Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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An overview of foliar application of macro and micronutrients on the yield of maize in Ghana
Get PDFMaize is a major staple crop in Ghana which plays a significant role in consumer diets. For some time now, the farming methods used by the farmers have been negatively affected by components such as climate, soil nutrient depletion, and constant monocropping resulting in the adoption of inorganic fertilizers. Conventional fertilizers supplied through soils are subjected to slow release of nutrients, leaching, fixation, surface runoff, erosion, and volatilization, which hinders optimal plant growth and yield. Foliar application of fertilizer offers an alternative method of fertilizer application that supplies nutrients directly to the stomata and cuticle of the leaves of maize thereby enabling rapid absorption and enhancing crop vigor. The The main objective of this paper is to review research papers which explores the potential of foliar application of vital nutrients – phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) – to improve the yield of maize crop. According to the literature gathered, foliar fertilization in combination with soil applied fertilizers emerges as a promising strategy, particularly in addressing nutrient deficiencies and stress scenarios. The efficient uptake of nutrients through leaves, as opposed to traditional soil-based approaches, holds promise for augmenting yield and enhancing protein content in maize crops. Notably, prior research highlights the efficacy of foliar-applied P, S, Zn, and Fe in significantly boosting grain yield. By understanding the complex mechanisms of nutrient absorption and the advantages of foliar application, the agricultural sector can explore innovative avenues to surmount soil-related challenges and achieve sustainable crop development
Impact assessment of farm mechanization on potato production in Dadeldhura district, Nepal
Get PDFPotato is one of the major cash crops in Nepal but farmers can't maximize profits due to the low adoption of farm machinery and technology. There is insufficient research on agricultural mechanization and its effectiveness in the study area. Therefore, the goal of this study, which was carried out in the Dadeldhura district in 2022, was to assess the problem of farmers' potato cultivation yielding less profit than they might have due to a lack of agriculture equipment and technology adoption. Purposive and simple random sampling were used to select 90 respondents from four local bodies of the Dadeldhura district. Primary data were collected from a household survey with a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and Key Informant Interview (KII). Secondary data were collected from annual PMAMP, MoALD, FAO reports, etc. MS Excel and SPSS (26.0) were used to analyze and interpret the collected data. The study divided farmers into groups based on whether they used bullocks or mini-tillers, and it found that mechanical power was mostly used during land preparation and irrigation phases. Fragmented land and lack of capital were major constraints to promoting mechanization. The study showed that mini-tiller users had a greater B: C ratio than bullock users. Similarly, the average variable cost of production per hectare was substantially lower in mini-tiller users than in bullock users. The results underlined the financial viability of mechanized potato farming and stressed the necessity of removing barriers to automation and developing regulations to support small-scale mechanization. The study concluded that mechanization might be extended beyond the stages of irrigation and field preparation to further improve cost-effectiveness and increase the profitability of potato cultivation for farmers in the Dadeldhura district. Overall, the study emphasized the necessity of strategic interventions to encourage automation and enhance the profitability of potato farming in the area
A review on molecular breeding techniques: Crucial approach in livestock improvement
No full textFor underdeveloped countries, molecular breeding (MB) has a lot of promise. However, the implementation in developing countries is far from uniform. Livestock improvement programs aim to improve the genetics of domesticated animal populations by selecting males and females who, when mated, will produce progeny that perform better than the current generation's average. The amount of genetic progress made through conventional selection and breeding methods for quantitative traits in livestock is successful, but limitations such as routinely recording phenotypes, animal sacrifice for meat quality traits, recording in particular sex for sex-limited traits, and so on the limit the amount of genetic progress made through conventional selection and breeding methods. Marker-assisted selection (MAS), genome-wide selection (GWS), marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS), and genome-wide sequencing (GS) are examples of modern breeding procedures. Molecular genetics technology may provide a technique to choose breeding animals at an early age (even embryos), to select for a wide variety of features and to improve the accuracy of forecasting an individual's mature phenotype. This paper examines the challenges and potential of applying molecular breeding techniques to improve livestock in developing countries
