Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Not a member yet
674 research outputs found
Sort by
Effects of shade level and microenvironment on vegetative growth, physiological and biochemical characteristics of transplanted cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Get PDFGrowing vegetables through transplantation under black shade nets is currently becoming popular to provide protection from high intensities of light and high temperatures. This study evaluated the effects of shade level on microenvironment, vegetative growth, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a fluorescence, osmoprotectants, plant water status and leaf mineral nutrients of greenhouse-grown summer cucumber transplants at 25%, 50%, 63%, and 75% shade levels. Solar radiation and tempera-ture decreased with increased shading levels. Average daily temperatures were approximately decreased by 1.5oC under 75% shade nets compared to the 25% shade nets. Vegetative growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a fluorescence (Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, and PI), dehydration tolerance and Leaf N, P and K concentrations increased when shade level increased. Chlorophyll a fluorescence (Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, and PI) reduced with the increase of solar radiation levels. Also, clear decreases in free proline, soluble sugars and total free amino acids in both experiments with increased shade level have been observed. Additionally, relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and electrolyte leakage (EL) of cucumber transplants were significantly affected in both experiments by shade level. Moreover Shade level affected leaf mineral nutrient but the effect differed among nutrients concentration. This study concluded that, nets with higher shading levels (63 and/or 75%) are a potential alternative to alleviate photo-inhibition and heat stress in cucumber transplants production
Gene action studies in early maturing maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines
Get PDFThe present investigation was aimed to investigate the gene action in early maturing maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines. The experimental material comprised of 30 crosses generated by crossing six maize inbred lines in a diallel mating design during Kharif 2013. These 30 crosses along with standard checks viz., SMH-2 and VMH-45 were evaluated in randomized block design in three replications during Kharif 2014 and Kharif 2015. Significant variation was observed for all studied traits during both the seasons. Both additive (D) and dominance (H1 and H2) components of genetic variance were found significant under the study. Preponderance of non-additive gene action was observed for all traits under study. Average degree of dominance was in over dominance range for all characters. The gene distribution was asymmetrical for all traits. The value of KD / KR indicated presence of excess of dominant genes for all traits except 100-grain weight and ear girth. Heritability of most of the traits was low to medium
Carbon sequestration potential of various litter components in temperate coniferous forests of Kashmir Himalaya, India
Get PDFNatural forests play a key role in the mitigation of atmospheric carbon and have been studied by various workers but very limited work was carried out towards to the contribution of litter in carbon mitigation potential. The current study estimated the carbon sequestration potential in different components of litter in temperate coniferous forests. The results found that carbon content was found highest in cone followed by needle, branch and bark. Seasonal variation was found in all the components of the litter with highest carbon in autumn found at Daksum. During spring season Kuthar showed maximum contribution followed by Pahalgam in summer. Among different components of litter Cone contributed maximum at Kuthar while needle at Pahalgam. The result revealed that litter decomposition was directly related to the accumulation of soil organic carbon in all the ranges which depict the relation of litter with soil organic carbon. It was concluded that litter has an important contribution in sequestering atmospheric carbon as well as providing nutrients to the standing vegetation that mitigates the carbon dioxide
Impact of weeding frequency in controlling flea beetles (Podagrica spp.) and yield of three varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in Gombe State, Nigeria
Get PDFField studies were carried out at School of Agricultural Technology Teaching and Research Farm of Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, Gombe State, Nigeria during 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons to assess the impact of weeding frequencies in controlling flea beetles (Podagrica spp.) using three varieties of Okra. Three varieties of Okra (NGAE-96-1; NHAE-47-4 and Challawa) and four weeding frequencies (no weeding, one weeding at 3 WAS, two weedings at 3 and 6 WAS and three weedings at 3, 6 and 9 WAS) were assessed using split plot laid out in randomized complete block design replicated three times. Results showed that the flea beetle (Podagrica spp.) populations, leaves and fruit damaged weight were significantly (P≤0.05) reduced while okra plant height and fruit yield were improved on plots that were weeded three times compared to other weeding frequencies. The result further showed that NGAE-96-1 and NHAE-47-4 reduced flea beetle (Podagrica spp.) populations, leaves and fruit damage than challawa. The results indicated that flea beetle control could be effectively achieved and okra production improved through the manipulation of weeding frequencies and selecting the appropriate okra varieties in the study area
