Asian Journal of Advances in Research
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DEVELOPING RICE VARIETIES WITH ENHANCED ADAPTATION TO COLD PRONE RICE GROWING AREAS UNDER LOWLAND RAIN FED CONDITIONS OF ETHIOPIA
Get PDFSixteen lowland rice genotypes were arranged in a randomized complete block design of four replications and assessed for cold tolerance, performance and yield stability. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects of genotype and environment for all traits studied while the interaction effect was significant for six of eleven traits. The AMMI analysis in grain yield showed that genotype, environment and their interaction were highly significant and the environment explained the highest variation, followed by the interaction. The first two multiplicative interaction principal component axes were highly significant and explained 83.8% of the interaction sum of squares. Spikelete fertility ranged from 89.9% (G1) to 97.8% (G9 and G11). Genotypes G4, G9, G11, G10, G12, G13 and G14 exhibited nearly complete panicle exesertion and high spikelet fertility indicating their tolerance to cold stress. AMMI 1 and GGE ranking biplots identified G4, G9, G11 and G12 as high yielding genotypes. While G9 was the best genotype in terms of mean yield, G4 was both high yielding and most stable genotype. Thus, genotypes that combine cold tolerance, high yield, and farmers’ preference (G4, G9 and G11) were verified and consequently, G9 and G11 were recommended for release in Fogera and similar areas
SMALLHOLDERS MARKET PARTICIPATION OF RICE PRODUCTION IN FOGERA PLAIN, SOUTH GONDER ZONE, ETHIOPIA
Get PDFAgriculture is the most important sector in the economy of Ethiopia. The growth of the sector depends upon the current subsistence-oriented production system is transformed into a market-oriented production system. However, in most cases, smallholder farmers find it difficult to participate in the market sufficiently because of numerous factors. This study was undertaken with the objectives of identifying the degree of market participation and the determinant factors of the different levels of market participation of smallholder rice farmers’ in Fogera plain, South Gonder Zone, Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from 205 randomly selected smallholder rice producer farmers from eleven kebeles through structured household questionnaires.The degree of market participation of the study area result reveals, on average 42% of the total rice produced was supplied to the market and it is much higher than the national average which is 38%. A multinomial probit regression model was used to analyze the determinant factors of the three categories of rice market participation by smallholder farmers. The result reveals the probability of being a subsistence farmer had affected positively and significantly by sex, age, lack of access to market information, and distance to the output market. Livestock ownership except oxen, education level, and hired labor expenditure had significantly affected with a negative sign. The probability of being a transitional farmer negatively influenced by age and lack of access to market information whereas the probability of being commercial farmers was positively influenced by educational status and number of oxen owned and negatively affected by household size and distance to the output market. The predicted probability result indicates that the majority of the sample household categorized under transition farmers which were 40 percent. Thus, strengthening institutions, market information delivery system and access to market have paramount implications to speed up the move of smallholder rice farmers’ from subsistence and transitional towards commercial level of market participation
COMPREHENSIVE PHYLO-GENETIC ANALYSIS OF –PEX11 GENE FAMILY IN Oryza sativa
Get PDFPeroxin gene 11 has been revealed to have important functions involving photorespiration, beta degradation and peroxisomes biogenesis. In this study we show 5 assumed genes present in Oryza sativa gnome PEX11(1-5) and each contains one conserved motif. The PEX11 sequence from Oryza sativa and other species are divided into three major categories. Despite of its important functions a very limited knowledge is known about PEX11 gene family in rice. This study confirms the five different PEX11 genes in rice and each gene contains one particular conserved domain. Among other members PEX11-2 and PEX11-3 are more closely related and shows recent duplications. Different analysis was done in this study to better understand the structure and phylo-genetic relations of PEX11 genes and its evolutionary analysis. Our results showed that PEX11 genes have conserved domains but have diversification not only in sequences but also in functions
PRODUCTION, PROPERTIES AND FATTY ACIDS PROFILE OF SOME REFINED VEGETABLE OILS BASED BIODIESELS
