Asian Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences
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USE AND MANAGEMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS BY THE PEOPLE OF JABITEHNAN WOREDA, WEST GOJJAM, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
Get PDFAround 80% of the people of Ethiopia are estimated to be relying on medicinal plants for the treatment of human and cattle ailments. The purpose of this study was to collect, identify and document ethno-medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge of communities of the study area. Ethno-medicinal data were collected by using semi-structured interview, focus group discussion and direct field observation. To analyze data, descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency were employed. Moreover, informant consensus factor, fidelity level and preference ranking, independent sample t-test, ANOVA and Jaccard’s similarity index were computed. Results show that a total of 82 medicinal plant species distributed among 46 families and 76 genera were collected and documented from the study area as traditional medicine for the treatment of 63 diseases of humans and livestock; of the 82 medicinal plant species, 63 plant species (76.83%) were employed as remedies for human, 10 plant species (12.20%) for livestock, and 9 plant species (10.98%) for both human and livestock remedies. Family wise Asteraceae consisted of the largest number of species. Herbs were dominant growth forms followed by shrubs and trees. Leaves were found to be the most frequently used plant parts followed by roots and seeds. The popular method of preparation was crushing 27(30.00%). Oral administration was the most widely used route of application of remedies, 106 (65.86%). Analysis of Similarity index between the three surveyed kebeles showed that communities of the area have more or less closer indigenous knowledge. Knowledge about medicinal plants was found to be affected by gender, age and educational level. The main threatening factors of medicinal plants were agricultural expansion and over-harvesting. In order to conserve substantial amount of traditional medicinal plants and knowledge, awareness on conservation of medicinal plants should be given to the locals
IMPACT OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK ON CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES OF THE WORKING PEOPLE IN Colombo DISTRICT, SRI LANKA
Get PDFCOVID-19 pandemic had affected people all over the world including Sri Lanka. Fruits and vegetables supply was hampered due to travel restrictions. Colombo the most urbanized district was the most affected. Consumption of fruits and vegetables is encouraged because of importance in human nutrition and health. This research was aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on consumption of fruits and vegetables of Colombo district working people. Data were collected from a survey conducted with a semi-structured questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was used to select 250 participants from all divisional secretariat divisions of Colombo district. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric tests. The study revealed that the majority of participants (64.2%) had non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure. Females had significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) in average than the age-appropriate BMI where it was not significantly different in males. Compared to before pandemic period, there was no significant difference in consumption of fruits, roots and tuber crops, vegetables, pulses and legume (P=.05) except leafy vegetable which was significantly increased. People with non-communicable diseases had consumed significantly increased amounts of fruits and leafy vegetables (P=.05), but no significant change was present for roots and tuber crops, vegetable, pulses and legumes (P=.05). Per capita consumption was (197.18 ± 97.19) g of Colombo district working people which is significantly less than the recommended quantity (400g). Awareness of importance to maintain well-functioning immune systems, home gardening and mobile vendors had contributed to increase and non-change in consumption. Thus, it can be concluded that, COVID-19 pandemic had not significantly changed the consumption of fruits and vegetables but increased leafy vegetable consumption, compared to before pandemic, among Colombo district working people. But people with non-communicable diseases had consumed significantly higher amounts of fruits and leafy vegetables during pandemic
USE OF PIG EFFLUENTS (DIGESTATE) AS SOIL BIO- FERTILIZERS
Get PDFThe work was carried out with the objective of determining the pig effluents properties (digestate) as organic fertilizer; as well as the possibility of their decontamination. The effluents was taken, in three anaerobic digesters located in the central region of Cuba (Sancti Spíritus and Villa Clara); as well as four samples in the lagoon of oxidation of the pig facility of the Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas. In these last ones the decontaminate effect of a bio-product was proven (CBQ-BioRem) with different dilution dose (1/10, 1/100, 1/1000 and 1/10000). In the effluents, they were determined: physical-chemical and microbiological properties, previous and later to their step for bio-filters; it was valued their effect like organic bio fertilizers, the effluents of the biodigesters were diluted in water (50%, 75% and 90%). It took like indicative cultivation the corn (Zea mays), being evaluated their Morphophysiological parameters; in the soil samples. In most of the effluents, the microbial load could be reduced using bio filters and the bio-product CBQ-BioRem, obtaining values below the Cuban norm. The analysis of the effluents like bio fertilizers showed a positive effect in the dilute ones to 50%, 75% and 90% in water, reaching germination percent of (100%). In the blended effluents with the bio-product, alone a good germinate result was reached in the dilute effluent to 10% achieving (100%) of germination, being the other dilutions investigated below the control
DEVELOPMENT OF A MOLECULAR ASSAY FOR THE DETECTION OF TOMATO MOSAIC VIRUS IN SRI LANKA
Get PDFVirus diseases in tomato cultivations are one of the limiting factors for large-scale production in Sri Lanka. Tomato mosaic virus(ToMV) is an economically important virus disease as tomato is highly susceptible to the disease. Similarity of symptoms has made identification difficult. Developing a reliable indexing method for the identification of ToMV is aimed in this study. Saps extracted from infected leaves were subjected to Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assey (ELISA) and positive samples were used in the mechanical inoculation. After symptom expression the samples were subjected to ELISA and the disease was confirmed. Viral RNA was extracted from confirmed disease samples and used in Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) with specific primers ToMV 1F/ 1R. A gradient PCR detected the annealing temperature as 53°C. The protocol was optimized and the optimized protocol was used to detect the disease in samples collected from several districts in Sri Lanka. The study revealed the presence of ToMV in Sri Lanka and a molecular based detection technology wasdeveloped. This is the first record of a molecular based detection of ToMV in Sri Lanka
