Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Evaluation of Different Rice Hybrids on Morphological Traits and Quality Attributes in Adaptability Yield Trial
No full textTwelve rice hybrids of different companies were evaluated for yield, yield components and quality attributes in at Rice Research Institute Kala shah kaku along with KSK-133 and KSK-434 as check varieties in RCBD. All the hybrids were found significantly different from each other in all aspects of morphological and quality attributes. The traits under study were maturity days, plant height (cm), no. of productive tillers, panicle length (cm), no. of grains / panicle, 1000 grain weight (gram) and paddy yield (t/ha). Quality attributes include cooked grain length, average grain length, elongation ratio, broken rice %, total milled rice % and head rice recovery%. PRIDE-1(10.2 t/ha) and DAGHA (9.7 t/ha) were found to be significantly higher in yield. On the other side paddy yield of hybrid HEV-188(5.52 t/ha) remained at the bottom. The highest value of no. of productive tillers were recorded in PRIDE-1, panical length was higher in LP-3. The no. of grains /panicle was higher in AKP-907 and 1000 grain weight was estimated maximum in Y-26, which were significantly higher relative to the checks. In case of milling recovery, WINNER-05 was found to be best hybrid with head rice recovery (68.5%) and in cooking quality the best value estimated of elongation ratio was of DAGHA (1.7). PRIDE-1 and DAGHA can be used for seed production. The seed of the following hybrids can be multiplied and produced in Sindh for cultivation
Evaluation of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) Utilization and Production in Eastern Parts of Kenya
No full textTamarind is a fruit tree native to tropical parts of Africa and Asia It is used as a source of raw material in food industry, timber and landscaping. Despite the great value of tamarind, there is no information related to how it is utilized and produced in Kenya. The objective of this study was to evaluate tamarind production and utilization in Eastern parts of Kenya. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on production systems, planting material, cultural practices, proportion of tamarind sold, time taken to maturity, maturity indices, uses and challenges in tamarind production. Results indicated that all the farmers interviewed depended on seeds as their source of planting material. Farmers reported that tamarind was mainly grown for market and subsistence use. Majority of the respondents used tamarind as fruit, an ingredient in porridge and as a source of herbal medicine. Cultural practices carried out in tamarind production were intercropping, weed control and harvesting. Majority of farmers were not able to determine the actual time trees take to mature but some approximated it to take 5-6 years. Most of the respondent identified fruit color and brittleness of the pod as key maturity indicators. Despite the reports that farmers had no problems on diseases they hardly harvested more than 270 Kg of fruits per plant. Challenges reported by most farmers included aphid infestation, harvesting from tall trees, marketing and transportation. Tamarind trees are of great importance in the Eastern parts of Kenya and more research should be done to improve the crop
Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Red Sokoto Goats Fed Urea Treated Maize Stover Supplemented with Graded Levels of Balanites aegyptiaca Leaf Forage
No full textSixteen Red Sokoto male goats weighing on average 9.36±0.67 Kg were used for the experiment in a completely randomised design (CRD) for a duration of 12 weeks to determine the total feed intake, weight gain and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients. The treatments were; A (control): the basal diet (maize stover treated with 4% urea) plus 100 g maize bran, B: control diet plus 100 g Balanites aegyptiaca, C: control diet plus 200 g Balanites aegyptiaca and D: control diet plus 300 g Balanites aegyptiaca. All animals were allowed ad libitum access to water and mineral lick. p<0.05 was considered as level of significance. Supplementing urea treated maize stover with Balanites aegyptiaca resulted in increased (p<0.05) total dry matter (DM) intake from 346.12 g/day (control), to 423.73 g/day (treatment B), 488.54 g/day (treatment C) and 536.81 g/day (treatment D). Supplementation increased (p<0.05) daily weight gain. Treatment D recorded the highest value of 52.00 g/day. Apparent DM digestibility increased (p<0.05) with supplementation with treatment D having the highest value of 74.32%. Nutrient digestibility also increased (p<0.05) with treatment D supplemented group having the highest values for all the parameters recorded
Development of a Mechanical Trichoderma harzianum Soil Injector for Banana (Musa acuminate)
