In Uganda, banana (Musa spp) and coffee (Coffea spp) form the economic base for a big population of small-scale farmers and provide environmental protection. However, their production is currently declining. The two crops are grown in association as intercrops or adjacent monocultures but little ...
Ragama, P.E.
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Nankinga, C.
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Okech, H.
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Gold, C.
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Wetala, P.
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Asten, Piet J.A. van
,
Nambuye, A.
,
[Agronomic pests and economic factors influencing sustainability of bananacoffee systems of western Uganda and potentials for improvement]
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Agronomic pests and economic factors influencing sustainability of bananacoffee systems of western Uganda and potentials for improvement
In Uganda, highland banana yields (5-30 t ha-1yr-1) are low in comparison to potential yields (70 t ha-1yr-1) due to high pest and disease pressure, soil fertility decline, and poor management. Although it is generally accepted that soil exhaustion is a major cause of low and declining yields, th...
Asten, Piet J.A. van
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Gold, C.S.
,
Wendt, J.
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Waele, D. de
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Okech, S.H.
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Ssali, H.
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Tushemereirwe, W.K.
,
[Contribution of soil quality to banana yield problems and its relation with other banana yield loss factors]
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Contribution of soil quality to banana yield problems and its relation with other banana yield loss factors
Cassava yields in Africa are small and it remains unclear which factors most limit yields. Using a series of farm surveys and on-farm and on-station trials in Uganda and western Kenya, we evaluated the importance of abiotic, biotic and associated crop management constraints for cassava production...
Fermont, A.M.
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Asten, Piet J.A. van
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Tittonell, Pablo A.
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Wijk, Mark T. van
,
Giller, Ken E.
,
[Closing the cassava yield gap: an analysis from smallholder farms in East Africa]
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Closing the cassava yield gap: an analysis from smallholder farms in East Africa
In the East-African Great Lakes Region, low crop yields due to widespread soil infertility involve difficulties to cope with demographic pressure. Banana cropping systems are widespread and crucial for people livelihood. Improving their sustainability requires a better understanding of nutrient d...
Delstanche, S.
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Asten, Piet J.A. van
,
Gaidashova, S.V.
,
Delvaux, B.
,
[Storage of nutriments in black anthropogenic soils from the East-African Great Lakes Region]
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Storage of nutriments in black anthropogenic soils from the East-African Great Lakes Region
A survey was carried out in 108 fields in Rwanda to identify constraints to banana productivity in three regions: Ruhengeri (young volcanic soils), Gitarama–Butare (soils derived from granitic rocks), and Kibungo (weathered soils from schistose materials). Data were recorded for the single cultiv...
Gaidashova, S.V.
,
Germeau, G.
,
Asten, Piet J.A. van
,
Delvaux, B.
,
[Identification of constraints to banana production in three ecoregions of Rwanda]
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Identification of constraints to banana production in three ecoregions of Rwanda
Mulch applications generally have a large beneficial effect on the productivity of important perennial cash crops in the East African Highlands such as bananas (Musa spp.) and coffee (Coffea spp.), due to the conservation of soil moisture and the improvement of soil fertility. However, the availa...
Asten, Piet J.A. van
,
Twagirayezu, A.
,
Gaidashova, S.V.
,
[Effect of Guatamala grass (Tripsacum laxum) mulch applications on soil moisture conservation and soil fertility status]
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Effect of Guatamala grass (Tripsacum laxum) mulch applications on soil moisture conservation and soil fertility status
Banana is the primary food crop in Uganda, but yields are low due to a complex of abiotic and biotic constraints. However, quantitative information on the importance, interactions, and geographic distribution of yields and constraints is scanty. We monitored yields, biotic and abiotic constraints...
Wairegi, L.W.I.
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Asten, Piet J.A. van
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Tenywa, M.M.
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Bekunda, Mateete A.
,
[Abiotic constraints override biotic constraints in East African highland banana systems]
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Abiotic constraints override biotic constraints in East African highland banana systems
Changes in agriculture and rural livelihoods in Africa are often attributed to the HIV epidemic. While acknowledging that the epidemic has devastated many families and communities because of excess morbidity and mortality, this review explores other causes of change in agriculture practices and p...
Taylor, B.
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Bukenya, D.
,
Asten, Piet J.A. van
,
Agol, D.
,
Pain, A.
,
Seeley, J.
,
[Review: the impact of HIV on agricultural livelihoods in southern Uganda and the challenges of attribution]
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Review: the impact of HIV on agricultural livelihoods in southern Uganda and the challenges of attribution
Increasing land pressure during the past three to four decades has transformed farming systems in the
mid-altitude zone of East Africa. Traditional millet-, cotton-, sugarcane- and/or banana-based farming
systems with an important fallow and/or grazing component have evolved into continuously cul...
Fermont, A.V.
,
Asten, Piet J.A. van
,
Giller, Ken E.
,
[Increasing land pressure in East Africa: the changing role of cassava and consequences for sustainability of farming systems]
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Increasing land pressure in East Africa: the changing role of cassava and consequences for sustainability of farming systems