Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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An overview on the impact of genetically engineered organisms on crop yield and safety
No full textGenetically Engineered Organisms (GEOs) have ushered in a new era in agriculture, revolutionizing crop yield and safety through techniques like transgenic modification and genome editing. This review delves into the profound impact of GEOs on agricultural landscapes, elucidating their role in enhancing crop traits, and bolstering resistance to pests, diseases, and adverse environmental conditions, thereby ensuring food security for a burgeoning global population. However, amidst these advancements, persistent concerns regarding GEOs' environmental and health ramifications persist. The review critically examines potential unintended consequences within ecosystems and addresses human health implications, particularly allergenicity. Furthermore, it scrutinizes existing regulatory frameworks and the pivotal role of public perception in shaping the trajectory of GEOs. While emphasizing the intricate interplay between genetic engineering and crop production, the review advocates for continued research and informed decision-making to harness the benefits of GEOs while mitigating potential risks. Additionally, it underscores the significance of enhancing science communication and regulatory measures to address ethical concerns and combat misinformation. With advancements in precision gene-integration technologies and emerging research in biofortification and stress tolerance, GEOs are promising to enhance commercial agriculture's productivity and profitability. However, achieving this potential necessitates proactive measures such as improved regulation, risk mitigation strategies, and enhanced communication with stakeholders to ensure GEOs' responsible and sustainable integration into agricultural systems
Farmers' perception and adoption of management practices against tomato damage by tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) in Pokhara, Nepal
No full textThe tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, poses a significant threat to tomato cultivation globally, with a notable impact on yields. This study investigates the perceptions and practices of farmers in Pokhara, Nepal, regarding T. absoluta management. We aimed to assess the current adoption of management strategies, identify influencing factors, and uncover knowledge gaps among farmers. We surveyed 69 randomly selected households involved in tomato cultivation using a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey collected data on observations of T. absoluta damage, management practices (chemical, physical, pheromone-based), and awareness of integrated pest management (IPM) and ecosystem services. Our findings reveal that 94% of farmers observed T. absoluta damage in their fields, with a predominant reliance on chemical pesticides (86.96%). Awareness and adoption of environmentally friendly practices, such as IPM, were notably lacking. Factors such as the age of the household head, crop rotation, cropping systems, and family type significantly influenced the adoption of various management practices. While 44.93% of farmers used pheromones, 31% recognized them as effective. This study highlights the severe threat T. absoluta poses to tomato cultivation in Pokhara and the insufficiency of current management practices. Bridging knowledge gaps regarding eco-friendly approaches, such as pheromones and biological controls, is crucial. We emphasize the need to tailor extension services by considering sociodemographic factors and promoting awareness of ecosystem services. Ultimately, our study will contribute to more sustainable pest management practices in agricultural settings
Sheath Blight of rice: A review of host plant interaction and disease management
No full textThe devastating pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, which is responsible for significant quality and production losses worldwide, is discussed in this review article along with the symptoms, disease cycle, epidemiology which causes sheath blight disease in rice. R. solani Kuhn, poses a significant threat to tropical Asia's rice production, potentially reducing grain yield by 50%. The article also emphasises the numerous management techniques, such as cultural, biological, and chemical controls. It is a severe production bottleneck in high yielding rice varieties under intensive rice production techniques, monoculture methods, a dense canopy, and extensive nitrogen management. Disease propagation in fields is influenced by air temperature, moisture content, and leaf wetness, with 16-25 C temperature range and 90% humidity favoring growth. Vertical and horizontal spread are influenced by these factors. The article provides comprehensive insight on host plant interaction of pathogen R. solani
Optimization doses of frozen maggot used as fish food for rearing stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis)
