Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Efficacy of Some Botanical Extracts on Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) Egg- Hatch and Juvenile Mortality in vitro
No full textThe study was conducted at the Department of Crop and Environmental Protection Laboratory University of Agriculture Makurdi to compare the nematicidal activity of 3 different plant leaf and seed extracts from Ricinus communis, Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera Lam on egg-hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality in vitro. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomised Design (CBD) with a 3x7x3 factorial arrangement replicated three times. Aqueous extracts from leaves and seeds of Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas and Ricinus communis (15 g/100ml) were further diluted into 10, 20 and 30% V/V respectively. A 10ml aliquot of aqueous extract dilutions (10, 20 and 30%V/V) was introduced into Petri dishes containing 50 and 100 fresh egg- masses and juveniles of M. incognita, respectively. Egg masses and second stage juveniles were exposed to the concentrations of the aqueous leaf and seed extracts for 24, 48 and 72hrs. The results show that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the various exposure time on eggs-hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality. The Highest number of eggs-hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality were recorded at 72 >48>24 hours. There was also a significant difference (P<0.05) between the different concentrations used on percentage egg-hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality. 10% v/v concentration recorded the least percentage mortality while 30% v/v concentration recorded higher egg-hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the different leaf and seed extracts as all botanicals had an effect on egg-hatch and juvenile mortality. However, all untreated control recorded (0%) egg-hatch inhibition and juvenile mortality. The study showed that leaf and seed extracts of Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas and Ricinus communis, decreased egg hatch and increased juvenile mortality. The study also revealed that egg hatch and juvenile mortality were dependent on the time of exposure and concentration of the extracts
Use of Organic Compost and Residues as an Alternative to Commercial Substrate for Lettuce Cultivation (Lactuca sativa L.)
No full textAims: The objective of this work was to evaluate the physical and biological characteristics of the substrates formulated from organic compost (OC), carbonized rice husk (CRH), sewage sludge (SS) and commercial substrate, as well as the vegetative development of lettuce seedlings cultivated in the compositions.
Study Design: Eight treatments were studied in a completely randomized design: TO- commercial substrate (CS), T1- 50% OC & 50% CRH, T2 – 75% OC & 25% CRH, T3- 50% SS & 50% CRH, T4- 75% SS 25% CRH, T5- 100% SS, T6- 100% OC and T7- 30% SS, 30% OC & 40% CRH, being carried in box of expanded polystyrene (PEE) with four replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in an experimental area of Campus Pelotas, Federal Institute Sul-rio-grandense, Pelotas, Brazil, period from November until December 2015.
Methodology: The physical characteristics evaluated were: total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, water retention capacity and density. The microbiological analysis as carbon in the microbial biomass (Cmic), basal respiration (BR) and metabolic quotient (qCO2). Also, organic matter, electrical conductivity and dry matter and plant growth.
Conclusion: The addition of organic compost, treated sewage sludge and carbonized rice husk are suitable for the formation of alternative substrate for the cultivation of lettuce seedlings. The T2 (75% OC & 25% CRH) and T7 (30% SS, 30% OC & 40% CRH) treatments were the most promising in relation to physical characteristics resulting in good microporosity, total porosity, water retention capacity and density, but low macroporosity. Regarding the microbiological characteristics the T2 treatment presented greater microbial activity and ideal electrical conductivity. For vegetative growth and dry matter T2 and T7 presented similar results to the commercial substrate
Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates and Soil Types on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
No full textAims: The experiments were carried out o determine the effects of different rates of nitrogen fertiliser and soil types on the yield and yield component of maize plant in Yola.
Duration and Place of Study: Field experiments were conducted during 2010, 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola (Sandy-loam soil) and a private farm in Karewa area of Yola (Clay-loam soil).
Methodology: Treatments consisted of five levels of nitrogen fertiliser (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg N/ha) applied as urea while phosphorus and potassium were maintained at 60 kg/ha each applied as single superphosphate and Muriate of potash on the sandy-loam and clay-loam soils. The experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Parameters measured include number of ears/plant, length of ears, ear diameter, number of grains per year, the weight of 100 grains, the weight of grains/ear and total grain yield. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) appropriate to RCBD using statistical package SAS for Windows Release 9.2 and Least Significant Difference (LSD) method was used to compare the difference between means.
Results: Regarding ear diameter, 100-grain weight and total grain weight, there were significant influences of rates of nitrogen fertiliser and soil types. The yield of maize was significantly affected by rates of nitrogen fertiliser and soil types. The highest yield of 5,330.6 kg/ha was obtained with 160 kg N/ha.
