Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Tillage Operations and Fertilizer Applications on the Growth and Yield Response of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var. Saccharata)
No full textSweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) has become an increasingly important crop in the Philippines due to its nutritional value and market demand. This study investigated the effects of different tillage operations and fertilizer applications on the growth and yield of sweet corn and assess the agricultural practices and challenges faced by sweet corn farmers in the region. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed, with four treatments: zero tillage with urea, zero tillage with vermicompost, conventional tillage with urea, and conventional tillage with vermicompost. Data were gathered on germination index, plant height, ear length, ear diameter, and ear weight, with statistical analysis conducted using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation. Findings revealed that plant height was significantly greater in conventional tillage with vermicompost with a mean of 197.6cm. Ear weight was significantly affected by the treatment, with conventional tillage with urea yielding the highest mean weight of 14.21 kg. Return on investment was highest for conventional tillage with vermicompost at 83.6%, offering substantial profitability
Assessment of Morphotypes of False Sesame (Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl.) in Burkina Faso
No full textThe aim of this study was to assess the agro-morphological diversity of Ceratotheca sesamoides accessions in Burkina Faso. A series of 49 accessions from four regions of Burkina Faso in two different climatic zones were studied. A randomised Fisher block design with three replications was used to set up the experiment. The study revealed the existence of agro-morphological variability within the Ceratotheca sesamoides species during plant development. This variability was most notable in stem colour, stem pubescence and leaf shape and margin. The difference between accessions in terms of qualitative characteristics was confirmed by the chi-2 test. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) on the basis of the qualitative and quantitative variables was used to divide the 49 accessions into four groups on the basis of their differences due to the diversity of the species in Burkina Faso. Each of the groups obtained contains accessions with specific characteristics linked to the harvesting area and performance. For example, group 1 obtained from the MCA contained variables with better leaf biomass and length performance
Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Non-linear Growing Degree Day Methods for Wheat Yield Prediction in Punjab, India
No full textAims: To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of three Growing Degree Day (GDD) calculation methods—linear (Method 1), improved linear (Method 2), and cosine-wave (Method 3)—for predicting wheat phenological stages and yield in Punjab, India, to optimize agricultural practices in semi-arid regions.
Study Design: Comparative field-based experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: Research Farms of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; Research Station, Faridkot, and Research Station, ballowal Saunkhri.
Methodology: Field experiments involved the wheat variety Unnat PBW 550, planted on November 15th at three locations. Weather data from Agrometeorological Observatories were used to calculate GDD using three methods. Phenological stages were observed, and GDD was computed for each method. Model performance was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV), Willmott’s refined index of agreement (dr), and logistic modeling of dry matter accumulation (R² and RMSE).
Results: GDD for maturity at Ballowal Saunkhri was 1880.8 ± 34 °C (Method 1), 1710.65 ± 34 °C (Method 2), and 1618 ± 38 °C (Method 3). Method 3 showed the lowest CV (3.5% for tillering) and highest dr (0.98 in 2020 at Ballowal Saunkhri). Logistic modeling indicated Method 3’s superior accuracy (R² = 0.989, RMSE = 0.039 at Ballowal Saunkhri) compared to Method 1 (R² = 0.982, RMSE = 0.047) and Method 2 (R² = 0.970, RMSE = 0.062).
Conclusion: The cosine-wave method (Method 3) offers superior precision for GDD estimation, enhancing wheat yield predictions and resource management in semi-arid regions. Further validation across diverse crops and climates is recommended
Response of Various Pinching Levels on Growth and Flowering of Annual Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) cv. Local in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Condition
No full textThe Present study highlights the response of various pinching levels on growth and flowering of Annual Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium) cv. Local in Bhubaneswar, Odisha condition. Among different crop management practices to increase production and quality of various annual flowers including annual chrysanthemum, cultural manipulation of growth and flowering through proper pinching mechanism assumes greater significance. The experiment was conducted following Factorial Randomized Block Design consisting of two factors viz., spacing and pinching as treatments. In this study three levels of pinching viz., P0 (No pinching), P1 (Single pinching i.e. 30 days after transplanting) & P2 (Double pinching i.e. 30 and 45 days after transplanting) as treatments under each main plot treatment were included which were replicated thrice. Among three different levels of pinching tried, parameters like weight of individual flower was observed to be maximum under no pinching (P0) treatment. However, plants took minimum time for 50 % flowering under this pinching treatment. Besides, plants receiving no pinching treatment exhibited poor performances with respect to several growth and flowering parameters. Numbers of primary branches per plant, weight of flowers per plant, weight of flowers per plot as well as per hectare were found to be lowest under this treatment (P0). On the other hand several growth and flowering parameters were improved under this pinching treatment. Parameters like plant spread, number of primary branches, weight of flowers per plant, weight of flowers per plot as well as per hectare were observed to be maximum under this double pinching treatment. Besides, flowering parameters like 50 % flowering were maximum delayed under this pinching treatment. Since the ultimate aim of any crop production programme is to maximize the yield through an ideal crop management practices, in the present investigation it was found that adoption double pinching, once after 30 days and again after 45 days of planting was most suitable practice for maximizing flower yield in annual chrysanthemum cv. Local which may be recommended to the flower growers for its commercial cultivation in and around Bhubaneswar
