Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Effect of Magnetic Strength of the Water Salinity Treatment Devices on Salt Accumulation in the Root Zoon and Its Impact on Growth and Productivity of Olive Trees
No full textThis study was conducted during the two successive seasons 2022 and 2023 at Wadi El-Natron west Nile Delta (EL-Behera governorate) to evaluate three commercial magnetic devices “Water magnetizers” of different manufacturers (Nefertari Biomagnetic 6000 Gauss, Magnolith 8000 Gauss, Delta Water 14000 Gauss), and to figure out which is more effective to reduce the negative effect of irrigating olive trees with saline water. The study examined the effect on vegetative growth, leaf mineral contents, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf proline content, and relative water content of Manzanillo olive trees. The experiment confirmed that olive trees can be irrigated with water containing 3500 ppm without causing high salt stress. Data also showed a positive effect of magnetically treated water on all vegetative growth characters (growth rate, stem diameter, number of green leaves), an increase in all elements content in experimental plant leaves except sodium and chloride, an increase in leaf chlorophyll content, decreased leaf proline content and increase relative water content. In terms of determining whether commercial devices are more effective than others, the Magnolith has been demonstrated to achieve the best results when compared to other devices, in most cases the difference between using "Delta Water" or "Nefertari" was not big enough to be significant. "Nefertari" recorded almost the lowest values of the studied vegetative growth characters, leaf chlorophyll, and relative water content. This indicates that the strength of the magnets alone is not the only thing that affects how well the device works; furthermore, it depends also on how the magnetic fields are configured and the manufacturing expertise
A Smart Irrigation Water Application System Based on Arduino Platform
No full textWater wastage, erosion, and crop water oversaturation has always been a problem associated with irrigation practice in Nigeria. A smart irrigation system based on Arduino platform was developed in this research to address this problem. The objective of the system is to automate water application to crops and at the same time optimize the use of water resources. The system consists of an Arduino module, data logger, LCD display, water pumps, water storage, moisture sensor, USB connector, and battery. A C++ program was written for the Arduino board so sense the moisture content of the soil, deter mine the wetness status and power the pumps for water application. The results of testing the system shows that the optimal use of irrigation water by the smart irrigation system was 97% more efficient than the traditional system and it can conveniently do irrigation at the rate of 0.063m3/ha. The system is recommended for large scale use especially for dry season farming
Efficacy of Fungicides and Plant Extracts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas Incitant of Fusarium Wilt of Sweet Potato (Ipomeae batatas L.)
No full textIn vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of some fungicides and some plant extracts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas (Fob). The experiments were conducted in the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the Department of Crop Protection, Bayero University Kano. Three fungicides (Mancozeb, Hexaconazole and Metalaxyl + coprous oxide) and sterile distilled water as control were arranged in a completely randomized design. The treatments were repeated five times. Mancozeb as the most promising fungicide against the fungus was used as a check, other treatments include; 25% aqueous neem leaf extract, 50% aqueous neem leaf extract, 25% aqueous garlic bulb extract, 50% aqueous garlic bulb extract, 25% aqueous callotropis leaf extract, 50% callotropis leaf extract and control. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design and repeated thrice. Data on radial growth and percent growth inhibition of the fungus were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance using GenStat 17th Edition. Among the fungicides tested against Fob, Mancozeb significantly had the least radial growth (13mm) and inhibited growth of the pathogen by 71.1% compared to the other fungicides. Bioassay on plant extracts revealed least radial growth of the fungus (36.7mm) and highest percent growth inhibition (43.5%) when 50% aqueous neem leaf extract was used. This differed significantly with the use of 25% aqueous neem leaf extract which caused 39.3 mm radial growth of the fungus and inhibited growth by 38.5%. This was followed by 50% and 25% callotropis leaf extract, respectively with lower fungal growth and higher percent growth inhibition compared to aqueous garlic bulb extract at the different concentrations, exhibiting similar effect on the growth of the fungus and its inhibition. Aqueous neem leaf extract (50%) contained higher phytochemicals than the other botanical extracts at the different concentrations. These phytochemicals are responsible for better suppression of Fob. Application of 50% aqueous neem leaf extract could be further evaluated as potential bio-pesticide to supplement the use of fungicide against Fusarium wilt of sweet potato
Assessment of Endogenous Soil Fertility to Update Fertilization of Maize (Zea mays L) Crops in the Savannah Region of Togo
No full textThe diagnosis of soil fertility is a prerequisite for the formulation of balanced and site-specific fertilizer recommendations. Macro elements (nitrogen – N, phosphorous – P and potassium – K) based nutrient omission trials were conducted in the districts of Oti, Tandjoare, Tone and Kpendjal of the Savannah region. The objective was to assess endogenous soil fertility under maize cropping to further develop updated site-specifique fertilization schemes for the crop. A total of twenty-five producers were selected in the region (eight in Tandjoare, seven in Tone, five in Oti and five in Kpendjal) for the study in a paticipatory approach. The approach was participatory in order to involve the end user in the exercise. A randomized complete block design was adopted with five fertilization treatments including N0P0K0 (T1), N0P60K70 (T2), N120P0K70 (T3), N120P60K0 (T4) and N120P60K70 (T5) kg ha-1 for the trial. The unit plot size was 100 m2 (10 m x10 m).