Get PDFUtilizing varieties of non-edible vegetable oils such as Jatropha (Jatropha curcas; JSO), Neem (Azadirachta indica; NSO) and Castor (Ricinus communis; CSO) are attractive options to produce biodiesel economically, but, high free fatty acids (FFA) in the vegetable oils are serious issues for the transesterification. In this work, the physicochemical qualities of the three crude and refined jatropa oil, RJO; neem oil, RNO and castor oil, RCO were investigated to determine the influence of refining processes of degumming; alkaline and bleaching on their physicochemical qualities, respectively. Using the Association of Analytical Chemist (AOAC) and American Standard for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard techniques, while the trans-esterification reactions were monitored by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR), the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) quality assessment were obtained from the Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The results of the physicochemical properties of refined feedstock (RJO, RNO, RCO) compared with the crude (JSO, NSO, CSO) indicated higher percentage of improved quality over the feedstock in the parameters measured such as yield (56.0, 55.7, 58.3 %); acid value (1.122 mg/KOH); saponification value (179.6, 302.9, 261.0 mg/KOH); iodine value (26.7, 20.3, 37.9 I2/100g); peroxide value (2.4, 18.4, 8.8 Meq O2/kg); density (1.5, 1.3, 1.4 g/cm3); viscosity @ 40 oC (32.0, 58.9, 20.0 %); refractive index @ 30 oC (1.5, 1.5, 1.5 %), respectively. The physicochemical properties of the biodiesel showed similar trend in the quality that compared with the ASTM standard for biodiesels. The fatty acid profile assessment of refined feedstocks shows different 14 compounds with varying percentage composition (1.61 - 20.78 %) with oleic acid as the most abundant in RNO followed by ricinoleic acid (19.59 %) in RCO. The biodiesel produce here indicates better physicochemical improvements that may serve as better alternative energy source along with environmental pollution and production cost reduction
AN APPRAISAL OF HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN TWO FISH SPECIES (Bagrus bayad and Synodontis batensoda) IN RIVER-NUN, AMASSOMA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFAn appraisal of heavy metals content in two fish species (Bagrus bayad and Synodontis batensoda) landed in the shores of River-nun, Amassoma Bayelsa State, Nigeria was investigated. This was done in order to investigate the safety of consuming these fish species from the river and gauge the pollution status of the creek. The concentrations of heavy metals Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Iron (Fe) were measured in the flesh of the fish collected from three main landing areas (Jetty, Market front and sand field) in the River-nun at Amassoma. The data were analysed for means and standard deviation. An independent sample T-test was conducted to measure the variability and similarities in heavy metal parameters at the 95% (P=0.05) confidence limit. This was aided by the use of the SPSS® 20.0 statistics tool kit. The result of the study indicate that the levels of the heavy metals Pb and Fe were significantly different (P<0.05) while there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in Ni concentration between the two fish species. Bagrus bayad showed greater content of Ni and Fe than in Synodontis batensoda but lower Pb content. The levels of Ni and Pb show a greater amount in the fish than the European Union suggested maximum limit, but were within the FAO/WHO permissible limit. The presence of Pb a non-essential metal even in trace amounts in fish tissue portends grave danger if consumed in large amounts. Based on the findings from this study, it can be inferred that the consumption of these fish species in plenteous amounts may pose a serious threat to health because of the risk of bio-accumulation
“AFTER-HOURS WORK BEHAVIOR”, FROM ANYTIME-ANYWHERE TO ROUND THE CLOCK-EVERYWHERE: EXPLORING THE ANTECEDENTS
Get PDFAs the world enters the era of Industry 4.0, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become of strategic importance for organizations. In particular, the COVID-19 lockdown has accelerated the organizational dependence on technologies in order to get work done. With the number of available technological tools, creating rigid ‘boundaries’ has become very difficult for employees in order to escape work notifications in their off-work hours. This study tries to look into this behavioral phenomenon of ‘After-Hours Work Behavior (AWB)’ which blurs the ‘boundary’ between work and after-work lives of employees and lead to stress. The investigation in this domain is very limited and fragmented. This work aims to contribute to this relatively new domain of research by exploring the antecedents to AWB. The study, by adopting a qualitative research method, investigates employee experiences to engage in AWB via ICT (e.g., mobiles, laptops, calls, messages, email etc.). The study discerns the disruptions and dilemmas among employees caught between being good employees and leading a stress-free off-work life
THE NEXUS BETWEEN CROSS BORDER MIGRATION AND FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA AND BENIN REPUBLIC, 2010-2017
