Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International
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A Review on Nano Chitosan and Bio Capsules on Growth Yield and Quality of Strawberry
No full textThe properties of utilizing biocapsules with accommodating microorganisms and eco-accommodating and acceptable nano chitosan were the subject of the exploration. Higher growth limits, increased fruit yields, and greater fruit excellence, including flavor and nutritional value, suggest that strawberry plants performed better. It might be doable to make a more viable and capable strawberry development system by utilizing biocapsules and nano chitosan, and the mix of nano chitosan and bio containers with gainful microorganisms can offer a reasonable and further developed development framework for strawberries, with beneficial outcomes on development, yield, and organic product quality
Floristic Diversity and Carbon Stock of Woody Stands in Some Sacred Forests in the West Cameroon Region
No full textThe vegetation of West Cameroon has been almost entirely destroyed, and the only remaining forests are mostly so-called "sacred" forests, which play a role in regulating the climate. The aim of this study was to assess the wood diversity and carbon stored by sacred forests in the Ndé division. The inventories were carried out on 34 plots of 900 m2 each. To do this, all woody individuals with a diameter ≥ 10 cm at 1.30 m above ground level were counted. Floristic diversity was assessed using diversity indices. Allometric equations were used to estimate biomass in order to deduce the carbon stored by these forests. At the end of the surveys, 77 species belonging to 57 genera and 32 families were recorded. Dracaena arborea and Cola sp. were the most common species (64.71% and 94.12% respectively). The density of individuals varied from 299 stems/ha to 341 stems/ha in the forests studied. Basal area varied from 42.19 m²/ha to 53.28 m²/ha. Shannon index values are low in both forests (around 2±0.38 bit), indicating low specific diversity at the sites studied. Carbon values ranged from 286.89 tC/ha to 215.67 tC/ha in these sacred forests. Cola sp. and Dracaena arborea recorded the highest carbon values. Of the species recorded, 03 are vulnerable. This study reveals the importance of sacred forests for the conservation of biodiversity and their capacity to store carbon in order to contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gases.  
Economic Importance of Kenaf Seed as Alternative Feed Resource in Micro Livestock Production: A Review
No full textFeed supply has remained a major constraint in animal production due to an ever-increasing cost of conventional feedstuff occasioned by the competition between man and animals for cereal grains. There is need to harness the potential of the numerous agro-industrial by-products and the so-called wastes as part of replacing them for expensive feedstuffs. This necessitated for the utilization of kenaf grains and leaf in the diet of micro–livestock. The cost of conventional feedstuffs coupled with high demand for grains for human consumption has stimulated interest in the use of non-conventional, readily available, and cheaper source of feedstuffs. Use of kenaf by-product in other livestock with an impressive result has been recorded without any deleterious effect on the experimental animals. Kenaf is an annual or biennial herbaceous short-lived plant belongs to family malvaceae and is usually considered as a fiber crop, primarily used for rope, twine, coarse cloth and paper. Hence, kenaf grains and leaf could be used as alternative feed resource for micro-livestock. 
Effectiveness of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria on Enhancing Phosphorus Availability from Minjingu Phosphate Rock to Maize in Slightly Acid to Neutral Soils
No full textThe aim of this one-year field study was to evaluate the impact of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on increasing the availability of phosphorus locked up in insoluble Minjingu phosphate rock for the maize crop (Zea mays L.) in high soil pH. The study was carried out during one wet season in Nghumbi and Mlali villages in Kongwa District in the Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Based on the pH of their soil and the limiting nutrients, two farms from Mlali village and five from Nghumbi village were chosen at random for field trials. To determine the fertility status, composite soil samples were collected from the chosen farms and examined in a lab. Target treatments included the application of PSB inoculum in combination with various rates of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) (0, 20, 30, 40, and 60 KgP ha-1) as a basal fertilizer, placed beneath maize seed and covered with a thin layer of soil. Using a fully randomised block design, the treatments were set up three times. Inadequate levels of N, P, K, and Zn were found in the research area\u27s soil samples. Results indicated the main effect of fields’ characteristics from field No.2 had the highest yield to other fields with significantly (P< 0.001) highest grain yield being 4.4 t ha-1, biological yield of 5.6 t ha-1, and Straw P uptake of 19.63 kg ha-1. Using P or an inoculant (Mx) produced a negligible yield of grain and straw, according to the major effect of treatments. For the studied variables, none of the treatments showed any significant (P =0.427) interaction effects. An intriguing revelation that the study\u27s maize response to native P is provided by interaction effects area is a factor of soil and amount of P released to the soil. We recommend more research on PSB for more than one season in high soil pH before ascertaining the technology to farmers
