Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Impact of Bi-Parental Mating on Character Association in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
No full textCorrelation between grain yield and contributing characters in 100 biparental progenies (BIPs) developed from a barley cross RD-2035 x RD-2552 and corresponding F3 progenies were compared. The correlation coefficients in BIPs were found generally of higher magnitude than F3 progenies. Even, non-significant negative association in F3 between grain yield per plant and harvest index converted into significant and positive in BIP progenies. Higher degree of positive and significant correlation was observed in tillers per plant, spikelets per spike and grain per spike with grain yield per plant in BIPs as well as F3 population
Influence of Substrate and Supplementary LED lighting on Vertical Farming of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Pak Choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis)
No full textApplication of “plant factory” concept in protected culture is gaining momentum due to its technological and economic merits in many countries. This research examined the plant growth and yield of vertically grown pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) (in nutrient film technique (NFT) culture) under supplementary lighting with two different combinations of blue to red color LEDs (1:9 and 1:2 ratios) in comparison with horticulture grade and non-horticulture grade (recommended for general use) white (full spectrum) LED while keeping sunlight as the control treatment. Meanwhile NFT culture was compared to plant growth, yield and nitrate accumulation of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in comparison with conventional soil, culture and compost mixed coco-peat substrate in a replicated trial, conducted under greenhouse conditions with intensive micro climate control. A significantly high vegetative growth and total to yield could be found in the NFT grown basil. The nitrate accumulation in basil leaves was well below the maximum permissible limit (MPL), set-fourth by the recommendations of the European Health Commission. Meanwhile, the highest overall leaf quality of pak choi was achieved by the normal LEDs. Horticulture graded to LED maintained fairly high chlorophyll a and b contents contributing to its characteristic leaf color
Genetic Variability, Heritability and Correlation Studies in Fifty Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Accessions Collected from Southern Nigeria
No full textSorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important food crop in southern Nigeria with high genetic variability. However, this variability is not characterized. Fifty sorghum accessions collected from different states in southern Nigeria were evaluated for eleven agronomic characters to determine the extent of genetic variability and character association among the accessions. The experiments were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Ondo State and Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu research farm during the rainy season of 2018 and 2019. Data were collected on eleven quantitative traits for genetic variability and character association. Panicle weight had the highest GCV (24.96%) and PCV (30.61%). Ten out of the eleven traits have heritability estimates above 50% which implies an opportunity for improvement among the traits with the number of days to 50% heading having the highest (98.84%). Correlation analysis showed significant and positive association among growth, flowering traits and head traits. The strong positive correlation coefficients of plant height with all the traits implies that simultaneous selection for these traits is possible for improvement in sorghum genotypes for fodder and grain traits
Response of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties to Blended Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sulfur Fertilizer Rate at Kokate, Southern Region
No full textLow production and productivity of potato in Ethiopia is associated with poor soil fertility and limitation of high yielding crop variety. Matching high yielding cultivar with optimum fertilization of balanced nutrients is of paramount important to boost tuber yield of potato. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during 2019/20 cropping season at Kokate testing site of Areka Agricultural Research Center in southern Ethiopia in order to evaluate the response of potato varieties to NPS fertilizer rates. Treatments used in the study were two improved varieties of potato (Gudane and Belete) one local cultivar with six rates of blended NPS (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg/ha NPS) combined in factorial and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. As this investigation indicated that at all rates of NPS fertilizer, improved varieties out yielded the local cultivar Asmara with relative superiority of variety Belete for marketable tuber yield. Economic analysis revealed that the highest net benefit of 276326 Birr/ha with marginal rate of return (MRR) 3762% was obtained from variety Belete at NPS fertilizer rate of 200 kg/ha followed by variety Gudane at the same fertilizer rate with net benefit of 270350 Birr/ha and MRR of 3372%. Based on this finding, varieties Belete and Gudane could be used for production at NPS fertilizer rate of 200 kg/ha near study area and similar agro-ecologies
Irrigation Practices under Boro Rice Cultivation in Haor Areas of Sunamganj, Bangladesh
No full textA field study was conducted in the ‘haor’ areas of Sunamgonj district, Bangladesh, aimed to investigate the present irrigation practices to identify the related problems for ‘Boro’ rice cultivation. The primary field data were collected by interviewing 120 farmers (landless, small, medium, and large farmers) through survey. Most of the farmers used ‘beel’ (37.5%) as the main source of irrigation water. As water-lifting devices, they mostly used Low Lift Pumps (77.5%). The cost of irrigation was observed the lowest at Derai [Tk. 12,232 ( 553.31) per season], respectively. The highest benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was observed at Derai (2.48) and the lowest was at Dowarabazar (2.01). The financial problem, less water supply, lack of irrigation equipment, and knowledge about operating the equipment were identified as the main problems suffered by the farmers. These problems can be solved by distributing irrigation equipments at a reasonable price, and arranging training programs to develop the farmers’ skills
Effect of Cow Manure on Growth and Production of Peanut Plants in Sub Optimal Land
No full textAims: The study aimed to determine the effect of cow manure on the growth and yield of peanut plants
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with five treatments including the control replicated three (3) times.