Evaluation of the inland fisheries in Basrah province in Iraq during 2020-2021
Get PDFThe study was aimed to update the knowledge on the fish landings of the inland fisheries in Basrah province, Iraq. The species composition, species and total landings, and their trends in six landing sites throughout the study region were evaluated during the year 2020-2021. Species compositions were included seven cyprinids’ species, three cichlids’ species, three mullet’s species, and two species from sparids and silurids. The exotic species, C. carpio, tilapias species and C. auratus dominated the landings constituting 44.2% of the total catch, whereas the highly valued native species (M. sharpeyi, L. xanthopterus, C. luteus and A. grypus) forming only 12.4% of the total catch. The total landing reached 2,427.78 t in 2020 and 2,365.15 t in 2021, and these values were higher than what was recorded during the past years since the year 2009. This is due to the prevalence of aliened species and the increase in the fishing effort, such as the numbers of fishermen and fishing boats. Therefore, in fisheries management point of view, it is essential to enhance the stocks of the native species, minimize the dispersal and impacts of some exotic species, and activate the national regulating fishing, exploitation and protection of aquatic organisms to improve the inland fisheries
Effects of substituting plant-based protein sources for fish meal in the diet of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional adequacy and suitability of rice polish and mustard oil cake as protein sources in the diet of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). To assess the growth performance and feed utilization of Nile Tilapia, three diets containing rice polish (0, 8, and 16%) and mustard oil cake (8, 16, and 24%) were formulated and fed to the fish over a period of 60 days. According to the findings, the growth performance tended to decline as the levels of rice polish and mustard oil cake increased. The control diet (30% Fish meal) resulted in the highest weight gain (373.79±49.78%), whereas the diet (20% Fish meal) resulted in the least weight gain (341.24±27.23%). The specific growth rate (SGR) followed the same pattern, and there were no statistically significant differences in SGR between diets (p>0.05). At the end of this trial, the feed intake (FI) of the various diets ranged between 32.37 g and 37.78 g per fish. Although feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were not significantly different among diets (p>0.05), feed intake decreased as the incorporation of rice polish increased
Spawning season and size at first sexual maturity of freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis (Lamarck, 1819) in the Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh
Get PDFSpawning season and size at first sexual maturity of Freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis was studied from the specimens collected from Brahmaputra River, Mymensingh district, Bangladesh from July 2015 to June 2016. The present study has investigated sex ratios, gamogenetic cycle, condition index, and size at first sexual maturity by means of standard histological procedures. The results indicated no significant difference in the overall sex ratio (M: F = 1:1.3). The qualitative analysis of gonad developmental stages has provided confirmation of the presence of a yearly reproductive cycle characterized by prolonged gonadal activity. The highest percentages of ripe gonads were observed in July for males (77.78%) and August for females (53.85%). The spawning activity was highest in October for males (50%) and November for females (83.33%). Furthermore, ripening and spawning stages in different shell lengths ranged from 58–63 to 88–93 mm for both sexes. The findings from the qualitative observation of gonad developmental stages, a single annual spawning peak observed between October and November. A statistically significant correlation was detected between the average condition index of male and female. Males reached sexual maturity at smaller standard length (SL50 = 63.25 mm) compared to females (SL50 = 72.10 mm SL). Acquired knowledge regarding the present state and distinctive gonad developmental characteristics of L. marginalis will aid fisheries management professionals and conservation biologist in the effective management of this particular species of mussels in the waters of Bangladesh
Effect of mulch on yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in Nepal
