197 research outputs found
Replication Data for: Increasing paddy yields and improving farm management: results from participatory experiments with good agricultural practices (GAP) in Tanzania
No full textRice is an increasingly important commodity in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, the rice yield gap is as high as 87%, due to a combination of production constraints and sub-optimal crop management. Reducing this yield gap may be partly achieved through the introduction and dissemination of good agricultural practices (GAP). We conducted 18 farmer-managed on-farm trials in Tanzania, to test a set of GAP components against conventional farmers’ practices (FP) for two consecutive growing seasons in 2013 and 2014. The objectives were: (1) to understand farmers’ capabilities in implementing GAP; (2) to acquire better insights into the merits, relevance and suitability of individual GAP components; and (3) to provide a case study showing that exposure to good practices combined with the farmers’ own experimentations can serve to improve and, trigger a positive change in the participating farmers’ crop management. Compared to the farmers’ own practices, average yield increases of 1 t paddy ha−1 in 2013 and 2.7 t ha−1 in 2014 were achieved when following GAP. These yield advantages were mainly obtained by a higher panicle number, improved harvest index and improved weed control. Farmers experienced difficulties with land levelling, planting or sowing in lines and using rotary weeders, but they were convinced that these technologies are important to boost their rice yields. The case of Tanzania shows that paddy yields can be substantially improved by GAP and that adoption of GAP by smallholder rice farmers can be triggered by stimulating experimentations with such practices on their own farms
Replication Data for: Increasing paddy yields and improving farm management: results from participatory experiments with good agricultural practices (GAP) in Tanzania
No full textRice is an increasingly important commodity in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, the rice yield gap is as high as 87%, due to a combination of production constraints and sub-optimal crop management. Reducing this yield gap may be partly achieved through the introduction and dissemination of good agricultural practices (GAP). We conducted 18 farmer-managed on-farm trials in Tanzania, to test a set of GAP components against conventional farmers’ practices (FP) for two consecutive growing seasons in 2013 and 2014. The objectives were: (1) to understand farmers’ capabilities in implementing GAP; (2) to acquire better insights into the merits, relevance and suitability of individual GAP components; and (3) to provide a case study showing that exposure to good practices combined with the farmers’ own experimentations can serve to improve and, trigger a positive change in the participating farmers’ crop management. Compared to the farmers’ own practices, average yield increases of 1 t paddy ha−1 in 2013 and 2.7 t ha−1 in 2014 were achieved when following GAP. These yield advantages were mainly obtained by a higher panicle number, improved harvest index and improved weed control. Farmers experienced difficulties with land levelling, planting or sowing in lines and using rotary weeders, but they were convinced that these technologies are important to boost their rice yields. The case of Tanzania shows that paddy yields can be substantially improved by GAP and that adoption of GAP by smallholder rice farmers can be triggered by stimulating experimentations with such practices on their own farms
Phosphorus flows and balances at country scale: a case study for France
No full textPoster 325 S333 au nom de Kalimuthu SenthilkumarNational audienc
Closing rice yield gaps in Africa requires integration of good agricultural practices
No full textDespite decades of international research and development efforts focusing on increased rice production in Africa, there is large yield gap, and the local production still needs to be complemented by rice imports to meet consumption demands. This paper aims to provide an overview of published research findings on rice yield gaps and the effects of ‘good agricultural practices’ (GAPs) on rice yield and nutrient use efficiency. The majority of previous studies were from irrigated lowlands, and quantified rice yield gaps as farmer-based (difference between ‘actual yield’ and ‘best farmers’ yield’) and model-based yield gaps (difference between ‘actual yield’ and ‘potential yield for irrigated and water-limited potential yield for rainfed rice’). The mean farmer- and model-based yield gaps were 3.1 and 5.0 t ha–1 for irrigated lowland (IL); 3.1 and 7.7 t ha–1 for rainfed lowland (RL); 2.0 and 6.0 t ha–1 for rainfed upland (RU), respectively in Africa. An analysis of studies from literature on GAPs in Africa revealed that most studies (64 %) were from IL and a wide range of yield increases following individual components of GAPs across environments. A median yield increase of 1.0 t ha–1 was achieved with improved water conservation practices in IL, whereas improved weed management increased yields by 0.7 t ha–1, mainly in IL compared to farmers’ practices. Application of inorganic fertilizers and/or organic amendments increased the yield by 0.8–1.2 t ha–1 across the environments. Integration of GAPs increased the median yield by 2.1 and 1.5 t ha–1 in IL and RL, respectively. The calculated agronomic efficiency of N, P and K from fertilizer experiments were within the desirable levels mainly in the IL and RL environments and comparable to the values from similar environments in Asia. For instance, the agronomic efficiency of N was 21, 13 and 12 kg kg–1, respectively for IL, RL and RU in Africa. Although rice yield gaps in Africa can be substantially reduced by introduction of integrated GAPs to farmers, there is large difference between model-based yield gaps and yield gain obtained by integrated GAPs. Further efforts are needed to identify factors causing this difference. We recommend a research and development focus on rainfed lowland rice systems, which have the largest model-based yield gaps by partially converting them to irrigated systems, and on improving nutrient use efficiencies and closing nutrient cycles
Improved crop varieties & diversified farming practices to improve food and nutrition security
No full textAchieving profitable rice crop through balanced fertilizer mix – the case of Southwestern Madagascar
No full text
Cell Survival and Apoptosis Signaling as Therapeutic Target for Cancer: Marine Bioactive Compounds
No full textInhibition of apoptosis leads to activation of cell survival factors (e.g., AKT) causes continuous cell proliferation in cancer. Apoptosis, the major form of cellular suicide, is central to various physiological processes and the maintenance of homeostasis in multicellular organisms. A number of discoveries have clarified the molecular mechanism of apoptosis, thus clarifying the link between apoptosis and cell survival factors, which has a therapeutic outcome. Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell survival by anticancer agents has been shown to correlate with tumor response. Cellular damage induces growth arrest and tumor suppression by inducing apoptosis, necrosis and senescence; the mechanism of cell death depends on the magnitude of DNA damage following exposure to various anticancer agents. Apoptosis is mainly regulated by cell survival and proliferating signaling molecules. As a new therapeutic strategy, alternative types of cell death might be exploited to control and eradicate cancer cells. This review discusses the signaling of apoptosis and cell survival, as well as the potential contribution of marine bioactive compounds, suggesting that new therapeutic strategies might follow
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