Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
Not a member yet
357 research outputs found
Sort by
Influence of Different Type and Levels of Fertilizer Application on Biomass and Essential oil Yield of Cymbopogon schoenanthus (Lemon Grass) in Togo
No full textDue to its biological properties, Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L) Spreng is important in traditional medicine, pharmacology and, more particularly, agronomy as an alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. Controlling the conditions under which it is grown can increase biomass production, and hence essential oil yields. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of different doses of organic and mineral fertilizer application on biomass and essential oil yields of C. schoenanthus (L). The plot was set up in a randomized complete block design with five objects in three replications. Treatments consisted of increasing doses of poultry droppings (5 t/ha and 10 t/ha), 46% urea (0.05t/ha and 0.1t/ha) and the absolute. The best yields, in fresh biomass (8.78t/ha), dry biomass (3.21t/ha) and essential oil (69.09l/ha), were obtained with the poultry manure treatment at 10t/ha, then increased at the second and third cuts. Fertilizers did not influence the number of leaves per tillers. On the basis of these results, the use of poultry droppings at a dose of 10t/ha could be recommended in programs to promote C. schoenanthus production.  
Fruit Morphological Response of F200 Pineapple Ananas comosus (L.) Merr as Influenced by Gibberellic Acid Application and Calcium Supplements
No full textThe study investigated the influence of different levels of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) applied alone or in combination with Calcium from field production and fruit growth development of F200 pineapple. Pineapple plants applied with GA3 alone at any level from 100 to 300ppm and calcium by 10ml to 20ml/li delayed the days of maturity at 13 days and 2 days, respectively. Application of GA3 increased fruit edible portion, number of fruitlets and width of center fruitlet (mm), fruit weight, and crown length at harvestable age. Fruits of pineapple plants sprayed with GA3 at 300ppm were heavier than fruits of pineapple plants sprayed at 100ppm of GA3 to about 2.54 kg and 1.52 kg with and without crown, respectively. The pineapple's crown length improved by combining the application of GA3 at 300 ppm and calcium at 20ml/li
Integrated Effects of NPK Fertilizer and Spent Mushroom Substrate on Lettuce Growth, Yield and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity
No full textThe study investigates the effects of NPK fertilizer and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth, yield, and antioxidant enzyme activity. SMS, a by-product of mushroom cultivation, is a sustainable organic fertilizer rich in organic matter and beneficial microbes, while NPK provides essential macronutrients for plant growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using four treatments: control (no amendment), SMS, NPK, and a combination of SMS and NPK. Key growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weights of leaves and roots, were measured, alongside oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results revealed that SMS and NPK independently improved lettuce growth and physiological responses, but their combined application had the most significant effects. The SMS+NPK treatment increased plant height, leaf and root biomass, and antioxidant enzyme activities while reducing oxidative stress markers like MDA and H₂O₂. This synergistic effect underlines the potential of integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers to enhance crop productivity sustainably. The findings highlight the benefits of SMS as an environmentally friendly amendment, cost-effectiveness, and its potential to complement NPK for sustainable agricultural practices. SMS enhances soil microbial diversity and organic matter content more effectively than inorganic fertilizers, leading to improved nutrient cycling and long-term soil fertility. This research offers a novel application of SMS as a low-cost substitute for fertilizers that pose environmental risks
Effect of Spacing and Planting Time on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Mustard (Brassica nigra L.) Cultivar in Unwana, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
No full textA field experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology teaching and research farm during 2022 cropping season, to investigate the effect of spacing and planting time on the growth, yield and yield components of mustard in Unwana agro-ecology of Southeastern Nigeria. Two (2) planting time and six (6) plant spacings were evaluated in a split-plot fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three (3) replications. The factor A was time of planting (March and August), which occupied the main plot while factor B which was plant spacing (20x15cm, 30x15cm, 40x15cm, 50x15cm, 60x15cm and 70x15cm) occupied the sub-plots. Data were collected on plant height, leaf number, total yield, straw yield, oil yield and oil content at harvest. Result obtained showed that the growth, yield and yield components of mustard were significantly (P˂0.05) improved by time of planting and plant spacing used. March time of planting increased seed yield and yield components seed yield (102.90gha-1), straw yield (25.97gha-1), oil yield (654.10kg/ha), and oil content (41.56%) than August planting time (39.40gha-1, 20.93gha-1, 477.50kg/ha and 39.02% seed yield, straw yield, oil yield and oil content, respectively. On the other hand, result revealed that the plot planted with 20x15 plant spacing significantly increased the plant height and leaf number (18.98cm and 16.62) at 4WAP, respectively with the corresponding total yield (103.20gha-1) than other plant spacing used. The result showed that it was more productive to grow mustard at closer spacing (20x15cm) as depicted by the yield and yield components advantages
