Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Effect of different phosphorus levels on four cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp L.) varieties for grain and fodder yield in Upper East Region of Ghana
Get PDFA field experiment was conducted to examine the effect of cowpea varieties and different phosphorus levels on grain and fodder yield. Four cowpea varieties i.e. Asetenapa, Asomdwe, Hewale and Videza with four different phosphorus levels of single superphosphate (SSP) were used in the experiment. The experimental design was 4 × 4 factorial experiment laid in randomized complete block with four replicates. The results showed that cowpea varieties and phosphorus levels significantly influenced number of nodules per plant, pod length, number of pods per plant, fodder yield and grain yield. Phosphorus levels had no significant effect on stem girth, plant height and 100 seed weight. Asomdwe recorded the highest grain yield of 1229kgha-1 while Videza and Asetenapa produced the highest fodder yield of 957kgha-1. Interactive effect between Videza and 30kgha-1 of SSP produced the highest fodder yield while Asomdwe and 60kgha-1 of SSP was the treatment combination that produced the highest grain yield. Cowpea varieties and different phosphorus levels had effect on grain and fodder yield. Asomdwe would be recommended for commercial grain production because of the high grain yielding potential as observed in the study Asetenapa and Videza for fodder production to feed livestock
A study on organic matter and nitrogen dynamics in wetland paddy soils of Bangladesh
Get PDFThe present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of different sources organic matter along with various level nitrogen fertilizations on nutrient dynamics and physicochemical variation of soil at different incubation periods in the research field of department of soil science, BSMRAU. RS, VC, RHB, CD and PM were used @ 2 t C ha-1 along with N rates 0, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 in a factorial randomized complete block design. Combined application of VC and RHB with N100 dose significantly reduces soil bulk density. PM-treated plot resulted the highest amount of TN at 90 DAT, while RHB treated plot at 45 DAT. N fertilized plot showed maxi-mum TN content at 75 DAT with N150 treatment. Significant interaction effects of OM and N on TN content of soil were exhibited at the incubation period 15, 30 and 45 DAT. Different organic amendment showed a dissimilar nutrient release pattern. Significantly higher phosphorus content was detected in VC treated soil while the S content was in the CD-treated soil. The RHB treated plots provide a significantly higher exchangeable K content in post-harvest soil. The available P, S and exchangeable K contents in post-harvest soil increased positively in all treatments as compared to initial soils. Organic manures and N fertilization had no significant effect on different chemical properties like soil pH, TN, available S and exchangeable K. Significant P enrichment was occurred in organic and N treated soil. Thus, organic and inorganic fertilization had a significant positive influence on the enrichment of physiochemical properties of wetland paddy soil
Economics of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in terai region of Nepal
Get PDFPotato is an important cash crop of Nepal. Research was conducted from January to May, 2018 in Jhapa, Bara and Kailali districts for economic assessment of potato production in terai region of Nepal. Pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the primary information; moreover, one Focal Group Discussion and two Key Informant Interviews were performed. Furthermore, relevant literatures were reviewed for secondary information. The simple random method of sampling was used within the clusters that were identified in consultation with District Agriculture Development Office, Potato Superzone Office and agricultural officials of the local government. Altogether, 165 samples, 55 samples from each of the three districts were taken for the purpose of the study. The Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft excel software were used for data analysis. The majority of the respond-ents (52.7%) prioritized the source-Own home production/ Neighbors/ Friends as the first major source for seed followed by Cooperatives/ Farmer’s group (20%). More than one third of the farmers (35.2%) sold their produce at Home/Local market/Haatbazar followed by Wholesalers/ Distant market (34.5%). The average gross margin per Kattha from potato production was found NRs. 6604.4 and benefit cost ratio was 2.13. The indexing identified- lack of availability of improved quality seed (I= 0.79) as the most important problem followed by incidence of disease and insect/pest (I= 0.71) for potato production. The provision of technical knowledge to control diseases as well as proper allocation of improved quality seed would help to increase profitability and productivity of potato
Cost-benefit analysis and resource use efficiency of rice production system in different agriculture landscapes in Chitwan district, Nepal
