Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Detection of Dichlorvos Residue in Cowpea Grains, Six Months after Application Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography
No full textIn Kano State Nigeria, especially at the famous Dawanau grains market, dichlorvos (DDVP: 2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate), which is a synthetic organophosphate insecticide is being widely used against stored insect pests of cowpea grains by traders and merchants alike. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) screening using commercially available brand of such an organophosphate insecticide was carried out in a Chemistry Laboratory at Bayero University Kano in 2014. This was aimed at determining the presence or absence of the insecticide in the treated and untreated grains of cowpea before, day one and six months after application. The analysis was carried out using an Agilent 1260 Quadpump HPLC, equipped with diode array detector, autosampler and thermostetted column compartment. The result was processed using Agilent Chemstation software. Dichlorvos detection was achieved at 214 nm, while the overlaid chromatograms suggested the presence of DDVP: 2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate in the test sample relative to the chromatogram of the standard commercial sample at a retention time of 2.163 and 2.283 minutes, respectively. The peak of the target compound was visibly not present in the control chromatogram at the stated retention time. In conclusion, detection of dichlorvos in grains six months after application highlights among others, the dangers and/or disadvantages associated with the use of the chemicals for the protection of stored cowpea grains against insect pests especially by the personnel lacking requisite knowledge on the appropriate ways of handling/application of such synthetic products for both human and environmental safety
Effect in Hydroponics of Nitrogen and Aluminium Toxicity on Tropical Maize
No full textMaize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop for most countries in the sub-Saharan Africa. Nitrogen (N) deficiency and aluminium (Al) toxicity are among the abiotic stresses leading to low maize productivity. Lack of N and Al toxicity in soil entails, in most cases, application of nitrogenous fertilizer and lime to ameliorate N deficiency and Al toxicity in the soil respectively. However, excessive application of nitrogenous fertilizers and lime may lead to environmental pollution and unavailability of nutrients due to increased pH respectively. To maximize yields and profits, the use of maize genotypes with high N-use efficient which are tolerant to Al toxicity presents a sustainable approach in this scenario. The objectives of this study were therefore i) to evaluate the effect of varying concentrations of N and Al in hydroponics, on genotypic responses of tropical maize and ii) the prospects of selecting genotypes with dual ‘N use efficient’ and ‘Al tolerant trait’. An experiment was carried out in a 9 x 3 x 2 factorial scheme under hydroponic conditions with nine maize genotypes (CML 538, CZL 113, CML 134, CML 537, CML 312, CML 489, CZL 112, CZL 0814 and CML 444) submitted to three nitrogen doses (0, 21.3 and 42.6 mg L-1) and two aluminum doses (0 and 20 mg L-1), completely randomized design with two replicates. Results showed a significant difference among the genotypes with CZL 0814 genotype identified as the best performing genotype in hydroponics across N and Al concentration levels. However, consideration of variance components showed that N main effect contribution on genotypic performance was lower compared to Al and genotypic main effects. These results imply that availability of N for plant uptake could have been affected by the availability of Al in solution. Evaluation for dual trait, N use efficiency (NUE) and Al tolerant requires assessing genotypes for N stress factor and further subject the candidate genotypes to Al stress or vice versa
Reasons Prompting the Adoption of Organic Fertilizers in Vegetable Production in Agotime-Ziope District, Ghana
No full textThe objective of this research was to identify the reasons prompting the adoption of organic fertilizers in vegetable production and also to establish the factors that discourage organic fertilizer usage in vegetable production. Data from 50 purposively selected farmers based in Agotime-Ziope District was used. A binomial logistic regression analysis was fitted to a data of 50 farmers. Results show that five factors; X4 (Easy access), X5 (Less processing needed), X8 (More economical), X9 (Consumer preference of organic products), and X11 (Enhanced healthy ecosystem) were statistically significant in the prediction of the adoption of organic fertilizers with a predicted adoption rate of 93.64%. Furthermore, respondents were unanimous on “Doubtful efficacy”, “Health risk”, and “Labour intensive” as the factors that discourage organic fertilizer usage in vegetable production. It was therefore suggested that entrepreneurs and investors should be incentivized by Government through tax exceptions and subsidies among others things to put resources into setting up more more composting sites as composting help remove some portion of the constraints related with raw manure such as the need for drying which consumes time and increases opportunity cost. Finally, there is the need for consumer sensitization by nutritionists on the potential benefits of patronizing organically grown vegetables. This could expand the demand for organically grown vegetables and the willingness of consumers to pay premium price and hence stimulate organic production by farmers
