Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Molecular genotyping of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) accessions using microsatellites
Get PDFThe experiment was conducted to ascertain the level of genetic diversity in sweet potato accessions using microsatellites. Thirty sweet potato accessions obtained from the International Potato Center (CIP), Kumasi, Ghana, Mozambique, and local germplasm of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, as well as sweet potato vines from local farmers' fields in Jos, Plateau State, and Bauchi State, Nigeria, were analyzed for genetic diversity using five microsatellite markers. The results showed that the polymorphic SSR loci revealed diverse relationship among the sweet potato cultivars, which was grouped into four major clusters by unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA) method. Cluster analysis showed a Jaccard co-efficient ranging from 0.0 to 3.0 indicating high genetic diversity. The primers detected a total of 18 alleles and the number of alleles per locus was 4 for IBR-19, IBR-286, IBR-297 and 3 for IBR-16 and IBR-242 with an average of 3.67 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) of the markers varied from 0.35 to 0.72 with an average of 0.497. Marker IBR-19 revealed the highest PIC of 0.72, while marker IBR-297 had the lowest PIC of 0.35. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.32 to 0.89 with a mean of 0.675 across the five SSR loci. The results from the Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) which was used to quantify the diversity level and genetic relationship among the thirty sweet potato accessions indicated that a high diversity was mostly distributed within the populations for sweet potato accessions (75.12%) and (15.67%) among the populations
Effect of Wolbachia as biocontrol agent on fecundity and survival of cassava whitefly in northwest Nigeria
Get PDFWhitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) is known to vectored Cassava mosaic virus (CMV) and Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV), these viruses caused major diseases of cassava in Africa. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Wolbachia as biocontrol agent on fecundity and survival of whitefly infesting cassava. Whiteflies infesting cassava were captured and reared using rearing cages. Wolbachia was isolated from infected cassava whiteflies, cultured and used for the inoculations. The experiment was conducted under control conditions using glass cages. Results of this research revealed that number of eggs lay by Bemisia tabaci inoculated with Wolbachia significantly (P = 0.05) reduced weeks after inoculation which significantly differ among the cassava genotypes. Number of eggs lay by B. tabaci free of Wolbachia was significantly higher (964.35) than those inoculated with Wolbachia (46.541) at 4 weeks after inoculation (4WAI). The genotype ‘Dan Aliero’ had the highest number (4WAI 82.33), while, ‘Farin rogo’ had the lowest number of eggs (4WAI 23.33). Number of whitefly nymphs and adults also significantly reduced when B. tabaci was inoculated with Wolbachia. ‘Dan Aliero’ had the highest number of whitefly nymphs and adults (4WAI = 59.00) and (4WAI = 51.00), respectively. ‘Farin rogo’ recorded the lowest number of whitefly nymphs (17.67) and adults (13.00) at 4WAI, respectively. For the first time, Wolbachia were evaluated for whiteflies management. From the finding of this study, Wolbachia can be used as biocontrol agent to suppress whiteflies infestation on cassava and other vegetable crops
Maximizing yield of aromatic fine rice through application of zinc and poultry manure
Get PDFZinc (Zn), one of the most important micronutrients for plants which play vital role in various metabolic functions and deficiency of this nutrient in agricultural soils associated with lower yield of rice in many regions of the world. The integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizer has been found to be promising for sustainable crop production and poultry manure could be a rich source of organic matter. Considering these factors, a field experiment was conducted to observe the effect of zinc and poultry manure-based fertilization on the yield of aromatic fine rice, BRRI dhan34. Four levels of zinc and three levels of poultry manure (PM) were tested as treatment including control. Application of zinc, PM and their interaction significantly influenced the growth and yield of rice that result the tallest plant (131.33 cm), maximum number of effective tillers/hill (13.89), grains/panicle (128.54), 1000-grain weight (12.09 g) and highest grain yield (3.21 t/ha) where 4 kg Zn/ha were applied. On the other hand, tallest plant (129.92 cm), maximum number of effective tillers/hill (9.13), grains/panicle (128.23), 1000-grain weight (12.05) and grain yield (3.24 t/ha) were obtained where 10 t/ha of PM were applied. The interaction between application of 4 kg Zn/ha and 10 t PM/ha performed best in all yield contributing characters and results maximum grain yield (3.64 t/ha). Therefore, 4 kg Zn/ha along with 10 t PM/ha was found to be suitable combination for cultivation of aromatic fine rice
Evaluation of eight bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt) accessions for agronomic characters and proximate composition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Get PDFBambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) is a valuable but underutilised legume crop grown in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and yield components of eight Bambara groundnut accessions obtained from the National Root Crops Research Institute in Umudike, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Uyo, Uyo Southern Nigeria during the 2021 cropping seasons, using a randomised complete block design with three replications. Growth, yield and nutritional parameters were collected and subjected to analysis of variance, correlation and principal component analysis. Plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area were all significantly different (P≤0.05) among the accessions three months after planting. Number of pods per plant, seed weight, and 100-seed weight differed significantly (P≤0.05). Caly PSC (2853 kg/ha), Caly SK 46 (2803 kg/ha), Zeina (2538 kg/ha), and BNT (2488 kg/ha) were the top yielders among the accessions. Yields of Bambara groundnut differ significantly (P≤0.05) between accessions studied, ranging from 1624.67 kg/ha to 2853.33 kg/ha. Principal component (PC) analysis identified eight influential components, two of which, PC1 and PC3, contributed 27% and 17% of the total variation, respectively. In this study, the correlation analysis revealed that plant height and petiole length, plant height and number of seeds per plot were all negatively correlated. The leaf area and the number of pods per plot, the number of seeds per pod and the fibre content, the leaf area and seed weight, and the plant height and seed weight were all noted positively correlated. The nutritive value of the eight Bambara groundnut accessions varied significantly (P≤0.05). The mean protein levels of eight Bambara nut accessions studied ranged from 18.82 to 20.39%. Findings from this study clearly indicate that Bambara groundnut is suitable for production in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Thus, high yielding accessions identified in this study are recommended for increased production in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria
Preparation of floral calendar of bee flora available in Lamjung district, Nepal
Get PDFBetween March and May 2022, researchers conducted a broad survey in the Lamjung district to ascertain the presence and accessibility of bee-friendly flora to compile a floral calendar. In the PMAMP Bee Zone, 62 respondents were chosen for the interview through a simple random sampling approach, from a pool of 382 registered beekeepers. Primary data collection involved using personal interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant surveys. Secondary data were gathered from publications related to the topic from various institutions. The collected data were then analyzed using IBM SPSS V.26 and Microsoft Excel. Nearly all farmers in the study area kept Apis cerana bees, but due to insufficient irrigation, the crop fields provided limited forage for the bees during certain periods. The lowest number of frames covers by bees was four during the dearth period. Farmers in the Lamjung district did not practice migratory foraging. The majority of the respondents reported an increase in productivity compared to the previous year. However, only 37.1 percent of them cultivated bee flora. The colony carrying capacity of the forage area was not estimated. Additionally, an increase in deforestation was identified as the major problem affecting bee foraging. To address these issues, it was recommended to plant and cultivate perennial trees such as butter trees (Vitellaria paradox), bottle brush (Callistemon speciosus), litchi (Litchi chinensis), sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), and sunflower (Helianthus annus) with assured irrigation. This approach could ensure year-round forage availability and reduce the need for artificial feeding. The research aimed to explore the current status of honey bee flora and investigate major flora that could be introduced in the study area
Effect of nutrient solution concentrations on the growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties grown from apical rooted cutting in a hydroponic system
Get PDFThis study evaluated the effects of nutrient stock solution concentrations on the growth and yield of potato varieties grown from apical rooted cuttings (ARCs). A greenhouse experiment was conducted at the Climate and Water Smart Agriculture Center at Egerton University, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot arrangement in randomized complete block design, where the main plot comprised three nutrient concentrations, i.e., 75% (N75), 100% (N100) and 125% (N125) of the ADC-Molo’ nutrient formulation. The subplots were allocated to four potato varieties (Shangi, Wanjiku, Nyota and Unica). The results showed that there were no significant (p<0.05) interaction effects of the nutrient stock solution concentrations application rates on the growth attributes of ARCs. The main effects of N125 gave the tallest plants (32.29cm) at 60 days after planting (DAP), highest normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) (0.60) at 75 DAP, plant survival rate (82.15%) at 75 DAP, and fresh weight (79.04g) and dry matter (31.26%) of aboveground biomass (AGB). Nyota variety produced taller plants (26.90cm) at 60 DAP, gave higher NDVI values (0.53) at 75 DAP, and higher fresh weight (64.87g) and dry matter (27.60%) of the AGB. Significant (p<0.05) interactions were observed in the yield parameters. The interaction between N125 and Nyota (11.33) and Wanjiku (10.67) gave the highest number of minitubers, the highest yields were obtained between the interaction of N125 and Unica (16.38t/ha). Therefore, to achieve high growth and yields of ARCs under hydroponic system, seed potato producers should use 125% of the ADC Molo nutrient formulation
Alternative protein sources as a replacement of fish meal in the diet of Oreochromis niloticus: A review
Get PDFThe farming of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has conquered the significant popularity in tropical and subtropical regions, primarily due to its remarkable faster growth rate. The growth performance of the species makes it an attractive choice for many fish farmers. Additionally, Tilapia exhibits a commendable resilience to disease, further enhancing its appeal as a farming option. Furthermore, the low trophic feeding levels of Tilapia contribute to its desirability, making it an efficient and sustainable choice for nutrition-conscious individuals. Due to the increasing prevalence of aquaculture production, there has been a significant surge in the demand for fishmeal. This particular protein source has relished the widespread popularity for many years and its demand has now more than doubled. The current growth rate of the aquaculture industry is outpacing the available fishmeal supplies, which are insufficient to meet the demand. According to scientific studies, it has been found that fishmeal can be effectively replaced with alternative sources without compromising the overall performance of the