Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Variability in Yield and Yield Components of Selected Pro-vitamin A Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties in a Humid Environment of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
No full textThis study aimed at assessing the magnitude and nature of genetic variation present in seventeen pro-vitamin A (PVA) maize varieties, investigate the extent of association among agronomic characters responsible for yield and its components in the maize varieties and evaluate the performance of the maize varieties. The field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt under rain fed conditions in May, 2018 and were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on established plants per plot, days to 50% silking, days to 50% anthesis, anthesis-silking interval, plant height, ear height, final stand count, number of ears harvested, grain moisture content, field weight and grain yield. Results showed significant differences (P < 0.01) among varieties for all traits evaluated. PVASYN-13 had the highest grain yield per hectare among other varieties. High heritability estimates coupled with high genetic advance were observed in established plants per plot, anthesis-silking interval, final stand count, number of ears harvested, field weight and grain yield, an indication of the additive nature of their inheritance. Thus, the presence of variation could serve as basis for selection for yield improvement in maize
Genetic Diversity Assessment of Selected Annona muricata L. Germplasm in Sri Lanka
No full textAnnona muricata L. commonly known as soursop is an underutilized fruit crop species in Sri Lanka gaining much importance in the recent past due to its high nutritional and medicinal value. Soursop germplasm collections are available within the country and assessing the genetic diversity is needed to proceed with conservation, detecting promising lines and breeding programs. This study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity of 50 soursop individuals using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. The study was conducted at Plant Genetic Resources Centre of the Department of Agriculture in Gannoruwa during 2017 to 2019. DNA of the 50 soursop samples were extracted using CTAB method and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was carried using 13 Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Markers. PCR products were visualized using 1.5 percent Agarose gel electrophoresis under the Biorad Gel documentation system and analyzed using POPGENE 1.31. PCR amplified 139 bands from 13 ISSR markers among which 118 were found to be polymorphic. The polymorphic band percentage was 85 percent while as the average number of bands observed (Na) was 1.8489 and the effective allele number (Ne) was 1.5377. The Nei's gene diversity index (h) was 0.3079. The Shannon Information Index (I) found to be 0.4556. Dendrogram constructed based on the UPGMA method clustered the studied accessions into four major clusters at 80 percent similarity level. Results revealed considerable degree of genetic diversity existed within the studied soursop germplasms at Sri Lanka. Existing genetic diversity within soursop individuals will serve as germplasm bank to identify and utilize potential germplasm resources for conservation and future breeding programs to develop quality soursop varieties in Sri Lanka
Effect of Phosphorus and Boron on the Growth and Yield of French Bean
No full textAn experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, and Mymensingh to study the effect of phosphorus and boron on the growth and yield of var. BARI Jharsheem-3 along with French bean during November 2017 to March 2018. The experiment was comprised of two factors involving number of levels viz. phosphorus had four levels 15, 20, 25 and 35 kg ha-1 and four levels of boron viz. 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg ha-1. Triple super phosphate and Borax were used as source of phosphorus and boron, respectively. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results exhibited that yield and its contributing characters were significantly influenced by the phosphorus and boron applications. The experimental findings revealed that highest number of pods per plant (4.95), pod length (13.06 cm), number of seeds per pod (4.34), and 1000-seed weight (427.99 g), seed yield (1.40 t ha-1), stover yield (1.76 t ha-1), biological yield (3.16 t ha-1) and harvest index (46%) were recorded under phosphorus level at 25 kg ha-1. The experimental findings also revealed that the highest number of pods per plant (4.91), pod length (14.45 cm), number of seeds per pod (4.36), and 1000-seed weight (427.22 g), seed yield (1.39 t ha-1), stover yield (1.68 t ha-1), biological yield (3.07 t ha-1) and harvest index (45.27 %) were recorded under boron level at 1.5 kg ha-1. In case of interaction of phosphorus and boron, the highest number of pods per plant (5.18), pod length (14.35 cm), number of seeds pod-1 (4.84), and 1000-seed weight (427.19 g), seed yield (1.86 t ha-1), stover yield (2.05 t ha-1), biological yield (3.91 t ha-1) and harvest index (47.57 %) were recorded under P level at 25 kg ha-1 and B level at1.5 kg ha-1. So it may be concluded that 25 kg P ha-1 and 1.5 kg B ha-1 could be applied to obtain higher yield of bean
Preliminary Evaluation of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Cultivars in Northwest and Central of Mexico
No full textA strategy to improve productivity in olive orchards is the evaluation of cultivars that respond better to the environmental growing conditions The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the yield potential and oil quality of five olive cultivars (Arbequina, Coratina, Manzanilla, Arbosana and Mission) in two regions of Mexico. The experiment was carried out during two consecutive years 2018 and 2019. At Northwest Region the five olive cultivars were planted in 2013 at a spacing of 10 x 5 m (having 200 trees ha-1) and Central Region olive cultivars were planted in 2013 at spacing of 6 x 6 m (278 trees ha-1) and both locations under drip irrigation systems. The variables evaluated were: yield, fruit weight, oil content and oil quality (acidity, peroxide value and absorbance K232 and K270). The experiment was analyzed using a randomized complete block design with four replications.
