Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Assessment of the Nutritional Value of Spontaneous Leafy Vegetables of Interest from the Marahoué (Côte D\u27ivoire) Region and Their Traditional Home Made Sauces
No full textLocal plant resources with high nutritional potential including wild leafy vegetables are an essential link in strategies to promote food security for low-income populations. However, little attention is paid to them, even in localities where their consumption is limited to the lean season. Thus, the evaluation of the nutritional contribution of five major spontaneous leafy vegetables (Acalypha ciliata – AC, Celosia trygina – CT, Cleome gynandra – CG, Solanum nigrum – SN, and Sesammum radiatum – SR) from the Marahoué region (Côte d\u27Ivoire) and their sauces was carried out. Biochemical properties were investigated. The five spontaneous leafy vegetables very rich in water contained carotenoids (251 for CG and 48.71 for SR), total polyphenols (5138.31 for CT and 1483.51 for SR), flavonoids (44.21 for CT and 7.86 for AC), and tannins (874.85 for CT and 356.00 for AC), in mg/100g DM, respectively in high concentrations. Protein, ash, lipid and fiber contents were similar to those of cultivated leafy vegetables. Only, the traditional method allowed a retention rate of 9.10 to 30.11% of micronutrients with antioxidant potential. The residual contents are sufficient to cover the needs of children and women. Spontaneous leafy vegetables are therefore good sources of molecules with antioxidant value to be valued in the context of the prevalence of diseases related to oxidative stress
Environmentally Friendly Agent Against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda): Antifeedant Potency of Mentha spicata Aqueous Extracts
No full textThe rising trends of insect resistance, coupled with escalating environmental pollution from synthetic pesticides, heighten the need for a more effective and, non-hazardous agents to control insect/pests. Different aqueous extracts of Mentha spicata were screened for their phytochemical constituents and their antifeedant activities against Spodoptera frugiperda. Screening of the different aqueous extracts of Mentha spicata obtained by cold maceration revealed the presence of phenolics and tannins. The concentration of phenols and tannins in the water, glycerine, and glycerine plus water (glycerine-water) extracts were significantly different (p < 0.05). Mentha spicata water extract had a greater antifeedant activity against Spodoptera frugiperda as compared to glycerine and glycerine-water (60:40, v/v) extracts at a concentration of 5g/100 mL. The estimated % antifeedant activity recorded were 97 as against 8.21 and 49.81, respectively. Aqueous neem seed water extracts gave an estimated % antifeedant activity of 93.07 and it served as a control. Saponins were absent in all extracts and only water extracts had alkaloids present. The simple, non-hazardous, and cost-saving extraction method demonstrated could be applied in both commercial and subsistent farming to counteract the damnable effects of Spodoptera frugiperda infestation
Effect of Physical Methods on Date Fruits Insects and Microbes
No full textAims: Siwi dates fruits are infected with many pests, which leads to a high deficiency in the quality and safety of dates. The study aimed to investigate the possibility of three physical methods (freezing, gamma radiation, and ozone) as suitable methods for pest control.
Study Design: Original research.
Place and Duration Study: The study was conducted in Giza, Egypt in season 2021.
Methodology: In the first method, the date fruits were frozen at -18⁰C at different times (15, 30, 60,120,180, 240,300, and 360 min). In the second method, the date fruits were exposed to gamma rays in different doses as 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 grays. In the third method, the date fruits were exposed to different ozone concentrations of 200, 400, 600, and 800 ppm at different exposure periods (1, 2, 3, and 4 hrs.).
Results: The data showed that freezing at -18⁰C for 5 hrs, radiation at a dose of 700 grays, and ozone at 800ppm for 4 hrs controlled insect stages and the microbial load of the sample date fruits, respectively.
Conclusion: The obtained data revealed that freezing or ozone treatments were the suitable methods followed by radiation
Effect and Evaluation of Zeolite and Biohumus on Biological Indicators of Irrigated Seed-gray Soils
No full textThe effect of zeolite and biohumus on the biological activity of irrigated grass-gray soils under beans of the subtropical zone was studied. It was determined that the biological activity of the irrigated grass-gray soils changes depending on the growth phase of the bean, the applied biohumus and zeolite rate. Based on complex biological indicators (activity of enzymes, the number of microorganisms, abundance of carbon dioxide released from the soil, intensity of the nitrification process, intensity of decomposition of cellulose), bio-diagnostics of irrigated meadow-gray soils were given, an integral indicator of the biological condition of the soil was determined, and a biological assessment was carried out.
The purpose of the work is to determine the effect of biohumus and zeolite on the biological activity of irrigated grass-gray soils used under the bean plant, and to conduct a biological evaluation based on complex biological indicators.
