Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research
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Nanoparticle Innovations in Plant Systems: Enhancing Photosynthesis and Nutrient Dynamics
No full textPlant nanobionics is an innovative interdisciplinary approach which integrates engineered nanoparticles into plant systems to enhance their natural functionalities and enable novel capabilities. This paper explores the potential of nanoparticles to improve photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake, and increase plant resilience against environmental stressors. Enhancing carbon fixation with functionalized silica nanoparticles, reducing photoinhibition with cerium oxide nanoparticles, and broadening the light absorption spectrum with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and quantum dots are some of the main uses of plant nanobionics. These advancements offer solutions to fundamental limitations in photosynthesis, including suboptimal light ustilization, restricted carbon dioxide availability, and oxidative stress.
Nanoparticles also revolutionize nutrient management through innovations such as nanofertilizers and chelated metal nanoparticles. These technologies enhance nutrient bioavailability, minimize environmental impacts, and improve plant growth in nutrient-deficient soils. For example, zinc oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles encourage the effective delivery and uptake of nutrients, while titanium dioxide and carbon-based nanomaterials contribute to soil remediation by immobilizing heavy metals and improving soil health.
Nanotechnology in agriculture offers transformative benefits such as increased crop yields, sustainable resources management, and climate change mitigation. However, challenges such as environmental safety, scalability, and regulatory considerations must be addressed to ensure responsible application. This study highlights the role of plant nanobionics in advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, emphasizing its potential to address global challenges such as food security and environmental conservation
Gibberellic Acid and Planting Time Influence on the Growth and Yield of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)
No full textThe experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from October 2018 to March 2019. The goal of this study was to determine when to sow cabbage and how much gibberellic acid to use in order to maximize growth and yield. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: Planting time (three different times) as - T1= 05 November; T2= 20 November and T3= 05 December and Factor B: Gibberellic acid (four levels) as- G0= 0 ppm (control); G1= 75 ppm; G2= 95 ppm and G3= 115 ppm GA3, respectively. The two factors experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Due to the combined effect of Gibberellic acid and planting time, the maximum thickness of head (14.5 cm) and the highest marketable yield (59.4 t/ha) was found from T2G2 whereas the minimum thickness of head (10.8 cm) and the lowest marketable yield (37.1 t/ha) was found from T3G0. The economic analysis revealed that T2G2 gave the maximum benefit cost ratio (2.57). That’s why we can consider that 20thNovember planting time along with 95 ppm GA3 was the best combination for growth and yield of cabbage
Strategies for Preventing Environmental Mastitis in Dairy Farming: A Review
No full textThe dairy industry must adhere to stringent international standards due to the growing demand for healthy, high-quality, and affordable dairy products worldwide. To ensure the quality of raw milk, key markers such as Bulk Milk Somatic Cell Count (BMSCC) and Total Bacterial Count (BMTBC) have become standard benchmarks. However, mastitis, the most common disease affecting dairy cows, poses a significant risk to both animal welfare and the long-term sustainability of the dairy sector. Mastitis leads to reduced milk production, increased treatment costs, milk withholding during treatment, higher labor requirements, and premature culling of affected cows. In India alone, mastitis costs the dairy industry 2.37 billion rupees annually, with subclinical mastitis accounting for approximately 70% of this loss. While contagious infections have been effectively controlled, environmental mastitis pathogens such as Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp now pose the primary concern for mastitis control. The management of cow bedding materials is crucial as they serve as a significant source of exposure to these environmental infections. This review study provides a detailed discussion of environmental mastitis pathogen control, emphasizing the critical role of bedding materials in reducing the risk of exposure to these pathogens
Design and Retrofitting of Irrigation Pumping System for the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project Using Hydrokinetic Technology
