Showing papers in "African Journal of Agricultural Research in 2011"
TL;DR: The results suggest that silicon application may be useful to improve the drought tolerance of sorghum through the enhancement of water uptake ability.
Abstract: Pot experiments were conducted at the PMAS, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan during 2007 repeated during 2008 to study the effect of silicon and nanoirrigation (W40) on drought tolerance mechanism of sorghum. According to experimental design, the silicon fertilization was divided into two levels: control (no application of potassium silicate) Si0 and application of silicon Si200 (200 mlL-1 of potassium silicate per kg of soil). Irrigation was divided into two levels: crop upper limit (40 mm) irrigation denoted as W40 and without irrigation, crop lower limit as Wo. Each treatment was replicated three times with two sorghum cultivars: PARC SS-2 (drought tolerant) and Johar-1(drought susceptible). The results showed that increase in silicon leads to increase in leaf area index (LAI), specific leaf weight (SLW), chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf dry weight (LDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), total dry weight (TDW) and remarkably decrease in leaf water potential and shoot to root ratio in sorghum cultivars compared to control treatment. When silicon concentration is applied with irrigation LAI, SPAD, LDW, SDW, RDW, TDW, net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and water use efficiency (WUE) increased by 30, 31, 40, 30, 28, 30, 27, 35, 32, 30 and 36% respectively as compared to water deficient treatment. These results suggest that silicon application may be useful to improve the drought tolerance of sorghum through the enhancement of water uptake ability.
Key words: Drought, leaf water potential, leaf area ratio, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate, nano-irrigation.
130 citations
TL;DR: Results showed that weed seed separated at Backi Maglic in all years dominated in the top soil layer, while the lowest quantities were separated from the deepest layer, and that number of weeds declined annually.
Abstract: In the period 2007 to 2010, at localities Backi Maglic and Krivaja studies of weed seedbank were performed under soybean crop. Results showed that weed seed separated at Backi Maglic in all years dominated in the top soil layer, while the lowest quantities were separated from the deepest layer, and that number of weeds declined annually. At Krivaja, the lowest weed seed stocks were found in the top layer, and the highest in the deepest layer. At this locality, number of weed seeds kept rising from season to season, which was the consequence of application of different cultural practices.
Key words: Soybean, weed seedbank, Amaranthus retroflexus L., Chenopodium album L.,Datura stramonium L.
109 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of the antioxidant enzymes activity of four pumpkin genotypes in response to salinity grown in hydroponic culture found an increase in malondialdehyde and chlorophyll content in salt sensitive genotypes more than salt tolerant genotypes.
Abstract: Salinity is a major abiotic stress reducing the yield of a wide variety of crops all over the world. In order to investigate the antioxidant enzymes activity of four pumpkin genotypes (Iskenderun-4, AB-44, CU-7 and A-24) in response to salinity grown in hydroponic culture, 4 to 5 true leaf stages of pumpkin seedlings were subjected to 100 mM NaCl for 7 days. Salt stress induced changes in antioxidant enzymes, SOD, CAT, GR and APX, total chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation and root and shoot fresh weight were measured. Salt treatment decreased root and shoots weight, chlorophyll content in salt sensitive genotypes more than salt tolerant genotypes. The four genotypes showed an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content under salt condition, but the increase in sensitive genotypes (CU-7 and A-24) were higher than that in salt tolerant genotypes (Iskenderun-4, AB-44). SOD, CAT, GR and APX activities increased salt stress. However these increases were higher in salt tolerant Iskenderun-4, AB-44 than salt sensitive CU-7 and A-24. These results indicate that pumpkin genotypes respond to salt induced oxidative stress by enzymatic defense systems.
Key words: Pumpkin, salinity, antioxidant enzyme, oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA).
101 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used the probit model to assess the factors influencing the decision to join farmer based organizations in Ghana and found that farm size, farming as a major occupation, access to credit to loan and access to machinery services influenced farmers' decisions to join farmers' based organizations.
Abstract: In recent times, governments of most developing countries have been promoting the formation and development of farmer based organizations as one of the keys to more rapid diffusion and cost-effective extension delivery to farmers. This is premised on the assumption that small-scale farmers can have easy access to market information, credit and input for their production, processing, and marketing activities by joining farmer based organizations. However, this study found out that despite such observed benefits, some farmers were not members of farmer based organizations. This study uses the probit model to assess the factors influencing the decisions to join farmer based organizations in Ghana. The results revealed that farm size, farming as a major occupation, access to credit to loan and access to machinery services influenced farmers’ decisions to join farmer based organizations in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Key words: Farmer-based organizations, probit model, decision-making process.