No full textTrichoderma harzianum is an antagonistic fungus and is widely recognized as a potential biological control agent against several soil-borne plant pathogens. Traditionally it was applied using basal or digging method. These are laborious, time consuming and low application accuracy. To improve these conditions, a mechanical soil injector was developed and evaluated. The fabricated prototype is 3 ft long and has a 1-inch diameter stainless injector. It weighs approximately 17 kilograms including the 16-liters backpack sprayer. The factor affecting the soil injection capacity was the pump power requirement. The volume of solution dispenses by the soil injector and field capacity was determined. The prototype was compared to digging and basal application method. Results showed that the prototype’s average solution discharge ranges from 10-34 mL/sec having a field capacity of 424-890 plants/hour. Compared with the existing application method, it can deliver Trichoderma harzianum five times faster and has a marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) of 1.30
Depletion of Fish Resource in Lake Kitangiri, Tanzania: Poverty - Resource Overexploitation Nexus
No full textLake Kitangiri in Singida, Tanzania is facing enormous pressure as a result of overfishing, illegal fishing, and environmental degradation. The increase in population and climate change have caused a shift from dependency on economic activities such as crop cultivation and livestock keeping to fishing. The limited fish resources are over utilized and have been depleted due to increased fishing activities. In order to determine trends of fish production at Lake Kitangiri and the associated effects of overexploitation, a study was carriedout. Data were collected using household questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informants interviews. fish production, output of farming activities in Lake Kitangiri were found to have been decreasing over years. More importanly, fishing activities in the area have intensified due to influx of people to the area. Illegal fishing activities at the habitat for fish breeding have led to the depletion of fish in the lake. The findings suggest that the depletion of fishery resources has negative effects to the income of the households surrounding the Lake. The government has been trying to combat illegal fishing activities without involving the community or the community based organizations. It is therefore recommended that the government should involve the community in the conservation of the resoures. The introduction of high value crops in the area will reduce the number of people that look at fishing as the only viable livelihood activity thereby reducing pressure to the lake. It is also recommended that aquaculture be introduced to the area
Inter-seasonal Effects on Selected Maturity Parameters of DK8031 Maize Grown under Varying Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels in Embu County, Kenya
No full textMaize is a staple food and a source of carbohydrates to a large proportion of people in Kenya. The performance of crop plants such as maize depends on a number of factors such as climate, soil characteristics and plant species. The maturity parameters such time to tassel, milk stage, physiological maturity and biological maturity are consequently affected which in turn has an influence on crop performance. A study was carried out at University of Embu Demonstration Farm that lies at 03° 30′ S latitude, 37° 30′ E longitude, and altitude 1480 m above sea level, soils being Humic Nitisols. To evaluate the effects of seasonal weather variability on maturity parameters of DK8031 maize, a CRBD in a split plot experimental arrangement was set up in which four irrigation levels (I) and five nitrogen fertilizer rates (N) were allocated the main and subplot treatments in two seasons, respectively. The results revealed that the irrigation levels and nitrogen rates significantly (P<0.05) affected the time to reach the 50% tasseling, 50% milk stage and 50% physiological maturity, ranging from 69 to 73, 99 to 107 and 128 to 140 days after planting, respectively. In all cases, Season I (cool and less rainfall, 530.3 mm) crop took longer to reach any the three developmental stages, compared to Season II (warm and more rainfall = 605.6 mm). The time variation in reaching the developmental stages was attributed to the seasonal weather conditions. Farmers can opt to plant their maize crop in Season II to take advantage of the shorter period the crop takes to mature
Evaluation of Ricinus communis Extracts as a Biopesticide for Nisotra gemella Control
No full textThe efficacy of the extracts of leaves of castor (Ricinus communis) on flea beetle (Nisotra gemella), ravaging sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), was performed in the laboratory of Phytochemistry of the Faculty of Sciences (Loyola University of Congo). The insects were captured on the leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa in the field using plastic jars.
Toxicity tests were conducted in laboratory conditions in Petri dishes at a temperature of 28 ± 1°C. The results of the preliminary toxicity test of the total extracts showed a mortality of 100% for the petroleum ether extracts, 31.33% for the ethanolic extract, and 0% for the total aqueous extract, after 24 hours of exposure. The petroleum ether extracts was chosen for further investigations.
