ABSTRACT
To sustainably improve rice production in the Zio valley, this study characterized the soils of the developed area. More specifically, the study: (i) determined the Physico-chemical properties of soils and (ii) analyzed the impact of rice cultivation on these chemical parameters. Thirty-six (36) fields of producers were selected and distributed in the 4 villages of the irrigated perimeter: 10 in Kovié, 9 in Mission Tové; 9 in Ziwonou, and 8 in Assomé. The samples were manually collected at a depth of 0-30 cm and analyzed at the soil laboratory of the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA). Physically, the soils are sandy-loamy in Kovié (100%), sandy-loamy in Mission Tové (56%), clayey in Assomé (57%), and Ziovonou (78%). Chemically, the soils are acidic with an average pH of 5.57. They present low (0.89%) and moderate (1.3%) limitation levels respectively for nitrogen and organic matter, very severe for assimilable phosphate (2.3±0.16 ppm), and cation exchange capacity (4.64±0.26 meq/100g of soil) and severe for exchangeable potassium (0.14±0.01 meq/100g of soil). The study also showed a significant decrease in the quantities of Nitrogen, Carbon, Potassium exchangeable, and cation exchange capacity respectively of 57%, 72%, 56%, and 85% compared to 1964. The adoption of cultural practices having a less negative impact on the chemical characteristics of the soil combined with an update of the adapted fertilization formulas become imperatives to ensure sustainable exploitation of the perimeter.

ABSTRACT
With the aim of simultaneously improving maize grain productivity and nutritional value towards enhancing food security and fight against hidden hunger, a 2-year experiment (2020-2021) was carried out at the University of Lomé Agronomic Experiment Station. The experimental design was a split-plot with three replicates. Four maize varieties: Ikenne, Tzee, Sotubaka and Sammaz 52 and three iron application rates including a control (no iron application–Fe0), 7.50 litters ha-1 (Fe45) and 10 litters ha-1 of Feramin (Fe60) were the studied factors. Maize grain yield and grain Fe concentration were determined. Results showed that, on 2-year average basis, the highest maize grain yields under Ikenne (3.32±0.08 t ha-1) Tzee (2.49±0.10 t ha-1), Soubaka (4.03±0.10 t ha-1) and Sammaz 52 (3.85±0.19 t ha-1) was obtained with Fe60. Globaly, yield obtained under Fe60 was higher than those under Fe0 and Fe45 by 26 and 4% respectively. For the two years of study, the highest Fe concentrations were obtained in Ikenne and Tzee grains while the lowest were obtained in the first year in Sotubaka grains(55.21±2.96 mg kg-1) and in the second year in Sammaz 52 grains (41.66±2.19 mg kg-1). On 2-year average basis, the Fe concentration in Ikenne grains was higher than those in Tzee, Sotubaka and Sammaz 52 grains by 8.91; 13.92 and 19.27%, respectively. On this same basis, the highest grain Fe concentrations were obtained under the four varieties with Fe60. Globally, grain Fe concentration under Fe60 was higher than those under Fe0 and Fe45 by 141.89 and 20.31% respectively.

ABSTRACT
The research investigates the hepatocurative potentials of Eucalyptus camaldulensis solvents extract on CCl4 induced liver damage using albino rats, partial characterization of the most active extract was done using GCMS techniques. Forty-two rats were placed into seven groups of six rats each. Group I and II were normal control and test control respectively. Groups III to VII were induced with liver damage using 120mg/kg of CCl4 and administered with standard drug, n-hexane extract (E1), chloroform extract (E2), ethyl acetate extract (E) and methanol extract (E4) respectively. 24 hours after CCl4 administration, a significant (p<0.05) increase in mean serum level activities of AST, ALT, ALP with decrease in conjugated bilirubin and albumin concentration was recorded in test control group compared to normal control. This was reversed upon administration chloroform and methanol extract with former been most active. Antioxidant analysis reveals a significant (p<0.05) decrease in level of liver tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx) with concomitant increase in MDA of test control compared to normal control rats. After extracts administration, increase in the antioxidants enzymes (SOD, Catalase and GPx) levels was recorded in methanol and standard drug administered groups.