The Efficacy of Aloe-vera Coating on Postharvest Shelf Life and Quality Tomato Fruits during Storage
No full textThe efficacy of Aloe vera coating on the postharvest shelf life and quality of tomato fruits in storage was evaluated. Two varieties of tomatoes namely UTC and Roma were collected from different market in Makurdi, washed and treated with Aloe vera coatings in concentrations of 0%, 20%, 60% and 100%. The tomato fruits were afterwards left in storage for a period of 16 days during which physical properties relating to tomato qualities were recorded appropriately. 0% and 100% concentrations of Aloe vera coating produced the highest and lowest decay values respectively on days 7, 10, 13 and 16 with Roma having a higher decay percentage than UTC and the difference was significant. Firmness increased with increase in Aloe vera treatment at all concentrations but was not significant. Marketability of the tomato fruits treated with Aloe vera at 100% concentration was higher than those treated with 60%, 20% and 0% respectively with UTC variety producing higher values of marketability than Roma. Roma treated with 100% concentration of Aloe vera coating also had the highest fruit weight on days 1, 4, 7 and 16 while UTC treated with 100% concentration of Aloe vera coating recorded their peak weights on days 10 and 13 with shelf life showing no significant difference across all concentrations. Aloe vera is therefore an efficient bio-preservative and can be used as a successful alternative to synthetic preservatives
Influence of NPK Blended Fertiliser on Soil Chemical Properties under Acidic Conditions of Western Kenya on Finger Millet Crop
No full textSoil acidity is a serious problem that affects crop productivity in Western Kenya region. The county governments of Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia and Trans-Nzoia are promoting the application of NPK blended fertilizer to enhance the soil acidity. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. (Gaertn) is one of the principal cereal crops in Kenya and can grow in stress conditions much better than other cereal crops, and it is for this reason that it is currently being popularized in efforts to address food security. NPK blended fertilizer, Commonly known as ‘Mavuno Fertilizer’ to locals contains the combination of macronutrients and micronutrients (10%N, 26%P2O5, 10%K2O, 4%S, 8%CaO, 4%MgO and traces of B, Zn, Mo, Cu and Mn) that makes it unique to ameliorate this acidic soil conditions. The study was conducted at the crop and livestock research field at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Kakamega station. The design was Randomized Complete Block Design, with 0,25,50,75,100 kg application rates per acre of NPK blended fertilizer as the treatments applied in two equal split application. The application of NPK mixed fertilizer reduced the amount of aluminium in the soil consistently for both seasons with the highest reduction under the highest rate while the soil pH, soil calcium and soil magnesium significantly increased linearly with increasing fertilizer rates. The control had no significant influence on the soil pH compared to the treated plots as compared to the analytical results of the soil pH of 5.71-5.73 before planting. The soil aluminium content drastically reduced from 2.10 cmol/kg in control to 1.4 cmol/kg in the 100 kg/acre in both rain seasons under the local variety Gulu-E with slight differences from P-224. The highest application rate of 100 kg/acre significantly increased the soil calcium contents to 3.4% and 3.3% during the short and long rainy seasons respectively. The NPK blended fertilizer application from any rate can positively ameliorate the soils in western Kenya by reducing the acidity
Enhancing Soil Fertility, Maize Grain Yield and Nutrients Composition through Different Planting Time and Manure Sources in Farmers’ Fields of Southeastern Nigeria
No full textMaize (Zea mays L.) has a good potential as a cereal crop side by side with rice and wheat. Irrespective of its local and industrial uses, the production is still challenged by some factors as environmental changes associated with different sowing date and a decline in soil fertility. A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, during the 2015/2016 cropping season. The study used a split-plot in a randomised complete block design which aimed at evaluating the effect of different time of planting and manure sources on selected soil chemical properties, maize grain yield and its proximate nutritive values for enhanced food security. The soil amendments used and their combinations are poultry droppings (PD), NPK 15:15:15 fertiliser, rice husk dust (RHD), poultry droppings + rice husk dust, NPK + rice husk dust, poultry dropping + NPK + rice husk dust and control. The soil parameters studied include soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity. The maize grain yield was determined at harvest and the grain nutrients analysed include moisture content, crude fat, crude protein and ash content percentages. Results showed significant differences among the two planting times and soil amendments in all the soil parameters studied including their interactions. Maize planted in April increased the fresh cobs weight (18.37%) higher than those planted in May (11.19%) as PD amended plots increased the fresh cobs weight (2.71 t/ha) significantly (P < 0.05) higher. Maize grain ash percent (1.431%) was improved higher in May than April (1.403%). However, the percentage of moisture contents (MC) and crude fat (CF) (10.46% and 4.237%), respectively, of the maize grain were significantly higher in PD amended plots. Integration of NPK + PD + RHD gave the highest (1.52%) significant (P < 0.05) ash percent in the two planting periods. Plots treated with NPK+PD+RHD in May improved the crude protein higher than other treatments. Proper dissemination of this integrated nutrient management approach to the rural farmers could promote sustainable management practices among smallholder farmers, and ultimately sustain and boost maize production
Polymorphisms of Seed Storage Proteins in Olea europaea L. Cultivars
No full textThe use of Olea europaea globulins as genetic markers for the identification of the cultivars was perfomed in the laboratory of Genetics of Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa. The major component of Olea europaea L. seed storage proteins is represented by globulins. These fractions were characterised by electrophoresis and compared with the proteins extracted from protein bodies. The biochemical analysis of the olive seed globulins was carried out in sixteen different cultivars coming from several geographical areas of Italy. The electrophoretic patterns in polyacrylamide gels electrophoresis in denaturing conditions (SDS-PAGE) evidenced both qualitative and quantitative differences. It was possible to identify all the cultivars by their electrophoretic spectra. Number and position of the electrophoretic bands allowed the construction of a similarity matrix and of a dendrogram that allowed the separation into groups, according to their phylogenetic relationships. The several clusters seem to be related with agronomic traits such as fruit size or oil production; no relationships were found with the geographical cultivation areas
Understanding Farmers\u27 Perceptions and Adaptations to Climate Change and Variability in Rice Production at the Kaski and Chitwan Districts, Nepal
No full textThis study was conducted to access perception of farmers about climate change particularly to access the effect of climatic variables on yield of rice crops based on regression model for 1999-2013 climatic data and yield data. The other objective include to learn adaptation strategies to climate change and assess factor influencing adaptation strategies adopted by farmers in hill (Kaski) and terai (Chitwan) of Nepal. Primary data were obtained through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and field survey. Descriptive statistics, time series regression model, logit model and seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model were used. About 87.5 percent of the respondent perceived the change in weather parameter such as temperature and rainfall. A majority of respondents (96%) perceived the increase in temperature and 83% respondents from Kaski perceived decreasing rainfall trend whereas about 86% respondents from Chitwan perceived increasing rainfall trend. The major climate change adaptation strategies used by the respondents include; rice variety change (61%), better irrigation management (59%), changing cropping pattern (43%), terrace improvement (37%) and direct seeded rice (DSR) adoption (23%) in the study area. The SUR model revealed that age, education, household income were positively and statistically significant on different climate change adaptation strategies for rice cultivation. Time series regression model reveled that total seasonal rainfall for rice cultivation had positively and significantly determined to rice production area, production and yield, but total annual rainfall had negative determination on area, production and yield of rice. Empirical results analysis showed that improved crop varieties and irrigation as the most important adaptation measures. It also revealed that farmers lacked the capacity to implement the highly ranked adaptation practices. Results revealed that farmers facing negative impact of climate change due to low household income and lack of information on adaptation methods. This analysis of adaptation practices and constraints at farmer level will help facilitate government policy formulation and implementation
Apparent Nutrient Digestibility of Farm-made and Commercial Tilapia Diets in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)
No full textAims: To determine the apparent digestibility of gross nutrients in a farm-made tilapia grower diet, ARDECFEED and those of two commercial ones, RAANAN and COPPENS in Oreochromis niloticus with a view of establishing whether all the diets would be well utilized by O. niloticus, the most cultured fish in Ghana.
