Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International
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The Influence of Container and Frigo Planting Material on the Vegetative Growth and Fertility of the Variety Clery
No full textThe quality of planting material plays a decisive role in the profitability of strawberry production. Of all categories of seedlings in commercial strawberry plantations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, frigo seedlings predominate. The goal of the research is to obtain relevant data on the reaction to external environmental conditions, vegetative growth, and reproductive potential of both types of seedlings by comparing frigo and container planting material. By researching the vegetative and generative growth of strawberries of the Clery variety with two different types of seedlings, it was concluded that green container seedlings are vegetatively more developed compared to frigo seedlings. The container seedlings produced a higher number of buds by 14.2% and leaf mass by 17.5% and entered the resting phase more readily. The percentage of unrooted container seedlings after planting is only 1.1% compared to frigo seedlings, where this percentage is 11.3%, due to the fact that container seedlings have less stress after transplanting, which is the result of the substrate around the roots of the seedling. On the other hand, green container seedlings form a higher percentage of stolons, which additionally burdens the work engagement when removing them in intensive strawberry production. Finally, the container seedlings had a higher and better yield, which amounted to an average of 10.34 grams per fruit, while the average fruit weight of the frigo seedlings was 9.84 grams. In the end, this difference in weight gave 80.29 grams more yield per plant in favor of container seedlings
A comprehensive Review on Genomic Approaches for Insect Pest Management
No full textGenomic approaches, such as RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR/Cas9, have shown promise for insect pest management. RNAi techniques involve the use of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) to silence specific target genes in arthropod pests, which can be highly selective and safe for non-target organisms. CRISPR/Cas9 technology, on the other hand, allows for precise editing of insect genomes, offering potential strategies for controlling pests through various mechanisms such as impairing reproductive capacity or making pests susceptible to insecticides. These genomic approaches provide species-specific and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides, which are facing challenges such as resistance and negative impacts on human health and the environment. However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as the delivery of genetic material into the germline of insects, particularly in the Hemiptera order. Further research and advancements in these genomic technologies are needed to fully realize their potential for insect pest management
Effect of Sowing Date and Irrigation Frequency on Wheat (Triticum aestivium L) Production in Southern Niger Republic
No full textThe objective of this study was to find out the optimum sowing date and irrigation frequency for better performance of the wheat variety ‘’NORMAN’’ in Niger.
The study was carried out at Djirataoua (13°25’59’’N, 7°8’12’’E) in the southern part of Niger republic during the dry season 2015-2016.
Three sowing dates (15-Nov, 30-Nov and 15-Dec) and three irrigation frequencies (5, 10 and 15 days) were tested in a Split Plot Design with 3 replications. The wheat variety used in this study was “Norman”. Data were recorded on yield and yield components as well as on some growth and phenological parameters.
Results showed that sowing date on 15-Nov and 30-Nov took respectively 78 and 75 days to heading while the late planting (15-Dec) achieved heading in 71 days. The irrigation interval of 5 days gave the highest number days to heading (78 days). Physiological maturity was achieved at 109 and 102 days for 15-Nov and 30-Nov and decreased to 96 days when sowing was on 15-Dec. At 5 days interval of irrigation the number of days to maturity was 107 days and dropped to 101 and 99 days for 10 and 15 days interval of irrigation. Plant height was greatest (98 and 96 cm) for planting at 15-Nov and 30-Nov respectively, and became lower (90 cm) with 15-Dec. The highest plant height (103 cm) was achieved with 5 days interval of irrigation. Also the highest yield (5545 kg/ha) was achieved at 5 days interval of irrigation while the planting date on 15-Nov gave 4395 kg/ha. The thousand kernel weight was greatest (38.68 g and 39.02 g) with sowing date on 15-Nov and 30-Nov respectively and was lowest (31.43 g) when planting was delayed to 15-Dec. But the weight of thousand grains was statistically similar (39.12 g; 36.53 g and 33.48 g) for the three irrigation intervals. The interaction between the two factors was not significant for all parameters.
