Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International
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Perception and Knowledge of Rice Value Chain Actors on the Effect of Improved Practices on Yield and Milling Characteristics of Rice in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu Districts of Ghana
No full textThis study presents findings from a comprehensive survey conducted between January and March 2021, aimed at elucidating the agricultural practices and perceptions of rice farmers, processors, and marketers in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu districts of the Northern Region in Ghana. The research sought to gather essential data on improved techniques employed in rice cultivation, milling, and marketing, as well as understand the perceptions surrounding these practices within the local farming communities. Employing a multi-stage sampling methodology, primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 134 rice farmers, 82 processors, and 22 marketers. Key findings revealed that a significant proportion (54.7%) of farmers preferred cultivating local rice varieties such as Moses, Bumbass, Mandii, Bazolgu, Salimasaa, and Assemblyman. Moreover, the survey indicated that 54.5% of farmers adopted the broadcasting method for planting seeds, while only 18% practiced line transplanting with well-defined spacing. Additionally, a majority of transplanting activities occurred when seedlings were at least 4 weeks old, highlighting potential inefficiencies in timing. The study identified several constraints hindering rice production in both lowland and irrigated rice ecosystems across the surveyed districts. These constraints include the prevalence of poor-quality seed varieties, inadequate spacing, suboptimal timing of transplanting, and low soil fertility. Addressing these challenges is imperative for enhancing rice productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region
Screening of Elite Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) Cultures Suitable for High Rainfall Areas of Andhra Pradesh
No full textGroundnut is an important self-pollinated oil seed crop grown in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the major oil seed crops used for both edible oil and table purpose. Groundnut crop requires a rainfall of 400-500 mm. In North coastal zone of Andhra Pradesh, the annual rainfall ranges from 1100-1200 mm, which favours vegetative growth in groundnut grown in kharif season resulting in low yields. The main objective of the present study is to identify suitable varieties with high pod yield in high rainfall areas suitable to North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh. Twelve elite groundnut cultures along with four checks are tested during Kharif 2022 at Agricultural Research Station, Yellamanchili. The results revealed that among all the entries, K1909 recorded significant pod yield of 2740 kg/ha followed by K 2313 with 2673 kg/ha when compared with the checks K 1812 (2488 kg/ha), Dharani (1679 kg/ha), K-6 (1429 kg/ha) and Dheeraj (1307 kg/ha). These two groundnut cultures K1909 and K 2313 may be recommended to farmers of North coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh for achieving good yields in Groundnut
Insecticidal and Anti-Feedant Activity of Clerodendrum Extracts on Growth and Development of Castor Spiny Caterpillar, Ariadne merione
No full textThe castor spiny caterpillar Ariadne merione (F.) is a major lepidopteran pest affecting castor (Ricinus communis) crops mainly by causing defoliation which in turn reduces the photosynthesis and yield. The conventional pest control methods have been based on chemical control which although has been effective, has its drawbacks of being hazardous to the environment and human health besides leading to resistance by the pests. The present work aims at investigating the possibility of using Clerodendrum inerme, a plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, as an eco-friendly solution for pest management. Insecticidal and anti-feedant efficacy of C. inerme leaf extracts, which were prepared using solvents hexane, acetone, and petroleum ether, was tested against A. merione larvae using leaf dip bioassay under no-choice situation. The findings showed that the hexane extract had the highest insecticidal (73%) and anti-feedent (97%) action. The petroleum ether extract also showed moderate insecticidal (50%) and anti-feedant activity (48%) but not as potent as the acetone extract having insecticidal and anti-feedant action of 60 and 74 per cent respectively. The results imply that C. inerme extracts, especially the hexane extract, could be used as botanical insecticides in IPM programs as a natural replacement for chemical insecticides
Efficacy of Biopesticides against Sucking Pests Infesting Moth Bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal]
No full textA field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, NAU, Bharuch (Gujarat) to study the efficacy of biopesticides against sucking pests of moth bean during kharif -2023. Results revealed that among the different biopesticides tested against sucking pests of moth bean, Beauveria bassiana(1 x 108 cfu g-1), neem oil 0.5% and NSKE 5% was found most effective whereas, treatments of Lecanicillium lecanii (1x 108 cfu g-1) , Metarhizium anisopliae (1 x 108 cfu g-1) and azadirachtin 0.15 EC found moderately effective against jassid, Empoasca motti (Pruthi.) and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) populations. Treatments of neem oil 0.5% and azadirachtin 0.15 EC was found most effective whereas, Beauveria bassiana(1 x 108 cfu g-1) and NSKE 5% found moderately effective against thrips, Caliothrips indicus (Bagnall)
