Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Management Practices to Mitigate Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize: A Review
No full textProblem Statement: Aflatoxin contamination in maize, predominantly caused by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, poses a severe threat to global food security, public health, and trade. Chronic exposure contributes to liver cancer, immune suppression, and child growth impairment, while acute intoxication can be fatal. Despite decades of research, effective large-scale control remains a persistent challenge in many maize-producing regions.
Aim: This review examines the causes, health implications, and management strategies for aflatoxin contamination in maize, with emphasis on integrated approaches for safe and sustainable mitigation.
Methodology: Literature was systematically analyzed to evaluate the epidemiology of aflatoxin contamination, pre- and post-harvest risk factors, and the effectiveness of biological, cultural, chemical, agronomic, and genetic control measures. Recent innovations, including molecular breeding, microbial biocontrol, and improved storage technologies, were also critically assessed.
Results: Evidence indicates that aflatoxin contamination is influenced by environmental stress, poor agronomic practices, and inadequate post-harvest handling. Chronic exposure poses severe health risks, while contamination significantly undermines grain quality, farmer income, and trade competitiveness. Integrated management strategies—particularly the use of resistant maize varieties, atoxigenic Aspergillus strains, good agricultural practices, hermetic storage, and targeted chemical interventions—have demonstrated up to 70–90% reduction in aflatoxin levels. However, adoption remains limited due to socioeconomic barriers, variable field conditions, and lack of farmer awareness.
Conclusion: Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a global food security and public health challenge that requires a holistic farm-to-market approach. Sustainable solutions depend on integrating scientific innovation with farmer education, stakeholder collaboration, and policy support. Widespread implementation of integrated management strategies can enhance food safety, protect human health, and improve the marketability of maize in both domestic and international markets
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Using Chemical Fertilizer and Combined Organic Sources on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
No full textOkra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), commonly known as bhendi, is a high-value vegetable crop whose productivity often relies heavily on chemical fertilization. However, excessive use of synthetic fertilizers threatens soil fertility and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) strategies involving the partial substitution of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF) with combined organic manures to achieve sustainable okra production.
The experiment was conducted under a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with six treatments and three replications, comprising T1 (Control), T2 (100% RDF), T3 (50% RDF + FYM), T4 (50% RDF + VC), T5 (50% RDF + FYM + VC), and T6 (75% RDF + FYM + VC + Banana Peel and Eggshell Mixture). Growth and yield parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed using ANOVA followed by the Critical Difference (CD) test at P ≤ 0.05.
Results revealed that the integrated application of chemical and organic sources significantly improved both vegetative growth and yield performance. The T6 treatment achieved the highest pod yield of 18.9 t ha⁻¹, which was approximately 40% higher than the full 100% RDF (13.5 t ha⁻¹) and more than double that of the unfertilized control (8.2 t ha⁻¹). T6 also recorded maximum plant height (135.2 cm) and number of leaves (28.5 per plant). The superior performance of T6 highlights the synergistic effect of combining FYM, vermicompost, and nutrient-rich organic residues with reduced chemical inputs.
