Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Anti-microbial Effect of Cocoa Leaf Extracts on Botryodiplodia theobromae; Leading Causative Organism of Crown Rot Disease of Banana (Musa acuminata)
No full textAn investigation was carried to assess in-vitro management of crown rot disease on Banana using extracts of cocoa leaves. The causative organism (Botryodiplodia theobromae) was sub cultured and the concentration determined through microbial count. Different cocoa leaves extracts were prepared using two different solvents. A conventional fungicide known as Mancozeb was used as a positive control and the nutrient broth only served as negative controls to help in assessment of the antimicrobial effect of the cocoa leave extracts. Phenolic Methanol Extracts (PME), Crude Cocoa Leaves Aqueous Extracts (CCAE) and Mancozeb were employed to prepare aqueous solutions through serial dilution with varied concentration. The nutrient broth (100 µL of double strength), 100 µL each of the plant extract concentrations, and 20 µL of inoculums were dispensed in a sterile micro-titre plate containing 96 wells. Incubation of the micro-titre plate was carried out at a temperature of 37°C for 1 day (24 hours). Susceptibility or otherwise of the microorganism (B. theobromae) from four sample stations was analyzed with 20 µL of a 5% solution of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide MTT. The presence of blue-black wells indicated the growth of B. theobromae. The experiment was conducted in triplicates for PME (refined), CCAE and Mancozeb. The minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of PME (refined) that inhibited the growth of B. theobromae collected from four different locations were 5mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 2.5 mg/ml respectively for B. theobromae (B1)(Offinso), B. theobromae (B2)(Effiduase), B. theobromae (B4)(Kejetia) and B. theobromae (B5)(Ejisu) which was lower compared to the MICs of CCAE which was 30 mg/ml for the four sample stations. Comparatively, the MIC of the PME (5 mg/ml, 2.5 m g/ml, 10 mg/ml and 2.5mg/ml) was almost equivalent to the MIC of the conventional fungicide (Mancozeb) (2.5 mg/ml) for all the four sample stations of B. theobromae
Adoption of Integrated Rice-fish Farming Technology in Ebonyi State Nigeria: Sources of Information and Level of Use
No full textBackground: Integrated rice-fish farming is one of the most viable, reliable and profitable of any farming enterprise. It contributes immensely to the economic empowerment of many families especially in the rural communities. It enables the farmer to be productive all year round and fully maximize its production.
Aim: To identify the sources of information available to farmers on integrated rice-fish farming and assess the level of use of integrated rice-fish farming technologies by the farmers in the study area.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. 243 farmers were assessed to ascertain their sources of information and level of use of integrated rice-fish farming technologies in the study area.
Methodology: Primary data were obtained from the field using structured questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions that address the objectives of the study. Farmers were asked to identify the sources of information and the level of use of integrated rice-fish technology on a 4- Likert scale.
Results: The result revealed that 78.2% of the farmers got information on integrated rice-fish farming technology using phone, 75.0% said they heard about it on radio, 70.0% got theirs from friends /relatives while 67.9% indicated getting their information from co-operatives. It revealed that the farmers used the following technologies: use of net guard (M = 3.17) skills in harvesting of fish before rice (M=3.17) stocking of carp fish (M=3.09) use of organic fertilizers (M=3.05) transplanting the rice seedling (M=2.95) and use of pest and disease resistant varieties (M=2.85), while technologies like use of bamboo guard (M=1.97) skills in harvesting of rice before fish (M=1.96) stocking of tilapia fish (M=1.93) construction of trenches (M=1,88) and use of terracing (M=1.86) are not used.
Conclusion: Most of the farmers (78.2%) got their information from the electronic media such as mobile phones and radio. Use of net guard (M= 3.17) skills in harvesting of fish before the rice (M= 3.17), stocking of carp fish (M= 3.09) and use of organic fertilizers (M= 3.05) were the technologies mostly used by the farmers.
Recommendations: For effective communication and information dissemination to be sustained on rice-fish farming, the Federal and State governments should support the farmers by providing mobile phones and radios because farmers will always prefer information channels that are cheaper, accessible and convenient
Effect of Vermicompost Application to Arabica Coffee Seedlings (Coffea arabica L.)