No full textHigh cost of irrigation pumping by use of fossil fuel has negatively impacted irrigation efficiency on the Middle Ogun Irrigation scheme. Efficient irrigation pumping would improve agricultural productivity and food production on the irrigation scheme. Many attempts have been made by stakeholders to seek alternative energy sources for powering irrigation pumping. This study aimed at the design and retrofitting of the irrigation water pumping system on the Middle Ogun Irrigation scheme using hydrokinetic technology. Hydrological modelling of the catchment was carried out using MapWindow Soil and Water Assessment Tool to determine the annual gross and recoverable hydrokinetic potential of the water resource from the river. A Savonius hydrokinetic turbine system was developed and tested on the river. The mean voltage output at selected streamflow depths were determined to derive a power curve. Results showed that retrofitting the irrigation pumping system with an array of twenty units (20) of selected submersible irrigation pumps powered by twenty-two (22) units of an array of Savonius hydrokinetic turbines would satisfactorily deliver irrigation water into night storage and irrigate the pilot field of 100 ha of farmland on plot 2 and 5 on the scheme
Energizing the Next Generation and Strengthening the Agriculture Sector: Validating Key Indicators for Farm Exit in Sri Lanka
No full textRural farmers in Sri Lanka face considerable challenges that often lead to the abandonment of farming activities, posing significant implications for agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods. This study aims to explore the critical risk factors associated with farmers ceasing agricultural activities in Sri Lanka, addressing a gap in existing literature by focusing specifically on rural areas within the country. Employing in-depth interviews conducted across three subregions of Sri Lanka, a series of 14 comprehensive interviews is conducted until data saturation is achieved. Thematic analysis of the interview data reveals 14 sub-themes and four interconnected main themes: the unpredictable nature of farming, scarcity of agricultural land, and social perception of farming, along with the lack of government assistance. Additionally, insights into why younger generations are increasingly leaving agriculture were uncovered. The findings underscore the urgent need for policymakers' involvement in addressing these issues to enhance farmers’ well-being and mitigate attrition in the rural agricultural sector. This study contributes to the understanding of the factors determining farmer exit from rural agriculture in Sri Lanka and highlights the importance of targeted interventions to support sustainable rural livelihoods
Comparative Profitability of Napier Fodder with Competitive Cash Crops in Selected Areas of Bangladesh
No full textThe research was carried out to investigate the scenario of the fodder-cultivated farmer along with the profitability of Napier fodder cultivation in comparison to main cash crops like rice, jute and onions and the challenges in fodder cultivation. This study was done by collecting primary data through a baseline survey from 60 livestock cum fodder cultivating farmers by random sampling techniques. This study was mainly done in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj and Santhia, Pabna from June 2022- July 2022. Data were entered, sorted, compiled, and analyzed by using a Microsoft Excel worksheet. Descriptive statistics were performed to test the differences among the variables of fodder, rice, jute, and onion production by using SPSS Software, IBM-25 Corporation. The results of this study shows that the average age range of farmers was 41.68% between the ages of 41 and 60, whereas 38.33% of farmers were between 20 and 40 years ages. In the study areas, 75.00% of farmers had minimum primary to graduation or above educational level. Overall 56.67% of farmer’s main occupation was agriculture in the selected areas. Only 25.00% of farmers knew feed processing. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) in rice and onion were 1.81 and 1.66 in Shahjadpur and 1.78 and 1.52 in Santhia. In jute and fodder, BCR was 1.34 and 2.11 in Santhia whereas 1.28 and 2.00 in Shahjadpur, respectively. The profitability of fodder was higher than other selected cash crops. The maximum 80.00% of farmers had a lack of training on scientific ways of fodder production. This study concluded that fodder cultivation can play a significant role in more income generation in the studied milk pocket areas in comparison to rice, jute, and onion cultivation because they had a scarcity of fodder and high demand for it
Development of Packaging and Product Variations of Taro Chips at the Wanagiri Taro Processing Group
No full textAims: The prospects and development opportunities for taro-based processed food products have recently increased. Taro chips represent a type of snack food product that is particularly popular in the Wanagiri area of the Sukasada District in Buleleng Regency. The company's objective is to increase the quantity and quality of its production. Partners encounter impediments in the realm of business management, which impede the effective functioning of both production and marketing management.
Study Design: Qualitative study with an intervention-based approach.
Place and Duration of Study: Wanagiri Village, Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency on June, 20th 2024.
