November 2013
Growth and expansion of strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) under water stress conditions
This investigation was carried out to find out if a constant number of strawberry fruit in the plants would have differing rates of growth and expansion when subjected to different levels of water stress at specific growth stages. Soil water stress treatments were imposed at flowering (flo) and at fruiting (fru), by withholding water until the available soil water were 0.40 to 0.45% v/v for the normal stress treatment...
November 2013
Starch accumulation in cassava roots: Spatial and temporal distribution
The relationship between starch and morpho-physiology aspects of cassava plant has not been identified. Considering this aspects, the present study showed the temporal and spatial distribution of starch grains in storage roots of cassava, variety IAC 576-70 with 90 and 120 days after planting. From these evaluations, a concentration of starch around the secondary xylem vessels of the cassava tuberous roots was observed,...
November 2013
Rural households’ livelihood assets, strategies and outcomes in drought-prone areas of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia: Case Study in Lay Gaint District
This study examines rural livelihood strategies and food security outcomes in the drought-prone Amhara Region of Ethiopia by focusing on Lay Gaint district as a case study site. Questionnaire survey, key informants interview and focus group discussions were employed to collect primary data. A total of 210 households were covered by the questionnaire survey, and the questionnaire covered issues related to household level...
November 2013
Evaluation of Panchgavya as source of nutrient for Cymbidium orchids
The experiment was undertaken during 2009 to 2012 to study the different concentration of panchgavya on the growth and flowering of Cymbidium ‘Sleeping Nymph’. The media application of 1:30 panchgavya registered highest pseudobulb length and girth and resulted in 31.66 and 41.3% increase over control, respectively. Furthermore, the number of spikes per plant, floret per spike, spike length and rachis length...
November 2013
Production preference and importance of fruit species in home garden among rural households in Igbo-Eze North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria
The study examined production preference and importance of fruits in home garden using one hundred randomly selected household heads. Data were collected by use of structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics. Household produced Treculia Africana (100%), Anacardium occidentalis (100%), Psidium guajava (100%), Citrus spp. (100%), Carica papaya (93%) and Manifera indica (90%) fruits for...
November 2013
No appropriate technology so far for Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill. Pierre ex Pax) processing in Cameroon: Performance of mechanized kernel extraction
Ricinodendron heudelotii kernels are an important source of income for rural women in the humid tropics of Africa. Manual kernel extraction is time consuming and efforts have been made to mechanize the process. However, mechanical damage to kernels remains an issue. Within the socio-economic and resource ecology context in the central region of Cameroon, a prototype machine for extracting njansang kernels was developed...
November 2013
Relationship between potato yield and the degree of weed infestation
Field experiment was carried out in the years 2002 to 2004 to study the effect of soil tillage methods and weed control techniques with herbicides. Potato yield and degree of weed infestation were investigated using correlation coefficients and linear regression analysis. High negative associations were found between the number of weeds, their fresh and air dry matter, and total potato tuber yield as well as marketable...
November 2013
Application of numerical method in the estimation of soil thermal diffusivity and soil temperature prediction under different textures and moisture contents
Numerical solution of heat conduction equation was used to estimate the soil thermal diffusivity () under different texture and moisture contents. The estimated value of was applied to soil temperature prediction at several depths and times. The results showed that the values of α at the beginning increased with increased moisture up to a critical point and then decreased. The maximum values for...
November 2013
Trace metal concentrations in some tea leaves consumed in Ibadan, Nigeria
This study was conducted to determine concentrations of seven trace metals and proximate analysis of some teas consumed in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Standard methods described by Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) were used for proximate analysis, while Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS) was used for metal quantification. The mean of proximate analysis (%) were as follows: Nitrogen (3.01...
November 2013
Energy saving of field operations in soybean production using data envelopment analysis approach
In this study, a data envelopment analysis approach was used to determine the efficiency of farmers, rank the efficient and inefficient ones and to identify the wasteful uses of energy by inefficient farmers with respect to energy use in different operations of soybean production in Golestan province, Iran. Data used in this study were obtained from 94 randomly selected soybean farms using a survey method. From this...
November 2013
Effect of tree age, scion source and grafting period on the grafting success of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.)
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) can be propagated by seed or vegetative propagation. Grafting is the best method for large-scale asexual propagation of cashew. An assessment of grafting success of cashew nut was conducted at Chikwawa Estate nursery where graft-take was compared for scions obtained from different populations of different ages and then grafted from the month of August to October 2008. Mature and...