Get PDFWeeds are the most important biotic constraints to groundnut production in Nepal. They hinder the plant growth and increase the cost of production. A field based study was conducted from June, 2022 to December, 2022 at Oilseed Research Program, Sarlahi, Nepal to study the effect of mulch on the productivity of groundnut. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 7 treatments viz., rice husk, rice straw, black polythene sheet, Lantana camara, living mulch, sawdust and control in three replications. The fertilizer dose used for groundnut was 20:40:20 NPK kg per hectare. The pod yield in rice husk mulch and living mulch treatments were significantly higher (2.07 and 1.84 tons per hectare, respectively) whereas the lowest yield (0.83 tons/hectare) was observed in plot with no treatment). Lower weed infestation with weed biomass 0.046 tons/ha for narrow leaf weeds and 0.021 tons/ha for broad leaf weeds was observed in L. camara mulching. Rice husk mulching produced significantly higher number of pods (29 pods per plant) with the highest benefit cost ratio (1.15) whereas black polythene mulching produced lower number of pods (23 pods per plant) with lowest benefit cost ratio (-0.33). Conclusively, the study's finding suggests that rice husk can be used as a mulching material to increase the productivity of groundnut
Blast resistance (Pi54) introgression in temperate rice (Oryza sativa L.) K343 using marker assisted backcrossing
Get PDFIn hill rice ecologies, Magnaporthe oryzae causes rice blasts and a significant biotic constraint. The study was aimed to develop rice blast-resistant lines/varieties through marker-assisted selection (MAS) by using the Pi54 gene, which provides resistance against the most prominent blast fungus isolate (PLP-1). The blast resistance gene Pi54 from the indica rice genotype DHMAS has been inserted into the genetic makeup of the temperate rice variety K343 in the current study. Three SSR markers (TRS26, TRS33, and RM206) are closely linked to the Pi54 locus used in this study. Marker RM206, located 0.7cM from the Pi54 gene, distinguished between donor and recipient alleles and co-segregated with the target gene. Thus, RM206 is used for Pi54 gene foreground selection. Sixty-one plants have the homozygous allele for the Pi54 in BC1F2, accounting for roughly 50% of the homozygous population. Polymorphic genome-wide SSR assessment of the BC1F2 genetic stock (K343*2/DHMAS) revealed recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery above 75% in 4 plants. Therefore, M. oryzae race PLP-1, the dominant race used in this study, showed high resistance to the resistant response after inoculation
Freshwater icthyo-faunal checklist of Roktodaho Beel in Bangladesh: Threats and conservation
Get PDFA checklist of the native fishes of the Roktodaho beel of Adamdighi and Raninagar Upazila under the Bogura and Naogaon districts of Bangladesh, where data were collected monthly by field survey, focus group discussions, and personal interviews by using a semi-structured questionnaire and a pictorial check list of fish species from a professional fishing boat caught by different nets, traps, and hooks from July 2021 to June 2022. A total of 36 species under 8 orders belonging to 19 families were recorded, of which 29%, 28%, 25%, and 8% were available, seasonal, rare, and very rare, respectively. Among those, 8 fish species (22.22%) were in the threatened category (1 critically endangered, 2 endangered, and 5 vulnerable), according to the IUCN Bangladesh. Notably, the globally threatened Channa orientalis and Wallago attu were available in the study area. According to their place of residence, 24 (66.67%) of the fish were floodplain residents except Glossogobius giuris, which is a mixed residence (reverine, estuarine, and floodplain) species. This residence status of fish indicates that the species have chosen their ideal environment. Dewatering, katha fishing, and the use of unlicensed technology were the main dangers. Creating and maintaining fish sanctuaries, reducing human effects, passing fishing regulations, and increasing consciousness may all help to preserve the current supply of fish. Strategies for restoration must be performed in the Roktodaho beel to preserve the fish range
Ethnobotanical study of the family Marantaceae R. Br in Bangladesh Agricultural University Botanical Garden
Get PDFThe Marantaceae family is a diverse group of plants that has drawn the interest of scientists and researchers worldwide due to their distinctive morphological characteristics, ecological and economic relevance. The Bangladesh Agricultural University Botanical Garden is home to an abundance of Marantaceae species, making it a useful resource for examining the diversity and significance of this plant family. This present study was designed to survey and document the family Marantaceae with an overview of the family emphasizing its morphological, economic, and ethnobotanical relevance based on a literature review. During the study, we found 25 species (two of which have two varieties each) belonging to 8 genera of which Goeppertia contributed the most species, with 16, followed by Maranta with 4 (including varieties) and Thalia with 2; the remaining 5 genera each contributed one species. Our findings reveal the remarkable diversity and significance of Marantaceae plants in this region, highlighting the necessity for their conservation and protection