Effect of Cattle Urine and Humic Acid on Growth of Nutmeg Grafts
No full textThe experiment was conducted at AICRP Oil Palm, College of Horticulture, Mulde, Sindhudurg under Dr. B. S. K. K. V. Dapoli, during the year 2020-2023 to assess the Effect of Cattle urine and humic acid spray sprays on growth of nutmeg grafts. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications with eight different treatments of foliar application, cattle urine spray at (15% ,25%), and Humic acid spray at (0.4) and drenching, cattle urine drench at (15%, 25%), Humic acid drench at (0.2, 0.6), and Control (No spray), are applied on nutmeg grafts after 45 days of grafting up to 135 days and different growth parameter observation were recorded up to highest survival and saleable percentages. The best results was obtained from treatment T-7 (0.4% Humic acid spray) record significantly highest survival (95%), saleable percent (97.67%) along with highest height (15.85cm), girth (24.21mm), number of leaves (24.21), leaf length (15.85cm), leaf area (44.35cm2) and tap root in T-7 length (20.60cm).The highest cost benefit ratio were recorded significantly highest in T-7 hence for the excellent growth of nutmeg grafts in Konkan region of Maharashtra 0.4% humic acid spray is recommended
Impact of Specific Leaf Extracts on Soil pH and Beta-Carotene in Amaranthus in Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textAmaranthus (Amaranthus spp.) leaves are a good source of nutrients including vitamins antioxidants and dietary minerals including calcium, iron, and potassium. Soil pH is a very important chemical property of the soil, as it dictates the availability of plant nutrients. Acidic soils reduce availability of plant nutrients and hinder growth. This is corrected by adding lime which is expensive, does not add nutrients and requires re-application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of leaf extracts from selected tree leaves on soil acidity and beta-carotene levels of amaranthus. Plant leaves that were tested were Turril (Vitex keniensis) Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) and Indian nettle (Plectranthus barbatus). The experiment setup was in a 2 x 7 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design(RCBDreplicated three timesThe treatments were; the three leaves extracts, lime, farm yard manure, inorganic fertilizer and control.. Leaves were dried,ground and soaked in distilledwater for sixty days as pH was monitored and the resulting extract was added to soil for amanthus grown with plant extracts. Data on plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight and levels of beta carotene levels were collected. AOAC method was used for analysis of beta carotene. All data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance using SAS and least significant difference (LSD) for means separation. The results showed that leaf extracts significantly reduced soil acidity to above (6) while inorganic fertilizer increased the acidity (pH5.9) to (5.3) on all growing conditions while humus increased acidity during rainy and irrigation conditions. On beta carotene levels, Farmyard Manure had the highest levels(51.1µg) followed by the leaf extracts with extract 3-Plectras barbatus having higher levels. Control had the lowest levels of beta carotene followed by inorganic fertilizer and lime.These results suggest that farmers should be encouraged to grow vegetables using farmyard manure and leaf extracts to increase antioxidant levels and reduce soil acidity.They should also be encouraged to grow more of trees and shrubs studied to increase forest cover
Impact of Climate Change on Soil Wetness and Cocoa Production in Ondo State, Nigeria: Implication for Sustainable Farming Practices
No full textCocoa is a strategic economic crop and a major source of foreign exchange for Nigeria, for which Ondo State is the leading producing area. However, its production has been marked with much fluctuation over the years with a reduction in yield of 40 to 50% due to insect menace. A study was conducted that covers all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ondo State and datasets on rainfall, relative humidity, temperature, Surface Soil Wetness (SSW) and Root Zone Soil Wetness (RZSW) were sourced from the database of National Aeronautic Space Agency (NASA). The data were analyzed using the least square regression and correlation coefficient analyses. The results obtained showed that temperatures, relative humidity, the rainfall pattern as well as SSW and RZSW had similar impacts in 38.89% of the LGAs, while their effects varied in the remaining 61.11%. For the 42 years of observation, the temperature and relative humidity increased by 0.0033° C and 0.019% per annum at R2 values of 0.0045 and 0.0862 respectively while the rainfall decreased by 17.37mm per annum at R2 value of 0.1021. The values of SSW and RZSW decreased by 0.0005 and 0.0006 per annum at R2 of 0.0451 and 0.036 respectively. There was a positive correlation of 0.152, 0.758, 0.762 and 0.995 between temperature and rainfall, rainfall and SSW, rainfall and RZSE as well as SSW and RZSW respectively. The correlations between temperature and relative humidity; SSW, RZSW and years of observations of -0.359, -0.212 and -0.190 respectively were inversed. This indicated that climate change had led to high relative humidity, temperatures and decreased rainfall, with a reduction in SSW and RZSW. High relative humidity favours the growth and development of various fungi that were noted for causing diseases of cocoa which necessitates the need for adoption of good agricultural practices (GAP) to mitigate reductions in cocoa production in the studied LGAs in Ondo state