Get PDFThis paper examined the nexus between cross-border migration and food security in Nigeria and Benin Republic. The study utilized secondary data from the International Organization for Food and Agricultural Organizations, World Bank Indicators, International Organization for Migration, National Bureau of Statistics, to mention but a few. Classical Migration theory was the theoretical framework for the study and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient. The study's findings revealed; a weak negative correlation between Cross border migration and food consumption expenditure in Nigeria and the Benin Republic; a positive but weak correlation between cross-border migration and the food production index in Nigeria and Benin republic. The study concluded no significant relationship between cross-border migration and food security in Nigeria and Benin republic. Thus, the study further recommended that both Nigerian and Benin republic governments encourage and provide economic opportunities to the rural populace beyond the farm level; Promote rural-urban fiscal relationships and invest in productive sectors that will generate better economic opportunities
SEASONAL AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN RAMAKRISHNA ASHRAM GWALIOR, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA
Get PDFRamakrishna Ashram situated near city center in Gwalior city, its provide territory for various avifauna in different season. Present investigations were carried out on the diversity and status of avifauna in Ramakrishna Ashram from July 2019 to June 2020. Point count method and line transect method were followed for observation of bird species. Field visit were made early morning 7:00 am to 10:00 am and evening 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Bird species were recorded in the field area through direct sighting and listening voice. During the present study total 56 species of birds were identified belonging to 28 families and 13 orders. Among the total species 92% species were residential rest of all were residential migratory and according to IUCN threatened site all the species recorded from study area were least concern. During study period Passeriformes family was more dominant in all season, indicated that these species of family have high tolerance to fluctuating season and human anthropogenic activity in this area. Composition and species richness of bird community are influenced by abiotic factors and biotic factors
STUDYING THE CHANGES IN CHLOROPHYLL (A) CONCENTRATIONS RELATED TO SOME HYDROLOGICAL FACTORS IN NORTH COASTAL WATERS OF LATTAKIA CITY (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN)
Get PDFThis research aimed to study chlorophyll (a) concentrations related to some hydrological properties (temperature -pH -salinity) and to determine the qualitative composition of phytoplankton in different environmental stations exposed to a different pollution sources (sewage -human activities). Six cruises were carried out during summer and autumn. Results showed that no differences in temperature and salinity. The highest concentration of chlorophyll (a) was found on autumn (7.09 mg/m3).The most dominant group in summer was Diatoms (Chaetoceros curvisetus, Leptocylindrus danicus, Guinardia striata) most Dinoflagellata dominated in autumn with high abundance of two species (Ceratium furca, Ceratium macroceros)
A STUDY ON DECOMPOSITION OF TEMPLE WASTE USING FUNGAL FORMULATIONS AND EVALUATING THE SURVIVAL RATE OF EARTHWORMS
Get PDFProper management of organic waste is one of the most important problem of human society. Enormous quantity of organic wastes is generated on a daily basis, most of which is thrown in open areas, water bodies (rivers, streams or drainage systems) or on the roads which contaminates the environment. Therefore, pollution free, odor free and disease-free disposal and management of temple waste needs more attention. The present was designed to study the decomposition of temple waste using formulation, evaluation of survivability earthworms and to find out the best possible method of decomposition. A series of six experiments were conducted for the purpose of temple floral waste degradation using different setups (experimental trays) and having different combinations of temple floral waste, cattle dung, leaves and Trichoderma viride. First three sets were without Trichoderma viride while other three were treated with Trichoderma viride. Furthermore, experimental series were accompanied to assess the survival rate of Eisenia fetida using different sets and varied combinations of temple floral waste, cattle dung and leaves. However, significantly higher decomposition rate was observed in Set-IV (TW: D+ T. viride). Though, highest number of adults, cocoons and juveniles were observed in set-III (TW: D). It was concluded that temple waste alone is not a suitable substrate for vermicomposting and it should be blended with other suitable waste materials such as dung and Trichoderma viride in appropriate proportions. Moreover, in temple waste earthworms could not survive due to high amounts of pigmented constituents