Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Effects of Earthing up and Pruning Systems on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon.)
No full textTomato (Solanum lycopersicon) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. It provides wide variety of nutrients with many health-related benefits like, protection against cancer, maintains blood pressure and reduces blood glucose level in people with diabetes. Despite the importance of tomato, its growth and yield is limited by choice of cultural practices mainly earthing up and pruning system. There is also limited knowledge on the effect of integrating pruning and earthing up on tomato growth and yield. This study investigated the effect of integration of pruning and earthing up on the growth and yield of tomato. A split-plot experimental design, arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with three replications was used. The study investigated two factors i.e. pruning system in the main plot (single stem, double stem, and triple stem) and earthing up in sub-plots. (0 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm. The findings of the study revealed that earthing up and pruning system had a significant (p ˂ .05) effect on plant height and stem girth diameter at 45, 52, and 59 days after transplanting. The single stem pruning system and earthing up to 30 cm gave the tallest plant height with an average plant height of 69.80 cm in cultivation 1 and 71.50 cm in cultivation 2. Single stem pruning system and earthing up to 30 cm gave the largest stem girth diameter with mean stem girth diameter of 2.16 cm in cultivation 1 and 2.25 cm in cultivation 2. Triple stem pruning system, earthing up to 30 cm recorded the highest number of marketable fruits with 64500 fruits/hectare in cultivation 1 and 64333 fruits/hectare in cultivation 2. To improve tomato growth and development which consequently improves marketable yields, farmers are encouraged to consider triple stem pruning system with earthing up to level 30 cm
Simplified Orange (Citrus spp.) Production Guide for Small-scale Farmers
No full textOrange production provides both nutritional and financial benefits to farmers across Africa. However, these farmers do not realize the full benefits due to low yields caused by poor agronomic practices currently applied in the region. This guide, therefore, highlights key practices that farmers need to adopt for better yields. Farmers should always follow the best practices right from the selection of a variety to harvesting practices for high yield and better quality fruits to be achieved. Proper land preparation helps in early weed control and improves water infiltration and growth of roots. Weeds should always be kept below economic thresholds to ensure efficiencies in the use of water and nutrient. Like other plants, oranges require proper nutrition for growth and development of big fruits. Both manure and inorganic fertilizers should be applied depending on the availability and cost. Soil analysis helps in determining the rates of application. During production, farmers should scout for pests such as aphids, false codling moth, whiteflies, leaf miners, thrips, fruit fly and common spiral nematode and diseases like Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot, Phytophthora spp. and orange fruit scab which are common in the area. These pests cause significant yield losses if not timely controlled. When ready, harvesting of fruits should be careful and gentle without causing injuries
Growth, Yield and Biochemical Characteristics of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes under Seasonal Heat Stress
No full textThis field study was conducted to evaluate yield and fruit quality of tomato genotypes under seasonal heat stress condition (April-June) in plains of Chitwan valley, Nepal for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019 at research farm, of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Nepal. Nine tomato genotypes were evaluated for their morphological, flowering, yield and biochemical traits in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results showed significant differences (P = 0.05) among all genotypes for all traits evaluated. Genotypes AVTO-9304 and AVTO-9801 were early flowering and flowered within 28 days after transplanting. The highest marketable fruit yield of 110.6 and 92.6 t ha-1 was recorded in genotype TO-1057 in 2018 and 2019, respectively with the mean yield of 101.6 t ha-1 whereas genotype AVTO-9802 produced the lowest fruit yield in both years (34.0 and 32.0 t ha-1 in 2018 and 2019, respectively) with the mean yield of 32.9 t ha-1. The highest amount of total soluble solid content (4.90 oBrix) was observed in genotype AVTO-9803. Genotype ‘AVTO-1314’ had a significantly higher amount (12.60 mg 100 g-1) of ascorbic acid but statistically at par with AVTO-9801, TO-1057 and Pariposa-4102. This study identified genotype TO-1057 as a highly productive genotype suitable for cultivation during summer months in Chitwan and this genotype could be promoted in other agro-ecological regions having the similar climatic conditions
Biomass Accumulation in the Fern Asplenium nidus avis (L) under Root Restriction
No full textPot ornamental plant productivity is related to the environmental growth facilities but negatively affected by the pot root restriction syndrome. Most ferns showed a lower relative growth rate and long production cycles (24 months or more) for which growers use small pots to increase yield per unit area of greenhouse. The aim of this work was to analyze growth changes in response to different pot volume in plants of A. nidus avis spore-propagated under the hypothesis that it would play a role as an abiotic stress which decrease commercial productivity. Our results showed that the use of big pots increased fresh and dry weight and frond area (the main aesthetic trait). When growth parameters were performed, a higher the frond appearance rate (RLA), the frond area expansion (RLAE) and the frond thickness (SLA) were found in 1500 cm3 pot as well as the relative growth rate (RGR) and the net assimilation rate. The use of biggest pot for fern cropping stimulated biomass accumulation through a higher capacity to initiate and expand fronds, to increase photosynthetic rates and change photo assimilate partitioning which favor shoots. From the grower´s point of view, our results suggested that higher yields of A. nidus avis fern would be reached decreasing root restriction, that is, to use the biggest pot volume from the early transplant from plug trays