98 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a cross-sectional survey of 10 villages in two local government areas of Osun State was conducted to identify the adaptation techniques employed by farmers and analyze factors that determine the adaptation technique among farmers in the study area.
Abstract: African agriculture is negatively affected by climate change. Adaptation is identified as one of the options to reduce the negative impact of the change. This study identified the adaptation techniques employed by farmers and analyze factors that determine the adaptation techniques among farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit were used to analyze data obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 10 villages in two local government areas of Osun State. The analysis of perception of farmers to climate change revealed a high increase in temperature, and decrease in rainfall. The result showed that six adaptation methods were employed by the farmers. The result also showed that explanatory variables compared to the null model give better accuracy for no adaptation, early and late planting, and tree planting. Moreover, the analysis of factors affecting adaptation to climate change indicates that, access to loan and livestock ownership compared to the rest of explanatory variables has more significant impact on adaptation. It is recommended that policy makers should enlighten the farmers more on the danger of climate change to productivity of crops and livestock and provide necessary logistics to support various alternative course of action.
Key words: Climate change, adaptation methods, perception, multinomial logit.
95 citations
TL;DR: Seed powders of Alstonia boonei can be used as a good alternative to pesticides against S. zeamais in addition with that of A. indica which effects are well established by many former works and are suitable for consumption and planting stock.
Abstract: This research reported the effect of four plant powders including Azadirachta india, Alstonia boonei, Garcina kola and Moringa oleifera on the mortality adults and emergence of maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) on stored wheat grains. The powders were incorporated into 20 g of wheat grains at 0.0% (control) 2.5, 5.0, 12.5 and 25.5% (w/w). The ability of the plants powders to protect wheat grains were assessed in terms of mortality rates after 24 to 96 h of post treatment, percentage grain weight loss and damage after the first filial generation (F1). The results indicated that A. indica and A. boonei provide the highest protection of the treated grains. G. kola and M. oleifera were not good enough protectants at the concentrations tested. These plants powders did not adversely affect seed viability after three months of storage, suggesting that seeds treated with A. indica, A. boonei, G. kola and M. oleifera are suitable for consumption and planting stock. Seed powders of A. boonei can be used as a good alternative to pesticides against S. zeamais in addition with that of A. indica which effects are well established by many former works.
Key words: Sitophilus zeamais, Azadirachta indica, Alstonia boonei, Garcina kola, Moringa oleifera,wheat storage.
89 citations
TL;DR: The potential of AquaCrop model in deficit irrigation practice for winter wheat, the main agronomic crop in Gavkhuni river basin, Isfahan province, Iran, was studied and showed that, the model overestimated the simulated parameters compared with field data.
Abstract: Simulation models that clarify the effects of water on crop yield, are useful tools for improving farm-level water management and optimizing water use efficiency. The main purpose of deficit irrigation is high water productivity with less water supply to plants. In this research, the potential of AquaCrop model in deficit irrigation practice for winter wheat, the main agronomic crop in Gavkhuni river basin, Isfahan province, Iran, was studied. The results of reliability indices such as RMSE, d, E, CRM and deviation percent were 2.31 to 5.63, 0.97 to 1.00, 93 to 99, -0.15 to 0.016 and -0.70 to 12.00% respectively, and showed that, the model overestimated the simulated parameters compared with field data. This difference was more obvious in deficit irrigation treatments. The model provided excellent simulations of canopy cover, grain yield and water productivity. Considering only drought stress and neglecting other stresses such as salinity is the most important limitation of AquaCrop model. In this study, water productivity for the studied crop was in the range of 0.91 to 1.49 kg m-3 and its maximum value was in 40% deficit irrigation treatment. Asecond-order, yield-water function, obtained in this study is recommended for winter wheat crop. Also, the sensitivity analysis of AquaCrop model was carried out for winter wheat in this arid area in central Iran.
Key words: Deficit irrigation, Winter wheat, grain yield, water productivity, aquacrop model.
82 citations
TL;DR: It seemed that two external acids were able to enhance the tolerant ability of the plant to aridity stress, in the presence of both salicylic and ascorbic acids.
Abstract: Water is one of the most important environmental factors that regulate plant growth and development, and water deficit is considered the most important restricted factor for plant products, in that several chemical materials have been used to reduce the harmful effects of water deficit. Some of these compounds (for instance, ascorbic and salicylic acid) have antioxidant effects in plants. In order to study the interaction between drought stress with salicylic and ascorbic acid on some biochemical criteria of Satureja hortensis, a factorial experiment with a completely randomized design in three replications and different combination of three levels of irrigation (1/3, 2/3 and total field capacity), three levels of salicylic acid (0, 1 and 3 mM) and three levels of ascorbic acid (0, 1 and 3 mM) under green house conditions was conducted. Results, revealed under aridity, sugar content and protein content of S. hortensis, were decreased; however, proline and lipid per oxidation increased. The results concluded that when drought stress affected the plants, the protective mechanism was activated. The reduction of protein content in this condition showed that drought stress affected protein synthetic and degradation. The reduction of sugar content showed that stress affected the photosynthetic process. On the other hand, in the presence of both salicylic and ascorbic acids, the harsh influences of water deficit reduced and some growth parameters increased. It seemed that two external acids were able to enhance the tolerant ability of the plant to aridity stress.