In conclusion, adopting a 75% RDF base supplemented with FYM, Vermicompost, and a Banana Peel + Eggshell Mixture offers a practical, cost-effective, and eco-friendly nutrient management strategy for maximizing okra yield while conserving soil health and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers
Assessment of Herbicidal Mixtures for Effective Weed Management in Blackgram under Irrigated Conditions of Pudukkottai District
No full textAn On Farm Trial was conducted to assess the herbicide for effective weed management in irrigated black gram in Pudukkottai district during the year 2022-2023 through ICAR-Krishi Vighyan Kendra, Vamban, Pudukkottai. Five farmer’s fields were selected in the Mangalakoil village of Karambakudi block. The technological options adopted in the On Farm Trial were TO1: EPOE application of quizalofop ethyl @ 50 g a.i/ha and imazethapyr @ 50 g a.i /ha on 15 – 20 DAS, TO2: Sodium Acifluorfen 16.5% + Clodinafop- Propargyl 8% EC (ready mix) at 1000 ml/ha and Farmers practice: Two hand weeding on 15 and 30 DAS. Herbicide dose was calculated and were applied as per the treatment schedule in the farmer’s field and observation on weed density was taken at periodical intervals. Weed dry weight and weed control efficiency were calculated. Outside the OFT plots, un weeded control plot was maintained for taking observation on weed count and to calculate weed control efficiency. During the cropping period one off campus training at Mankalokoil village was conducted to enrich the knowledge among farmers on the use of early post emergence herbicide for the control on weeds and critical technologies to be followed in blackgram. From the average yield obtained and economics worked out, it was concluded that Early post emergence application of Sodium Acifluorfen 16.5% + Clodinafop- Propargyl 8% EC (ready mix) at 1000 ml/ha is recommended to the farmers of Pudukkottai for the control of broad spectrum of weeds with higher yield and economic returns in blackgram
Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
No full textThe study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus, in May, 2022 to February, 2023 cropping seasons to examine the effect of organic fertilizers namely: Decomposed Fluted Pumpkin pod (DFPP), oil palm Bunch Ash (OPBA) and poultry Manure (PM) on the growth and yield performance of Garlic. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete Block Design with four treatments replicated three times.
The growth and yield Parameters were number of leaves, length of leaves, plant height, number of Cloves, weight of fresh bulb, bulb diameter and bulb length. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed that the four treatment differed slightly in number of leaves across the growth period and their mean differences were not significant (p<0.05). DFPP produced the longest leaves (62.76cm) at 6 WAP, followed by OPBA (59.07cm), while control had the least value (57.97cm) and their differences was significant (p<0.05). The mean height of Garlic plant obtained from the Four treatments differed significantly (p<0.05) from the initial growth period with DEPP producing the tallest plant (58.27cm) at 4 WAP, while OPBA had the least (53.81cm). The yield parameters obtained, PM had the highest fresh weight of Garlic (19.94g) followed by DFPP (13.62g) and OPBA (13.32g), while the control had the least (8.28g) and their difference was significant. DFPP recorded the highest bulb diameter (3.14cm) significantly different (p<0.05) from PM, OPBA and control with 3.02cm, 2.76cm and 2.74cm respectively. PM recorded the highest number of cloves (5.33), while DFPP, OPBA and control recorded 5.00 and their difference were not significant (p<0.05). PM, also had the highest bulb length (3.88cm), while control had the least (3.51cm). Therefore, combined application of DFPP and PM is highly recommended to maintain high yield of crop in the study area
Mathematical Modeling of Host-Parasitoid Dynamics for Sustainable Pest Management
No full textAims: The management of agricultural pest populations represents a critical challenge in sustainable crop production, particularly for challenging species like the tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera. The research work aimed in developing and analysing a novel mathematical model describing the interaction between the tomato fruit borer and its egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. The main objective of this study to analyze the stability of the proposed system of differential equations.
Model Formulation: The model incorporates stage-structured population dynamics and impulsive control measures, providing insights into biological pest control strategies. In this model the tomato borer is represented by the egg and larval stages, and the parasitoid is considered in terms of the parasitized eggs. This model assumes uniform spatial distribution of both host and parasitoid populations, constant environmental conditions affecting parameters like reproduction and mortality rates, and idealized parasitoid release conditions where the released amount p remains consistent across interventions.
Methodology: We used existing secondary data from research articles\u27 instead of conducting primary field experiments for parameter identification for this mathematical model. The use of secondary data from peer-reviewed literature not only provides validated parameter values that have been rigorously tested and verified by multiple researchers, but also allows for the incorporation of findings from diverse geographical locations and climatic conditions.