Sociological and Economical Impact of Grapes Growers in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India
No full textThe research examined the economic and social consequences of grape growers on one block in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, involving three villages that were purposefully chosen and 120 respondents who were chosen at random. It was discovered that the participant primary source of income for subsistence was grape cultivation. A planned schedule was used to gather data in order to quantify the socioeconomic status of grape growers. According to the data, the majority (53.33%) of respondents belonged to the middle age category followed by 34.16 per cent of the respondents had the education was up to higher secondary and 30.83 per cent had middle school level. Majority (52.50 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of annual income, followed by majority of the respondents had agriculture as their main occupation for their livelihood. Majority of the farmers, or 90.83 percent, had nuclear families with fewer than five members and only 09.16 percent of those surveyed had a large family. Maximum number of respondents (82.50 per cent) had pointed out the independent decision followed by remaining 17.50 per cent of the respondents had pointed the joint decision. Majority (55.83 per cent) of the respondents belonged to small farmer category Majority of the respondents had medium level of mass media exposure and extension agency contact. Here it concluded that the overall socioeconomic condition was found be to medium range among the grape growers. The Government of Tamil Nadu\u27s Department of Horticulture must work hard to inform grape growers about better grape varieties and cultivation practices to improve the socio-economic status
Effects of Tin Mining on Water Sources in Mwerasandu Tin Mine, Ntungamo District, Uganda
No full textTin mining is a widespread economic activity across various regions worldwide. Understanding the consequences of such operations is crucial for sustainable water management and environmental conservation. The current study aimed at determining the concentrations tin, lead and mercury in the water sources of Nyakahiimbura Stream in Mwerasandu, and assessed the physico-chemical properties including pH, turbidity, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the water from the Nyamuhimbura stream, Ntungamo district. Water samples from three locations, that is; the upstream, impact area and downstream of the Nyakahiimbura water stream were collected during the dry and wet seasons of the year 2024. The samples collected were analyzed for the physico-chemical properties in the laboratory while the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP – OES) was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the water samples. The pH, COD values obtained were within the acceptable effluent standards while the turbidity values at the upstream and downstream of the dry season and downstream during the wet season were above the acceptable effluent Standards. The tin concentration was high in the dry season (0.09mg/L) as compared to concentration (0.118mg/L) in the wet season. Lead concentration was the same (0.015mg/L) in both seasons. The concentrations of the heavy metals showed some variations in both dry and wet seasons in the upstream, impacted area and the downstream of the study area as compared to the values of the effluent standards. The study recommends that alternative sources of water for domestic use should be sought of. Also, the government officials especially from the Ministry of Health should carry out awareness campaigns to members of the community about the health risks associated with the uptake of the contaminated waters for domestic purposes. Constructed wetlands should be in place around the mining sites to act as filters for the dangerous metals before the water enters the surrounding environment
Smart Agriculture: IOT-Driven Soil Nutrient Management System
No full textSoil fertility plays a crucial role in determining soil quality, as it indicates how effectively the soil can support plant growth in agriculture. By utilizing soil sensors and Arduino technology, it is possible to assess the nutrient content of the soil quickly. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) are key nutrients required for healthy crop production, and their levels must be measured to determine the additional nutrients needed to enhance soil fertility. NPK sensors can be employed to detect soil nutrient levels, providing valuable data to assess whether the soil is nutrient-rich or deficient. Leveraging technology in agriculture offers numerous benefits for farmers. Preparing the land for cultivating specific crops involves evaluating factors such as soil moisture, mineral content, nutrient levels, and even soil colour. Soil testing has become essential in modern farming to maximize crop yield and profitability within a shorter time frame. Moreover, it helps prevent the overuse of fertilizers, conserving resources, reducing costs, and protecting the environment. This innovative model, designed with IoT technology and sensors, enables the efficient analysis of soil nutrient levels. It is affordable, portable, user-friendly, and offers fast, precise measurements. Unlike traditional detection methods, this approach provides rapid and accurate insights, making it a practical solution for modern agricultural practices
Status and Challenges Facing Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Production in Magarini Sub-County of Kilifi County in Coastal Kenya
