Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry
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Forage Potential of Alfalfa with Oats and Barley in Intercropping System
No full textProduction of cultivated pastures with high energy and protein levels remains a challenge during winter months for livestock. Field trials were conducted to investigate the effects of cropping systems using intercropping (alfalfa + oat and alfalfa + barley) and monocropping (alfalfa, oat and barley) on plant height, yield and quality characteristics. Furthermore, to study the competition experienced by legume and cereals when planted in a mixture. The field trial was carried out in a randomised complete block design with five treatments including sole oat, sole barley, sole alfalfa, alfalfa + oat intercropping and alfalfa + barley intercropping and three replicates. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the National University of Lesotho for two growing seasons (2015 and 2016). The results revealed that intercropping increased yields of forage crops in comparison to monocrops. Intercropping significantly increased protein levels and reduced fibre concentrations. In intercropping competition indices, land equivalent ratios indicated yield advantages for intercropping. Relative crowding coefficient and aggressivity values showed significant advantages of cereal over legume. So, the intercropping system was more productive than respective monocrops
Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatment on Seed Germination and Seedlings Growth Characteristics of Albizia procera
No full textThe objective of this study was to identify the most suitable pre-treatment method that will increase germination and enhance seedling growth of Albizia procera. The fresh seeds of A. procera were collected from five provenances viz., Bilaspur, Bastar, Korba, Raigarh and Sarguja of Chhattisgarh, India to study the germination and growth characteristics of A. procera after pre-sowing treatment. The experiment was carried out at Forestry Nursery (Department of Forestry, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidhyalaya, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India). Three pre-treatment methods were employed i.e., soaking in coldwater for 24 hrs at room temperature, in hot water (50°C), and Hormonal treatment IAA (25%). These all pre-treatments were undertaken separately and compared with control i.e. after each pre-treatment.The result show significant differences (P≤0.05) in germination percentage and seedling growth by pre-sowing treatments as compared to control across all the five provenances. The overall results confirm the stimulation in the aforementioned germination and growth characteristics of A. procera by hormonal treatment (IAA 25%) for raising elite nursery stock, and for successful plantation. Also, it was recorded that across all the provenances Bilaspur and Bastar provenance show better results for both germination and growth attributes than other provenances
Fruit and Seed Yields of Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai] Grafted onto Different Bottle Gourd (Lagenarai siceraria Molina Standl.) Rootstocks
No full textIn this study, the effect of rootstock on seed yield of watermelon was investigated. The watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai] cultivar Crimson Tide was grown three successive years by grafting onto Lagenaria type rootstocks to investigate rootstocks effects on seed yield. Skopje, Emphasis, 216 and FRG (hybrid) and Birecik (landraces) were used as rootstock and ungrafted Crimson Tide watermelon cultivar was used as the control. The study was conducted in research area of Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cukurova located in Cukurova region, Southern Turkey, where watermelon cultivation is conducted mostly under low tunnels for early production. Plants were grafted by hole insertion grafting method and grown under low tunnel conditions until the outdoor temperature was suitable (22-25ºC) for watermelon production. Fruit yield, seed number/kg fruit flesh, seed number per fruit and unit area were significantly affected by rootstocks and the grafted plants produced higher seed yield than the ungrafted control plants regardless of growing year. Rootstocks with vigorous root system caused increased seed yield by promoting plant growth, fruit number and fruit size in grafted watermelon
Constraints to Agricultural Productivity in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria
No full textThe aim of this research article was to evaluate the constraints to agricultural productivity in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP). This research was carried out between the months of January to December, 2011. There were five districts in Kainji Lake National Park in which three communities were selected from each district using simple randomised sampling technique. A total of 600 structured questionnaires were used for this study of which 40 copies were administered in each of the 15 villages sampled in the study area. The retrieved data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, stepwise multiple regression was also adopted to identify the contribution of agricultural constraints to the total food production in the study area. The results showed that the year class of 11-15 years had the highest duration of farmland cultivation of 35.8%, while the least farmland cultivation duration was class 20 years and above with 4.6% (Table 2). The size of randomly selected farmlands in the villages in all the districts revealed that the farm sizes less than 1 acre had the highest usage of 30.5%, while the farm sizes with the least usage was above 5 acres with 16.44% (Table 3). Maize and Guinea corn were the most commonly cultivated crop, while Millet and Vegetables were the least cultivated crops in the study area (Table 4). The regression analysis of the constraints indicated that high cost of human labour had the highest regression coefficient (R2 ) of 0.82, followed by the high cost of transportation with (R2) 0.80, inadequate extension services had (R2) of 0.78, lack of funds and credit facilities had 0.72 R2 value, lack of modern farming equipment had R2 value of 0.60. While poor marketing had the least R2 value of 0.58. There were high levels of agricultural constraint in Kainji Lake National Park with commensurate negative effect on the survival of the surrounding communities. Hence, it was recommended that, modern farming equipment should be provided at subsidised rates by the government to encourage agricultural productivity among the farmers in the study area. Government should also construct better roads to ease transportation and movement of farm produces to the market centres. An urgent intervention is required to improve the livelihood of these communities to avoid over-exploitation and adverse impacts on conservation and sustainable management of Kainji Lake National Park. 
