Showing papers in "Cogent food & agriculture in 2016"
TL;DR: This review is focused on cogent mechanics employed by PGPR that assists plant to sustain healthy growth and the PGPR-based products which have been commercially developed exploiting these mechanics.
Abstract: Population growth and increase in food requirement is the global problem. It is inevitable to introduce new practices that help to increase agricultural productivity. Use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has shown potentials to be a promising technique in the practice of sustainable agriculture. A group of natural soil microbial flora acquire dwelling in the rhizosphere and on the surface of the plant roots which impose beneficial effect on the overall well-being of the plant are categorized as PGPR. Researchers are actively involved in understanding plant growth promoting mechanics employed by PGPR. Broadly, these are divided into direct and indirect mechanics. Any mechanism that directly enhances plant growth either by providing nutrients or by producing growth regulators are portrayed as direct mechanics. Whereas, any mechanisms that protects plant from acquiring infections (biotic stress) or helps plant to grow healthily under environmental stresses (abiotic stress) are considere...
452 citations
TL;DR: Africa particularly Ethiopian governmental jurisdictions should implement and regulate level of mycotoxins in animal feed stuffs and human foods because health effects occur in companion animals, livestock, poultry and humans.
Abstract: Mycotoxins are poisonous chemical compounds produced by certain fungi. There are five mycotoxins or groups of mycotoxins that occur quite often in food: deoxynivalenol/Nivalenol, zearalenone, ochratoxin, fumonisins and aflatoxins. The fungi that produce mycotoxins in food fall broadly into two groups: those that invade before harvest, commonly called field fungi, and those that occur only after harvest, called storage fungi. There are three types of toxicogenic field fungi: plant pathogens such as Fusarium graminearum (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol); fungi that grow on senescent or stressed plants, such as Fusarium moniliforme (fumonisin) and sometimes Aspergillus flavus (aflatoxin); and fungi that initially colonize the plant before harvest and predispose the commodity to mycotoxin contamination after harvest, such as Penicillium verrucosum (ochratoxin) and A. flavus (aflatoxin). The favourable conditions for mycotoxins production are instigated with poor hygienic conditions at the time of transport...
180 citations
TL;DR: Phenolic compounds are able to inhibit either the production or the action of pro-inflammatory mediators, resulting in anti-inflammatory capacity.
Abstract: Inflammation is a biological defense mechanism caused by the interruption of the tissue homeostasis caused by the presence of a biological, chemical, or physical agents in the body; immune system produces a series of pro-inflammatory mediators, however their overproduction, as occurs in chronic inflammation, might lead to the occurrence of several chronic diseases. For this reason, slowing down the inflammation process becomes very important, and with this purpose non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are generally used with the subsequent occurrence of adverse side effects. As an alternative in inflammation treatment, folklore medicine has used several plants and herbs with minimal or null side effects, with the phenolic compounds being one of their principal components. Phenolic compounds are able to inhibit either the production or the action of pro-inflammatory mediators, resulting in anti-inflammatory capacity.
179 citations
TL;DR: This review attempts to throw light on nutritional alterations occurring in grains due to pre-processing treatments to select appropriate techniques to obtain maximum nutritional and health benefits.
Abstract: Cereals and legumes are important part of dietaries and contribute substantially to nutrient intake of human beings. They are significant source of energy, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Primary processing of cereals and legumes is an essential component of their preparation before use. For some grains, dehusking is an essential step, whereas for others, it could be milling the grain into flour. Grains are subjected to certain processing treatments to impart special characteristics and improve organoleptic properties such as expanded cereals. All these treatments result in alteration of their nutritional quality which could either be reduction in nutrients, phytochemicals and antinutrients or an improvement in digestibility or availability of nutrients. It is important to understand these changes occurring in grain nutritional quality on account of pre-processing treatments to select appropriate techniques to obtain maximum nutritional and health benefits. This rev...
173 citations
TL;DR: A detailed view on the nutritional and potential health benefits of maize is presented and Zein an alcohol-soluble prolamine found in maize endosperm has unique novel applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical areas.
Abstract: Maize or corn (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop of the world. It is a source of nutrition as well as phytochemical compounds. Phytochemicals play an important role in preventing chronic diseases. It contains various major phytochemicals such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. It is believed to have potential anti-HIV activity due to the presence of Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) lectin or GNA-maize. A tablespoon of maize oil satisfies the requirements for essential fatty acids for a healthy child or adult. Decoction of maize silk, roots, leaves, and cob are used for bladder problems, nausea, vomiting, and stomach complaints. Zein an alcohol-soluble prolamine found in maize endosperm has unique novel applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical areas. Resistant starch (RS) from maize reduces the risk of cecal cancer, atherosclerosis, and obesity-related complications. This review presents a detailed view on the nutritional and potential health benefits of maize.
