Vegetable Production Under Arid Semi Arid Tropical Africa 1988

459 Pages·1988·17.68 MB·English

AT

MICROFiCHE
’
REFERENCE
LIBfW?Y
A project of Volunteers in Asia

Conditions in Tropical Africa

By: FAO Plant Production and Protection: Paper 89

Published by: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publications Division
Via delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome
Italy

Available from: UNIPUB
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Reproduction of this microfiche document in any form is subject tu the same
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the Horticultural Crops Group of the
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The designations
employed
and the presentation
of
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Agriculture
Organization
of
the
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Nations
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Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Via delle Terme di Caracalla.
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1
J

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_,,
.

This manual has been
prepared
by the Horticultural
Group of the Plant
Production
and Protection
Division,
under
the
technical
supervision
of W-0. Baudoin,
coordinating
editor,
based
on the contributions
made by:

E.P. Collinguood,
L. Bourdouxhe
and H. D'Iiondt,
in the
field
of Plant
Protection;

H. Van Der Veken,
in the field
of Crop Production
Management;

G.
De Lannoy,
in
the
fields
of
Plant
Breeding,
Production
and Crop Ecology;

J. Delvaque,
in
the fields
of
Post Harvest
Handling
and
Marketing;

and

L.B.
Thrower,
in
the
fields
of
Development
Policy
and
Resexch,
and as technical
editor
of the manual

Special
guidance
has been provided
by U.G. Menini,
Senior
Officer
of the Horticultural
Crops Group,
on selected
technical
subjects.

Particular
acknowledgement
is
made
of
contributions
A. Pecrot
who prepared
the
section
in the manual on soils,
M. Fri2re
and G.F.
Popov for
their
assistance
in revising
the
section
on
climatology
and from
J.
?leyer for
his
scientific
advice.

FOREWORD

Over the past
decade vegetable
growing
has developed
in most of
the
countries
of the arid
and semi-arid
region;
in tropical
Africa,
mainly
as a
result
of expanding
urbanization.

Particularly
in
the Sahelian
belt,
intensive
irrigated
vegetable
crop production
is
being
promoted
to make
efficient
use of limited
water
resources
and also
to further
a growing
awareness
of the high
potential
yields
of vitamins,
protein
and essential
minerals
produced
by
vegetables
in terms of both yields
per unit
area and duration
of the cropping
season.

These comparatively
new trends
in the development
of vegetable
crop
production
in
this
region
raises
questions
related
to
production
and
protection
techniques,
crop varieties,
storage,
and marketing
organization.
In addition
to production
for
local
markets,
there
has
also
been
some
growth
for
export
to European and Near Eastern
countries
which has led,
in
certain
favoured
districts,
to
specialized
and intensified
production
for
these markets.
In such cases,
the
technical
problems
are complicated
by
the need
for high
quality,
freedom
from
blemish
and
expert
grading
and
packing.
The
seasons
of production
must
also
be carefully
controlled
to
meet market demands.

Vegetable
species
have been
introduced
to tropical
Africa
from
the
Near East,
Europe and the Americas
over the course
of several
centuries
and
many have become well
adapted
to local
conditions,
but the introduction
of
modern high-yielding
varieties
from Europe and the USA during
the twentieth
century
has not always
been successful.
Pests and diseases
have been common
sources
of unwelcome
surprises;
the introduction
of modern equipment
and
techniques
from highly
specialized
regions
has sometimes
proved
uneconomic
and impractical.
It
has been demonstrated
repeatedly
that
careful
trial
and
investigation
must precede
successful
commercial
production
and,
it
must be
added,
successful
storage
and marketing.

In the present
study,
an
attempt
has been
made to illustrate
and
explain
the
technical
principles
underlying
the
selection
of
suitable
production
and protection
techniques
and plant
material.
A brief
review
is
made of the methods of analyzing
production
costs
and of the various
ways
in which
production
and
marketing
can be developed.
Many difficulties
and
failures
in all
these
fields
have resulted
and, of course,
solutions
have
to be
worked out
in each locaiity
according
to
ecological
and
economic
conditions.
The&e are,
nevertheless,
a number of common factors
which
apply
throughout
each climatic
zone of the region
under discussion
and tables
are
presented
suggesting
suitable
varieties,
irrigation
rates
and
other
technical
details,
to serve as an orientation
and to indicate
the range
of
practices
and material
within
made.
which
a satisfactory
choice
can probably
be
There is nothing
final
about
these
tables
because
conditions
change
and the search
for
adaptation
and improvement
must be continuous.
Constant
observation
must
be maintained
of changing
weather
conditions,
changing
pest
and disease
conditions
and changes
in market
demand. All
these
factors
call
for
changes
in production
and
protection
techniques,
an9 the
search
for better
adapted,
more resistant
and higher
yielding
varieties.