Homestead Agroforestry Systems Practiced at Kamalganj Upazila of Moulvibazar District in Bangladesh
No full textThis study was conducted at Kamalganj Upazila of Moulvibazar District in Bangladesh during January to September 2015 to observe the diversity of plant species in the homestead area with their stratified arrangement to identify homestead agroforestry practices and their relationships with the selected properties of the respondents. Face to face interview was performed with 135 respondents to collect the data with the help of a questionnaire. Existing in the homestead area, the result demonstrated that a total of 29 different agroforestry practices and 6 different vertical layers were recorded in the homestead area. Out of different categories of plant species, 40 timber, 25 fruits and 23 medicinal and other plants were recorded. Total twenty-nine different Agroforestry combinations were recorded namely: 1. Ginger-Areca nut, 2. Coconut-Betel nut-French bean-Cabbage, 3. Areca nut-Mango-Banana-French bean, 4. Banana-Eucalyptus, 5. Areca nut-Country bean-Cauliflower, 6. Mango-Banana-Sweet gourd-Cauliflower, 7. Banana-Koroi-Brinjal-Papaya-Coconut, 8. Jackfruit-Chili, 9. Eucalyptus-Papaya-Chili, 10. Acasia-Country bean-Taro, 11. Jackfruit-Betel nut, 12. Turmeric-Eucalyptus, 13. Lemon-Coconut, 14. Tomato-Mehogoni, 15. Sugarcane-Papaya-Country bean-Areca nut, 16. Aquaculture-Mangium, 17. Aquaculture-Aasia hybrid, 18. Aquaculture- Koroi, 19. Aquaculture-Mango, 20. Aquaculture-Banana-Acasia(hybrid)-Blackberry, 21.Aquaculture-Koroi-Eucalyptus-Ber-Areca nut, 22. Aquaculture-Chalta-Bamboo, 23. Turmeric-Koroi, 24. Turmeric-Areca nut, 25. Areca nut-Betel leaf, 26. Coconut-Country bean, 27. French bean-Acasia hybrid, 28. Turmeric-Acasia hybrid, 29. Aquaculture-Acasia hybrid was found in the study area. Among the classes of agroforestry systems agrosilviculture was found most common (about 62%)
Analysis of Farm Risk and Coping Strategies among Maize Farmers in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria
No full textThis study assessed the farm risk and coping strategies among maize farmers in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 farmers from six maize producing communities out of the three districts in the Local Government Area for the study. Primary data were collected through the use of questionnaires and interview schedule and were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that the mean age of the maize farmers is 40 years with 69.0% of them being male and 72.5% married. The study also showed that 41.4% of the respondents had a secondary education with a mean farming experience of 9 years. The results also revealed that the mean annual income of respondents is one hundred and twenty-six thousand, forty-one naira (N126041). The study also revealed that majority of the farmers were risk averse (60.8). The logistic regression result showed that that age, sex, educational level and farm size had a positive and significant relationship with the adoption of farm risk coping strategies. The major risk coping strategies adopted by farmers in the study area include; fertilizer application, mixed farming, non-farm activities, irrigation etc
Analysis of Cooking Energy Preference among Households in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State
No full textThis study assessed cooking energy preference among households in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State Nigeria. The multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 households from six political wards of the Local Government Area for the study. Primary data were collected through the use of questionnaires and interview schedule and were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 40 years with 58.3% of them being male and 80.8% married. The study also showed that 42.5% of the respondents had a tertiary education with an average household size of 6 persons. The results also revealed that 50.8% of the respondents were businessmen/women. The mean monthly income of household heads in the study area stood at N26833. The major energy type used by the respondents was kerosene (48.3%) with many (49.1%) of them combining at least two cooking energy types in their households. The majority (50.6%) of household heads indicated a willingness to switch to higher energy types with an increase in income. The multinomial regression result showed that the most significant factors influencing the choice of cooking energy among the households were marital status, educational status, occupation, income, and energy cost
Assessment of Utilisation and Monetary Value of Non-Timber Forest Products in Kilombero District, Tanzania
No full textAims: To assess the utilisation and monetary values of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Nyanganje Forest Reserve, Kilombero District, Tanzania.