Get PDFThe study was conducted to determine the cost-benefit analysis and resource use efficiency of the rice production system in different agriculture landscapes in the Chitwan district in 2018. The sample size of 102 rice-growing farmers out of 600 farmers, having an area of farm size greater than 0.5 hectares, was determined using Raosoft Inc. Software. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect 102 rice-growing household information in four municipalities (2 in plain and 2 in hilly area) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and statistical tools including Cobb-Douglas production function. Results showed that the use of inputs like seeds, chemical fertilizer and machinery like tractor were found significantly higher in the plain area whereas the use of inputs like labor, farmyard manure (FYM) and bullocks was found in higher in the hilly area. The costs of fertilizer, machinery, pesticide, and transportation were found higher in the plain area whereas the costs of seed, FYM, labor and bullocks were significantly higher in the hilly area. Production of rice per household was 1.87 ton whereas productivity was 5.2 ton/ha, gross profit was NRs. 41435and benefit-cost ratio was 1.59 in the plain area which was found significantly higher than the hilly area. The return to scale was found to be 0.48 which revealed that inputs used in rice production were ineffectively utilized in which organic fertilizer and labor resource were overused and seed, fertilizer, machinery and bullocks, pesticides and transportation were underused resources. The optimal allocation of these resources will increase the profitability of rice farming
Participatory assessment of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) production practices in marginal dry lands of Wag-lasta, Ethiopia
Get PDFLentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important legume for human nutrition, animal feeding and soil fertility enhancement in Wag-lasta areas of Ethiopia. Despite its importance, concerned actors in the extension system have inconsistencies on the efficient production practices. The participatory assessment of different lentil production practices was thus carried out involving twenty-three farmers in the marginal dry lands of Wag-lasta area. The experiment was designed to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of different lentil production practices to farmers and extension personnel to settle the paradox in the extension system. It was directed through comparing the improved variety with its full production package (IPP) against the local variety with full package (LPP) and local variety under farmers’ practice (LFP). Agronomic, economic and preference data were collected and analysed in descriptive statistic, ANOVA, partial budgeting and weighted ranking matrix. The combined result indicated that LPP, LFP and IPP provided mean grain yields of 806, 584 and 486 kg ha-1, respectively. Accordingly, LPP has 27.5 and 39.7% yield advantage over LFP and IPP, respectively. The marginal rate of return of LPP is 334.9 and 411% in Sekota and Lalibela districts in that order. The overall weighted ranking matrix also shows that LFP and LPP were farmers’ first and second choices in Sekota but vice versa in Lalibela district. Farmers and experts in the extension system thus perceived and approved the prominence of local cultivar under full package practice. Therefore, large-scale dissemination of the local cultivar with its full package components is safely recommended
Impacts of rainfall and temperature variation on maize (Zea mays L.) yields: A case study of Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Get PDFBased on the multiple regression model the impacts of rainfall and temperature on maize (Zea mays L.) yields in Mbeya region have been analyzed. Overall, findings revealed that the seven selected variables, that is, January maximum temperature, February maximum temperature, April maximum temperature, Rainfall from February to April, Rainfall during growing season, December rainfall and October maximum temperature influenced maize yields in the region by 65.4%. Diversely, the results showed 34.6% wasn’t explained by the model, meaning that there are other factors apart from temperature and rainfall could be used to explain the variation of maize (Z. mays) yield in the region. Furthermore, taking 1990 -2012 as baseline period, the model projection for a period of 2020-2042 shows that maize (Z. mays) yield may change from 1.5% to 2.3%, 2.6% to 3.6% and 2.4% to 3.5 %, as a result of separate future influence of 10% decrease in rainfall, 10C raise in temperature and combined influence of both temperature and rainfall change, respectively. Nevertheless, the findings from this study, reveals that Mbeya region may still be potential maize (Z. mays) growing region in the prescribed period provided the magnitude change of both future rainfall and temperature hold and other factors not explained by the model do not change significantly. Therefore, the government must focus to conduct more research on uses of appropriate maize (Z. mays) varieties to obtain the maximum maize (Z. mays) crop yield in the region
Comparative analysis of potency of Azole derivatives to target ASL and GPI proteins responsible for pathogenesis of Candida albicans using in silico approach