No full textThis study was performed to evaluate growth performance of stinging catfish, (Heteropneustes fossilis) by applying different dozes of frozen maggot meal as a protein source and fish meal replacer. The experiment was carried out in 28 days at the Wet laboratory, Department of Aquaculture and laboratory of the Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. The experiment was carried out in 15 glass aquaria with five different treatments, each with three replications. The frozen maggot as feed for H. fossilis post-larvae production was designed where five different diets of only frozen larvae such as T1 (larvae 20%, crude protein 11.20%), T2 (larvae 40%, crude protein 22.40%), T3 (larvae 60%, crude protein 33.60%) and T4 (larvae 80%, crude protein 44.80%) and a control diet T5 (crude protein 30%) made with fish meal as sole source of protein. It was observed that T3 (Diet 3) had the significantly highest (p<0.05) final weight (1.55g), followed by T5 (1.50g), T2 (1.35g), T4 (1.25g) and T1 (1.16g). Specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, apparent protein utilization and survival rate were also significantly higher in T3 than other treatments. It is recommended to use the frozen maggot meal as a protein source at a dose of 60% in diet and fish meal replacer, which will be cheaper and profitable to aquaculture sector of the world
Determination of fertilizer requirement of Indonesian black rice in winter season under different plant spacing at Agro-ecological Zone-9 of Bangladesh
No full textIndonesian black rice is quite popular for its highly nutritive value and profitable production. The distinct knowledge about optimum fertilizer doses and plant spacing contributes to its promising yield. The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from December 2022 to May 2023 to find out the effect of fertilizer management and plant spacing on the growth and yield of Indonesian black rice in the winter season. The experiment was conducted with 5 treatments of fertilizer management viz., F1(70% of recommended doses); F2(80% of recommended doses); F3(90% of recommended doses); F4(100% of recommended doses) and F5(110% of recommended doses) with 4 plants spacing viz., S1(20 cm × 15 cm); S2(20 cm × 20 cm); S3(25 cm × 15 cm) and S4(25 cm × 20 cm). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design where the fertilizer management was allocated in main plots and the plant spacing was distributed in sub-plots with three replications. The result revealed that the fertilizer doses and plant spacings along with the interaction effects significantly influenced the growth and yield parameters of Indonesian black rice. Regarding vegetative growth, plant height (79.3cm), total tiller plant-1(21.27cm), and total leaf number plant-1 (58.47) were maximal at 100% recommended dose of fertilizer(F4) at DAT 65. Similarly, S2(20 cm × 20 cm) had better result in crop growth and yield attributes. The interaction effects of the treatments showed significant impact on plant height, total tiller and leaf number where F4S2 gave satisfied results. The highest values for the yield parameters including the maximum number of grains panicle-1 (100.70), 1000-grain weight (28.33g), and grain yield (5.69g) were found from the combination treatment of F4S2. On the other hand, the lowest grain (3.68g) yield was found from F1S4. Therefore, observing the results of the experiment, the best consideration was F4S2 at Agro-ecological Zone-9 in the winter season for the desirable growth and yield of Indonesian black rice
Comparative study of mash vs pellet feed on growth performance and feed utilization by goat
No full textThis study was conducted in Bharatpur-11, Chitwan, Nepal, to evaluate the effects of two feed forms (mash and pellet) on the growth performance and feed utilization in goats. Twenty Boer cross female goats, averaging five months in age, were assigned to either mash or pellet feed treatments, with 10 goats in each group, for a 90-day period, with two weeks of adaptation. The experimental animals were given concentrate feed at 1% of their body weight daily, along with ad libitum access to Napier grass and clean drinking water. Both feed types had a dry matter content of 90% and a crude protein level of 17%. Key parameters assessed included feed and forage intake, body weight changes, and feed wastage. Goats on pelleted feed showed a significantly higher average daily weight gain of 62.00 g/day compared to 26.11 g/day for those on mash feed. Final body weights were also greater in the pellet-fed group (28.88 kg) compared to the mash-fed group (25.04 kg). Additionally, pelleted feed led to higher intake of concentrate and forages and significantly reduced feed wastage, with pellet feed waste being 1.22 g/day versus 27.65 g/day for mash feed. These findings indicate that pelleted feed enhances growth performance, feed intake, and feed efficiency in goats. Therefore, this study indicated that pelleted feed is a more effective option for enhancing goat productivity and reducing feed wastage
Biophysical and temporal factors influenced population dynamics of woolly aphid, codling moth and mealybug in apple (Malus domestica B.) production of southern Ethiopia
No full textApple is one of the most popular fruit crops globally, including Ethiopia. However, its productivity is adversely influenced by many constraints. Insect pests, such as woolly apple aphids, codling moths, and mealybugs, are major damaging biotic constraints globally, including Ethiopia, and their population dynamics are significantly influenced by biophysical and temporal changes. Field surveys were conducted in the Chencha highlands of southern Ethiopia during the 2021 and 2022 main rainy and off seasons to determine the prevalence and incidence of these insect pests and the associations of biophysical and temporal factors with these pests’ population changes. Multistage random sampling approaches were followed for data collection, and consequently, 164 apple fields were inspected for insects’ occurrence. Logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the association of independent variables