Asian Research Journal of Agriculture
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Effect of Phosphate Levels on Soil Rhizosphere Nutrient Balances and Finger Millet Yield
No full textSoil infertility is one of the main factors leading to low finger millet production in the semi-arid tropics of Kenya. About 50-80% of P applied as fertilizer is adsorbed by soil and the amount of P needed to achieve maintenance of its adequate status and influence on other soil properties has not been well documented. An on-station experiment was therefore conducted at the KALRO-Kiboko research station during the 2014 long and 2015 short rain seasons to investigate the influence of phosphorus rates on soil rhizosphere chemical properties and yield of three finger millet varieties. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in factorial arrangement and replicated three times. There were four P levels (0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5 kg ha-1 P2O5) and three varieties (U15, P-224 and local check-Kat FM1). Phosphorus application reduced the soil pH significantly for both seasons with the 37.5 kg ha-1 P2O5 rate eliciting the greatest pH from 9.26 to 7.90 (1.36 units) during the long rain season. As expected, soil phosphorus increased with the highest rate with 11 ppm during the long rain season and 9 ppm for the short rains. The organic carbon increased by 0.28% for the long rain season on the 25 kg ha-1 P2O5 rate while the highest rate increased total N by 0.05%. The 25 kg ha-1 P2O5 rate and U-15 indicated the highest yield for both seasons with a maximum of 3.71 t ha-1 realized during the short rain season. Monitoring change in soil nutrient status is important for prescribing P fertilization in order to maintain or replenish soil fertility. The application rate of 25 kg ha-1 P2O5 led to the optimal yields under the improved variety and hence the study recommends this rate
Response of Wheat on Uptake, Protein and Nitrogen Use Efficiency to Application of Slow Releasing Nitrogen Fertilizer in Northern Ethiopia
No full textThe N recovery by crops from the soluble N fertilizers such as urea is often as low as 30–40%, with a potentially high environmental cost associated with N losses via NH3 volatilization, NO3- leaching and N2O emission to the atmosphere. This study was initiated to evaluate the effects of slow releasing nitrogen fertilizer in nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency and grain protein content of wheat. A field experiment was carried out in 2015 main cropping season at Hawzien district in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. The experiment were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications at three farmer\u27s field. Treatments were four levels of nitrogen (0, 32, 64 and 96) kg ha-1. The nitrogen source was UREAStabil, which is slow N releasing fertilizer. Conventional urea at recommended rate (64 kg N ha-1) was included as positive control at both sites. The highest grain and straw N uptake, and total uptake (41.81 kg ha-1, 24.28 kg ha-1, and 66.09 kg ha-1, respectively) were recorded for grain and straw harvested from plots treated with 64 kg N ha-1 in the form of UREAStabil . The highest agronomic efficiency of 9.46 kg kg-1and apparent recovery of nitrogen 55% was obtained at 64 kg N ha-1 as UREAStabil and physiological efficiency of 60.28 kg kg-1 was obtained at 64 kg N ha-1 as conventional urea. The highest and lowest grain protein content were recorded for grain harvested from plots fertilized with 96 kg N ha-1 (14.151%) in the form of UREAStabil and 0 kg N ha-1 (10.62%), respectively. It can be concluded that the highest uptake and nitrogen use efficiency was obtained on plots treated with UREAStabil than conventional urea. 
Influence of Mulching Materials on the Growth and Yield Components of Green Pepper at Busia County in Kenya
No full textAims: Green pepper (Capsicum annuum) also named the bell pepper or sweet pepper is one of the most important and remunerative vegetable crops in the world. Due to the increased pressure on land, climate change and increased demand for the crop, there is need for better agronomical practices that will ensure enough food production.
Place and Duration of Study: In Kenya, little attention has been given to the use of organic and inorganic mulch materials to increase productivity of horticultural crops and therefore this study was conducted in Alupe, Busia-Kenya, during the long and short rains season of 2015 to assess the efficacy of black plastic, transparent plastic and straw mulch on growth and yield of green pepper.