ABSTRACT
Boro rice areas were delineated from Sentinel 2B images of March, 2021 by using standard visual interpretation technique. Soil fertility status of Boro rice feilds was evaluated by using soil sample analysis data collected from Soil Health Card dashboard and soil sampled collected from different rice fields in GIS environment. Soil sample location map was prepared from latitude and longitude information and soil analysis data was linked to it. The soil fertility maps were generated through Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation technique using Spatial Analyst tools of Arc Toolbox. The study revealed that Boro rice is cultivated over 7647.9ha which is 15% of the total geographical area of the Selsella block. The soils of Boro rice fields are non-saline, slightly acidic, high to medium in organic carbon and sufficient in iron, manganese, zinc and copper content. The availability of phosphorus and potassium varies from medium to low and nitrogen availability is high to medium.

ABSTRACT
Potato is the second most valued food crop after maize contributing to national domestic consumption and food needs in Kenya. Despite the ease in cultivation and fewer labor requirements, potato production in Kenya is not yet promising as compared to neighboring countries like Tanzania especially in the major growing areas like Molo Sub-County. Low potato in Kenya is due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to develop appropriate interventions to improve production, it is important to first understand farmers’ characteristics, prevailing production practices, potato production constraints, and suggestions for improvement as it is important in providing the basis for addressing the numerous challenges that the farmers face. This study was thus carried out in Molo Sub-County, Kenya with the main objective of analyzing and documenting key information characterizing the socio-demographics of smallholder potato farmers, their production practices, potato production constraints, and their suggestions for improvement in the area. Data was collected from 152 smallholder potato farmers sampled randomly from the accessible population of 6000 potato growers. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that 44.7% of the land in the study area was self-owned. 62.5 % of the farmers belonged to a farmer group. Majority of the farmers 48 % had 1 -5 years of potato farming experience. Literacy levels in the study area were high with over 92.8 % of respondents attaining formal education. There was a higher percentage of women respondents than men 52.6 % and 47.4 % respectively. In terms of age majority of the respondents were middle-aged. The potato variety most preferred and grown by the respondents was shangi. In terms of potato yields, the majority 78.3% had potato yields less than 5tons/ha. The major potato production constraints were high pests and diseases, high costs of inputs, and market ..........

ABSTRACT
The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of rice bran, rice hull, sawdust and quicklime on the production of edible mushrooms, in particular Pleurotus ostreatus. The cultivation method used is that of the culture technique on pasteurized substrate. The experimental device adopted was that in complete random blocks with four treatments repeated three and made up of different quantities of the prepared substrate (T1= 0.5 kg T2 = 0.75 kg T3 = 1.0 kg and T4 = 1.25 kg). The results obtained revealed that the average diameters of the cap and the height of the stem of the mushrooms from the T2 treatment were greater than those obtained from the mushrooms of the T1 treatment. No significant difference between these parameters was observed under the different treatments. The highest mushroom production (800.0 ± 23.31g) and the lowest (490.8 ± 7.60g) are obtained respectively under the T3 and T1 treatments. Thus the one-kilogram substrate used under the T3 treatment was identified by its high production of Pleurotus ostreatus.

ABSTRACT
To find out the effect of nitrogen and elixr on soybean attributes, this experiment is set up in (RCBD), with four replications. The treatments are zero fertilizer (Z0), two doses of both nitrogen (N1=50; N2 =100 Kg fed-1) and elxir (E1=10; E2=20 L fed-1). The findings show that the treatments have no effect on the plant height, number of branches and days to reach 50% flowering, however the number of leaves increased significantly with increasing nitrogen (N2) and declined with increasing of elixr (E2). The lower nitrogen dose (N1) enhnce plant fresh and dry weight, however treatments of elixr (E1; E2) deteriorated both weights. Number of pod per plant, seeds per pod and seed weight have a liner increase with increasing nitrogen (N1; N2), followed by the higher dose of elxir (E2), however the low dose of elxir (E1) record the minimum. The yield per plant and hectare are a greatest with lower (N1) and higher (N2) dose of nitrogen respectively, followed by control (Z0), however yield attributes fail with applying elxir.