Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Plant Density Tolerance of 23 Inbred Lines of Maize (Zea mays L.) and Their 69 Testcrosses
No full textMaximum yield per unit area may be obtained by growing maize hybrids that can withstand high plant density. Maize genotypes differ in plant density tolerance (PDT). The objectives of the present investigation were to identify the density tolerant genotypes, to estimate the superiority of tolerant (T) over sensitive (S) inbreds and testcrosses and to identify the trait(s) of strongest association with PDT. Ninety-six testcrosses were produced between 23 inbreds and three testers. All genotypes were evaluated under low (LD), medium (MD) and high (HD) density (47,600, 71,400 and 95,200 plants/ha, respectively). The highest stress tolerance index (STI) under HD and MD was exhibited by the inbred lines L21, IL15, IL53, Inb176, IL80, L28, IL151 and L14 and the testcrosses IL51 × Giza2 , IL51 × SC10, L14 × SC10, L28 × Sd7, IL53 × SC10 and L28 × SC10, in descending order. Grain yield/ha (GYPH) of density tolerant (T) was greater than the sensitive (S) inbreds and testcrosses by 100.6 and 89.3%, respectively under HD. Superiority in GYPH was associated with superiority in all yield components, earliness in anthesis, shortening of anthesis-silking interval and plant height, thickness of lower and upper stem diameter, decrease in leaf angle and leaf area to produce 1g grain, increase in penetrated light to ear and in chlorophyll concentration index than the sensitive ones. The study concluded that to have a density tolerant cross, both parents should be tolerant
Phenotypic Correlations and Body Weight Prediction of Two Ectotypes of Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina maginata, Swain.) Based on Number of Whorls in Calabar, Nigeria
No full textBackground: Giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata) is a micro livestock with potentials as a protein source especially among impoverished individuals. As such, it requires much research attention to fully unveil it genetic nature for possible improvements.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred (200) snails consisting of one hundred (100) each of black-skinned ectotype and white-skinned ectotype were selected based on number of whorls from a population gathered in the wild within Cross River State for the study. Data collected on number of whorls from the two ectotypes of snails were used for predicting body weights from phenotypic traits.
Results: The black-skinned ectotype body weight ranged from 0.70 g to 153.90 g, while the white-skinned ectotype body weight ranged from 0.60 g to 72.10 g. The results obtained from the study showed positive, strong and very high significant correlation coefficients (p<0.001) between body weights and all body components measured based on 2 and 3 whorls for the two ectotypes of A. marginata. A non-significant (p>0.05) phenotypic correlation was recorded for white-skinned ectotype with 4 whorls between mouth shell width and all the body components measured. Whereas a non-significant (p>0.05) phenotypic correlation was only recorded for mouth shell width and mouth shell length of 5 whorls for white-skinned snails. Prediction equations for the body weight of A. marginata with 2, 3, 4 and 5 whorls using body shell length, body shell width, mouth shell length and mouth shell width best predicted accurately body weight for the two ectotypes of snails with 2, 3, 4, and 5 whorls.
Conclusion: These phenotypic traits of the two ectotypes of snails studied could be chosen to characterize growing snails in Calabar, Nigeria
Effects of Inter-cropping and a Herbicide on Management of Striga hermonthica on Sorghum
No full textAims: The present work was undertaken to determine the effects of the herbicide chlorsulfuron and intercropping sorghum (cv.Wad-Ahmed) with cowpea (T100K-901-6 cv.) on S. hermonthica incidence and sorghum growth.
Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: A series of laboratory and greenhouse experiments was undertaken at the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST) at Shambat, during the season 2013/2014.
Methodology: Striga free or infested soil was placed in plastic pots (9 cm i .d) with perforations at the bottoms. Pots filled with Striga free soil (0 mg) were included as control for comparison. Sorghum cultivar Wad-Ahmed was sown as sole crop or intercropped with cowpea. Chlorsulfuron at 1.3 g active ingredient (a.i)/fed was applied three weeks after sowing. Plant height and Stem diameter were measured in centimetres using a ruler and vernier caliper instrument, respectively, while weight was weighed in gram after drying using a balance.