Key words: Satureja hortensis, water deficit, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid.
81 citations
TL;DR: The lack of significant response in onion to P fertilization could be attributed to the presence of adequate amounts of available P in the soil and hence P fertilizing for onion production is not advisable.
Abstract: A field experiment was undertaken to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on the growth, biomass yield and fresh bulb yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) grown on vertisol of Shewa Robit, North east Ethiopia. Five rates of N (0, 69, 92, 115, 138 kg ha-1) and five rates of P (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 kg ha-1) were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. Nitrogen showed significant effects in all of the parameters studied, while P fertilization and its interaction with N did not. The proportion of bolters per plot decreased by about 11 and 22% in response to the application of 69 and 92 kg N ha-1, respectively over the control. Regardless of the rate, N fertilization day extended days to physiological maturity by about 6 days over the control. Application of 69 kg N ha-1increased plant height and leaf length by about 10 and 11.5%, respectively over the unfertilized check. Number of leaves increased by about 8% in response to the application of 92 kg N ha-1 over the control. Leaf diameter and bulb length were not influenced by N fertilization. Regardless of the rate of application, N fertilization increased bulb diameter and average bulb weight by about 12 and 21.5%, respectively over the control. Application of 69 kg N ha-1 increased the development of splitted bulbs by about 45%, average bulb weight by 24%, total dry biomass by 20%, harvest index by about 4%, total bulb yield by 18%, and marketable bulb yield by 17% over the control. Application of 69 kg N ha-1 enhanced the growth of onion plant and resulted in optimum fresh total and marketable bulb yield on the vertisol of Shewa Robit, North east Ethiopia. The lack of significant response in onion to P fertilization could be attributed to the presence of adequate amounts of available P (16.02 ppm) in the soil and hence P fertilization for onion production is not advisable.
Key words: Bulb diameter, bulb splitting, neck thickness, onion bolting, onion maturity.
81 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, a study was conducted to assess farming practices, agrochemical usage and environmental pollution in Manyara basin, Tanzania, where the average amount of acaricides used was 1109±915 ml (mean ± SD) per livestock keeper per month per.
Abstract: This study was conducted to assess farming practices, agrochemical usage and environmental pollution in Manyara basin, Tanzania. Field surveys, interviews, questionnaires and Lake Manyara nutrient analysis were used in data collection. The highest number (95%) of households grew crops, namely, maize, rice, banana and vegetables with median farm size of 3 ha. Irrigated farming was common (75%) which enhanced cultivation on same piece of land up to 6 times a year. Farmers indiscriminately used pesticides, namely, insecticides (50%), fungicides (37.5%) and herbicides (12.5%). Uses of endosulfan in vegetable farms poses public health threats to consumers. Most respondents (85%) applied insecticides in vegetables up to 4 times per cropping season. Excessive use of pesticides and haphazard disposal of pesticide remnants and containers caused environmental pollution. The average amount of acaricides used was 1109±915 ml (mean ± SD) per livestock keeper per month per. Most farmers (78%) used inorganic fertilizers and animal manure (43.4%). Low levels of ammonium (3.6±3.1 µg/L), nitrate (1±0.8µg/L) and phosphate (36.1±42 µg/L) were recorded in the lake. Easy access to agrochemicals, limited knowledge of pesticide on environmental health and limited extension services were factors for indiscriminate uses of agrochemicals. Increasing farmers awareness and training aimed at sustainable agriculture, agrochemical uses and integrated pest management is suggested.
71 citations
TL;DR: A review of the culture of catfish of the family Claridae in Nigeria was carried out using secondary data, finding that catfish farming has continued to attract private sector initiative compared to earlier public or government-sponsored programmes.
Abstract: A review of the culture of catfish of the family Claridae in Nigeria was carried out using secondary data. The story of aquaculture in Nigeria is essentially the story of catfish culture. The favoured catfish species include: Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus bidorsalis,Clarias × Heterobranchus hybrid (‘Heteroclarias’) and Clarias nigrodigitatus. C. gariepinusand Heterobranchus are the most farmed fish in Nigeria. Catfish farming has continued to attract private sector initiative compared to earlier public or government-sponsored programmes. If the associated problems of production, especially the twin issue of feed production and fingerling supply are tackled, Nigeria will soon become a world exporter of catfish.
