ABSTRACT
The study explored the research question: What are the influencers of land users’ perceptions of land resources? It sought opinions of respondents on whether or not a list of identified circumstances were influencers of land users’ perceptions of land resources. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from 101 land users in Mphosong-Bolahla catchment area, who were selected using Nassiuma’s [1] Formula. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme version 20.0 and the findings were presented using statistical indicators, namely: means and standard deviations. The findings revealed that respondents were generally aware of the socio-economic, cultural and institutional influencers of land users’ perceptions of their land resources. The socio-economic influencers were: ownership of freehold land and small landholdings, availability of off-farm income, employment, better market access, labour-intensive nature of land resource management, lack of access to consumer markets, insecurity of tenure, education, access to credit, and poverty. The cultural influencers were: rotational grazing, awareness of cropping systems and consequences, awareness of economic value of land, belief in land ownership as basis for personal and family identity, adherence to succession in land management, and belief that land is a cultural asset. The institutional influencers were: integration of stakeholders in planning management of rangeland resources, training for promotion of conservation technologies, access to conservation services, policy failures, and complexity of government procedures. The study concluded that land users recognise the existence of socio-economic, cultural and institutional influencers of their views on land resources and that this abundant wealth and resourcefulness ought to be optimised through their adequate involvement in decision-making regarding their land resources.

ABSTRACT
Damping off and foot rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum, respectively are the two deadly diseases in chilli occur at the seedling stage. In the present study, the formulated indigenous Trichoderma harzianum and its spore suspension alone or in combinations were used to control damping off and foot rot diseases of chilli in net house conditions. The combined application of chickpea based formulated T. harzianum and its spore suspension was found to reduce damping off by 75.02-86.96% and foot rot by 74.29-89.28% over control caused by both the fungi. The combined application of the treatment was also found to increase seed germination by 66.23-90.57% over control. Furthermore, the combined application of formulated T. harzianum and its spore suspension also resulted higher shoot length (9.33 cm and 7.88 cm), root length (4.03 cm and 3.95 cm), and vigor index (1097% and 1010%) at 14 days after sowing over S. rolfsii and F. oxysporum inoculated plants, respectively. Based on the present investigation, the chickpea bran-based Trichoderma harzianum formulation and suspension might be exploited for the management of damping off and foot rot diseases of chilli.

ABSTRACT
Insects are beneficial in many areas such as pollination of plants, neutralization of pests, control of pest population and production of useful material including food for humans. In applied entomology, insects are beneficial for the ecosystem and sustainable agriculture. Biological control using parasitoids is one of the applications known worldwide. Another very interesting use is the study of insects associated with a corpse: science known as forensic entomology. This study was carried out to analyze the succession of necrophagous insects. The objective is to show their chronology, which could be used to estimate the post mortem interval (PMI) in Burundi, a country of the African Great Lakes region where corpses are frequently found in the forests. Analysis of the results revealed that two species of social insects belonging to the order of hymenoptera namely Monomoriun pharaonis and Leptothorax acervorum arrive early on the corpse. These results could be explained in three ways: the chemical reception of social insects of the order hymenoptera illustrated by the smell of gases from the degradation and decomposition of the corpse, but also behavior and communication of social insects.

ABSTRACT
Abstract: This study assessed the levels of heavy metals (Mn, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Fe) in two dumpsites and control in Surakarta. Specific soil properties and the level of metals in dumpsite soil samples and crops were also considered. Standard techniques were employed in the appraisal and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific model 210) for the metal concentration analysis. The level of each metal was detected low in the control site compared to the dumpsites which prove that there had been an anthropogenic contribution of heavy metal through the disposal of wastes contained or made of heavy metals. The crops in the two sites and control had Cr, Cd, and Pb occurring below the detection limit. All the concentrations of metals studied in soil and crops were found to be lower than the maximum permissible limit of heavy metal in soil and crops stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) which implies that the crops are presently safe for human consumption. The higher concentration of metals in the dumpsite and their crops more than the control site shows that there is gradual pollution of heavy metals in the crops and implies that there is a need to avoid consuming crops grown on these sites and discourage the use of the sites for any form farming activities.

ABSTRACT
Abstract: The National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) had released a new variety of pigeonpea or kadios (Cajanus cajan L.), one of the climate resilient crops ideal for the Ilocos Region in the Philippines and have similar performance to other regions of the country. A variety adaptable to year-round production under all soil conditions including marginal areas specially in Regions 1, 2, and 3 pigeonpea growing areas. ICP 7035 (MMSU-ICRIP MJ) was derived following selection method from the germplasm collection at ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India. It was brought later to the Philippines with legitimate supporting documents as Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) and others. This variety has non-determinate growth habit. The purity was maintained through selections made by researchers at MMSU. Series of trials in accordance with the regulations of the NSIC were done. Yield is far superior than the local varieties being used. It has an average seed yield of 1.282 to as high as 2.0 tons per hectare as compared to the local check with .516 tons per hectare. It has yellow-red colored flowers. It flowers and matures earlier with 96 and 142 days respectively as compared to 130 and 201 days respectively of the local check. The seeds are sweet in taste due to high sugar content. It is suitable to market it as immature pods for vegetable purpose. It was found resistant to diseases like Sterility mosaic, Cercospora leaf spot, rust and other pests identified in legumes.

ABSTRACT
Abstract: Dissemination and adoption of improved agricultural technologies is an important factor towards improved agricultural production. Agricultural extension services are either provided through public extension or private extension service. The study objective was to compare the effectiveness of both project and conventional extension approaches on levels of maize production among small-scale farmers in Seme Sub-County, Kisumu County. An Ex post facto study design and purposive random sampling technique was used. The sample size of 180 small-scale maize farmers were interviewed using structured questionnaire. The levels of maize production was operationalised as the dependent variable while selected agricultural extension approaches were the main independent variables. Moderator variables were selected socio-economic factors including gender, household size, age, household income, farm size and level of education. Descriptive statistic was used and inferential analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 20 software. The beneficiaries of project extension approach realised better levels of maize production in terms of yields as compared to beneficiaries of conventional extension approach as findings showed statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between the approaches. From the findings it is recommended that there is a need to support dissemination of selected maize production technologies through project extension approach as an alternative extension approach to conventional extension approach in the study area and beyond.

ABSTRACT
Abstract: To over half the world's population, rice is the primary staple food. In recent years, there has been a shift from transplanted rice to direct-seeded rice cultivation mainly driven by seasonal scarcity of agricultural labor, increasing water scarcity, and high cost of production. Labor constraints mean sowing and transplanting are often delayed, resulting in yield losses. It is cost and time intensive for farmers. It causes adverse effects to soil and environment. Because of the low input demand, direct-seeded rice (DSR) has gained a lot of attention. Direct seeded rice refers to the process of developing seed crops from field seeds instead of transplanting seedlings. Three methods of direct seeding are known, namely: dry-DSR, wet-DSR and water seeding. Precise land grading, good crop establishment, accurate water management, weed management, and nutrient management are the most important prerequisites for successful direct-seed rice crop. There are no varieties to date specifically targeted for DSR but many of the inbred varieties and hybrids bred for puddled transplanted are found to be suitable. Direct seeding follows the aerobic cultivation of paddy, so the nutrient dynamics are altered. Several key nutrients like N, P, S, Zn, and Fe are likely to be a constraint. The infestation of weeds can cause significant loss of DSR yield.