Results: At 60 and 75 days after sowing (DAS), irrespective of Striga seed bank size, cowpea intercropped with sorghum displayed significant reduction in stem diameter (19.0-56.7%). Sorghum intercropped with cowpea at Striga seed bank size of 16 mg/pot resulted in a significant reduction in sorghum dry weight (61.6%). However, at 60 and 75 DAS displayed a significant reduction in sorghum height only at the seed bank size of 16 mg/pot. Chlorsulfuron applied to Sole sorghum at Striga seed bank size of 16 mg/pot reduced sorghum dry weight by 51.9%. Sorghum intercropped with cowpea and subsequently treated with chlorsulfuron at Striga seed bank size of 16 mg/pot decreased sorghum height significantly (20.8 – 29.5%). Sorghum intercropped with cowpea and subsequently treated with chlorsulfuron, irrespective of Striga seed bank size, reduced sorghum dry weight (28.1- 47.6%).
Conclusion: According to this study, Striga management requires integrated practices comprising different components. Intercropping sorghum with cowpea reduced Striga emergence. Chlorsulfuron effectively reduced germination and suppressed Striga emergence
Evaluation of Growth Performance of Some Rice Varieties in Relation to Their Economic Yield
No full textThe experiment was conducted during the period of March to August (Aus season), 2013 at the experimental farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, and Dhaka to evaluate the growth performance of some rice varieties in relation to their economic yield. The performance of BRRI hybrid dhan1, BRRI hybrid dhan2, ACI hybrid2, Jagoron and Panna1 were compared with check variety, BRRI dhan48. The experiment was laid out with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were recorded on different growth parameters, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index. The data were recorded at 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after transplanting (DAT) as well as at final harvest and obtained data were statistically analyzed for comparisons. In term of vegetative growth parameters, plant height, tiller hill-1, leaf area index, stem dry matter hill-1, leaves dry matter hill-1 and total dry matter hill-1 at different DAT, the ACI hybrid2 was superior over the check variety, BRRI dhan48 as well as BRRI hybrid dhan1 and BRRI hybrid dhan1. Highest and statistically significant grain yield (3.05 t ha-1) straw yield (4.20 t ha-1) biological yield (7.25 t ha-1) and harvest index (42.01%) was observed in ACI hybrid2 which was statistically identical with hybrid rice Jagoron and Panna. All test hybrid varieties were superior in vegetative and yield performance over inbreed BRRI dhan48 during Aus season. 
Diagonal Offset Arrangement and Spacing Architecture Effect on Growth and Yield Components of Grain Amaranth in Kenya
No full textThe grain Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) is often referred to as the crop of the future because of its advantages both for production and consumption. However, the grain amaranth has an under-exploited potential that can contribute to food security, nutrition, health, income generation and environmental services. However, productivity of the crop in Kenya where it is grown in small plots has not been fully utilized. The current study was conducted to find out how conventional intra row spacing and diagonal offset spacing influence growth and yield of grain amaranth. A field experiment was carried out at Kenyatta University field station. It was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two arrangements (Conventional and Diagonal Offset) and two row spacings (30 cm × 15 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm) that was replicated three times. The longest roots (23.0 cm) were observed in the diagonal offset with 15×15 cm during season one and the widest stem diameter were elicited under the 15×15 cm in the diagonal offset arrangement with 0.62 cm and 1.05 cm recorded during the first and second season, respectively. The root mass under the diagonal offset arrangement at 15×15 cm spacing had the highest with 26.3 g and 25.0 g per plant during the first and second season, respectively. The least leaf area per plant was recorded under the narrow spacing (15×15 cm) of the conventional arrangement for both seasons while the greatest was under the narrow spacing of the diagonal offset arrangement recording a mean of 1200 cm2 and 1230 cm2 for the first and second seasons, respectively. The diagonal offset arrangement under the narrow spacing showed the highest grain yield per plant with a mean of 48.2 g during the first season and 47.22 g during the second season. There were no significant differences between the treatments on the number of leaves, plant height, number of branches per plant and the 1000-seed mass. The Diagonal offset arrangement led to improved performance of grain amaranth in both seasons and is therefore highly recommended especially in the narrow spacing of 15×15 cm. In conclusion, results of this study revealed that the narrow spacing of 15×15 cm under the diagonal offset arrangement led to the best performance of grain amaranth and is highly recommended