The research object is irrigated meadow-gray soils (in WRB - Irragic Calsisols) of the subtropical zone, various doses of biohumus and zeolite, small bean-mung bean (Vigna Angularis) plant. Scheme of the experiment: 1. control (without fertilizer); 2. biohumus 5 t/ha; 3. zeolite 5 t/ha (clinoptilolite); 4. biohumus 5 t/ha + zeolite 5 t/ha; 5. biohumus 7.5 t/ha; 6. zeolite 7.5 t/ha; 4. biohumus 7.5 t/ha + zeolite 7.5 t/ha.
Chemical composition of zeolite: Na2O-0.55; MgO-1.49; Al2O3-11.86; SiO2-66,0; P2O5-0.11; SO3-0.01; K2O -9.02; CaO-6.61; TiO2-0.51%; MnO-0.07; Fe2O3-3.77.
Chemical composition of biohumus: humus 16%, pH 7, total azot (N) 3.2%, total phosphorus (P) 2.6%, total potassium (K) 2%, Ca 4.3%, Mg 0.6%, Fe 0.45%, Cu 0.5%, C:N 13.
Mathematical-statistical calculation of the numbers obtained as a result of the research was carried out based on the Anova programma. The obtained results show a significant difference between the variants and compared to the control
An Economic Assessment of Production and Marketing of Winter Vegetables in Selected Char Areas of Mymensingh District
No full textThe aim of the present study was to examine the cost and return of selected winter vegetables (bitter gourd, sweet gourd and brinjal). The main objective of the study was to find out the marketing costs and margins at different marketing stages through examining the marketing system. Primary data on production and marketing costs and problems of 30 vegetables producers and 30 vegetables traders were collected by face-to-face interview method. For estimating profitability and marketing margins, mainly descriptive statistics were used in this study. Results revealed that among these three vegetables, per acre total cost of production was highest for brinjal and lowest for sweet gourd. On an average, Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was highest for brinjal (2.65) and lowest for sweet gourd (1.28). This indicates that brinjal was the most profitable vegetables in selected char areas. On the other hand, four different channels were identified in vegetables marketing system. However, the net marketing margin was highest for retailers in channel 4 for sweet gourd and lowest for faria for bitter gourd. The producers share in consumer taka was highest i.e., 65.48 percent for bitter gourd in channel 4 and price spread was lower in the same. The study also found out some production and marketing problems and constraint faced by winter vegetables producers and traders. Among them lack of capital, higher transportation cost, lack of training facilities, lack of market information, price instability etc. were main. The study also suggested some necessary measures to reduce these problems, one of which is transportation cost would be reduced by constructing a bridge over the river Brahmaputra. The bridge would also be the solution of the backwardness of char Iswardia and char Nilakshmia
Assessment of Quality of Wastewater Being Used in Irrigating Soils under Urban Agriculture in Zaria Urban Area
No full textThe cultivation of food crops in open spaces of cities in the developing world is very common but has not attracted the research attention it deserves. In most areas, the practice relies on the use of wastewater derived from urban sources (houses, industries, markets, public institutions etc) to irrigate soils along the floodplains of streams that drain an urban area. Because such wastewater may be containing some pollutants, concerns are increasingly been raised as to whether urban agriculture is not a threat to public health. There are valid reasons to be so concerned because a wastewater typically contains some pollutants like heavy metals, with tendency to cause several health problems. To ascertain this, a study was conducted to evaluate the quality of wastewater being used in irrigating soils under urban agriculture in Kubanni basin of Zaria area. The results obtained indicate that though there is a presence of As, Fe, Cr, As, Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb in wastewater being used in UPA irrigation practices in the area, their concentrations are generally below the maximum permissible limits set by Nigeria’s Federal Environmental Protection Agency for irrigation. However because of the tendency of the metals to accumulate in soils, it is expected that the metals could possibly have been accumulating in the irrigated soils and the crops being grown on them. Thus further studies are required to establish the extent to which this is so. Nonetheless, it would be worthwhile for the farmers to start some significant purification of wastewater in the area to make it safe for irrigating the soils since there are valid fears to be concerned about possibility of heavy metals build up in the soil
Carrot Productivity under Various Levels of Irrigation and Fertilization
No full textCarrot (Daucus carota L.) is normally grown under irrigation system. In Tanzania, carrot productivity is still low, mainly due to poor agronomic practices as a result of limited information on optimal levels of irrigation water that enhance crop production. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate the interactions between various irrigation levels under drip irrigation and soil-based NPK fertilizer for optimal growth, yield, and sugar content of carrots in Morogoro, Tanzania. The crop water requirement was calculated in terms of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) as the product of ETo, Kc, and the ground cover reduction factor (Kr). Soil-based fertilizer was applied at a level of 150 kg NPK ha-1, while irrigation levels applied were 100, 80, and 60% of ETc. It was found that the growth, yield, and sugar content of carrots were affected differently at various irrigation water (IW) application levels. The growth parameters of carrots improved consistently to optimum IW levels. Further, the highest yield of 33.0 tons ha-1 of carrots was obtained under 100% of IW, and the lowest yield of 18.47 tons ha-1 was obtained at 60% of IW. The 60 and 80% IW level yields did not differ significantly (p>0.05). Carrots grown at a deficit irrigation water level of 80% were found to have the highest content of sugar. Therefore, for optimal growth and yield, an irrigation level of 100% is recommended for carrots. However, for high sugar content, an irrigation level of 80% is recommended
