Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Evaluating the Climate Change Trends and Spatiotemporal Variations of Evapotranspiration: A Case Study in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt
No full textAims: Evapotranspiration (ET) is crucial for determining crop water requirements, while climate change and global warming are major concerns. Therefore, in this study, we aimed at evaluating the climate change trends and the spatiotemporal variations in ET in a selected area located in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, while accounting for potential land use/land cover (LULC) changes.
Methodology: We analyzed three Landsat images acquired in 1984, 2001, and 2020 to assess LULC changes in the study area. Climate change was studied from 1984 to 2021 using data from NASA\u27s Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resource (POWER) project. We also used the Terra MODIS MOD16A3GF Version 6.1 ET product from 2000 to 2021 to evaluate the spatiotemporal variations of ET.
Results: LULC change detection showed that the unchanged agricultural area from 1984 to 2020 accounted for 29.3% of the study area and was used to evaluate the changes of ET. Evaluating climate change revealed that there was an increased trend in temperature, relative humidity (RH), and precipitation, while no change was observed in wind speed. Similarly, the anomalies changes of temperature, RH, and precipitation had an increasing trend while wind speed was constant. On the other hand, the yearly ET values calculated from 2000 to 2021 had an increasing trend. There was a moderate correlation between RH and precipitation, as well as between ET and precipitation.
Conclusion: The increased trends in climatic parameters such as temperature will eventually require changes in crop patterns to adjust to these changes and maintain a profitable yield. Furthermore, the increase in ET will result in an increase in crop water requirements, which is problematic, especially considering the limited water resources in Egypt
Salicylic Acid with Humic Acid Addition as Potential Hallmarks for Alleviating Drought Stress in Maize Crop and Enhancing Soil Health
No full textClimate change is the biggest concern to the human kind and threat to agri-food security. Deficiency of water in soil and the ability of plants to uptake water is slowed down due rising temperature and microbial imbalance in soil. Salicylic acid plays an important role in mitigating drought stress and improves the overall production of crop. Humic acid is another amendment to cope against water stress and optimizes the yield. Apart from that, there is little known about their impact on soil geochemistry and that how soil health is altered.
To investigate the effect of salicylic acid and humic acid on the drought experiment was conducted at University Research Farm (URF), PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi during summer 2023. The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design in two factorial arrangements with four replications. The first factor was comprised of mitigation strategies; salicylic acid, humic acid and chemical fertilizer, while second factor was water regimes; water stress and irrigation maintaining 60% field capacity.
Plant attributes including chlorophyll content (SPAD value), total soluble protein content (mg/g), total free amino acid (mg/g), K+ content (mg/g), Na+ content (mg/g), 1000 grain weight (g) and grain yield (kg/ha) were measured and reported. On the other hand, soil parameters that were estimated are: soil pH, soil organic matter content (%), available N (ppm), available P (ppm), available K (ppm) and cation exchange capacity (cmol/kg).
According to the data analysis, all of the features under study had a substantial impact from the mitigation approaches. The increased value of chlorophyll content (49.11 mg/g) was obtained in water stressed condition by the application of salicylic acid. Under water stressed regime and salicylic acid boosted the total soluble protein content (1.67 mg/g) and total free amino acid (31.93 mg/g) while grain yield (9451.7 kg/ha) was also boosted up by the amendment salicylic acid in maize. There was also increase in the values of soil pH (6.78), CEC (54.37 cmol/kg), SOM content (0.87%), available N (3.24 ppm), available P (26.14 ppm) and available K (211.23 ppm) drought conditions with the implementation of salicylic acid.
Humic acid also positively impacted the drought stress and improved the maize yield (8436.2 kg/ha) under drought condition. Similarly, soil nutrient retention is also improved to large extent under water stress state; SOM content (0.49%), available N (2.36 ppm), available P (15.67 ppm) and available K (171.94 ppm).
