Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
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Quantification of Pesticide Residues in Retail Samples of Cowpea - Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp
No full textQuantification of pesticide residues in retail samples of food is one way to determine the level of human exposure to these chemicals and hence their potential health hazards. The study was aimed at quantifying the level of some known pesticides in retail samples of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Cowpea) from two cropping seasons. Five cultivars of cowpea from two different harvest seasons (2016/2017 and 2017/2018) were purchased from Ogige Market, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. The cowpeas were identified based on city/state where they were cultivated. Two foreign samples were also purchased from London, UK. The pesticide residues were determined using gas chromatography coupled with electron capturing detector (GC-ECD). The results showed that the retail samples of cowpea contained residues of one or more organochlorines and organophosphates. The levels of post-harvest pesticides, 2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) in 2016/17 season (0.02 μg/g) exceeded the international permissible standards (0.01 μg/g). The levels of the pre-harvest pesticides, glyphosate was low in both seasons (0.01 μg/g) when compared to the international permissible standards (0.1 μg/g). The DDVP was not detected in the two foreign samples. HCB (Hexachlorobenzene), α-HCH (alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexane), Chlorpyrifos, g-chlordane, t-nonachlor, p-p’-DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), p-p’-DDE (Dichlorodiphenyldichlo-rowthylene), and p-p’-DDD (Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane) were detected in the cowpea from two cropping seasons despite being banned from agricultural use. This could be due to the additional application of pesticides during storage of the cowpeas. The findings concludes that the levels of some of the residues exceeded the safety limits while some were below the safety limits, suggesting that some of samples of the cowpea were not safe for human consumption as bioaccumulation, persistence, and toxicity of these residues was likely to pose serious health risks to the consumers. Generally, cowpea from the 2016/17 season contained higher pesticide residues than those from the 2017/18 season
Combined Effect of Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizer on Yield and Yield Contributing Characters of Tomato Plant
No full textTo evaluate the combined effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer a field experiment was conducted on tomato for yield and yield contributing character of fruits using vermicompost and different types of inorganic fertilizers at the farms of Ishurdi Sub-station of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear agriculture (BINA) during Rabi season, 2020. One variety (Binatomato-11) and ten different treatments T1 = control (no fertilizer), T2 = 100% CF (Chemical Fertilizer), T3 = 70% CF, T4 = 70% CF + 1 t ha-1 VC (Vermicompost), T5 = 70% CF + 2 t ha-1 VC, T6 = 70% CF + 3 t ha-1 VC, T7 = 85% CF, T8 = 85% CF+ 1 t ha-1 VC, T9 = 85% CF+ 2 t ha-1 VC and T10 = 85% CF + 3 t ha-1 VC were used as experimental materials. The field trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that plant height (120.67 cm), number of fruits/plant (53.33), single fruit weight (95 gm), fruit yield (63.33 t/ha), number of fruit picking (5 times) were higher in T5 (70% Chemical fertilizers + 2t ha-1 VC) than control and other treatments. No significant difference was observed in days to 1st flowering response to the treatments. The study revealed that combined effect of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers affected tomato plant significantly
Influence of N:P:K Ratios in Soils on Growth, Nutrient Availability and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)
No full textThis study was undertaken in two distinct ecological zones of Edo state of Nigeria to determine the effects of N:P:K ratios applied to the soils on the availability of N, P, K and on yield of maize. The sites used were Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) Iyanomo (Rain forest) and the Teaching and Research Farms of Ambrose Alli University, Emaudo, Ekpoma (derived savanna). Soils from both sites were analyzed for both physical and chemical properties before the commencement of the experiments. The experiments were carried out as: Pot and Field experiments. Each of the experiments had ten treatments (adjusted ratios) that were fitted into randomized complete block design and replicated three times, with maize as the test crop. Results from pot experiment in the screen house revealed that N:P:K ratio 4:1:1 had the highest dry matter yield for both locations, (RRIN; 7.10 g/pot and Emaudo; 6.33 g/pot) but these values were not significantly different (P < 0.05) from what were obtained from N:P:K ratio 3:1:1 and 2:1:1, respectively. The N:P:K ratio in soil had influence on the availability of N,P and K. Under field conditions, N:P:K ratio 3:1:1 had the highest grain yield for both locations (RRIN; 5.54 ton/ha and Emaudo; 5.25 ton/ha). The N:P:K ratio 3:1:1 was the best ratio with the highest yield for both locations and is therefore suggested for these soils
