Journal of Scientific Agriculture

Estimation of land and manpower needs for year-round supply of green fodder (Super Napier) to dairy cattle through time studies and crop cutting experiments

2024-01-22T14:26:42+0530

The present study was undertaken to determine the land and manpower needed for the production of Super Napier fodder for the year-round feeding of dairy cattle present in Livestock Research Station, Mahanandi, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh through time studies and crop cutting experiments. The occasional activities of fodder production such as tillage, planting, irrigation and fertilizer application required 113.97 ± 7.31, 35.81 ± 0.98, 8.45 ± 0.31 and 0.56 ± 0.03 man-hours per acre, respectively, while the daily activities of fodder production such as harvesting of fodder, loading of fodder bundles, transport, chaffing and feeding took 5.64 ± 0.19, 1.86 ± 0.11, 0.24 ± 0.01, 0.93 ± 0.06 and 0.34 ± 0.01 man-hours per ton, respectively. Among the tillage operations, weeding required the most time (105.83 ± 6.90 man-hours per acre) and the application of an adjusted cultivator required the least time (0.64 ± 0.07 man-hours per acre). The cutting of planting material into stem cuttings and the harvesting of the planting material consumed the highest (16.52 ± 0.62 man-hours per acre) and lowest (3.97 ± 0.28 man-hours per acre) time, respectively, among the planting operations. There was a significant difference between two labourers of the same age in the application of adjusted cultivator (P < 0.01) and furrow irrigation (P < 0.05). The mean fresh yield of fodder in the farm was 16.73 ± 1.62 tons per acre per harvest or 100.40 ± 9.72 tons per acre per annum. Based on the results, it was concluded that one acre of cultivable land managed by a single person is sufficient for ensuring the year-round feeding of seven dairy animals under Super Napier fodder production.

Morphological and pathogenic characterization of Fusarium species causing common bean root rot in Uganda

2024-03-05T20:05:27+0530

Fusarium root rot (FRR) of common bean occurs in Africa, Central and South America, and causes yield losses of up to 86%. Recently, FRR-like wilt symptoms were observed in Uganda’s agroecology zones. To identify the causal pathogen, we conducted surveys in seven agroecology zones to determine the prevalence and incidence of the reported disease. During the surveys, diseased roots were collected for pathogen isolation. Fungal strains were characterized using colony color, mycelial growth rate and microscopic structures such as conidia and microconidia. The pathogenicity of 99 strains on five bean varieties was determined in artificially inoculated soils in the screenhouse. Based on field symptoms, the observed wilting was identified to be Fusarium root rot, the prevalence of which varied across agroecologies, with the highest (95%) in the Karamoja pastoral zone (KP) and the lowest (40%) in West Nile farming system (WN). Similarly, the incidence of FRR was highest (87%) in KP, and lowest (20%) in WN. Fusarium strains differed in growth rate, colony color, shape and size of microscopic structures. All evaluated strains were pathogenic on common bean and caused severities of 0.9 to 98.3%. Further studies are required to identify the isolated strains at the species level using molecular tools.

Farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) diseases and management

2024-06-26T10:08:16+0530

This study aimed to examine farmers’ understanding and views on Cassava diseases and control methods. To achieve the former, k-means clustering and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to identify and visualize response patterns for each group of variables relating to farmers’ understanding of Cassava diseases and control methods, and heatmaps were used to detail the characteristics of each pattern. To achieve the latter, bar plots were used to visualize variables related to farmers’ views. Out of 22 response patterns relating to causes of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD), 11 didn’t link a virus to CMD symptoms, while only one pattern associated CMD symptoms with a virus, the whitefly, and infected cuttings, indicating a lack of farmers’ knowledge on cassava viral diseases. Also, only 18.88% of farmers know about Cassava diseases and management technologies. This study highlights the urgent need for education and resources for farmers to safeguard their crops and livelihoods.

Habitat suitability study for green gram production under present and future climatic scenarios in Kibwezi East Kenya

2024-04-05T21:00:09+0530

The species distribution model was used to predict the suitability of green gram production under the present, RCP 4.5 and 8.5 climate scenarios. An ensemble of a species distribution model comprising six models was developed. Validation of these models revealed that all models were robust with the best model being random forest (RF) with Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.98 and Deviance = 0.29 while the least was the generalized linear model (GLM) with AUC = 0.87 and Deviance = 0.71. The green gram habitat suitability greatly decreased under RCP 8.5 climate scenario prediction whereby about half of the agricultural land in the Kibwezi East Sub County was highly unsuitable for green gram production. The Habitat suitability predictions showed that Thange ward out of the four wards in the location was the most suitable for green gram production. However, as per the predictions its suitability for green gram production may be affected by climate change under all climate scenarios. Results from this study give decision-makers a foundational understanding of the likely effects of climate change in the 2050s compared to the present scenario on habitat suitability for green gram production and a basis for creating strategies and policies to enhance adaptation and create resilience to its effects.

