Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry
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Selection of Weeding Method and Plant Density in Maize (Zea mays L.) Based on Morphological and Physiological Characteristics
No full textAims: Maize is annual plant of the Poaceae, which, with a relatively short growth period and high yield, is ranked second in the world in terms of production after wheat. Choosing the most suitable different planting densities and weeding methods can have a favorable effect on increasing the yield of corn plants.
Study Design: To investigate the traits and choose the most appropriate planting density and weeding method in maize (Zea mays L.) using graphic methods, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted in three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Shahre-Rey region in 2020-2021.
Methodology: The hybrid cultivated in the SC647 experiment was selected. Each test plot included four cultivation lines with a width of 75 cm and a length of 4 meters. The experimental land was fallow the year before maize cultivation, which was prepared by spring plowing and disk operations.
Results: Based on the analysis of variance, the effect of planting density in all traits except the thousand seed weight trait and the effect of weeding stages in all traits except the trait number of rows in the cob showed a significant difference at the probability level of 0.01. Based on the means comparison of D3W3, D1W3 and D3W2 were selected as suitable treatments. Based on the correlation intensity map between the traits, the highest correlation intensity was estimated for the ear length trait with the plant height and the grain yield trait with the harvest index. The grouping diagram of the treatments formed four groups based on the first and second main components that justified 50.45% of the total variance of the data. Based on the polygon graph, treatments D2W3, D1W3, D3W2, D3W3, D1W1 and D1W2 were identified as the best treatments. Based on the cluster analysis diagram and heat map drawn on the experiment data, the treatments were divided into two main groups.
Conclusion: In general, by reviewing all the analyzes performed on the experiment data, D3W3 (density of 85,000 plants per hectare and no weeding) and D3W2 (density of 85,000 plants and two stages of weeding 4 to 8 weeks after planting) can be used for maize cultivation
Navigating the Realm of Product Promotion for Local Chocolates
No full textThe Philippines is starting to have strong gains in the chocolate confectionery with the steady increase in demand for local chocolates. A study was conducted to determine the promotional media preference and strategies for creating awareness of the local chocolate developed by the university and identify the barriers in the promotion and marketing sphere. A total of 65 respondents were randomly chosen and a structured questionnaire and focused group discussion was undertaken to gather data from the field. Results of the study showed that various marketing technologies and product promotions are preferred for introducing the chocolate developed by the university. Consumers had outgrown their desire to buy chocolates in the traditional market outlet of souvenir shops and utilization of innovative social media marketing is highly predominant. Likewise, inclination in the use of digital platforms has been established and widely employed resulting to the dwindling utilization of traditional media. Towards this end, it is crucial to identify future activities that will make use of digital technology to push and promote the local chocolate to increase its competitiveness, continuous trainings must be provided to entrepreneurs on online marketing strategies, provision of financial support must be continued for upscaling the product and consumer-centered research must be continuously conducted to address the diverse needs of the consumers when new products are introduced in the market
Influence of Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid on Growth and Fruit Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L)
No full textThe present study determined the effect of foliar application rate of salicylic acid on growth and fruit yield of cucumber varieties with the aim of evaluating the effect of foliar application rate of salicylic acid on growth and fruit yield of cucumber varieties. The study was conducted at Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Teaching and Research Farm between April and May, 2022. The experimental design was 2 x 3 factorial arrangements. The treatments consist of two cucumber varieties: Seminis and Olive Bold with three levels of salicylic acid (0, 50 and 100 ppm) application. Seeds of cucumber were sowed at 2 seeds per hole at 50 cm apart of intra and inter rows. Salicylic acid at 0 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm were applied to the plant foliage at 3 and 5 weeks after sowing (WAS). Data were collected on growth parameters, number of fruit, fruit length, diameter and yield. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using statistical analysis system (SAS, 2003) version 9.1 while means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference at 0.01 and 0.05 probability.