Isolation, Morphological and Biochemical Characterization of Rhizobacteria from Arsenic Contaminated Paddy Soils in Bangladesh: An In vitro Study
No full textSoil-plant–microbes relations within the plant rhizosphere are the determinants of plant and soil health, which is important for soil ecological environment for plant-microbe interactions. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are considered to encourage plant growth and development directly or indirectly in soil. PGPR can demonstrate a diversity of characteristics responsible .for influencing plant growth and development. During this study, Twenty four different bacterial isolates were isolated, and detailed morphological, biochemical, and physiological characterizations of those isolates were accomplished. This experiment was performed with the 24 bacterial isolates to see their gram stain test, KOH test, catalase activity, cellulose degradation capability, in dole acetic acid (IAA) production, and phosphate solubilization activities, and also tested for growth within the different arsenic and salt stress conditions and 37°C temperature. Results revealed that among the rhizobacterial isolates, fifteen bacterial isolates were negative and nine was positive in gram reaction, while some were showed high IAA production ability, phosphate solubility capability, and cellulose degradation capacity within the culture media. The isolates were isolated from paddy soils and a few were characterized by a yellow color, flat elevation, and gram-positive, while some were characterized because of the yellowish color with round colony shape, raised elevation, gram-negative, and every one the isolates were positive in catalase production capacity and phosphate solubilization activity which is able to increase the available phosphorus within the soil for plants and also produced indole acetic acid that may use as a hormone to be used in growth enhancement of plants. Hence, these isolates need to be tested further for their effect on arsenic dynamics at the plant rhizosphere, selection of suitable plant species for the bacterial association, bacterial effect on arsenic uptake by plants, and potentials for field applications for sustainable agriculture
Genetic Divergence in Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Genotypes under Contrasting Moisture Environments
No full textSorghum is one of the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia which is grown most dominantly in the low land area where drought predominates. In this area farmer’s preference to improved sorghum variety is dependent on earliness and drought tolerance traits. The objective of the study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of early maturing sorghum genotypes for drought tolerance by using principal component and cluster analysis. Twenty three early maturing sorghum genotypes were phenotyped under post-flowering moisture stressed and non-stressed environment using RCBD design in adjacent experiment. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among genotypes for most of the traits for both moisture environments. Post-flowering drought reduce the value for all of the traits except flag leaf area and average grain yield was reduced by 21%. Five genetically divergent clusters which showed significant inter cluster distance were observed in both environments. Genotypes in cluster one showed best performance for grain yield and yield components under non-stress environment. Under stressed environment, genotypes under C1, and C2 revealed best performance for drought tolerance and yield traits, respectively. Therefore, the performance of genotypes under these clusters and different clustering pattern observed depicts the divergence of genotypes for drought response which creates opportunity for further improvement through selection and hybridization. Principal component analysis revealed five and seven PC captured 80% and 87% of total variation observed under stressed and non-stressed environment, respectively
Phosphorus Sorption in Soils Overlying Basement Complex Rock, Alluvium, Coastal Plain Sand and Imo Shale Parent Materials
No full textThis study aimed at evaluating phosphorus (P) sorption capacities in Soils overlying basement complex Rock (A), Alluvium (B), coastal plain sand (C) and Imo shale (C) parent materials.
Completely randomized design was used to collect soil samples from 5 depths in 3 replications from Idanre, Koko, NIFOR and Uhomora in Nigeria.