Our results showed high differences between locations, Arbequina was the cultivar with the highest yield at the fifth and sixth years of planting with an average of 48.8 kg tree-1 at Northwest Region and only 15.5 kg tree-1 at Central Region. The cultivar with the highest oil content in the Northwest Region was Manzanilla with an average of 12.3% and the lowest for Arbequina with only 9.3%, while at Central Region the cultivar with the highest oil content was Coratina with 20.2% and the lowest in Manzanilla with 16.1%. Extra virgin olive oil was obtained in all the cultivars in both locations according to chemical analysis. Finally, it is necessary to continue with the evaluation of other varieties with resistance to high temperatures at Northwest Region and resistance to frost at Central Region
Response of Pruning on Growth, Fruit Yield, Nutritional Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Two Okra Varieties (Abelmoschus esculentus)
No full textField experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Biotechnology Advanced Research Centre, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Garki-Abuja in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons to evaluate response of pruning on growth, fruit yield, nutritional quality and nutrient uptake of okra. The experiment had eight treatment combinations viz: Two okra varieties (Clemson spinless and Gungo Local) and four pruning rates (0, 1 stem, 2 stems and 3 stems), replicated three times. The experiment was factorial fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on number of leaves per plant, number of fruits, green fruit yield, nutritional quality and nutrient uptake. Data was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) M.STAT package and treatment means compared using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Pruning is beneficial to performance of okra. Plants with 2 stems pruning produced the highest fruit yield (11.60 t ha-1) in 2018 while control plots had the least values (1.80 t ha-1, 1.60 t ha-1) in 2017 and 2018, respectively. It could be concluded that 2 stems pruning increased fruit yield of okra and Clemson spinless performed better than Gungo Local variety and could be recommended for farmers within the study area
Effect of Three Different Drying Methods (Oven, Solar and Sun) on the Mineral Composition of Ethiopian Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica)
No full textThe effect of oven, solar and sun drying methods on the mineral properties of the Ethiopian Pepper was determined by conducting a study at the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The mineral properties analyzed were, calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, and zinc. Solar dried Ethiopian pepper, had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) calcium (0.38%) as compared to that of oven and sun-dried Ethiopian pepper. Iron level (68 mg/kg) was relatively highest in solar dried Ethiopian pepper whiles magnesium content was highest in oven dried Ethiopian pepper (0.25%). Sodium (1.50%), and zinc (41.75 mg/kg) were recorded for oven dried Ethiopian pepper. Ethiopian pepper dried under oven and solar drying methods retained higher levels minerals
The Effects of Pre-germination Treatments on Seed Germination and Growth of Wild Guavas in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Southern Africa
No full textDormancy is a condition where seeds will not germinate even when the environmental conditions (water, temperature and aeration) are permissive for germination. Wild guavas (Psidium guajava L.) are very popular in all agro-ecological zones of Eswatini. Farmers have shown an interest towards guava cultivation but have to cope with the shortage of quality propagation material. The demand is not fulfilled because of unavailability of superior seedling rootstocks, which might be due to poor seed germination and seedling growth. Nevertheless, it has been reported that guava seeds exhibited seed dormancy, which affects their growth and development. The experiment was carried out to study effects of different pre-germination methods on seed germination of guava. The study was conducted at the University of Eswatini, Luyengo Campus. The objective of the study was to get maximum germination of guava seeds in as short a time as possible. Four methods were used i.e., soaking in distilled water for five days at room temperature, soaking in hot water at 80ºC for three minutes, subjecting seeds to heat at 80ºC in oven for six minutes and soaking in 20% dilute sulphuric acid for three minutes. All these treatments significantly decreased days to germination of seeds compared with the control. Among the methods, treatment of guava seeds with 20% dilute sulphuric acid for three minutes was judged best with maximum germination percentage (93.3%); lowest germination mean time was observed in seeds soaked in distilled water (31 days). Highest plant height (44 mm) and highest stem girth of (3.37 mm) were recorded from seeds soaked in sulphuric acid after 150 days of sowing. Seeds without any pre-germination treatment showed poor germination (26.7%). On the basis of the findings, it can be recommended that propagators use sulphuric acid in seed priming for higher germination, growth and development
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Root Rot/Wilt in Minia Governorate, Egypt