Methodology: The planned method for implementing activities for the development of packaging and product variations for the Wanagiri Talas Chips Processing Group, Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency, is to utilize the following; (a) The interview and discussion methods; (b) Face-to-face method will facilitate the transfer of knowledge regarding food packaging and hygienic sanitation, the processing of taro chips in a variety of flavors, storage, marketing, entrepreneurship and business management; (c) The programmed incorporates direct practice, guided by instructors who are competent in their respective fields
Results: The primary challenges encountered by partners include sub-optimal business management and unappealing product packaging. This product has the potential to become a new source of income for the group. Furthermore, this activity has demonstrated success in supporting partners from the cultivation stage to the product marketing stage. As a result of the training and hands-on experience gained, group members have become more independent and are now better equipped to develop taro products.
Conclusion: This activity enhances the knowledge and abilities of group members in the processing and marketing of taro products. Prior to the programmed, group members lacked knowledge of attractive packaging and diverse flavors of taro chips
Analysis of Fluorescently Labeled ISSR Markers to Reveal the Genetic Diversity of Cassava Varieties (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in the Kerala’s Tribal Area of India
No full textThe study Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular markers to genotype distinct cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars within tribal communities in Kerala, India. Fluorescent ISSR primers were labelled with 6-carboxyfluorescein and used for PCR amplification. The total number of bands produced was 72, of which 49 were found to be polymorphic markers; an average of 17 polymorphic bands was obtained per primer. The manuscript is a scientific validation of the traditional knowledge of tribal people regarding the diversity and wealth of cassava crops in the region, and this validation can therefore help in protecting the farmers right on a particular landrace that they cultivate. The technique used in the diversity analysis is a time-saving process as compared to conventional breeding programs for crop improvement. The data in the manuscript also supports similarity and differences of each variety to one another, which is analysed statistically with the molecular marker-based data generated. By examining genetic diversity at a high resolution, ISSR markers can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of these cassava populations. This research contributes to the broader goal of enhancing agricultural sustainability and food security in tribal communities
Marketing Channels and Marketing Efficiency of Castor Oil in Gujarat State
No full textThe research study conducted to estimate the price spread, marketing margin and marketing cost of castor oil in the Gujarat state. Purposive sampling technique was adopted as per the objective of study and total 17 functioning castor oil extractor units were selected for the study purpose. Data were gathered through personal interviews with a castor oil producer and marketing intermediaries belonging to various marketing channels, using a structured questionnaire. Two main marketing channels were identified: Producer-consumer (Channel I), Producer-trader-consumer (Channel II). A significant proportion of castor oil was marketed through Channel I, which exhibited the highest marketing efficiency. This efficiency was primarily due to the absence of market intermediaries, enabling consumers to purchase or receive castor oil directly from producers
Assessing the Growth Dynamics and Morphological Traits of Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc. in Response to Media Variation
No full textAims: The objectives of this study were to assess the cultural and physiological requirements for growth and development of Pyricularia grisea under in-vitro.
Study Design: Observed data were analyzed by using Completely randomized design with three replications and the critical difference was calculated at 1 % level degree of freedom.
Methodology: Present experiments were conducted at laboratory of Plant Pathology in Shaheed Gundadhoor College of Agriculture and Research Station, Jagdalpur. Pure culture of tested pathogen was isolated from finger millet and maintained in potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium for study. Seven different media were prepared and studied for cultural, physiological and morphological characteristics of Pyricularia grisea.
Results: The significant differences in colony growth and sporulation were observed over 48, 96, and 144 hours of incubation. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) supported the highest colony diameters, ranging from 24.20 mm to 73.20 mm, followed by oat meal agar (71.40 mm) and finger millet seed extract agar with 2% sucrose (69.80 mm). Czapek dox agar showed the lowest growth (38.40 mm). In terms of sporulation, oat meal agar exhibited the excellent spore production with index of 4 (37 spores per microscopic field), followed by leaf extract agar (33 spores per microscopic field), while Czapek dox agar failed to support sporulation. Colony morphology varied across media: PDA colonies were grayish with concentric rings and rough surfaces; oat meal agar colonies were white with smooth surfaces; finger millet leaf extract agar produced grayish-white colonies with rough surfaces; seed extract agar + 2% sucrose and corn meal agar colonies were black with white edge with smooth surfaces. Seed extract agar colonies were black with white edge with rough surfaces; Czapek dox agar showed poor growth and colonies were black with white edge.
Conclusion: These findings highlighted that PDA and oat meal agar are the most suitable media for culturing P. grisea for its crucial growth