ADAPTABILITY STUDY OF OAT (Avena sativa) GENOTYPES FOR THEIR AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND NUTRITIVE VALUE IN THE MIDLAND OF EAST GUJI ZONE, ADOLA, SOUTHERN OROMIA, ETHIOPIA
Get PDFA study was conducted to identify adaptable, high biomass and dry matter and grain yielder of Oat variety/accessions under Bore Agricultural research centre Adola sub-site. The three Oat variety/accessions adaptation tested included Jasari, 5453 and 6710 accessions. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was employed. The analyzed result revealed that days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, logging and grain yield was significantly different between treatments at (P<0.05). The early flowered variety was Jasari (62.8 days) and late flowered variety was 5453 (72.8 days). Early matured variety was Jasari (10.8 days) and late matured variety was 5453 (114 days). Highest logging was recorded from 5453 accessions (42.4%) and the lowest was Jasari variety (24.1%). Highest grain yield was obtained from 6710 accessions (49.3 qt/ha) and the lowest grain yield was obtained from Jasari variety (33.3 qt/ha). Plant height and fresh biomass yield were not significantly different between treatments at (P>0.05), But numerically had high yielder value was recorded from the treatments. Highest plant height was measured from 5453 accessions (163 cm). Shortest plant height was obtained from Jasari variety (159 cm), whiles the highest biomass yield of 2.2 t/ha from a variety of 5453 followed by 2 t/ha 6710 accessions. Lowest biomass yield of 1.8 t/ha from Jasari variety. Concerning chemical composition 5453 accession was highest in acid detergent fibre (NDF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and DM and less in acid detergent lignin (ADL). 6710 accession was highest in acid detergent lignin (ADL) and total ash (TASH) and less in crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) content were as, Jasari variety had the highest in crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) and less in acid detergent fibre (NDF) and total ash (TASH) content than the rest accessions. The result implies that 5453 accessions were well adapted and being productive regarding the plant height, biomass yield and seed yield of oat which is hopeful to fill the gap of low quality and quantity ruminant feed supply of the community. Thus it could be possible to conclude that the oat varieties especially 5453 accessions used as a protein supplement for midland of Guji, which were suffering from poor quality roughage and low protein and digestible crop residues which were the major livestock feed sources, particularly in Guji. Based on its adaptability, plant height, biomass yield and seed yield, good CP and OM 5453 accessions are recommended for further promotion in the midland of East Guji zone
THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT RATES OF FERMENTED FISH AMINO ACID (FFAA) ON THE YIELD OF SWEET CORN UNDER THE NALIL SOIL AND CLIMATIC CONDITION
Get PDFCorn (Zea maize, Linn.) is cultivated and produced as staple food next to rice in the Philippine regions for human consumption because of its reach in Vitamin A and carbohydrates which is higher than ordinary rice. The researchers focused only on growing sweet corn as it is the most popular variety. To develop a reflective development of corn, commercial fertilizers are used by most farmers but local farmers in Tawi-Tawi are not yet fully informed of the important contributions of Fermented Fish Amino Acids in corn production.
Fermented Fish Amino Acids (FFAA) are developed organic acid used as fertilizer supplement containing important substances influential to plant growth and development. It is applied to crop in most of the tropical regions like Indonesia, Thailand, India, Lao, and other Asian regions and in some agricultural institutions in the northern Philippines to enhance production. FFAA is in the form of concentrated liquid added to water that is applied to the base and other vegetative parts of the plant. In this study, FFAA was treated with extensive attention as it was used as direct fertilizer to corn. FFAA is a nitrogen source of plants; however, the right amount of concentration and the accurate time of application should be done well in order to attain better output in terms of yield potential of plants. This study was designed to determine the influence of the different rates of Fermented Fish Amino Acid on the yield of sweet corn per plot; identify which of these rates would give best result in terms of yield of sweet corn; and to compare the significant differences among the treatments means per plot. This was conducted at the Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College Researcher Area, Barangay Nalil, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Southern Philippines. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having four treatments replicated three times was employed. Treatment-1 control without FFAA; Treatment-2 treated with concentration of six tablespoons of Fermented Fish Amino Acid (FFAA) per 5 gallons of water; Treatment-3 treated with concentration of nine tablespoons of (FFAA) per 5 gallons of water, and Treatment-4 treated with concentration of 12 tablespoons of (FFAA) per 5 gallons and water. The data were tested at 5% and 1% levels of significance. Results revealed Treatment-4 excelled the highest mean yield of sweet corn. Further, as the rate of Fermented Fish Amino Acid increased from 6-12 tablespoons in every 5 gallons of water per plot, the yield also increased from 7.33 kilograms to 15.12 kilograms/plot. Furthermore, the researcher concluded the higher the rate of FFAA applied to corn plant the higher the yield could be obtained. The 12 tablespoons of Fermented Fish Amino Acid for 5 gallons of water per plot was recommended for corn production. Further, recommended for next study to increase the rate of FFAA application since FFAA classified as organic and non-chemical fertilizer, non-hazardous to corn pant and to human consumption
YIELD AND YIELD RELATED COMPONENTS OF COWPEA AS INFLUENCED BY PLANTING DATE, CULTIVAR AND SPRAYING REGIME
Get PDFCowpea is attacked by a wide spectrum of insect pests that ravages the crop in the field at different growing stages sometimes resulting into complete crop failure. In order to reduce insect pest damage, increase cowpea grain yield and other yield related components, an experiment was conducted using five improved cowpea cultivars and one local check, two planting dates and two spraying regimes across two major agro-climatic zones during 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at three locations Sumbuya, Serabu and Nguala.
