Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Impact of Kinnow Production on the Socio-economic Conditions of Farmers in the Agra Region
No full textThe cultivation of Kinnow, a hybrid mandarin fruit, in the Agra region has significantly impacted the socio-economic conditions of local farmers. This study examines the effects of Kinnow production on farmer livelihoods in 10 selected villages within the Agra district. Data collected from 100 Kinnow-growing farmers revealed that the crop contributes substantially to income generation, improving the financial stability of farmers. Factors such as landholding size, access to credit, and market linkages influence the profitability of Kinnow orchards. Despite challenges like market fluctuations and environmental conditions, the introduction of Kinnow has provided an alternative source of income for farmers in a semi-arid region. Additionally, this study outlines the costs involved in establishing and maintaining Kinnow orchards, highlighting the initial high investments required, followed by a significant return as orchards mature. The findings suggest that Kinnow production is a viable and profitable agricultural enterprise that can contribute to both economic growth and social development in the region
Carbon Sequestration in a Changing Climate: Management Techniques and Strategic Solutions
No full textCarbon sequestration in agriculture plays a critical role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in soil and biomass. This process involves various strategies and management practices aimed at enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) levels while maintaining or improving agricultural productivity. Key strategies include no-tillage or reduced tillage, which minimizes soil disturbance and promotes residue retention, thus slowing down decomposition and enhancing carbon storage. Crop rotation and the use of cover crops further contribute to carbon sequestration by diversifying root structures and improving soil health. Organic farming practices, such as applying farmyard manure and compost, provide essential organic matter that enriches soil quality and increases carbon retention. Additionally, the incorporation of deep-rooted plants and biochar enhances carbon storage in deeper soil layers, making them more resilient to climate variability. The integration of these practices not only sequesters carbon but also improves soil fertility, water retention, and overall ecosystem health.
Effective management of carbon sequestration in agricultural systems requires a holistic approach that considers local conditions, crop diversity, and sustainable land use practices. By adopting these strategies, agriculture can become a significant carbon sink, contributing to global efforts to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability
Effect of Feed Supplementation of Shatavari Root Powder (Asparagus racemosus) on Growth Performance of Broiler in Konkan Region
No full textThe present study aimed to highlights the effect of feed supplementation of Shatavari root powder (Asparagus racemosus) on growth performance of broiler in Konkan region. A substantial portion of the production expenses is attributed to the cost of feed and in a developing country like India, the supply of quality and affordable feed has been inconsistent. To enhance the overall productivity of poultry birds, it is imperative to maintain a reliable source of low-cost feed. The experimental trial of six weeks was undertaken for total 200-day old broiler chicks. They were randomly distributed into five experimental diets. Each treatment group was replicated into four with 10 birds per replicate. The control (T0) group was fed standard ration and T1, T2, T3, and T4 group were provided same standard ration supplemented with 5.00, 10.00 , 15.00 and 20.00 g /kg Shatavari root powder, respectively. Result of experiment showed that supplementation of Shatavari root powder was significantly highest live body weight in treatment T2 (1852.50 g/bird) as well as average live weight gain (264.64 g/bird). It is concluded that, 10.00 g of Shatavari root powder significantly improved growth performance than other treatments groups
Addressing Climate Change: The Role of Agriculture in Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
No full textAgriculture is a cornerstone of global food security, which is significantly affected by climate change, primarily driven by human activities that increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Accounting for approximately 13% of global anthropogenic GHG emissions, agricultural practices-such as livestock rearing, rice cultivation and synthetic fertilizer use which contribute substantially to global warming. Emissions from nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) exacerbate this issue, with N₂O being particularly concerning due to its high global warming potential. Mitigation strategies within the agricultural sector are essential, including improved nutrient management, the use of nitrification inhibitors and innovative fertilizer application technologies. Organic farming demonstrates lower N₂O emissions compared to conventional practices, emphasizing