Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Effect of Replacing Bone Ash with Fresh Water Snail (Pila ampullacea) Shell Ash on Carcass Characteristics of Weaner Rabbits
No full textThe research was conducted using twenty five (25) mixed breed weaner rabbits to investigate the effect of replacing bone ash with fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash on carcass parameters of weaner rabbits. Five experimental diets tagged T1 to T5 were formulated such that fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash replaced bone ash at 0%%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. The rabbits were randomly assigned to the five dietary treatments and replicated five times giving a total of one rabbit per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments revealed a non- significant (P>0.05) effect on the dietary supplementation except for colon length. This study had shown that fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash can serve as a substitute for bone ash in weaner rabbits diet up to 100% without adverse effect on the parameters determined
Image Analysis-based System for Estimating Cotton Leaf Area
No full textLeaf area is important for estimating biomass productivity, adaptation to the environment, nutrition, and soil-water relations. It also plays an important role in determining the proper application rates of insecticides and fungicides. Image processing is considered one of the best methods for estimating the leaf area of a plant as it is inexpensive and saves time. In the image processing method, leaf area is calculated through pixel number statistics by counting the number of pixels in the leaf area region of digital images. In this study, a simple system based on image analysis using the ImageJ software application was developed to estimate cotton leaf area. Two hundred and forty Egyptian cotton (Giza 86) leaves were captured using a digital camera. These leaves were collected randomly from different heights and different fields at Kafer El-Dawar center, El-Behera Governorate, Egypt. The results obtained using the proposed method was then compared with those obtained using the graphical method. There were only minor differences between both sets of results. The proposed method is feasible and practicable for estimating cotton leaf area as it has only a small overall average absolute relative error of 3.46% compared to the graphical method. Further, the proposed method is rapid, simple, and inexpensive
Farm Level Strategic Response to Pesticide Regulations and Its Impact on Performance of Small Scale Vegetable Farmers in Tanzania
No full textAims: To analyze the impact of different farm-level strategic response to pesticide regulations on farm performance of small scale vegetable farmers.
Study Design: A cross-section survey of 167 small scale farmers was carried out to estimate the impact of pesticide regulations on farm performance. A structured interview was used to obtain descriptive information in the field.
Place and Duration of Study: Data collection for the study took place between January and April 2016 in the selected small scale vegetable farms in Mvomero and Kilosa districts in Morogoro region, Tanzania.
Methodology: The Hirschman’s framework was used to examine the strategic options through which small scale vegetable farmers respond to the private and public pesticide standards focusing on whether the strategy is loyalty, voice, exit and neglect. The logistic regression was used to estimate the impact of loyalty and exit strategies on the income and pesticide expenditure of small scale vegetable farmers. The instrument variable was used to account for endogeneity problem in regression function of pesticide use.
Results: About, 80% of the small scale vegetable farmers responded to pesticide regulations through “loyalty and exit” while 20% of the farmers deployed “neglect” option with no voice response. The regression results revealed that the loyalty and exit strategies are significantly but positively and negatively associated with pesticide expenditure and income of small scale vegetable farmers respectively. The small scale vegetable farmers who opted for loyalty and exit strategies not only have an increased amount spent on pesticides but also earn less income from vegetable production than those with a neglect strategic response.
Conclusion: The loyalty and exit strategies showed no desired impact on farm performance in terms of pesticide expenditure and income for small scale farmers. In an effort to build capacity, the small scale farmers should focus on strategies that exhibit loyalty and voice behavior
On Improving Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Rice under Minimal Soil Salinity
No full textAims: It was assumed that two- way approach i.e. nutrient-priming with potassium salt of the seeds and later on ammonium sulphate application may be binary beneficial for growth of rice besides evidencing genetic variability under salt stress
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design with three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in laboratory and glass house of Soil Salinity Research Programme of Land Resources Research Institute at National Agricultural research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan during the period from May to August, 2016.
Methodology: Seeds of Oryza sativa (cv. KS-282 and BAS 385) were primed with potassium nitrate. In the second phase of the study, the primed seeds were raised in a minimal saline soil with ammonium sulphate nutrition gradually up to 150 mg Kg -1.
Results: Bas-385 was more responsive for mean germination time than KS-282. In Bas-385 and KS-282 germination was 100 and 90 percent. Germination rate index of Bas-385 was 16 percent higher than that of KS-282. Biomass of Bas-385 seedlings was higher than that of KS-282 with the treatments. In both the cultivars of rice, Na+/K+ ratio was in antagonistic relation R = (- 0.99) with the gradual increase in ammonium sulphate application. Potassium ion was accordant with sulphate ion and N concentration. Bas-385 was more tolerant to KS-282 based on Na+/K+ ratio and bio mass.
Conclusion: BAS 385 (salt sensitive) superseded to KS-282 (salt tolerant) under minimal salt stress due to nutrient priming and then enhanced nutrition.  
