Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
Not a member yet
752 research outputs found
Sort by
Proximate and Mineral Composition of Some Leafy Vegetables Sold in Farin Gadan Market in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
No full textThis study was carried out to determine the mineral concentration and proximate composition of four different leafy vegetable collected in from Farin Gadan Market Jos Plateau State Nigeria and extracted using double acid extraction method. Heavy metals concentration was performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and proximate composition was determined by Association of, Official Analytical chemistry (AOAC,1999) method. Results showed that the highest level of lead was found in Jute (0.045 ±0.004) while Lettuce (0.001 ±0.007) had the lowest level of lead. The leafy vegetables in this study may have been polluted with lead through pollutants in irrigation water, farm soil or due to pollution from the highway traffic. Chromium and cadmium were observed to be low in all the leafy vegetables analyzed, which is still within the safe limit set by FAO/WHO. Zinc had the highest concentration (2.802± 0.012) in bitter leaf, proximate analysis indicated significant variability in the constituents contained in the leafy vegetables studied (Carbohydrate, Ash content, crude protein, crude fats, crude fibre and moisture content in descending order). The highest moisture content was found in Lettuce (7.791%) and the highest crude protein in Bitter leaf (12.88%). The concentrations of the toxic heavy metals are within the tolerable limits of some regulatory authorities. However, there is need for continuous monitoring of heavy metal and proximate analysis in leafy vegetables because, leafy vegetables are the main sources of food supplements for humans in many parts of the world and are considered as bio-indicators of environmental pollution. 
Cassava Production, Processing and Utilization in South Western Part of Ethiopia
No full textCassava is a root crop grown and consumed in south western part of Ethiopia. A survey was conducted to assess the production status, processing and utilization of cassava in three zones in South Western part of Ethiopia. A total of 63 farmers from five Cassava producing Districts were randomly selected for interview. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to individual respondent. The survey result showed that most of the farmers on average allocated less than 0.25ha of land for cassava production and none of the respondents were used improved cassava varieties. More than 86% of the farmers sold fresh cassava while others sold after processing. Of the interviewed farmers 98.4% of the respondents had awareness about hydrogen cyanide content of cassava and conducted different removal measures. More than half of the interviewed farmers responded that most of cassava produced in the area was used for home consumption. Less than 40% of them were used for both market and home consumption. Of the total farmers, 53% of the farmers consumed cassava by boiling and frying, while the others consume either by boiling or frying
Study of Correlation and Path Analysis in the Selected Okra Genotypes
No full textAn experiment was conducted at the experimental farm, Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur from March 2008 to July 2008 to study the correlation and path analysis in the selected okra genotypes. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design with thee replications. The results indicated that different genotypes varied significantly regarding all the studied characters. The Fruits per plant and fruit weight of different genotypes had a high degree of significant positive association with fruit yield and a high positive direct effect indicated that these characters had a major contribution towards the fruit yield of the genotypes. The days to first flowering and days to first fruit harvest showed a significant positive correlation with picking duration both genotypic and phenotypic levels. The Picking duration showed a highly significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit diameter and fruit length. At the final harvest plant height showed a highly significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit length and fruit weight at the genotypic level. The fruit length showed a highly significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit weight and fruit diameter and genotypic level. The fruits per plant showed a highly significant positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation with fruit yield. A significant positive genotypic correlation with fruit yield was shown by fruit weight. The fruits per plant (0.979) and fruit weight (0.554) also showed a high positive direct effect on fruit yield
Management of Liquid Organic Waste from Palm Oil Plant and Compost Cow to the Growth and Production of Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt)
No full textThe growth and production of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) are strongly influenced by good genetics and environmental factors, including how to cultivate the soil so that the availability of nutrients is quite balanced. The long-term goal of this research is to determine the effectiveness of a combination of palm oil mill effluent (LCPKS) and cow dung waste (LKTS) with EM4 bio-activator applied to sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt).
This study used a factorial randomized block design (RBD) consisting of 2 factors with 12 treatment combinations and 3 replications to obtain 36 research plots. The factors studied are the formulation factor of a mixture of palm oil mill effluent with cow dung waste, which is denoted by (A) consisting of A1 = 70% palm oil mill waste and 30% cow dung, A2 = 50% effluent palm oil mill and 50% cow dung waste, A3 = 30% palm oil mill waste and 70% cow dung waste. The dose factor with the symbol (D) consists of, D0 = control, D1 = 1.5 kg per plot, D2 = 3 kg per plot, D3 = 4.5 kg per plot.