Conclusion: Based on the finding of the study, applying the rate of 160 kg N/ha on sandy-loam soil appeared to be promising for improved yield of maize in Yola and is, therefore, recommended to farmers in Yola
Evaluation of Growth and Fruit Characteristics of Mandarin Genotypes in Dhankuta, Nepal
No full textMandarin, as an important fruit crop of Nepal, has an enormous scope of increasing production and productivity by adopting better varieties. A study on varietal selection and evaluation has been underway at National Citrus Research Programme since 2005/06. Seventeen mandarin genotypes of exotic and local origin have been evaluated in the study. This paper describes the growth and fruit physio-chemical characteristics of mandarin genotypes, observed during 2014/15 in their 10-years age. The results revealed that the plant growth for height, canopy spread and basal girth were observed at a range of 137.5 to 295.0 cm; 103.8 to 205.0 cm; and 11.8 to 22.0 cm respectively. The Local genotypes: Banskharka and Sikkime showed the highest plant growth for plant height, while exotic genotypes exhibited wide canopy growth and basal girth. The average fruit number per plant were observed at a range of 16.7 to 151.3 fruits plant-1, while the fruit weight ranged from 60.0 to 133.9 g. The higher fruit number, weight and yield were observed at some exotic genotypes such as Miyagawa Wase, Fortune, Comunes Avana and Mino. Miyagawa Wase and Okitsu Wase satsuma mandarin genotypes were found extra earlier for fruit maturity as they were ready to harvest from early September. The better fruit size and segment weight were found again at Miyagawa Wase, Ponkan and Fortune, including Sikkime Local genotype. Moreover, the juice contents were varied from 34.24 to 55.28% among the genotypes. The higher juice content was observed at Miyagawa Wase, Fortune, Mino, Nova and Khoku Local genotypes. The fruit qualities such as TSS and TA were ranged respectively at 7.00 to 12.15 °Brix and 1.06 to 2.33%. The Local genotypes including Khoku, Sikkime and Banskharka showed the higher TSS and higher TSS/TA ratio. However, Ponkan, Fortune and Nova exhibited better fruit quality with higher TSS and TSS/TA ratio. Therefore, Miyagawa Wase, Fortune, Ponkan, Comunes, Mino, Nova, including local genotypes seems of having good characteristics in all respects for further variety improvement and selection in the future. Moreover, Miyagawa Wase and Okitsu Wase were found potential for early production
Assessment of Traditionally Used Wild Edible Plants and Its Impact on Health and Livelihood among the Ethnic Communities of Tripura
No full textTripura is the third smallest state of India with 19 ethnic tribes. The local peoples of Tripura widely consume wild edible plants as vegetables in their daily diet to fulfil their nutritional need and sometimes as traditional medicine too. A survey was carried out in different parts of Tripura among the 19 ethnic communities. The selection criterion for the survey area included the presence of tribal communities. During the field survey, 61 species of wild edible plants belonging to 34 families and 53 genera were identified. These species were being used as food and medicine by the indigenous communities of Tripura. Out of 61 species, 25 are annual, and 36 are perennial. Herbaceous plants make up the highest proportion of edible plants followed by trees. The ethnic communities of Tripura largely depend on the wild vegetables and thus require sustainable management of the resources by some control on their harvest and use of the wild edible plant resources
Canopy Management for Sustainable Passion Fruit Production
No full textYellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis var. Flavicarpa) is gaining a wide adoption in Kenya, emerging as an important high market value horticultural crop. However, its current yields levels are low due to poor agronomic practices. This study aimed at evaluating the orchard management practices for sweet yellow passion fruits by farmers, with a special focus on canopy management. A survey was conducted on sweet yellow passion fruit in Embu East sub- county, Kenya from June 2016 to august 2016. The sweet yellow passion fruit farmers were randomly sampled using a stratified sampling procedure. Personal interviews with the farmers were conducted in each household using structured and semi- structured questionnaires. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Correlation between pruning intensity and dieback disease incidence was analysed using Pearson’s correlation model. Findings from the study showed that pruning intensity among farmers varied from very low, moderate to very high. The results showed that 9.8% of farmers pruned moderately, 58.8% of farmers pruned with a low pruning intensity and 29.4% of farmers pruned with a very low pruning intensity. Pruning intensity was negatively correlated (-0.265) to dieback incidence at 0.05% level of significance at a p value of 0.040 the results imply that most farmers pruned the vines at low intensity with the aim of retaining more vines. However, this resulted to more incidence of the dieback disease. The farmers require effective training skills on vine pruning to provide an appropriate canopy size which would improve the productivity of sweet yellow passion fruits
Natural Abundance and Host Plant Preference of the Larval Pupal Endoparasitoid Opius pallipes Wesmail (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on the Serpentine Leafminer Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) on Some Summer Host Plants
No full textNatural abundance and host plant preference of the endoparasitoids O. pallipes was studied in Ojelat region. Four host plants were studied [tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) pepper (Capsicum annuum) eggplant (Solanum melongena) and kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)] The parasitoids showed high populations in April and May that kept the populations of the serpentine leafminer L. trifolii at low densities till the end of the season on all studied host plants. O. pallipes recorded two peaks of abundance on the four studied host plants recording (19, and 24 individuals/ 50 infested leaflets) on tomatoes, (18, and 16 individuals/ 50 infested leaflets) on pepper, (26 and 20 individuals/ 50 infested leaflets) on eggplant and (32, 26 individuals/ 50 infested leaflets) on kidney bean during the season of the study. O. pallipes showed a relatively low preference towards kidney bean and eggplant compared with pepper and tomatoes