Review on Environmental Effects of Ethiopian Floriculture Industry
No full textThe floriculture sector is growing in Ethiopia; currently, Ethiopia is the second largest rose exporter in Africa and the sixth in the world. The aim of this study is to review the Ethiopian floriculture industry and their impact on the environment. Flowers are produced in modern farms around Addis Ababa and in the Rift valley. Ethiopian floriculture industries currently produce a number of flowers; including rose, gypsophila, Hypericum, limonium, carnations, and chrysanthemum. Rose is the most widely produced flower spices. Despite the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy, many issues are raised by environmentalists’ that are related to the expansion of floriculture sector and the adverse effect of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, disposal of waste materials, and pollution of water bodies. Ethiopia has developed policies and legislation to protect the environment issues. However, there are some gaps in the implementation and governing of the regulatory framework of the floriculture sector. Moreover, the competition of current international market system can force farms to comply with environmental standards. With the expansion of the floriculture industry, there is a growing concern as to its adverse effect on the national environment; to achieve the above advantage, Fertilizer and pesticide management, organic cultivation, wastewater treatment and recycling and environmental audit have to be taken into consideration
Principal Component Analysis of Some Pesticide Handling Practices of Small Scale Vegetable Farmers in Rural and Urban Districts in Ghana
No full textAims: To compare the adherence to pesticide safety standards by small scale vegetable farmers from rural and urban districts in Ghana.
Place and Duration of Study: Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) (Urban District) in Greater Accra Region and Kwaebibirim District (KD) (Rural District) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The survey was conducted from August – November, 2012
Methodology: Sixty small scale vegetable farmers (30 from AMA and 30 from KD communities) responded to a questionnaire (11 questions) on pesticide handling practices. Principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was used to reduce the 11 questions for fear of redundancy. Factors with eigen value greater than 1 were maintained as they accounted for 77.12% of the variable in the data set. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted on the new factors to determine differences in scores for farmers from AMA and KD (P<.05). SPSS (version 16) was used for the analyses.
Results: After Varimax rotation, 5 new factors (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) were retained and they accounted for 77.12% of the variability in the data set. The new factors were renamed based on the factors that loaded in each factor. Farmers in KD had a significant higher mean score (0.70 +/- 0.46) than those from AMA (0.57 +/- 0.29) for F1 (Personal Hygiene and Sanitation). Farmers from AMA had a significant higher mean than those from KD (F = 33.99, P<0.01) for F2 (Eat and drink during or after spraying in the farm). There was no significant difference for F4 (I am the only one who sprays the field) and F5 (I have received training in pesticide application) (P>.05)
Conclusion: Farmers in rural districts (KD) take more precautions during pesticide handling than those in the urban districts (AMA). The age of the farmers may play a role in their behaviour. However, we propose that all farmers undergo training on pesticide use for better utilization with emphasis on farmers in urban districts
Analysis of Profitability of Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) Production in Central Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria
No full textThis study examines the profitability of pumpkin production in Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; determine the costs and returns associated with pumpkin production and identify the constraints associated with pumpkin production. Primary data and secondary information were used for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and gross margin analysis. The results of the study revealed that the average total revenue obtained by the respondents was N102,122.6/ha, while the gross margin/ha was also estimated at N54,402.8/ha. The average net farm income was also determined at N35,902.2 and the net farm income per naira invested was calculated at N0.54 which shows that pumpkin production is profitable in the study area. The Benefit-cost ratio revealed a positive value (1.54) and it is greater than one and this confirmed the solvency of pumpkin business in the study area. The gross ratio, operating ratio and fixed ratio were calculated to be 0.65, 0.47 and 0.18 respectively and all were as well found to be positive and less than one. Major constraints identified includes; inadequate extension services (12.0%).Pest and disease infestation (10.0%),high cost of labour (9.3%), and inadequate access to credit facilities (8.6%). It is recommended that young and educated people should be advice and encouraged to take up pumpkin production as a profitable venture that is capable of generating employment to the teeming youths in the area. Government should encourage pumpkin farmers through provision of affordable and accessible credit facilities to boost scale of production and Research institutions should be encouraged to develop technologies that will minimize the menace of pests and disease infestation in pumpkin production. Adequate and well trained extension agents should be made available to provide supports to the farmers
Factors Influencing Udder and Milk Yield Characteristics of Indigenous Goats in North - West Nigeria
No full textThe udder conformation and milk yield characteristics of agropastoral goats were evaluated using records obtained from a total of 250 does at two locations (Jigawa and Katsina States) over a period of one year. The udder conformation characteristics measured were udder circumference(UC), udder height (UH), distance between teats (DT), teat length (TL), and teat circumference (TC).While the milk yield characteristics were initial yield (IY), average daily yield (ADY), total yield (TY), peak yield (PY), peak day (PD), lactation length (LL) and last day yield (LDY). The effect of age, parity, breed and coat colour on udder conformation and milk yield characteristics were determined using GLM procedures of SAS; the phenotypic relationship between the udder conformation and milk production characteristics were equally determined. The phenotypic correlation amongst the milk production traits were significantly positive (P˂0.05; r = 0.261-0.926), similarly phenotypic correlation between udder conformation characteristics and milk yield characteristics were positive except the correlation between PD and udder conformation characteristics which were negatively weak (r = 0.007 to -0.007). It was concluded that age, parity,breed and coat colour were factors constituting variations in udder conformation and milk yield characteristics in goats; and morphological characteristics of udder had strong relationship with milk yield, and can be use as selection criteria for improvement of milk yield in goats
Nutritive Contents of Cakes Enriched with Almonds Powder of Terminalia catappa of Côte d’Ivoire
No full textAims: To assess the nutrients of cakes enriched with the almonds powders of Terminalia catappa cultivated in Côte d’Ivoire and their daily contributions in adult people’s diet.