Key words: Nigeria, culture, catfish, Clarias, Heterobranchus.
TL;DR: Highly significant differences were revealed among durum Wheat genotypes for all traits studied, suggesting the possibility of improving durum wheat for these traits.
Abstract: Information on the extent of genetic variability and heritability as well as correlation among agronomically important traits is a requirement to design a suitable plant breeding method. The present research was conducted at Sinana, Southeastern Ethiopia during the 2009 main crop growing season. The experimental material consisted of 16 durum wheat genotypes tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Twelve agronomic traits were included in the investigation. Highly significant differences were revealed among durum wheat genotypes for all traits studied, suggesting the possibility of improving durum wheat for these traits. Plant height and number of kernels per spike showed the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations and genetic advance, whereas, days to maturity and test weight had the lowest values. Plant height exhibited highest heritability value of 98.3% while number of spikelets per spike showed minimum value of 36.4%. The genotypic correlations estimated showed positive association of grain yield with days for heading (r=0.50), harvest index (r=0.69) and kernels number per spike (r=0.81). Harvest index (1.13) and biomass (0.81) exhibited the highest positive and significant direct effect on grain yield. Hence, these traits could be considered as suitable selection criteria for the development of high yielding durum wheat varieties.
Key words: Correlation coefficient, durum wheat, genetic advance, heritability, path coefficient.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors determined the grain and stover yield response of pearl millet to microdose fertilizer application alone, and microdose combined with N and P fertilizer application rates across years and locations in West Africa.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the grain and stover yield response of pearl millet to microdose fertilizer application alone, and microdose combined with N and P fertilizer application rates across years and locations in West Africa. Microdose fertilizer application increased pearl millet grain yields by 240 to 300 kg ha-1 on sandy soils across a broad range of climatic and soil conditions in West Africa, while increasing pearl millet grain yields by 400 kg ha-1 on silty clay soils in Mali. Stover yield increases of pearl millet were 250 to 400 kg ha-1 on sandy soils and 500 to 2500 kg ha-1 on silty clay soils in Mali. Application of 20 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 30 kg ha-1 N in addition to microdose commonly increased grain yields by 140 to 180 kg ha-1 and stover yields by 600 to 1500 kg ha-1 over that of microdose application only. These results indicate that micodose in combination with 20 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 30 kg ha-1 N fertilizer application is required to optimize both grain and stover yield of pearl millet in West Africa to meet food, fuel and soil improvement needs of farmers.
Key words: Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., grain yield, stover yield.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of socio-economic and demographic factors on the rate of credit allocation to the farm sector by arable crop farmers in Benue State, Nigeria were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, t-test and multiple regressions.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of socio-economic and demographic factors on the rate of credit allocation to the farm sector by arable crop farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 300 randomly selected loan beneficiaries. Obtained data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, t-test and multiple regressions. Results showed a statistically significant gap (p ≤ 0.001) between the amount of loan applied for and the amount received by farmers. The study also found that only about 56% of the loans were invested directly in farm activities implying that the balance of 43% of the loan was diverted and spent on non-farm activities. Factors that significantly (p ≤ 0.005) affected the rate of credit allocation to the farm include age, education, farm size, household size, length of loan delay and visitation by bank officials. Based on these results, the paper recommends increased flow of capital to the bank for on-lending to farmers. In addition, loans should be disbursed on time and banks officials should be encouraged to pay regular supervisory visits to farmers. Finally, benefiting farmers should be given basic training on efficient management of loans in order to curtail the high rate of loan diversion.
Key words: Credit allocation, farm sector, arable crop farmers, Nigerian agricultural and rural development bank, Nigeria.
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of television as an educational tool to the enhancement of farmers' knowledge was evaluated in a randomized subject, pretest-post-test design among farmers who were working and residing in Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad province, Iran.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of television as an educational tool to the enhancement of farmers’ knowledge. This study was a randomized subject, pretest-posttest design among farmers who were working and residing in Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad province, Iran. The subjects of the study included 161 farmers who were selected randomly from rural areas. After determining the educational goals of the study, a questionnaire was designed as pre and post test. Based on educational contents, one TV program was produced with emphasis on fighting against agricultural pests, and correct method of using agricultural poisons. Participants responded to the pre and post test before and after broadcasting the television program through the provincial broadcast center. Almost all farmers in this study were male (90.1%) and married (80%) with mean age of 41.65 ±14.69 years. The finding of the study showed that educational intervention through a TV program resulted in a significant knowledge enhancement from 3.73 to 6.26 (p<0.001). Mass media offer effective channels for communicating agricultural messages, which can increase knowledge and influence behavior of audience members.
