Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 

Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment on mustard (Brassica juncea) and chick pea (Cicer arietinum) for their growth, yield, and yield attributes. Both the samples were divided into two groups. One group was remained as untreated and coded as control, while the other group (both seed and plot) was subjected to Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment and referred as the treated. The result showed the plant height of mustard and chick pea was increased by 13.2 and 97.41%, respectively in the treated samples as compared to the control. Additionally, primary branching of mustard and chick pea was improved by 7.4 and 19.84%, respectively in the treated sample as compared to the control. The control mustard and chick pea crops showed high rate of infection by pests and diseases, while treated crops were free from any infection of pests and disease. The yield attributing characters of mustard showed, lucidly higher numbers of siliquae on main shoot, siliquae/plant and siliquae length were observed in the treated seeds and plot as compared with the control. Moreover, similar results were observed in the yield attributing parameters of chick pea viz. pods/plant, grains/pod as well as test weight of 1000 grains. The seed and stover yield of mustard in treated plots were increased by 61.5% and 25.4%, respectively with respect to the control. However, grain/seed yield of mustard crop after biofield energy treatment was increased by 500% in terms of kg per meter square as compared to the control. Besides, grain/seed yield of chick pea crop after biofield energy treatment was increased by 500% in terms of kg per meter square. The harvest index of biofield treated mustard was increased by 21.83%, while it was slight increased in case of chick pea. In conclusion, the biofield energy treatment could be used on both the seeds and plots of mustard and chick pea as an alternative way to increase the production and yield.

Abstract: Among the oilseeds grown around the world, mustard is one of the important crop worldwide due to its wide adaptability and high yielding capacity. Owing to the importance of its utilities as condiment, cooking oil and some medical aids, the demand for its seed production is too high. The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment on mustard (Brassica juncea) for its growth-germination of seedling, glutathione (GSH) content in leaves, indole acetic acid (IAA) content in shoots and roots and DNA polymorphism by random amplified polymorphic-DNA (RAPD). The sample of B. juncea was divided into two groups. One group was remained as untreated and coded as control, while the other group was subjected to Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment and referred as the treated sample. The growth-germination of B. juncea seedling data exhibited that the biofield treated seeds were germinated faster on day 5 as compared to the control (on day between 7-10). The shoot and root length of seedling were slightly increased in the treated seeds of 10 days old with respect to untreated seedling. Moreover, the major plant antioxidant i.e. GSH content in mustard leaves was significantly increased by 206.72% (p<0.001) as compared to the untreated sample. Additionally, the plant growth regulatory constituent i.e. IAA level in root and shoot was increased by 15.81% and 12.99%, respectively with respect to the control. Besides, the DNA fingerprinting data using RAPD revealed that the treated sample showed an average 26% of DNA polymorphism as compared to the control. The overall results envisaged that the biofield energy treatment on mustard seeds showed a significant improvement in germination, growth of roots and shoots, GSH and IAA content in the treated sample. In conclusion, the biofield energy treatment of mustard seeds could be used as an alternative way to increase the production of mustard.

Abstract: Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) is an important storage pest of maize grain in several parts of Africa including Zimbabwe. Although synthetic pesticides are effective at controlling the pest, environmental and health hazards of these chemicals are of increasing concern. The study assessed efficacy of botanical leaf powders of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Tagetes minuta and Carica papaya in controlling S. zeamais using rates of 5 g, 10 g and 20 g per 200 g of open pollinated maize grain (variety ZM421). The trial was laid in a completely randomised design (CRD), with 12 treatments replicated three times. The grain was put in a freezer at -4oC for a fortnight, before the botanicals were added, to kill any prior sources of weevil inoculum and eggs which might be already pre-existing in the grain. 200 g maize grain was infested with 200 three week old unsexed pure culture weevils in 750 ml jars. After 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days, weevils were sieved and their mortality determined. Percentage grain weight loss was assessed after 35 days post pests introduction. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in number of weevil mortality and grain weight loss among treatments and their application rates. The findings showed that conventional chemical control was most effective than all botanicals used. E. tereticornis was the most effective of all the botanical pesticides at an application rate of 20 g as evidenced by high weevil mortality and less grain weight loss. It was concluded that botanicals have storage pesticidal properties to suppress S. zeamais in maize grain and could be used as an alternative control option to synthetic pesticides.

Abstract: On-farm field experiments were conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on yield, yield components, nutrients uptake and use efficiencies, protein content of bread wheat, residual soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability and economic return of fertilizer application. The locations of the experiments were in two nearby farmers' field at Hawzen district, Northern Ethiopia. Factorial combinations of five N levels (0, 46, 69, 92 and 138 kg N/ha) and four levels of P (0, 46, 69 and 92 kg P2O5/ha) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental Field 1 was relatively better in its soil fertility than experimental Field 2 especially in its phosphorus availability and cation exchange capacity (CEC). However, both fields were low in their total soil nitrogen content. Grain yield of wheat significantly increased by 46% and 15% in Field 1 and Field 2, respectively at nitrogen application rate of 46 kg N/ha than the control. Nitrogen fertilization increased straw yield significantly only in experimental Field 1. Phosphorus application at a rate of 46 kg P2O5/ha increased significantly grain and straw yields by 38 % and 46 %, respectively in Field 2 than control. It is also economical to apply phosphorus at this rate for such farmers’ field because the grain yield marginal rate of return was 179 %. Consistent results were observed on wheat nutrient uptakes and nutrient use efficiencies. Grain and straw yields of wheat were not significantly affected by the main effect of phosphorus application in Field 1. These results are consistent with the soil analysis result before planting where the soil phosphorus was found to be low in Field 1 and very low in Field 2. Previous management by the farmers may have influenced the soil fertility status. There were no interaction effects of nitrogen and phosphorus to affect wheat productivity and nutrient utilization in both fields. Future approach to soil fertility management should consider the past management history and should also be site specific based on soil fertility assessment. As a result, a combined application of 46 kg N/ha and 46 kg P2O5/ha are recommended to achieve sustainable bread wheat production on the sandy soils of Hawzen district. But in fields with higher initial soil phosphorus level, there is no need of applying phosphate fertilizer.