The parameters observed were plant height (cm), biomass samples (grams), sample production (grams) and plot production (kg). The results showed that different waste mix formulations and administration of different doses did not significantly influence plant height parameters because compost maturity must be assessed by measuring two or more compost parameters to prevent phytotoxicity. Therefore, quality assurance must be carried out on compost to determine the factors that cause phytotoxicity and also research must be intensified in determining lines that will be able to degrade waste faster, more efficiently and also produce non-toxic compost that mixes the soil produced in plant growth. In addition, care must be taken in selecting raw materials for composting. The results showed that the mixed waste formulations significantly affected the biomass of the sample, where the highest average was obtained in processing A3 (30% of palm oil mill waste and 70% of cow dung waste. The research results also showed that dosing had a very significant effect on biomass parameter sample, sample production and plot production where the highest average is in the D3 treatment (4.5 kg per plot)
Gender Differentials and Optimal Combination of Crop Enterprises under Limited Resource Conditions in South Western Nigeria: A Case Study of Cocoa-based Farming Systems
No full textThis study investigated gender differentials and an optimal combination of crop enterprises in southwestern. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of households in cocoa-based farming by gender; determine enterprise combinations of households in the cocoa-based farming systems and profile gender participation in optimal farm plan activities in cocoa-based farming systems. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 200 respondents, comprising 147 males and 53 females. Data were collected on socioeconomic characteristics such as age, household size, years of schooling and year of farming experience among others. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear goal programming. Descriptive statistics show that majority of the respondents aged above 60 years comprising of 46.5% male and 2% females, married comprising of 69.5% male and 20% female, and had a household size of between 7 and 12 persons, with males accounting for 25.5% and females 12.5%. Most of the respondents had primary school education in the study area, with 73.8% male and 26.2% female. Goal ranking showed that food security; increased income; and reduced production cost are the most important goals among farmers in the cocoa-based farming system. The linear goal programming model shows that Cocoa and Banana; Cocoa, Oil Palm and Plantain and Cocoa, Maize, Cassava and Orange are the optimal enterprise combination. It further showed that farmers will incur a cost of N38, 833.56/ha on the three basic activities to achieve the stated goals. The shadow prices for the fully utilized resources were N9348, N1352 and N6.52 for land, hired labour and capital respectively. The result further showed that 67 percent of the goal components was achieved. Percentages of female-headed households in cocoa/banana, cocoa/oil palm/plantain and cocoa/maize/cassava/orange enterprises were 45%, 31% and 0% respectively. For the goals of food security, increased income and reduced farm production costs to be accomplished in the study area, farmers should produce 0.2 ha of cocoa/banana, 1.2 ha of cocoa/oil palm/plantain and 1.25 ha of cocoa/maize/cassava/orange in the study area. Also, conscious efforts should be made by policymakers to ensure gender equality in the access and use of productive farm resources
Effect of Plant Spacing to Growth and Yield of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.)
No full textProblem: Maize is one of important food for Indonesian people. The problem faced by Indonesian government is the maize is not sufficient to suffice the this country demand.
Aims: The research aimed to study the interaction between several hybrid maize varieties and plant spacing to growth and yield of hybrid maize
Study Design: Factorial design in randomized block design.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in Siguntur, Sitiung 1, Dharmasraya, West Sumatra and Indonesia from April to July 2018.
Methodology: Factorial design in randomized block design with 2 factors was used in the assay. The first factor was hybrid maize varieties (Pioneer P35 and Pertiwi 3) and the second factor was planting space (75 cm x 20 cm, 75 cm x 30 cm and 75 cm x 40 cm). The data was analyzed by ANOVA.
Results: The result showed that no interaction between planting spacing and varieties to growth and yield of maize. The best hybrid maize variety for growth and yield was Pioneer 35. The best planting space for growth and yield was 75 cm x 20 cm.
Conclusion: The interaction between plant spacing and hybrid maize varieties did not affect the growth and yield of hybrid maize.