This study was relevant for the determination of the right planting window and irrigation interval for best performance of wheat in the study area. However further studies with more options of irrigation regime are needed to evaluate the irrigation water cost in order to achieve an optimum and economic yield
Determinants of Food Insecurity among Smallholder Farming Households in Southwest Nigeria
No full textThe study analysed the determinants of food insecurity among smallholder farming households in South western part of Nigeria with Ondo and Osun States in focus. Multi-stage sampling procedures were employed to gather data from 389 farming households (194 from Ondo State and 195 from Osun State) spread across 4 agricultural zones, 8 local governments and 24 communities. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Ordinal regression and Friedman test. Results revealed the average age of the respondents was 47 years with majority being male 63.75% and married 82.26% and having an household size of 6. Most household heads were educated (94.09%), engaged in farming for about 19 years, and do not belong to cooperatives (73.26%). Respondents derived income from both farming and non-farm activities with the average farm income being N216,066.8/annum and non-farm income being about N360,000/annum. Multiple technologies were adopted by respondents such as application of herbicides (77.63%), pesticides (73.26%) and fertilizers (66.58%). Using the FANTA Cornel model, food insecurity was found to be prevalent in the study area with the majority (61.44%) of the households been severely food insecure, 35.73% were moderately food insecure while 1.80% and 1.03% were food secured and mildly food insecure. The most significant constraints to food security among the farming households were inability to access credit (mean rank = 8.78), poor storage infrastructure (8.57), inadequate capital (8.56) and high cost of farm chemicals (8.35). Significant factors related to food insecurity among the farming households were age (b = -0.059), education (b = -0.376), family size (b = 0.197), adoption of technology (b = -0.198), farm income (b = -0.335), association membership (b = -0.999), engagement in non-farm activities (b = -1.538), and access to credit (b = -0.853). Linking farmers groups to credit institutions and input suppliers were proposed
Reference Evapotranspiration Evaluation Using Solar Radiation Estimated by ANN and Empirical Models
No full textAims: The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) estimation with Penman-Monteith or Priestley-Taylor methods requires measurements of temperature, radiation, humidity, and wind velocity. In this study, we evaluated the estimations of ETo by Penman-Monteith (ETo-PM) and Priestley-Taylor (ETo-PrT) methods using indirect methods of calculating solar radiation (Rs).
Place and Duration of Study: Daily meteorological measurements from two stations in northern Greece were used for the development of solar radiation models and ETo calculation.
Methodology: The indirect methods of calculating solar radiation (Rs) are based on Artificial Neural networks (ANN) technology and models using the multi-linear regression method (MLR). Three different ANN and MLR models were derived. The Hargreaves method is also used. The evaluation of the indirect Rs derived models and the ETo estimation by the two methods was performed with the use of correlation coefficients (r), root mean square error (RMSE), and efficiency (EF) indexes.
Results: The statistics of ETo estimation at the two stations showed that the r and EF values, between the estimated ETo using the indirect Rs models and estimated ETo using Rs measured, were greater than 0.963 and 0.918, respectively, while the RMSE values were lower than 0.646 mm d-1. The statistics of Rs models, showed that the r and EF values were greater than 0.860 and 0.605, respectively, while the RMSE values were lower than 4.47 MJ m-2d-1.
Conclusion: The results of ANN models in comparison to MLR models, when using the same input variables, are consistent between them. These findings indicate that the Penman-Monteith and Priestley-Taylor methods can accurately predict ETo using Rs values estimated indirectly through the examined methods and models
Influence of Protected Cultivation Structures on Vegetable Crops
No full textProtected farming is a new technology that is being utilized to grow high-value crops like flowers, vegetables, and other perishable commodities. In contemporary agriculture, protected structures offered an enormous chance for greater productivity and production. Protected cultivation, which is the most effective way to deal with climatic variation provide favourable environment for crop growth thereby achieving greater yield and high-quality produce. Protected cultivation structures such as polyhouses, low tunnels, shadow shade net houses, and green houses are frequently used for crop cultivation. Further, the vegetables grown under these structures possess better quality, decreased pesticide residue and higher yields than the ones grown under open-field conditions. As compared to open field cultivation, the reduction in irrigation water requirement was 35.6 % for shadow hall, 35.2 % for polyhouse and 25.5 % shade net house cultivation. Shadow hall is most suited for the cultivation of vegetables as depicted by higher growth and yield parameters, followed by polyhouse, shade net house. Thus, in terms of enhancing agricultural production, soil fertility, profitability, and sustainability, among other aspects, protected structures-based farming is more beneficial than open field conditions. The analysis of the evaluation showed that compared to open environments, the gross and net returns under protected structures (protective cultivation) were much greater
Particle Size Effect of Piper guineense in the Control of the ‘Sitophilus zeamais Motchulski’ on Maize
No full textSitophilus zeamais is perhaps the most important storage insect pest of maize. The negative health implication of synthetic pesticides necessitates research into botanicals. We investigated the efficacy of ground Piper guineense (particles sizes 150, 300, 600, 1180, and 2360 µm) in controlling S. zeamais. The botanicals were compared with pirimorphos methyl and control (untreated seeds). Completely Randomized Design was used with three replications. Each treatment was infested with 20 adult weevils. Weevils were withdrawn after 14 days and the experiment was observed for another 38 days to count emerged adult weevils, numbers of damaged grains and exit holes on seeds, and determine loss in seed weight. Progressive efficacy and significant differences were observed among the botanicals and Pirimorphos methyl from four days after treatment application (DAT) to 14 DAT (90%, 100%, 100%, and 46.67%for Pirimorphos methyl, 150, 300, and 2360 µm of Piper respectively) as the particle size decreases. Piper of 150 and 300 µm particle sizes produced no new adult weevil and no seed weight loss at 52 DAW compared to others. The efficacy of piper at different particle sizes from 4 DAT showed that graduating piper particle size has significant effects on its insecticidal activity. It was concluded that ground piper of particle size 150µm is the most effective and is therefore recommended for effective control of maize weevils in storage
Differences in Growth Rates and Germination Rates of Various Commercial Deicers on Kochia prostrata and Solidago juncea
No full textAims: To examine the effects of deicers on the plants Kochia prostrata and Solidago juncea.