fish. This article presents a compelling case for the practicality of replacing fishmeal with alternative protein sources in the diet of Tilapia. These alternatives include terrestrial animal by-products, oilseed plants, single-cell proteins, and protein-rich plant derivatives. In order to mitigate the environmental impact of the fishmeal industry, it is crucial to implement measures that can effectively address this concern. Moreover, it is crucial to highlight the significance of these sources from a nutritional perspective. The blood meal, meat and bone meal are highly beneficial options for incorporating essential amino acids and protein into the diet of Tilapia. These alternatives offer a rich source of nutrients that can effectively replace fishmeal. The minerals instead of amino acids could improve plant protein performance. Due to inconsistent findings, aquatic plants and single-cell proteins in Tilapia meals should be carefully considered. Fishmeal replacers need biological and economic analyses. Long-term evaluations should be done in practical culture systems rather than labs. In conclusion, it is imperative for Tilapia producers to contemplate the utilization of alternative dietary sources, as extensive research has demonstrated the scientific feasibility of substituting the fishmeal in the diet of Tilapia
Effect of different weed management practices on production of spring maize in Dang, Nepal
Get PDFThe study was carried out at Lamahi-8, Satbariya, Dang to evaluate the effect of different weed management practices on the production of spring maize. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design using three replications and seven treatments. Rampur hybrid 10 variety and early post emergence (EPoE) herbicide were used in the experiment. The treatment consisted of single as well as combined weed management methods as T1: Broadcasting-One hand weeding, T2: Broadcasting-Herbicide, T3: Line sown- One hand weeding, T4: Line sown-Herbicide + one hand weeding, T5: Line sown- Mini tiller weeder, T6: Line sown- herbicide + mini tiller and T7: Line sown- One hand weeding + mini tiller. The experiment result showed that the combined application of early post emergence herbicide and mini tiller resulted the highest grain yield (8.62 Mt/ha) with minimum total weed density at 60 DAS (41.33/m2) and at harvest (68/m2) thus resulting minimum weed dry weight at 60 DAS (5.45 g/m2) and at harvest (10.64 g/m2). Sixteen different weed species belonging to 9 different families were identified in the experimental field. The highest benefit: cost (3.37) was obtained in the treatment Line sown-Herbicide + mini tiller weeder which was significantly higher compared to other treatments. Among the treatments applied, one with the application of herbicide in combination with mini tiller weeder was found to be the most effective one that resulted in the minimum weed density and minimum dry weight, higher grain and biological yield with the highest benefit cost ratio thus proving to be the most economical one. At the same time, application of mini tiller weeder as a single method was found to be the next better alternative for weed control in spring maize that could benefit the farmers in comparison to other single weed management practices
Protected cultivation of horticultural crops in Nepal: Current practices and future needs
Get PDFProtected cultivation infers the cultivation under guarded conditions or we can say simply, cultivation under a modified atmosphere or man-made micro-climatic conditions such as alteration in the CO2 concentration also use of different temperature levels on specific protected structures such as hoop houses, cold houses, shade houses, hot frames or hotbeds, hot-bed manures as well as high tunnels which are less costly as well and can be easily afforded by Nepalese farmers. Horticultural crops rely heavily on specific environmental conditions i.e., temperature, soil moisture, sunlight, and soil fertility. However, with climate change, weather patterns worldwide are shifting, significantly impacting horticultural crops directly and indirectly in the mid-hills as well as high-hills of Nepal. The people of the mountainous region are getting malnutrition due to the scarcity of food. By adapting the different climate-smart practices we can increase the productivity of the seasonal crop as well as the availability of off-season crops throughout the year which not only improves the malnutrition status of Nepalese people but also helps the country to lower the vulnerability towards climate change. This review highlights the common protected practices used in Nepal and their need in the future
Poverty and livelihood analysis of Former Enclave (Chitmahal) people in a selected area of Bangladesh
Get PDFWith the aim of creating development programs for the residents of the former enclave (Chitmahal), a survey of their poverty and livelihoods is essential. In this study, socioeconomic factors, poverty levels, changes in livelihood assets, and respondent satisfaction levels with social institutions in the study area were all assessed. A total of 100 respondents were randomly selected from Debiganj Upazila in the Panchagarh district of Bangladesh. A survey approach was employed to obtain the data. Respondents were able to respond quickly to questions and indicate their level of agreement with five points using a five-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using the Direct Caloric Intake (DCI) approach and DFID's Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. The main finding of the study was that the average age of the head of family was within the working age range. The average size of a household was medium. The head of family has only completed nearly five years of school. Three-fifths of those surveyed had high household incomes. The majority of households had poverty. After becoming a citizen of Bangladesh, the five asset classes- human assets, social assets, natural assets, physical assets and financial assets were positively changed. Satisfaction with social institutions has been moderate. In order to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living of households in the research area, social institutions need to be more efficient