It
is
emphasized
that
the
information
in
this
manual
applies
primarily
to the
dry,
lowland
climates
of tropical
Africa.
Conditions
in
the warm,
the cool,
humid climates
of the
gulf
of Guinea and the Congo Basin
and
in
humid climates
of many highland
areas'of
Ethiopia
and
Kenya,

demand different
techniques
and varieties,
and often
concern
different
species.
vegetable
production
techniques
in these
areas
and, of course,
in
the sub-tropical
and
temperate
regions
of Africa
are,
for
the most
part,
subjects
for
separate
research.

It
must be
admitted
that
research
work
in vegetables
in the
semi-
arid
tropical
zone of Africa
has been late
in commencement. Although
some
pioneer
trials
were made in the 19605,
it
was not until
the 1970s that
much
serious
work was undertaken.

The most intensive
research
programme on vegetable
production
in the
region
has been carried
out in Senegal,
where the "Centre
pour le
Dbvelop-
pement de 1'Horticulture"
(C.D.H.)
was established
with
FAO assistance
at
Camberibe
in
the Cap Vert
in
1972,
and since
1975 has
been
supported
through
the FAO Trust
Fund by the Government
of Belgium.

Unfortunately,
technical
information
in this
field
has not
always
been easily
accessible
as
it
has
been
scattered
in
numerous
official
reports
from 'CDN' and other
research
stations
in the region.

This manual has
been prepared
by
the Horticultural
Crops Group
on
the basis
of
a series
of
texts
on
development
policy,
protection
techniques,
breeding
and
production
and
marketing
by specialized
authors,
all
of whom,
including
the
coordinating
editor,
have
served
as
PA0
field
officers
in the "Centre
pour le Developpement
de 1'Iiorticulture".

Reference
has also
been
subjects,
made to technical
publications
on
related
including
FAD bulletins
and
attached
to
the
Institute
reports
from
of
Agricultural
FAO experts
formerly
Research
in
Ethiopia,
the
National
Horticultural
Research
Institute
in Nigeria
and the
Horticultural
Research
Institute
in Kenya.

This document attempts
to
give
an account
of available
information
regarding
irrigated
vegetable
cultivation
in arid
and semi arid
regions
of
tropical
Africa
together
with
a discussion
of the results
obtained
which
can be the basis
for
further
research
to be continued
and developed.

L. Brader
Director
Plant
Production
and Protection
Division

54. Handbook on jute, 1983 VI

tZCllW,lW(ElF”)
59. Micrqxopsgation
twtGfcps,
palms% citrus md c?rmmme,
1964 c’l
80. Minlmum requiremf3nts
and msitinlng
t&we
culture plopagatlng
matatial,

61. Pmtidde
m&us
in food 1
Evaiuatklne,
1965 (E’)

67. Pestic!de rfkshlues in feud
Evatwtbw,

7211. PWicida

74. Ecclcgy and control of
variedad=
en cm

82.l-rybr#daaadproductk#,cf-
63. El @ihi y au cum*
1987 (s’)
84. PestWe
residues in foab 1887 -
65. M#uaicinfhade~ntandu
Pmduc#r, 3387 F)
88/l.
Pesticide r&dues
in food lB87 -
W2.
PesthMe msiduw
In hod 1987
87. Rwt antJ tuber cmp8, piantah
ties, 1988 (E-j
66. J-k
and *nacagw
69. vag%tw
produc6cn und;l
(E;F-)
90. cultutea prte&esen

- iii
-

CONTENTS

Page

FOREWORD .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

I.
DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND RESEARCH
by L.B.
Thrower

1.
Expanding
needs of urban markets
.
.
.
.
.
2.
The organization
of surveys
.
.
.
.
.
.
3.
Production
for
internal
markets
versus
exports
4.
Government
services
to growers
.
.
.
.
.
5.
Conclusi0i:S
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