The results showed that foliar application rate of salicylic acid at 100 ppm resulted in longest (P < 0.05) vine length (109.27 cm), tendril length (18.50 cm), cucumber yield (9.89 kg/ha) and number of leaf (14.34) compared with 50 ppm and 0 ppm (control). The control gave the poorest cucumber yield (6.23 kg/ha). The study concluded that foliar application of salicylic acid could be used to achieve effective growth and better fruit yield of cucumber
Economic Benefits of Onigambari Forest Reserves on the Host Communities
No full textA multistage sampling was adopted in which purposive sampling was used to identify communities where government and non-governmental organization have their presence and the benefits they attract to these communities. Further, a stratified random sampling was used to administer 25 questionnaires in chosen four communities in each of the two axes of the forest reserve making a total of 8 communities and a grand total of 200 questionnaires. The benefits derived from the forest reserve are many, which include land for farming within the open spaces of the forest, logging, fuel wood extraction, medicinal herbs and shrub extractions, hunting and bush meat sales. It was recommended that young people should take advantage of the enormous opportunities around this forest reserve to get for themselves gainful business and employment opportunities. Government should also provide infrastructural facilities and amenities to the rural communities to make living there convenience for the people
Identification of Refugia Plants in Vegetable Crops in Agam, West Sumatera, Indonesia
No full textAims: The study aimed to identify the refugia plants in vegetable crops in Agam regency, West Sumatera, Indonesia.
Study Design: Purposive random sampling.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in vegetable plantations in Agam regency, West Sumatera and Laboratory of Weeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia from May to October 2023.
Methodology: Purposive random sampling was use as method in the study. Three districts were chosen as sampling locations (Ampek Angkek, Banuhampu and Sungai Pua). In each district, two Nagari (Sub-district) were chosen to determine vegetable plantations. In each Nagari, two widest area of crop plantation were chosen as locations. The refugia plants were collected and brought to Laboratory to identify. The identification was conducted in Laboratory of Weed, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University.
Results: 12 refugia plants were found in vegetable crops in Agam regency, Tagetes spp., Cosmos spp., Catharanthus roseus, Melastoma malabathricum, Brassica oleracea, Melampodium spp., Helianthus annuus, Coleus scutellarioides, Momordica charantia, Tagetes spp., Ipomoea spp. dan Tagetes erecta.
Conclusion: There is various refugia plants in vegetable crops in Agam regency
The Predictive Validity of Theory of Planned Behaviour to Understand Performance of Agroforestry in Punjab, Pakistan
No full textAgroforestry remained instrumental in ensuring food security, ameliorate environment and support livelihood across the globe particularly the developing countries. Present research made use of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to understand performance of agroforestry in Southern Punjab. A total of 130 randomly selected respondents belonging to two groups; farmers practicing Agroforestry (AF) and Non-Agroforestry farmers (NAF) were interviewed to explore their attitudes, Subjective Norms (SN) and Perceived behavioral Control (PBC) to form intention to grow trees along with agricultural crops on their farms. Results revealed that constructs of TPB explained AF showed positive attitudes underpinning beliefs, value opinions of salient referents and feel more ease in planting trees than those of NAF thereby forming positive intention to adopt agroforestry. It is concluded that application of this model would be helpful in the promotion of agroforestry in the region
Preparation and Characterisation of Modified Biochar from Vitex Doniana (Black Plum) Seeds Using Chemical and Thermal Treatments
No full textAgricultural wastes from plant have continued to be a huge contributor to the global biomass generation and their utilization for biochar is growing. The goal of this research was to produce and characterize modified biochar of Vitex doniana (Black plum) seeds using chemical and thermal treatments. To achieve this, the vitex seed was carbonized for 2 hours at 400°C in a pyrolysis reactor. The resulting char was then impregnated for 24 hours with Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as chemical activating agents before being thermally activated at 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, and 700°C respectively. The purpose of the characterization was to see how the activators and activation temperature affected the adsorbents generated. The quality of absorbents produced was affected by the treatment of char with chemical agents and the activation temperature, according to the results. The samples had distinct functional groups on the surface, according to FTIR analysis, and SEM analysis via microscopy revealed the presence of pores on the surface. Iodine absorption testing reveals that materials activated with KOH had a higher absorption value, peaking at 950mg/g for KOH treated and 600°C activation temperature. The pore diameters and pore volume of KOH samples were determined using BET analysis. The results demonstrate that KOH activated at 600°C has larger pores and a higher pore volume, implying that KOH at 600°C has a higher adsorption capacity. The char sample was also subjected to TGA analysis in order to better understand its behavior in temperature settings