Sway of Slope Position on Soil Properties, Moisture Content Characteristics, and Soil Stability in Abak River Basin, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
No full textMechanisms acting in the retention of soil moisture and formation of soil aggregate is influence by slope position, these features meditates many soil physical, chemical and biological processes that facilitate stable soil structure. A study was conducted to assessed slope position influence and moisture content on soil properties and aggregate stability in Abak River Basin, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Five locations were selected for the study, in each location, three slope positions were identified, the upper, middle and lower slopes, soil samples were collected from 0 – 30cm depth from each slope position, giving a total of fifteen soil samples and were taken to the laboratory for analyses. Results showed that all slope positions had moderate acidity. Bs increased down the slope, while Al did not follow a definite pattern along the different physiographic position of the Basin. Water stability aggregate for the three slope positions were not statistically different, but the seemingly least among the slope position was that of the upper slope. Both dry and wet aggregate size distribution werer dominted by small mcro aggregate for all slope positions. Organic matter content to some extent lead to increase in aggregate stability with the most pronounced effect occurring in the middle slope. Adoption of management practices that geared towards increase in organic matter and moisture cotent of the soil for sustainable environment and crop growth are required for soil aggregate formation
Morphological, Genetic and Phytochemical Characterization of Black Ginger (Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker) Accessions
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the morphological, genetic, and phytochemical diversity of Kaempferia parviflora accessions to identify potential elite genotypes for conservation and commercial applications. Twenty-one accessions, collected from multiple locations were cultivated under uniform conditions and assessed for 14 morphological traits. Cluster analysis using Gower’s General Similarity Coefficient and UPGMA revealed distinct phenotypic groupings, with variation in leaf shape, size, and margin color suggesting underlying genetic divergence. Genetic characterization using 10 ISSR primers produced 33 polymorphic bands, with a mean Shannon diversity index of 1.70, indicating a narrow genetic base. Jaccard’s similarity coefficients ranged from 0.61 to 0.98, and UPGMA clustering separated accessions into three main groups, with KH-MJ emerging as a genetically distinct outlier. Phytochemical profiling of 10 selected accessions showed significant variation in total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and 4,5,7-trimethoxyflavone (TMF) levels. KH-THA 10 consistently exhibited the highest TPC (47.534 mg GAE/g), TFC (7.887 mg RE/g), and TMF (42.95 µg/mg), identifying it as an elite accession for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. The integration of morphological, molecular, and phytochemical data provides a robust framework for germplasm management, breeding, and the development of high-value K. parviflora cultivars. Future work should focus on broadening the genetic base and validating genotype–environment interactions affecting bioactive compound production
Analysis of Production Costs, Revenue and Profitability of Smallholder Oil Palm Farming in East Kutai Regency, Indonesia
No full textOil palm is one of the most important plantation crops. Oil palm development can increase farmer/community income, provide industrial raw materials, and generate foreign exchange through CPO exports. The majority of residents in Dusun 3, Marga Mulia Village, rely on oil palm plantations for their primary income because they are considered to have long-term prospects, high profits, and relatively easy cultivation techniques. Economic and feasibility analysis of smallholder oil palm farming is essential to evaluate the profitability and sustainability of the business. The purpose of this study was to determine the production costs, revenues, and income of smallholder oil palm businesses and to assess their feasibility using the Revenue/Cost (R/C) ratio. The study was conducted from February to April 2025 in Dusun 3, Marga Mulia Village, Kongbeng District, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The study used a saturated or census sampling method, resulting in a sample size of 24 farmers from the entire population. The criteria were oil palm farmers with oil palm plantations aged between 10 and 12 years. Data were collected through primary and secondary methods through observation, interviews, and literature review, and then analyzed using descriptive quantitative analysis. The results show that the average production cost was IDR 15,014,749.18/ha/year, the average revenue was IDR 47,895,964.08/ha, and the income was IDR 32,881,214.89/ha/year. The smallholder oil palm business in this area is declared profitable and feasible to be developed with an R/C ratio of 3.19, indicating that every IDR 1.00 of production costs generates IDR 3.19 in income
