May 2013
The legal protection of new plant varieties
The production of new plant varieties is highly desirable. But it is expensive, long-lasting and knowledge-based activity. That is why it is necessary to prevent unauthorized commercial use of plant varieties. Effective plant variety protection can open a door to economic development, particularly in the rural sector, providing an incentive for plant breeding in many different situations. The inventions of the plant...
May 2013
A review of the possibilities of alleviating poverty and food insecurity challenges in South Africa through agricultural cooperatives
The issue of food insecurity and poverty has been a critical one since the dawn of democracy in South Africa. With the World Bank also, having set the 2014 target of halving poverty in developing countries, the South African government has found itself with a task of finding ways of contributing towards meeting this target. One approach that has been proposed by many as the best vehicle for...
May 2013
Molecular detection of two cassava Begomoviruses in some parts of Southern Nigeria
Cassava mosaic disease (CMD), caused by an array of is the most economically important viral disease of cassava in sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently reported in West Africa are African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV). In this study, 42 cassava leaves and 30 symptomatic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae and Leguminosae families were collected...
May 2013
Methodology to develop land capability maps using geo-information systems (GIS)
The purpose of this research was to determine the methodology of land capability evaluation with regard to an array of objective limiting factors when growing, for example, perennial crops. The methodology of relief parameterization was used in the method for calculating geomorphological parameters, and pedometric mapping methods were used to calculate pedological variables. Inventory of the actual condition of land...
May 2013
Effects of partial replacement of maize with yam peel (Discorea rotundata) in diet of juvenile snails (Archachatina marginata)
This study was conducted to determine the effects of inclusion of dry yam peel (YP) on performance characteristics and cost benefits of growing snails. Yam peel was included at 0% (YP1) control, 25% (YP2), 50% (YP3) and 75% (YP4) as replacement for maize fraction of diet of juvenile snails. Each dietary treatment was replicated thrice with 8 snails per replicate in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured...
May 2013
Anatomical observation on release of tuber dormancy in water yam (Dioscorea alata L.)
The effects of gibberellin (GA) and a gibberellin inhibitor were investigated on bud growth of two water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) varities. The tubers were harvested after plants senescenced and were subsequently treated with GA and the gibberellin inhibitor uniconazole-P (UP). Tuber dormancy was radically prolonged by GA, but not influenced by UP. The bud germination was observed 90 days after harvesting in both...
May 2013
Effects of seed dormancy level and storage container on seed longevity and seedling vigour of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius)
The study was conducted at the laboratory of the Crop Production Department, of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria in 2009. The purpose was to determine the effect of hot-water steeping and storage container on seed longevity and seedling vigour of Corchorus olitorius. The study was also to determine if and when seed dormancy would be alleviated during the storage of the seeds of this crop....
May 2013
Varietal differences in the susceptibility of new rice for Africa (NERICA) to Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Eight new rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties obtained from the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) in Ghana were investigated for their relative susceptibilities to infestation by Sitophilus oryzae L., an important storage pest of milled rice. The completely randomized design was used to obtain data on the infestation and damage indices such as egg oviposition, developmental period, progeny...
May 2013
Scale insects recorded on ornamental plants in urban areas of Kermanshah, Iran
Scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) are serious pests of ornamental plants, and are becoming increasingly important in urban areas in Iran. Here, we report on the results of an initial survey of scale insects found on ornamental plants in Kermanshah City, Iran. A total of 15 species of scale insects were recorded: 7 Diaspididae, 3 Pseudococcidae, 3 Coccidae, and 2 Eriococcidae. Of...
May 2013
A faunistic and ecological study on Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea (Lepidoptera) of Sultandağları Mountains (Afyonkarahisar/Turkey)
In this study, the fauna of Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea (Lepidoptera) from Sultandağları Mountains, Afyonkarahisar province, in Turkey were investigated. Field collections were conducted between March and August from 1997 to 2001. Individuals were collected from 110 field surveys. The specimens belonged to 131 species in seven families, including Papilionidae (6 species), Pieridae (17), Libytheidae (1), Argynnidae...
May 2013
Chemical composition of Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.) seed oil
We were interested in Pistacia lentiscus fixed oil which was extracted from ripe seeds. The characterization of this oil was performed on fatty acids, triacylglycerols, tocopherols and sterols composition. We also evaluated its mineral composition. The results showed that the prominent class of fatty acids was represented by monounsaturated fatty acids accounting for 52.4% of the whole fatty acids. It was followed by...
