Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Prevalence and Occurrence of Various Wilt Pathogens Associated with Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Togo
No full textIn December 2015, wilt symptoms on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were observed on vegetable growing perimeters in Sotouboua district in Togo. The disease, manifested by wilting of the youngest leaves followed by wilting and total desiccation of plants who eventually dy, leading to losses of up to 100%, is similar to bacterial wilt. The aim of this study, was to determine the pathogen responsible for the observed symptoms. For this purpose, phytosanitary surveys were carried out on tomato plots in Sotouboua distric, in 2018. During the surveys, Tomato plants infected by wilt and the plots soil samples, were collected on CECODRI project and farmers’ plots in the district. Soil samples were analyzed for the detection of nematodes while, tomato leaves, stems and roots were directly observed under binocular loupe and after incubation in Petri dishes containing filter paper moistened with distilled water to encourage sporulation of phytopathogenic fungi. Infected tomato stems and roots were analyzed by stem-streaming and DAS-ELISA tests using Agdia inc. Ralstonia solanacearum Patho Screen Kit to detect R. solanacearum. The results of the phytosanitary surveys showed that the wilt prevalence was 100% in Sotouboua district with incidence rates of up to 100%. Analysis of diseased samples, using stem-streaming and DAS-ELISA tests, revealed that 85.11% of diseased plants were infected by R. solanacearum. No nematodes were identified in the roots of the infected plants, but in soil samples only a few nematodes were counted. No fungus was found in the plants with wilt symptoms. It appears, therefore that, the wilt on tomato plants in Sotouboua district was caused by R. solanacearum. This, in our knowledge, is the first report on R. solanacearum infection on tomato in Togo
Health Risk Assessment for Carcinogenic and Non Carcinogenic Heavy Metal Exposure from Hibiscus Leaf Cultivated in Katsina State, North West Nigeria
No full textThis study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentration in Hibiscus leaves cultivated in Katsina State Nigeria. The objectives were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals in the cultivated Hibiscus leaves in the study area, compare the concentration of heavy metals in samples in relation to the permissible limits specified by WHO/FAO/USEPA Standards. Samples of cultivated Hibiscus leaves were collected in the year 2017 from the selected area. Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. The health risks to the local inhabitants from the consumption of the samples were evaluated based on the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ). The possibility of cancer risks for the adult and children population through intake of carcinogenic heavy metals in the samples was estimated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). Results from this study shows that with the exception of Pb with mean concentration of (0.508-0.978), the mean concentration (mg/kg) range values of Cr (0.135-0.261), Cd (0.042-0.051), Fe (0.684-0.978) and Zn (1.048-1.208) in the samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The results have indicated that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the heavy metals were lower than the tolerable daily intake limit set by the USEPA in both samples and the health risk index (HRI) for all the heavy metals were <1. The target hazard quotient (THQ) for the samples for both the adult and children population was in the decreasing order of Zn>Pb>Fe>Cr>Cd. ILCR for Cd is below the threshold risk limit (>10−5) and ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) in all the studied samples in adults, While in children ILCR for both Pb and Cd in samples from Dabai, Daura, Funtua, Matazu and Zango for all samples have reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3), while the ILCR for Pb in samples from Birchi, Dutsinma, Kafur, Katsina and Malunfashi were beyond the moderate risk level (>10−2). The sampling area trend of risk for developing cancer as a result of consuming the studied samples showed: Funtua > Daura > Dutsinma > Katsina > Malunfashi > Matazu > Zango > Ingawa > Kafur > Dabai > Birchi for both adult and children, cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) of all the studied Hibiscus samples have reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) in adult. While in children with the exception of the sample from Birchi, Dabai and Kafur which are within the moderate cancer risk (>10−3) limit, all other samples were beyond the moderate cancer risk (>10−2) limit. The study suggests that consumption of the studied samples in Katsina state is of public health concern as they may contribute to the population cancer burden. 
Efficacy of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Glycine max. L (Soya Bean) in the Northern Guinea Savanna Region of Nigeria
No full textThis research study was conducted at the Federal College of Forestry, Jos demonstration farm to determine the efficacy of poultry droppings, cow dung, saw dust and NPK fertilizer on the growth, yield components and yield of Glycine max. L. (Soya Bean). Randomised complete block design (RCBD) was used with five treatments replicated four times. Growth and yield characteristics were recorded on plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, number of branches, leaf area, days to 50% flowering, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, 1000 seeds weight, yield and biomass weight. The data collected was analysed using SPSS 25 and where significance was declared, Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was carried out to separate the means. The result shows that there was significant difference at the application of the treatments. poultry droppings differed significantly as it gave the highest plant height (54.78 cm), number of leaves (50.40), number of branches (3.80), leaf area (143.80 cm2), stem girth (3.26 cm), number of pods/plant (95.00), number of seeds/pod (2.62), 1000 seeds weight (420.80 g), yield (24.84 tons/ha) and biomass (15.66 tons/ha). The least number of days it takes for 50% of the seeds to flowering was also recorded on the application of poultry manure. It can be concluded that the application of poultry droppings gave the highest growth and yield characteristics of soya bean in the study area. Thus, soya bean farmers are encourage to apply poultry droppings for better growth and yield
Reducing Salinity Stress in Murcott Mandarin Orchards Using Different Soil Amendments
No full textAims: The response of “Murcott” mandarin trees budded on Volkamer Lemon rootstock grown in salt-affected soil to different alleviating salinity stress additions was studied.