Samples collected were analyzed in the central analytical laboratory of the Nigerian Institute for Oil palm Research, Benin City, Nigeria between march 2016 and September 2017.
60 soil samples were equilibrated in 25 ml of 0.01 M CaCl2 containing various concentration of P as KH2PO4 to give 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L P for 24 hours (h) at room temperature 25 ± 2 oC. Genstat statistical package was used to calculate Analysis of variance, correlation of Phosphorus sorption index (PSI) with soil properties, coefficient of variation, means separation and Least Significant difference (LSD).
The rate and %P adsorption increased with increasing concentration of P added to the soils. The P sorption capacities of the soils considering Freundlich model decreased in the order of D > B > C >A. %P adsorbed was highest in D soils with value of 15.19% for 100 mg/kg P added. The PSI correlated with organic carbon r = -0.58 P ≤ .05 in C soils, r = 0.44 P ≤ .05 in D soils, it also correlated with N r = -0.58 P ≤ .05 in C Soils, K r = 0.57 P ≤ .05, r = 0.49 P ≤ .05 in C and D soils respectively.
D soils sorbed more P than other soils hence the D soils will require more P fertilization to attain optimum P concentration in soil solution, however further study is required to determine the form of P sorbed by these parent materials
Participatory Evaluation and Yield Determination of Climate-smart Brachiaria Grasses for Improving Livestock Production among the Farmers in Embu and Meru Counties
No full textAims: To introduce brachiaria grasses in Meru and Embu Counties to increase the range of fodder/forage varieties available to smallholders through the use of climate-smart brachiaria grasses for increased income. The project also aimed at identifying the best brachiaria varieties suitable for the target Agro-Ecological ones through evaluation by the farmers and yield assessment.
Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Embu and Meru Counties during the short rains of 2015.
Methodology: Three varieties of brachiaria were introduced in the short rains of 2015 in KALRO Embu, Geeto Igoji in Meru, and Embu County. These were Brachiaria decumbense -Cultivar Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar BRS Piata and Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo. Plots of 5x5m were planted and replicated three times using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to increase the range of fodder/forage varieties available to smallholder and assess the yield and acceptability of the different brachiaria grasses varieties. The three varieties were planted in the mega demonstration sites. The grass performance was analyzed through pairwise ranking and the grass with the best attributes was selected. Yield data was also collected.
Results: After ranking, the results indicated that the rate of growth and the amount of biomass as the most important attributes followed by the animals\u27 response after feeding and the rate of rejuvenation after harvesting respectively. Using the attributes, the group members concluded that Brachiaria decumbense- Cultivar basilisk was the best followed by brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar piata and finally brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo.
Conclusion: In conclusion, based on the attributes, the best brachiaria varieties for use in Embu and Meru Countries are Brachiaria decumbense –Cultivar Basilisk and Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo. Based on yield, Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Toledo is the best in Embu County while Brachiaria brizantha- Cultivar Basilisk is the best in Meru County
Response of Zucchini Plants to Nano and Organic Fertilizers Application Grown in Sandy Soil
No full textNanotechnology and organic fertilization are represented the most important tools for agriculture and anticipated to become a driving economic force in the near future. Two field experiments were carried out on sandy soil at El Ismailia Research Station, Agriculture Research Center Egypt, to study the effects of application of nitrogen fertilizer, as black urea, Nano black urea and organic fertilizer FMY, nutrients and productivity of Cucurbita pepo L. Two rates of FMY at 50 and 100 m3 ha-1 was applied to the soil with soil application of black urea and Nano black urea) with applied both as foliar application on plants. A split-plot design with four replications for each treatment was