Yield performance evaluation of kabuli and desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties under rainfed condition

2024-05-25T09:36:34+0530

Chickpea is one of Ethiopia’s main grain legume crops and it is third most important export legumes after faba bean and haricot bean. The performance information for chickpea cultivars under varying environmental conditions in the Somali region is limited. A field experiment was conducted to test the adaptability of 14 released chickpea varieties (both kabuli and desi types) at Kebribeya and Jigjiga in 2021. The experiment was carried out using a complete randomized block design with three replications for both types separately. The analysis of variance computed for seven traits for each location and over the location revealed the presence of significant variability between varieties. Variety by location interaction was highly significant for most yield and yield related for both types, this indicated that location-specific variety selection is needed. Hence, among the tested kabuli types, Koka and Hora for Kebribeya and Ejera and Koka for Jigjiga were selected based on their grain yield potential and other yield and yield-related traits. Regarding the desi-type Dalota and Dimtu for Kebribeya and Dalota, Natoil and Teketay for the Jigjiga location were the best high-yielder varieties among tested varieties. Additionally, the phenotypic correlation between traits revealed that most traits were associated with grain yield. Specifically, days to maturity and the number of pods per plant were highly correlated with grain yield in both types and were also used as important traits for variety selection. Therefore, the selected varieties from both chickpea types are recommended for popularization in study areas and other similar agroecology.

Effect of integrated vermicompost and chemical nitrogen fertilizer for productivity of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

2024-05-22T19:35:25+0530

The study was conducted at Horo district on six (6) farmers’ fields to investigate the effect of integrated vermicompost and chemical nitrogen fertilizer for bread wheat and the soil nutrient content. The treatments consist of without any fertilizer, recommended chemical NP fertilizer, 100% N equivalent vermicompost + recommended P₂O₅, 75% N equivalent Vermicompost + 25% recommended N + recommended P₂O₅, 50% equivalent Vermicompost + 50% recommended N + recommended P₂O₅and 25% equivalent Vermicompost + 75% recommended N + recommended P₂O₅. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Dendea seed variety with a rate of 150 Kg ha^-1 was used for the trial. ANOVA analysis for after harvesting soil parameters showed significant (P<0.05) differences among treatments for available phosphorus, organic carbon, exchangeable acidity and cations exchange capacity while pH and exchangeable Ca and Mg were not statistically significant among the treatments. ANOVA showed that the treatments significantly influenced all collected yield and yield related parameters of the crop. Relatively the highest crop yield and yield related traits were obtained from T₂ (recommended chemical fertilizer) while the lowest was from control (without fertilizer). The highest net income (91971.70 birr/ha) was obtained from 25% equivalence vermicompost + 75% recommended N + recommended P₂O₅. To have more confidence in the technology; it should be verified in the same area with the same management procedure.

Evaluation of biomass yield and seed yield of vetch and oats variety mixtures

2024-05-20T16:54:13+0530

A different species and varieties of forage vetch and oat were identified to successfully adapt and perform in the highlands of Bale. However, their oat-vetch mixture was not evaluated. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of variety on biomass yield and seed yield of oats and vetch grown in pure stand and mixtures. This experiment was conducted at Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Bale zone, southern Ethiopia, during May 2023. A total of five treatments were developed for sole and mixed stands using two oat varieties and one vetch variety. A trial was arranged in RCBD with five replications. The recorded data are morphological parameters, biomass, tiller, side branch, seedling count and seed yield were calculated and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) following the GLM procedures in SAS version 9.4. The highest dry matter yield (DMY) 18.6 t ha^-1 was observed by the mixture of Gebisa variety + oat Bonsa variety. Among the mixture treatments, Gebisa variety + oat Bonsa variety had the highest seed yield (2.9 t ha^-1) while the pure stand Bona-bas variety had the seed yield (1.28 t ha^-1). The dry matter yield (DMY), of mixtures of Gebisa variety + oat Bonsa variety mixtures was better than pure stands. Based on the current result it is concluded that oat Bonsa variety + Gebisa variety mixtures had relatively higher yield biomass. Generally, in the present study on Oat-vetch mixture, there is higher yield biomass so, Animal performance must be tested.

