International Journal of Advances in Agricultural Science and Technology
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Evaluation of Botanicals and an Alkaloid on Jassids and Aphids of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench))
Get PDFThe present study was undertaken in the farm of E- Block of Horticultural Department, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tuticorin during rabi season of 2017–2018. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments and three replications. Okra is being attacked by both jassids and aphids throughout the crop period. The pre-treatment observations were recorded the day before application of the spray whereas the post treatment counts were recorded at 3, 7, 14 days after application of the treatments. The treatments were T1- Neem oil (3%), T2- NSKE (5%), T3- Turmeric crude extract (3.5%), T4- Garlic crude extract (5%), T5- Tomatine 1000 ppm, T6- Imidacloprid 17.8 SL (0.018%), T7- Control. Two applications of the spraying were done. The evaluation was done for the sucking pests viz., aphids and jassids. All the treatments showed significant effect over the control. The result revealed that the chemical imidacloprid @ 0.005% and NSKE (5%) were found on par with each other in reducing the pest population followed by neem oil (3%), garlic crude extract (5%), turmeric crude extract (3.5%) and tomatine at 1000 ppm. 
Plant Geometry, Macro and Micro Nutrients on Growth and Growth Analysis of Dual Purpose Sorghum under Rainfed Vertisol Condition
Get PDFField experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti during rabi season (October 2017 to January 2018) to find out the suitable plant geometry, levels of fertilizers and foliar spray of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) at 15, 30 and 45 DAS to improve the growth and yield of sorghum variety K12 (dual purpose). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replication and twelve treatments. The treatment consists of two plant geometry, three different dose of fertilizer and foliar spray of micronutrients viz., 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. Observation on growth parameters, growth analysis and finally grain and stover yield were recorded. The experimental results shows that reduced plant spacing of 30 × 15 cm together with enhanced application of 50:25:25 kg NPK ha-1 + foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at 15, 30 and 45 DAS significantly increased the growth parameters viz., plant height, stem girth and days to flowering. This attributes ultimately resulted in higher grain (3961 kg ha-1) and stover (13972 kg ha-1) yield of dual purpose sorghum compared to recommended practice of rainfed sorghum having 45 × 15 cm spacing and application of recommended 40:20:0 kg NPK ha-1 alone
PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) GOATS FED CASSAVA PEEL MEAL BASED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH AFRICAN YAMBEAN CONCENTRATE
Get PDFThis study evaluated the effect of cassava peel meal (CPM) based – diets supplemented with African yambean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seed meal (AYBM) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Four diets were formulated containing CPM (46 % each) and AYBM at 0, 10, 20 and 30 % levels designated as A, B, C, and D respectively. Twenty intact weaned bucks weighing between 6.5 and 10.5 kg were randomly assigned to the experimental diets after weight equalization with 5 bucks per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) experiment which lasted for 56 days. Growth performance parameters were determined during the feeding trial while carcass and organ characteristics were evaluated at the end of the trial. Results showed that the average daily weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) different between treatments with the following values 36.07, 98.05, 124.82 and 108.04 g/buck for diets A, B, C and D, respectively. The feed gain ratio was also significantly (P<0.05) affected by treatments, bucks fed the AYBM diets had better FCR compared with the control diet. The dressing percentage (40.39, 51.90, 53.40 and 52.29 %), bone to lean meat ratio (0.31, 0.30, 0.19 and 0.20), loin (740.35, 1102.11, 1115.20 and 1105.21 g), sets (541.48, 1050.20, 1080.10 and 1061.11 g), ends (515.50, 807.45, 1388.50 and 1152.50 g) and shoulder (1158.96, 2050.81, 2156.09 and 2010.10 g) absolute weight values were significantly (P<0.05) different between dietary treatments A, B, C, and D respectively. The diets also recorded significant (P<0.05) increases in the weight of liver, heart, spleen lungs and gut as the levels of AYBM increased across the treatment groups. However, the relative weight values of all the carcass parameters did not reveal any significant effects of dietary treatments. The study therefore concludes that cassava peel meal based diets supplemented with African yambean enhanced the growth performance and carcass characteristics of goat bucks compared with the control diet. It is therefore recommended that farmers can include up to 30% AYBM in cassava peel meal based – diets meant for goats in the tropics. 
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth Parameters of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)
Get PDFThe present investigation entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth parameters of baby corn (Zea mays L.)” was carried out during Kharif season 2015 at the Instructional Dairy Farm (IDF), Nagla, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India. The experimental design was Randomized Block Design with 11 treatments consisting of sole application of NPK fertilizer, sole application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum, and application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum along with NPK fertilizer. It was found that field emergence percent did not differ significantly with different integrated nutrient management practices, however significantly higher plant population was recorded at application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos followed by 75% NPK+Azot+Azos though both were non-significant. Similarly tallest plants were recorded with application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos followed by 75% NPK+Azot+Azos at 25 DAS as well as at harvest stage. Integrated nutrient management practices had significant effect on dry matter production too at all growth stages. Application of 75% NPK+Azot+Azos produced significantly higher dry matter at 25 DAS, however at 50 DAS and harvesting stage, significantly higher dry matter production was recorded with application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos. Also the dry matter accumulation in baby corn, green fodder and total was affected significantly by different integrated nutrient management practices with value of each one being highest under application of 100% NPK+Azot+Azos. The study concluded the importance of integrated nutrient management practice for better growth and development of baby corn as higher dose of nitrogen coupled with biofertilizers, being an integrated nutrient application treatment, improved the plant growth and plant population leading to higher dry matter accumulation. 