TL;DR: To evaluate the genetic diversity in 37 durum wheat landraces originated from Iran and Azerbaijan, an experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in normal irrigation and drought stress conditions, showing that the drought stress has significant effect on all the traits.
Abstract: To evaluate the genetic diversity in 37 durum wheat landraces originated from Iran and Azerbaijan, an experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in normal irrigation and drought stress conditions in agricultural research station of Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran. Analysis of variance indicated that there were highly significant differences among the genotypes in all of the traits. Environment mean squares were significant for all the traits studied showing that the drought stress has significant effect on all the traits. The heritability estimates were high for plant height in both conditions. In regression analysis (stepwise method) under stress, number of grains per spike and plant height remained in final model (R2 = 0.634). In well-watered condition biological yield, awn length and harvest index showed more direct positive effects on yield. In drought stress condition, biological yield, spike length, number of grains per spike and harvest index showed more direct positive effects on yield. Harvest index showed the highest indirect effect on yield in two conditions. Cluster analysis, divided the genotypes into three groups in each condition. Classifying the results of the cluster analysis identified bagh oliya, naxcevan and chakmak genotypes in stress condition which confirm the results of the compared means yield.
Key words: Genetic diversity, heritability, landrace, path analysis, yield.
TL;DR: Eight fungicides at commercially recommended concentrations and at double concentrations were evaluated for their effects on pollen germination, tube growth and morphology of almond cultivar (Ferragness) in basic medium or control.
Abstract: Eight fungicides namely Sumi-eight, Cupravit, Karatane, Topsin-M, Vitavax thiram, Beam, Benlate and Tecto at commercially recommended concentrations and at double concentrations were evaluated for their effects on pollen germination, tube growth and morphology of almond cultivar (Ferragness) in basic medium or control (100 mg L-1 boric acid, 15% sucrose and 1% agar) at 24°C in dark condition. Results showed that different treatments had significant effects on the germination, tube growth and morphology of pollen. All fungicides reduced the percentage of pollen germination, length of germ-tube elongation and morphological features of almond pollens. The negative effects of fungicides on pollen germination percentage and germ-tube elongation and view of pollen morphology were variable and dependent on type and material concentrations. The highest pollen germination (100%) for almond cultivar (Ferragness) was recorded in 100 mg L-1 boric acid, 15% sucrose and 1% agar medium (control). The lowest pollen germination percentage (0.0%) was found in 100 mg L-1 boric acid, 15% sucrose and 1% agar medium contain 2 g L-1Karatane.
Key words: Almond, culture pollen, fungicide, germination.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of a meta-analysis of over 40 academic publications to review conservation agriculture's role in influencing desired livelihood outcomes in Southern Africa, concluding that the effectiveness of conservation agriculture towards better livelihood outcomes remains debatable, especially when supportive government policies are lacking.
Abstract: Low crop productivity, food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition; inadequate farming knowledge and skills, implements and inputs are characteristic of smallholder agriculture in Southern Africa. Many researchers argue that conservation agriculture can guarantee higher crop productivity, food security, improved livelihoods and environmental protection, better than the unsustainable traditional systems of slash and burn practices. In this paper, we present the results of a meta-analysis of over 40 academic publications to review conservation agriculture’s role in influencing desired livelihood outcomes in Southern Africa. We conclude that the effectiveness of conservation agriculture towards better livelihood outcomes in Southern Africa remains debatable, especially when supportive government policies are lacking.
TL;DR: The present study illustrated that, the sex differentiation of male or female flowers occurred in phase-VII; earlier phases presented unapparent structural differences; and there was significant location specificity with respect to the inflorescence of male and female flowers.
Abstract: Jatropha curcas L. produces seed oil that is viewed as having tremendous potential as an economical alternative for diesel fuel. Seed yield, the main factor determining jatropha oil production, is highly associated with flower development, especially with the number of female flowers. However, little was known regarding floral development in this species. Accordingly, studies were undertaken to develop more information on the developmental process of floral organs. The early floral development was divided into 12 phases. The present study illustrated that, the sex differentiation of male or female flowers occurred in phase-VII; earlier phases presented unapparent structural differences. The male flowers always had unisexual tissues during floral development. In contrast, early development of female flowers presented bisexual tissues, with male sexual degradation occurring at the later developmental phases. There was significant location specificity with respect to the inflorescence of male and female flowers. Based on this, the present study combined the total number of female flowers, and divided the inflorescence into three types, which had significant differences in the number of female flowers; they likewise presented different probabilities of occurrence in terms of different growing seasons.
