Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Evaluation of Four Tomato Varieties (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) for Vegetative Growth, Yield and Yield Components in Ed Dueim, Sudan
No full textTwo field experiments were carried out during two successive winter seasons of 2013/14 and 2014/15 at the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Bahkt ALruda, Ed Duiem, Sudan. The aim of this study was to evaluate four tomato varieties performance under Ed Duiem locality conditions. Experiments consisted of four varieties, viz .Zahrat Enile, Darmali, Castle Rock and Strain B arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences were observed in tomato vegetative growth, yield and yield components and fruit quality among the varieties. “Darmali” variety showed the maximum number of leaves, the tallest plant, the highest values of stem girth and the shortest period to maturity in the two successive seasons. “Zahrt Elnile” variety produced the highest number of fruits/ plant, the total yield (ton/ha), total marketable yield, the maximum fruit weight and the highest fruit length values in the two seasons. The highest values of fruit diameter obtained with Zahrt Elnile variety and Darmali variety in the first and second season, respectively. No significant differences in the total soluble solids content and total acidity were recorded among the varieties. The recently released tomato varieties were found to be superior as compared to commercial tomato varieties in all parameters tested in the two seasons
Evaluation of Cowpea Genotypes for Drought Tolerance Using the Pot Screening Approach
No full textBackground: Tolerance to drought is crucial for cowpea producers in Northern Ghana, where the bulk of the crop is produced
Aims: To assess Five cowpea genotypes for their tolerance to drought at various stages of development.
Study Design: Randomized complete block design was used for the study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in pots over a three-month period at the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale-Northern Ghana.
Methodology: The study made use of factorial experiment in randomized complete block design using two factors (genotypes and water stress regimes). Treatment combinations were replicated three times. Genotypes were subjected to moisture stress at either the vegetative, flowering or pod filling stages. A well-watered control was included.
Results: Though the analysis of variance indicated significant main effects for genotype and moisture stress for a number of traits studied, no significant interactions between the two factors were evident for the traits studied. Moisture stress significantly reduced the number of pods per plant and grain yield. Moisture stress imposed during the vegetative phase has the most significant reduction in grain yield and number of pods per plant compared to the irrigated control. In general, the correlation coefficients were weak and not statistically significant. All the significant correlation coefficients were positive and were found between grain yield and its components. Also, the relationship between susceptibility to moisture stress and yield potential was investigated by correlation and regression analysis. This study indicated a significant positive relationship between susceptibility to moisture stress and yield potential.
Conclusions: No single genotype was found to be most tolerant to drought for all the three growth stages in which drought was imposed. The study, therefore, emphasised the difficulty in combining high yield potential and drought tolerance in development cowpea genotypes
Molecular Identification of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Cultivated, Ornamental and Wild Host Plants in Swaziland
No full textMealybugs are considered as the most important insect pests of fruits, vegetables and cotton in Swaziland. However, lack of sound identification and information on the mealybug species attacking these crops in the country represents a major barrier to establish satisfactory pest management strategies. In this study, a DNA barcoding approach was used to identify mealybug species attacking wild hosts, ornamentals and cultivated crops in the country. Molecular identification using fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase sub-unit I revealed the presence of six mealybug species belonging to four genera. A significant (0.00-0.68%) within species similarity and between species sequence divergence (6.90-16.80%) was observed. Of the species identified Phenacoccus madeirensis and Phenacoccus solenopsis, were the dominant and were highly polyphagus. Phenacoccus solenopsis, was recorded from 12 host plants belonging to six families in three regions, whereas, P. madeirensis was recovered from five wild host plants growing in Middleveld regions. Other mealybug species collected were Saccharicoccus sacchari, Planococcus citri, Paracoccus burnerae and Phenacoccus solani. The study has validated the efficacy of sequence diversity in the COI gene for identifying mealybugs. This is the first DNA-based characterization of mealybugs from Swaziland and the findings will help in decision making while considering biological control programs
Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) Application on Insect Pests Infesting Transplanting Aman Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