No full textAims: The research aimed to study the effect of several dose of vermicompost to arabica coffee seedling growth.
Study Design: Completely randomized design.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in experimental garden of Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University from September to December 2018. The altitude of research site was 385 meter above sea level (asl).
Methodology: The research aimed to study the effect of several dose of vermicompost to arabica coffee seedling growth. Completely randomized design was used in the research that consisted of 5 treatments (No vermicompost, 5 ton/ha, 10 ton/ha, 15 ton/ha and 20 ton/ha) and replied 3 times. Each experimental unit consisted of 6 seedlings. The data was analyzed by Duncan’s New Multiple Test in 5%.
Results: The result showed that 5 ton/ha of vermicompost dose has affected the growth component of arabica coffee seedling.
Conclusion: The addition of vermicompost dose affected the arabica coffee seedlings growth
Growth Response of Croton (Codiaeum variegatum pictum L.) to Aloe Vera Gel and Indol-Butyric Acid in Different Propagation Media
No full textCroton is a species of plant in the genus, Codiaeum, which is a member of the family, Euphorbiaceae. They have a wide range of variations in leaf shape and coloration that have fascinated breeders, landscapers, horticulturists, and gardeners and a huge number of cultivars have been fixed for commercial production. Because of this crotons are in very regular demand and there is the need for fast propagation methods, with low cost and that assures the formation of vigorous, high-quality seedlings. The study, therefore, assessed the growth response of croton cuttings to different growth media and plant growth hormonesviz: Aloe vera gel and IBA. A 3x3 factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) made up of three growth media (coco peat, sawdust, and topsoil) and two levels of growth-promoting hormones (Aloe vera gel and IBA) and a control was used. The study was carried out at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery at the College of Agriculture Education, Mampong Campus. Data was collected on sprouting response, the number of leaves, and the number of roots. The results indicated that the different growth media and hormones influenced sprouting response of croton at days to 50%, 70%, and 100% sprouting significantly (p > 0.05). Croton cuttings that were grown on topsoil and treated with Aloe vera gel recorded earlier days to sprout. The number of leaves and roots was higher among croton cuttings grown on topsoil and treated with Aloe vera gel. On the other hand, croton cuttings grown on sawdust recorded the least number of leaves at 28, 42, 56, and 70 DAP.). The results were similar for the number of roots. The study concluded that croton cuttings that were grown on a combination of topsoil and Aloe vera gel resulted in the earliest shoot response and a higher number of roots and leaves followed closely by those of IBA
Evaluation of Vegetative and Yield Performance of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Varieties at Abol District, Gambella Region
No full textTomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is major fruity vegetables grown in Ethiopia next to hot pepper. Although crops grown in the country its production and productivity is very low compared to the world average. Among the reasons for low its production and productivity, shortage of improved tomato varieties is the major one. This experiment was done with the aim of evaluating tomato varieties and select high yielding cultivars. An experiment was conducted in bonga district Gambella region 2011/12 dry season under irrigated condition. Seven tomato varieties namely ARP Tomato D2, Fetan, Melkasalsa, Chali, Bishola, Gelila and Roma-VF(as local check) and were tested in randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The mean values of all parameters were subjected to two way analysis of variance using the Proc GLM procedure of SAS 9.3. Then statistical significance of the mean of each parameter was determined using F-test and Duncan multiple range test procedure was used to compare differences between treatment means at 5% probability level. The analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) among varieties in all growth and yield parameters except days to 50% flowering. Among the tested tomato cultivars, Melkasalsa produced the largest fruit. The highest fruit yield was recorded by Melkasalsa followed by Bishola. we can conclude Melkasalsa and Bishola variety were the most productive and gave larger fruit compared to others. Hence, these varieties can be used by tomato growers under irrigated condition around Bonga area
Trials on In vitro Propagation and Using Natural Additives for Myrtus communis L. Plant
No full textExplant types, anti-oxidant pre-treatments, organic additives, natural additives, vitamins mix strengths, cytokinin types and concentrations, different medium strengths, GA3 concentrations, auxin types and concentrations were studied during the period from 2017 to 2018 to establish a protocol for in vitro propagation of Myrtle. It was found that culturing of pre-treated shoot tips with anti-oxidant solution (A.O.S) on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS), or Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with PVP as anti-oxidants induced the best results in reducing free phenolic compounds and enhancing explant development parameters. Also, adding combination of tryptophan, adenine sulphate and coconut water as organic additives maximized survival percentage and improved explant development. In the same time, adding combination of coconut water at 5% plus Banana pulp plus Papaya extract at 50 g/L of were helpful in maximizing number of shoots/plant, shoot length and greening parameters. Also duplicating the dose of vitamin mix of Gamborg medium improved explants development and survival (%) of explant. Meanwhile, using of 1.0 mg/ L BAP increased proliferation. Meanwhile, addition of 2.0 mg/ L GA3 to half strength medium maximized shoot length. Moreover, the addition of 2.0 mg/L IBA to the culture medium induced the highest number of roots/plant.  