Study Design: This research was designed to fit The complete randomize block design (CRBD).
Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in a private “Murcott” mandarin orchard located in “El-Adlia Association”, El-Sharqia Governorate, Egypt, during two successive seasons 2014/2015 and 2016/2017.
Methodology: Eight different treatments were used as follow: 1) Control, 2) Magnetite at 138 kg/ha (Mag, knowing that ha = 10000 m2), 3) Effective microorganisms at the rate of 12 L/ha. (EM), 4) Biotic at the rate of 12 L/ha. (B), 5) Mag+B, 6) Mag+EM, 7) B+EM and 8) Mag+B+EM.
Results: These different treatments mitigated salinity stress, reduced leaves osmotic pressure, thus increased fruit set, fruit yield, fruit quality, root distribution, photosynthetic pigments and mineral concentrations in leaves of Murcott trees compared with the control. Proline accumulations in fresh leaves, as well as soil pH and EC at the end of the two seasons also were recorded.
Conclusion: The combination between B and EM in the presence or absence of Mag enhanced the ability of mandarin to alleviate salt stress and produced the highest yield and fruit quality
Bio-fortification of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) with Beta Carotene
No full textAlike other cereals, maize is deficient in certain essential amino acids such as lysine and tryptophan. While lysine is critical in protein synthesis for the growth of tissues and important in the absorption of calcium from the intestinal mucosa, tryptophan is the biological precursor of B-vitamin and niacin. Increasing protein quality alone may have a displacement effect on the efficiency of provitamin A, carotenoid bio-conversion and utilization. The research was designed to improve the quality protein maize with beta carotene in order to further enhance its nutritional content by hybridization, through the conventional method of breeding, using randomize complete block design (RCBD). Materials used were quality protein maize (white endosperm) genotype and yellow (rich in beta carotene) maize. Pollination was manually conducted and controlled, to exclude the possibility of unwanted pollination. Harvested seeds indicated a successful cross of both varieties as seen in the pigmentation of the hybridized maize seeds, which appeared pale yellow. However, the two varieties and their hybrid seeds harvested were subjected to laboratory analysis to compare their nutritional content. All the data collected were subject to statistical analysis using SPSS and mean separated by DMRT at 5% probability level. The result shows that individual varieties were higher in crude protein (13.5%) for yellow maize and Quality protein maize (12.9%), than the hybrid QYM (11.9%). Similarly, hybrid maize seed had higher percentage of lysine (1.37%), tryptophan (0.54%) and methionine (0.85%) than the individual varieties. Also the ear diameter correlated positively to 100 seeds weight
Evaluation and Comparative Study of the Nutritional Profile and Antioxidant Potential of New Quinoa Varieties
No full textAims: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is an ancient crop known for its high nutritive potential. The goal of the present work is to study the nutritional composition, identify some antinutritional factors and antioxidant compounds, and evaluate their antioxidant activity in four advanced lines of quinoa seeds obtained in experimental plots.
Methodology: For this purpose, proteins, total lipids, fiber, moisture, ash and carbohydrates, as well as fatty acid composition and mineral content, were determined in whole meal flours of these advanced lines. The presence of trypsin inhibitors, saponins, nitrates, oxalates and phytate was also evaluated, as well as total phenols and antioxidant activity.
Results: These new quinoa varieties have good nutritional properties, with high protein content in comparison to cereals. In this work, the analysis of proximate and mineral profile of quinoa showed that this pseudocereal has a similar profile but significantly higher than rice, a traditional cereal. Quinoa is a rich source of magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and molybdenum, which are elements that are deficient in almost all gluten-free cereals. The tests performed on the evaluated antinutrient compounds resulted within the acceptable values for human consumption.
The seed extract showed a total phenol content between 43.42 ± 1.35 and 25.82 ± 1.47 mg of gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight (P= .05). The antioxidant activities were estimated by DPPH, β carotene and nitric oxide scavenging activity. The results of the methanolic extract were, in average, 88.95 for %DPPH, 26.56 for %β carotene, and varied between 85.82 ± 8.32 to 22.20 ± 1.80 for %NO (P= .05).
Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that the new quinoa lines obtained in the central-west region of Argentina, which present agronomic advantages, are safe for human consumption and beneficial due to the content of nutrients and bioactive compounds that exert protection against many diseases
Determinants of Profitability and Problems Encountered by Women Palm Oil Processors in Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria
No full textAims: The study described the socio-economic characteristics, examined the determinants of profitability and identified the problems encountered by respondents during palm oil processing.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ogo- Oluwa, Surulere and Oriire Local Government Areas, Ogbomoso agricultural zone, Oyo State, Nigeria between March 2016 and June, 2016.