Overall, the study showed that amendment of salicylic acid and humic acid, is the greatest strategy to increase crop production and quality while also improving the health of the soil
Scale Construction to Measure the Attitude of Farmers towards Agricultural Diversification
No full textAttitude plays an important role in persuasion of one’s behaviour in respect to a particular psychological object. The attitude of farmers’ may influence their decision to adopt different practices to diversify their farms. Therefore, the investigation was carried out to expand a reliable and suitable mechanism to measure the farmers’ attitude towards Agricultural Diversification in their areas. The “Likert’s summated rating approach” was followed for a step by step procedure of developing uniform attitude degree. A total 67 statements reflecting belief of the farmers towards agricultural diversification were collected and out of which, 50 statements were retained after editing. The statements were sent to eighty Judges to judge its proper relevancy. Based on the relevancy test of 50 statements, only 35 statements were selected. The 18 statements were retained after the‘t’ test where 11 were positive and 7 were negative statements. The reliability of the scale was confirmed by the use of split half method while validity was studied by content validity. The reliability coefficient was found to be 0.82 which showed the reliability of the scale. Therefore other academicians and researchers can be using this identical magnitude with or without modifications to measure attitude of farmers headed for Agricultural Diversification
Impact of Different Substrates on Growth and Yield of Schizophyllum commune Fr.
No full textSchizophyllum communeFr. is an edible medicinal mushroom also known as white rot fungus that develops naturally on dead woods which belongs to the phylumBasidiomycota, order Agaricales, family Schizophyllaceae.To find out most suitable growing substrates, mushroom was cultivated on 6 locally available substrates including different saw dust i.e.Babool (Vachellianilotica),Bija (Petrocarpus marsupium),Sal (Shorea robusta),Sagwan (Tectona grandis) and different strawi.e. Paddy straw(PS) and Wheat straw(WS). Among the different substrates,on an average,WS took shortest time for mycelial run (6.50 days), longest time(8.62 days) taken by Bija (P. marsupium). Pinhead initiation was fastest (8.50 days) in WS while, Bija (P. marsupium)took more time period(10.62 days) for pinhead initiation. The Maximum yield was obtained from WS (148.37gm) with biological efficiency (29.6%) followed by PS(116.12 gm) with biological efficiency (23.2%). The lowest yield was obtained from saw dust of Bija (P. marsupium)(60.50gm) with biological efficiency (10.40%).There was significant difference in yield when supplement (wheat bran)was mixed with substrates, however there was no significant difference observed in mycelial run and pinhead initiation
Effect of Different Shading Color on Growth and Yield Performance of (Black Ginger) Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker
No full textA study was conducted to investigate the impact of different shading colors on the growth and yield performance of (black ginger) Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker. The experiment was conducted in a glasshouse at MARDI Jerangau, Terengganu, from September 2022 to May 2023. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The shade treatments consisted of non-shade (T1), green shade (T2), yellow shade (T3), and red shade (T4). The results revealed that the application of colored shading significantly enhanced both the growth and yield of K. parviflora. Notably, the growth performance at the 5-month after planting (MAP) stage was crucial for rhizome yield, with any decrease in plant height potentially leading to diminished rhizome weight measurements. Among the shading colors, green shade emerged as the most effective, boosting total rhizome weight compared to non-shaded conditions. Correlation analysis between yield components demonstrated a strong positive relationship between rhizome length and rhizome weight (0.894), followed by rhizome weight and root weight (0.835). In conclusion, the study highlights the beneficial effects of colored shading on the yield components of K. parviflora, emphasizing the potential for optimized cultivation practices to enhance crop productivity
Characterization and Classifications of Soils in an Experimental Farm in the Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India
No full textIt is essential to characterize and classify soil resources in order to plan agricultural land use agroforestry, agri-horticulture and silvipastoral farming systems. In the present study, an attempt was made to characterize and classify the soils occurring on different topography in an experimental farm in Tiruvannamalai District of Tamil Nadu, India. A detailed soil survey was carried out using cadastral map. Physiographically, the area has been characterized into Pediplain shallow weathered and Pediplain moderately weathered which were further subdivided based on slope and erosion categories. Six typical pedons were identified based on landform and their soil morphological properties. The soils were very shallow to moderately deep, dark reddish brown to yellowish red (red soils) in colour with sub-angular blocky in structure, These soils were sandy loam to sandy clay loam in texture, slightly acidic to mildly alkaline (3.28-7.70) in reaction (non-saline soils) and had low to medium (1.2 to 6.4 g/kg) organic carbon content. Calcium and magnesium were the dominant exchangeable cations followed by sodium and potassium. Taxonomically these soils were classified as Typic Rhodustalfs, Typic Haplustalfs, Vertic Haplustepts and Typic Haplustepts at the subgroup level
