African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6837

Table of Content: 1 August, 2013; 8(29)

August 2013

A computer model for designing of permanent gully control structures

Engineering measures of soil and water conservation are an integral part of watershed management or development, and thus they must be designed accurately and economically. Designing of various gully control structures plays a vital role in the success of any watershed development programme. Analytical designing of these structures in terms of hydrologic, hydraulic and structural stability is very important. The study...

Author(s): D. Khalkho, N. S. Raghuwanshi, S. Khalkho and R. Singh

August 2013

Development of nursery raising technique for “system of rice intensification” machine transplanting

This study was aimed to develop the spaced mat nursery to suit the available transplanter for System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of cultivation. To achieve 100% seed germination, enough root networks to provide enough rigidity for the mat and to offer conducive growth environment, the soil medium was optimized. Nine treatment media were prepared namely vermisoil (field soil+vermicompost-1:1, 2:1 and 3:1),...

Author(s): P. Dhananchezhiyan, C. Divaker Durairaj and S. Parveen

August 2013

Performance evaluation of a manually operated cotton picker

Cotton harvesting/picking may be accomplish manually or mechanically using cotton picker. A manually operated cotton picker was developed and on-farm performance evaluation was carried out. The cotton picker was compared with the existing manually operated cotton picker, and the traditional method of harvesting cotton on the bases of time input, labour requirement, ground and plant harvest losses. Results indicate that...

Author(s): Adebija J. A. and Jackson B. A.

August 2013

Trial processing and lamination of balsa wood as an insulation board for ceiling construction in buildings

The balsa sawn boards were tried for manufacturing an insulation board. A total of 32 rough sawn balsa boards, 100 × 25 × 1.5 mm length, were air-dried to 15% moisture content, dressed and machined into tongue and groove (T and G) product. The T and G boards were joined side by side (lamination), bonded with polyvinyl acetate (PVA) liquid wood adhesive to form an insulation board of 4.8 m² wide surface...

Author(s): Benson K Gusamo, Mark Semeli and Barbara Ozarksa

August 2013

Efficacy of selected plant extracts in the okra pest, Zonabris pustulata (Thunberg)

The mortality of Zonabris pustulata with varied concentration of plant extracts was analyzed. For instance, high pesticidal activity was recorded from the crude extracts of Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Cynodon dactylon, Calotropis gigantea and Acalphya indica. The mortality of Z. pustulata which occurred in the A. indicaextract increased...

Author(s): Jeyaparvathi S. and Umayal Parvathi M.

August 2013

The effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on seed size and sprouting of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.)

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on seed size and sprouting of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The experiment was laid done in factorial design (3 × 3) using Agria, Marfona and Draga cultivars and three concentrations of GA3 (0, 5 and 10 mg/lit). Results showed that application of gibberellic acid at low concentrations (5 and 10 mg/lit) was able to increase...

Author(s): Mohsen Barani, Nasser Akbari and Hadi Ahmadi

August 2013

Evaluation of soil biological properties of 9- and 15-year-old stands in the oil palm plantation in Perak, Malaysia

Opening land for oil palm cultivation provokes many debates around the world regarding on the fate of biodiversity. A study was conducted to evaluate and compare soil biological properties of 9-year-old (P1) and 15-year-old (P2) stands of an oil palm plantation in Bikam, Perak, Malaysia. Composite samples were collected at depths of 0-15 cm (topsoil) and 15-30 cm (subsoil) located within six subplots (20 m × 20...

Author(s): Daljit Singh Karam, A. Arifin, O. Radziah, J. Shamshuddin, Hazandy Abdul-Hamid, Nik M. Majid, I. Zahari, Nor Halizah Ab. Halim and Cheng Kah Yen

August 2013

Response of Arbequina olive tree to reasonable fertilization

Young Arbequina olive trees, growing in North of Tunisia, planted under irrigated system, were selected to reasonable fertilization since 2006 of Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5) and potassium (K2O) distributed according to the critical stage of development of the tree. This fertilization was reasoned on foliar, flower diagnosis and the exportation in fruits, leaves and woods. Olive leaves were sampled at the pit...

Author(s): Ben Khelil Malek and Sanaa Mustapha

August 2013

The effect of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizer rates on performances of soybean and maize component crops of a soybean/maize mixture at Bako, Western Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted to determine the best compatible soybean varieties in intercropping systems and the most economically optimum integrated fertilizer rate. The factorial experiment consisted of two soybean varieties (Didessa and Boshe) treated with eight levels of combined organic and inorganic fertilizer applications in three replications. Both sole soybeans and maize under recommended fertilizer...