134 citations
TL;DR: The review showed that moulds are multicellular fungi that form thin thread like structures called hyphae that are widely distributed and found wherever moisture is present with adequate nutrients that can sustain their growth.
Abstract: This study aimed to review fungal mycotoxins in foods, their roles and significance in human nutrition and health. This paper provided comprehensive information on the mycological quality and mycotoxin safety of foods. The review showed that moulds are multicellular fungi that form thin thread like structures called hyphae. They are widely distributed and found wherever moisture is present with adequate nutrients that can sustain their growth. Fungi are major spoilage of foods and feedstuffs. The proliferation of various fungi in agricultural products leads to reduction in yield and quality with significant economic losses. Fungi produce secondary metabolites which are referred to as mycotoxins which have been found to be present in most food substances. The mycotoxins are low weight metabolites which cause harm known as mycotoxicoses, in livestock, domestic animals and humans and therefore of public health significance. The production of mycotoxins is stimulated by certain environmental factors: ...
110 citations
TL;DR: The rising temperatures are resulting in heat stress for various agricultural crops to limit their growth, metabolism, and leading to significant loss of yield potential worldwide as mentioned in this paper, and heat stress adversely affects normal plant growth and development depending on the sensitivity of each crop species.
Abstract: The rising temperatures are resulting in heat stress for various agricultural crops to limit their growth, metabolism, and leading to significant loss of yield potential worldwide. Heat stress adversely affects normal plant growth and development depending on the sensitivity of each crop species. Each crop species has its own range of temperature maxima and minima at different developmental stages beyond which all these processes get inhibited. The reproductive stage is on the whole more sensitive to heat stress, resulting in impaired fertilization to cause abortion of flowers. During seed filling, heat stress retards seed growth by affecting all the biochemical events to reduce seed size. Unfavorable temperature may significantly affect photosynthesis, respiration, water balance, and membrane stability of leaves. To combat heat stress, plants acquire various defense mechanisms for their survival such as maintaining membrane stability, and scavenging reactive oxygen species by generating antioxida...
108 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of whole amaranth substitutions at various proportions and evaluated the cookies baking behavior were examined for physical (thickness, diameter, spread ratio and bake loss), textural, and organoleptic attributes.
Abstract: This study examined the effects of whole amaranth substitutions at various proportions and evaluated the cookies baking behavior. Six types of formulations of cookies were prepared with whole amaranth flour ranging from 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%. These cookies were evaluated for physical (thickness, diameter, spread ratio, and bake loss), textural, and organoleptic attributes. The diameter and spread ratios were found to be higher in whole amaranth flour cookies 52.20 mm and 6.46, respectively, as compared to other blends (20–80%) of cookies from 51.37 to 51.92 mm and 6.13 to 6.36, respectively. Textural measurement showed that hardness of cookies decreased with the addition of amaranth flour. Whole amaranth flour cookies required least snap force (72.4 N) compared to control (whole-wheat flour) cookies (145 N). Sensory data indicated that the amaranth cookies with up to 60% were acceptable, while additional amaranth flour resulted in a decreased mean score for overall acceptability.
89 citations
TL;DR: Hormones mechanisms that affect fuel metabolism and are involved in regulation of blood glucose, dealing insulin and glucagon hormones are reviewed, and includes other related hormones, which increase the blood glucose level: growth hormone, thyroxine, cortisol and adrenaline.
Abstract: This review aims to review hormones mechanisms that affect fuel metabolism and are involved in regulation of blood glucose, dealing insulin and glucagon hormones, and includes other related hormone...
75 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, rice, brown cowpea and African yam bean seeds were processed into flours and their proximate, functional and pasting properties were assessed and the results ranged from 0.63 to 0.84 to 1.32, 0.46 to 1., 0.45 to 0, and 0.67, respectively.