Place and Duration of Study: the Field Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture and the Laboratory of the Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Halu Oleo University, from June to October 2019
Methodology: without cow manure ( B0), using cow dung 5 t/ha(B1), 10 t/ha(B2), 15 t/ha(B3) and 20 t/ha(B4). The treatment was repeated 3 times, so that there were 15 experimental units. The variables observed were plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight, number of pods formed, number of filled pods and productivity of peanut plants. Observation data were analyzed using variance, F-count which showed a real or very real effect followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the 95% confidence level.
Results: The results showed that cow manure treatment increased the growth of peanut plants especially the treatment cow manure at the dose of 15 t/ha in the form of filled pods, number of pods formed, and peanut plant productivity were 27.00, 35.93, and 3.62 t/ha at sub-optimal land. The application of cow manure can increase the availability of phosphorus in the soil and increase crop production. Cow manure has a phosphorus nutrient content of 0.42, 0.38 and 0.43 ppm respectively.
Conclusion: Treatment of cow manure at a dose of 15 t/ha was showed the best growth and production of peanut plants compared to other treatments
Factors Affecting the Adoption Level of Good Agricultural Practices by Cucurbit Farmers in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka
No full textAims: The primary focus of this empirical study was to investigate the factors influencing the level of GAP adoption for cucurbit vegetable in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka.
Study Design: Three-stage purposive and proportionate sampling
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Anuradhapura district, North Central Province of Sri Lanka in 2018.
Methodology: Primary and secondary data were used in the study. The primary data were collected mainly through a field survey using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The total sample size was 120. Key informant interviews (KII), and a focus group discussion (FGD) were conducted to triangulate data and information obtained from the questionnaire survey and to obtain additional qualitative information. Descriptive analytical techniques, analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and the General Linear Model (GLM) were employed for the data analysis.
Results: Results revealed that 40% of respondents are moderate level GAP adopters, whilst about 68% practiced more than half of the recommended GAPs. The results of ANOVA revealed that farmers who adopted a higher proportion of GAPs earned a higher farming income, than those who practiced a moderate or low proportion of GAPs. Similarly, when compared to moderate and poor level GAP adopters, the average cost of production of higher-level adopters decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The results of the regression analysis revealed that farmer awareness of GAPs, farmer education level, farming experience, farming income, and cost of cultivation have a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the level of GAP adoption by cucurbit farmers.