Study Design: Six groups of cakes, 5 enriched with almonds powders from Terminalia catappa (cake1, cake2, cake3, cake4 and cake5) and 1 non-enriched (control) were obtained using the composite central plane and prepared. Then, their nutrient composition was determined.
Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Sciences, Biochemistry department of Biosciences Unit, Félix Houphouet-Boigny University, between January and June 2017.
Methodology: The analysis of the 6 cakes consisted of the determination of their nutritive content (moisture content, protein, lipids, total sugars, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, fiber and ash) and phenolic compounds (polyphenols and flavonoids). Also their energy value and daily intake were estimated.
Results: The analysis of the results indicates that the protein contents are between 9.13 ± 0.02 and 10.37 ± 0.02 g / 100 g, those of the lipids vary between 24.03 ± 0.01 - 26.23 ± 0.01 g / 100 g. when the ash fluctuates between 6.08 ± 0.02 and 8.03 ± 0.03 g / 100 g. The moisture levels revealed ranged between 6.20 ± 0.01 and 7.91 ± 0.02 g / 100 g. The total sugars show contents between 0.01 ± 0.01 and 0.051 ± 0.01 g / 100 g. However, the reducing sugars have a constant content (0.01 g / 100 g). As for the fibres, they have contents which vary between 4.88 ± 0.02 and 5.08 ± 0.01 g / 100 g. Total carbohydrates have levels ranging from 55.16 ± 0.07 to 55.32 ± 0.21 g / 100 g. The energy values indicate contents of 473.43 ± 0.02 and 498.83 ± 0.01 Kcal. The total polyphenols have levels ranging from 280 ± 0.01 to 352.8 ± 0.01 mg EAG / 100 g, whereas the total flavonoids have levels between 10 ± 0.01 and 15 ± 0.01 mg EQ / 100 g. The oxalate levels revealed ranged between 4.5±0.01 and 5.40 ±0.01 mg / 100 g Ms, whereas the phytate have levels ranging between 3.8±0.01 and 4±0.01 mg / 100 g Ms.
Conclusion: The valorisation of cakes enriched with almond powders from T. catappa, particularly cake 4, could help to combat malnutrition and increase the economic resources of populations
Variation of Some Yield‒contributing Traits of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties under the Effect of Furolan and Mineral Fertilizer
No full textAims: This study was carried out to investigate the variation of some yield contributing traits namely; grain weight ear-1, grain weight plant-1and 1000–grain weight in three winter varieties under the influence of the following factors including;, growth regulator, Furolan and mineral fertilizer.
Sample: Three winter varieties used for this study were subjected to the following factors namely; mineral fertilizers and growth regulator, Furolan.
Study Design: The seeds were planted in 3 m х 8 m = 24 m2 plot of in three replicates in complete randomized design.
Place and Duration of Study: The laboratory tests and field work were carried out in the All-Russian Rice Research Institute, Belozerny, Krasnodar, Russia from 2009 to 2011.
Methodology: The laboratory tests and field work were carried out in All-Russian Rice Research Institute, Belozerny, Krasnodar, Russia from 2009 to 2011. The variation of some yield-contributing traits in three winter varieties under the influence of mineral fertilizers and growth regulator, Furolan was investigated. The data obtained from this factorial experiment were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: For the factor A (variety) grain weight ear-1 of varieties studied varied as follows: 1.17 g (Deya); 1.19 g (Krasnodarskaya 99) and 1.25 g (Bat’ko), (LSD05-factor A = 0.01). The best performing variety on the account of this trait under the influence of mineral fertilizers and growth regulator was Bat’ko (variety) which formed grain weight ear-1 of 1.25 g.
Conclusion: From this study; investigating the effect of Furolan and mineral fertilizers on some of the yield-contributing traits in three winter wheat varieties it might be concluded that the yield performance in various yield traits was generally enhanced under the influence of these factors particularly when they were combined. The information generated from this study could be used to identify effective strategies for the sustainable management of the genetic resources of wheat