the importance of sustainable agricultural methods. Additionally, conservation tillage and practices like zero-tillage help reduce CO₂ emissions by minimizing soil disturbance and enhancing carbon sequestration. Biochar application further supports soil health and GHG reduction by enhancing carbon storage. To mitigate methane emissions from rice fields, reduced tillage and the introduction of electron acceptors can effectively inhibit methanogenesis. As CO₂ constitutes about 72% of total GHG emissions, agricultural practices that increase soil organic carbon (SOC) are critical for effective carbon sequestration. Overall, the agricultural sector holds significant potential for GHG mitigation, with studies suggesting that 89% of the mitigation potential can be achieved through carbon sequestration. Therefore, adopting these strategies is crucial not only for reducing emissions but also for ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity in the face of climate change challenges
Socio-economic Characteristics, Resource Utilization and Production Challenges Faced by Cocoyam Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria
No full textThis study examines the socio-economic characteristics, resource utilization, and production challenges faced by cocoyam farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives include describing the socio-economic profile of cocoyam farmers, analyzing the influence of inputs on cocoyam output, estimating resource use efficiency, and identifying the primary constraints in cocoyam production. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, beginning with the purposive selection of five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Enugu State—Nsukka, Udi, Igbo Etiti, Nkanu East, and Ezeagu—known for cocoyam cultivation. Random sampling was subsequently used to select five communities within each LGA, followed by a simple random sampling of 100 cocoyam farmers, ensuring a representative sample. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, production function analysis, and ranking with mean score analysis. Findings reveal that socio-economic factors such as age, gender, and education significantly shape cocoyam farming practices. Production function analysis indicates that inputs like herbicides (t-value = 36.487) and seed (t-value = 3.261) have a strong positive influence on output. Additionally, the study identifies inadequate credit facilities as the most critical constraint, with a mean score of 3.37. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve resource access and enhance productivity among cocoyam farmers in Enugu State
Innovative Approaches in Pet Food Preference Methodology: Developing a Comprehensive Assessment Framework
No full textThis report offers a comprehensive guide on the utilization of a structured performa for assessing pet food preferences and owner perceptions. Developed by the Department of Livestock Product Technology at the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, DUVASU, Mathura, the performa enables systematic data collection and robust analysis. This paper details the performa\u27s components, its application in field studies, and the methodologies for interpreting the results, thereby enhancing the rigor and depth of pet food research. Through this guide, researchers can achieve more accurate insights into pet food preferences, leading to improved nutritional products and informed decision-making in the pet food industry
Characterization of Agroathelia rolfsii Causing Fruit Rot Disease in Jackfruit
No full textSymptoms of characteristic rot was observed on jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus) of Thrissur district in Kerala. This study investigates, the symptomatology, pathogenicity and identification of the causal organism for fruit rot disease. The isolation of fungal sample was obtained from Thrissur district during the month of November 2023. The isolated fungus was successfully grown on potato dextrose agar medium and was characterized. Based on its cultural, morphological traits and molecular characterization, the fungus was identified as Agroathelia rolfsii (teleomorph: Athelia rolfsii, anamorph: Sclerotium rolfsii). In the molecular characterization by amplifying internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using the ITS1 and ITS4 primer pair, the isolate TK2 showed high per cent identity of 99.35 per cent and query coverage 100 per cent with Agroathelia rolfsii in blastN search. Phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) genes played a key role in confirming the species identity. Athelia rolfsii has been reported for the first time to cause fruit rot disease on jackfruit, from Thiruvananthapuram by Sajeena et al. [1]. This study reports the infection of Agroathelia rolfsii, on jackfruit from Thrissur district. These soil-borne pathogen can spread easily and stay dormant in soil in the form of sclerotium for long time, hence it is essential to improve the management strategies and prevent its spread to other crops, for that further studies need to be conducted. This study was conducted at Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala between November 2023 and June 2024
Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Pod Yield and Its Related Traits in F3 Populations of Spanish Bunch Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
No full textThe present investigation was carried out to estimate the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for pod yield and its related traits in F3 generation of four different crosses of Spanish bunch groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) at Main Oilseeds Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. The mean squares due to crosses were significant for all the characters suggesting presence of large amount of genetic variability in the material studied. The analysis of variance due to progenies within crosses were significant for most of the characters except oil content (%) in all four crosses. Wide range of variation was maximum for number of immature pods per plant, number of mature pods per plant, pod yield per plant, biological yield per plant, kernel yield per plant and 100-mature kernel weight in all four crosses. The PCV and GCV values were low to moderate for all four crosses except for number of immature pods per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was registered for number of mature pods per plant, number of immature pods per plant, biological yield per plant and harvest index in AK-335 × ICGV-171024. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was registered for number of primary branches per plant, number of mature pods per plant, number of immature pods per plant, pod yield per plant, biological yield per plant and kernel yield per plant in GG-35 × ICGV-06141. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was registered for number of immature pods per plant, kernel yield per plant and 100-mature kernel weight in TPG-41 × TCGS-1694. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was registered for number of primary branches per plant, number of immature pods per plant, biological yield per plant and harvest index in ICGV-171013 × TG-90 indicating that additive gene effects governed these characters and could be chosen as selection criteria for formulating breeding strategies in groundnut
Incidence of Alternaria Fruit Rot as a Latent Postharvest Disease in Guava (Psidium guajava L.) in Kerala
No full textA purposive random sampling survey was conducted to study the incidence of latent pathogens associated with postharvest losses in guava sourced from markets and homesteads of Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala during 2024. Fruits at mature green stage were collected, surface sterilized and incubated at room temperature for symptom development. After three to five days of incubation, few of the fruits collected from Thrissur district started development of dry brown lesions. The disease developed under high humidity and temperature between 30 and 35 °C. Four isolates of Alternaria sp. were isolated from the fruits. The highest disease incidence recorded was 75 % from Vettikkal while the highest severity of 20 % was recorded in fruits collected from Shakthan Market. The isolated pathogen appeared white to grey coloured, submerged to aerial mycelia which showed uniform and zonal growth at regular intervals. The isolates exhibited an average growth rate of 0.6-0.9 cm per day. The hyphae were brown-coloured, septate with straight or curved, geniculate, pale brown conidiophores bearing a branched chain of conidia. The conidia were brown, obclavate in shape with 3-4 transverse and 1-2 longitudinal septa having average size of 22.08 to 29.53 × 7.85 to 12.54 µm. Molecular characterization using ITS primers followed by sequence analysis in the NCBI database, identified the pathogen as Alternaria alternata
Economic Analysis of kharif Vegetable Cultivation in Palghar District of Maharashtra State, India
No full textThe study was undertaken with the specific objective to workout costs, returns and profitability in vegetables production of a sample of 90 vegetable cultivators of three tahsil of Palghar viz. Vasai, Palghar and Dahanu during 2023.Simple statistical tools such as arithmetic mean, average, percentage, ratios and frequency distribution were worked out. For working out cost of production, standard cost concepts viz., cost-A1, cost-A2 cost-B1, cost-B2, cost-C1, cost-C2, cost-C3 were used. The cost of cultivation of kharif brinjal, okra, cowpea, tomato, cucumber, bottle gourd and bitter gourd was Rs.130880, Rs.172317, Rs.74835, Rs.145956, Rs.166815, Rs.220387and Rs.209361for respectively. The gross returns obtained from kharif brinjal, okra, cowpea, tomato, cucumber, bottle gourd and bitter gourd was Rs.141240, Rs.271560, Rs.77532, Rs.280280, Rs.227850, Rs.337506 and Rs.345345 respectively. The benefit-cost ratio for kharif brinjal, okra, cowpea, tomato, cucumber, bottle gourd and bitter gourd was 1.08, 1.58, 1.04, 1.92, 1.37, 1.53 and 1.65 respectively. The promising benefit-cost ratios indicate a favorable environment for vegetable farming in Palghar, suggesting that with strategic crop selection and enhanced agricultural practices, the future of vegetable cultivation in the region is likely to be both profitable and sustainable