Recommendation: The further research are recommended to study the effect of plant spacing and hybrid maize to growth and yield of maize
Assessment of the Constraints to Catfish Farming in Kogi State, Nigeria
No full textThis study assessed the constraints to catfish production in Kogi state, Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation method. Results show that 76.0% of the respondents were male with a mean age of 46 years and mostly educated, but little (5 years) of experience in catfish production. Three factors were extracted and the factor analysis indicate that the major problems confronting catfish production in the area are rooted in economic and climatic challenges. The challenges of finance, input costs and other economic factors faced by catfish farmers in Kogi state appear to be similar to those found elsewhere. Away from economic issues however, climatic factor and operational constraints exhibit some variations in presentations and seriousness. For instance, climatic issues appear to be priority issues in the area. Scarcity of viable fingerlings is also another issue that requires serious attention. Credit facilities at low rates or grants, should be made available to catfish farmers to enable them address input challenges. Also, research into local feeds and monitoring of local feed production will improve their qualities and minimize feed importation and its attendant high cost. Again, government support through capacity development, motivation and monitoring of extension personnel will assist in training the catfish farmers on climate change mitigating strategies. Finally, infrastructural development is canvassed in addition to availability of skilled manpower to encourage the establishment of certified hatcheries, aid in transportation and storage of output
Effects of Tillage System and Cultivation Year on Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Capacity of Durum Wheat under Rainfed Conditions
No full textOne of the proposed solutions to face climate change impact and to maintain food production sustainability is conservation agriculture. This study tries to determinate the effect of conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) on secondary metabolites such as total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC) and antioxidants capacity (DPPH %) in relation to natural mycorrhization of durum wheat during the tillering stage for three cultivation years. The experiment was conducted in a referential farm (Krib, Siliana, North West Tunisia). The results showed that TPC, TFC and DPPH% were not influenced by tillage system (T). However, cultivation year (Y) had a significant effect on the studied parameters independently of tillage system. In addition, for the first cultivation year, tillage system (T) had significantly influenced the mycorrhization rate (MR%) and NT presented the highest mycorrhization rate (24%). DPPH% showed high significant positive correlations with MR% and TPC. For partial correlation based on Tillage system, high positive correlations were noted between DPPH%, MR% and TPC. Considering the partial correlation based on cultivation year, only a significant positive correlation between TPC and TFC was observed. In conclusion, durum wheat quality was not affected by tillage system and there are not reasons against no tillage adoption in this region for a sustainable wheat production
Assessment of the Exposure Risk to Mycotoxins from Stored Maize (Zea mays L.) in Triple Bags with Aromatic Plants Leaves (Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens) in Côte d’Ivoire
No full textIn Côte d’Ivoire, maize is second cereal most cultivated and consumed after rice. In bad storage conditions, corn may be contaminated by mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, total aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fuminosin B1, zearalenone). The aim of this study was to assess the exposure risk of these mycotoxins for maize stored in triple bags in presence of aromatic plants leaves (Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens). The contents of water activity, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), total aflatoxins (AFT), ochratoxin A (OTA), fuminosin B1 (FB1) and zearalenone (ZEA) were studied and monitored. The levels of AFB1, AFT, OTA, FB1 and ZEA resulted from maize grains treated with plants leaves were significantly lower than those recorded with untreated maize of control bags. The estimated daily intakes in AFB1, AFT, OTA, FB1 and ZEA, deriving with consumption of maize from experimental batches stored for 18 months are respectively 1.69 ± 0.00 - 2.09 ± 0.01 ng/kg bw/day, 8.66 – 10.91 ng/kg bw/day, 1.86 ± 0.01 - 2.47 ± 0.01 ng/kg bw/day, 2.01 ± 0.05 - 3.01± 0.05 ng/kg bw/day and 1.89 ± 0.12 - 3.56 ± 0.04 ng/kg bw/day. These levels are lower than the estimated intakes from maximal reference value (EDILM) for OTA, FB1 and ZEA. For aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins, the estimated daily intakes are lower than the estimated intakes from maximal reference value (EDILM) during, respectively, 15 storage months and 10 storage months. However, after 18 storage months, exposure risk of aflatoxin B1 is higher than the estimated intakes from maximal reference value. This inexpensive and easy-to-use treatment should be popularized among farmer
Long Term Manuring and Fertilization Effect on Soil Properties in Terrace Soil
No full textThe study was carried out the influence of long term manuring and fertilization on soil properties. Soil samples were collected in 2016 from a highly weathered terrace soil with rice-wheat cropping pattern at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) experimental farm having five OM (control, cow dung, green manure, rice straw and compost) treatments combined with three mineral N fertilizer (control, 155 kg ha-1, 220 kg ha-1) levels. Long term (28 years) application of mineral fertilizers and manure resulted in significant differences in soil organic carbon, total N content, C:N ratio of soil and soil pHKCl between the treatments. The soil organic carbon content varied among the different treatments from 6.11 g OC kg-1 (application of rice straw and no N) to 9.43 g OC kg-1 (application of compost and 220 kg N ha-1 yr-1). The total soil N content varied among the different treatments from 0.41 g N kg-1 (application of rice straw and no N) to 0.73 g N kg-1 (application of compost and 220 kg N ha-1 yr-1). The C:N ratios of the soil varied among the different treatments from 13.3 (application of no exogenous OM and no N) to 15.1(application of green manure and no N). The soil pH varied among the different treatments from 4.42 (application of cow dung and 220 kg N ha-1 yr-) to 4.89 (application of compost/cow dung and no N). So, long term fertilization and manuring undoubtedly bring some changes in the physiochemical soil properties of terrace soil