Results: Stability analysis identified three equilibrium points: the trivial, host-only E0,coexistence equilibria E1, and E2. The coexistence equilibirium E2 found to be locally stable under optimal parasitoid release intervals and quantities. The equilibrium point E2= (9.14,0.02,5.71) represents a coexistence state in the host-parasitoid dynamics, where the tomato fruit borer\u27s egg density stabilizes at 9.14, the density of parasitized eggs at 0.02, and the larval density stabilizes at 5.71. This equilibrium is analyzed through its associated eigenvalues. This stability provides a reliable basis for implementing successful biological pest control strategies in tomato cultivation, ensuring a resilient and sustainable ecosystem
Climate-Smart Agriculture: AI-Based Solutions for Enhancing Crop Resilience and Reducing Environmental Impact
No full textClimate change poses significant challenges to global food security, necessitating the use of AI-based climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies to improve crop resilience, reduce environmental impact, and optimize resource use. AI-based interventions can reduce carbon emissions by 30–50% and boost agricultural productivity by up to 25%. Machine learning approaches can forecast crop yields with 90% accuracy, facilitating climate adaptation. AI insect surveillance can reduce pesticide application by 30%, and artificial irrigation systems can save up to 40% water. IoT sensors and remote sensing improve soil health monitoring and carbon sequestration practices, increasing soil organic carbon stocks by 20–35%. AI-powered predictive analytics can provide early alerts for storms, reducing agricultural losses by 15–20%. Automation and robotics can reduce post-harvest losses by up to 35%. Blockchain and AI can ensure transparency in sustainable agricultural supply chains and carbon credit markets. This blending of AI and CSA can significantly reduce climate change implications. The use of AI in smallholder agriculture faces challenges such as inflated implementation costs, reduced digital literacy, and concerns around data privacy. Fixing these issues requires economical solutions, agricultural training initiatives, localized artificial intelligence models, and legislative changes
Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens L.) as an Alternative to Failed Fallow Farming: Impacts on Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] Production in Ibadan, Nigeria
No full textCrop production continues to decline as a result of the failed fallow farming. The inclusion of nodulating leguminous low-growing plants such as Mucuna pruriens in the cropping systems can improve soil health for increased crop performance. Mucuna pruriens is underutilized in Nigeria despite its acknowledged values in agriculture. Therefore, the stand density of M. pruriens and its green manure potential on the performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) were investigated in Ibadan, Nigeria.
The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five treatments (stand density) replicated three times. The treatments were 0 (MP0), 20,000 (MP20), 62,500 (MP62.5), 137,500 (MP137.5), and 262,500 (MP262.5) stands/ha of M. pruriens. At 42 days after sowing, the ground cover of M. pruriens was determined and the plants were incorporated into the soil, allowing three weeks for decomposition. Okra seeds were sown on each of the prepared plots at a 50 × 50 cm spacing. At seven weeks after sowing data were obtained on dry weight (g), number of flowers and fruit weight (g) of okra and dry weight (g) of weeds. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at α0.05.
With the increasing density of M. pruriens, its cover increased, the field cover of other weed species decreased and the fruit weight of okra increased. The cover of M. pruriens under only MP262.5 (4.07 hits) was significantly higher than the control (0.00 hits). The dry weight of weeds in MP20 (200.8), MP62.5 (154.1), MP137.5 (86.1), and MP262.5 (49.2) treatments were significantly lower than control (429.0). The fruit weight of okra in MP137.5 (15.50) and MP262.5 (18.8) treatments was significantly higher than control (3.99).