Methodology: A multistage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty respondents from Ogo-Oluwa, Surulere and Oriire Local Government Areas in Ogbomoso Agricultural zone. Structured questionnaire coupled with interview schedule were used to elicit data. Analytical tools were descriptive statistics and linear regression.
Results: The findings showed that 69.16% of the respondents fell within 20-50 years, about 87.5% were married and 72.50% had formal education. About 83.00% had their source of capital from personal savings and 96.66% engaged in other occupation. Selected variables determined profitability as shown by regression analysis.
Conclusion: Highest qualification, membership of association, ownership of oil palm plantation and quantity of palm oil produced determined profitability while water scarcity, transportation, finance and market instability were the problems faced by respondents
Nematicidal Effect of Some Botanical Extracts for the Management of Meloidogyne incognita and on Growth of Tomato
No full textTomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important and widely grown vegetable crop all over the world. Although tomato is nutritionally and economically important, its production is constrained by biotic and abiotic constraints leading to poor marketable quantity and quality worldwide. Root-knot nematodes are one of the major pests affecting tomato production worldwide, especially, in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Green house experiments were laid out in Complete Block Design (CBD) with a 3x7 factorial arrangement replicated three times carried out at the Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, University of Agriculture. The soil was sterilized before the experiment. Fresh leaves and seeds of Moringa oleifera, Ricinus communis and Jatropha curcas were washed with tap water, 15 g from each of leaves and seeds of the different botanicals was macerated separately in an electric blender at high speed for 4 minutes in 100 ml distilled water. The mixtures were passed through a Whatman filter paper number 1; the filtrates of the leaves/seeds were then collected. Three tomato varieties viz: Roma Vf, Rio Grande and UC82B were inoculated with approximately 5,000 freshly hatched second stage juvenile of Meloidogyne incognita, two weeks after transplanting. Thirty percent aqueous extract each of Castor, Moringa and Jatropha leaves and seeds was used, while double distilled water (0%) served as the control. Thirty ml of each leaf and seed aqueous extract was applied, 48 hours after inoculation as soil drench. Application was done at 1 weeks intervals thereafter for a period of 16 weeks. Data collected include number of fruits per plant, root gall index, nematode reproductive factor, and final nematode population. The results showed that various Moringa oleifera, Ricinus communis and Jatropha curcas leaves and seed extracts significantly (P<0.05) reduced root gall index, final population of M. incognita in the soil and nematode reproductive factor than the control. Application of the various treatments Moringa oleifera, Ricinus communis and Jatropha curcas led to significant increase in mean number of fruits and mean fruit weight yield of all the three tomato varieties. Therefore, the application of leaf and seed aqueous extracts of Moringa, Jatropha and Castor will serve as good alternative for the management of root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Potassium Fertilization for Higher Flowering and Fruit Yield in ‘Magallanes’ Pummelo (Citrus maxima)
No full textThis study aimed to determine the influence of Potassium (K) fertilization on the flowering and fruit yield of 13-year old ‘Magallanes' pummelo [Citrus maxima (Burm. ex Rumph.) Merr.] trees. The experiment was conducted at South Davao Corporation (SODACO) farm, Davao City, Philippines for 12-month duration. Five treatments with increasing K levels were applied per tree: control, no K, 150 g K basal, 225 g K basal, and 225 g K basal + foliar application. Flowering, fruit set and yield of pummelo were enhanced by higher K rates. Flowering was increased by 4 times while fruit set by 86-100%. Fruit number was increased by 7 times, weight per fruit by 22-26%, and yields up to 9 times with 100% (return of investment) ROI on trees applied with 225 g K rates. The results of the study indicated the important role of K in improving the flowering, fruit yield and income of ‘Magallanes' pummelo
Effect of Different Organic Manure on Vegetative Growth, Flowering and Fruiting of Intercropped Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) Cv. Sweet Charley inside Banana Orchard
No full textAims: Growing the organic strawberry fruit in tropical and subtropical region with the help of shade of banana plants.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad in the year 2017 to 2018.
Methodology: A field experiment was conducted with cv. sweet charley of strawberry. The observations were recorded on various vegetative growths, flowering and fruiting parameters. The mean data were subjected to the various statistical and biometrical analyses.
Results: Results show that there were major difference among treatments T3 Vermicompost (5 tonnes/ha) + Poultry manures (5 tonnes/ha) in plant height on 120 DAP (20 cm), number of leaves on 120 DAP (12.13), plant spread at 120 DAP (25.50 cm), days taken to first flower (60 days), number of flower plant-1 (14.37), days taken to first fruit (72 days), number of fruit plant-1 (7.40) fruit set % (52.12%), throughout the experiment time. obtain data show that banana plants have a major influence on the strawberry plant.
Conclusion: Considering the present investigation it is concluded that the treatment T3 -Vermicompost (5 tonnes/ha) + Poultry manures (5 tonnes/ha) was found the best in terms of maximum vegetative growth flowering and fruiting of strawberry in banana orchard