Evaluation of physical and chemical properties of some selected soils in mangrove swamp zones of Delta State, Nigeria
Get PDFIn the present investigation the analysis of physical and chemical properties of some selected soils of mangrove swamp in Delta State (Latitude 50 and 60 and 30’ North and longitude 50 and 60, 45’ east) were determined. Hence, representative soil samples were obtained from three locations viz., Koko, Ozoro, Warri (Mangrove swamp) at 0-15cm and 15-30cm depths. The soil samples were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties viz., soil texture (Sand, silt and clay), pH, EC, total organic carbon, available P, Na, K, Mg, Ca+, exchangeable acidity (Al3+, H+), ECEC, OM, Zn, Pb, Fe, Cu and Mn at different study sites. The soil texture of the studied soil samples were primarily recorded as sand and loamy sand, with sandy texture at different study sites. The soils had a pH range of 5.65 to 6.40 at the surface, and were marginal in organic carbon, total nitrogen; exchangeable Ca, Mg, and ECEC, Zn, Fe, Cu whereas the contents of Mn were recorded to be adequate based on the recognized critical levels for the different nutrients. The potassium levels were found to be deficient in the soils. The pH of the soil showed a significant and positive correlation with K(r = +0.35) and Pb (r = +0.43). Total N positively correlated with the organic carbon (r = +0.92) and Fe (r = +0.63). The soils of the study area were mainly sandy loam indicat-ing that the soils will support arable crop production. From the results of the present study it is recommended that the phosphorus and exchangeable potassium should be artificially supplemented to enhance the nutrients in the soil required for the growth and yield of the crop plants
A review on the feasibility of electrolytic treatment of wastewater: Prospective and constraints
Get PDFElectrolytic treatment of wastewater utilizes the electric energy to remover the pollutants from the wastewater. Considerable efforts have been made to purify the different types of wastewater using various electrolytic treatment devices, apparatus and reactors. The present review focuses on the recent development in the electrolytic treatments considering the views of the past work in this field. Most studies have been performed on iron, steel, aluminium and zinc electrodes using various current densities and electrolysis time. Moreover, these studies have been carried out on the removal of different physico-chemical, heavy metals and microbiological parameters using different types of wastewater. In this review the main emphasis has been given to the removal of physico-chemical parameters viz., colour, turbidity, EC, TSS, BOD, COD and heavy metals of the wastewater. The literature on the electrolytic treatment methods using different types of wastewater is surveyed and physico-chemical parameters of wastewater are reviewed. Besides this impact of current density, electrode types, time of electric current application along with the removal efficiency are also discussed in the present review. Additionally, various aspects of the electrolytic treatment of wastewater like impact of temperature, coagulation and flocculation rate are also discussed to make the literature more specific and generalization to understand the electrolytic treatment of wastewater. Therefore, the future directions of the research could be focused on the more efficient removal of pollutants from the wastewater using electrolytic technology in order to achieve the safe limits of wastewater for the reuse and discharge as per water quality standards
Assessment of parasitic load in goat through the examination of faecal matter
Get PDFParasitic infection do not show heavy rate of mortality, however there occurrence being chronic, most of the time leads to serious production losses, this led to study about severity of parasitic load and type of parasitic infection in goats. Parasitic infection most of the time leads to serious production losses. Gastrointestinal nematodes are ubiquitous parasites of grazing ruminants and cause decreases in survival, live weight gain, wool and milk production and reproduction performance. Parasitic problems are a serious problem in goat. Total 60 goat faecal samples were analyzed. These results would serve as a baseline for future studies. The majority of the faecal samples (70%) of both zone I and zone II had heavy parasitic load (>3000 epg) followed by 60 per cent samples of zone III. This indicates that majority of the goats of the study area had severe parasitic infection. Chi-square analysis revealed non-significant relation between parasitic load and categories of zones. Majority of samples (48.33%) were infected with the combination of Strongyles, Strongyloides and Coccidiosis. It can be concluded that faecal egg count level was severe in majority of the samples examined