Abstract: FARO 44 rice, brown cowpea and African yam bean seeds were processed into flours and their proximate, functional and pasting properties were assessed. Functional properties—loose bulk density, packed bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, emulsion capacity, foam capacity, gelation capacity and swelling index ranged from 0.63 to 0.69 g/ml, 0.84 to 1.00 g/ml, 0.63 to 1.32%, 0.46 to 1.48%, 42.50 to 56.78%, 10.40 to 18.17%, 50.93 to 57.90°C and 0.45 to 0.67, respectively. Proximate and amylose composition ranged as follows; Moisture: 8% (75% rice:25% African yam bean) to 14% (100% rice); Protein: 12.86% (100% wheat) to 28.13% (50% rice:50% African yam bean); Fat: 1.64% (100% rice) to 5.79% (100% cowpea); Ash: 1% (100% cowpea, 75% rice:25% African yam bean, 50% rice:50% African yam bean) to 1.97% (25% rice:75% African yam bean); Crude fibre: 0.95% (100% wheat) to 6.27% (100% African yam bean); Carbohydrate: 52.62% (50% rice:50% African yam bean) to 72.58% (100% wheat) and Amy...
66 citations
TL;DR: Lifetime consumption of fresh tomatoes can pose health risk for chlorpyrifos, permethrin and ridomil, and awareness raising on good practices for pesticide application and food safety strengthening are recommended to protect public health against pesticides.
Abstract: Tomato pesticides health risk was assessed in Meru district of Arusha region, one of the key tomato producers in Tanzania. Tomato samples and consumption information were collected from 50 farmers using Food and Drug Administration standards and twice administered twenty-four hour recall questionnaire respectively. Analysis for pesticide residues was done using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Dietary pesticide exposure was estimated deterministically by combining pesticide residue levels and tomato consumption levels. Pesticide levels were detected for; permethrin (mean, 5.2899 mg/kg/day), chlorpyrifos (mean, 7.5281 mg/kg/day) and ridomil (mean, 2,854.279 mg/kg/day) in 18% of samples. Health Risk Indices, determined as ratio of estimated daily intake to acceptable daily exposure, for chlorpyrifos, permethrin and ridomil were greater than one. This implies that, lifetime consumption of fresh tomatoes can pose health risk for chlorpyrifos, permethrin and ridomil. Awareness raising on good prac...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the nutritional composition, physical properties, and sensory quality of the control, wheat flour cookies substituted with 5, 10, and 15% pitaya peel flour (PPF).
Abstract: Food waste produced from fruits and vegetables processing plants possesses an important natural and valuable material in producing less expensive functional food due to the presence of several bioactive substances. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the nutritional composition, physical properties, and sensory quality of the control, wheat flour cookies substituted with 5, 10, and 15% pitaya peel flour (PPF). The proximate analyses results demonstrated that PPF-containing cookies had significantly higher ash, fiber, and carbohydrate content but lower moisture and protein than the control. Physical analyses results showed that cookies incorporated with PPF had higher diameter and spread ratio but lower crumb height than the control. Sensory evaluation results indicated that wheat flour partially substituted with PPF up to 15% level did not affect to the overall acceptability ratings of cookies by panelists. Thus it can be concluded that PPF can be partially substituted for wh...
TL;DR: The results showed that VCO obtained from hot extraction process contained more total polyphenol, antioxidant activity, tocopherol, phytosterol, monoglycerides, and diglyceride content in comparison to CEVCO and CCO samples.
Abstract: The hot and cold extracted virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been subjected to the various quality parameters. There was a no significant difference in iodine value, saponification value, refractive index, fatty acid profile, specific gravity, and moisture content of hot extracted virgin coconut oil (HEVCO), cold extracted virgin coconut oil (CEVCO), and copra oil (CCO) samples. The phenolic components of the HEVCO, CEVCO, and CCO were found to be 650.35 ± 25.11 μg/g, 401.23 ± 20.11 μg/g, and 182.82 ± 15.24 μg/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity ranged from 80 to 87% in HEVCO, 65 to 70% in CEVCO, and 35 to 45% in CCO. The results showed that VCO obtained from hot extraction process contained more total polyphenol, antioxidant activity, tocopherol, phytosterol, monoglycerides, and diglyceride content in comparison to CEVCO and CCO samples.
TL;DR: In this paper, about 1,000 farmers in Suhum area have switched to the cultivation of cocoa organically, and the question of why they did so was also raised, but no solution was given.
Abstract: Cocoa farmers in Suhum area have been cultivating conventional cocoa for several years. However, as at 2012 about 1,000 farmers had switched to the cultivation of cocoa organically. The question th...
TL;DR: The present review highlight the importance of plant and bacterial enzymes with special reference to meat tenderization.
Abstract: Meat consumers are very concerned about the quality and tenderness of meat. Meat tenderness generally depends upon connective tissue, sarcomere length, and the proteolytic potential of muscle. Diff...
