<div>The use of locally available phosphate rock (PR) has often been proposed as a cheaper alternative to the more expensive superphosphate fertilizers to alleviate severe phosphorus deficiencies that threaten food security in East Africa. Extensive research has therefore been conducted in the region over the years focusing on the PR sources, their reactivity, agronomic effectiveness and the economics of their use and adoption. The agronomic effectiveness varied with the type of PR, the site, seasons and crop. Minjingu PR was the most promising among the PRs for direct application but others such as Panda, Sukulu and Busumbu PR were largely ineffective. The financial returns due to use of PR ranged from negative to positive but in many cases were economically not attractive. The adoption of PR use among farmers was dismal with the unavailability of the PR in the market and high cost, paradoxically being cited as the main constraints to its adoption. To enhance the chances of adoption, it is recommended that participatory approaches to research that involve the targeted beneficiaries especially the PR marketers and smallholder farmers be used.</div>


<p>The Use of Phosphate Rocks in East Africa: A Review</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">This study used three-factor linear regression orthogonal design to examine the impacts of traditional Chinese herbal medicine on egg quality and egg-laying hens&rsquo; biochemical indexes. 495 and 210d Hy-Line gray commercial egg-laying hens were selected and spirulina powder was added to their diet at 5 g/kg, 10g/kg, 15g/kg in the diet, rchmannia glutnosa polysaccharides were added at 2.5g/kg, 3 g/kg, 3.5 g/kg, and Leonurus Japonicas was added at 0.7 g/kg, 0.9g/kg, 1.1 g/kg. The hens were randomly allocated to a control group and ten test groups, in order to study the herbs&rsquo; effects on laying performance and immunity parameters. The results showed that: (1)When spirulina-Chinese herbal medicine was added, the average egg weight, yolk color, and Hartz unit increased significantly.(2) When spirulina powder levels were increased, the egg yolk color and iron content significantly increased while the cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower (P&lt;0.05). With the increase of rchmannia glutnosa polysaccharides extracts, eggshell strength increased significantly (P&lt;0.01). Egg yolk color and eggshell strength increased significantly (P&lt;0.05 and P&lt;0.01, respectively) when Leonurus Japonicas increased. (3) Spirulina powder and rchmannia glutnosa polysaccharides extracts were significantly antagonistic to average egg weight and eggshell strength (P&lt;0.01). Leonurus Japonicus and rchmannia glutnosa polysaccharides were significantly antagonistic to eggshell strength and cholesterol levels (P&lt;0.05).</div>

The Use of Phosphate Rocks in East Africa: A Review

Effect of Spirulina-Chinese herbal medicine on quality of eggs and serum biochemical indexes of egg-laying hens