No full textPineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the five important value chains in Kilifi County and is grown under small scale farming and under rain-fed conditions. There are six distinct pineapple growing areas and CBOs in Magarini namely Changoto, Danisa, Faith, Chamari, Bore-Singwaya and Baricho-Mwanazi. This crop has a big market share but the region can hardly meet the market demand. The pineapples are cultivated in special soils indicated by the presence of certain virgin forests and vegetation types. However, these pineapple farmers face a myriad of challenges that limit full exploitation of the 20,000Ha pineapple growing potential. It is in this regard that a rapid rural appraisal (RRA) study was conducted facilitated by Micro-Enterprise Support Programme Trust with the funding of Danida to establish the current situation on pineapple cultivation in Magarini Sub-County to inform the type of intervention strategies to use. Methodology used involved sampling of 60 farmers out of the total population of 600 pineapple farmers in the six growing areas. The 60 farmers represented 10% sample size. These farmers were selected for focus group discussions and interviews. Methods and tools used for data collection included transect travels across and through the six pineapple growing areas, making observations, taking photographs, meeting key informants and farmers for focus group discussions, and individual interviews. Obtained data was subjected to descriptive analysis. Frequency charts obtained were used to make inferences for discussion. The findings indicated that capital investment required for pineapple establishment was too high. Planting material constituted over 50% of the total investment. Pineapple cultivation is conducted under shift cultivation system, where farmers move to open new virgin forests every 3-4 years since the farmers do not use inorganic fertilizers as contract buyers prefer organically produced fruits. Sokoke (loamy clay) soils were the best soils for pineapple growing unlike Soso (sandy loam) soils or Ngama (clayey) soils. Grabs, beetles, birds, mealy bugs and millipedes were the major pests of pineapples. The MD2 pineapple variety being introduced was susceptible to pests and diseases that caused death of the central apical stem inducing production of tillers (suckers)
Inventory of Herbaceous Species and Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Their Various Parts: Case in the Urban Ecosystem of Ngaoundere, Cameroon
No full textThis study was carried out to inventory herbaceous species and to assess the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in these species. The ecosystem chosen was an area of the city of Ngaoundere (Cameroon) divided into three sites, namely a control site and two sites subject to heavy metal pollution. In order to compare the potential for bioaccumulation, two species were assessed. It shows that out of 19 herbaceous species present in the study area, five are very abundant in all three sites regardless of the degree of pollution. Concerning the bioaccumulation, the two herbaceous plants chosen do not absorb the same amounts of heavy metals. Indeed, the concentrations show that the concentration of cadmium, copper, iron, nickel and lead at all three sites is higher in Commellina benghalensis than in Ageratum conyzoides. The concentration of zinc at the control site and the hospital site is higher in C. benghalensis while at the prison site this concentration is higher in Ageratum A. conyzoides. The concentration of cadmium is higher in the leaves than in the other parts in both species. Copper is stored at the roots in both species. A. conyzoides, mainly accumulates iron in the roots and C. benghalensis, accumulates a significant concentration of Iron throughout the plant. A. conyzoides and C. benghalensis store nickel more in the roots than in the other parts. Regarding lead, the species studied store it more in the roots followed by the leaves and finally the stems. As for Zinc, A. conyzoïdes and C. benghalensis store it more in the roots than in the other parts. The bioaccumulation of these heavy metals in edible herbaceous plants could be a threat if these pollutants enter the human food chain
Comparative Evaluation Studies of Different Species of Pleurotus for Radial Growth, Biomass and Yield Parameters
No full textAim: This study was undertaken with the major objective of determining the best yielding mushroom among the three species of Pleurotus spp. i.e., P. florida, P. djamor and P. sajor caju.
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments in three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Plant Pathology laboratory of Dau Kalyan Singh College of Agriculture & Research Station, Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh.
Methodology: Pure culture was prepared from the spawn and then observations were recorded for radial growth and Biomass by subculturing the isolates in freshly prepared Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Then, after making spawn of all isolates, they were cultivated for determining the yield of particular isolates.
Results: The results indicated that P. sajor caju is significantly superior with Radial growth -78 mm, Biomass - 4.884 gm & Yield- 804 gm followed by P. florida and then P. djamor respectively.
Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study can help the mushroom growers in selecting superior isolate for cultivation, leading to enhanced quality of spawn thereby increasing the yield of this nutritious & medicinal cro