Key words: Biofuel, flower, inflorescence, Jatropha curcas, sex differentiation, scanning electron microscopy.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reported the contents of phenolics and flavonoids in different rice genotypes with grain size ranging from extremely small to normal size, and the smaller grains had higher phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity than the normal and larger grains.
Abstract: Whole cereal grains have been received increasingly attention by consumers due to their potential health benefits because of their antioxidant capacity, which is probably derived from their high contents of phenolics, flavonoids and other phytochemicals. Here, we reported the contents of phenolics and flavonoids in different rice genotypes with grain size ranging from extremely small to normal size. The smaller grains had higher phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity than the normal and larger grains. The phenolic content had positive correlation with the flavonoid content (P<0.001) and the antioxidant capacity (P<0.01). The phenolic and flavonoid content had negative correlation with grain length, grain length to width ratio and 100-grain weight (P<0.01), but had no relationship with grain width and grain thickness. Thus, the phenolic content could be indirectly predicted by grain length and 100-grain weight. New rice varieties high in antioxidant levels could be obtained by breeding for extremely small grain rice.
Key words: Phenolics, flavnoids, antioxidant capacity, rice grains.
TL;DR: It can be concluded that sprouting improved the nutritional worth of the mungbean in terms of higher concentration of nutrients, reduced phytic acid, improved protein content and ascorbic acid.
Abstract: Effect of sprouting time (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h) on the biochemical and nutritional qualities of two mungbean varieties (Ramzan and NM-98) was investigated. Seeds of mungbean varieties were sprouted in laboratory under room conditions (25°C). Starting from the second day of germination, and every day, dishes of germinating seeds were removed, oven-dried, weighed and milled for proximate and chemical analysis. Vitamin C was determined in the fresh samples without drying. Results revealed that in proximate composition, sprouting resulted in increase of most of the parameters except fat and NFE, which were significantly reduced. Sprouting also resulted in almost linear increase in the concentration of vitamin C and protein contents. Phytic acid decreased from an initial average value of 1.88 to 0.33% with 96 h sprouting. It can be concluded that sprouting improved the nutritional worth of the mungbean in terms of higher concentration of nutrients, reduced phytic acid, improved protein content and ascorbic acid.
Key words: Mungbean, germination, proximate composition, phytic acid, ascorbic acid.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the contribution of irrigation to household food security, in comparison to dry-land farming, using both primary and secondary data to analyse the factors, and conclude that the likelihood of food security increases when farmers increase agricultural output and have access to a piece of land on the irrigation project.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of irrigation to household food security, in comparison to dry-land farming. This study used both primary and secondary data to analyse the factors. The primary data was collected by using a pre-tested questionnaire administered to selected farmers in the study area. A probability sampling method (that is pure or simple random sampling technique) was used to select the respondents. From a total population of 3,236 small-scale irrigators in Vhembe District, 147 irrigation farmers were randomly selected while 43 dry-land farmers were selected adjacent to the selected irrigators. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the variables in the model, selected from factors identified by previous researchers that affect food security in rural areas. A comparison of the variables in the model was carried out between irrigators and dry-land farmers. The results obtained showed that the proportion of food secured households was higher among farmers who were on the irrigation projects (86.3%) compared to dry-land farmers (53.0%). From the analysis, irrigation and per capita aggregate production were found to have a positive influence on the probability of households being food secure. This means that the likelihood of food security increases when farmers increase agricultural output and have access to a piece of land on the irrigation project. The food security of households is also dependent on other factors such as household size and farm size. These two variables were found to have negative and significant effects on household food security. The implications of these findings are that the likelihood of a household being food secures decreases with an increase in household size and farm size. Water has obvious advantages in that it increases farmer’s yields, promotes diversified farming enhances household food security and increases household incomes. Farmers who are on irrigation projects are more likely to be food secure than dry-land farmers. With concerted support from government, and all stakeholders, food security can be enhanced at the household levels. In addition education and extension training are essential for farmers to adopt new technologies. The study suggests that households that need to be targeted for food aid are those with large families, without access to irrigation water, families with few assets, and those without access to agricultural land and implements.
Key words: Household food security, rural livelihood, smallholder irrigation, dry-land farming.
TL;DR: Results of combined ANOVA revealed that environment effect was significant for all the traits and reciprocal variance effects were significant for days from emergence to physiological maturity and number of rows per ear that indicate presence of cytoplasmic inheritance.
