Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Effects of Different Fertilizers on Yield and Vitamin C Content of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) ̶ A Review
No full textCauliflower is an important winter crop in Nepalese farming community and consumed all over the world. The yield and vitamin C content of cauliflower depends on many factors such as its genotype, cultural practices, environment in which it is growing on and storage after harvesting etc. But among them, the availability, dose and types of fertilizers used play an important role in yield and the amount of vitamin C content in cauliflower. The vitamin C is one of the major Phyto chemicals we obtained from cauliflower and it plays an important role in our physical health. The disease like scurvy is caused due to the lack of ascorbic acid known as vitamin C. It has been proved that consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C helps in prevention of cancer and heart disease because it act as a source of antioxidant. The number of studies conducted in the past revealed that the fertilizers having higher amount of nitrogen leads to the formation of less vitamin C on the cauliflower and vice versa
Comparative Analysis of Financial Viability and Supply Chain Management of Organic and Conventional Farming in Telangana
No full textIncreased awareness about the ill effects of synthetic chemicals in the food chain, the falling dividends from the conventional production system and growing consumer preference for pesticide-free food have paved the way for organic agriculture as an alternative to the conventional system of farming which solely depends on chemicals. The study aims to compare and analyze the financial viability of selected crops viz., paddy and cotton under organic and conventional farming and the analysis of different supply chains involved in the marketing of organic and conventional food products. The present study was carried out in Jangaon district, which is very well known in the organic farming sector of Telangana state. For the study during the period of 2019-20, ten organic and ten conventional farmers had been selected for each selected crop using a simple random sampling technique. Thus, the sample consists of 20 organic farmers and 20 conventional farmers. The data collected from respondents were analysed using the cost concepts, budgeting technique and Acharya’s approach according to the objectives. The results indicated that the cost of cultivation of conventional crops are more than organic crops due to the increased usage of expensive chemicals in conventional farming. The farmers realize a high premium price for their organic produce and also high net returns, thus have higher financial viability in organic farming. The supply chain of organic produce involving Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) has high efficiency because it offers the producers a major share in consumer’s rupee and establishes a direct link between the producer and consumer. The study has revealed that organic farming gives better income to the farmers, if marketing linkages are established and they can fetch a better price for organic products than conventional products
Effect of Aqueous Extract of Moringa Leaves on Postharvest Shelf Life and Quality of Tomato Fruits Inoculated with Fungal Pathogens in Makurdi
No full textThe effect of aqueous extract of Moringa leaves on postharvest shelf life and quality of tomato fruits inoculated with fungal pathogens in Makurdi was determined. Fresh leaves of Moringa were collected, washed, surfaced sterilized, air dried at room temperature and grounded to powder. Tomato fruits of the Roma variety were collected at breaker stage; surface sterilized, rinsed in several changes of sterile distilled water and dipped in conidia suspensions of Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium waksmanii, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum asianum respectively. After 24 hours, the fruits were dipped in Moringa leaf extract concentrations of 80 g/ml and 100 g/ml respectively and stored at room temperature in completely randomized design. Data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Variance and the Fishers least significant difference was used to separate means at 5% level of significance. The results revealed an increase in marketability, postharvest decay in control fruits and shelf life respectively from 1.00 to 8.40, 0.00 to 5.67 and 1.00 to 25.00 while weight decreased from 44.3 to 20.27 across all treatment concentrations. Treated tomato fruits showed significantly lower postharvest decay (0.00 – 1.02) compared to the control. Aqueous extracts of Moringa leaves possess antifungal potential and can increase the shelf life and maintain the quality of tomato fruits during storage
Climate Change Implications for Rice Cultivation
No full textThe inter-linkage between climate change and agriculture are multidimensional and complex. Crop response to climate change depends on the location specific baseline climate and soil condition thus; no consensus has emerged so far on how rice production will be affected by climate change impact in India. SRI methods have been implemented for more robust and healthy plants and the larger and deeper root systems. Climate change might have some adverse impacts on rice production that has been reflected in several literatures. As per Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, there will be a decline in Asian rice production due to climate change impact. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has indicated one-degree increase in temperature could cause a reduction of 10 percent in rice yield. Climate directly influences the physiological processes of rice plant’s growth, development and grain formation. Indirectly, climate influences the incidence of crop pests, diseases and hence, and grain yields. A skilful seasonal prediction will likely become significantly essential to provide the necessary information to guide agriculture management to mitigate the compounding impacts of soil moisture variability and temperature stress in rice cultivation