Author(s): Abebe Zerihun, J. J. Sharma and Dechasa Nigussie and Kanampiu Fred

August 2013

Source of technical inefficiency of smallholder wheat farmers in selected waterlogged areas of Ethiopia: A translog production function approach

This study was undertaken to investigate the technical inefficiency and factors affecting efficiency of wheat production in water-logged areas of Arsi-robe and Digelu-tijo districts of Arsi zone in southeastern Oromia region, Ethiopia. Both purposive and two-stage sampling techniques were used. Primary data was collected from 157 randomly selected wheat producing farmers through a structured questionnaire. The translog...

Author(s): Mesay Yami, Tesafye Solomon, Bedada Begna, Fekadu Fufa, Tolesa Alemu and Dawit Alemu

August 2013

Effect of different levels of farmyard manure and nitrogen on the yield and nitrogen uptake by stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)

Two independent field experiments were conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India in 2006 and 2007 in a loamy sand soil normal in soil reaction and electrical conductivity, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in phosphorus and potassium status in a complete randomized design with four replications to study the effect of different levels of farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen on...

Author(s): Zahida Rashid, Mudasir Rashid, Suhail Inamullah, Souliha Rasool and Fayaz Ah. Bahar

August 2013

The use of edaphic factors to map the spatial distribution of root knot nematodes in tobacco plantations

Root-knot nematodes are the most economically important group of plant parasitic nematodes. They are unevenly distributed in the soil making blanket nematicide applications uneconomic. Soil edaphic factors have been reported to be related to nematode distribution and hence can indicate nematode distribution in the soil. This study seeks to find out if the relationship of soil edaphic factors and nematode distributions...

Author(s): R. T. Muzhandu, C. C. Chinheya, P. Manjeru and S. Dimbi

August 2013

Characteristics of market garden in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study examined the characteristics of market gardens in Anambra State Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 48 respondents using snow ball sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Majority (79.2%) of the respondents were sole owners of the gardens. About 38% of the respondents used personal savings as initial investment in their operations. A greater proportion (31%) of...

Author(s): Ofoka C. I., Chah J. M. and Madukwe M. C.

August 2013

Re-qualifying historical spaces: Usak historical train station

Culture plays an important role as a means of communication and qualification of space determining people’s relationships with their environment. Created elements of material culture are icons of social and cultural structure of an era. In this context, historical sites are cultural heritages that reflect our history, culture and social values. By providing quality to the historical cultural heritage, re-creating...

Author(s): Nurhan KOCAN

August 2013

Potential role of endozoochory by cattle and sheep as an important dispersal mechanism of Zoysia japonica seeds

The content of seeds in cattle and sheep dung, the germination of seeds removed from cattle and sheep dung and the establishment of seedling using seeds within cattle and sheep dung were studied in order to describe the potential role of endozoochorous seed dispersal by cattle and sheep. Intact seeds occurred at a mean density of 81760.00 ± 3601.67 and 33146.67 ± 3446.76 seeds/kg in cattle and sheep...

Author(s): Zhang Xue-yong, Yang Yun-fei, Li Hai-yan and Tian Xun

August 2013

Farmer’s experience with hybrid rice technology: A case study of Khunti district of Jharkhand State of India.

The present study was conducted with an objective to analyze the perceptions and constraints in cultivation of hybrid rice in Khunti district of Jharkhand State of India. The relative importance of the perceptions of the farmers regarding their willingness or otherwise, to continue hybrid rice cultivation in the next season were prioritized by using Garrett’s ranking technique. The main reason to continue...

Author(s): Nirmala B. and Suhasini K.

August 2013

Utilization of social capital in combating poverty in smallholder farming households in Guruve district of Zimbabwe

Author(s): Thomas Mupetesi, Joseph Francis and Richard Gomo Not Available

August 2013

Analysis of factors affecting technical efficiency of smallholder farmers: Comparing time-varying and time-invariant inefficiency models

This paper estimates technical efficiency and identifies factors that explain differentials in technical efficiency for affected and non-affected households. We use time-varying and time-invariant inefficiency models of production. The results show that fertilizer, labour, seeds, and age are found to have contributed significantly to technical efficiency for affected farm households under both time varying and...