Redistribution of Intrinsic Soil Properties and Aggregate Stability: Management Implications on Beach Ridge Sands in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
No full textThe research was conducted to assess specific soil characteristics and aggregates of the beach ridge sand parent material in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Soil samples were gathered and examined for physical, chemical characteristics and aggregate stability. The statistical method employed was analysis of variance, and the means were differentiated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). Correlation analysis was employed to assess the relationships among soil characteristics. The results revealed that Sand, bulk density, total porosity and pH showed low variation (CV 15 %), saturated hydraulic conductivity shows strong variance (36 %). Organic matter Av. P and silt had moderate coefficient of variation (CV = 15 – 35%), while Exchangeable acidity ranged from 2.8 – 9.10 cmolkg-1, with mean value of 10.01 ± 1.92 Cmolkg-1 (CV = 2.01 %), Skewness 1.71, while kurtosis was 2.96. Effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) ranged from 6.18 to 14.89 cmolkg-1 with the mean value of 4.57 ± 3.24 Cmolkg-1 (CV = 32.37 %), skewness 0.34, while kurtosis was -1.57. ECEC was moderate. Mean-Weight Diameter Wet ranged from 7.55 to 16.78 with mean value of 10.90 ± 2.63 mm (CV = 2.13 %). The result of soil chemical properties showed high mean value for base saturation (53.77 %). Aggregate stability result showed that potential structural deformation index (30.22) have dominated other aggregates indices. The locations studied required conservative practices and more efficient management to ensure greater aggregate stability
Physiological Screening of Drought Tolerance in Sesamum indicum L. Based on Leaf Water-Holding Capacity across Phenological Stages
No full textThe study evaluates the leaf water-holding capacity of 12 Sesamum indicum L. accessions of diverse geographical origin under rainfed conditions in the Tashkent region. Measurements were performed in three phenological stages (bud formation, flowering, seed maturation) using the gravimetric method. The flowering stage was identified as the key diagnostic period for drought tolerance, showing the greatest variation in water-holding capacity among genotypes. Based on the minimum water-holding capacity (S) and its phase variability (Δ), four drought tolerance classes were distinguished. Accession K216 (Syria) demonstrated stable water-holding capacity and was classified as highly tolerant; K9549 (India) and K1185 (Tajikistan) were identified as near-tolerant and are recommended as donors for breeding. K1396, K598, K9428 and the control cultivar Tashkentskiy-122 exhibited high sensitivity to water deficit. The most drought-tolerant accession (K216) maintained water-holding capacity above 62% during flowering, whereas sensitive lines dropped below 48%, confirming the diagnostic relevance of this indicator. The phase dynamics of water-holding capacity proved to be an informative physiological marker for rapid drought tolerance screening in sesame. The obtained results highlight the value of water-holding capacity -based physiological screening for identifying drought-tolerant sesame genotypes suitable for use in breeding programs
Symptomatology of Soybean Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV) in the Marathwada Region of Maharashtra, India
No full textSoybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important oilseed crop cultivated widely across tropical and subtropical regions, valued for its high protein (40–42%) and oil content (18–20%). Soybean productivity in India, particularly in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, is severely affected by Yellow Mosaic Virus Disease (YMVD), caused by Soybean Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV), a begomovirus transmitted efficiently by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The disease leads to foliar yellowing, mosaic patterns, chlorosis, puckering, shortened internodes, malformed pods, and significant yield reduction. Accurate documentation of symptom development is essential for early detection, field diagnosis, and the implementation of effective management strategies.
A study on YMV symptomatology was conducted during Kharif 2023–24 and 2024–25 at the Department of Plant Pathology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani. Soybean plants of cv. MAUS-612 were grown in sterilized soil and inoculated at the 2–3 leaf stage using viruliferous whiteflies maintained in screen-house rearing cages. Inoculated plants were observed periodically, and symptoms were recorded with respect to colour, distribution, pattern, and severity throughout the crop growth cycle.
Initial infection appeared during the 24th Standard Meteorological Week as scattered bright yellow specks and diffused green–yellow mottling on young trifoliate leaves. Disease progression resulted in extensive yellow mosaic, chlorosis, leaf puckering, curling, blistering, and reduction in lamina size. Advanced infection stages showed stunting, shortened internodes, premature leaf drop, flower abortion, malformed pods, and shriveled or mottled seeds. Severe infections led to complete yellowing of young leaves and total failure of pod formation, indicating substantial yield losses. Symptom expression correlated with disease severity and provided early markers for field-level diagnosis.
The study provides a detailed characterization of YMV symptomatology in the Marathwada region, offering critical information for disease surveillance, epidemiological studies, varietal screening, and integrated disease management. These findings are essential for developing strategies to mitigate the impact of YMVD, supporting soybean production, and guiding resistance-breeding programs in India and other Asian soybean-growing regions.