November 2013
Characteristic symptoms of melon diseases caused by fungi in south western Nigeria
In a survey of farmers’ fields across four states of south western Nigeria, major diseases of egusi melon were evaluated and symptoms described. Pathogenicity tests of foliage and fruits were conducted in the laboratory and causal pathogens identified. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cucurbitarum) appeared as round whitish spots on the lower surface which increased in size and later appeared as whitish talcum on the...
November 2013
Effect of planting dates and different levels of nitrogen on seed yield and yield components of nuts sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
In order to study the effect of planting date and different levels of nitrogen on yield and growths of nuts sunflower (var. Doursephid), an experiment was conducted at Mahoodabad Experimental Field in Isfahan, in 2009. A split plot layout within a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates was used. The treatments in the main plots were sowing dates (May 5th and 20th and June 5th) and in the subplots treatments...
November 2013
Response of Missouri and Yazdi peach seedling rootstocks to soil application of nitrogen in a nursery of Karaj, Iran
The effect of increasing soil nitrogen fertilization as ammonium sulfate or urea was studied on surface soil variable, mineral and leaf chlorophyll content, and some growth characters (leaf surface, shoot and root length, internodes length, diameter of shoot, dry weight of shoot and root) of 2 peach seedlings rootstocks (Missouri and Yazdi) grown on nursery of seed and plant improvements institute (SPII) in Karaj in the...
November 2013
Somaclonal variation and the study of its isozyme electrophoretic pattern in sugarcane variety NCO310
design (CRD) with four replications. Sodium hypochlorite 25% for 10 min with mercuric chloride 0.1% for 30 s and 35 had the best results for disinfection of initial leaves. Six callus induction treatments in Murashig and Skoog (MS) based medium were studied in a factorial experiment in a CRD with 4 replications. MS based medium supplemented with 2,4-D in 3 mg l-1 along with BAP in 0.3 mg l-1 was the best treatment for...
November 2013
Efficacy of certain botanicals for the management of Rotylenchulus reniformis infecting okra and cowpea
Leaf extracts of two plants such as Murraya koenigii L. Spreng and Vitex negundo L. were used as bare-root dip treatment for the management of phytonematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis infecting Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench ) cv. “Pusa Sawani” and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). cv.‘Pusa Komal’ Plants. Significant reduction was observed in the nematodes multiplication of R....
November 2013
Genetic analysis of maize leaf spacing via mixed inheritance model of major genes plus polygenes
The genetic law of maize leaf spacing was studied via mixed inheritance model of major genes plus polygenes in spring and summer sowing environment, taking the six generations (P1, P2, F1, B1, B2, and F2) of 2 crosses, PH4CV/Chang 7-2 (Cross I) and PH6WC/7873 (cross II) as subjects. The aim in this paper is to provide some genetic information for maize breeders. The results showed that the optimum model of leaf...
November 2013
Production of indigenous chickens for household food security in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A situation analysis
Although South Africa is food secure at national level, most rural households in the country remain food insecure. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is one of the provinces that is predominately rural, with dependency rations, poverty and food insecurity highest in the rural areas. A situation analysis was conducted to investigate the feasibility of promoting production of indigenous chickens for household food security and income...
November 2013
Effect of age of regrowth on yield and herbage quality of Panicum coloratum under sub humid climatic conditions of Ethiopia
The effect of stage of harvest on dry matter (DM) yield and herbage nutritive value of Panicum coloratum under sub humid climatic conditions of western Ethiopia was evaluated. Three harvesting stage treatments (8, 10 and 12 weeks of regrowth age) were assessed. The herbage DM yield (P<0.05); and leaf (P<0.05) and stem component DM yields (P<0.01); and leaf to stem ratio (P<0.001) values were significantly...
November 2013
Genetic diversity of Zimbabwean and exotic flue-cured tobacco varieties based on phenotypic traits and simple sequence repeats
Determination of genetic diversity among Zimbabwean and exotic flue-cured tobacco varieties is important for variety identification and for rational use of germplasm in breeding programs. This research investigated genetic diversity among Zimbabwean and exotic flue-cured tobacco varieties using phenotypic traits and simple sequence repeats markers. A total of twenty eight flue-cured cultivars (sixteen from China, six...
November 2013
The effects of sowing depth and light intensity on the germination and early growth of Ricinodendron heudelotii
The specific environment, in which a tree grows particularly at the stage of germination and early growth, determines the extent to which it attains its potential development. The climatic, edaphic and biotic factors, all influence the expression of hereditary characteristics. The effects of depth of sowing using forest topsoil on germination of Ricinodendron heudelotii seeds, and those of varying the intensity of the...