Effects of Auxin and Gibberellins Hormones on Regeneration of Pineapple Propagules from Crown Leaves (with Buds) in Kilifi County Kenya
No full textKilifi county has a large potential of over 2,000 Ha suitable for pineapple cultivation that has not been fully exploited due to lack of adequate clean planting material. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of auxin and gibberellin hormones on regeneration of pineapple propagules from pineapple crown leaves (with buds). The study was carried out at Pwani University Crop Science farm. A randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement replicated thrice was used. Treatments included auxin and gibberellins hormones where the cut crown leaves (with buds) were dipped and planted at a spacing of 4 cm by 6 cm in plastic containers filled with coir dust. Five plastic containers were used for each hormone treatment. In each container, three plants were tagged for data collection. The plastic containers (the plots) measured 30cm by 36cm by 15cm height. Data collected from the tagged plants included, time to shoot emergence, plant height, leaf length and breadth, number of leaves per plant, final root length and final number of roots. These were used to determine effects of auxin, gibberellins on growth of the propagules up to a height of 15-20 cm. Obtained data was subjected to ANOVA analysis using Genstat Statistical software 14th Edition and means obtained compared using Tukey’s honest significant difference test (p < 0.05). The results indicated auxin treated propagules had 50.7%, 50.6%, 64.2%, 52.6%, 24.4%, 10.4%, 39.0%, and 9.9% higher final values of plant weight, shoot weight, dry shoot weight, fresh root weight, plant height, leaf number, root number, dry root weight and root length, respectively, compared to those treated with gibberellins. The study also showed that auxin treated propagules had their initial roots originating from the base of the seedlings, while gibberellins treated propagules had their initial roots originating from the base of the cut crown leaves
A Review on Organic Manure and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria’s Use in Horticultural Crops
No full textThe sustainable and eco-friendly management of horticulture crops has become increasingly imperative in contemporary agricultural practices. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the synergistic utilization of organic manure and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance the growth, yield, and overall health of horticulture crops. Organic manures, derived from natural sources such as compost, animal manure, and green manure, offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, providing essential nutrients while promoting soil fertility and structure. PGPR can affect on plant growth by production and releases secondary metabolites, helps in preventing deleterious effects of phyto-pathogenic organisms in the rhizosphere. This will ultimately support for better yield and quality of horticultural crops
Study of Success Level of Reclamation Plant on the Post-mining Land of PT. Kitadin Site Embalut
No full textCoal mining activities in Indonesia are generally or usually carried out using an open pit mining system which results in negative impacts such as loss of forest vegetation, loss of animals and plants (flora and fauna), as well as damage and loss of soil layers around the coal mining area. To overcome the problem of land damage or changes due to mining is to carry out reclamation. The research aims to determine the reclamation process on post-coal mining land and to assess the level of success of reclamation of revegetation. The research was carried out from mid-April 2023 to the end of May 2023 in the post-mining land revegetation reclamation area of PT Kitadin Site Embuat which is located in Emputar Village, Tenggarong Seberang District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The research results show that (1) the reclamation process on PT Kitadin\u27s post-coal mining land begins with land use activities (filling cover soil, spreading root zone soil, and controlling erosion), revegetation activities, and other forms of reclamation activities; and (2) revegetation of the PT Kitadin Site Embulant at the Homogeneous Educational Forest and Heterogeneous Educational Forest locations was declared successful with a plant survival percentage reaching 94.5%, however, the soil pH parameter was declared unsuccessful because the soil pH value at the Homogeneous Educational Forest location was only 4.80 (classified as acid)
The Effect of Mg(NO3)2 Compound Fertilizer and N, P, K Fertilizer on N-Soil, N-Plant Total Contents, and Yield of Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) on Inceptisols of Jatinangor