Irrigation Management for Optimizing Onion Seed Production
No full textOnion is seen as a major horticultural crop in Bangladesh. Irrigation technologies that conserve water are necessary to assure the economic and environmental sustainability of commercial agriculture. This study was conducted in Lysimeter to observe the effect of different irrigation regimes on onion seed and bulb yield. Irrigation regime consisted of five irrigation treatments: Irrigation at pre-vegetative stage up to field capacity [T1]; Irrigation at pre-vegetative and vegetative stage [T2]; Irrigation at pre-vegetative, vegetative stage, and bulb formation stage [T3]; Irrigation at pre-vegetative, vegetative, bulb formation, and flowering stage [T4]; and Irrigation at pre-vegetative, vegetative, bulb formation, pre-flowering, and late flowering stage [T5] up to field capacity. The results revealed insignificant effect on seed and bulb yield, and yield attributes except plant height. The cultivars showed significant effect on all yield attributes and seed yield of onion. The highest seed yield (76.98 gm.m-2) as well as water productivity (33.95 kg ha-1 cm-1) was obtained from T4 treatment, which received four irrigations (total 11.06 cm). The onion mutants produced higher seed yield than the check cultivar Baripiaj 2. The highest seed yield was found under Bp2/75/2 mutant (73.93 gm/m2). From the present results, it is revealed that irrigation at pre-vegetative, vegetative, bulb formation and flowering stages up to field capacity are required for higher seed yield of onion at Mymensingh area
Comparative Estimation of the Costs and Returns of Integrated Fish-Based Farming Systems in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria
No full textThe present study was conducted to know the costs and returns of three integrated fish-based farming (IFF) systems in Kaduna metropolis of Nigeria during 2015 to 2016 farming season. Primary data were collected through the structured questionnaire from 138 fished-based farmers and analyzed using net farm income and ANOVA. The results indicated that among the three integrated farming systems, fish-poultry farming was the most profitable farming with a net income of N1,166,441.80 and BCR of 1.69 followed by fish-vegetable farming with net income of N770,708.87 and BCR of 1.31. The least was fish-pig farming with a net income of N759, 052.11 and BCR 1.25. The ANOVA results showed that the calculated F value of 12.08 was significant at 1% probability level, implying that there was a significant difference in the profitability of the three fish-based farming systems in the study area. It was recommended that government and the private sector should provide adequate funding for livestock research that has to do with development of low cost, high quality feeds using local feed materials and manufacturing/fabrication of local machines
Evaluation of the Quality of Juice Prepared from African Bush Mango (Irvingia garbonensis Var. garbonesis) Fruit Pulp
No full textAim: The study investigated the quality of juice prepared from African bush mango fruit pulp.
Study Design: The study was carried out in three replications and the data were analyzed using analysis of variance in completely randomized design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at University of Nigeria Nsukka in 2014.
Methodology: African bush mango pulp was blended with hot water at 1:5 dilution and the slurry was filtered through double folded muslin cloth. The juice was ameliorated with 8% (w/v) sucrose and then pasteurized at 65°C for 30 min. The juice was treated with 0.1% (w/v) sodium benzoate. The pulp and the treated juice were analyzed for the chemical composition, mineral and phytochemical contents. The sensory properties of the untreated and the sodium benzoate treated juices were determined.