Different concentrations of the total petroleum ether extract were applied on filter paper (1%: 0.53 ml / cm²; 0.1%: 0.05 ml / cm²; 0.05%: 0.03 ml / cm²) caused 100% mortality for the dose of 0.53 ml / cm² in the interval of 9 and 10 hours; 0.05 ml / cm² caused 100% mortality after 15 -16 hours. An interval of 19 to 20 hours was necessary to cause 100 % mortality using the concentration of 0.03 ml / cm². No mortality was recorded in control plates (petroleum ether).
The same doses were used to evaluate the repellent effect. It was observed a low insect activity with an average rate of 39.5%. The thin layer chromatography enabled the identification of 10 spots (petroleum ether and ethyl acetate/ 5:1) and 8 spots (Petroleum ether and ethyl acetate/ 9:1)
Analyses of Training Needs to Improve Job Performance Using Model Borich Need Assessment with Theory of Self-Efficacy
No full textThis purpose of the study is to identify the training needs of Iraqi agricultural extension workers in three (3) provinces. The study includes a conceptual framework, analytical framework, description of the study area, sources and procedures for data collection. The statistical tools used for analyzing the data collected are descriptive analysis, ANOVA one way, T-test and Chi-square, correlation analysis, Multiple Linear Regressions and also used model Borich needs assessment for measurement training needs. The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between the training needs of respondents in agricultural extension work and social demographic factors. This study revealed a significant relationship between training needs and provinces (P-value = 0.029), marital status (P-value = 0.007), number of training courses attended (P-value = 0.149), location of work (P-value = 0.007), training (X2 P-value = 0.043) and experience. Conversely, the relationship between training needs and specialization, age, gender, education level, origin, background of the family and experience in farming were found to be insignificant. T-test and Chi-Square statistical analyses were used to analyze the relationship between training needs and gender, experience in farming, family background, origin, and training courses attended. ANOVA analysis was used to analyze the relationship between training needs and provinces, specialization, work location and marital status. In addition, correlation analysis was also used to determine the relationship between training needs and age, experience in agricultural extension, education level and a number of training courses attended
Productivity, Energy Use Efficiency and Economics of Organic Scented Rice Cultivation in Sub-Humid Agroecosystem
No full textThe increasing demand for organic cereals especially indigenous scented rice varieties in the recent years has peaked farmers’ interest towards its organic production. However, the threat of crop loss under organic cultivation has been holding back large scale initiatives. Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology has come up as a promising organic package of practice towards mitigating this drawback of organic production that too at an affordable economics. The present study was conducted to generate scientific information regarding organic scented rice cultivation (Oryza sativa var. ‘Gobindobhog’) utilizing this organic POP in terms of productivity, energy use efficiency and economics. The yield of scented rice cultivated using organic POP was found to be 18% higher than the conventionally grown ones. In terms of energy use efficiency as well, organic POP was calculated to be more efficient signifying the role of organic practice in sustainable agriculture. Net profitability of organic paddy increased up to 17% with a minimum premium price of 25%. This increased higher income opportunity from same unit of land was an added benefit apart from improved soil quality in general; under organic management
Improving Agricultural Water Productivity with Alternate Furrow Irrigation in Semi-Arid Conditions of Northern Ethiopia
No full textThe major production constraint in arid and semi-arid areas is scarcity of irrigation water. Thus, improving the management of irrigation water is very crucial to reduce water losses and thereby enhance water use efficiency. Hence, this research was conducted to evaluate the effect of Alternate Furrow Irrigation (AFI) on yield, water use efficiency and economic return of Onion at Hamedo irrigation scheme as compared to Conventional Furrow Irrigation (CFI), at different levels of water application (100, 80 and 60% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)). Results indicated that AFI maintained almost similar bulb yield but with up to 50% reduction in irrigation amount when compared to CFI. The maximum marketable bulb yield obtained at 100% ETc with CFI was 22.9 ton/ha which is not statistically significant with that of obtained under AFI (20.8 ton/ha). However, the WUE of onion under AFI at 100% ETc was higher (7.12 kg/m3) than that of CFI at 100% ETc (3.9 kg/m3). Moreover, the amount of water saved by AFI, at both levels of water (80 and 60% ETc), was also much higher (293.8 - 413.1mm) than even that of 60% ETc under CFI (238.4mm). Overall, under limited water resources, AFI can reduce the costs associated with labor and pumping to the field. Therefore, it can be recommended that AFI is a practical technique to improve agricultural water productivity for irrigated crops in the study area and other similar agro ecologies