Effect of Different Growing Periods on the Nutritional Composition of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Leaves
No full textIntroduction: The nutritional composition of plant tissues is influenced by climatic conditions during their growth and development. Climate influences the growth rate, chemical composition and yield of crops. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of growing periods on the nutritional composition of six cowpea varieties; Kenyan local variety (KLV), Indonesian local variety (ILV), Malaysian local variety (MLV), Japanese local variety (JLV) and two Kenyan varieties (K80 and KenKunde).
Methodology: The seeds were grown in an experimental glasshouse under three varying growing periods in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The effect of growing condition on moisture, protein, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and zinc content was assessed.
Results: Moisture content varied from 67.9% to 78.0% and 81.1% to 88.8% in 2015 and 2016, respectively; while protein contents ranged from 7.3% to 14.6% and 18. 4% to 30.4% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. In 2015, there was a significant increase in moisture content, protein, K, Ca, Mg and Mn in KLV as temperature increased. This trend was different for ILV and MLV, which showed significant differences across growing periods with the June growing period showing the highest moisture, protein, K, Mg and Mn contents. In 2016, protein, Ca and Mg contents increased in response to increasing temperature across the growing periods. KLV and Kenkunde exhibited higher concentrations of most components.
Conclusion: There were significant differences among varieties and across growing periods in nutrient content implying both variety and climatic conditions affect nutritional composition
Application of Percent of Normal Precipitation Method for Meteorological Drought Intensity Assessment and Its Impact on Agricultural Production
No full textAim: To study the application of percent of normal precipitation method for meteorological drought intensity assessment and its impact on agricultural production.
Place and Duration: The study was conducted in Yola South Local Government Area (LGA), of Adamawa Sate Nigeria during the year 2020.
Methodology: Drought intensity was assessed using Percent of Normal Precipitation method (PNP) using forty (40) years of rainfall data (1987-2017) obtained from Upper Benue Development Authority, Yola (UBRBDA). In addition, data on the negative impact of drought intensity on agricultural production were obtained from the well defined and structured questionnaires administered randomly to the fifty (50) selected farmers in the area where simple descriptive statistic was used in the analysis of the sourced data.
Results: It revealed that out of the forty years under study, the extremely wet condition was reoccurred in six years (15%), very wet season (5%), while moderately wet conditions had experienced in 14 years (35%) and normal condition was identified in 16 years (40%) respectively. Under dry conditions it was found that only moderately dry condition had ever occurred in 2 years (5%) only. For the drought impact on agricultural production most farmers (55 %) perceived that drought does not happen every year in the area. However, it occurs with seasonal variability mostly in the months July-August which last for 1-2 weeks as agreed by (55%) of the farmers. Majority of the farmers (60 %) in the area revealed that the level of the drought impact on agricultural production was high affecting crop yield (18%), drying of dams, reservoirs and lakes and outbreak of crops’ pest and diseases (12 %). In contrast other effects include soil degradation, loss of profit and capital, loss of employment opportunities, dead of livestock and starvation and drop in the water table and drying of soils with (6%) each of the respondents respectively. Similarly, the use of early matured crops (30%), Early planting (18%), Delay planting (16 %) and water harvesting ( 12 %) were adopted as mitigation strategies towards curtailing the negative impact of drought impact on their agricultural production in the area.