May 2013
A confirmatory factorial analysis affecting the development of nanotechnology in agricultural sector of Iran
The major purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the development of nanotechnology in agricultural sector of Iran. The methodology used in this study involved a combination of descriptive and quantitative research and included is the use of factor and descriptive analysis as data processing methods. The research population include researchers in the field of nanotechnology in the West Azarbaijan...
May 2013
Adoption of land management technologies amongst small-holder farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria: Implications for food security
Land management is an integral effort of stakeholders (for example Local farmers Governmental and Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s)) in ensuring the preservation of land and at the same time facilitating the restoration of soil nutrients status. It is all about preventing soil from being damaged, destroyed or lost, thereby enhancing good land utilization for productive uses. This present study aimed at...
May 2013
Changes of the components and energy of corn stalk during decomposition process in cropland with different fertility
In order to discuss the effect of soil fertility on components transformation and energy change of corn stalk during decomposition, carborundum tube was used to study the decomposition of corn stalk buried in different soils with high, medium and low fertility for 480 days. The decomposition rate and change of energy state of corn stalk were revealed. The results showed that the fractions of alcohol-benzene soluble and...
May 2013
Organic carbon, nitrogen pool and microbial abundance indifferent rice soils of Manipur valley, India
A study was undertaken in three blocks of Manipur viz. Haorang, Wangoi and Sawombung after rice harvest covering upland, midland and lowland areas. The oxidizable organic carbon (OC) of these soils was found to be fairly good and ranged from 5.0 to 18.1 g/kg. The average pH values of 5.72, 5.45 and 5.33 were noticed in the soils of Haorang, Wangoi and Sawombung blocks respectively. Significant relationships were...
May 2013
Effect of nitrogen fertilization and cutting age on yield of tropical forage plants
This work aimed to assess the yield of five forage species subjected to nitrogen (N) levels at three different cutting ages. The experiment was carried out in the city of Santa Tereza do Oeste, at IAPAR’s (Agronomic Institute of Paraná) experimental field, by applying a randomized complete block design in a factorial scheme 5×4×3, with five species: common black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb...
May 2013
Effective use of technology in production of quality wheat to achieve export standards and demands in Pakistan
The aim of this study is to look into the effectiveness of the technology in the production quality of wheat which can meet export standards and also the demands within and outside the country. Presently, there is a wide yield gap in wheat that needs to be bridged. The major reasons for low productivity and instability includes lack of good quality seed, delayed harvesting of kharif crops like cotton, sugarcane and...
May 2013
Assessment of pan evaporation changes in South Western Iran
Evaporation is an important component in irrigation scheduling. Due to climate change, understanding of change in evaporation is critical for long term agricultural and environmental planning. The objective of this research is the investigation of temporal and spatial changes in pan evaporation in the Karun & Dez watershed. Our criteria to choose stations are access to data and suitable statistical record length....
May 2013
The perception of climate and environmental change on the performance and availability of the edible land snails; a need for conservation
Gastropods are vulnerable to extremes of climate and could be useful indicators of climate change and environmental manipulations. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of producers and harvesters of snails on climate change and habitat destruction, their effects on snails and the availability of the snail's feed. Questionnaires (402) were distributed in the Buea, Tiko, Muyuka, Kumba,...
May 2013
Plasma membrane NADPH oxidase and apoplastic POD can be responsible for accumulation of H2O2 in mesophyll cells of Elsholtzia haichowensis under copper stress
Under copper (Cu) stress, the activities of some enzymes involved in the antioxidant defense system in leave cells of Cu accumulator Elsholtzia haichowensis were investigated. Our results showed that Cu treatment significantly increased the activities of plasma membrane-bound nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, apoplastic peroxidase (POD), apoplastic superoxide dismutase (SOD),...
May 2013
Comparison of some metabolites alteration in two wheat cultivars subjected to terminal drought stress during grain filling
The aim of this study is to study the effects of water deficit on physiologic parameters related to yield in two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.), Marvdasht and Zagros (sensitive and tolerant to terminal season drought, respectively) grown in pots under well watered and water-stressed starting from anthesis to maturity. Water stress resulted in a marked increase in leaf proline content of the drought-tolerant...