Study Design: Completely Randomized Design.
Place and Duration of Study: The Aquaculture Research and Development Centre (ARDEC), Akosombo, of Water Research Institute (WRI) of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana, in November, 2015.
Methodology: Each of the diets was finely milled separately and subsequently sieved. Exactly 0.5% of chromic oxide (Cr2O3) was incorporated into 99.5% of each diet type. Nine plastic tanks (about 0.10 m2 bottom area), each with 45.0 L total volume capacity, filled with 30.0 L of water. Aeration in the tanks was maintained by the insertion of air stones. Monosex male O. niloticus with mean weight 22.8 ± 2.1 g were randomly divided into three groups of 4 fish (three treatments in triplicate) and stocked in the tanks. The fish were fed twice a day (0900 and 1500 hours) at a rate of 6% of their body weight with the various diets for 20 days. Faeces were collected for about two weeks. An indirect method of measuring digestibility was used to calculate the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients of the diets.
Results: There were significant differences (P < .05) in the ADCs of all the parameters in all the dietary treatments. The apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients were high (> 65%) in all the diets. The digestibility of crude protein, crude lipid and carbohydrate ranged from 77.49 to 87.02%, 81.46 to 93.90% and 65.28 to 85.94% respectively.
Conclusion: All the diets can be well utilized by O. niloticus, hence they will be appropriate for commercial production of Nile tilapia
Comparative Risks of Several Insecticides towards Honeybee Workers
No full textThe risk level of several insecticides of various chemical classes was estimated for honeybee workers, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Lethal time calculation was used to risk assessment for honeybees. Bioassay tests were conducted with six insecticides [dinotefuran (neonicotinoid), methomyl (carbamate), profenofos (organophosphate), azadirachtin (botanical-bioinsecticide), spinosad (bioinsecticide - an extract of the fermentation broth of soil actinomycete) and chlorfluazuron (IGR)] on honeybee workers by the insecticide / food mixture technique, at seven concentrations as ratios of recommended field rate [F (ug a. i. mL-1)], for 15 days. Results revealed that dinotefuran was significantly the most toxic to bees, which gave the shortest median lethal times (LT50s), 4.4, 4.9, 5.8, 6.4 and 10.3 days at concentrations of 1F×10-2, 5F×10-3, 1F×10-3, 5F×10-4 and 1F×10-4, respectively. Moreover, it gave 100% bee mortality after one day exposure time, at two higher concentrations, (1F×10-1) and (5F×10-2). The toxicity order of the tested insecticides for honey bees (Based on LT95s) varied by the reducing in their concentrations, whereas it was: dinotefuran > methomyl > profenofos > azadirachtin > chlorfluazuron > spinosad, at the higher concentrations and this became azadirachtin > dinotefuran > profenofos > chlorfluazuron > methomyl > spinosad at the lowest concentrations. It was concluded that the interaction among insecticide concentration, exposure time and its chemical class plays a great role in the risk level on honeybee workers. Spinosad and chlorfluazuron were significantly less toxic in comparison to the other insecticides tested and they can be safely applied to crops