Methodology: The treatments were black polythene mulch, transparent polythene mulch, straw mulch and bare soil as the control.
Results: The straw mulch elicited significantly vigorous growth of seedlings compared to the other treatments but had the lowest number of leaves unlike transparent mulch which had the most with 58. The widest stem circumference was observed on mulched plots as well as the plant height where the control recorded the lowest height. The black polythene mulch gave significantly (P=.05) heavier fruits of 924.5 g/plant during the long rain and 681.1 g/plant in the short rain season. Unmulched plots of either variety had the lowest mass recorded for fruit in both seasons. The transparent mulch showed significantly (P=.05) more seeds per fruit (196), longest fruit length (8.5 cm) and greatest fruit diameter (9.2 cm). Based on the experimental results the black polythene mulches had greatest effects on the growth, and yield of sweet pepper and showed superior performance among the plastic mulches in the study area and therefore is recommended
Constraints of Pig Production in Nigeria: A Case Study of Edo Central Agricultural Zone of Edo State
No full textThe study examined constraints of pig production in Edo Central Agricultural Zone of Edo State. Data were collected through interview schedule administered to forty one (41) private pig farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used to analyse data for the study. Results showed that majority (85.4%) of the pig producers were male. The stock kept ranged between 1 and 50 pigs for small scale producers who formed 58.4% of surveyed farms, 51-100 pigs for medium scale producers (15%) and above 100 pigs for large scale producers (26.6%). Major obstacles identified among pig producers in the study area were difficulties in securing institutional loans (61.0%), high cost of feed and feed ingredients (46.3%). Flock size (t = 3.313; p = 0.002) had a significant effect on returns accruing to farmers in pig production. Institutional loan scheme to promote pig production should be established and properly managed by government and stakeholders in the livestock industry in Edo State
Sprouting Behaviour in Response to Gibberellic Acid in Potato Microtuber
No full textAims: The present work was carried out to break dormancy of microtuber from storage environment for seed potato multiplication as well as regulating their future use.
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the Tissue Culture Laboratory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the period of September 2010 to February 2011.
Methodology: The experiment having two factors. First factor; microtuber weight which are graded as S1 = >500 mg, S2 = 250-500 mg, S3 = <250 mg and second factor; seven levels of GA3 viz. G1= 0.0 mg L-1, G2 = 25 mg L-1, G3 = 50 mg L-1, G4 =100 mg L-1, G5 =150 mg L-1, G6 =250 mg L-1, and G7 = 500 mg L-1. To determine the most effective level of GA3 were applied on graded fresh microtuber that had been cold-stored at 4-5°C for 6 week. Sprouting was monitored every 2 days’ interval. Microtubers per treatment were soaked in different concentration of GA3 for 24 h in the light, and then placed for incubation under 16/8 h d/n cycle.
Results: The lowest number of days (13) was taken to induce sprout in case of heavier microtuber and highest number of days (20.44) required for sprouting of smaller microtuber when 500 mg L-1 of GA3 was used. Microtubers exposed to lower concentrations of GA3 exhibited short length sprout. The trend of fresh weights of sprouts decreasing with the decrease of microtuber weight. The microtubers of >500 mg grade produced more sprout mass unit-1 length of sprouts than other two grades.
