This study was to understand how the Farmer Input Support Programme was assisting HIV and AIDS affected households in maize production and to identify the key factors hindering them from accessing the maize inputs in Kaputa district. The study focus ed on the farmer input support programme, the impact of AIDS on livelihood assets, the current maize production and household coping mechanisms. A ...

The study analyzed factors that influence farmer’s participation in hybrid maize seed production in the study area. A Logit analysis was used to analyze factors influencing farmer’s participation in hybrid maize seed production while T-test was used to analyze if there is difference in the mean yields of farmers growing hybrid seeds and those involved in local maize production. Structured quest...

A gene from maize that encodes a hybrid proline-rich protein (HyPRP) formed by two well-defined domains, proline-rich and hydrophobic, respectively, has been characterized at the level of its structure and expression. The proline-rich domain is composed of elements PPYV and PPTPRPS, similar to those found in PRP proteins from soybean. The hydrophobic domain is rich in cysteine and is similar to...

Maize (Zea mays) seed is deficient in protein and lysine content. Many studies have been made to improve the nutritional quality of maize seeds. Previously, we reported the role of a natural lysine-rich protein gene SBgLR in increasing protein and lysine content. However, how the SBgLR improves lysine and protein content remains unclear. Here, the reasons and possible mechanism for SBgLR in pro...

quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and identification of traits of agronomic importance is important in the process of molecular marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. The molecular map of maize is well saturated and QTL and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers have been identified, whereas few markers linked to seed quality traits are included. The present study aimed to identify ...

introduction due to the development of sustainable agriculture and the reduction of utilizing chemical fertilizers, it is essential to use organic fertilizer. organic matter is vital to soil fertility and its productivity. to maintain the level of fertility and the strength of soil, organic matter levels should be maintained at an appropriate level. unfortunately, the level of organic matter in...

Monospecific polyclonal antibodies against maize leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC, EC 4.1.1.31) were utilized to examine the subunit composition and developmental profile of endosperm PEPC in developing and germinating castor oil seeds (Ricinus communis L. cv Baker 296). PEPC from developing endosperm consists of a single type of 100-kilodalton subunit, whereas the enzyme from 2- to 5...

The effect of the addition of potato or maize on the shear-thickening behavior of semidilute solutions of maize was examined. The experiments were conducted at 25°C using 90/10 weight–weight dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)–water as the solvent. The addition of amylose to maize amylopectin reduced and eventually eliminated the observed shear-thickening behavior of maize amylopectin. When potato amylos...

to study the effects of used water in evapotranspiration, seed number per unit area and leaf relative water content on seed weight of canola (brassica napus l.), an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design, arranged in a split-plot under two conditions, i.e. supplemental irrigation and rainfed in 2005-7. two cultivars of canola (‘hyola401’ and ‘rgs003’) as subplots were gr...