Abstract: In 2007, seven inbred lines of corn were crossed in a complete diallel cross design (Griffing's method 1). The seven parents and their 42 hybrids were planted in field based on Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in two different environments. The studied traits were days from emergence to silking, days from emergence to physiological maturity, plant height, ear height, area of ear leaf, ear length, area of flag leaf, number of rows per ear, number of kernels per row and grain yield. Results of combined ANOVA revealed that environment effect was significant for all the traits. Based on diallel cross analysis according to Griffing method 1, General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) effects were significant for the majority of traits. Reciprocal variance effects were significant for days from emergence to physiological maturity and number of rows per ear that indicate presence of cytoplasmic inheritance. σ2GCA/ σ2SCA ratio revealed that additive gene effects were predominant in controlling the majority of traits. Based on high-parent heterosis, general and specific combining abilities of parents and hybrids, K1264.1 inbred line for production of early maturity, increasing number of rows per ear and grain yield, K18 inbred line for increasing number of kernels per row and K3653.5 inbred line for increasing area of flag leaf and number of rows per ear were suitable resources. K3218 × K3653.5 and MO17 × K3653.5 also proved to be the best crosses to increase grain yield.
Key words: Corn, diallel, combining ability, heterosis.
TL;DR: Garlic has antimicrobial, antihypertensive and antioxidative properties, while high copper levels in feed displays stimulating and bacterial effects, which may be an alternative to antibiotics whose use is prohibited by the EU.
Abstract: The paper examines the effects of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Cu separately as well as their combined effects on the production parameters and carcass quality in broiler chicks. Garlic has antimicrobial, antihypertensive and antioxidative properties, while high copper levels in feed (100 ppm) displays stimulating and bacterial effects, which may be an alternative to antibiotics whose use is prohibited by the EU. Bearing in mind the aforementioned, the objective of this study was to prove the effects of garlic in broiler feed on production parameters, health status and carcass quality. The testing was carried out under production conditions with one-day-old Hubbard broilers of the same weight divided in 4 groups, each consisting of 75 birds, in 4 repetitions. Treatment groups were given: 2% of commercial garlic in group II, 2% garlic and 100 ppm Cu in group III, and 100 ppm Cu in group IV. At the end of the experiment which lasted 42 days it was found that the addition of garlic led to a significant (P < 0.05) increase of body mass in group II (2055.55 g) and group III (2038.65 g) in comparison to the control group (1964.52 g). The feed exploitation was found to be better in groups treated with garlic.
Key words: Garlic, copper, broilers, production parameters, carcass quality.
TL;DR: The contents of organic acids in the fruit of 40 cultivars of four major pear species, including Pyrus ussuriensis, Pyrus bretschneideri, pyrus pyrifolia, and Pyrus communis, were examined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Abstract: The contents of organic acids in the fruit of 40 cultivars of four major pear species, Pyrus ussuriensis, Pyrus bretschneideri, Pyrus pyrifolia, and Pyrus communis, were examined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the major components of organic acids present in the pear fruit were malic and citric acids. The total organic acid content and the individual contents of malic, citric, and quinic acids were significantly higher in the fruit of P. ussuriensis than in the other three species. Among the ten organic acids examined, both malic and citric acids exhibited highly significant positive correlation with quinic acid, whereas extremely significant negative correlation was observed between acetic and lactic acids, and between succinic and fumaric acids. Furthermore, significant positive correlation was observed between malic and citric acids, and between quinic acid and shikimic acids, whereas significant negative correlation was found between quinic and tartaric acids. The differences in the contents of the 10 individual organic acids and the total organic acid content in the fruit of the 40 pear cultivars reached a significant and strong level.
Key words: Pear, fruit, quality, organic acid, difference, correlation.
TL;DR: Farmers in areas without landslides are less knowledgeable about the cause-effect issues related to landslides and the damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges was not identified as a problem to the farmers.
Abstract: This study assesses the farmer’s understanding and perception of the causes and impacts of landslides in Bududa district in Eastern Uganda. Open-ended questions were designed to guide farmers in providing their experiences, understanding and observations in relation to the scientific findings. Steep slopes, areas with concavities and those with flow of water from underground were identified as areas prone to landslides. The soil characteristics for areas prone to landslides are stoniness, sandy and high water infiltration. Low lands and areas with sticky and strong soils were identified as stable. Rainfall was listed as the main triggering factor and most landslide occurrences are in rainfall events of low intensity but prolonged for days. Terraces are not popular in some of the areas because they promote water infiltration and trigger landslides. Loss of income from farms was mentioned as the main impact from these landslides. However, the damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges was not identified as a problem to the farmers. Farmers in areas without landslides are less knowledgeable about the cause-effect issues related to landslides.
TL;DR: The results revealed that mandarin production had more energy intensive compared to orange, and optimal consumptions of diesel fuel, chemical fertilizers and other major inputs would be useful techniques for decreasing energy consumption in citrus production.