Grain yield, yield response to nutrients and Agronomic Efficiency (AE) were determined. Genstat Edition 12th was used to discriminate means.The average yields were 0.56, 0.83, 3.18, 3.44 and 4.57 Mg ha-1 respectively for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in Tandjoare, 0.32, 0.52, 1.06, 2.39 and 3.02 Mg ha-1 respectively for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in Tône, 1.01, 1.35, 2.56, 3.16 and 4.39 Mg ha-1 respectively for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in Oti and 0.39, 0.75, 1.54, 2.33 and 3.31 Mg ha-1 respectively for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in Kpendjal. The ranking of yield data by fertilizer treatment indicates that all three macronutrients (N, P and K) are required for maize production in the Savannah region, with a priority ranking of N>P>K. The results also showed that the best Agronomic Efficiency is obtained when all macronutrients are supplied in all four districts. The results of this diagnostic will be used as a basis for formulating balanced, site-specific fertilizer recommendations for intelligent, environmentally-friendly agriculture
Study of Effect of Water Harvesting Techniques (Holes and Crescents) on Growth of Sidr (Ziziphus Spina-Christi) in South Omdurman Area, Khartoum State, Sudan
No full textThis study was conducted at south west Omdurman area, Khartoum state, Sudan, following a complete randomized block design. The objective of the present investigation is to study the effect of two water harvesting techniques (Holes- T1 and Crescents- T2) in comparison with the control (C) on the growth parameters of Ziziphus spina-christi and soil moisture content. The growth parameters of Ziziphus spina-christi were measured at three weeks interval, the soil moisture content was measured before and after rains through the rain season from June to October. The results indicated that the both water harvesting techniques have a positive influence on the plant (Sidr) growth parameters compared to the control (C). The T1 showed better improvement on plant (Sidr) growth parameters compared to the T2 water harvesting technique wtich resulted in increase of 15.1% in soil moisture content, 3.3% in plant length, 9.1% in number of leaves per plant and 5.1% in plant stem diameter. Holes type of water harvesting technique were recorded higher values of moisture content, Ziziphus spina-christi tree species is highly recommended in the west Omdurman area
First Report of Dendrophthoe falcata (l. F.) Ettingsh on Important Tree Species: Populus deltoides and Melia dubia
No full textThis study reports the first documented instance of Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Ettingsh., a parasitic plant, infecting Populus deltoides and Melia dubia, two economically valuable timber and pulpwood tree species which have been extensively employed in agroforestry in India. Infected trees in both species exhibited a reduction in the size and growth of secondary branches, culminating in top drying and mortality due to gall formation on primary branches. The incidence of infection was higher in Melia (45 %) than in Poplar (20%). However, it was more severe in Poplar, with more than twice the number of gall formations compared to Melia, and a 10% tree mortality rate in the plantation. It seems that M. dubia is more resistant to D. falcata infestations compared to P. deltoides. Consequently, D. falcata emergence poses a severe threat to Poplar cultivars. Further research is essential to understand Dendrophthoe's distribution, host specificity, and dispersal mechanisms to protect valuable species like Poplar and Melia from its detrimental effects
Effect of Bioactive Compound (Poultry Manure) on the Yield and Capsaicinoid Content of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Cultivars
No full textTo assess the impact of poultry manure fertilization on the yield and capsaicinoid content of sweet pepper cultivars, field experiments were carried out during the 2018 rainy seasons at two locations within the Sudan savanna agro-ecological region: the Teaching and Research Farm Bayero University Kano (l1o 58 N, 8o 25 E, and altitude 458 m) and Kadawa Irrigation Scheme Bunkure (l1o 42 N, 8o 33 E, and altitude 476 m). The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates comprising four levels of poultry manure (PM) (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 tha-1) and three cultivars of sweet pepper (Tattasai Dan Damasak, Yolo wonder and Nsukka yellow). The result reveals that the growth, yield and capcisinoid content of sweet pepper cultivars were greatly influenced by the application of PM. The application of 3.0 tha-1 of PM significantly gave taller plants, more branches, larger leaves, and a higher number of fruits. Similarly, the Dan Damasak cultivar significantly produced higher growth characters above, except for the number of fruits plant-1. The Dan Damasak and Yolo wonder cultivars at BUK and Yolo wonder at BKR significantly gave a higher number of fruit plants. Fresh fruit yield, total fruit yield, and capsaicinoid content were significantly higher with 3.0 tha-1 of PM at both locations. The Dan Damasak cultivar resulted in higher yield related characters at both locations. The capsaicinoid content was, however, significantly higher with Nsukka yellow (17.43 and 18.83 mg kg-1) at BUK and BKR locations, respectively. Thus, the application of 3.0 tha-1 PM combined with the Dan Damasak cultivar for improved growth and yield, while the Nsukka Yellow cultivar and the application of 3.0 tha-1 PM for higher capsaicinoid could be suggested to the farmers in the study area to improve the productivity of the crop