Combined Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Seeding Rate on Regional Wheat Yield and Yield Components in Bangladesh
No full textSeed rate and nitrogen fertilization are two main critical factors that affect wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and yield. But a little knowledge on the interaction effects of these two factors in wheat cultivation under course, strong acidic nutrient deficit soil condition aimed us to conduct this research. We grew wheat at the field laboratory of the department of Agronomy and Haor Agriculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh, during crop growing period (November-March) of wheat 2021-2022 with split plot design assigning seed rate (100, 120, 140 & 160 kg ha-1) in main plot and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 120, 140, 160 & 180 kg ha-1) in sub plot. The maximum grain yield (3.0 t ha-1) was obtained at 140 kg ha-1 and 160 kg ha-1 seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization respectively. Whereas, the minimum grain yield (1.5 t ha-1) was recorded in control treatment (100 kg ha-1 seed with zero nitrogen). The highest value of the entire yield contributing parameters i.e. effective tillers plant-1 (2.9), spike length (14.7 cm), spikelet spike-1 (17.0), florets spike-1 (52.3), grain spike-1 (51.0) and 1000 seed weight (42.6 g) were recorded at 140 kg ha-1 and 160 kg ha-1 seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization respectively and the values were increased with the increase of seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization rate upto 140 kg ha-1 and 160 kg ha-1 respectively then declined. The growth parameter i.e. plant height (114.1 cm) increased with the increase of seeding rate 160 kg ha-1 and nitrogen fertilization upto 160 kg ha-1 and the minimum value (54.1 cm) was recorded at control treatment
Vacciplant and Calliete Cotreatment Synergically Induces Phenolic Compounds Production in Plantain (Musa x paradisiaca L.) and Trigger the Natural Defense Activation for Protection to Black Leaf Streak Disease
No full textAims: To evaluate the synergistic action of two elicitors or stimulators of natural plant defense, vacciplant and calliete, on the synthesis of defense metabolites and their impact on tolerance to Mycosphaerella fijiensis, causal agent of the black leaf streak disease (BLSD) in plantain (Musa x paradisiaca L.).
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Abidjan (southern Côte d\u27Ivoire) in 2019.
Methodology: The ability of plants co-treated with vacciplant+calliete to product phenolic compounds was compared to vacciplant and the control. Subsequently, the treated plants were inoculated with the pathogenic filtrate of Mycosphaerella fijiensis in order to induce the black leaf streak disease. Afterwards, the content of phenolic compounds was determined and then their analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography was performed (U-HPLC). Finally, foliar pigments were quantified to have an indication of the sanitary state of elicited and infected plants.
Results: plants treated with vacciplant and inoculated, as well as plants co-treated with vacciplant+calliete and inoculated, accumulated more phenolic compounds than the control plants. However, the phenol content of the co-treated plants (191.10 mg/g FL) was higher than that of the plants treated with vacciplant alone (142 mg/g FL). In addition, qualitative analysis by U-HPLC revealed that treated plants synthesized de novo two compounds including trans-resveratrol, a stilbene with significant antifungal activity, in plants co-treated with vacciplant+calliete. In addition, it allowed the plants to acquire a higher leaf greening state than those treated with vacciplant alone, indicating a more intense photosynthetic activity and thus a good sanitary state
Conclusion: Vacciplant+calliete has a synergistic effect on the activation of the plantain\u27s defense reactions and thus on the good tolerance to M. fijiensis, an agent of plantain BLSD
Mechanism of Antagonistic Bioagents in Controlling Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne sp.): A Review
No full textRoot-knot nematodes are among the most significant pathogenic organisms due to their global distribution, capacity for destruction, and economic importance. Antagonistic bioagents are more effective alternative to synthetic pesticides in the suppression of root-knot nematodes. Bioagents reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, which are hazardous to both humans and the environment. Despite this, some bioagents, such as fungi and bacteria have unknown mechanisms. This review discusses the nematophagous bacteria and fungi that have been discovered so far, including Pochonia, Trichoderma sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Bacillus sp., with an overview of the current advances in research regarding their molecular and biochemical control mechanisms. Biological control agents (BCAs), as valuable ecological enemies of nematode infestations, use a range of mechanisms, such as parasitism, nutrient competition, toxin production, induce systemic resistance to antibiotics, enzymes, and enhance plant health. They suppress nematodes directly, improve plant growth, and facilitate the colonization and activities of antagonistic microbes in the rhizosphere. Understanding the molecular basis of BCAs suppression mechanisms provides the basis for their future incorporation into phytopathogen or plant disease control management. This study reviews the current threat posed by the root-knot nematode, biological control, antagonistic bioagents, and their mechanisms, and the future perspectives in modern agricultural sustainability to provide basis for the broad control of root-knot nematodes