Mucuna pruriens stands at a density of 262,500 stands/ha is the appropriate density to attain optimal cover for weed management on the field. Additionally, M. pruriens can be used as green manure to increase okra fruit yield
Effect of Foliar Application of Nano Urea on Growth and Flowering of Rose cv. Gladiator
No full textThe present experiment was carried out at Instructional Unit, College of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), in the Rabi seasons of the year 2022-23 and 2023-24 under open field conditions using Randomized Block Design with seven treatments and three replications to find out the effect of nano urea on growth and flowering of rose cv. Gladiator. The pooled results revealed that treatment T1- recommended dose of fertilizer (40:20:40 g NPK/plant) gave maximum increase in plant height (39.86 cm), maximum increase in plant spread (1544.13 cm2) and number of flowering shoots per plant (19.89), but found at par with treatment T7- 75 percent recommended dose of nitrogen + 3 spray nano urea (4 ml/l). All the parameters were found lowest in treatment T2- 75 percent recommended dose of nitrogen + 2 spray nano urea (2 ml/l). Maximum stem diameter (1.89 cm) was recorded with treatment T7 followed by treatment T6- 75 percent recommended dose of nitrogen + 3 spray nano urea (3 ml/l). Flowering parameters viz., days taken for flower bud appearance after pruning and flowering after pruning remained non-significant by application of different treatments
Influence of Graded Doses of Coffee Biochar on the Growth of Arabica Coffee Seedling
No full textBiochar is a porous and carbon-rich product obtained from the thermal disintegration of solid agricultural waste biomasses in an oxygen-limited atmosphere. In recent years, the subject of biochar has increasingly become popular worldwide due to its potential to improve soil fertility and several studies have demonstrated the benefits of soil application of biochar in various crops. However, reports on the application of biochar in coffee farming are rather very limited. Thus, a study was undertaken to assess the influence of biochar application on the growth of arabica coffee seedlings, specifically in terms of shoot length, root length, fresh shoot biomass, fresh root biomass, dry shoot biomass, and dry root biomass. In the present study, biochar obtained from coffee cherry husk (a waste biomass obtained while dehusking cherry coffee) was used for the nursery trial. The biochar produced using an electric biomass pyrolyzer at 500°C for one hour was incorporated into the nursery potting medium (NPM). The experiment consisted of six treatments: T0 (standard NPM-control), T1 (standard NPM+1% biochar), T2 (standard NPM+2% biochar), T3 (standard NPM+3% biochar), T4 (standard NPM+4% biochar) and T5 (standard NPM+5% biochar). The treatments were imposed in a completely randomized design with five replications per treatment and fifty seedlings per replication. The results indicated that the growth of arabica coffee seedlings was found to be superior in T3 (potting medium with 3% biochar) and T4 (potting medium with 4% biochar) as compared to other treatments (T0, T1, T2, T5). Further, the availability of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) was found to be higher in biochar-treated soil when compared to soil from the control treatment (T0). These findings suggest that biochar at the rate of 3% to 4% improves the growth of arabica coffee seedlings by modifying the physicochemical properties of soil, as evidenced by the changes in the pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content and nutrient status
Effect of Organic Manure and Organic Foliar Spray on the Growth of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cv. Konkan Halad-1 Raised by Protray Seedling Method
No full textThe present investigation was conducted at No. 4 Nursery, College of Horticulture, Dapoli. Dist. Ratnagiri (M.S.) during the academic year 2024-25. The treatment has sixteen combinations and two replications. These combinations include four organic levels viz. M0- Control (RDF- 200:50:150 kg/ha) M1-Vermicompost @ 10t/ha, M2-FYM @ 20t/ha, M3-Neem cake @ 2t/ha and four organic foliar spray viz. S0-No spray, S1-Jeevamrut @ 10%, S2-Cattle urine @ 10% and S3-Vermiwash @ 10%. The treatment of vermicompost @ 10 t/ha recorded superior over the other manures in respect of all growth parameters viz. plant height (150.82 cm), number of tillers (3.27), leaf length (68.38 cm), leaf width (20.11 cm) and number of leaves (14.69). The treatment of cattle urine @ 10% recorded superior over the other organic foliar spray in respect of all growth parameters viz. plant height (149.84 cm), number of tillers (3.27), leaf length (67.63 cm), leaf width (20.06 cm) and number of leaves (14.67). The treatment combination of vermicompost @ 10 t/ha along with cattle urine @ 10% recorded significant superiority over the other combinations in respect of all growth parameters viz. plant height (166.99 cm), number of tillers (3.52), leaf length (72.26 cm), leaf width (21.56 cm) and number of leaves (15.08)