Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Occurrence and Influence of Sudanese Onion Yellow Dwarf Potyvirus Isolates on the Common Bulbing Onion (Allium cepa L.)
No full textFurther epidemiological studies on the Sudanese isolates of onion yellow dwarf (OYDV) and its effect on production of onion crops were carried out during two consecutive seasons under field conditions. Four OYDV isolates were recovered from four different localities in Khartoum and River Nile States where the common bulbing onion (Allium cepa L.) is the major crop. These isolates were named after their respective localities [viz., Gezira Islanj (GI), Wad Ramly (WR), Wad El basal (WB) and El Damar (D) isolates] and their characteristics were studied. Five different types of symptom patterns were encountered in the different onion growing seasons surveyed and hence could not be assigned to any specific OYDV isolates. Field surveys and ʺon growingʺ tests revealed that the true disease incidence was consistently substantially higher than the observed disease incidence and they were positively correlated (r2 = 0.63). This may prove to have an important epidemiological consideration in disease forecast and disease management. The different OYDV isolates were found to reduce significantly the onion bulb yield as measured by bulb size, bulb weight and onion bulb quality (total soluble solids and dry matter content). In the field experiment, the various OYDV isolates were found to significantly reduce plant growth in terms of leaf width and leaf length. They also reduced significantly the seedstalk height and seedstalk diameter but not the number of seedstalks. The productive capacity in terms of number of days to anthesis, flowering percentage, umbel diameter, total number of florets per umbel and percent of abortive florets, were seriously affected by the different OYDV isolates. Consequently, the seed yield was drastically reduced and losses were 61.2, 65.3, 71.8 and 83.9% due to infection with WB, WR, GI-and D isolates, respectively
Fungal Organisms Associated with Post-harvest Rot of Frafra Potatoes [Solenostemon rotundifolius (Poir.)] in Bongo-Soe, Upper East Region, Ghana
No full textAims: The study aims to identifying the microorganisms associated with post-harvest rot of frafra potatoes in Bongo-soe, Upper east region of Ghana.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Horticulture and the Pathology laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. The Solenostemon rotundifolius tubers were stored at the Horticulture Department laboratory whiles rot identification was carried out at the Pathology laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture. The Tubers were stored from 2nd November, 2012 to 22nd March 2013.
Methodology: Four hundred (400) tubers of black cultivar and four hundred (400) tubers of a brown cultivar of Solenostemon rotundifolius tubers showing visible signs of rot during the storage were collected. Pieces of diseased tissues from the margin of the necrotic collected and immersed in 10% commercial bleach solution for sterilisation, for one minute. These were then blotted dry and plated on Potato Dextrose Agar PDA. The plates were sealed with a cellotape until growth occurred.
Results: The microorganisms identified to be responsible for causing rot in Solenostemon rotundifolius tubers were six in number. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was identified to be responsible for 30.76% of rots observed, followed by Aspergillus niger, 23.07%, Curvularia lunata, 19.23%, Aspergillus flavus, 11.54%, Trichoderma sp and Penicillium sp both recorded 7.70% of rots observed. The percentage incidence of Aspergillus niger (15.38%), Curvularia lunata (11.54%) and Aspergillus flavus (7.69%) was higher in the black cultivar as compared with the brown cultivar which had percentage incidence of 7.69%, 7.69% and 3.85% respectively. Also, the percentage incidence of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (15.38%) and Penicillium sp (3.85%) was the same in both the black and brown cultivars of Solenostemon rotundifolius tubers used in this study.