Author(s): Kisu Simwaka, Stuart Ferrer and Geoff Harris

August 2013

Antibacterial activity and ultraviolet (UV) protection property of some Egyptian cotton fabrics treated with aqueous extract from banana peel

The alkaline fractions of banana peel (Musa, cv. Cavendish) of fruits have been used as a natural dye for cotton fabrics. In the current study, banana peel was evaluated as a multi-functional antibacterial and UV protective agent on the cotton substrate. The extracted solution using 0.1% NaOH was analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis technique. The extracted dye was applied to the...

Author(s): Saleh Mansour Salah

August 2013

Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel: A new record as a parasitic weed on apricot root in Turkey

This study is the first report of Egyptian broomrape (Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel) parasitizing apricot (Prunus armeniaca L., Rosaceae) trees in Turkey, Malatya Province, constitutes 52% of world apricot production. Most of the apricot production areas of Turkey are in Malatya, with 14 districts, 9 of them possess intensive apricot plantings that were surveyed for the frequency and density of...

Author(s): Eda Aksoy,  Z. Filiz Arslan and Naim Öztürk

August 2013

Age and growth of Gerres filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) from Kodungallur, Azhikode Estuary, Kerala

The age and growth, length – weight relationship and relative condition factor of Gerres filamentosus (Cuvier, 1829) from Kodungallur, Azhikode Estuary were studied by examination of 396 specimens collected between May 2008 to October 2008. Here, length frequency method was used to study age and growth in fishes. L∞, K and t 0 obtained from seasonal and non - seasonal growth...

Author(s): Megha Aziz, V. Ambily and S. Bijoy Nandan

August 2013

Effect of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) plant growth regulaters on Mari gold (Tagetes erecta L.)

This experiment was conducted for the optimization of auxin [indolebutyric acid (IBA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)] required for the regeneration of Mari gold. Significant differences were observed for bloom flowers. The maximum branches per plant (6.8) were observed at 400 ppm. Maximum flower size (10.7) was exhibited at 100 ppm IBA concentration and minimum flower size (2.8) at 300 ppm. The 200 and 400 ppm IBA...

Author(s): Zia Ullah, Sayed Jaffar Abbas, Nisar Naeem, Ghosia Lutfullah, Taimur Malik, Malik Atiq Ullah Khan and Imran Khan

August 2013

Elevation and variability of acidic sandy soil pH: Amended with conditioner, activator, organic and inorganic fertilizers

Availability of nutrients for plant uptake is directly related to soil pH and as an indicator of soil fertility status. Determination of effects of soil amendments on soil pH should be a necessary part of fertilizer and fertility research. A pot experiment was carried out to determine and compare the effects of biochar, chicken manure, urea and zeolite on soil pH variability and elevation in a sandy loam acidic soil. A...

Author(s): Mohd Hadi-Akbar Basri, Nasima Junejo, Arifin Abdu, Hazandy Abdul Hamid, and Mohd Ashadie Kusno,

August 2013

Leaf senescence and physiological characters in different adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) cultivars (lines)

The aim of the study is to examine the relation of leaf senescence and its physiological characters at different flower internodes from flowering to maturing, to explore the aging mechanisms of adzuki bean leaf, to find out the intrinsic yield-forming mechanisms and to provide a theoretical basis for high-yield breeding and production of adzuki beans. A field experiment was conducted, the high-yielding (2000-75 and...

Author(s): Hui Song, Xiaoli Gao, Baili Feng, Huiping Dai, Panpan Zhang, Jinfeng Gao, Pengke Wang and Yan Chai

August 2013

Proximate compositions of some forage grasses and legumes as influenced by season of harvest

This study was conducted in Nsukka, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of season of harvest (rainy and dry seasons) on the proximate compositions of 5 legumes (Calapogonium mucunoides, Stylosanthes hamata cv.Verano, Centrosema pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides and Stylosanthes guyanensis cv. Cook) and 5 grasses (Sorghum almum, Panicum maximum, Cynodon nlemfuensis, Pennisetum...

Author(s): Onyeonagu, C. C. and Eze, S. M.

August 2013

Exploration of rainfed rice farming in Uganda based on a nationwide survey: Regionality, varieties and yield

Using a nationwide survey of rice growing farmers in Uganda, this study examined how farmers grow rice under rainfed conditions in various agro-climatic zones, and how rainfed rice cultivation performs in terms of yield, and what factors determine the level of rice yield. The study found that Nerica 4 and Supa were the two major varieties planted by rainfed rice farmers, the former in upland and the latter in lowland....