Result showed that the effect of cultivar, planting date and spraying regime on the measured parameters were highly significant. Also interaction effect of cultivar, planting date and spraying regime on the measured parameters were all significant. Grain yield, pod load and biomass were higher in sprayed plots compared to unsprayed plots. Also, grain yield and pod load were higher when planting was done in September. Furthermore, all the improved varieties out yielded the local variety.
Days to 50% flowering and maturity were shorter for all the improved varieties compared to the local variety with spraying plots flowering and maturing earlier when planting was done in September compared to June.
These results shows that integrating cowpea cultivar with date of planting alongside minimal application of insecticide can lead to the reduction in cowpea insect pests across the major agro-ecological zones of Sierra Leone thus, resulting into increase in grain yield and other yield related components of cowpea
ANALYSIS OF LAND USE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECT ON ARABLE CROP PRODUCTION IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA
Get PDFThis study analysed land use change and its effect on arable crop production in South West, Nigeria. Primary data used for this study were collected from 180 arable crop farmers in the study area. The analytical techniques that were used include descriptive statistics; multiple regression analysis and the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). It was revealed that the average age of the arable crop farmers was about 5510.29. Majority of the respondents are males and are married, with an average household size of about 7 persons. The average farm size was 1.85ha, while the average years of farming experience was about 12 years. The study concluded that although agricultural purpose remained the predominant purpose of land use in the study area, the total land area previously allocated for agricultural purposes suffered the greatest reduction from all identified land use purposes in the study area. Scale of production, fulltime farming and farm income are the identified factors that reduce the conversion of arable land into non-agricultural uses, while population density, land ownership type, land sales right, land lease right and non-farm income were the factors that significantly increase the conversion of arable land into non-agricultural uses in the study area. It was also concluded that increase in arable land is positively correlated with increase in total arable crop production in the study area. This study, however, recommended that practices that promotes the efficient and optimum use of land for agricultural purposes such commercial arable crop production should be encouraged among the people of the study area; and that relevant government agencies saddled with the regulation of land use in Nigeria, through the proper implementation of the country’s land use act, should protect the fertile arable lands that are devoted to agricultural production and ensure that they are not converted to other non-agricultural purposes
PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF EARTHEN FISHPONDS IN THE TEACHING AND RESEARCH FISH FARM YOBE STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE GUJBA NIGERIA
Get PDFPhysicochemical parameters are the most important parameters that are needed to be considered before siting a fish farm due to their significant role in fish production. This study examined some important physicochemical parameters of the earthen fish ponds in the Teaching and Research Fish Farm of Department of Fisheries Technology, Yobe State College of Agriculture Gujba, Nigeria and compared with the critical level. The parameters examined were Biological oxygen demand, Electric conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrate, pH, Phosphorus, Temperature and Turbidity. The water samples were collected from the ponds and analyzed using standard methods and procedures. The result obtained from this study shows variations in the parameters measured in the ponds. These variations were associated with a regular increase in the water level in the ponds. The parameters measured were all within the range of international standards of unpolluted water bodies as stated by the world health organization (WHO). The observation in this study suggested that pond fish production could be practiced without adversely affecting the fish
WHITE PEPPER (Piper nigrum) PRODUCTION AND THE CHALLENGE OF POVERTY REDUCTION IN PENJA, CAMEROON
Get PDFReducing rural poverty by intensifying agricultural production is one of the major challenges in most developing countries. The main objective of this study was to quantify the effect of white pepper production on the challenge of poverty reduction in Penja, Cameroon. We have to make used of multiple correspondence analyses to construct a poverty reduction index using primary data collected in the study area. The result is estimated using weighted ordinary least squared. The result shows that white pepper production is significantly corroborating with poverty reduction in Penja, Cameroon. However, the reduction in poverty is more explained by the industrial production of pepper. We equally observed that climate change, financial difficulties and availability of cultivated land are the main constraints faced by pepper farmers. In terms of policy, the government should create policies to regulate the pepper market as well as grant subsidies to producers operating in this sector. This is a wise step towards increase production and poverty reduction in Cameroon