Integrated Plant Nutrients Supply and Foliar Nutrition on Fruit Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Availability in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] Hybrid COBhH- 4 in an Alfisol of Tamirabarani Command Area
No full textThe present investigation was undertaken with the main objective of evaluating the effect ofIPNS and foliar nutrition on soil nutrient availability, uptake and fruit yield of okra COBhH - 4. Thethirteen treatments comprising of STCR-IPNS / 100 % N through FYM in alone / in combination withMicronutrients, Moringa leaf extract and Aloe vera leaf extract and Amino acids. The highest fruityield of 24.24 t ha-1 was recorded by the application of STCR - IPNS + AA + MN + ALE+ MLE (FS)followed by 100 per cent N through organics + AA + MN + ALE+ MLE (FS).The per cent yieldincrease over control was 135.80 and 124.71 per cent respectively for STCR-IPNS followed by FYMboth in combination with amino acids + Micro nuttrients + Aloevera + Moringa Leaf Extract as foliarspray. The effect of micronutrients as foliar along with STCR-IPNS was the next best treatment. Thehighest BCR of 5.27 was recorded by STCR-IPNS + MN + ALE + MLE (FS) followed by 4.92 by STCRIPNS + MLE (FS) (T10). Among the different treatments, STCR - IPNS + Amino Acids +Micronutrients + Aloe vera + Moringa leaf extract (FS) recorded significantly the highest soilavailable N (282, 290 and 236 kg ha-1), soil available P (27.8, 21.9 and 19.8 kg ha-1) and plant Ncontent (2.16 , 2.35 and 2.46 %), plant P (0.24, 0.38 and 0.62 %) , plant K (1.83, 2.38 and 2.92 %) andtotal plant N uptake (96.39 104.75 109.67 kg ha-1), total P uptake (10.47, 16.99 and 27.68 kg ha-1) andtotal K uptake (81.59, 106.11 and 130.15 kg ha-1) by okra at all the three critical growth stages. Thehighest content and uptake of N (2.91% and 71.23 kg ha-1), P (0.32% and 7.92 kg ha-1), K (2.81% and68.80 kg ha-1), Zn (91.84 mg kg-1 and 0.225 kg ha-1), Fe (427.85 mg kg-1and 1.047 kg ha-1) and B(29.22 mg kg-1and 0.072 kg ha-1) by fruits was recorded by the treatment STCR - IPNS + Amino acids+ Micronutrients + Aloevera + Moringa leaf extract (FS). At all the three stages, higher NPKavailability was recorded by the same treatment (T12) followed by T13. The treatments which receivedSTCR-IPNS in alone or in combination with AA/ MN/ ALE/ MLE recorded higher available K (365,330 and 312 kg ha-1) content in soil compared to 100% N through organics in alone or with similarcombination
EFFECT OF STOCKING DENSITY AND GENDER OF CHICKENS IN THE SHARE OF CERTAIN PARTS OF BODY AND KALO CUT OF FATTENING CHICKEN
Get PDFThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of population density on clan parameters infattening chickens of Cobb 500 hybrids. Based on theoretical and experimental studies, the influence ofpopulation density, i.e. floor surface per chicken, share of individual parts of the hull and fattening chickens.The study was carried out on 225 day-old chicks Cobb 500, which were placed in 3-square-foot boxed cubicleswith five different population density. The control group (K₀ ) was populated in a density of 15 chickens / m²which is a technological standard, and the experimental groups K₁ , K₂ , K₃ and K₄ were populated withdensity of 13 chickens / m², 14 chickens / m², 16 chickens / m² and 17 chickens / m² of floor pads.When choosing chickens, it was considered that the chickens of the experimental groups were approximately thesame mass. Selected chicken specimens of the same sex ratio 50:50 (ten male and ten female) are marked withrings, with the number of records attached to their legs. The rings are made of modified plastic resistant to waterand high temperature, avoiding the possibility of damage to the numbers and the determination of the number ofsample chickens.Nutrition and environmental conditions were the same for all chickens. For the purpose of questioning theproduction parameters after a completed 42-day fattening period, 10 male and 10 female chicks of each samplegroup were selected by the random sample method. Individual weighing of chickens determined the body mass atthe end of each week, the weekly increase in body mass per group, and the final body mass. In addition, in allsample groups, mortality of chickens, consumption and food conversion was monitored. The data were analyzedby statistical program SPSS 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).To determine the prepared pieces of chickens, each group of 10 carcasses was taken, weighed and confined, andby weighing the determined mass of the following parts of each chicken: neck, wings, back, breasts, drumstick,thigh, pelvis and kalo cut up. 