Get PDFCandida albicans, a dimorphic fungus which is commensal organism of human gut flora, but due to overgrowth or immune-compromised conditions become pathogenic causing vulvovaginal candidiasis infection which is most common in females. The present study was conducted to determine an effective treatment strategy by making a comparative analysis of potency of azole derivatives such as itraconazole, fluconazole and ketoconazole to target ASL and GPI proteins responsible for pathogenesis of C. albicans using in silico approach. By comparing Gibbs free energy, it becomes clear that itraconazole possess more potency in comparison to fluconazole and ketoconazole to target ALS and GPI macromolecule. The present study clearly indicated that itraconazole can overcome complications of pathogenesis induced by C. albicans inside the host thereby acting as a major drug of interest in comparison to other azole derivatives to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis. In conclusion, itraconazole exhibits better potential than fluconazole and ketoconazole to target GPI and ALS. This clearly reveals the potency of itracaonazole to target C. albicans, but more research is needed to be carried out to determine the mechanistic approach involved in exhibiting this effect
Determination of seeding rate and inter row spacing on the yield of tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc. Trotter) in the dryland areas of Wag Lasta, North Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia
Get PDFTef production and productivity in Wag lasta is very low as compared to the national average due to many production constraints, including use of inappropriate agronomic practices and low yielder varieties. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to optimize seeding rate and inter-row spacing of tef in the study areas of Wag-Lasta in 2013 and 2014 cropping season. Five seeding rates (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kg ha-1) and three inter row spacing’s (15, 20, 25 cm) were laid out in a factorial RCBD with three replications. An additional plot of broad cast of tef seed with 25 kg/ha as a satellite control was included and making a total of 16 treatments. Grain yield showed significance difference at Woleh 2014 on both seeding rate and inter row spacing and combined analysis by location for the year 2014 cropping season for the factor seeding rate. At Lalibela, grain yield and other agronomic traits did not show a significance difference except days to heading, in case of inter row spacing in 2013 and number of tillers in case of seeding rate in 2014 cropping seasons. Based on the combined analysis result the highest grain yield was recorded from 15 kg/ha seeding rate with 20 cm inter row spacing. Generally sowing of tef with the rate of 15 kg ha-1 and 20cm inter row spacing is effective in attaining higher grain yield and economic benefit
A review on production status and growing environments of rice in Nepal and in the world
No full textRice is a major food crop for the people of the world. The role of rice is inevitable in the current and future global food security. It is the number one staple food crop in Nepal and contributes significantly to livelihood of majority of people and to the national economy. This article reviews global rice production scenarios; figures out global Mega Rice Environments (MREs) and based on these analyses, the authors developed Nepal’s Rice Production Environments (RPEs). The Asian countries dominate the global rice production. India has the largest area of rice cultivation. China is the world’s largest producer of rice. Rice productivity is highest in Japan. Rice is cultivated in diverse agro-ecosystems. Rice environments are classified mainly based on land types (upland vs. lowland) and water regimes (irrigated and rainfed). The MREs of the world are classified into seven categories (Four irrigated, two rainfed and one for deep water rice). A total of nine RPEs were identified for Nepal- six under irrigated and three under rainfed conditions. The findings of this study are useful for rice researchers, producers and policy makers
Sustainability of smallholder seed enterprises (SSE): A case study of Nagarpur and Shahjadpur Upazila, Bangladesh
Get PDFSmallholders’ seed production, processing, and marketing of major crops such as rice, wheat, and maize have been important issues for seed security worldwide. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization reports, the smallholder’s seed enterprise (SSE) is the best way of ensuring the availability of quality non-hybrid seeds. The concept of SSE is built to fulfill the farmer’s seed demand by the development of their own seed production system. It is so important for sustainable agriculture. Although, this system does not perform properly due to some limitations. So, the present study aimed to assess the important indicators that directly related to the sustenance of smallholder’s seed enterprises. It will be helpful to enhance SSEs effectiveness. Data were collected from 120 smallholders of six villages of Nagarpur and Shahjadpur Upazila under Tangail and Sirajganj districts in Bangladesh, respectively. Results revealed that 92.5% of the smallholder had moderate to highly sustainable seed enterprises. Based on standardized coefficients, institutional functions, price of seed, human capital and marketing facilities considered as highly influential indicators. Finally, the existing institutions play a key role in achieving the sustainability of SSEs by providing necessary supports