Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry
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Growth and Yield Performance of Lactuca sativa L. Grown in Hydroponics using Fish Effluents and Inorganic Fertilizer
No full textAquaponics is an emerging sustainable food production technique where waste from fish culture is used as a source of nutrients for crops grown in hydroponics system. The present study was conducted at the Agriculture Research and Development Center, Sita Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka during November 2015 to January 2016, to compare the yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in hydroponics using fish effluents and inorganic fertilizer. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates. The different nutrient solutions used as the treatments of this experiment were water (T1), Albert’s solution (T2), Catla waste water (T3), Common Carp waste water (T4) and Tilapia waste water (T5). Each nutrient solution was tested for its nutrient composition, temperature, pH and electrical conductivity throughout the experimental period. The plant growth and yield parameters measured were plant height (cm), number of leaves, canopy diameter (cm), root length (cm), fresh weight of plant, leaves and roots (g), dry weight of leaves and roots (g) and, yield (ton/ha). The fish related parameters measured were body weight (g), initial and final stocking density (g/m3) and the mortality percentage. The results showed that T2 stood out (p<0.05) with the highest plant height (12.27cm), canopy diameter (14.80cm), number of leaves (12) and root length (15.04cm), exhibiting a vigorous growth compared to the other treatments. A remarkable yield and shoot and root weight (fresh and dry) were also shown by T2 over the other treatments. Fish waste water in T3, T4 and T5 did not fulfill the nutrient requirement of lettuce due to the limited nutrients; nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) produced by fingerlings. Therefore, these fish waste solutions need to be improved by increasing the feed quality and selecting fish within a suitable age range in order to obtain a yield comparable to T2, which is the commercially available Albert’s solution
Study on the Effect of Foliar Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of V108 Heat-Tolerant Cucumber Variety
No full textThis study evaluates the efficacy of various foliar fertilizers on the growth and yield of the heat-tolerant cucumber variety TV108. The experimental design included six different foliar fertilizers and a control, with applications made weekly at a concentration of 1 mL per liter of water. Results showed that all foliar treatments significantly enhanced plant height compared to the control. Among these, Treatment T4 (ATONIK foliar fertilizer) demonstrated the most pronounced effect, achieving a main stem height of 216.57 cm by the 70th day, which was significantly higher than other treatments and the control. Treatment T4 also excelled in increasing stem diameter, with a final measurement of 1.48 cm, and in promoting both male and female flower formation. The fruit set rate was highest in Treatment T4, reaching 28.67% on day 56 and maintaining at 8.67% by day 70. This treatment also proved most effective in reducing the incidence of key diseases and pests, including powdery mildew, white mold, green worms, and yellow beetles. Regarding yield, Treatment T4 produced the highest individual fruit yield (2.32 kg/plant), actual yield (33.8 tons/ha), and theoretical yield (84.91 tons/ha). Additionally, it enhanced fruit quality, as indicated by the largest fruit length (15.22 cm), diameter (4.13 cm), and the highest Brix value (3.50%). These results substantiate that Treatment T4 is the most effective foliar fertilizer for enhancing both growth and quality of heat-tolerant cucumbers under experimental conditions
Allelopathic Effects of Residues of Fimbristylis dichotoma Along with Manures and Fertilizers on the Weed Growth in Boro Rice
No full textCurrently, the rice-growing system seeks a biological solution to reduce the negative impacts of chemical herbicides because it is heavily reliant on these for weed control. This is where allelopathy comes in; it's a potential substitute for conventional weed management strategies in rice cultivation by making use of allelopathic plant residues. In the study we used Fimbristylis dichotoma residues with several organic sources of nutrient to measure the integrated effect of manures, fertilizers, and Fimbristylis dichotoma residues on weed growth in boro rice field. Two rice varieties viz., BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan89; and six treatments total viz., Control (T1), Residues @ 3 t ha-1 + Recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers (T2), Residues @ 3 t ha-1 + Tricho-compost @5 t ha-1 (T3), Residues @ 3 t ha-1 + Tricho-compost @1.5 t ha-1 + 25% less than recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers (T4), Residues @ 3 t ha-1 + Tricho-compost @2.5 t ha-1 + 50% less than recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers (T5) and Residues @ 3 t ha-1 + Tricho-compost @3.75 t ha-1 + 75% less than recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers (T6) were taken. In the experiment, at 25 DAT (days after transplanting), BRRI dhan89 had the highest weed density (35.0) when no residue was applied, and BRRI dhan29 had the lowest (18.00) when 3 t ha-1 F. dichotoma residue with Tricho-compost @ 1.5 t ha-1 + 25% less than recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers were applied. At 55 DAT, BRRI dhan89 had the highest weed density (19.66) when no residue was administered, and the lowest (10.66) when 3 t ha-1 F. dichotoma residue was applied along with Tricho-compost @ 1.5 t ha-1 + 25% less than recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers. When it came to dry weight, at 25 DAT, BRRI dhan89 had the highest weed dry weight (3.76 g) when no residue was applied, and BRRI dhan29 had the lowest (1.72 g) when 3 t ha-1 F. dichotoma residue with Tricho-compost @1.5 t ha-1 + 25% less than recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers were applied. At 55 DAT, BRRI dhan89 had the highest weed dry weight (2.29 g) when no residue was sprayed, and the lowest (1.46 g) when 3 t ha-1 F. dichotoma residue with Tricho-compost @ 1.5 t ha-1 + 25% less than recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers were applied. The study's findings suggest that applying F. dichotoma residue and incorporating Tricho-compost @ 1.5 t ha-1 + 25% less than the recommended amounts of inorganic fertilizers may be able to suppress the growth of weeds and could a package in biological weed control strategy
Pre-extension Popularization of Improved Dual Purpose Koekoek Chickens in Tahtay Maichew District Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia
No full textCentral zone of Tigray has potential and poultry stock. However, the productivity in terms of egg and meat is low since the majority of household depends on local chickens and rearing of their chickens through a traditional production practices. Then, the objectives of the pre-extension popularization of Koekoek breed was i) to popularize and evaluate the production performance the Koekoek breed chickens in the small holder Farmers and ii) To analyze farmers feedback towards this improved Koekoek chickens breed at smallholder farmers' management. T/maichew District, My-sie kebelle was selected based on the project financial support of Irish Aid Operational Research (OR) purposely. A total of 17 household heads willingly participated to adopt the Koekoek breeds. Data record sheet and semi-structured questionnaires were prepared to collect the required data. Then, using simple descriptive and Likert measurement level used to achieve result. The finding of the research shows that an annual average yield was found to be 204 eggs per year/ chicken. Similarly, the respondents agreed on that the chickens have well adapted, good growing ability, relatively resistance to diseases, have good scavenging ability, and productivity as well have medium eggs size and good egg and meat tasty of Koekoek chickens. The improved chickens’ breed (Koekoek) is better to be transferred to other mandate areas of Axum Agricultural Research Center. In addition, collaboration of stakeholders needs to be strengthening so that large scale demonstration community production system is going to be functional. Strengthen the human resource and institutional innovations are important point for dissemination of the improved poultry breeds to all beneficiaries of small holder farmers
Feasibility of Kelulut (Heterotrigona itama) Honey Bee Cultivation Businesse by Forest Farmers Group in Sotek Village, Penajam Subdistrict
No full textCommunities around the forest need a kelulut (Heterotrigona itama) honey bee business because it has many benefits, including producing healthy bee products, products with high economic value, and can be an alternative livelihood for the community, especially those around the forest. Cultivating honey bees in kelulut communities around the forest can contribute to the sustainability and improvement of forest ecosystem governance. This research aims to determine the cultivation of kelulut honey bees, the characteristics of breeders, and to analyze the feasibility of the kelulut honey bee business in Sotek Village, Penajam subdistrict, Penajam Paser Utara Regency. This research used a survey method of Kelulut honey beekeepers with a quantitative descriptive approach carried out in Sotek Village, Penajam subdistrict, Penajam Paser Utara Regency. from March to May 2024. The research stages are preparation, field observation, sample determination, data collection, data analysis, and reporting. The collection in this study used a saturated sampling method, namely all breeders who were still actively running the kelulut bee business and were members of 5 Forest Farmer Groups assisted by KPHP Bongan