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Fusarium species are ubiquitous soil inhabiting fungi. They have the ability to exist as saprophytes degrading lignin and complex carbohydrates associated with plant debris. Although the predominant role of these saprophytes is harmless, many species are pathogenic to plants, especially in...

Zambia like other countries in the Southern Africa is faced with problems of food security due to decline in soil fertility, fodder shortage especially in the dry season, continuous cultivation without application of fertilizer or manure, increased soil erosion, soil exhaustion and low inherent...

Soil acidity is a major constraint to crop productivity and lime, the primary amendment, is seldom effective when applied alone and it is not easily accessed by resource-poor farmers. Organic residues around the farm are seldom used as soil amendments. This study was conducted at the University...

Maize is a major staple food crop widely grown in Zambia. Low soil fertility and high cost of chemical fertilizers are some of the major factors limiting maize productivity. The use and integration of legume green manure species in the cropping system is an important alternative to inorganic...

Alley cropping offers great potential for increased and sustained crop production. However, there is currently limited understanding of the effects of maize/leucaena interactions on water distribution. A field trial was conducted to investigate the distribution of soil water and performance of...

Improving food security by increasing crop production is currently Zambia's primary objective. Poor soil fertility and inadequate utilization of chemical fertilizers have often resulted in poor crop yields and that has exacerbated the problems of poverty and hunger in the country. Phosphorus is...

This study was carried out during the 2008/09 season under irrigated conditions. It was conducted at the University of Zambia (UNZA), School of Agricultural Sciences Field Station. The objective of the study was to determine the yield response of selected varieties of a leafy vegetable, Rape...

The status of insect pest management on small farms in Zambia was investigated by interviewing the farmers.Field trials evaluated the timing of insecticide sprays, methods of spray application and the effect of different swath widths using the 'Electrodyn' sprayer.Farmers were aware of the insect...

As small holder farmers intensify agricultural production, their land becomes more prone to soil degradation due to shorter or absence of fallow period. In order to use these pieces of land continuously, a deliberate soil management strategy which incorporates organic residues may provide...

Mycorrhizae are obligate symbionts which enhance plant growth and protect plants from certain diseases. The mycorrhizal flora of three soils collected from a virgin land at the University of Zambia School of Agriculture Experimental site, Airport and the State lodge consisted of Glomus...