with the incidence of each insect pest. Results showed that the prevalence (90.18, 75.61, and 50.45% in 2021 and 70.26, 54.15 and 36.48% in 2022, respectively), incidence, and number of individual insects per tree varied across years, seasons, and other biophysical factors. These parameters were higher in the off-season in 2021 than in the main rainy season in 2022. Accordingly, incidences of aphids, codling moths, and mealybugs were recorded at about 57.56, 54.93, and 33.29% in 2021, and 37.01, 40.78%, and 21.23% in 2022, respectively. Association analyses revealed that independent variables such as years, seasons, altitude, age of tree, growth stages, cropping systems, weed infestation, and tree management were significantly (P<0.001) associated with the incidences of all studied insects in the reduced multiple regression model. Apple cultivation at an altitude of ≤2500 m and main rainy season with recently planted trees (≤5 years), flowering to fruit development growth stages, high weed infestation, and tree management through composting and pruning had significant associations with low wooly aphids (≤15%), codling moths (≤40%), and mealybug (≤20%) incidence and can be considered as management options to reduce the aforementioned insects and associated yield losses to ensure apple production
Evaluating the characteristics, trends and challenges of marine fisheries in Iraq
No full textThe characteristics, trends and challenges of the marine fisheries of Basrah province, Iraq were studied in this study. Information on fish landings was gathered from the main landing site of the marine fisheries at Al-Fao port from January 2023 to December 2023. The total landing of marine fisheries was 29,446 tons for 28 fish species and two shrimp species. Threadfin bream constituted 10.87% of the landing, followed by Mullets (9.72%) and Emperor (9.39%). Shrimp formed about 13.87% of the total catches. The landings of Threadfin bream and Emperor, as well as shrimp, significantly increased in 2023, while the contribution of historically more important species such as the landing of river shad has decreased to the lowest level. Therefore, from a fisheries management perspective, it is crucial to manage the stock of various species, especially River shad by ensuring the right amount of water is obtained from the upper Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to marine waters through the Shatt Al-Arab River, implementing national fishing regulations to deter illegal fishing methods and safeguard the fish during their migration, reproduction, and in their nursery habitats in inland waters
Evaluation of hybrid rice varieties for growth and yield traits under irrigated transplanted conditions in Lumbini Province, Nepal
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the performance of early- to medium-maturing hybrid rice varieties for growth and yield traits under irrigated transplanted conditions in Lumbini Province, Nepal, and identify varieties with high yield potential and favorable agronomic traits. A field experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications during the summer seasons of 2022 and 2023. Twenty-five hybrid rice varieties were tested, with Arize 6444 as the standard check. Key agronomic traits, including grain yield, tillers per plant, plant height, and thousand-grain weight, were measured and analyzed statistically. The hybrid variety LG94.2 recorded the highest average grain yield (6603 kg ha-¹), followed by SH 4613 (6338 kg ha-¹) and F1 9446 (6062.7 kg ha-¹). Thousand-grain weight (r = 0.72) and tillers per plant (r = 0.65) were positively correlated with grain yield. The findings suggest that LG94.2, SH 4613, and F1 9446 are the top-performing varieties. LG94.2 showed the best performance, with high grain yield and favorable traits, making it a strong candidate for improving rice productivity in Nepal. The study confirms that hybrid rice varieties such as LG94.2 and SH 4613 have the potential to significantly increase rice yields in Nepal's subtropical regions, offering a sustainable solution to meet the country’s rising food demand
A review on the impact of commonly used pesticides on the biology of earthworms
No full textEarthworms are considered important bio-indicators of chemical contamination in the soil ecosystem. Being an important biotic factor of soil ecosystem, earthworms play a vital role in the functioning of soil ecosystems and maintenance of soil fertility. The present review encompasses the diverse effects of chemical contaminants like pesticides on earthworm biology, considering both direct toxicity and indirect impacts on ecosystem functions. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, we assess the varying impacts of different classes of pesticides on earthworms. Several studies included in this review shed light on how pesticide exposure affects earthworm behaviour, reproduction, regenerative capacity, histology, gut microbial diversity, and nutrient transition, among other adverse effects, which consequently affect the soil ecosystem dynamics. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of these findings for agricultural practices, soil health, and biodiversity conservation. This study discusses the impact of pesticides on different facets of earthworm biology and emphasizes the necessity of sustainable pest management strategies to maintain the productivity and adaptability of ecosystems by enhancing our understanding of the complex interactions that occur between soil organisms, like earthworms, and foreign chemicals, or xenobiotics, like pesticides