with a total of 27 members. The feasibility of farming is analyzed using the R/C ratio approach. The results of the research show that (1) kelulut honey bee cultivation technology includes stages of preparation of stup, nest media, colony transfer, production, and harvest; (2) characteristics of Kelulut beekeepers aged between 18 – 63 year, high school education level, 2 years of farming experience, and the number of kelulut honey stock cultivated is between 2 – 10 stups; (3) the production cost of Kelulut bee honey is IDR 484,029.11/month, the average income is IDR 3,660,555.56/month, the income received by Kelulut honey bee farmers is an average of IDR 3,283,820.87/month, and (4) the R/C Ratio value is 7.65, which shows that the Kelulut honey bee business is efficient and worth pursuing
Household Level Determinants of Wheat Packages Adoption in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia
No full textWheat has been considered as one of the strategic food security crops in Ethiopia. A number of research efforts have been done by different research institutions to improve the production and productivity of the crop and as a result a number of wheat production packages has been released and promoted all across the country, including Tigray. Yet, in Tigray, there is no adequate evidence on the adoption status of wheat packages and their determinant factors. Hence, this adoption study was initiated with the objective to analyze the status of wheat packages adoption, and determinant factors for further adoption. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 493 households from five wheat growing districts of the region. Data were collected through the administration of semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive statistics and Multivariate Probit (MVP) model. The descriptive results described that, the average wheat packages adoption status was 67%, of these only 17% of farmers adopted all five packages. The result of MVP model revealed that sex, age, livestock size, extension services, average plot distance, off-farm income source, farmer perception on his status and credit access were the determinant factors which facilitate/and/or hinder wheat packages adoption in Tigray. Thus, the policy and development interventions should focus on improving institutional support and wealth creation opportunities to improve production and productivity of wheat producer farmers in Tigray
Evaluating the Efficacy of Insecticide on the Management of Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci, Lindemann) in Northwestern Zone of Tigray
No full textEthiopia has enormous potential to produce the onions throughout the year both for domestic use and export market. It is also the most cultivated and high market value of vegetable crops in Tigray Northern Ethiopia. However, the productivity of onion is highly constrained such as insect pests, diseases, lack of improved verities, lack of improved management practices etc. The major insect pest of onion is Onion thrips and important pests especially in areas where onions are grown under irrigation. The purpose of this study was to test the insecticide chemicals application and application frequency on the Onion production technologies. Therefore, field experiment was conducted to evaluate the insecticide chemical applications with frequency application in 2017 and 2018 under irrigation conditions. Thirteen treatments were used three different insecticide types namely Karatae 5% EC, Dimethote 40%EC, Profit72%EC with four different spraying frequency and untreated (control) laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The current findings showed that the profitable yield was obtained Karatae 5% EC (1st spray) (14.25 t ha-1) followed by Profit72%EC (4th spray) that is (20.25 t ha-1) and the obtained profit was 128053 &181788 birr per ha with the maximum Marginal Rate of Return of 3025 & 2417% respectively in Tselemti woreda. In Medebaayzana woreda also, the profitable yield was obtained Karatae 5% EC (1st spray) (25.79 t ha-1) followed by Karatae 5% EC (4st spray) at (27.75 t ha-1) & Dimethote 40% EC (3rd spray) at (25.78 t ha-1) and 231976, 249463 & 231544 birr per ha obtained profit with the maximum Marginal Rate of Return of 2634, 2395 & 2311 % respectively. Therefore, Karatae 5% EC (1st spray) in Tselemti & Medebayzana woreda & Profit72%EC (4th spray) in Tselemti woreda and Dimethote 40% EC (3rd spray) in Medebayzana woreda was profitable preventive Onion Thrips for Onion production in the studies area
Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics in the Highlands of Northern Ethiopia