Influence of Different Concentrations of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and Storage Conditions on the Physico-chemical Properties and Shelf-life of Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
No full text‘Power’ tomato cultivar was harvested at the mature green stage and studied to determine how different 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) concentrations and storage conditions may influence its quality and shelf-life. A 3 x 2 factorial arrangement in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used and it was replicated three times. The factors were the tomato cultivar: ‘Power’, three 1-MCP concentration levels: 1 ppm, 2 ppm, untreated was 0 ppm and two storage conditions: Ambient and refrigerator conditions. The research was conducted between January and May 2017 at the Department of Horticulture, KNUST in Kumasi, Ghana. The 1-MCP concentration required were obtained by adding 100 ml of heated distilled water at 50°C to appropriate amounts of 1-MCP (MaxFresh, 3.3%) powder to obtain the 1 ppm and 2 ppm concentrations. After the 1-MCP powder has completely dissolved, it was then placed in a sealed bottle with a mini fan attached and then placed in the treatment chamber and released in a form of vapour on fruits and sealed immediately to avoid gas loss for a period of 24 hours. They were then stored in the refrigerator and ambient conditions at a temperature of 13°C-15°C and 29.5°C with Relative Humidity of 60-75% and 80-85% respectively. There was a significantly (P<0.01) delayed in ripening as characterized by changes in pH, firmness and total titratable acidity. Tomatoes treated with 1 ppm and 2 ppm of 1-MCP concentrations had delayed ripening when stored in the refrigerator and as a result had a longer shelf-life of 74 and 90 days respectively compared to fruits that were not treated and kept at ambient condition which took 60 days. There is confirmation from these results that the use of 1-MCP have saleable outlook for those who grow and trade in a way of delaying the ripening of green tomatoes
Assessing Seed Vigor Characters of Selected Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes Using Accelerated Ageing Method
No full textRice (Oryza sativa L.) is an annual grass with the third-highest world production after sugarcane and maize. However, due to losses in vigor caused by poor seed storage, global consumption has surpassed production. Preservation of germ plasma both in-situ and ex-situ is the key to the conservation of rich biodiversity. Seed vigor is a key element of seed quality and high vigor seeds give uniform plants stand and higher yields per area. Accelerated ageing tests enable testing the vigor of stored seeds by subjecting the seeds to a particular temperature and relative humidity over time and then performing standard germination tests. Viability of most seeds normally reduces with the storage period, storage temperature and relative humidity. There is limited information on the duration of storage for rice seeds. Accelerated ageing is considered an excellent option as a vigor test when compared to seedling emergence and index of emergence speed because of the shortest time of acquisition and efficient results. Accelerated ageing tests at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours (45ºC and 98% RH) were carried out JKUAT post-harvest laboratory using eight rice varieties’ in four replications of 100 seeds each. Data were analyzed using GENSTAT statistical package. ANOVA and T-tests at 5% significant level. Results showed that there was significant variation in both coleorhiza and coleoptile formation among rice varieties (p<0.001), treatments (p<0.001) and interaction between rice varieties and treatment (p<0.001). The difference between all treatments was significant with 72 hours’ treatment having the highest number of days to coleorhiza and coleoptile formation. The present study has shown that prolonged duration of higher temperatures results in a reduction of seed viability. The earliest coleorhiza formation was observed on day 2 and the latest on day 6. Results from this study will guide farmers and seed processors on considerations regarding storage period and storage temperature to ensure high-quality seeds
An Economic Analysis of Rice Production in Pakistan: A Case Study
No full textRice is the second-largest crop in Pakistan as it contributes 1.3% share in the GDP of Pakistan.
For the last couple of year’s rice economy is caught up in a very complex situation. The present study was designed to find the yield gap, cost of production, technical efficiency and BCR (Benefit Cost Ratio) in rice production. To achieve the study objectives, data were collected from 150 respondents. These respondents were selected from eight villages of District Sheikhupura by using a purposive random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a well-developed and pre-tested questionnaire by conducting personnel interviews.
Results of descriptive analysis showed that the average farm size of the farmers was 14.85 acres. BCR (Benefit Cost Ratio) of fine and coarse rice varieties were 1.13 and 1.11, respectively. To Support rice production and to minimize the farmer’s losses, the Government should announce the support price of rice. The cost of production can be reduced by imposing strict vigilance and control over the input supplier
Pith Necrosis of Tomato Caused by Pseudomonas viridiflava May Not Decrease Production
No full textAims: This study aimed to measure the losses in the production of tomato plants caused by the bacteria P. viridiflava.