Optimization of Particle Size Distribution of Coco Pith: Implications of Soil Suitability Classes, Varietal Variation, Processing Method and Status of Ageing
No full textThis study was conducted to investigate the impact of the genetic nature of coconut palm varieties (TT and DT), soil suitability classes (S1-S4), fiber extraction method (Wet milling and Dry milling), and ageing status (aged and non-aged) on the PD (Second particle size (0.2 mm – 1 mm), fourth particle size (1 mm – 2 mm), fine particle size (< 0.2 mm) and fiber fraction (> 2 mm)) of CP (CP) obtained from the coconut husk sampled from the Coconut Triangle in Sri Lanka. The results revealed the PD of CP varies (P<0.05) based on their genetic nature, environmental factors, and the fiber extraction process. Moreover, the effect of these factors and their interaction varied depending on the particle type. The optimal fine particle content (<0.2 mm) below the preferred threshold (less than 10%) was obtained in variety DT when cultivated in S1 and S2, as well as in S4 with aging, regardless of the milling method. Similarly, variety TT exhibited lower fine particle content when grown in S1 with aging, S4, and in S2 and S3 regardless of the aging process. Ageing enhanced dry-milled coir pith by reducing short fiber content while wet milling elevated short fiber content in wet-milled coir pith. Hence, the inclusion of aging should be guided by the targeted PD and the specific milling technique employed
Effect of Drip Irrigation Regimes and Mulching on Cucumber Production under Cooled Plastic Tunnel Conditions, Kassala State, Sudan
No full textAn experiment was conducted in a cooled plastic tunnel greenhouse during March-August of 2022 and 2023, the objectives of this study to investigate the effect of drip irrigation regimes and mulching on yield and yield components of cucumber under greenhouse conditions, Kassala, Sudan. Seedlings of the most popular cucumber hybrid (Fatin) were planted on 40cm and 50 cm inter and intra-row spacing, respectively. The experiment was composed of two factors; the irrigation regimes (75%, 100% and 125% of recommended irrigation water) and the other was mulching (mulching and no mulching). These factors were arranged in split plot design with three replications. The main plots were allocated for irrigation regimes and subplots for mulching. The subplot size was 200cm×70cm (bed/mastaba). Results reported that125% of recommended irrigation water (RIW) under drip irrigation recorded highest yield and yield components in both seasons. Moreover, the highest values of yield and yield components; fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight were obtained under 125% of (RIW) with mulch while, the lowest were obtained with75% of (RIW) without mulch on both seasons. The highest values of water productivity and economic water productivity were recorded under 125% of (RIW) with mulch. On the other hands, the highest marginal rate return (MRR) was obtained under 100% of (RIW) with no mulch
Duration of Light Exposure Using White Light-Emitting Diode (LED) on the Performance of White Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus L.)
No full textBackground: In the dynamic world of mushroom cultivation, optimizing growth conditions is paramount for maximizing yield and quality. This research sought to evaluate the influence of varying hours of exposure to white light through light-emitting diodes (LED) on growth and yield performance of white oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus L.). Its aim was to determine the most effective light exposure duration for enhancing mushroom growth and yield.
Research Design: Using a completely randomized design (CRD), the study used four treatments: 8 hours of lighting (T1), 12 hours of lighting (T2), 16 hours of lighting (T3), and a control group that received natural light (T4). The study was conducted in Palayamanan (8° 27’ 5.3118" N and 126° 9’ 59.7739" E) area at North Eastern Mindanao State University’s -Tagbina Campus from July 2023 to November 2023.
Results: Results from the study provided interesting insights into the indirect nature of the relationship between light exposure and mushroom development. The findings of the study indicate that the duration of light exposure significantly affects the growth and yield of white oyster mushrooms. Both mycelium growth (29.80 days) and fruiting body formation (7.83 days), as well as harvesting time (10.87 days), were improved by 12 hours of lighting, while the control group consistently showed poor performance.
Conclusion: Based from the analysis, it is evident that 12 hours of lighting consistently performed very well, with the exception of a minor under-performance in the case of yield per harvest, suggesting that 12 hours might be the ideal duration. Hence, 16 hours of lighting also demonstrated some advantages in certain variables, indicating potential for further study