Assessment of Timber Harvest in Ondo State, Nigeria between 2013 and 2019
No full textThe high rate of timber harvest from the forest without any replacement is hostile to the achievement of the objectives of sustainable forest management in Nigeria. The study was carried out to investigate the rate of timber harvest in Ondo state, Nigeria. Secondary data on logging activities from both forest reserves and free areas between 2013 and 2019 in the three forestry administrative zones - Akure, Ore, and Okitipupa were collected from the Ondo state department of forestry official records, files and annual reports. Analyses were carried out using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test for significant difference in the number of stems and volumes extracted between 2013 and 2019 in the study area. Results revealed that 49,063 and 8409 stems were harvested from free areas and reserves respectively within this period. It was showed that 118323.0m3 and 19022.1m3 stem volume were also removed from free areas and forest reserves respectively. Generally, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the number of stems and volumes removed from free areas and forest reserves within these years. The study concluded that unregulated timber harvest is a threat to biodiversity conservation and recommended that conservative measures should be put in place to protect forest areas from deforestation and that more protected area should be established
Effects of Simulated Nitrogen Deposition on Soil Microbial Community Structure in Temperate Forest Based on PLFA Method
No full textSoil microorganisms play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. However, previous studies on the effects of nitrogen deposition on microorganisms have primarily focused on nitrogen-sensitive tropical forest ecosystems. This study focused on soil in a temperate Korean pine plantation and conducted a field simulated nitrogen deposition experiment. The effects of different nitrogen application rates on the microbial community structure were analyzed using the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) method. The experiment included four nitrogen application rates: control (CK: 0 kg N ha−1 yr−1), low nitrogen treatment (LN: 20 kg N ha−1 yr−1), medium nitrogen treatment (MN: 40 kg N ha−1 yr−1), and high nitrogen treatment (HN: 80 kg N ha−1 yr−1). After seven years of continuous application of ammonium nitrate solution, the soil microbial community structure was determined using the PLFA method. The results showed that all nitrogen application rates significantly reduced the PLFA concentration of fungi and AM fungi (P < 0.05), while bacterial biomass significantly decreased in the high nitrogen treatment group. The biomass of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria (G-), and actinomycetes also significantly decreased in the HN treatment group. Furthermore, long-term application of high nitrogen concentration (80 kg N ha−1 yr−1) significantly reduced soil microbial biomass and changed the fungal to bacterial ratio, thus affecting the soil microbial community structure. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of soil microbial and soil chemical properties found that the long-term simulated nitrogen deposition experiment affected the soil microbial community structure by changing the content of soil N, P elements, and soil pH values. In summary, long-term simulated N deposition can negatively affect soil microbial biomass and its community structure, and the main reason for this analysis is related to long-term N application leading to soil acidification and changes in the conversion of soil N and P elements
Assessment of Bees’ Diversity within Ngel-Nyaki Forest Reserve at Taraba State, Nigeria
No full textA field survey was conducted in Ngel-Nyaki Forest Reserve to assess the diversity of bees within the Reserve. Two methods of sampling techniques were used to sample bee species, opportunistic sampling and systematic sweep netting. Opportunistic sampling method was applied by sweep netting bees along 100 m plot where flowering plants were blooming. Collection was conducted by a single collector using an active search by walking randomly around the plot observing flowering plants and searching for bees foraging on the flowers then a sweep net was used for capturing bees. Sweep netting was conducted, line transect established within the plots for two hours, from 6:00am to 11:00am spending 20 minutes in each plot considering when the weather is conducive for bees’ activity. This was done using entomological sweep net. Bees captured were killed in a killing bottle containing 70% ethanol. Specimens were pinned on a board and unique codes were assigned to each species before identification. Bees were identified to species level by using published systematic keys, Bees field guide and use of online materials. All data were computed using Microsoft® Excel® 2016 and percentage abundance composition of bees were calculated.575 bees spreading across 3 families and 12 species were sampled. The most abundant species was the honey bee (Apismellifera) (245; 42.53%),followed by memic bee (Megachile sp.)(89;15.45%),and the least was leafcutter bee(Osmiasp.) (2;0.35%). In terms of diversity by species, Shannon Diversity Index (H) and Shannon Equitability Index (EH) were 1.694893 and 0.736083respectively while diversity by plots using Shannon Diversity Index (H) and Shannon Equitability Index (EH) were 1.750688 and 0.977078 respectively. This study therefore, brings to the fore the diversity of bees within Ngel-Nyaki Forest Reserve and underline the need for sustainable actions to be taken to conserve beneficial rare species while managing the abundant ones