Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Application of Arabic Gum and Essential Oils as the Postharvest Treatments of Le Conte Pear Fruits during Cold Storage
No full textThe present study was conducted during 2015 and 2016 seasons on Le Conte pear fruits harvested at mature stage, to investigate the application of (10% w/v) Arabic Gum (AG), Jojoba oil (JO) and Moringa oil (MO) at the rate (100 %) alone on physical and chemical properties. Fruits stored at 0 ± 1°C and 85-90 % relative humidity (RH) for 105 days. A fruit sample of each treatment was taken out at the end of cold storage period and left at room temperature (23 ± 2°C) and 47% (RH) up to 7 days was examined for quality Assessments. Fruit physical properties (weight loss, decay percentages and fruit firmness "Lb/inch2") and fruit chemical properties (total soluble solids percentage and total acidity percentage were evaluated. The results obtained that, all treatments including control succeeded in preventing fruit decay percentage up to 30 days in the two seasons. It is worth mentioning that, Le Conte pear fruits were coated with MO with stands free from deterioration up to 75 days of cold storage period. Beside, fruits coated MO progress in reducing the percentages of weight loss and decay throw cold storage periods for 105 day. The rate of softening increased in fruits with increasing the storage time in both fruits coated and uncoated, but it was significantly declined in uncoated treatments. Moreover, JO coating was more effective in firmness retention compared to the other treatments. Followed by pear fruits was coating with MO and AG in this respect. Furthermore, all coated fruits enhancement fruit quality during storage periods. Finally, it can be concluded that coating Le Conte fruits by Moringa oil recorded successfully reduction in fruit weight loss, decay percentages, improving fruit quality and extended storage fruit life as well as stimulate marketing period (shelf life), also safe on environmental and human health
Growing Media Quality and Plug Cell Volume would be Interactive Abiotic Stresses for Impatiens walleriana Pot Yield
No full textHigher bedding plant yields per unit greenhouse area was reaching through two grower´s currently decision-making: plug cell volume during nursery and growing media quality for both nursery and pot cycle. With the goal of maximizing bedding plant yield to identify the main limiting factor at the pot stage, we evaluated Impatiens walleriana yield to the end of the pot growth stage when four different pre-transplant cell volume and four pre or post-transplant growing media with different physical properties were used. The hypothesis tested was that only one of the potentially negative stress source (pre-transplant cell volume or growing medium quality) is the main responsible for decreasing biomass accumulation at the post-transplant pot growing cycle. The experimental design was a randomised factorial with three blocks of five single-pot replications of each treatment combination (plug cell volume × growing medium × pre- and post-transplant).The main result was that, in I. walleriana seedlings, the combining abiotic stresses imposed by both the growing medium quality and nursery plug cell volume defined biomass accumulation (on a fresh and dry base), leaf area expanded and photo assimilates partitioned as opposed to a previous report, which indicate that that growing media quality would be a more limited factor than plug cell volume for I. walleriana seedlings during nursery
Influence of Organic Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth, Yield and Phytochemical Constituents of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
No full textOrganic farming is gaining attention and increasing globally because of its eco-friendly, safety and its health benefits to humans. A field experiment was conducted at Federal College of Forestry Jos, to determine the influence of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on the growth, yield and phytochemical constituents of cabbage. Randomized Complete Block Design was used as experimental design involving five treatments with T0 as control (No application of manure), T1 (N.P.K fertilizer), T2 (Poultry droppings), T3 (Cow droppings) and T4 (Goat droppings). Data was taken on plant height, number of leaves, head diameter and head weight of cabbage. Qualitative phytochemical analysis on saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanins, phenols, amino acids, steroids and terpenoids were carried out and quantitative analysis was done for phytochemicals present. The result obtained showed a significant difference for the plant height, leaf count, head diameter and head weight at p≤0.05. Flavonoids, alkaloids, amino acids, terpenoids, tannins and phenols were present in the qualitative analysis and at different rates. Cabbage cultivation with poultry droppings (T2) was observed to stand out from the other treatments for the yield parameters and the phytochemical analysis. Result of the quantitative phytochemicals revealed that more phenolics, alkaloids and flavonoids were present in cabbage grown with organic manure than in inorganic fertilizer
Effect of Planting Method and Seeding Date on Leaf and Seed Production of Lettuce
No full textAim: The objective of this study is to identify the suitable planting method and seeding time for leaf and seed production of lettuce.
Place and Duration: A field study was carried out in Bangadandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur Bangladesh during 2012-13.
Materials and Design: A commercial lettuce variety BSMRAU lettuce-1 was used in this study. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications and two factors, namely planting method (M1 – transplanted seedling produced on nursery bed, M2 - transplanted seedling produced in polybag and M3 - direct seeding) and seeding time (T1 - 16 October, T2 - 1 November, T3 - 16 November, T4 - 1 December and T5 - 16 December).