Abstract: In this study, the citrus (orange and mandarin) production in Mazandaran province of Iran and the energy equivalences of input used in this production are investigated. Data in this study was obtained from 110 citrus orchards by a face to face questionnaire method. The results revealed that mandarin production had more energy intensive compared to orange. The major energy inputs in orange and mandarin production were diesel fuel (27 and 24%), chemical fertilizers (22 and 23%) and irrigation water (21 and 23%), respectively. The results showed that 62375.18 MJ ha-1 energy were consumed by orange orchards and 77501.17 MJ ha-1 by mandarin orchards. Energy use efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy, and net energy gain were calculated. The energy use efficiency for orange and mandarin were 0.99 and 0.77, respectively. In average, the non-renewable form of energy input was 67.14% of the total energy input used in citrus production compared to 33.07% for the renewable form. Optimal consumptions of diesel fuel, chemical fertilizers and other major inputs would be useful techniques for decreasing energy consumption in citrus production.
Key words: Orange, mandarin, energy use efficiency, Iran.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of foliar micronutrient application under water stress, at three stages of growth, on prolinee and carbohydrate concentration, grain yield and yield components of sunflower (Alstar cultivar), a field experimental in split plot design with three replications was conducted in 2007.
Abstract: In order to study the effects of foliar micronutrient application under water stress, at three stages of growth, on prolinee and carbohydrate concentration, grain yield and yield components of sunflower (Alstar cultivar), a field experimental in split plot design with three replications was conducted in 2007 Alstar cultivar was comprised under water stress at three stages of growth (heading, flowering and grain filling) as main plot and seven micronutrient treatments, Fe, Zn, Mn, Fe+Zn, Fe+Mn, Zn+Mn and Fe+Zn+Mn, as sub-plots Results showed that water stress at three stages of growth significantly decreased grain yield, biological yield, 1000 weight seeds, cap diameter and cap weight of sunflower (Alstar cultivar) The impact of water stress was more pronounced when applied at grain filling Use of foliar micronutrient increased grain yield in water stress on the other hand, use of Mn foliar application had the highest positive effect on yield components and grain yield Free prolinee and total soluble carbohydrate concentration were increased under water stress, at all of the three stages of growth The highest concentration of these two components was found on the flowering stage
Key words: Water stress, micronutrient, grain yield, osmotic adjustment, sunflower
TL;DR: In this paper, the estimation of the chloride content and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of groundwater in Boukan area were determined by irrigation water salinity (ECw) and the two kriging and cokriging methods were applied.
Abstract: Excessive use of groundwater aquifers may result in low quality groundwater. The chloride content and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) are among the most important water quality parameters, that is, the estimation of these two parameters and, consequently, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentration are much more time-consuming and expensive than water salinity measurement. Thus, it seems necessary to find a guideline to estimate SAR and chloride using salinity extent. For this purpose, geostatistic (cokriging and kriging) methods can be very helpful. In this study, the chloride content and SAR of groundwater in Boukan area were determined by irrigation water salinity (ECw) and the two kriging and cokriging methods were applied. The comparison of the obtained results indicated that for the estimation of both parameters of SAR and Cl, the cokriging method was more accurate than kriging method. However, they differ slightly and, in general, the two methods have suitable accuracy to estimate SAR and Cl- based on water salinity parameter.
Key words: Sodium adsorption ratio, chloride, geostatistic methods, groundwater.
TL;DR: Water deficit stress increased antioxidants content significantly, but content of them were more at mild than high water deficit stress (S2>S3>S1), and there was a positive and significant correlation among SOD and seed yield in both water deficits stress levels, too.
Abstract: The metabolic reasons associated with differential sensitivity of soybean cultivars to water deficit stress are not well understood. Therefore, field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to determine some agronomic traits and activity of antioxidants under different levels of irrigation. The experimental design was randomized complete block in a split plot arrangement with four replications at both years. Irrigation treatments were (S1, 50; S2, 100 and S3, 150 mm evaporation from the Class "A pan" evaporation) and cultivars were (L17, Clean, TMS, Williams*Chippewa and M9). Results showed that, water deficit stress increased antioxidants content [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX)] significantly, but content of them were more at mild than high water deficit stress (S2>S3>S1). Furthermore, water deficit stress, decreased total chlorophyll content, number of pods per plant, thousand seed weight, seed yield and harvest index in all of cultivars. Among cultivars, L17 and Williams*Chippewa produced the highest seed yield at the optimum condition of irrigation and both water deficit stress levels, respectively. Assessment of correlation results indicated that, there was a positive and significant correlation among SOD and seed yield in both water deficit stress levels, too.
Key words: Soybean, water deficit, antioxidant enzymes.