Conclusion: The activities of the damaging microorganisms can be reduced by controlling mechanical injury during harvesting, transportation and storage of Solenostemon rotundifolius tubers should be prevented or reduced because they pave the way for tuber infection by the rot causing microorganisms
Sorghum /Legume Intercrop on Stem Borer Damage and Yield of Sorghumin the South Eastern Dry Areas of Zimbabwe
No full textStem borer (Chilo partellus) is one of the major pest of economic importance which affects sorghum production in the South eastern region of Zimbabwe. The experiment to establish the relationship between stem borer insect suppression by intercropping and grain yield in sorghum and six legumes was conducted under field conditions at Chiredzi Research Station which is in the South Eastern Lowveld (21°01’S, 31°33’E) from 2013 to 2015 cropping seasons. Treatments laid in randomized complete block design and replicated three times consisted of sorghum combined with cowpea, groundnut, pigeon pea and bambara. Monocropped treatments of legumes were cowpea, groundnut, pigeon pea, bambara and two sole sorghum treatments as controls. On one of the controls, an insecticide was applied while the other one remain untreated. Data collected on stem tunnel length, yield (grain and stover), land equivalent ratio and other pests, indicated that in sorghum sole plots where no chemical was applied, yield was reduced by 28% compared to sole plots where a pesticide was applied. In intercropped combinations of sorghum/groundnut, sorghum/pigeon pea and sorghum/cowpea, an incremental benefit of 10-38% was observed than all other treatments. No benefit was observed in sorghum bambara combinations. Stem borer and aphid had lower thresholds in intercrops. Predators populations recorded in intercrops reduced insect pest density than in monocrops. Thus, these findings indicated that intercropping can form a component of an integrated pest management program
Adoption Level of Agroforestry Practices in Katsina State, Nigeria
No full textUnsustainable forest land use practices have resulted in land degradation in Nigeria leading to low crop yield. Agroforestry is a viable option for reversing dwindling crop yields through proper soil management practices. There is notably no sufficient published information on agroforestry practices (AP) in Katsina State. The aim of this study was to assess AP for sustainable land use in the study area. Multistage stratified sampling design was used to select respondents from the study. Three Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from each of the agro-ecological zones (Sahel, Sudan and Guinea) of Katsina State. Within each of the selected LGAs, one community was randomly selected and forty respondents were randomly sampled from each community. Using structured questionnaire, information was sought on socio-economic and AP. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Based on the results, multipurpose trees on farmland (79%), windbreaks (50%), woodlots (49.7%), improved fallow in shifting cultivation (32%) and home gardens (24.7%) were the common AP in the study area. Benefits of AP in the area included preservation of the environment (98.5%), provision of fruits and leaves (98%), and improvement of soil fertility (98%), erosion control (98%) and improvement of farmers’ income (96%). Agroforestry practices enrich the soil with important nutrients and prevent soil erosion. The adoption of multipurpose trees on farmland in the study area will help in preventing environmental degradation, desertification and enhance food crop production
Response of Upland Rice to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on Vertisols of Tigray, Ethiopia
No full textNitrogen and phosphorus are often cited as the most limiting nutrients in agricultural soils of Ethiopia. Their availability in the soil solution also determines the growth and productivity of the soils and crops. Thus, experiments were conducted to investigate the response of upland rice and determine the optimum rates of N and P fertilizers. Experiments were conducted at four sites of Tselemti district (Tsaeda-Kerni, Mizikir, Maitsebri and Sekota-Mariam), Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia. A factorial combination of two factors, four levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, 69, kg N ha-1 designated as N0, N1, N2 and N3, respectively) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30 kg P ha-1 designated as P0, P1, P2 and P3, respectively) were conducted on complete randomized block design (CRBD). Data on yield and yield components of upland rice were collected and subjected to ANOVA through SAS software V9. Results showed that plant height, number of spikelet and total seed per panicle of upland rice were significantly increased when nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers interacted at higher doses There were significant differences of main effects on panicle length, grain yield and straw yields of rice. Significantly higher grain and straw yields were obtained in plots receiving 69 kg N ha-1 compared to preceding treatments, and application of either 20 or 30 kg P fertilizer ha-1 can also boost the yields of upland rice in the district. However, the optimum grain yield of rice to the application of N and P fertilizers was not found in the response curve which indicates an extra application rates should be tried. Further, the highest agronomic efficiencies were also observed in the lower rates of both main effects
Impacts of Cooking Times (Steaming and Cooking on Embers) on Some Physico-Functional Parameters of Yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) Flours Cv Dougon-won Consumed in Côte d\u27Ivoire
No full textImpacts of cooking times (steaming and cooking on embers) on some physico-functional parameters of yam (D. bulbifera) flours cv Dougou-won were determined during 10, 20 and 30 min. Results showed that steaming and cooking on embers increased significantly (P <0.05) the dispersibility (D), water absorption capacity (WAC), paste clarity (PC), water solubility index (WSI), swelling power (SP), least gelation capacity (LGC) and solubility (S) but decreased significantly (P <0.05) foam capacity (FC), wettability (W) and foam stability (FS) of flours (D. bulbifera) cv Dougou-won. Steaming increased significantly (P <0.05) oils absorption capacity (OAC) and bulk density (BD). However, cooking on embers decreased significantly (P <0.05) oils absorption capacity (OAC) but not affected significantly (P <0.05) bulk density (BD). The steaming time (30 min) is recommended to considerably influence the physico-functional parameters of the yam (D. bulbifera) flours cv Dougou-won