Conclusion: Microtuber <250 mg has longer periods of dormancy than larger microtubers and breaking their dormancy, 500 mg L-1 GA3 showed superior performance
Genotypic Differences in Grain Protein, Oil and Starch Content and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Elevated Plant Density
No full textThe use of high plant density (PD) along with tolerant genotypes to high PD would overcome the negative impacts of competition stresses and lead to maximizing maize yield of grain (GYPH), protein (PYPH), oil (OYPH) and starch (SYPH) from the unit land area (ha). The main objective of the present investigation was to study Diallel crosses among diverse maize genotypes along with their parents were evaluated in the field for such characters under three plant densities, i.e. 47,600, 71,400 and 95,200 plants/ha, using a split plot design with 3 replicates in two growing seasons. Results combined across seasons revealed that elevated PD from 47,600 to 95,200 plants/ha caused a significant reduction in GYPP (29.98%), GPC (1.24%) and a significant increase in GYPH (38.48%), PYPH (36.80%), OYPH (40.70%), SYPH (38.43%) and GOC (0.74%). The F1 hybrids were lower in GPC than inbred lines, but were higher than inbreds for the rest of studied traits under all densities. Variation in GPC was from 9.3% (Sd7) to 14.38% (L18) among inbreds and from 9.5% (L20 x L53) to 11.58% (L18 x L28), while in GOC and GSC it was narrower than in GPC under all densities. Some genotypes were identified as high yielding and of high quality, high yielding of high tolerance and density efficient and responsive. Comparing with the best check (SC 2055) under high PD, the cross L20 x L53 gave higher GYPH (22.92%) and SYPH (24.9%) and the cross L53 x Sd7 gave higher PYPH (20.9%) and OYPH (12.2%).
 
Effect of Foliar Application of Potassium and Boron on Yield and Fruit Quality of "Florida Prince" Peach Trees
No full textAims: study the effect of foliar application of potassium and boron on yield and fruit quality of "Florida Prince" peach trees.
Study Design: The treatments were applied and arranged in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment included seven replicates with one tree for each replicate.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted during 2013 and 2014 seasons on "Florida Prince" Peach cultivar. The trees were at 8 years old and grafted on “Nemagard” rootstock. They were planted at 3.5 × 5 m apart and grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system in a private orchard located at El-Nubaria, Beheira governorate, Egypt.
Methodology: Potassium sulphate with 1%, 1.5% and 2% was used in combination with + Boric acid with 0.1%, 0.2% and .05% two times at at fruit set and at the onset of coloring, in the two seasons.
Results: Our obtained results proved that potassium sulphate (2%) + boric acid (0.05%) and potassium sulphate (2%) + boric acid (0.1%) were the best combinations. They gave the highest increment in fruit yield, quality and leaf and fruit mineral content from potassium and boron in the two seasons over control or the other treatments.
Conclusion: The foliar application of potassium or boron singly has a good effect on yield and fruit quality of "Florida Prince" peach trees and by usage both of them in combination, their impact will be greater
Response of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to Inorganic Nitrogen Application Rates and Organic Fertilizers on Grey Soil in Hochiminh City, Vietnam
No full textThe organic/inorganic fertilizers can contribute substantial N for sesame, but it is not clear that such nitrogen forms are available for plant uptake. A field experiment at agricultural farm of Nong Lam University in HCMc was conducted to study the effect of four inorganic nitrogen application rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha) in combination with two tons of either cow manure or commercial bio-organic fertilizer (BOF) on growth and yield of sesame. The experiment comprised of 2×4×3 factorial in a Split-plot design with three replications. The results show that two organic fertilizers with low nitrogen contents (5–10 g N/kg) and high C/N ratios (28–30) by themselves are not capable of supplying enough nitrogen for sesame requirement. The additional application of inorganic nitrogen at rate of 30 kg N/ha resulted in maximum plant height (106.4 cm), number of capsules/plant (60.13), weight of capsule (1.01 g), number of seeds/capsule (71.0), weight of 1000 seeds (2.63 g), and highest actual yield (0.85 ton/ha). The combination of organic with inorganic N fertilizer, therefore, needs to consider the effective use of nitrogen from each source to maintaining sesame yield, while avoiding undesirable environmental impacts
Evaluation of Fungal Flora and Aflotoxins from the Ground Nuts Collected from Various Regions of Warangal District
No full textAims: The aim of the current study is to screen about twenty three ground nut samples for the identification and detection of mycotoxin-producing fungi and type of mycotoxin.
