email: katja kehlenbeck@yahoo.de Summary ... 2002, Wezel and Bender 2003). ...
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Key words: Vigna unguiculata, nutritional quality, leafy vegetables
appraised in a number of reviews, among them Lablab
purpureus in the context of African vegetable species. This
crop cannot truly be considered ‘lost’ because worldwide
more than 150 common names are applied to it. Based on a
comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to put
forward four theses, (i) Lablab is one of the most diverse
domesticated legume species and has multiple uses.
Although its largest agro-morphological diversity occurs
in South Asia, its origin appears to be Africa. (ii) Crop
improvement in South Asia is based on limited genetic
diversity. (iii) The restricted research and development
performed in Africa focuses either on improving forage or
soil properties mostly through one popular cultivar, Rongai,
while the available diversity of lablab in Africa might be
under threat of genetic erosion. (iv) Lablab is better adapted
to drought than common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or
cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), both of which have been
preferred to lablab in African agricultural production
systems. Lablab might offer comparable opportunities for
African agriculture in the view of global change. Its wide
potential for adaptation throughout eastern and southern
Africa is shown with a GIS (geographic information
systems) approach.
Key words: Vigna unguiculata, nutritional quality, leafy vegetables
appraised in a number of reviews, among them Lablab
purpureus in the context of African vegetable species. This
crop cannot truly be considered ‘lost’ because worldwide
more than 150 common names are applied to it. Based on a
comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to put
forward four theses, (i) Lablab is one of the most diverse
domesticated legume species and has multiple uses.
Although its largest agro-morphological diversity occurs
in South Asia, its origin appears to be Africa. (ii) Crop
improvement in South Asia is based on limited genetic
diversity. (iii) The restricted research and development
performed in Africa focuses either on improving forage or
soil properties mostly through one popular cultivar, Rongai,
while the available diversity of lablab in Africa might be
under threat of genetic erosion. (iv) Lablab is better adapted
to drought than common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or
cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), both of which have been
preferred to lablab in African agricultural production
systems. Lablab might offer comparable opportunities for
African agriculture in the view of global change. Its wide
potential for adaptation throughout eastern and southern
Africa is shown with a GIS (geographic information
systems) approach.