Egg Characteristics in Two Strains of Japasese Quail Eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
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The study evaluated effect of strain on external and internal egg indices of two strains of Japanese quails (Cinnamon Brown (CBS) and Panda White (PWS) Strains)). 300 birds per Strain were reared in a Completely Randomized Design in an intensive system of management practice with ad libitum feed and water for 10 weeks. Strains were considered treatments. 300 eggs were used for External (Egg Weight (EW), Egg Length (EL), Egg Width (EW), Eggshell Weight (SW), Shell Thickness (ST) and Internal (Yolk Height (YH), Yolk Diameter (YD), Albumen Weight (AW), Albumen Diameter (AD), Albumen Height (AH), Haugh Unit (Hu)) egg parameters. Data were subjected to ANOVA of SAS Ver.9.2. Strain significantly (p < 0.05) affected all external egg parameters of Japanese quails except EW measured. The mean values obtained in EL (2.90 ± 0.01 cm) and ED (2.47 ± 0.01 cm) for PWS were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of CBS with 2.86 ± 0.01 (EL) and 2.36 ± 0.0 (ED) while 0.82 ± 0.01 g (SW) and 0.11 ± 0.02 cm (ST) for CBS were higher (p < 0.05) significantly than 0.80 ± 0.01 g (SW) and 0.07 ± 0.01 (ST) for PWS. Strain significantly (p < 0.05) influenced all internal egg parameters of Japanese quails exception of YH and YW measured. CBS had higher mean values of 3.25 ± 0.03 cm (AD), 2.35 ± 0.01 cm (YD) and 1.42 ± 0.06 (YC) than PWS with 3.14 ± 0.02 cm (AD), 2.30 ± 0.01 cm (YD) and 1.16 ± 0.03 (YC) while PWS was superior in AH (0.42 ± 0.01 cm), AW (1.77 ± 0.04 g) and Hu (62.10 ± 0.12%) compared to CBS with AH (0.40 ± 0.00 cm), AW (1.66 ± 0.03 g) and Hu (60.67 ± 0.38%). However, CBS had a better external egg quality because of the heavier and thicker shell mean which protect the internal egg contents while PWS performed better in internal egg parameters as Hu qualifies a good quality egg. In conclusion, Cinnamon brown strain of Japanese quails should be reared for egg production purpose as it has better external egg quality to protect the internal egg contents
Effects of Poultry Manure, N. P. K Fertilizer and Their Combination on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Pepper
No full textThe objective of the experiment was to investigate the influence of organic (poultry) manure, inorganic manure (N.P.K) and their combination on the growth and yield of sweet pepper in the transitional zone of Ghana. The experiment was conducted at the research field of the College of Agriculture Education, University of Education Winneba, Mampong campus in 2017. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) which consisted of four treatments with 4 replications. The treatment groups were: Control (no soil amendment), 10 t/ha PM, 300 kg/ha N.P.K, and 5 t/ha PM + 150 kg/ha N.P.K. All the treatments were given fair and equal attention in terms of watering, weeding and disease and pest control. The result showed that 10 t/ha PM recorded (P=.05) the tallest plant height, greater number of leaves and leaf area per plant, days taken for 50% bud appearance and flowering, the highest number of flowers per plant and the minimum days to fruit set, highest number of fruit set minimum days to harvesting with the control been the least in all traits. Similarly, 10 t/ha PM recorded (P=.05) had the highest number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight and fruit yield while the control treatment recorded the least in all traits. This study concludes that the application of poultry manure improves the productivity of sweet pepper. This study recommends that 10 t/ha PM is an ideal for maximum vegetative growth and yield of sweet pepper
Effect of Nitrogen and Potassium on the Yield Components of BARI Bush Bean-2 and Post-harvest Nutrient Status of the Soil
No full textA field experiment was carried out at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Farm during the Rabi season of 2008 to investigate the effect of nitrogen and potassium on the yield and yield components of BARI Bush Bean-2. The red brown terrace soil of Tejgaon was silty clay loam in texture having pH 5.6. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment comprises 4 levels of nitrogen in the form ofurea (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg nitrogen/ha) and 4 levels of potassium from Muriate of Potash (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg potassium /ha). There was combination of sixteen treatments including control (no fertilizer). The results obtained revealed that different levels of nitrogen and potassium showed significant variations on the parameters studied. The treatment N80K40 (80 kg nitrogen + 40 kg potassium) gave the highest pod length (11.67 cm), pod diameter (3.13 cm), average single pod weight (5.99 g), total pod weight per plant (29.07 g), pod yield per plot (2033.33 g) and pod yield per hectare (4.96 tons).Thus the findings of the experiment suggested that combined use of 80 kg nitrogen + 40 kg potassium produced the maximum yield of BARI Bush Bean-2 in red brown terrace soil of the Tejgaon series
Effectiveness of Fertilizer Use among Arable Farmers in Yola South, North-Eastern Part of Nigeria
No full textAim: This paper aimed to assess the effectiveness of fertilizer use among arable farmers in Yola South North-eastern part of Nigeria.
Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at Yola South LGA of Adamawa State, Nigeria during September, 2019-July, 2020.
Methodology: Four (4) areas were selected in the area (Yolde pate, Bole, Mbamaba and Wuro-chekke) where 40 farmers were randomly selected from each farm location totaling to 160 farmers. The data obtained through administered questionnaires were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and effectiveness Test Value (ETV) method respectively.
Results: The result shows that soil type, vegetation cover and soil type were the most indicators of soil fertility among farmers in the area where most farmers used organic fertilizers than the inorganic or combined except at Wuor-chekke farm location. Broadcasting method of fertilizer application was found to be mostly adopted in the area. Similarly, Organic fertilizer was assessed to be highly effective (HE) in all the farm location except at Wuro-chekke while inorganic fertilizer was HE at Bole and the combine used of organic and inorganic fertilizers appeared HE except at Mbamba farm location. Moreover, broadcasting method was HE at Yolde pate and Wuro-chekke farm locations while band placing was HE at Bole and spot method found to be moderately effective (ME) except at Mbamba appeared not effective (NE) respectively.
Conclusion: Intensive training to the farmers on modern strategies and techniques on fertilizer use through extension services should be conducted and timely provision of fertilizers to the target farmers should be considered by the relevant agencies in Yola area and the environment for the sustainable and profitable food production for the growing population
Economics of Turmeric Production in Sri Lanka: An Empirical Analysis in Major Turmeric Growing Districts
No full textAims: Turmeric occupies a prominent position among the commercially grown spices in Sri Lanka. However, due to various constraints the performance of turmeric production is not to the expected level. The present study attempts to determine the economics of turmeric cultivation and the problems perceived by the growers related to production and marketing of turmeric.
Study Design: Multistage sampling design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the major turmeric growing administrative districts in Sri Lanka namely Kurunegala, Kegalle, and Kandy during the year 2016-2017.
Methodology: Both primary data, mainly from a field survey, and secondary data were utilized in the study. Descriptive statistical methods, seasonal price index, coefficient of variation of price, financial and constraint analysis techniques were used in data analysis.
Results: The average Benefit Cost Ratio of 2.08 and higher net returns indicate that turmeric production was found to be a profitable venture in the study area. The results indicated the existence of higher price variations of turmeric in the study area between the harvest and the lean periods. Moreover, seasonality of turmeric production was identified as a main cause of variation in price of fresh turmeric. The results of the constraint analysis revealed that lack of knowledge on proper agricultural practices, non-availability of labor, price volatility and shortage of quality planting materials were the top four constraints perceived by the farmers.
Conclusion: The results of this investigation show that the turmeric production is profitable in the study area, and suggest to offer frequent training and awareness campaigns for all the turmeric growers to facilitate the use of improved cultivation practices
Analysis of Constraints to Adoption of Sweet Potato Processing Technologies among Actors in South East, Nigeria
No full textThe study was conducted to analyze constraints to adoption of sweet potato processing technologies among actors in South East, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of eighty (80) respondents used for the study. Data were analyzed using mean score, standard deviation, factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results indicated that sex, educational level, marital status, processing experience and access to extension service had a positive influence on the adoption of sweet potato processing technologies in the study area. The respondents were highly constrained by inadequate processing machines/equipment (=2.88), high cost of processing produce (=2.86), inadequate knowledge of modern sweet potato processing techniques (=2.84), inadequate capital for start-off (=2.84), high cost of labor (=2.83), poor credit facilities (=2.80) and scarcity of processing materials like sweet potato tubers (=2.43). These variable constraints were further subjected to factor analysis and the variables were named technical and infrastructural factors. It is recommended that processors should be encouraged to form cooperative society to enable them to pool their resources together to obtain credit facilities and sweet potato labour saving processing technologies in order to increase productivity. There is also a need for creation of awareness by extension agents, public health agencies, nutritionists and non-governmental organizations on the usefulness of orange fleshed sweet potato in addressing Vitamin A Deficiency Syndrome