Study Design: The present investigation was designed to identify the type of mycotoxin in the ground nut samples collected from various regions of Warangal district of Telangana State, India.
Place and Duration of Study: Mahabubabad, Nekkonda, Thorrur, Palakurty, Jangon etc., of Warangal district, 2 years; from July 2014 to July 2016.
Methodology: The study includes: analysis of moisture content M.C. mycological analysis, isolation of sample-borne mycoflora, isolation of sample surface mycoflora, standard dilution plate, identification of the fungal genera, determination of potential toxigenic fungi using DRBC test, aflatoxin extraction and analysis by ELISA.
Results: The M.C. of samples collected during wet season from Mahabubabad, Nekkonda, Thorrur, Palakurty, Jangon of different storage systems ranged between 13.1 – 17.0%, 17.7%, 12.8%, 15.4%, 14.1%, 9.0%, 12.5%, 10.6%, respectively. The freshly harvested ground samples showed highest M.C. percentage with 36.6%. Using Czapek Dox Agar (CDA) media we have isolated six fungal genera containing fourteen species from sterilized and unsterilized samples. Isolated genera were Aspergillus spp. Cladospoium sp., Fusarium sp., Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium spp. and yeasts and the fourteen species were isolated from the surface of the collected samples. The commonly observed species were R. stolonifer, A. candidus, A. flavus, A. tamarii, A. wentii, A. ochraceus, A. niger, P. fellutanum, P. citrinum, A. ochraceus, Yeast, F. equiseti, P. aethiopicum. The identification and the total Colony Forming Units (CFU) of isolated fungi were performed using standard plate technique. The total enumerated CFU of isolated fungi from the 23 collections was (114×103). High fungal contamination was observed in the sample kadiri-2 followed by Jyoti and JM-3. Detection of toxogenic fungi using DRBC media tested positive for several fungal species. Aflotoxin analysis using ELISA showed that Kadiri-2 (MK-374), Jyoti and JM-3 produced 8.6, 6.4, 7.0, ppb of aflatoxin content.
Conclusion: Using Czapek Dox Agar (CDA) six fungal genera comprising fourteen fungal species were isolated from sterilized and unsterilized samples. Identification and estimation of the total Colony Forming Units (CFU) of fungi was carried out using standard plate technique. The total enumeration of isolated fungi from the 23 collections was (114×103) CFU. Aflotoxin analysis using ELISA showed that the concentrations of aflatoxin in the samples are low and below permitted limits
Grain Protectant Potential of Annona muricata and A. senegalensis against Cowpea Seed Bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
No full textAnnona muricata and Annona senegalensis powders were evaluated for their insecticidal potency against adult Callosobruchus maculatus. Toxicity test was conducted by contact bioassay at different concentrations of the treatment plants viz: 0.0 g, 0.5 g, 1.0 g, 2.0 g and 3.0 g was tested as well as their anti-ovipository activities, adult F1 progeny emergence suppression activities and anti-feedant activities which possibly result in the grain’ weight loss and grain damage was also tested. The results revealed that the treatment plants at all concentrations showed a significant (P>0.05) insecticidal potency, by recording higher mortality rates, suppression of egg laying and adult emergence, and reduced weight loss as well as grain damage when compared with the untreated control. The root bark of A. senegalensis at 3.0 g powder per 20 g grain had the higher mortality rate (98.5). The leaf and root bark powder of A. muricata at 3.0 g reduced oviposition minimum (1.4 respectively); leaf powder of A. muricata at 3.0 g powder per 20 g grain also reduced F1 generation emergence minimum (9.3) and root bark powder of A. muricata at 3.0 grams w/w reduced grain damage minimum (0.7). The results revealed that A. muricata at 3.0 g powder per 20 g grain for the leaf and root bark powders to be more effective in controlling C. maculatus than A. senegalensis. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers should put the practice of using Annona species, especially, A. muricata as an alternative to the dangerous and highly persistent chemical insecticides in the control of C. maculatus on stored cowpea