Conclusion: Awareness of GAPs, farmer education level, farming experience, and farming income significantly affect the adoption level of GAPs. Policy priority should be given to planning for a long-term farmer awareness program on GAPs through proper training and extension programs
Effect of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Kinetin on Seed Germination of Sesbania sesban L. and Sesbania rostrata L. (Fabaceae)
No full textWe investigated the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin on seed germination of S. sesban L. and S. rostrata L. The matured seeds used for this study were obtained from International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria. The seeds were harvested in 2014 and stored dry in a glass container and kept (15°C) in the refrigerator. The viability of the seeds were determined by floating the intact seeds in water and water uptake (imbibition) was carried out. Four replicates of 20 seeds per replicate were germinated and the seeds observed daily and final count was recorded after 14 days of incubation at 30°C. Intact seeds were soaked in gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin for 24h and germination percentage taken. The results from the water absorption demonstrated that the seeds of S. rostrata is more permeable compared to S. sesnban as indicated by higher water absorption of seeds of S. rostrata (70%) to S. sesban (25.4%) after 24hrs of incubation. The anatomy of the seed coats indicated the presence of water and gas impermeable tissues namely cuticle, macrosclereids, osteosclereids and disintegrated parenchyma layer. Generally, 0.1 mM kinetin and GA3 enhanced significant germinations compared to the control with 0% germination for the 14 days period of germination. The percentage germination of seeds of S. sesban and S. rotrata subjected to different treatments and germinated in 0.1 mM GA3 and water showed a progressive decrease in germination. From our study, 0.1 mM GA3 and Kinetin significantly enhanced seed germination of S. sesban and S. rostrata
Growth, Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Corchorus olitorius under Irrigated and Rain-fed Conditions in Northeastern Benin (West Africa)
No full textAims: Investigated the influence of organic manures (municipal solid waste compost [MSWC] and cow dung) and N-fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) under two water regimes (rain-fed and irrigated).
Study Design: Randomized complete block.
Place and Duration of Study: Farm of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Parakou, Northern Benin (latitude 09°20’16.8’’N and longitude 002°38’54’’ E, 353 m asl), during 2013 rainy (June to August) and dry seasons (October to December 2013).
Methodology: Ten treatments derived from a factorial combination of five levels of organic manures (control, MSWC at 10 t/ha, MSWC at 20 t/ha, cow dung at 10 t/ha and cow dung at 20 t/ha) and two levels of N-fertilizer (0 kg and 50 kg urea/ha), arranged in a randomized complete block with three replicates were considered.
Results: Results showed that water regime significantly (p<.001) affected growth and yield of jute mallow. In addition, the growth and yield parameters showed significant differences (p<.001) in relation to different rates of organic manures. The integrated use of organic manure and urea increased plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of branches, leaf growth parameters and leaf yield. The maximum amount of leaf yield (7554.88 kg/ha) was obtained with 20 tons/ha of MSWC and 50 kg urea/ha.
Conclusion: Fertilizer types also had highly significant effects on nutrient use efficiency. Application of these treatments could help to enhance yield and growth of the jute mallow
Comparison of Locally Developed Date Palm Pollination Machine with Manual Pollination under Shambat Condition – Sudan
No full textThe main objective of the research study was to compare a locally developed date palm pollination machine to manual pollination during two successive seasons. Two pressures were used to operate the machine. The parameters measured were, rate of work, pollen application rate, crop yield and cost of pollination. The results indicated that the field capacity (rate of work) of the pollination machine was 18 tree/hr, while for the manual pollination it was 5 tree/hr. The machine pollen application rate was 0.5-1 gm/tree as compared to manual pollination which consumed higher amount of pollen 8 gm/tree. There was no significant difference between the effect of using the three methods of pollination on physical and chemical characteristics of date fruits. There was significant effect of treatments on quantity of date yield in the two seasons for the three methods of pollination at 5% level of significance. The pollination machine at high pressure produced higher yield than other treatments which were 605 kg, 1206 kg for the two seasons respectively, while the lowest yield was recorded by manual pollination as 233 kg and 818 kg for the two seasons in sequence. The pollination cost of the machine was 9.1 SDG /tree which was less than the manual pollination that costs 60 SDG /tree. The manual pollination needed two labors to pollinate 200 trees per season, while mechanical pollinator needed one operator to pollinate 760 trees per year. The pollination machine reached up to 10 meters in height. In addition, considerable reduction of time requirements, and pollination cost were observed.
It was concluded that the pollination machine is highly reliable and efficient in control over pollen application rate, thus reducing pollen loss to minimum, saving cost and time and overcoming defects associated with manual pollination