No full textThe study was conducted in the experimental area of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh, during the period from July to October 2016 to find out the effect of different levels of NPK on insect pests in transplant aman rice. BRRI dhan33 was used as the test crop in this experiment. The experiment comprised of different NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) fertilizers doses as treatment where, T0 = absolute control, no NPK fertilizers, T1 = NPK @ 45, 50, 40 kg/ha, T2 = NPK @ 70, 25, 40 kg/ha, T3 = NPK @ 70, 50, 20 kg/ha, T4 = NPK @ 70, 50, 40 kg/ha, T5 = NPK @ 70, 50, 60 kg/ha, T6 = NPK @ 70, 75, 40 kg/ha and T7 = NPK @ 95, 50, 40 kg/ha. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) plot with three replications. Data were recorded on different types of insect pests that were identified for the entire growing period with their number and incidence on rice plants. During the entire growing period 5 selected hills/plot were monitored with clear observation on yellow stem borer, leaf folder, rice hispa, grasshopper, brown planthopper, green leafhopper and rice bug insects and pests. The lowest number of infestation of insects and pests was observed from T5, whereas the highest number was found in T7 treatment. In case of incidence percent of dead heart, data were observed at 25th, 45th and 65th days after transplanting (DAT), respectively. Data recorded from each plot revealed that the lowest incidence of dead heart was observed in T5 (3.64%, 4.23% and 4.47% at NPK 70, 50, 60 kg/ha), while the highest incidence of dead heart was found in T7 (10.37%, 13.56% and 14.73%, respectively) treatment. In terms of white head incidence, at 60, 70 and 80 DAT, data recorded from each plot revealed that the lowest incidence of white head was found in T5 (2.35%, 2.66% and 3.12%, respectively), whereas the highest incidence of white head was observed in T7 (7.57%, 8.26% and 8.64% at NPK @ 95, 50, 40 kg/ha)
The Effect of KIN and 2,4-D on In vitro Propagation of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)
No full textThe research work was conducted to observe in vitro propagation of garlic in the Biotechnology Laboratory of the Department of Biotechnology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh from the period of July 2015 to June, 2016, to determine the effect of Kinetin (KIN) and 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium where disease free, healthy and sterilized basal part of clove (2-3 cm) was used as explants. The highest shoot regeneration percentage (100%) was obtained from the treatment of 3.0 mg/L of KIN alone and also from all combination of 2.5, 3.0 mg/L KIN with 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mg/L 2, 4-D. All treatments of KIN and 2, 4-D either alone or in combination, showed one number of shoot after 3 weeks of inoculation. The highest shoot length (34.50 cm) was observed in 3.0 mg/L KIN treatment whereas in combined treatments, 3.0 mg/L KIN+ 2.0 mg/L 2, 4-D showed highest 33.73 cm shoot length after 3 weeks from inoculation. Besides, maximum root induction percentage (100%) was observed by 2.5 mg/L KIN + (1.0, 1.5) mg/L 2, 4-D. The highest number of roots (10.67) were developed by 3.0 mg/L KIN+ 1.5 mg/L 2, 4-D. After transferring the plantlets in the field condition, 86% survival plants were recorded. Finally, the in vitro regeneration protocol of garlic described herein can potentially be used as a tool in molecular breeding programs for improvement of different cultivars and genotypes of garlic
Yield Performance of Tomato Hybrids during the Summer Season in Sylhet
No full textThe experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield performance of five new hybrid combinations of tomato (DCH1, DCH2, DCH3, TCH1 and TCH2) along with BARI Hybrid Tomato-4 at the experimental field of Horticulture Department, Sylhet Agricultural University in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) under with and without hormone application systems (4-para chlorophenoxy acitic acid) during the summer season from May to September 2015. Both hybrids and hormone application systems had a significant influence on growth and yield of tomato during summer. The hybrid, BARI Hybrid Tomato-4 produced the highest number of fruits plant-1 (22.67) and fruit yield plant-1 (0.89 kg) closely followed by TCH1 (0.84 kg plant-1). The hybrid DCH3 produced the heaviest individual fruit weight (46.65 g), but its plant yield was only 0.63 kg. The number of fruits plant-1, individual fruit weight and fruit yield were largely affected due to hormone application. Fruit yield plant-1 was quite high in the hormone-treated plant (0.82 kg) compared to untreated plant (0.68 kg). In general, all the hybrids performed better when treated with the hormone in respect of yield compared to their corresponding untreated plants. Among the hybrids, BARI Hybrid Tomato-4 had the highest fruit yield (1.03 kg plant-1) followed by TCH1 (0.92 kg plant-1) when the plants were treated with the hormone. These two hybrids again produced appreciable amount of tomato under untreated condition (0.75 kg plant-1 and 0.77 kg plant-1, respectively). This indicates that, there is a possible scope of tomato production during the summer season in Sylhet region with and without hormone application, though hormone application had benefit on fruit yield
Development of Bait for the Management of Coffee Bean Weevil, Araecerus fasciculatus in Stored Cocoa
No full textAn experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of the Horticulture Department of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology between January and March, 2012 within temperature and humidity ranges of 18–32°C and 63–85%, respectively. The purpose of the investigation was to develop an effective insecticidal cassava bait to control insect pests of cocoa in storage using Araecerus fasciculatus (De Geer) as model species. A completely randomized design was used for the study. It was conducted in a five-roomed glass cage of 60 cm x 60 cm x 200 cm with the backside made of a net to improve aeration in the cage. It was observed that A. fasciculatus preferred sun-dried chips to fresh chips, fermented dough, flour and cocoa beans and that soaking of sun-dried chips in brown sugar solution of 500 g per litre of water further enhanced the preference. Deltamost emerged superior to Fastrack and Confidor insecticides by registering 4–6 minutes of lethal time, 21–30 days persistence and attract-and-kill potential of 76.7 – 86.7% of infested bagged cocoa beans. However, cassava bait at 25% of Deltamost insecticide was at equal strength (p < 0.05) with the 50 and 75% of the label dosage and should be the obvious choice for the insecticidal cassava bait preparation
Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Soil Chemical Properties of the Rhizosphere in Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textThe experiment was carried out at Kenyatta university farm using 2×3×3 factorial plan in a randomized complete block design. The experiment was carried out for two seasons. Pre cropping soil analsyis was carried out before and after the study to assess soil pH, macro and micro nutrients in the soil. Pre cropping analyses showed that the study site soil pH was 5.2, slightly acidic, Calcium amount was 1.7 me%, nitrogen was 0.07% and phosphorous was 6 ppm, iron recorded 59.3 ppm and magnesium 0.73 me%. The soil was low in macro and micro nutrients. The organic quail manure used was also analysed and showed that it was high in phosphorus that recorded 9.748 ppm, magnesium was 0.29%, calcium of 3.2 me%, total nitrogen was 4.5% and Zn was 9.00 ppm and pH was 6.4. Two Amaranth species (A. cruentus and A. tricolor) were used in the investigation. To determine significant differences among treatments, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done using SAS computer software and least significant difference (LSD) at 5% was used for mean separation. Chemical properties of the soil were significantly (P≤0.05) influenced during the second season. The result after the experiment showed that macro nutrients increased except for phosphorus. Nitrogen increased in the soil from 0.07% to 2.17%, potassium from 0.9% to 1.34%, the pH increased from 5.2 to 6.2, iron increased from 59.3 ppm to 167 ppm when 250 kg/ha of NPK + 8.45 t/ha, at 500 kg/h+16.9t/h calcium increased from 1.7 to 3.97 me% and manganese from 0.16 me% to 2.61 me%. Sole NPK which is inorganic fertilizer slightly increased magnesium from 0.73 me% to 1.49 me% in the first season to 1.52 me% in the second season, manganese was raised from 0.16 me% to 0.37 me% in the first season and to 0.46m% in the second season. Intergration of poultly manure and NPK was more effective in increasing soil nutrients than sole application of fertilizer materials
Study on Post-harvest Proximate Composition and Water Activity of Three Cultivars of Frafra Potatoes (Solenostemon rotundifolius [Poir.]) from Upper East Region, Ghana
No full textSolenostemon rotundifolius (frafra potato) is an important food security crop in areas where it is cultivated in Ghana. However, the crop suffers research neglect in Ghana. More research on the crop is therefore needed for the crop to experience any form of meaningful improvement and utilisation beyond the area of its cultivation in Ghana. This present experiment therefore aimed to study the post-harvest proximate composition and water activity of three cultivars (black, white and brown cultivars) of frafra potatoes (Solenostemon rotundifolius) from the Upper East Region of Ghana. The white cultivar recorded the highest water activity value of 0.72 whiles the black and brown cultivar both recorded a lower water activity value of 0.68. The white cultivar recorded the highest moisture content of 7.20% whiles the brown and black cultivars recorded moisture content of 7.00% and 6.60% respectively. The brown cultivar recorded the highest protein content of 5.25 %, followed by 4.81% for the black cultivar and 4.38% for the white cultivar. Considering the ash content, the brown cultivar recorded a higher value of 4.00% followed by 3.80% recorded by the white cultivar and least value of 3.20% recorded by the black cultivar. The white cultivar recorded the highest fat content of 1.00% whiles the brown and black cultivar both recorded the lowest fat content of 0.20%. The black and brown cultivars both recorded the same higher fibre content of 1.00% followed by the lowest fibre content of 0.20% by the white cultivar. The black cultivar recorded the highest Nitrogen free extract (NFE) content (84.19%) followed by that of the white cultivar (83.42%) with the least being that recorded by the brown cultivar (82.55%). In all, mean water activity, moisture, protein, ash, fat, fibre and NFE values for the three cultivars were 0.69±0.02, 6.93±0.31%, 4.81±0.44%, 3.67±0.42%, 0.47±0.46%, 0.73±0.46% and 83.39±0.82% respectively. The mean moisture content and water activity recorded in this study indicate that processing frafra potatoes into flour will extend its post-harvest shelf life. Based on the moisture content and water activity values reported in this present study, the black cultivar of frafra potatoes will have the longest postharvest shelf life followed by the brown and white cultivars when processed into flour
Does Magnetic Field Change Water pH?
No full textSalt-laden waters pose major problems in the hydraulic field. Scaling problems can be troublesome for sanitary, potable and irrigation water networks. Also, irrigation water salinity is a major concern for agriculture, affecting crop productivity and yield. To alleviate some of these problems, various physical processes are put to the test such as magnetic processes. A laboratory experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Natural Water Treatment of Borj Cedria Tunisia, to study the effect of different magnetic treatments (M1=3300 Gauss, M2=2900 Gauss, M3=5000 Gauss and Electromagnetic Em=900 Gauss) under two flow rate (0.03 and 0.06 letter/second) and two temperature (18 and 24oC) on water characteristics in order to observe the variation in the pH of water. The application of all magnetic field treatment showed slightly an increase in the pH of treated water compared to untreated water