Effect of Nitrogen Sources on the Yield of Different Blackgram (Vigna mungo) Varieties
No full textIn Bangladesh, the average yield of blackgram is not satisfactory level. There are many reasons for a lower yield of blackgram. Nitrogen and weed management in winter season is of them. This study is to find out the effect of nitrogen sources on the yield of different black gram varieties. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot Design with three replications. Nitrogen source was assigned to main plots and varieties to sub-plots. The field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy field of Central Research Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from September 2014 to January 2015. The experiment consisted of two factors such as nitrogen sources and blackgram varieties. The treatments were as follows: Factor A: nitrogen sources (3 types) viz. T1: prilled urea, T2: biofertilizer, T3: no nitrogen (control) and Factor B: varieties (4 types) viz. V1: BARI mash-1, V2: BARI mash-2, V3: BARI mash-3 and V4: local mash. In case of different nitrogen sources, the highest grain yield and harvest index (1.45 t ha-1 and 40.05%) was found from biofertilizer application. This treatment also showed highest pod length (5.28 cm), pods plant-1 (34.80), seeds pod-1 (7.08) and 1000-seed weight (40.55 g). Among the blackgram varieties, BARI Mash-3 gave the highest pod length (5.60 cm), pods plant-1 (39.93), seeds pod-1 (7.57) and 1000-seed weight (45.73 g), grain yield and harvest index (1.49 t ha-1 and 40.49%). These findings we observed that BARI Mash-3 applied with biofertilizer produced the highest grain yield and harvest index (1.84 t ha-1 and 48.04%)
Design and Construction of a Small Scale Sugarcane Juice Extractor
No full textThe production of sugarcane is increasing in Nigeria nowadays. Juice extracted from sugarcane can be used extensively in manufacturing brown sugar, industrial sugar and bioethanol fuel through the process of fermentation; hence, the need to develop a machine that can extract juice from sugarcane effectively. This work involves the design, fabrication and performance evaluation of sugarcane juice extractor. The machine was designed to extract juice from sugarcane at small scale level suitable for small and medium scale sugarcane processors. The prototype machine was designed, fabricated and assembled in the Department of Agricultural and Bio-resources Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The machine consists of rollers, gears, cane guide, juice collector, frame, and prime mover. The developed machine was evaluated using koma variety of cane and obtained an output capacity of 148.2 kg/h and extraction efficiency of 67.44%, respectively at a speed of 30 rpm. The production cost stood at N 90,000 which is affordable and therefore recommended for small scale processors
Effect of Mineral Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Marketable Yield and Economic Return of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mil) at Northwestern Zone of Tigray
No full textA field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates on the growth and yield tomato at Northwestern Zone of Tigray during 2016-2017 cropping season under irrigation condition. It is the most cultivated and high market value of vegetable crops in Tigray Northern Ethiopia. However, tomato production is limited due to low fertility of soil and inappropriate fertilizer rate. Six different levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, 69, 92 and 115 kg N /ha) and six different levels of phosphorus (0, 46, 69, 92,115 and 138 kg P2O5/ ha) were used and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replication. (Melkasalsa) tomato variety was used as a testing variety. The current findings showed that the highest marketable tomato fruit yield (61.16 t/ha) were obtained in 115 kg N/ha (250 kg urea/ha) and 92 kg P2O5 (200 kg Di Ammonium Phosphate DAP /ha). But, the profitable yield obtained was at N2P2 (46 kg N & 69 P2O5 kg ha-1) that is 100 kg/ha of Urea combined with 150 kg/ha of DAP yield was obtained 48.25 t ha-1 and the profit was 235502 birr per ha with the maximum Marginal Rate of Return of 26.16%. Therefore, 100 kg/ha of urea with 150 kg/ha of DAP was recommended for the growers to improve tomato fruit productivity in the study area
Evaluation of Some Tomato Genotypes against Tomato Fruit Borer Infestation, Growth Parameters and Some Chemical Constituents
No full textA field experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Farm, Mymensingh from October 2007 to March 2008 with a view to evaluate the physical and chemical properties, nutrient content and infestation rate of tomato fruit borer of different mutants and varieties. The treatments consisted of six mutants viz; TM-13, TM-105, TM-110, TM-133, TM-152, TM-155 and two varieties BARI tomato-7 and BINA tomato-5. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The infestation of tomato fruit borer varied significantly among the mutants/varieties. The number of fruit borer was 2.15-5.98. The following growth parameters, yield contributing characters and chemical composition of the tomato mutants/varieties were studied which were 1.03-1.40 cm stem diameter, 14.9-19.5 cm2 leaf area, 10.08-20.10 mm-2 leaf hair, 36.7-52.0 number of leaves plant-1, 13.86-24.67 number of fruits plant-1, 24.1- 60.2 g single fruit weight, 3.69-4.0 pH, 17.1 -25.2 mg 100 g-1 vitamin-C, 0.307-0.408% TA, 2.34-2.75% reducing sugar, 0.93-1.20% non-reducing sugar. Tomato fruit borer infestation was negatively correlated with leaf hair and number of fruit plant-1 but positively correlated with stem diameter, leaf area, leaf number plant-1 single fruit weight, non-reducing sugar, pH and titrable acidity. It is concluded that TM-133 and TM-13 mutants were the best among the tested verities respectively