No full textThyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is a medicine and aromatic plant, have a great economic important due to the great income that it provides and other diversified usages. Damping-off, root rot and wilt symptoms were observed in field thyme grown in Maghagha and Beni Mazar districts, Minia Governorate, Egypt, during November to March, 2016-2017. Survey, sampling and pathogenicity tests were carried out. Fusarium semitectum, F. solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina were the dominant pathogens causing thyme damping off, root rot and wilt. The inhibitory effect of two resistance inducer substances (salicylic and ascorbic acids) three fungicides (Cure M 72% WP, Rizolex Ex-T 50% WP and Rolex 50% WP) on the growth of the most pathogenic fungi in vitro was investigated. Salicylic acid inhibited the growth of F. semitectum and R. solani completely at 200ppm but the growth of M. phaseolina was completely inhibited at 400ppm. The complete inhibition for the growth of all tested pathogens was occurred at 400 ppm Ascorbic acid. F. semitectum and R. solani were more sensitive to Rizolex T, while M. phaseolina was more sensitive to Cure-M, (causing the lowest diameter averages The results of the present investigation showed the possibility to use certain antioxidants as fungicides alternatives to control plant pathogenic fungi. According to the available literature, this is a first study on thyme root rot/wilt in Egypt
Pre-harvest Fruit Bagging Enhanced Quality and Shelf-life of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Amrapali
No full textA study was performed during 2016 from January to July for safe mango production by applying the minimum use of pesticides. The mango fruits were bagged at marble stage (45 days after fruit set) with various treatments viz: T0: No bagging (control), T1: Brown paper double-layered bag (BPB); T2: White paper single-layered bag (WPB); T3: Perforated polythene bag (PB) and T4: White cloth bag (WCB). In physical parameters, brown and white paper bag recorded the maximum fruit weight (169.10 g and 147.6 g), fruit length (8.57 and 8.33 cm), fruit diameter (5.63 and 5.87 cm) and pulp weight (124.47 g and 105.60 g) respectively, while minimum result was found in the other treatments and control. Meanwhile, in bagging fruits, chemical parameters of total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, percent of citric acid, reducing sugars and β- carotene were increased over control. Brown paper bag changed fruit color. The sensory qualities in fruits of brown and white paper bags were improved over control. Fruit retention was significantly improved by pre-harvest fruit bagging with a brown paper bag (95.90%), white paper bag (95.50%), and control (90.00%) over polythene bag (80.00%). Fruits with brown paper bags showed shelf life up to 18 days with good physical quality and the lowest weight loss against 15 days of control fruits. The sensory attributes were better in fruits of brown, white paper and white cloth bags over control. Bagging at marble stage also reduced the occurrence of spongy tissue and the incidence of mealy bugs. These results indicate that fruit bagging can improve the quality and the shelf life of mango cv. Amrapali through the reduction of disease and insect-pest attack
Population Abundance of the Serpentine Leaf Miner Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Four Winter Host Plants
No full textBackground: The American serpentine leafminer, L. trifolii (Burgess), is one of the most problematic insect pest species attacking large number of vegetable crops, weeds and, ornamentals.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate population abundance and host plant preference of L. trifolii on four winter host plants under Libyan conditions.
Methods: Four winter host plants were studied [broad bean (Veciafaba), pea (Pisum sativum), fenugreek (trigonella finum gradum) and snow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)]. The experimental field was about 1600m2 which divided to 12 equal plots (4 plots for each plant). Hundred leaflets infested with L. trifolii were taken from each host plant. Samples were kept in plastic bags and transferred to be examined in the laboratory. Number of living L. trifolii larvae were counted and recorded.
Results: Four winter host plants were targeted for this study [broad bean (Veciafaba), pea (Pisum sativum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) and snow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)] during the growing season 2018/2019 in Alejelat region. L trifolii showed low populations in December on all studied host plants. then, developed high populations in February and March then the population decreased till the end of the growing season. L trifolii recorded four peaks of abundance on all host plants, except snow thistle (3 peaks) the highest peak recorded 488, 322, 152 and 187 individuals/ 100 infested leaflets on broad bean, pea, fenugreek and snow thistle respectively. L. trifolii showed its highest monthly average numbers in February on Broad bean, Pea and, Fenugreek recording (383.25 ± 81.05, 256.75 ± 55.18 and, 101.5 ± 37.36 individuals / 100 infested leaflets) respectively and, (153.27 ± 27.10 individuals / 100 infested leaflets) for Snow thistle in April. On the other hand, the lowest monthly average numbers occurred in April on the four studied host plants recording (240.71 ± 113.11, 176.48 ± 59.22, 71.28 ± 24.05 and, 106.28 ± 47.73 individuals / 100 infested leaflets)