Study Design: All studies were replicated three times, with a minimum of five seeds per pot.
Place and Duration of Study: Samples were kept at Saint Xavier University. Plants were grown for 4 weeks before harvest.
Methodology: The soil was a 1:1:2 ratio of perlite, peat moss, and soil mix. The seeds were left to germinate and grow under a lamp and were watered with 125mL of deionized water twice a week, every 2 or 3 days until harvest.
Experiment 1: Upon germination, the salt solutions were used in concentrations of 0mM, 50mM, 100mM, 150mM, and 200mM in 125mL portions to water the plants only once.
Experiment 2: Upon germination real world applications of deicers were applied to pots one time only.
Experiment 3: The soil mixture was placed in a total of 26 paper cups (24 salt concentrated & 2 controls). The soil was then saturated with 20mL of each salt solution (0PPM,250 PPM, 1000 PPM, 1250 PPM, 2000 PPM) one time only.
Results: For experiment 1 the effect of the salt solutions showed a statistically significant difference between all the salts and rock salt (P<0.01). For experiment 2 two of the salts were statistically significantly different than the control (p<0.05). Experiment 3 showed all greatly affected germination in S. juncea. Complete Melt Road salt treated plants had at least 50% germination at 1500 ppm or less.
Conclusion: The high germination rates may have been because the Complete Melt Road salt is not purely made of salt, but instead is mixed with “fillers” that are cheaper than salt. The next steps are to conduct field tests on the efficacy of K. prostrata and the tolerance of S. juncea in the field
Assessment of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L), Walp] Storage Technique and some Stocks Sanitary Quality in Center North Region of Burkina Faso
No full textCowpea plays an important role in food and nutritional security. Cowpea stock are subject to biotic and abiotic attack resulted stock lost that affected food security. Few research are doing on conservation techniques and stock sanitary quality. The objective of this work is to study the cowpea storage techniques and some stock sanitary quality according to producers and with laboratory analysis. A survey was conducted with 174 cowpea producers on storage techniques and 17 samples of cowpea were collected in stocks to determine aflatoxin B1 level and grain quality parameter according to official method. It was found that cowpea is preserved in the form of grains (98.28%), the house is the main storage structure (89.66%), the double-bottom bag is the most commonly used packaging material (57.71%), chemical substances are the most commonly used for preservation (52.19%), and pallets are generally used to furnish storage structure interior (73.56%). Insects and rodents (43.43% and 42.7% respectively) were the most encountered stock enemies and moisture (44.65%) the main abiotic spoilage factor. An AFTB1 contamination rate of 94% was found in the cowpea stocks sampled, 52.63% of which had levels above the maximum limit set by the European Commission for raw materials (2µg/kg). Correlation analysis showed a relationship between AFTB1 levels, moisture, pH, moldy kernels and kernel acidity. This study revealed that chemical product are more use to conserve cowpea and 94% of stocks sample were contaminated by aflatoxin B1 while half of them are levels above maximum limit
Growth Parameters of Zea mays (Maize) and Talinum triangulare (Water Leaf) in Variable Iron and Potassium Growth Media
No full textThis study investigates the effects of soil heterogeneity and nutrient fortification on the growth rates of two important food crops - maize (Zea mays) and waterleaf (Talinum triangulare). With increasing population pressures and climate change impacts posing challenges to food security, strategies are needed to improve crop yields, especially in developing economies. The research conducts greenhouse trials to measure plant growth parameters in simulated potassium and iron-fortified heterogeneous, homogeneous, and control soil treatments. Key growth parameters like number of leaves, stem height and leaf area were measured weekly for both crops across the different treatment conditions. The mean weekly longest leaf length of T.triangulaire in the control, homogenous and heterogenous treatments were 1.71cm, 1.47cm and 1.79cm respectively while that of Zea mays were 22.65cm, 18.63cm and 15.70cm respectively. Similarly, the mean weekly stem height and stem width were 0.33cm, 0.65cm, 0.56cm and 0.81cm, 1.24cm, 1.29cm for the control, homogenous and heterogenous treatments of T.triangulaire while that of Zea mays for the mean weekly stem height and leaf width were 10.00cm, 6.44cm, 6.08cm and 2.11cm, 1.42cm, 1.46cm for the control, homogenous and heterogenous treatments respectively. There was no significant difference (p >0.05) in the growth parameters of Zea mays between treatments. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the growth parameters of T.triangulaire between treatments. However, there was a significant difference (p>0.05) in the growth parameters of both crops. This suggests a species-specific response to spatial distribution of nutrients. The study aimed to understand how soil heterogeneity, when combined with nutrient amendments, influences plant growth dynamics. Findings from this work could guide nutrient management strategies and inform efforts to improve crop productivity amid soil resource variability. By focusing on maize and waterleaf - staple food and vegetable crops widely consumed globally - the findings have implications for enhancing food crop cultivation and contributing to sustainable development goals around food security, nutrition, and agricultural practices resilient to environmental changes