Assessing the Impact of Abamectin and Diafenthiuron on Silkworm Larval Growth and Survival
No full textAn experiment was conducted primarily to evaluate chemicals exhibiting dual insecticidal and acaricidal properties, with a specific focus on their compatibility with silkworms and indigenous natural predators within the mulberry ecosystem, to evaluate abamectin 1.9% EC and diafenthiuron 50% WP for safety period on mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Jan-Feb and Mar-April 2023) where in the pesticides were sprayed on mulberry at different durations, after spray were fed to the silkworms from third instar onwards. There was no mortality (0.00%) of silkworm observed in the treatments during two seasons and the larval progression 100% during third, fourth and fifth instars. The total larval duration was found shortest when the silkworms were fed with mulberry leaves harvested from the plots sprayed with abamectin 1.9% EC at 0.75ml/lit (22.30 and 23.22 days) and diafenthiuron 50% WP at 1 g/lit (22.77 and 23.07 days) at 15 and 21 DAS, respectively. The larval weight was significantly maximum in the treatments with abamectin 1.9% EC at 0.75 ml/lit (4.29 and 4.08 g/larvae) and diafenthiuron 50% WP at 1 g/lit (4.17 and 4.06 g/ larvae), respectively at 15 and 21 DAS. The Effective Rate of Rearing (ERR %) was found highest with diafenthiuron 50% WP at 1 g/lit (97.78 and 96.67 % at 15 and 21 DAS) and abamectin 1.9% EC at 0.75 ml/lit (97.78 and 96.67 % at 15 and 21 DAS) that was comparable with control. The molecules, diafenthiuron 50% WP at 1 g/lit and abamectin 1.9% EC at 0.75 ml/lit were found safer to silkworms at 15 and 21 DAS in terms of survival and larval growth
Detection of Seed Mycoflora Associated with Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) by Various Seed Health Testing Methods
No full textIndia is one of the major oilseed crops grower. Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an important oilseed crop second after groundnut. Mustard is majorly grown in India which carry many seedborne diseases which causes not only seed rot, seedling blight but also reduction in quality of seed parameters which results qualitative and quantitative yield losses. In standard agar plate seed germination per centage ranged from 78.50 to 85.00% and in Modified PDA method ranged from 70.00 to 78.00%. In standard agar plate and Modified PDA method highest per cent of infected seed was observed in Pusa bold 74.25% and 64.50%, respectively. In two seed health testing methods (SHT) were evaluated standard agar plate show higher seed mycoflora than modified PDA method. All two methods were found effective and reliable for the detection of seedborne fungi such as Alternaria brassicae, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia solani, Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus stolonifer isolated from mustard seeds of varieties Krishna, Kranti, Local and Pusa bold
Analysis of Constraints Faced in the Bt Cotton Seed Market in Devbhumi Dwarka District
No full textThis study provides an in-depth analysis of the constraints affecting the Bt cotton seed market for farmers and dealers in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat. Although Bt cotton has revolutionized cotton production by increasing yield and reducing pesticide use, numerous challenges persist in seed acquisition and sales. This research investigates constraints related to seed availability, pricing, demand-supply gaps, and competition. Data were collected through structured interviews with 120 farmers and 20 dealers and analyzed using Garrett\u27s ranking method to prioritize the constraints. Results indicate that limited availability of preferred seed brands, high prices, and untimely supply are the primary issues for farmers. Dealers face challenges, including inventory shortages due to demand-supply gaps, high competition, and credit sales pressures. This paper suggests strategies to streamline the seed distribution process and alleviate the constraints faced by stakeholders in the Bt cotton seed market
Erodibility Prioritization and Mapping of a Mid Himalayan Watershed Using Technique of Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)
No full textThe productivity of soils is drastically affected owing to soil erosion in human activities in the decline of the Western Nayar watershed situated in the Pauri district of Uttarakhand. Therefore, evaluation of these erodible areas is of utmost importance so that the preventive measures can be taken accordingly. It assessed the sub-basins in the basin using morphometric parameters and several multi- criteria decision-making models, such as Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Utilizing Advanced Space Thermal Emission Radiometer (ASTER) data and a 30 m Digital Elevation Model (DEM), morphometric parameters were extracted and analyzed. To test the MCDM methods, percent and intensity of change indices were adopted. The ranking results were such that sub-watershed 2 was ranked at top as the most susceptible to erosion for TOPSIS model,In general, the morphometric parameters were effective for identifying erosion-prone areas