Conclusion: The application of PNP method towards the assessment of drought intensity revealed important information of drought intensity which can serve as a valuable knowledge towards effective drought monitoring and proper agronomic mitigation strategies on its negative impact on agriculture in the area for optimum and profitable production. The application of another drought index is imperatively recommended for comparision and validation towards finding reliable information on drought in the area
Combating Flash Flood in Haor Areas: Strategic Adaptation towards Sustainable Crop Production
No full textIn Haor areas of Bangladesh agricultural activities are limited to four - five months of a year due to water logged condition and boro rice is the prominent crop grown within this short time span in dry season. But farmers often had to face almost total crop failure due to recurrent flash flood events. This paper attempts to evaluate Haor farmers’ adaptation through adopting strategies in securing boro rice from flash flood damage at pre-mature and mature stages. To reach this objective, a pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from randomly selected 115 Haor farmers from February to May, 2020 while Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were also done as necessary during the research work. Results revealed that cultivation of short duration boro rice variety ranked top followed by practicing varietal diversification and early harvesting of rice (at 80% maturity) as the most significant adaptive strategies in securing boro rice. Obtained results also highlighted the possibilities of attaining desirable resilience through change in the adaptation behavior of Haor farmers’ if the identified farming practices are widely promoted and adopted. Hence, any development plans for Haor area should integrate local knowledge with modern strategies thus resulting a location specific sustainable flash flood adaptation policy
Vermicompost-enriched Substrate Improves the Production of Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica)
No full textAims: We investigated most suitable substrate (wheat and rice straw) enriched with vermicompost and their different levels (10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) for enhancing production of milky mushroom.
Study Design: The experiment was designed by following single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in a mushroom culture house to observe the growth and productivity of highly potential milky mushroom by using different vermicompost enriched substrate during March-October, 2017
Methodology: Based on the different treatment combinations the quantity of substrate and vermicompost on volume basis were used per packet with 5% spawn. Coco dust was used as casing material. After incubation, matured fruiting bodies were harvested and data were recorded on growth and yield parameters.
Results: The addition of vermicompost with rice substrates improved the diameter of pelius 32-74%, thickness of pelius 26- 60%, diameter of stipe 24-55% and length of stipe 25 to 95% relative to the unsupplemented substrate. Similarly, vermicompost supplementation with wheat straw substrates increased the diameter of pelius 27-71%, thickness of pelius 11- 40%, diameter of stipes 21-56% and length of stipe 17- 72% relative to the unsupplemented substrate at any harvest. Supplementation of vermicompost reduced the duration for spawn run 11-55% in wheat straw and 11- 49% in rice straw compared with non-supplemented one. Furthermore, pin head initiation became quicker 26- 66% in wheat straw and 15- 61% in rice straw. In addition, total number of fruiting body increased from 6- 82% in wheat straw supplemented with different doses of vermicompost, while rice straw increased total number of fruiting body ranged from 17- 39% compared to unsupplemented one. The addition of 10%, 25%, 50% and 75% levels of vermicompost with wheat straw increased the fresh yield of C. indica by 23%, 54%, 121% and 73%, respectively compared to wheat straw alone; however, similar levels of vermicompost with rice straw increased the fresh yield of C. indica by 31% , 63%, 112% and 87%, respectively compared to rice straw alone. The biological efficiency of C. indica also did exhibit significant differences ranged between 65-160% among different levels of vermicompost supplementation with rice and wheat straw substrates.
Conclusion: The result revealed that increasing the vermicompost level lead to a less biological efficiency and yield, but it remains higher than the control (straw alone). It is additionally conceivable that the application of vermicompost to substrates with lower levels would provide an even better yield, without adversely affecting the bioefficiency of the harvested mushrooms. These judges, however, need more work to validate reliability