May 2013
Studies on physico-chemical properties of different vineyards in Bijapur Taluk, Karnataka
Nutritional survey carried out in different grape growing regions of the country have revealed that the grape growers are applying as high as 600 to 800 kg each of N, P2O5 and K2O per ha every year accounting for 30 to 40% of an annual occurring costs. Nutrients influence yield and quality of grapes through vine growth. A systematic investigation was conducted on soil fertility status of the low and high yielding...
May 2013
Effects of dietary soybean oil inclusion to replace fish oil on growth, muscle fatty acid composition, and immune responses of juvenile darkbarbel catfish, Pelteobagrus vachelli
An 80 day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of soybean oil to replace fish oil in the diet on growth, muscle fatty acids and immune responses of Pelteobagrus vachelli. Isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated with four fish oil to soybean oil ratios at 8:0 (FO, control), 6:2 (MO1), 2:6(MO2) and 0:8 (SO) in...
May 2013
Training needs of the freshwater fish growers in Assam, India
A study was conducted in five rural development blocks of India to investigate the training needs of freshwater fish growers. A total of fifty fish growers having training exposures were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Independent variables included thirteen socio-economic parameters and dependant variables included seven critical technical areas. Frequency and percentage, mean score, standard deviation...
May 2013
Growth and potential photosynthesis of Microcystis colonies after gut passage through crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and koi carp (Cryprinus carpiod)
Growth and potential photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria (predominantly Microcystis spp.) passed through intestine of crucian carp and koi carp were compared with those of phytoplankton taken directly from lake during a 9 day cultivation of fish faeces in algal BG-11 medium. The cyanobacteria exhibited a significant reduction of activity in both maximum optical quantum yield (Fv/Fm) (P<0.001) and...
May 2013
Overexpression of a specific OsGSTL2 isoenzyme improves glyphosate and chlorsulfuron tolerance of transgenic rice plants
Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have been a focus of attention because of their role in herbicide detoxification. OsGSTL2 is a glutathione S-transferase, lambda class gene from rice. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsGSTL2 were generated from rice calli by the use of an Agrobacteriumtransformation system. The transgenic rice plants were screened by a combination of...
May 2013
Effect of soybean varieties on nutritional indices of beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
The effects of three soybean varieties (Williams, BP and L17) on nutritional indices of Spodoptera exigua(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were determined at 25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Nutritional indices of overall third to sixth larval instars indicated that, Williams and L17 varieties of soybean are more nutritionally rich food and even small amount of this food could...
May 2013
Effect of in ovo injection of cadmium on chicken embryo heart
Due to the ease of absorption, accumulation in tissues, and extremely long biological half-life in the body, cadmium is considered one of the most hazardous heavy metals. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of in ovo injection of cadmium on chicken embryo heart. A total of 160 chicken hatching eggs were used in the study. On day 4 of incubation, eggs from the experimental groups were injected...
May 2013
The resistance to banded leaf and sheath blight in maize of 282 inbred lines
Rhizoctonia solani causal agent of banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB), is widely distributed in the South China and Southeast Asian in maize causing severe yield losses. In this study, we identified the disease resistance of 282 maize inbred lines to BLSB. The results showed that no immune and highly resistant germplasm was found and four moderately resistant inbred lines were identified. These four moderately...
May 2013
On-farm evaluation of the productivity of intercropping sunflower with arable crops among smallholder farms in Nigeria and Botswana
Food production in the sub-Saharan Africa and indeed the entire African continent mostly involved smallholder farmers who are usually rural dwellers, producing crops in mixed intercropping, which often resulted in persistent and continuous poor yield and poor standard of living due to poor financial return causing increase in poverty level. Conceived with the backdrop of lack of awareness about the commercial,...
May 2013
Genotypic variation of spikes’ related traits and path analysis of grain yield in durum wheat lines
Genotypic variation of spikes’ related traits was assessed using a sample of durum wheat lines. A simple lattice experiment was carried out using 58 exotic promising lines and 6 landraces of two years cropping seasons (2006/2007 and 2007/2008) at the Agriculture Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Iran. Plant height, peduncle length, number of node per stem, number of spikes per plant,...
May 2013
Fishing in oil spillages zone: A case study of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria
The study considered fishing in oil spillages zone with special reference to Burutu local Government area of Delta State, Nigeria. The study area was particularly chosen for this study because of its prime place in artisanal fishing and oil exploitation activities. Data collection was through well structured questionnaire administered to 120 artisanal fishermen selected through random sampling technique. The method of...
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