Author(s): Yusuke Haneishi, Atsushi Maruyama, Godfrey Asea, Stella E. Okello, TatsushiTsuboi, Michiko Takagaki and Masao Kikuchi

August 2013

Seed dry dressing with botanicals to improve physiological performance of fresh and aged seeds of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

An experiment was conducted in Department of Seed Science and Technology during 2012 to standardize suitable seed dry dressing treatments, using botanicals that can alleviate the deleterious effects of accelerated ageing and improve the physiological performance of both fresh and aged seeds in blackgram variety TNAU blackgram CO 6. Both fresh and four days accelerated aged seeds were dry dressed with fenugreek seed...

Author(s): S. Sathish and M. Bhaskaran

August 2013

Exploiting genotype x environment interaction in maize breeding in Zimbabwe

Agriseeds company produces several hybrids yearly. These hybrids need to be evaluated for yield stability before release. In this study, fifty-eight newly developed hybrids were planted at five sites and evaluated for grain yield and other traits. The objective was to assess the stability of Agriseeds hybrids in Zimbabwe and to identify strategies of minimizing evaluation cost of hybrids in multi-locations. Across site,...

Author(s): Casper Nyaradzai Kamutando, Dean Muungani, Doreen Rudo Masvodza and Edmore Gasura

August 2013

Assessment of feed resource availability and livestock production constraints in selected Kebeles of Adami Tullu Jiddo Kombolcha District, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Adami Tullu Jiddo Kombolcha district, Oromia Regional State to assess the major available feed resources in the area and to identify and rank feeding problems and possible improvement options for livestock feeding in the district. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select the study sites. Sixty respondents were selected from rural and peri-urban Kebeles. The total annual feed DM...

Author(s): Dawit Assefa, Ajebu Nurfeta, Sandip Banerjee

August 2013

Performance evaluation of the dairy farmers regarding adoption of precise dairy farming practices in the Punjab, Pakistan

Livestock is the dominant cog of economy of Pakistan and also livelihood supporter fulfiller for the subsistent farmers of country. The country has a great potential and prosperous with dairy animals’ breeds. Unfortunately, farmers are so far away to cash in the actual potential of animals. Non-adoption of improved practices is the major productivity retarding factor. In this regard, present study was conducted in...

Author(s): Saleem Ashraf, Muhammad Iftikhar, Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Babar Shahbaz and Ijaz Ashraf

August 2013

Morphological and molecular characterization of Tuber oligospermum mycorrhizas

Tuber oligospermum (Ascomycota) is an edible truffle growing in some Mediterranean countries. In Morocco, this truffle is regularly harvested and it is exported to Italy. Although T. oligospermum produces fruiting bodies of good quality, in Italy, it is fraudulently passed off as the most precious Italian white truffle (Tuber magnatum) and “bianchetto” truffle (Tuber borchii). In this work, a...

Author(s): Siham Boutahir, Mirco Iotti, Federica Piattoni and Alessandra Zambonelli

August 2013

Heterosis studies for earliness, fruit yield and yield attributing traits in bell pepper

The present investigation was envisaged to gather information about the potential and characteristics of the experimental material of bell pepper at the Vegetable Research Block, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture, Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Hill Campus, Ranichauri (Tehri Garhwal), Uttarakhand (India) during rainy-autumn season, 2009 to 2010. The...

Author(s): Vinod Kumar Sharma, Shailaja Punetha and Brij Bihari Sharma

August 2013

Out breeding for yield and horticultural attributes in indigenous eggplant germplasm

Heterotic effects and genetic components of variation for qualitative and quantitative characters were estimated in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Forty hybrids generated by crossing four testers (males) with ten lines (females) were studied along with parents for studying heterosis and gene action for calyx length, fruit pedicel length, shoot borer infestation, fruit borer infestation, little leaf incidence,...

Author(s): S. Ramesh Kumar, T. Arumugam, V. Premalakshmi, C. R. Anandakumar and D. S. Rajavel

August 2013

Evaluation of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) varieties under naturally ventilated greenhouse in mid hills of Kumaon Himalaya

Among eight Carnation varieties viz. Diana, Aurturo, White Dona, Pink Dona, Soto, Red King, Tuareg and Dona., evaluated under naturally ventilated greenhouse and subjected to uniform treatment and cultural package of practices, the variety Red King was found best with respect  to number of branches (8.0), number of flowers/plant (35.6), fresh weight of flower (8.38 g), dry weight of flower (2.66 g), flower diameter...

Author(s): Ajay Kumar Singh, D. K. Singh, Balraj Singh, Shailja Punetha and Deepak Rai