No full textIn the highlands of northern Ethiopia, many land use and land cover changes (LULCC) have occurred during different activities of the populations. Despite its coverage and unwise use of natural resources, these land uses and land covers are facing increasing or decreasing their area coverage. Information derived from land use and land cover change detection is important to land conservation, sustainable development, and management of Natural resources. This purpose of this study is therefore concerned with identifying the change in land use and land cover detection of the Wejic watershed. To identify land cover changes detection; remote sensing data, satellite imagery and image processing techniques had done within two dates of 1998 and 2017 using Land sat TM 30 m resolution images using Arc GIS 10.1. Hence, a field survey was carried out in 2017 to identify the major land cover types in the watershed. Detection Analysis of land use and land cover dynamics were calculated from the selected watershed in Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. These land use types were cultivated, forest, bush, shrub, and homestead lands. Furthermore, a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was developed for both years. The land use and land cover change results indicated that forest, cultivated land, and bush land decreased by 4.4%, 2.2%, and 2.4%, respectively. However, shrub land and homestead increased by 5.5% and 3.6%, respectively. Therefore The change detection analysis using GIS and remote sensing could deliver useful information to understand the seasonal patterns of land use dynamics for planners and decision makers; consequently, sustainable land management planning is possible
Optimizing Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels for Enhanced Cabbage Growth in Yobe's Semi-Arid Region
No full textThis study investigated the effects of irrigation schedules and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on the growth and productivity of cabbage in Damaturu, Yobe State. Using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a 3x5 factorial arrangement with three replications, we tested three irrigation intervals “3, 6, and 9 days” and five nitrogen fertilizer levels “0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha⁻¹” on an improved cabbage variety (Datdiku-5m). Results indicated cabbage growth positively responded to optimal irrigation intervals and increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates. The combination of 6-day irrigation intervals and 100 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen fertilizer resulted in impressive outcomes: a tallest head height of 18.92 cm, the largest head diameter of 16.95 cm, maximum plant height of 24.92 cm, the largest plant spread of 37.12 cm, a maximum marketable yield of 63.5 t/ha, and the highest total yield of 71.52 t/ha (Table 3). This combination ensures an adequate supply of water and nutrients, promoting robust growth and significant yield in semi-arid region. In contrast, lower irrigation intervals (9 days) and reduced nitrogen levels (0-50 kg ha⁻¹) led to stunted growth and lower productivity metrics, illustrating the critical role of proper water and nutrient management in achieving optimal cabbage yields. Therefore, adopting a 6-day irrigation schedule and applying 100 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen fertilizer may effectively increase cabbage yield. Future research should explore different nitrogen fertilizer rates and the combined effects of various nutrients with different irrigation intervals to further assess their impact
Ecological Study and Phytochemical Analysis of Ageratum conyzoides in Three Selected States of South-East Nigeria
No full textAgeratum conyzoides is an annual herbaceous plant of American origin with a pantropical distribution. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. It owns a reputed history of indigenous remedial uses, including as a wound dressing, an antimicrobial, and mouthwash as well as in treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases, etc. The plant has unique biological attributes and a raft of miscellaneous chemical compounds that render it a pharmacologically important herb. Ageratum conyzoides was gotten from three different states namely: Anambra, Enugu, and Imo state. They were air dried for seven days and taken to the laboratory for proper phytochemical screening. Ecological study on Ageratum conyzoides was also carried out. When the test for phytochemical constituent was carried out, the result of preliminary phytochemical analysis of Ageratum conyzoides showed that saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, anthraquinones, and phenol were present in the three states while steroids, proteins, oil and resin, and reducing sugar were absent in the three states. The result for the ecological study of A. conyzoides in the three states showed that A. conyzoides has the highest species diversity, followed by Enugu, and then Imo state. The mean value of the species diversity is 2.09. The analysis of variance from the photochemical screening showed a significant difference in the percentage quantitative phytochemical composition between states and between extracts (p<0.05), while the species diversities are not significantly different from one another which show the homogeneity of the three states