TL;DR: This review critically analyzes global trends in the use of AGP, its incidence, methods of detection and associated health concerns and suggests possible ways to reduce the residues in foods of animal origin.
Abstract: The major use of antibiotics is for the treatment and prevention of diseases. Antibiotics are used in the livestock industry to enhance growth rate, increase feed efficiency and reduce disease development. But unscrupulous use of antibiotic plays a major role in the emerging public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. The issue becomes more relevant on a future perspective because the global use of antimicrobials for food animal production is predicted to increase by 67% in 2030. This issue required timely intervention in India because India is a hotspot with higher consumption (30 kg/km2) for industrial poultry production, which is expected to grow 312% by 2030. But on same time complete ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) can create an economic loss of 44.1 billion USD in global meat production. Antibiotic residues in food have twofold concern; one is potential threat of direct toxicity in humans and the second is possible development of resistant strains and failure of antibi...
TL;DR: In this article, the effects on atherosclerosis, anti-visceral obesity, platelet aggregation, inflammation, adverse stressful situations, and that of liver injury have been reported from time to time.
Abstract: Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) contains a large number of versatile compounds with antioxidant and hence medical properties that have been reported from time to time. Intensive work on the medical properties of sea buckthorn has concluded incredible results like the effects on atherosclerosis, anti-visceral obesity, platelet aggregation, inflammation, adverse stressful situations, and that of liver injury. Only a few studies have been conducted on the safety evaluation of the plant extract but importantly no study has deemed it unsafe for animal or human consumption till date. Considering the fact that no significant changes have been observed in organ weight/body weight ratios, of any vital organ studied (except liver and kidney in 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg body weight doses, respectively) and biochemical and hematological parameters in different animal trials with an lethal dose for 50% reduction of population (LD50) of >10 g/kg when given orally, there is scope for further investigations regar...
TL;DR: In this article, the nutritional quality of protein from Moringa oleifera seeds and leaves was evaluated, which revealed the presence of all essential amino acids in both leaf and seed flour, with high content of leucine and valine and low content of methionine and cysteine.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality of protein from Moringa oleifera seeds and leaves. The defatted flours were rich in protein (33.53 and 18.63% for seeds and leaves, respectively) and carbohydrates. Amino acid analysis revealed the presence of all essential amino acids in both leaf and seed flour, with high content of leucine and valine and low content of methionine and cysteine. The total essential amino acids content of leaf flour (42.76 g/16 g N) was higher than that of seed flour (35.07 g/16 g N). Limiting amino acids were lysine and sulfur amino acids. The available lysine content of leaf flour (3.78 g/16 g N) was significantly higher than that of seed flour (1.30 g/16 g N). In vitro digestibility studies revealed that leaf proteins were more easily digested by pepsin than seed proteins. Moreover, after a pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis, digestibility of seed flour (61.12%) was significantly higher than that of leaf flour (57.22%). In addition, the leaf flour showed h...
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of storage on physicochemical, microbial, and antioxidant properties of pumpkin candy was investigated. But, the results showed that during storage, a significant increase in TSS while a non-significant increase in titrable acidity, reducing and total sugars was observed.
Abstract: Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) is highly nutritious and antioxidant-rich vegetable widely grown all over the world. Present study reports the effect of storage on physicochemical, microbial, and antioxidant properties of pumpkin candy. Pumpkin and its candy were analyzed for the physicochemical characteristics like moisture content, ash, total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity, total sugar, reducing sugar, and color. Beta-carotene and vitamin-C content of pumpkin and its candy were also studied. Antioxidant properties like 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC), reducing power, and lipid peroxidation of methanolic extracts of pumpkin and processed candy were evaluated. During storage, a significant increase in TSS while a non-significant increase in titrable acidity, reducing and total sugars was observed. Beta-carotene, vitamin C, color, and antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP, TPC, reducing power, and lipid peroxidation) al...
TL;DR: Kefir grains are multi-species natural starter culture consisting of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and yeasts, creating complex symbiotic community and widely used in fermented-dairy products as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Kefir grains are multi-species natural starter culture consisting of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and yeasts, creating complex symbiotic community and widely used in fermented dairy products. The microbiological and chemical composition of kefir grains indicate that they are very complex probiotic, with lactic acid bacteria, generally the predominant microorganisms. Therefore, kefir grains were usually used the starter in fermented dairy products. Our review provides an overview of microbiological characteristics, microstructure, chemical composition of the kefir grains and their use in fermented dairy products.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors diagnosed engineering properties on varying moisture content of sunflower seed and kernel from 7.6 to 25% (wet basis) and found that the kernel was more resistant to initial cracking than seed.