Evaluation of different moisture conservation practices on maize production and productivity in Dallomanna Districts of Bale Lowland Southeastern Ethiopia

2024-06-19T12:21:52+0530

The in-situ moisture conservation and mulching are techniques that help retain moisture at the root zone, reduce evapotranspiration, and increase the time of infiltration for maize production. This study was focused on the evaluation of the best moisture conservation techniques in combination with mulching under rain-fed conditions for maize production in the study area. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Five treatments, namely, control (without structure and mulching), mulching, furrow ridge with open-ended furrow with mulching, furrow ridge with closed-ended furrow with mulching, and tied ridge with mulching, were compared for two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022) in terms of soil moisture conservation and maize grain yield. The highest mean grain yield (6134.84 kg ha^-1) and soil moisture content were recorded from the plot of T5 (Tied Ridge + Mulching). The result revealed that tied ridges with mulching showed better grain yield and conserved moisture over the others, followed by furrow ridges with close-ended furrows with mulching, respectively. Therefore, tied ridges with mulching as in-situ moisture conservation practices is an effective technique for storing moisture and increasing the time of infiltration as compared to other practices.

Impact of leaves of different mulberry genotypes on nutritional efficiency of conversion parameters of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

2024-07-20T15:43:10+0530

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a domesticated insect widely used to produce silk worldwide for human consumption. B. mori is a monophagous insect that feeds on nutritious mulberry leaves to produce silk. The efficiency of conversion of leaves to larval biomass by silkworm larva largely depends upon the type of silkworm breed/hybrid and the quality of mulberry leaves fed to them. The silkworms having good efficiency of conversion of leaves perform better in larval growth and silk gland development, which finally leads to enhanced silk production. In the current research work, the highest efficiency of conversion of ingesta to larva (28.608%) and efficiency of conversion of digesta to larva (51.527%) were found in Goshoerami fed silkworm batch which differed significantly from other varieties.

Begomovirus disease of pumpkin crop in India and its management strategies possibility: a review

2024-07-20T16:41:23+0530

Pumpkin is an important commercial crop grown worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. The whitefly-transmitted Pumpkin yellow vein mosaic disease seriously threatens pumpkin cultivation worldwide. The advent of transgenic technology in the 1980s revolutionized the possibilities for introducing virus resistance into agriculturally important plant species. It offered a powerful tool to enhance crop protection and provided a pathway to potentially unlimited sources of resistance against viral diseases. The ongoing research and development in this field continue to explore and refine conventional and non-conventional approaches for effective virus management in agriculture crops. This review focuses on developing transgenic resistance against begomoviruses and discusses possible management strategies to address these challenges.

Potential of silk proteins in cosmetics

2024-07-28T23:38:17+0530

Synthetic and inorganic chemical ingredients in cosmetic products pose serious health impacts on skin and hair. Much emphasis has been laid on the development of cost-effective, eco-friendly and user-friendly cosmetic products from time to time. Manufacturing cosmetics using natural ingredients is considered as a viable alternative to overcome the side effects of synthetics. Silk is a natural biopolymer obtained from cocoons of sericigenous insects like silkworms. It constitutes two proteins, viz., fibroin and sericin. Fibroin is the central core protein glued with sericin protein forming silken cocoons together. Both the proteins possess remarkable attributes viz, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-tyrosinase activity, efficient UV resistance, kinase activity, excellent release and absorption of moisture. The silk protein attributes are advantageous for body skin, hair and nails. It possesses a wide range of cosmetic applications such as facilitation of hair growth, improvement in softening and lustre of hair, rejuvenation of body and skin cells, UVB protection, prevention of chapping and brittleness of nails, and skin brightening. Due to its low molecular weight, easily penetrates the hair strands and skin cells, binds the keratin in hair and forms a protective layer to prevent moisture loss. A wide range of products have been developed for use in cosmetics viz., SILKPRO, SILKALL, SILKPRO 1000. These products are used as natural ingredients due to their potent applications in cosmetics. The cosmetic industry can be developed by proper utilization of silk in its organic products while promoting value addition to sericulture industry.

Antifungal activity of turmeric rhizome extract against Ganoderma boninense

2024-11-17T14:44:46+0530

Basal stem rot (BSR) caused by Ganoderma boninense threatens the oil palm industry, particularly in Southeast Asia. This study evaluated methanol extracts of turmeric rhizome (TRE) from four ecotypes (Bangka, Bandung, Palembang, and Surabaya) for antifungal activity against G. boninense. TRE showed strong inhibition, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.31% and IC₅₀values between 0.93% and 1.92%, exhibiting dose-dependent effects. Treated fungal hyphae displayed morphological abnormalities with enhanced chitin and protein deposition. Elevated electrical conductivity in fungal culture media indicated membrane damage and leakage of intracellular contents. These findings highlight the potential of TRE as a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides for BSR management.