Optimization of Growth and Production of Brown Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus cystidiosus) through Additional Nutrients of Rice Washing Water and Rice Groats
No full textThis study aims to determine the optimization of growth and production of brown oyster mushroom (P. cystidionsus) plants with additional nutrients of rice washing water and to determine the optimization of growth and production of chocolate oyster mushroom (P. cystidionsus) plants through additional nutrients of rice groats. This study used a factorial Complete Randomized Design (RAL) method consisting of two factors, namely, the first factor is rice washing water / leri water (L) and the second factor is rice groats (G). Each treatment is repeated 3 times. Leri water factor consists of 4 levels, namely: A0=0 ml, A1= 30 ml, A2= 50 ml, A3=70 ml. Rice groats factor consists of 4 levels, namely: M0=0 g, M1=60 g, M2= 80 g, M3= 100 g. Data was analyzed using variance analysis (Anova) at 5%. The results showed no effect of rice washing water and rice groats on the growth rate of brown oyster mushroom mycelim, will be at a rice washing water concentration of 70ml / baglog + rice groats 100g / baglog affects the parameters of mushroom stalk height (cm), mushroom hood diameter (cm), mushroom hood thickness (cm), number of mushrooms (clump), and fresh weight of mushrooms / baglog (g)
Doubling Indian Agri Export through Natural Farming Management, Horticulture & African Markets
No full textAims: We explore the scope of escalating agriculture export in doubling farmers income and rational use of the growing Indian agriculture surplus and consequent glut, farmer distress.
Study Design: The study is exploratory type and was conducted by literature survey and discussion with farmers, experts and industry.
Methodology: The study was conducted by field visits to exporting, farmer exporters and experts during 2017 to 2022 by visiting farmers in Amaravati and Palghar districts, exporters in Mumbai city and experts at Pune city. Their data were triangulated with the literature from reputed agri-research institutions.
Results: Doubling agri export can help to doubling farmer’s income (DFI) as export price is premium and profitability higher, besides increasing foreign exchange. Fruits & vegetables (F&V) is the largest agri-export segment globally but meagre 9th rank among Indian agri-export basket. Focussing on larger or costly market segment such as fruits & vegetables having higher productivity & surplus, rather than the cereals can help. Recent natural farming mission can aid in it and safeguard consumer and farmer’s health such as from the cancer. Indian F&V production more than doubled in the past 2 decades to exceed grains production, due to their health benefits. Maximum residue level (MRL) is the export benchmark so promoting low/ no pesticide techniques under the recent Indian natural farming (NF) mission can help to triple Indian agri-exports to 35 billion in 2023, through horticulture, dairy and tea, cocoa that are in demand and valued. African markets can be tapped as it imports majority of its food and has less entry barriers. Policy may focus on fruits like Banana and premium for NF produce.
Conclusion: Focusing on fruits & vegetables (F&V), dairy, lipids & adopting the low/ no “pesticide residue” standard etc. can boost Indian agri-exports
Integrated Control of Some Fungal Diseases Affecting Guava and Pomegranate from Farm to Fork in Egypt
No full textThese studies aim to identify a group of pathogens and design an integrated control program reducing the infection in Guava Psidium guajava and Pomegranate Punica granatum by cross inoculation method. Almost eight fungi were collected from governorate Ismaelia and Behera in 2020. Alternaria alternate, Fusarium spp, Phomopsis psidii, Macrophomina spp., Cercospora spp. Botrytis cineria and Pestalotia spp. were the most frequencies isolated fungi on all fruits. In the second season 2021 we treated trees with biocides, fungicides and fertilizer they gave significant differences between the treated treatments and control .The bluegreen algae bio treatment, showed the best results compared with both of RizoN and Plantagaurd treatments, the percentage of disease severity on the leaves was 13.4%, compared to the control45%, the best chemical treatment was Fungalpro, Topsin and Collise, where the disease severity was 0% in case of guava ,the same results obtained in pomegranate .At the end of the season, the best results were in the treatment with fungalpro which gave the least disease severity percentage on each of the leaves, branches and fruits in both guava and pomegranate .In the third season 2022 we applied integrated control program there were a significant decrease in pathogenic fungi in leaves, branches, flowers and ripe fruits, as the population at the end of the season for some fungi reached zero, such as Phomopsis sp. and Pestalotia sp. As Alternaria fungus, the results showed significant differences compared with the control, with regard to Guava, the percentage of disease severity in fruits was 8.75% and 9.75% in both Ismailia and South of Tahrir, respectively, compared to the control, which reached 85.5% and 88.5% in Ismailia and South of Tahrir, respectively. The results for pomegranate followed the same pattern