Abstract: The study diagnosed engineering properties on varying moisture content of sunflower seed and kernel from 7.6 to 25% (wet basis). On increasing moisture, dimensional values increased for both seed and kernel. Bulk density, true density and porosity were found higher for kernel as compared to seed at each moisture content. On increasing the moisture content from 7.6 to 25%, true density, porosity and thousand kernel weight increased. Coefficient of static friction on plywood was found maximum for kernel at 25% moisture content, while it was minimum for seed on glass at 7.6% moisture content. The angle of repose was maximum for kernel as compared to seed. Initial cracking force, average rupture force and average rupture energy for seed and kernel decreased with an increase in the moisture content. The kernel was found to be more resistant to initial cracking than seed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined farmers' perception on climate variability and its effect on adaptation strategies in the Suaman district of Western Region, Ghana, using Heckman's treatment effect model that corrected the presence of selectivity bias in the sample.
Abstract: Climate Change has gained global attention due to its adverse impact on agriculture. Cocoa production in Ghana is also under threat following climate change. This study, therefore, examined farmers’ perception on climate variability and its effect on adaptation strategies in the Suaman district of Western Region, Ghana. It involved 240 cocoa farmers. The study estimated Heckman’s treatment effect model that corrected the presence of selectivity bias in the sample. From the result, 69.5% of the farmers perceived an increase in the average temperature while 22.5% perceived an increase in the average rainfall over the years. The factors that significantly influenced farmers’ perceptions were farm size, farm management training, household size and farmer-based organization (FBO) membership. The major adaptation strategies adopted by the farmers were pesticides application, planting improved varieties, mixed planting and changing planting dates. Farmers’ perception was found to have a positive impact o...
TL;DR: Cassava variety 419 had the highest potential for use in aqua feed production and phytate and tannin levels for all six varieties were not significantly different (p > 0.05).
Abstract: Leaves from six varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) cultivated in Nigeria were harvested and analysed for their nutritional composition and anti-nutritional factors using standard analytical techniques. The leaves were further processed into cassava leaf protein concentrate. Results obtained indicated highest crude protein levels, β-carotene levels and lipid levels of 48.85 ± 0.45, 816.92 ± 8.80 and 13.27 ± 0.06, respectively, in variety 419 and lowest crude protein levels and β-carotene levels of 40.19 ± 0.08 and 298 ± 5.74 in variety 326. However, ash, moisture and carbohydrate levels for all six varieties were relatively the same. Mineral compositions for all varieties were also fairly similar. Hydrogen cyanide levels were significantly low (p > 0.05) in variety 419 with a value of 0.98 ± 0.05. However, phytate and tannin levels for all six varieties were not significantly different (p > 0.05). It can be concluded from this study that cassava variety 419 had the highest potential fo...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors aimed to optimize the spray drying operating parameters for the production of quality pomegranate juice powder using response surface methodology, and derived optimum conditions were used for the powder production to check the validity of the quadratic model.
Abstract: The present study was aimed to optimize the spray drying operating parameters for the production of quality pomegranate juice powder using response surface methodology. The spray drying operating conditions including inlet air temperature (170–190°C), feed flow rate (18–30 mL/min), and blower speed varied (2,000–2,400 rpm) were used as independent variables. The responses evaluated were ascorbic acid content, anthocyanin content, moisture content, hygroscopicity, and water solubility index. Statistical analysis showed that among the independent variables, inlet air temperature showed greater effect on all the investigated responses. The derived optimum conditions were used for the powder production to check the validity of the quadratic model. Small deviations were observed between the experimental values and the predicted ones and the values were within the acceptable limits. The results showed that the optimum spray drying operating conditions for the production of pomegranate juice powder with ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of the partial replacement of the wheat flour by legume on the quality characteristic of cookies was analyzed and six blends were prepared by homogenously mixing chickpea flour, pigeon pea, moong bean flour, and cowpea wheat flour with wheat flour in the percentage proportions: 100, 25:75, 25,75,25:75 and 25, 75, 25;75, and 10:10:10-10:60 (CPF: WWF, PF:WWF, MF: WCF, CF:WCF,
Abstract: In developing countries like India, with increasing urbanization, the demand for processed food and bakery products particularly cookies command wide popularity in both urban and rural mass. Hence, an attempt was made to develop functionally and nutritionally improved cookies and the influence of the partial replacement of the wheat flour by legume on the quality characteristic of cookies was analyzed. Six blends were prepared by homogenously mixing chickpea flour, pigeon pea, moong bean flour, and cowpea flour with wheat flour in the percentage proportions: 100, 25:75, 25:75, 25:75, 25:75, and 10:10:10:10:60 (CPF:WWF, PF:WWF, MF:WWF, CF:WWF, and CPF:PF:MF:CF:WWF) and later used to make cookies. Chemical and functional properties of the composite flours and chemical as well as sensory characteristics of cookies made from the above combinations were determined. The incorporation of legume flour significantly affected the physical, chemical, and phytonutrient parameters of the cookies. The results r...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on the constraints to the use of climate variability/change adaptation strategies in South-west Nigeria and employed multistage random technique to select the location and the respondents.