Results: Analyses of variance revealed with a statistically significant variation (p<0.01 or p<0.05) among the treatments. The treatment interaction revealed that the highest leaf yield 27.33 t/ha was harvested from M3T2, which was statistically similar with M2T2 (26.78 t/ha). On the other hand, the highest seed yield 412.00 kg/ha was harvested from the treatment combination of M3T2, which was statistically different from all other treatment combinations. Quality traits viz. dry matter content, fiber content and organoleptic test were also better in early seeding.
Conclusion: Considering leaf yield, seed yield and quality traits, direct seeding at 1 November was found to be the most suitable treatment combination for leaf and seed production of lettuce in Bangladesh conditions. But transplanting with polybag raised seedlings may be suitable if the land is occupied by the pervious crops
Comparative Effects of Cow Dung and Poultry Manure on the Germination and Growth of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) William Roscoe Production
No full textThe study is based on determining the effects of organic manure (cow dung and poultry manure) on the growth & germination of Zingiber officinale using topsoil in the research as the medium of growth. The seeds were subjected to 7 treatments which include cow dung and poultry manures and topsoil only as control treatment. The seeds were sown directly into the polythene pots thoroughly mixed with the organic manures at different levels of application which includes 2.5 g, 5.0 g and 10.0 g with 3 replicates making a total of 21 poly pots. The germination was thoroughly observed for 3 weeks after planting. The experiment was laid in a completely Randomized design with 3 replicates.
The parameters assessed were the plant height, the number of leaves and stem girth. The data collected were subjected to ANOVA.
The Results of the study showed that treatment T1 with cow dung at 2.5 g had the highest plant height of (49.65 cm), stem diameter of (0.458 m) and Number of leaves (12.27) followed by T5 (5.0g of poultry Manure) with plant height of (45.40 cm) stem diameter (0.435 cm) and number of leaves (12.73). Treatment 7 which is the control treatment had the Least Leaf Number of (24), height of (28.97) and stem diameter of (0.257).
Therefore from all the treatments used, cow dung at 2.5 g and poultry manure at 5.0 g are advisable for Raising Zingiber officinale
Effect of Organic Manure and Its Application Timing on the Growth and Yield of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
No full textAn experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, from October 2017 to February 2018. The experiment consisted of two factors, Factor A: Four levels of organic manures, viz. M0 = Control; M1 = Cowdung (35 t ha-1), M2 = Mustard oil cake (3.5 t ha-1) and M3 = Vermicompost. Factor B: Three application times, viz. T1 = 15 days before transplanting, T2 = Application at the time of transplanting and T3 = 15 days after transplanting. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In the case of organic manure, the highest yield (38.70 t/ha) was found from M2 treatment, whereas the lowest yield (19.71t/ha) was recorded from M0 treatment. In the case of application time, the highest yield (31.83t/ha) was found from T1 treatment, whereas the lowest yield (28.10 t/ha) was recorded from T3 treatment. Due to combined effect maximum yield (38.704 t/ha) with net return (4,74,421tk) and BCR (2.20) was obtained from M2T1 treatment combination while the lowest yield (17.90 t/ha) with the lowest income (44,211 tk) and BCR (1.17) from M0T3 treatment combination. So, the economic analysis revealed that the M2T1 treatment combination appeared to be best for achieving the higher growth, yield and economic benefit of cauliflower
Effect of Micronutrients in Presence of Different Levels of Organic Manure on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
No full textA field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Farm of Sher-e–Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from October, 2017 to March, 2018 to study the effect of micronutrients in presence of different level of organic manure on growth and yield of tomato. There were four combinations of micronutrients viz. N0=0 kg Zn 0 kg B/ha, N1= Zn2 kg B1.5 kg/ha, N2=Zn4 kg B2 kg/ha, N3=Zn6kg B2.5 kg/ha and four organic manure viz M0=0 ton/ha, M1=Cowdung (15 ton/ha), M2=Poultry manure (10 ton/ha), M3=(Cowdung 7.5 ton/ha+ Poultry manure 5 ton/ha). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications and there were altogether 48 plots. Application of micronutrients and organic manure significantly influenced the growth, yield and size of the tomato. The highest yield (66.96 t/ha) was found from treatments N2 and the lowest yield (25.69 t/ha) was obtained from treatment N0. Due to the application of organic manure, the highest yield (50.78 t/ha) was obtained from M3 and the lowest yield (39.86 t/ha) was recorded from M0. In the case of combined effect, the highest yield (76.33 t/ha) was found from treatment N2M3 and the lowest yield (24.60 t/ha) was found from treatment N0M0. So, the application of Zn4 kg B2 kg/ha along with Cowdung 7.5 ton+Poultry manure 5 ton/ha was the best for growth and yield of tomato. Economic analysis raveled that N2M3 gave the maximum benefit-cost ratio (3.2). So, the application of Zn4 kg B2 kg/ha along with Cowdung 7.5 ton+Poultry manure 5 ton/ha was the best for growth and yield of tomato
Coffee Production Challenges and Opportunities in Tanzania: The Case Study of Coffee Farmers in Iwindi, Msia and Lwati Villages in Mbeya Region
No full textCoffee is one of the most popular cash crops grown in Tanzania. However, its productivity has remained low due to various biotic, abiotic and socio-economic factors prevailing in Mbeya Region. These production challenges have never been properly and intensively documented for better decision making. Therefore, this study was set to assess and provide a better understanding of the current production situation and available technologies and practices for enhancing coffee production in the region.