November 2013
A modified skin slice with subcutaneous fat and carcass weight without this slice as indicators of total lean meat and fat content in poultry carcasses
A method for obtaining a modified skin slice with subcutaneous fat in different poultry species, including chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, was proposed in the study. The weight of the modified skin slice was highly correlated with the total content of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat, including skin, in the carcass. Carcass weight without the modified slice was found to be a good indicator of total lean meat...
November 2013
Characterizations of livestock manure market and the income contribution of manure trade in Mukogodo, Laikipia, Kenya
The use of livestock manure in African agriculture supports a market system that links pastoral and agricultural communities, but has been little studied. We investigated this market in central Kenya. Out of 60 households interviewed, all had livestock and 81% were involved in livestock manure trade. Livestock manure from rangelands is marketed directly to individual traders or brokers (76%), farmers (20%), and...
November 2013
Mineral lick-centered land-use and its effects on herbaceous vegetation in Southern Ethiopia
This study was conducted in the Mana-Soda salt crater area in Borana, southern Ethiopia to evaluate the effects of a mineral lick-centered distance gradient on herbaceous species composition and rangeland condition. Samples of herbaceous species were collected along a 12 km transect starting from the edge of the crater. The herbaceous species were clustered into communities and the indicator species of each community...
November 2013
Evaluation of genotype × environment interactions of yield and output value in Chinese flue-cured tobacco by the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model
Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model has obvious advantages of analyzing the interactions between genotypes and environment, and it can describe the differences in the stability of genotypes and the discriminability of genotypes in different locations quantitatively. The prolificacy and stability of three pilots and seven genotypes were analyzed for the north state recommendation trial of...
November 2013
Maize yield response to crop rotation, farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer application in Western Ethiopia
Continuous cropping with inorganic inputs has limitations in terms of maintaining long-term soil fertility. However, crop rotation integrated with fertilizer application is one of the cheapest alternative methods for sustainable crop production. In recognition of this fact, the experiment was conducted at Bako in western Ethiopia with the objective of identifying the best precursor crops and optimum integration of farm...
November 2013
Biodiversity in Kenikeni Forest Reserve of Northern Ghana
The objectives of this study were; (1) to determine the composition of woody species; (2) to estimate the diversity of woody species, and (3) to determine the structure of woody species in the reserve. Thirty nested circular plots were purposively established in various vegetation types. A total of 68 woody species were identified belonging to 25 plant families. The Shannon diversity index was computed to be 3.5...
November 2013
Effects of calcium carbonate, prunings of Gliricidia Sepium and maize variety on an ultisol
The potential of the agroforestry species Gliricidia sepium, as a liming material needs to be investigated in the search for alternatives to slash and burn agriculture. Lime (CaCO3) and organic residue in the form of Gliricidia sepium prunings, were incubated with an acid, P deficient ultisol from Sierra Leone at different rates to target pH values 5.0, 5.5, and 6.3 for 70 day. Although in several cases the target pH...
November 2013
Micropropagation of anchote [Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn.]: High calcium content tuber crop of Ethiopia
Anchote [Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn.] is an endemic plant with high calcium content grown for its edible tuberous roots in Ethiopia. It is difficult to produce true-to-type anchote plants to sustain tuber quality through propagation by seeds as the plant pollinates both self and cross. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop micropropagation protocol for anchote and to investigate the effect of table...
November 2013
Alteration of biochemical and antioxidant mechanisms in rice plants under salt stress
The aim of this study was to examine possible alterations in the metabolism of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) that were exposed to high salt concentrations. BRS Ligeirinho seeds were sown, and the plants were grown in a greenhouse. At 14 days following sowing, the plants were alternately irrigated with a nutrient solution and water containing 0, 150 and 300 mM NaCl. After 30 days, the leaves and roots were collected, and...
November 2013
Evaluation of fruit colour as harvest index for selection of quality seeds in biofuel crops
Quality characters are influenced by many factors and among them the most warranted is the physiological maturation of the seed. In rising any plantation seed serve as the base material, which is characterized for its potentiality only based on its quality, which is spoken in terms of seed germination and seed vigour. Tree crops which are having continuous flowering habit, the maturity levels vary with seeds and...
November 2013
Isolation and characterization of nitrogen deficit Rhizobium isolates and their effect on growth of haricot bean
Nitrogen deficiency in recognized as the limiting factor for reduction in the yield of haricot bean in Ethiopia. The nitrogen fixing bacteria have the ability to enhance the plant growth and yield by fixing the atmospheric nitrogen and also play a significant role to conquer this problem. The aim of study was to isolate and characterize the haricot bean nodulating Rhizobium isolates and also to evaluate their effect on...
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