Abstract: This study focused on the constraints to the use of climate variability/change adaptation strategies in South-west Nigeria. Multistage random technique was employed to select the location and the respondents. Descriptive statistics and principal component analysis (PCA) were the analytical tools engaged in this study. The constraints to climate variability and change examined before did not use PCA but generalized factor analysis. Hence, there is need to examine these constraints extensively using PCA. Uncovering the constraints to the use of climate variability/change adaptation strategies among crop framers is important to give a realistic direction in the development of farmer-inclusive climate policies in Nigeria. The PCA result showed that the principal constraints that the farmers faced in climate change adaptation were public, institutional and labour constraint; land, neighbourhood norms and religious beliefs constraint; high cost of inputs, technological and information constraint; farm d...
TL;DR: In this paper, two mungbean cultivars, Swat-1 and NM-98, four levels of phosphorous (0, 20, 40, and 60) in the form of TSP, and four tillage systems, zero tillage, minimum tillage (2-time), conventional and maximum tillage(6-time) were used.
Abstract: Two mungbean cultivars, Swat-1 and NM-98, four levels of phosphorous (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg ha−1) in the form of TSP, and four tillage systems, zero tillage (no tillage), minimum tillage (2-time), conventional tillage (4-time), and maximum tillage (6-time) were used. Results divulge that plant height, number of pods plant−1, number of seeds pod−1, biological yield, seed yield, 1,000 seed weight, harvest index, and protein content were significantly affected by mungbean cultivars, various phosphorous levels, and tillage systems. Cultivar swat-1 stands first in term of growth and yield. Highest thousand seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, and harvest index % were produced by P at the rate of 60 kg ha−1, while maximum plant height, number of pods plant−1, number of seeds pod−1, and protein content were given by P at the rate of 40 kg ha−1 at par with P at the rate of 60 kg ha−1. Among different tillage systems, maximum number of pods plant−1, 1,000 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, and...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the factors that substantiate the agroforestry adoption decisions of the farm households and its effect on farmland productivity and found that the adoption decision of agro-forestry is correlated with the productivity of the farms.
Abstract: This study attempted to investigate the factors that substantiate the agroforestry adoption decisions of the farm households and its effect on farmland productivity. For the analysis of the agrofor...
TL;DR: The experiment results indicated that the pelleted earthworm diet could be used in rearing of rohu advanced fry and was significantly better than the corresponding values of whole earthworm and earthworm custard fed diets.
Abstract: Earthworm, a non-conventional protein source with 520–530 g protein kg−1 on dry matter basis was used in three forms viz. (i) whole earthworm (ii) earthworm custard, and (iii) pelleted earthworm diet to prepare three iso-nitrogenous (500 g protein kg−1 diet) and iso-caloric (17.0 MJ kg−1 diet) experimental diets. The formulated diets were fed ad libitum twice daily to Labeo rohita advanced fry (0.71 ± 0.04 g) in triplicates for a period of 35 days. In each replicate, 10 fish were stocked. The 300 L fiberglass-reinforced plastic tanks containing 100 L of water with the provision of continuous aeration were used for rearing the fish. At the end of experiment, the weight gain (g), food conversion ratio, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, protein retention efficiency (%), and energy retention efficiency (%) of fish fed pelleted earthworm diet (2.19, 1.58, 4.21, 1.26, 23.0, and 18.6, respectively) was significantly better (p < 0.05) than the corresponding values of whole earthworm (1.53, 2...
TL;DR: A field experiment was carried out to identify the optimum plant density, inter and intra-row spacing for the maximum agronomic performance of Gachena (a recently released faba bean variety).
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out to identify the optimum plant density, inter and intra-row spacing for the maximum agronomic performance of Gachena (a recently released faba bean variety). A thr...