used, during the two summer seasons of 2019 and 2020. Results obtained showed that yield components of plants increased with applied Nano black urea and black urea accompanied with application both rates of FMY. The Nano black urea accompanied with FMY applied at a rate of 100 m3 ha-1 give the highest yield values. However, effective treatment was foliar Nano black urea application with a rate of 0.5 ppm with organic fertilizer FMY at rate of 100 m3 ha-1 and gave the highest significant values of fruits yield (300, 327, 342, 356 and 373 g plant-1 for five times picked, respectively. On the other hands, in foliar application, fruits weight yield was higher than the first cut. Nutrients contents showed almost a trend as all parameters under study the superior treatment was at Nano black urea foliar application a rate of 0.5 ppm with 100 m3 ha-1 of FMY with high availability of nutrients at the studied soil
Zinc Effects Yield of Mustard (Brassica campestris L.) Under Zero Tillage
No full textZero or no tillage (ZT) mustard (Brassica campestris L.) cultivation is being increased and popularized these days in Bangladesh. But micronutrient management specially Zinc (Zn) with recommended dose of NPKSB fertilizers are poorly practiced in this type of cultivation. Micro nutrient deficiency is an emerging problem due continuous usage of soil resources (ground water, intensive cultivation etc.). Thus, to sustain and adopt the potential yield of modern mustard varieties all types fertilization is must. Basing on this problem an investigation was employed at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Sub-station, farm, Ishurdi, Pabna to find out definite dose of zinc application under zero tillage mustard cultivation for maximizing seed yield. The study was laid in a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Two modern varieties viz. Binasarisha-10 (V1) and BARI Sarisha-14 (V2) were tested with six level of Zn doses viz. 0.0 kg ha-1 (T1), 1.5 kg ha-1 (T2), 3.0 kg ha-1 (T3), 4.5 kg ha-1 (T4), 6.0 kg ha-1 (T5) and 7.5 kg ha-1 (T6). Seed were line broadcasted after harvesting T. aman rice during Rabi 2020 season. Data on yield parameters were collected after final harvesting and analyzed by Statistix 10. Results divulge that maximum straw and seed yield was attained with treatment combinations V1T4 (3.63 t ha-1) and V2T4 (2.24 t ha-1) with V2T3 (2.18 t ha-1). Whereas, the minimum was obtained from V2T5 (2.51 t ha-1) and V1T1 (0.99 t ha-1) along with V2T1 (1.01 t ha-1). Hence, soil application of Zn between 3 kg ha-1 to 4.5 kg ha-1 may give satisfactory yield for ZT farming
Nutrient use Efficiency in Calcareous Soil Amended by the Silicate, Humate and Compost
No full textAims: A study was carried out in the field aims to study the response of a calcareous soil cultivated by soybean to the application of K-silicate (K-Si), K-humate (K-H), and compost at application rates 50% and 100% of the recommended dose.
Study Design: Complete randomized block design with three replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: At El-Nubaryia Agricultural Research Station (latitude of 30° 30°N longitude of 30° 20°E) Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Nubaryia, Egypt (Summer seasons of 2018 and 2019).
Methodology: Compost was mixed with surface soil a week before cultivation at application rates 3.75 and 7.5 kg plot-1 (3.91 and 7.81 t ha-1, respectively). Powder K-H was spread on soil at application rates 7.5 and 15 g plot-1 while aqueous solutions of K-Si; 8 and 16 mL L-1 for plot was sprayed on soil 30, 60, and 90 days after cultivation.
Results: Results showed that soil moisture(SM, %) was increased by the 100% application rate in the order compost (20.6%) > K-Si (19.3%) > K-H (19.1%). A significant increase was found in the seed yield (kg ha-1) by 129.5%, 84.8% and 70.6% by compost, K-H and K-Si, respectively. Compost at 100% application rate showed the most significant increase in the available nitrogen N (mg kg-1) in soil by 104.4% followed by K-H (by 81.8%) then K-Si by 23.4%. Compost also showed the most significant increase in the N uptake from soil (kg ha-1 soil) by seeds and straw followed by K-H then K-Si. The nutrient use efficiency (NUE, %) and agronomic efficiency (AE) values decreased in the order K-H > K-Si > compost at 50% and 100% application rates.
Conclusion: The quite smaller dose and ease of field application by spraying may make the K-H more agronomically efficient than K-Si and compost