II.
THE INFLUENCE OF ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
by G. de Lannoy

1.
Atmospheric
conditions
controlling
the meteorological
characteristics
of the region
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(a) Atmospheric
circulation
(b) The movement of the meteoroiogjcai
e&a;or'
:
:
(c)
Prevailing
winds
(d) The discontinuity
of'tr:de'winds'
*.
. . . .
:
:
(e) The Inter-Oceanic
Confluence
.
.
.
.
.
.
2.
Climatic
classification
according
to rainfall
.'
.
3.
Influence
of principle
climatic
elements
other
than
rainfall
on the growth
and development
of vegetable
crops
L
.
.
.
.
.
.
I
.
.
.
.
.
(a) Solar
radiation
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(b) Temperature
I;;
;;;;spheric
humidity
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

4.
Major
soils
of the region
and their
suitability
for
vegetable
production
.
I
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(a) Major soil
units
.
.
.
(b) Distribution
of main soil
associitions
*
:
:
:
(c) Soils
adaptable
to vegetable
production
.
.
.
References
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

III.
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT AND TECHNIQUES
by H. van der Veken

A.
Different
types
of production
units
.
.
.
.
.
B.
Factors
affecting
the choice
of site
and the
influence
on production
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
C.
Manual and mechanical
soil
cultivation
.
.
.
.
13.
Propagation
and Planting
.
.
.
.
.
:
.
.
.
E.
Protection
of crops
from adverse
climatic
factors
.

.

.

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i

1

1
5
5
8
13

14

14

23

3;
33
35

3?
37
40
41
44

46

48
59
62
68

- iv
-

F.
Cultural
operations
.
.
G.
Fertilization
.
.
.
.
H.
Irrigation
.
.
.
.
.
I.
Rotations
.
.
.
.
.
J.
General
conclusions
.
.
Annex A : Water quality
Annex B : Irrigation
Annex C : Fertilization
References

IV.
THE INCIDENCE OF PESTS AND DISEASES AND METHODS OF CONTROL
by E.F. Collingwood,
L. Bourdouxhe
and M. D'Hondt

A. General
.............

B.
The agents
responsible
for
crop losses
...
1.
Insects
...........
2.
Spider
mites
...........
3.
Fungi
............
4.
Viruses
............
5.
Mycoplasma-like
organisms
.......
6.
Bacteria
............
7.
Plant
parasite
nematodes
.......
8.
Weeds
.............
9.
Non--parasitic
disorders
.......
C.
Crop losses
............
D.
The effect
of some environmental
factors
...
1.
On insect
pests
.........
2.
On fungus
diseases
.........
E.
Control
of pests
and diseases
......
1.
Control
methods not involving
the use of
pesticides
...........
2.
Use of pesticides
.........

.

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3.
Application
of pesticides
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
4.
Integrated
control
References
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..I

V.
SOME SPECIFIC PROBLEMS OF IRRIGATED VEGETABLE CROPS
by E.F. Collingwood,
L. Bourdouxhe
and M. D'Hondt

A.
Problems
common to several
crops
.......
197

1.
Insect
pests
............
197

2.
Spider
mites
............
199

3.
Nematodes
............
201

Page
72
75
87
101
111
112
118
130
140

144

145

145
145
150
150
154
155
155
156
156
157
158
163
163
164
166

167
176
182

194

196

B.

C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
xi.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
0.

-v-

4.
Damping off
.
.
.
.
.
.
l
.
.
.
.
5.
Vertebrates
..........
Bean (dwarf,
French,
haricot,
snap)
.....
Cabbage
...........
;
.
Carrot
.............
Cucurbits
...........
Eggplant
or aubergine
........
Lettuce
.............
Okra
.............
Onion
.............
Peppers
(sweet
and hot)
........
Potato
.............
Roselle
.............
Scarlet
eggplant
...........
Sweet potato
...........
Tomato
.............
Annex A : Some pesticides
used for
protection
of
vegetable
crops
.......
References
...........

.

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.

VI.
THE BREEDING AND IMPROVEMENT OF VEGETABLE CROPS
by G. de Lannoy

A.

B.

C.

D.
E.
F.
G.

H.

