Legumes play a significant role in food and nutritional security and contribute to environmental sustainability. Although legumes are highly beneficial crops, it has not yet been possible to enhance their yield and production to a satisfactory level. Amid a rising population and low yield levels, per capita average legume consumption in India has fallen by 71% over the last 50 years, and this has led to protein-related malnutrition in a large segment of the Indian population, especially women and children.

An adaptive collaborative management (ACM) project was implemented in Mafungautsi State Forest, in the Gokwe South District of Zimbabwe between 1999 and 2006. By 2005, significant collaborative momentum between local resource users and officialdom at various levels had been created. Over the same period, Zimbabwe experienced unprecedented changes associated with its land reforms, profoundly impacting natural resource management.

Soil carbon depletion is a major concern for food security in drylands. The objective of this study is to test tillage with residue management under sequential and intercropping systems for carbon sequestration in semi-arid tropical drylands of India. We report the findings from a long-term field experiment (9 years) used to simulate the effect of residue and tillage management in Maize-chickpea sequential and Maize-Pigeonpea intercropping systems for the four possible future climate projections using APSIM model.

Traditional simulation models are often point based; thus, more research is needed to emphasize spatial simulation, providing decision-makers with fast recommendations. Combining machine learning algorithms with spatial process-based models could be considered an appropriate solution. We created a spatial model in R (APSIMx_R) to generate fine-resolution data from coarse-resolution data, which is typically available at the regional level.

In Comoros, cassava plays a major food security role, however yields are low as few modern cultivars are grown. Prior to the introduction of new cultivars, and as a germplasm resource for breeders, germplasm collection missions were undertaken in the three largest islands; Ngazidja, Ndzouani and Mwali; and associated farmer knowledge documented. Cassava landraces were collected from 34 farms, and 17 key informant interviews conducted. Stakes of 79 collected landraces were planted for agro-morphological characterization.

The study investigated the potential of five common tree species in West Africa to bioaccumulate heavy metals in their various plant components over the course of different growth phases and at varying contamination levels (control, double the permissible level and triple the permissible limit). Heavy metals in plant tissues were extracted and analyzed using standard wet chemistry procedures. The results showed metal concentrations in tree tissues to positively and significantly correlate with contamination level, growth stage, and plant component.

The manual is designed to assist the reader with information about sunflower value chain and its management in times of climate change. This manual takes the reader through a learning process on the importance, management, and benefits of sunflower crop. The different chapters describe the processes including production and post-harvest handling, marketing, challenges, and

The intensification of agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is necessary to reduce poverty and improve food security, but increased nutrient applications in smallholder systems could have negative consequences for water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality.

Actinorhizal symbiosis naturally harbours beneficial categories of diverse plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), including the Frankia species. The beneficial microorganisms can be used as efficient, non-chemical and sustainable alternatives for adopting effective soil restoration programmes and revegetation schedules in chemical and industrial-contaminated sites, including treating degraded lands contaminated with toxic chemicals and pesticides.

Njuki et al., (2021) find that women’s leadership and decision-making at all levels constitute a particularly underresearched pathway to gender equality and justice in agri-food systems. To respond to this knowledge gap, this study investigates if and how voluntary sustainability systems (VSS) contribute to women’s meaningful participation, representation and leadership in agri-food systems.

The production of quality and vigorous seedlings is important for sustainable cocoa production. A greenhouse nursery study was conducted in 2019/2020 at CRIG to assess the effects of foliar fertilizer application and fertigation on soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake and growth of cocoa seedlings. The study was 4x3 factorial experiment, laid out in completely randomized design with 13 treatments and three replicates. Two liquid fertilizers (NPK 24:17:18 and NPK 10:10:10) and two granular fertilizers (ammonium sulphate and calcium nitrate) were applied at 42, 84 and 126 mg N per pot.

A panel of 114 genetically diverse barley lines were assessed in the greenhouse and field for resistance to the pathogen Puccinia hordei, the causal agent of barley leaf rust. Multi-pathotype tests revealed that 16.6% of the lines carried the all-stage resistance (ASR) gene Rph3, followed by Rph2 (4.4%), Rph1 (1.7%), Rph12 (1.7%) or Rph19 (1.7%). Five lines (4.4%) were postulated to carry the gene combinations Rph2+9.am, Rph2+19 and Rph8+19. Three lines (2.6%) were postulated to carry Rph15 based on seedling rust tests and genotyping with a marker linked closely to this gene.