The research was carried out in Iwindi, Msia and Lwati villages located in Mbeya Region. Two sources of data were used; (a) primary data collected through focus group discussion; and (b) secondary data collected through a systematic and intensive process that involved searching and collecting relevant publications.
From the research, farmers were found to grow very old trees that were more than 20 years. The soils were found to have low levels of nutrients and organic matter. Soils are also acidic, a pH below 5.5. High prevalence of pests such as coffee berry and stem borers and diseases like coffee leaf rust, Fusarium spp., bacterial blight, and red blister were reported in the region. Poor agronomic practices involving intensive intercropping of coffee with trees, other food crops like banana, beans and using generally low tree densities per hectare was observed. Poor extension services due to unbalanced extension agent to farmer ratio (about 1:1800) were found to be one of the causes for poor adoption of best coffee agronomy. Lack of market information and low coffee prices were found to demoralize farmers as it leads to a low return on investment. When asked about their ‘priority training and input support requirements’, all farmers mentioned best coffee agronomy and fertilizer use training. They also mentioned fertilizers (especially Urea or Yara Mila Java blend products) and pesticides (for berry borer, stem borer, Coffee berry disease, and coffee leaf rust) inputs as key for better yields. All these inputs and training require money and service provider. Bundling of training and inputs together could make it easier for any service provider to help farmers increase their yields
Effect of Seasons, Mulching Materials, and Fruit Quality on a Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Variety
No full textAims: The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of seasons (early raining and late raining) and mulching materials (Black polyethylene, White polyethylene, Grass-mulch and control) on marketable fruit yield of cucumber.
Study Design: The experimental design was a 4 x 4 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on plant morphology and fruit components; number of leave, vine length, branch number, tendril number, stem diameter; number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit circumference, fruit weight, number of marketable fruits per plot and number of non-marketable fruit per plot and fruit yield per plot (converted to per hectare).
Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out at Teaching and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria (located on longitude 04º33lE and latitude 08º28lN at 244 m above sea level) during the growing seasons of 2017 and 2018.
Methodology: The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using (SAS, 2003 version). Means of significant treatments were separated using Duncan`s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).
Results: The obtained results revealed that seasons and mulching materials had significant effect on some of the parameters investigated. Late season significantly enhanced the fruit length, fruit weight and total fruit yield when compared with the early seasons. The mulching materials, black polyethylene mulching materials significantly enhanced the morphology and some of fruit components; fruit length and fruit weight while white plastic mulch significantly improved the number of fruit per plant, fruit diameter and total yield of cucumber at both early and late seasons followed by grass-mulch. However, control consistently produced the highest number of non-marketable fruits when compared with other treatments investigated.
Conclusion: Therefore, planting of Poinsett76 variety towards the ending of raining seasons with the application of white plastic mulching is highly recommended for the small holder farmers.  
Effect of Semi-arid Environmental Conditions to Quality of Durum Wheat Genotypes (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum)
No full textAims: This study was conducted to determine some quality parameters of durum wheat genotypes in semi-arid environmental conditions.
Study Design: The field trial was carried out in a Randomize Complete Block Design with three replications. Thirty-one wheat genotypes were grown in a field trial and kernel samples analyzed for dry matter content, thousand kernel weight, test weight, vitreousness, protein content, wet gluten, dry gluten and SDS-sedimentation value.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons at Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Methodology: For analyses 20 main spikes that contained fully developed kernels were chosen randomly from each plot and taken to the laboratory for analyses. The nitrogen content of kernels was determined using the Kjeldahl method. Test weight and Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS)-sedimentation values were determined using standard procedures. Wet and dry gluten values were determined using a glutomatic system after separating gluten from the soluble starch and protein fractions.
Results: Genotypes were different significantly (P ≤ 0.01) for all parameters. Dry matter content ranged from 92.4 to 93.1%; thousand kernel weight from 27.5 to 45.5 g, test weight from 79.3 to 85.0 kg hl-1, vitreousness from 92.7 to 99.5%, protein content from 12.1 to 17.9%, wet gluten from 28.2 to 53.1%, dry gluten from 10.1 to 16.9% and SDS-sedimentation value from 13 to 23 ml. Kunduru-1149, Selcuklu-97, Cosmodor, Zenith, C.1252, Aningavoll, Altintoprak-98, Dicle-74, Kiziltan-91, Sham-I and Havrani genotypes had good quality among other tested genotypes.
Conclusion: Protein content, wet and dry gluten values were high but SDS sedimentation values were low due to high temperature and low precipitation in semi-arid region. Protein content was positively correlated with wet gluten, dry gluten and SDS-sedimentation, respectively. Relationship between wet gluten and both dry gluten and SDS-sedimentation value were great and significant. There was a positive significant correlation between dry gluten and SDS-sedimentation value