Natural
evolution
and genetic
variability
.
.
Domestication
and differentiation
of local
varieties
Objectives
of breeding
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
General
principles
.
.
L
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sexual expression
and classification
of species
.
Systems of reproduction
in vegetable
specfns
.
.
Breeding
self-pollinated
species
.
.
.
.
.
1.
Basic principles
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2.
Mass selection
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
3.
Pure line
selection
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
4.
Genealogical
selection
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5.
Cross breeding
.
.
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
6.
Bulk population
method
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
7.
Other methods of breeding
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
BREEDING OF CROSS-POLLINATED SPECIES
1.
Basxc principles
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2.
Mass selection
.
_
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
3.
Selection
by families
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
4.
Selection
by inbred
lines
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

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Page
202
202
202
207
215
218
226
231
232
238
243
247
256
256
257
260

274
276

279

279
281
282
283
'285
286
288
288
289
291
291
294
297
299
300
300
302
302
308

I.
J.

K.

L.

5.
Creation
of hybrid
varieties
.
.
.
.
.
.
6.
Other methods of improvement
.
.
.
.
.
.
Improvement
of vegetatively
propagated
species
.
Selection
for
resistance
to parasites
.
.
.
.
1.
General
principles
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2.
Types of resistance
and their
genetic
control
3.
Search for
sources
of resistance
.
.
.
.
4.
Methods of genetic
improvement
.
.
.
.
.
Evaluation
of varieties
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1.
General
principles
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2.
Choice of experimental
units
.
.
.
.
.
.
3.
Choice of observations
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
4.
Different
types
of error
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5.
Choice of experimental
design
.
.
.
.
.
Multi-local
and/or
pluriannual
trials
.
.
.
.

.

.

.

.

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L

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Page
308
312
317
319
319
321
322
325
327
327
327
329
330
330
335

Annex A : Classification
of vegetable
species
according
to system of reproduction
and sexual
expression

Annex a
: Calculation
of the effects
of a series
of
self-pollinations
.
.
.
.
.
I
.
.
.

Annex C : Calculation
of selection
differential
and of
the selection
response
.
.
.
.
.
.

Annex D : Back-crossing
techniques
.
.
.
.
.
.

Annex E : Male sterilitv
and the creation
of hybrid
varieties
of onion
.
.
.
.
.-
.

References
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

VII.
SEED PRODUCTION
by G. de Lannoy

1.
Introduction
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2.
?egistration,
certification
and classification
.
3.
Production
techniques
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
4.
The influence
of climatic
conditions
.
.
.
.
5.
Control
of pollination
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
6.
Roguing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
7.
Harvesting
.
.
.
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8.
Extraction
and rirying
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
9.
Cleaning,
sorting,
grading
and disinfection
.
.
10.
Storing
.
.
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.
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.

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3

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336

337

338

340

343

345

346

346
346
348
348
349
350
351
352
354
355

- vii
-

Annex A :
Example of a programme of seed production
of a variety
of onion
for
the prevision
of a iocai
market
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Annex B :
Classification
of certain
vegetable
species
according
to their
heat
requirement
for
flowering,
mode of pollination
and distance
necessary
for
isolation
for
see? production
. .
Annex C :
Stage of development
for
roguing
and
characteristics
to observe
during
selection
. .
Annex D :
Classification
of certain
vegetable
species
according
to season and duration
of harvest
condition
of fruit
and seed yield
.
.
.
.

VIII.
THE PREPARATION OF CROPS FOR MARKET
by J. Delvaque
A.
General
considerations
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

B.
Characteristics
of vegetable
crops
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

C.
The relationships
between producer,
distributor
and consumer
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

D.
Harvesting
..............

E.
Storing
...............

F.
Packing
and grading
...........

G.
Standardisation
............

H.
Transport
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Annex A : The heat of respiration
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Annex B : Temperatures
and humidities
for vegetable
storige
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Annex C : Temperatures
and humidity
for
the trans-
port
of vegetables
under
refrigeration
.
.

Annex D : Quality
standards
for
tomatoes
.
.
.
.
.

IX.
COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION OF PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
by J. Delvaque

A.
Types of production
unit
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

B.
Types of marketing
organization
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

C.
Commercial
conditions
in Africa
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

D.
The systems of sale
...........

E.
Settlement
of accounts
...........

F.
Special
systems
of sale
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Page

357

358

359

360

361

361

361

363

364

367

371

381

386

389

390

391

392

393

393

396

397

398

400

401

- viii
-

Page

G.
Retail
trade
..............
402

H.
The evolution
of prices
..........
403

I.
Export
markets
.............
407

Annex A : Production
costs
..........
412

References
..............
434