No full textThe research aimed to determine the effect of applying compound fertilizer Mg(NO3)2 combined with N, P, and K fertilizer on N-total content in the soil, N-plant content, and tomato yield; and to obtain the best dosage for tomato yields from Inceptisols from Jatinangor. The research was carried out at the Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Laboratory Experiment Field and soil and plant analysis was carried out at the Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Sumedang Regency, West Java during from October to December 2023. The research used a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD), which consisted of 6 treatments that were repeated four times, namely as follows: A = control; B = 1 dose of N, P, K recommended (200 kg ha-1 Urea, 250 kg ha-1 SP-36, and 100 kg ha-1 KCl); C = 1 dose of Mg(NO3)2 compound fertilizer; D = ¾ dose of Mg(NO3)2 compound fertilizer + ¾ recommended dose of N, P, K (150 kg ha-1 Urea, 187.5 kg ha-1 SP-36, and 75 kg ha-1 KCl); E = 1 dose of Mg (NO3)2 compound fertilizer + ¾ recommended dose of N, P, K (150 kg ha-1 Urea, 187.5 kg ha-1 SP-36, and 75 kg ha-1 KCl); and F = 1 ½ doses of Mg(NO3)2 compound fertilizer + ¾ recommended doses of N, P, K (150 kg ha-1 Urea, 187.5 kg ha-1 SP-36, and 75 kg ha-1 KCl). The research results showed that the application of Mg(NO3)2 compound fertilizer and N, P, K fertilizer had a significant effect on the N-total content of the soil, N-plant content, yield components, and fruit yield of tomato plants. Treatment of 1 dose of Mg(NO3)2 compound fertilizer + ¾ recommended dose of N, P, K fertilizer resulted in the highest N-total soil content, N-plant content, and fruit weight per plot, namely respectively 0,34%; 2.01%; and 6.13 kg plot-1 while the lowest was produced in treatment A (control), namely 0.13%; 0.99% and 1.40 kg plot-1
Socio-economic Factors Influencing the Adoption of Zaï and Stone Barriers in North-Central Burkina Faso: A Case Study of Korsimoro
No full textThis study analyses the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of two sustainable farming techniques, zaï and stone barriers, in the commune of Korsimoro, Burkina Faso. Using a Multinomial Probit econometric model, the results show that 98.31% of farmers adopt stone barriers, while 62.92% opt for zaï.
Several key factors were identified, such as access to agricultural training, subsidies, credit, membership of producer organisations, household size, age and literacy level. Agricultural training, in particular, is a determining factor in the adoption of zaï, while household size and animal ownership significantly influence the adoption of stone barriers.
These data highlight the importance of integrating sustainable agricultural practices into public policies in order to improve productivity, strengthen resilience in the face of climate change and preserve natural resources. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the need for targeted support to maximise the impact of sustainable agricultural techniques in the region
Evaluation of Most Appropriate Propagation Media for Regeneration of Pineapple Seedlings from Pineapple Crown Leaves
No full textPineapple cultivation is the main income generating activity in Magarini Sub-county and is grown under rain-fed conditions by small scale farmers. It significantly contributes to food security and sustenance of livelihoods in these marginal areas where rainfall reliability is a major challenge. It does well in specific soil niches found in certain natural vegetation that covers over 20,000Ha of which only less than 5% has been exploited. The land in these soil niches cannot sustainably support other annual crops except cassava due to limited rainfall and poor soils. It therefore became necessary to expand pineapple cultivation to fully utilize this enormous land potential. However, the main limiting factor was inadequate availability of clean pineapple planting material. Use of tissue culture for mass production of planting material was hindered by huge capital outlay for establishing a tissue culture laboratory. This necessitated introduction of technology on rapid mass regeneration of planting material from crown leaves which are plenty and a waste hazard. It therefore became necessary to find out the most appropriate locally available propagation media for raising seedlings from crown leaves at the comfort of farmers in their homes. A randomized complete block design experiment with four replications was set up among four pineapple growing farmer groups where each group was a replication. Each group tested four types of propagation media, namely Coir dust (as the standard propagation media), Soso and Sokoke soils (as the locally available soil media) and a mixture of Chitosan and coir dust, (being tested for its high nutrient content). Each media was contained in plastic propagation trays that constituted the experimental plots. The farmers cut and hived off at least two leaves with a bud from crowns earlier selected from healthy fruits in the market and farms. These leaves were treated with pesticides and fungicides against pests and disease pathogens then dipped in a solution of Auxin rooting hormone at 33% concentration, then planted in the respective test media in the plastic containers. The results, as evaluated by the participating farmers showed that Coir dust and Soso soil had the highest success rates of germination and emergence of pineapple seedlings, of between 50% to 75%, followed by Sokoke soil which resulted in success rates of between 14% to 60%, while Chitosan had the least at between 4% and 35%. However, farmers discounted Coir dust on account of its high cost and availability, settling on Soso soil as their best choice of propagation media for raising pineapple seedlings