Growth Characteristics and Proximate Profile of Duckweed (Lemna minor) Cultured in Calabar – Humid Zone of Nigeria
Get PDFA twenty-day growth trial was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristicsand proximate composition of duckweed (Lemna minor) cultured in a concrete pond(33,975.43 litres) with a pond depth of 40cm and dilution of 25% piggery effluent.Observation revealed that biomass increase occurred every day. Harvesting was carried outevery four days for five times successfully and total yield was 14.72 kg. The growth ofduckweed harvested and that obtained from a natural pond were sun-dried andrepresentative samples taken for proximate analysis. The proximate composition of the twosamples were compared, the results obtained showed that the grown duckweed containedcrude protein (42%), crude fibre (28%), ether extract (1.5%), ash (8%) and nitrogen freeextract (10.5%) fractions; while the duckweed from the natural pond had crude protein(21.87%), crude fibre (20%), ether extract (1%), ash (11%) and nitrogen free extract(46.13%), respectively. The proximate composition of the cultured duckweed appearedhigher in all fractions beside the nitrogen free extract. However, irrespective of themedium where the duckweed was harvested, the crude protein value obtained suggestedthat duckweed can be incorporated into livestock feeds as a protein supplement,particularly when grown on nutrient rich medium
QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF WEANING FOOD FORMULATED FROM STAPLE FOODS
Get PDFPrevalence of malnutrition in children in India is high due to poorcomplementary feeding practices. Every third child in India is suffering from malnutrition. Anattempt was made to formulate low cost, nutritive complementary food using soya bean, wheat,apple, sweet potato and carrot. The blend prepared was evaluated for their physical andchemical analysis. According to the sensory evaluation data, WF3 was scored higher onaverage by the panelist in terms of the taste, consistency, color and overall acceptability.Standard methods were used for the chemical analysis, the ash and moisture content of theprepared blend was 6.519g and 0.33%, protein, calcium, carbohydrate, β carotene, iron, fat,fiber and vit C was 10.67g, 6.48mg, 46.25g, 687.06mg, 5.281mg, 2.329g, 3.88mg and 6.48mgrespectively which was able to meet the recommended dietary allowances of infants. The blendwas found rich in protein, calcium, energy and β carotene. Therefore result suggests that theweaning food is a potential tool for eliminating the protein energy malnutrition among thechildren which provides sufficient energy with good proteins, calcium and β carotene inadequate levels through a cost effective way than conventional staple cereals flour mixture
Performance Characteristics of a Coconut Dehusking Machine
Get PDFA coconut dehusking machine was developed and evaluated in terms of dehusking performance. The model consists of different component assembly parts such as speed reduction, transmission, coconut base, dehusking blade, frame, and control system. It is powered by a 7.5 hp gasoline engine and with an average output capacity of 240 coconut per hour. Its salient features which give it an edge over other existing machines in attaining effective dehusking are as follows: 1) a dehusking blade with cutting tooth and blade side face angle, 2) movable coconut base assembly, 3) ability to remove husks starting at the basal portion, which is the softest part of the coconut, and 4) operable by a single person. The cutting tooth initiates the initial penetration of the blades while the side face angle can assist better piercing or shearing action on the coconut husks. The coconut base can be moved upward or downward and can accommodate different coconut sizes. The effects of different factors which include the machine’s crankshaft speed, coconut size, and blade side angle on the response variables were investigated. Response Surface Regression (RSReg) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were used to determine the effect of the treatment factors and optimum performance of the machine; respectively. Fifteen (15) experimental runs using Box and Behnken design with three level-incomplete factorial designs were conducted. The different dependent variables studied consisted of force and power requirement, dehusking time, dehusking capacity, percent coconut shell damage, and dehusking efficiency. Results revealed that variation on the levels of treatment factors significantly affect the response variables except percent coconut shell damage. Data obtained from the response variables mostly fit the linear, cross product, and quadratic regression models. The superimposed contour plots of different factors generated an optimum region and yielded a dehusking performance with force requirement of 109.59 N, power consumption of 6.41kW, dehusking time of 3.34 minutes, dehusking rate of 4 nuts per minute and dehusking efficiency of 85.23 %. Moreover, results of the verification tests indicated that the actual values of responses were relatively close to the predicted values.  
Comprehensive Study of Different Renewable Energy Resources such as Hydro Energy, Solar Energy and Wind Energy
Get PDFDepletion of fossil fuel resources is the main cause of hike in fossil fuel price which lead to concern foralternate resources of energy such as nuclear energy, renewable energy resources but Fukushima Daiichi accident was aturning point in the call for renewable energy. Now it is considered that renewable energy resources are more desirablesource of fuel than nuclear power due to the absence of risk and disasters. In order to meet challenges, future energypolicies should put more emphasis on developing the potential of energy sources, which include hydro energy, solar energybiofuel energy, wind energy all these comes under renewable energy resources. By replacing fossil fuels with renewableenergy sources Co2 emission in environment can be reduced which is the main factor for greenhouse gas effect. In thispaper, the alternative resources of renewable energy are studies