Results: The pH of the treated juice and pulp were 4.0 and 4.8, respectively. The juice contained 10°brix soluble solids while that of the pulp was 8°brix. The protein contents decreased from 4.8% in the pulp to 1.1% in the juice. Similarly, the carbohydrate contents decreased from 80.8% in the pulp to 7.72% in the juice. The juice contained lower energy content (41.58 Kcal/100 ml) than the pulp (355 Kcal/100 g). The vitamin C contents of the pulp and juice were 78 mg/100 g and 67 mg/100 ml, respectively. The Mg, Fe and Zn contents of the pulp were 104, 2.5 and 3.0 mg/100 g, respectively while the Mg, Fe and Z contents of the juice were 97, 1.3 and 1.9 mg/100 mg, respectively. The juice contained 272 mg/100 ml phenols, 1056 ug carotenoids, 395 mg/100 ml flavonoids and 43. 4 mg/100 ml anthocyanins. These phytochemicals were higher in the pulp than in the juice. The African bush mango juice and the sodium benzoate treated juice were not significantly different (p>0.05) in all the sensory properties evaluated. The juices were generally accepted by the panelists.
Conclusion: Accepted juice could be prepared from African bush fruit at 1:5 pulp to water dilution with 8% (w/v) sucrose addition. The juice was rich in vitamin C, essential minerals and phytochemicals
Assessment of Snail Farming from Selected Villages in the Mount Cameroon Range, South West Region of Cameroon
No full textThis study examined the role of snail farming (Heliculture) as a potential tool for conservation and livelihood development in forest dependent communities around the Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP). The villages selected for this study were Mapanja, Bonjongo, Mokunda and Boana based on their proximity to forest resources. Since it was a pilot study, farmers were selected based on their prior knowledge on snail farming or were currently farming snails locally. A total of 38 questionnaires were distributed to snail farmers of which were 18 males and 20 females in the four villages and we recorded a hundred percent respondents. The questionnaires were based on forest related activities such as collection of non timber forest products, agricultural practices and collection of woody products. Observations, monitoring and progressive evaluations were made overtime on some behavioural changes (frequency to the forest for hunting, harvesting of forest products and snail meat consumption). Observations were made on the number of snails stocked, number of dead snails, number of eggs, and number of baby snails. The data were entered into excel and analyzed descriptively. We noticed that after the establishment of snail farms in these communities overtime, individuals covered less distances into the forest 2hrs/week in Mapanja, and less than 1hr/week in Bonjongo, Mukunda and Boana. The number of traps set reduced from 80% in Mapanja and Mokunda to less than 20% and 60% in Bonjongo and Boana to less than 20%. It was noticed that snail meat consumption increased after snails farms were established, Mapanja 29%, Bonjongo 37.5%, Mokunda 33.3% and Boana 29.2% when compared with other protein sources. It was concluded that if proper management of the snail farms around the MCNP can provide a better alternative of bush meat hunting, provide income and reduced human influence on the forest
Effect of Different Levels of Phosphorus and Sulphur on Seed & Stover Yield of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) under ‘Eutrochrepts’
No full textA field experiment was conducted at KVK, Srinagar during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 to study the “Effect of phosphorus and sulphur on yield and quality of soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) under Eutrochrepts”. The experiment was laid down under 16 treatment combinations viz four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four levels of sulphur (0,15, 30, 45 kg S ha-1) in randomized complete block design with three replications .The soil of the experimental site was typic Eutrochrepts, silty clay loam in texture having pH 7.18, EC 0.18 dSm-1, organic carbon 0.74 per cent, available N, P, K 250.52, 11.45, 120.62, kg ha-1, respectively. Soil was sufficient in available Fe, Cu, Mn and deficient in available Zn and sulphur. Total and organic phosphorus content in soil was 345 and 173 ppm, respectively while as total and organic sulphur content was 232 and 162 ppm, respectively. Both seed and stover yield of soybean increased significantly due to individual as well as combined application of phosphorus and sulphur. Combined application of 45 kg S with 90 kg P2O5 produced highest seed (24.39 q ha-1) and stover (43.51 q ha-1) yield of soybean. Application of increasing levels of both phosphorus and sulphur resulted in a significant increase in macro and micronutrient content of soybean seed. With application of 90 kg P2O5 ha-1, maximum nutrient content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in seed was 6.42, 0.56, 1.876, 0.324 0.440, 0.466 per cent, respectively while as Fe, Cu, Mn was 100.01, 2.86 and 3.74 mg kg-1, respectively.