Study Design: Questionnaire survey was carried out in three villages namely Signali, Sagamaganga and Lungongole surrounding Nyanganje Forest Reserve.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Kilombero District, Tanzania between June and December 2017.
Methodology: Data were collected from three sample villages based on the fact that they all lie in the Eastern Arc Mountains and share the border with the Nyanganje Forest Reserve. Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) where qualitative and quantitative variables were analysed. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis whereby quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis.
Results: It was revealed that NTFPs is highly utilised in a study area. Firewood was mentioned to be the most utilised by 94% of the respondents, followed by poles (91%), wild fruits (86%), wild mushrooms (84%), wild vegetables (81%), bushmeat (77%), honey (59%) and lastly the medicinal plants (53%). In this study, it was further observed that NTFPs were often a vital source of foreign exchange and revenues in a study area. This was evidenced by the total income accrued from NTFPs activities in the Nyanganje Forest Reserve to worth TZS 45,505,300 annually which is equivalent to USD 18,172.
Conclusions: The Nyanganje Forest Reserve has valuable NTFPs, and if the Government needs to take any decision for alternative use of the forest reserve, the value of these NTFPs to the local communities should be taken into consideration
Morphological Variability of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Caesalpiniaceae) in Benin, West Africa
No full textAims: The present study aims to evaluate the morphological diversity of Detarium microcarpum populations in Benin for the conservation purpose.
Methodology: Twelve quantitative and two qualitative variables were used in the phenotypic diversity based on the phytodistrict and soils groups of 78 D. microcarpum trees sampled in six phytodistrict of Benin. In order to access the phenotypic variability of the trees, the morphological variables were subjected to ANOVA one-way. Hierarchical ascending classification was also performed to group D. microcarpum populations based on the degree of similarity.
Results: Results showed that the leaves and fruits of D. microcarpum trees were highly polymorphic. The phytodistrict and soil group significantly influence the variability of the morphological descriptors used. Three morphotypes were obtained from D. microcarpum population used, with an important inter-groups variability for the descriptors.
Conclusion: The phenotypic variability observed suggested a fairly large genetic diversity of Detarium microcarpum. Trees belonging to subpopulation I (trees from Bassila and North Borgou phytodistricts) had the best fruit characteristics and could be used for varietal selection in Benin
Effect of Fish Meal Replacement with Blood Meal on the Growth Response and Utilization of Hybrid (Clarias gariepinus ♀ X Heterobranchus bidosarlis ♂) Fingerlings
No full textThis study examined the replacement of fishmeal with bloodmeal (BM) in Practical diets of clariid catfish hybrid “Heteroclarias” (Clarias gariepinus ♀ x Heterobranchus longifilis ♂) fingerlings. Five diets containing varying levels were formulated. Diet 1, (10% BM); Diet 2, (15% BM); Diet 3, (20% BM); Diet 4 (25% BM) and Diet 5 (30% BM) as a replacement for fishmeal were fed to three replicate of Heteroclarias with an initial weight of 5.9±0.01 g. Diet 1, (10% BM) had the best growth rate and feed utilization (p<0.05) as it had the highest value of weight gain (1.60), feed intake (2.53), relative weight gain of 15.66 and Specific Growth Rate of 1.58. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the feed conversion ratio across all five treatments. Therefore, bloodmeal can replace fishmeal totally but will be best at 10% replacement level in diets of Heteroclarias without compromising the growth and carcass composition