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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
January 2017 | Vol. 12 No. 1 |
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Title: |
Evaluation
of spatial arrangement of legumes on weed suppression in
cassava production |
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Author (s): |
K. J. Taah, J. N. Buah and E.
Ogyiri Adu |
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Abstract: |
Cassava, the most important
root crop in the tropics, is intercropped with legumes due
to the early growth of the legumes to suppress weeds. Field
experiments were carried out from September, 2013 to
September, 2014 to evaluate the effects of spatial
arrangement of legume intercrop on the suppression of weeds
in cassava cropping system. Randomized complete block design
(RCBD) with three replications was used. Treatments
consisted of combinations of five spatial arrangements of
three legumes (cowpea, groundnut and soybean). Spatial
arrangement of one row of cassava alternating with two rows
of legumes controlled weeds more efficiently and also gave
the best yields of both cassava and legumes. The results
also indicated that spatial arrangement is important in
determining the productivity of the cassava-legume intercrop
system. Since subsistence farmers are resource poor and
weeds are a major problem in crop production systems,
intercropping cassava with legumes will improve productivity
of the system and improve the diet of the farmers from the
associated legumes. |
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Title: |
Vigour and
viability of osmoprimed harvested seeds of wheat varieties |
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Author (s): |
Naimat Ullah, Asim Muhammad,
Habib Ullah Marwat, Muhammad Hamayoon and Muhammad Subhan |
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Abstract: |
Laboratory experiment was
conducted in the Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of
Basic Sciences, University of Science and Technology Bannu,
Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Wheat Seeds of Fakhr-e-Sarhad
and Pir Sabaak (2005) was obtained from previously treated
with five priming levels i.e. Distilled water (Water
soaked), CaCl2 (22.2g L-1), KCL (20.7 g L-1), NH4SO4 (20 g
L-1), NaCl (60 g L-1) and control (dry seeds) for 8 h at
room temperature. The harvested primed seeds of wheat were
used to determine the vigor and viability in the laboratory.
Results showed that priming significantly improved
germination percentage, growth rate, seedling dry weight,
seed vigor index, shoot length, root length, shoot weight,
and root weight. It is concluded that calcium chloride
treated seeds produced heavier seedlings (9 mg), rapid
growth rate (9.6), highest seed vigor index (5092) and
heavier roots (4.6mg). Pir sabaak-2005 wheat variety showed
maximum germination percentage (65%), fastest growth rate
(9), maximum seedling dry weight (8 mg) and heavier shoot
weight (4.1 mg), and heavier root weight (3.8 mg). It is
concluded that Pir sabbak-2005 have highest vigour and
viability and suggested for general cultivation in Bannu
region. |
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Title: |
Effect of
application of different nutrients on growth and yield
parameters of maize (zea mays), case of Kandara Murang’a
county |
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Author (s): |
Chrispaul Muthaura, Monicah
Mucheru-Muna, Shamie Zingore, Job Kihara and Joses Muthamia |
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Abstract: |
Growth and yield parameters
are key indicators of soil fertility status in most agro
ecosystems. A study was conducted in Murang’a County Kandara
Sub-County in Kenya. This was to determine the effects of
applying different nutrients on growth and yield of maize.
The study was done in 2013 during the long rains season
(LR13) and the short rains season (SR13). Twenty-three
farmers were randomly selected for the study. The experiment
was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with
8 treatments (control, NPK+ CaMgS micronutrient fertilizer (Ca,Mg,S,B,Mn,Cu,Zn,),
NPK+ Manure, NPK+ Lime, NPK, NP, NK, and PK). Soil was
sampled before establishment of the trials at a depth of
0–20 cm in all the selected fields. The soil samples were
analyzed for pH, total carbon, macro, and secondary
nutrients. Treatment inputs were applied at rates of 100 kg
ha-1 N, 30 kg ha-1 P, 60 kg ha-1 K, 10 kg ha-1 Ca, 10 kg
ha-1 Mg, 5 kg ha-1 S, 10 t ha-1 manure and 1 t ha-1 lime.
Data on maize plant height, leaf number, and basal diameter
was collected at 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days after planting
(DAP). Grain and stover yield was collected at physiological
maturity. The results showed that control, PK and NK
treatment achieved means that were significantly different
(p<0.05) for leaf number and bio-volume during the 2
cropping seasons. The grain and stover yields for control,
NK and PK showed significant differences (p<0.05) during the
two cropping seasons. Simple linear regression analysis
between grain yield and leaf number achieved a coefficient
of determination (R2) of 0.9 during both seasons. The
coefficient of determination (R2) between bio-volume and
grain yield at 42 DAP was 0.8 for LR13 season and 0.9 for
SR13 respectively. The yield response to nitrogen
application was 1.87 Mg ha-1 in the LR13 season and 1.90 Mg
ha-1 during the SR13 season. The yield response (yield loss)
for phosphorus was 0.84 Mg ha-1 in the LR13 season and 0.81
Mg ha-1 during the SR13 season. It was concluded that
absence of N and P nutrients significantly affects maize
leaf number and bio-volume and eventually these effects
influence the achieved grain yield. |
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Title: |
Resistance
of Conocarpuslancifolius Engl. to high levels of draught and
salinity |
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Author (s): |
Basim A. Abd Ali |
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Abstract: |
In order to offer clear
knowledge about the species Conocarpuslancifolius and its
suitability for shelterbelts in middle and south of Iraq
where sever summer growth conditions, this experiment has
conducted. Four levels of water supply, and in addition to
tap water, three other levels of high salinity water were
experimented. Six month plants were subjected to treatments
for six months starting from beginning of April. Shoot
length, stem diameter, number of branches, and weight of
shoot and root were recorded. Results showed that plant
growth was more dependence on irrigation frequency than on
water salinity. The species tolerated such high salt levels
that can be fatal for many other plants. It could be
concluded that growth of C. lancifolius continues even under
18000 ppm salinity of irrigation water. |
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