Study Design: Experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with six replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted on the Caçador experimental station of the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Enterprise of Santa Catarina (EPAGRI) from October to April during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop season.
Methodology: Bacteria were isolated from tomato plants with pith necrosis symptoms, using nutrient agar. The isolated strain was identified by a scheme of tests for bacteria that emit fluorescence, known as LOPAT, and by sequencing the 16S rDNA region. Tomato plants were cultivated for two seasons during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019. In the first year the cultivar Paronset was cultivated and in the next season the experiment was performed with the cultivars Compack, Nagai, Paronset and Pizzadoro. During the production season, tomato fruits were harvested and the weight was accounted for. At the beginning of the first bunch formation, the stems of the plant were inoculated with wood sticks containing bacterial colonies removed from a 48h-Petri dish culture medium. Tomato plants cultivated as control treatments were not inoculated. At the end of the cultivation seasons, the stems were cut to analyze the pith necrosis progress.
Results: In both cultivation seasons, there was no decrease in the production associated with the pith necrosis caused by P. viridiflava EPAGRI BacPvT1 because the total weight of fruits harvested from inoculated plants was not statistically different compared to the non-inoculated plants. The disease progressed in all inoculated plants and adventitious root formation as external symptoms was observed.
Conclusion: The bacteria Pseudomonas viridiflava EPAGRI BacPvT1, one of the etiological agents of pith necrosis of tomato, may not decrease the production. Even causing some injuries, it may be not cause any damage
Utilization of Acetyl Salicylic Acidand Irradiation as Postharvest Treatments for Storage of Persimmon Fruits Cv."Costata"
No full textMature Persimmon fruits "Costata cv." were used to study the effect of Acetyl Salicylic Acid (ASA) at rates 0, 2, 3% and/or irradiation (IRD) with 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 KGy doses, using CO60 source at 2g /Sec as a trial for prolonging fruit marketing period and extending its shelf life with good quality, after cold storage treatment. Nine treatments including control were stored for 75 days at 0 ± 1oC with 80 + 2% relative humidity to measure weight loss, fruit firmness and decay percentages. Where, fruit quality parameters during shelf life were evaluated after 7 days of transference to room temperature (23 ± 2°C). Results showed a close relationship between high irradiation dose (2 KGy) and rate of detrimental effects by accelerating ripening process and softening during storage and shelf life to obtain less marketing fruits. Adding ASA at either 3 or 2% to fruits irradiated with2 KGy, slightly reduced the decline in fruit quality. Furthermore, non-treated cold stored fruits dominated 2 KGy treatment, in this respect.However, fruit constituent values were gradually progressed and 1 KGy dose recorded the highest storability effect in keeping fruits firm with less deterioration response as combined with 2% ASA, compared with sole ones.Moreover, improving effect in fruit components i.e., acidity, VC, SSC, sugar, T. flavonoids, β-Carotene and reduction in tannin contents were retained with 1 KGy treatment as combined with 2% ASA followed in descending order by 3% ASA. In general, irradiation of persimmon fruits at dose (2 KGy) was not suitablefor preserving stored fruits. Also, sole radiation treatment at 1 KGy was less effective than sole treatment of ASA at either 2 or 3% rates, in this respect. Therefore, irradiation with 1 KGy combined with ASA treatment at 2% can be recommended for improving storability of persimmon"Costata cv." fruits with the maintenance of good marketable and preferable nutritional parameters up to extended shelf life
Priming Methods: Alternative Strategy to Improve Seed and Seedling Performance of Soursop (Annona muricata)
No full textThe evaluation of seed priming methods on the seed and seedling performance of soursop was conducted January 9 to April 3, 2019 in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of seed priming methods capable of breaking dormancy; improve germination rate; determine the seed vigor of soursop; and identify the best seed priming method that provide better seedling performance. The experimental treatments (unprimed and three priming methods, hydropriming, halopriming and hormonal priming) were laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. A total of 20 polyethylene bags were used per treatment per replication with one seed sown in every bag.
Alternative way to improve seed and seedling performance is the use of these seed priming methods. The seed and seedling performance of soursop were significantly affected by priming methods. Primed seeds had higher percentage germination rate (PGR) than unprimed seeds. But numerically, the highest PGR was hydropriming. Hormonal priming produced significantly taller seedlings at 10 and 40 days after emergence (DAE) than unprimed seeds and more leaves per seedling at 30 to 50 DAE. Hormonal, hydropriming and halopriming produced significantly higher fresh weight of seedlings than unprimed seeds