A review of ecological agricultural practices as an important component of climate resilient management
Get PDFThe pressing need to systematically redirect agricultural practices, towards sustainable, biodiversity based eco-agriculture and the basic agro-ecological principles cannot be overemphasized, especially in this era of threat to food and livelihood security caused by climate change in several developing countries of the world is evident. This is on account that the ecological aspect of agricultural production, which is resilient to climate and productive is based on principles that create biological diversity and build healthy soils, which also prioritizes indigenous and farmers’ knowledge. Ecological agricultural techniques are the foundations for the adaptation strategies needed urgently by the farmers in various developing countries, who will suffer greater from the climate change effects. Many answers lie in farmers’ farms and knowledge. Thus, this review is focused on how to improve the biodiversity of the agricultural system, build better healthy soils that will be drought tolerant and also to add social resilience required to face the increased uncertainty in weather patterns
Effect of nitrogen rates and irrigation regimes on nitrogen use efficiency of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in southwest Ethiopia
Get PDFDespite the high production potential of potato in Ethiopia, the national average yield is low mainly due to poor fertilizer and irrigation water management. Various scholars have indicated existence of knowledge gap among potato growers with regard to nitrogen application rates and irrigation regimes that could potentially enhance efficient use of both water and nitrogen in relation to variety. This work therefore was initiated to assess effects of nitrogen rates and irrigation regimes on nitrogen use efficiency of selected potato varieties in south western Ethiopia. The experiment was 33 factorial with three replication managed by Randomized Complete Block Design using Jalene, Guassa and Degemegn potato varieties; 130, 110, 90 kg/ha nitrogen rates, and 100%, 80% and 60% irrigations. Nitrogen content, uptake and utilization efficiency data collected were subjected to analysis of SAS Software version 9.2 and the mean separation was done by list significant difference (LSD). Irrigation and variety significantly affected the nitrogen utilization efficiency while only irrigation highly significantly influenced the nitrogen up take efficiency, nitrogen up take and shoot nitrogen content. Decreasing irrigation water from 20-40% decreased average nitrogen up take efficiency by 20.1- 38.86% and average nitrogen up take by 20.2-38.89%. The interaction of variety and irrigation significantly affected the average tuber nitrogen content. Reducing irrigation water by 40% caused tuber nitrogen content reduction of 51.7 and 56.6% in case of Jalenie and Guassa varieties, respectively. It can be concluded that irrigation regimes and variety significantly affected nitrogen use efficiency of the potato varieties while the nitrogen rates did not influence the nitrogen use efficiency of the potato varieties significantly. Guassa and Jalenie varieties were more efficient than Degemegn variety
Soil and land resource evaluation for rural agricultural land use planning – A case study from hot semiarid ecosystem of Western India
Get PDFThe farmers of today are expected to maintain rural agricultural landscapes with production mandates that restrict their mandate to integrate conservation plans with landscape management. In this context, an effort was made to evaluate the degree of land use, management and conservation practices adopted in Lagadwal village of Dhule district through detailed soil survey and photopedological interview walks and discussions with farmers. The landscape photographs were thematically arranged and analyzed to construct and narrate theories of land care by local farmers on erosive high hills covering thirty per cent of area (>620m elevation) and supporting extremely shallow Budkhed and Lagadwal series in southern part of the village. The photo views of erosive mid hill landscapes with gullies and landslip areas (40% of area, 600 to 620m) have soil association of moderately shallow Lagadwal thana series on crests / side slopes to very deep Brahmasila and Gaikot series in lower slopes whereas low hills (35% of area, 580 to 600m) with ridge lines and drainage depressions have moderately deep Lagadwal tola series. The farmer’s did not perceive the long term landscape changes occurred due to partially effective conservation plans and pressing financial issues. The photographs revealed the unclear realties of harvesting farm produce on these steeply sloping erosive landscapes emphasizing more on explicit policy toward land management practices and offers opportunity to the farmer’s to change their farm production management activities. The photographs were not intended to evaluate land care per se but offers an insight to the farmers how they look of the land at landscape level