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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
February 2011
| Vol. 6 No. 2 |
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Title: |
Performance of three cowpea (Vigna
unguiculata (L) walp) varieties in two agro-ecological zones
of the central region of Ghana. I: Dry
matter production and growth analysis |
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Author (s): |
A. A. Addo-Quaye, A. A. Darkwa
and M. K. P. Ampiah |
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Abstract: |
A study on
the performance of three cowpea varieties was conducted
during the 2008 minor rainy season to compare the effects of
location and plant density on growth at two locations, Cape
Coast (Coastal savanna) and Twifo Hemang (transition zone)
in Ghana. Three density levels: low, medium and high (125 X
103, 1667.7 X 103 and 250 X 103
plants/ha respectively) and the cowpea varieties Ayiyi,
Bengpla and UCC-Early were used. The three varieties and
three densities were factorially combined and replicated
four times in a randomized complete block design. In order
to obtain location effect, data were analyzed as a
split-split plot design with location as the main plot,
density as sub-plot and variety as sub-sub plot. Results
from growth analysis indicated that leaf area index, net
assimilation rate, crop growth rate, and total dry matter
yields were higher at Twifo Hemang than Cape Coast. The
variety Ayiyi produced the highest dry matter yield across
locations, followed by Bengpla and UCC-Early respectively.
Total dry matter production increased linearly with
increasing dry matter production across locations.
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Title: |
Management of Fusarium oxysorum f. sp. rosae using metham
sodium, dazomet and brassica biofumigants in greenhouse rose
(rosa spp.) production |
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Author (s): |
Oloo G.,
Aguyoh J. N., Tunya G. O. and O. J. Ombiri |
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Abstract: |
Alternative strategies to manage
Fusarium oxysorum f. sp. rosae
in greenhouse grown rose plants were investigated at Egerton
University, Department of Horticulture Research and Teaching
Field in 2005 and 2006. The treatments tested included;
Dazomet, metham
sodium and brassica biofumigants (Brassica
napus and
Brassica juncea).
dazomet and metham sodium were
applied at 83.3g/m2 and 0.12g/l to 1m2
rates respectively. Brassica napus and Brassica
juncea were uprooted at the initial flowering stage and
chopped into small pieces separately. The chopped brassicas
were applied to the respective plots at the rate of 2, 3 and
4 kg/m2. The results of this experiment showed
that, Dazomet and metham sodium were effective in managing
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp rosae. However their activity
was quite inconsistent and short lived. Reinfestation
occurred soon after field aeration. Brassica juncea
at an application rate of 3 and 4 kg suppressed Fusarium
oxysporum f. sp. rosae more than Brassica napus.
Brassica juncea at 3 and 4 kg had a similar effect as
dazomet and metham sodium in the management of Fusarium
oxsporum f. sp. rosae. Although metham sodium was the
most effective against Fusarium oxyporium, the
Brassica biofumigants especially B. juncea at 3 kg
offers a better alternative for the management of
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. rosae in greenhouse rose
production. |
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Title: |
Tree
species diversity in a Nigerian montane forest ecosystem and
adjacent fragmented forests |
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Author (s): |
Ihuma J.
O., Chima U. D. and Chapman H. M. |
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Abstract: |
The study
was conducted at Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve to capture the
tree species composition, diversity and richness in a
Nigerian montane forest ecosystem, and to compare same
between a protected natural forest-Main Forest (MF), and
unprotected forest fragments (A, B, and C) within the buffer
zone. Vegetation sampling was carried out using the Point-Centred
Quarter (PCQ) method. Alpha diversity was measured using
both Simpson and Shannon-Wiener indices while similarity or
otherwise dissimilarity in species composition between the
sites was measured using Sorenson’s index. A total of 22
tree species were encountered in MF while 19, 18, 17 species
were encountered in fragments A, B, and C respectively. Only
5, 3 and 4 tree species were common to MF and A, MF and B, and
MF and C respectively. A total of 10 tree species were common
to fragments A and B, while 11 species were common to each of
fragments A and C and B and C. Tree density (per hectare) was
higher in the fragments than MF except for fragment C;
though, individuals with larger diameter classes were more
in MF. Tree diversity was higher in MF than in the fragments
with C being the least diverse. Considering the importance
of fragment C as a corridor within a buffer zone, and a
source of livelihood to the rural community, the need for
its restoration, protection and the introduction of
stringent measures to ensure sustainable resource
utilization was emphasized. |
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Title: |
Response
of yield and yield components of wheat towards foliar spray
of nitrogen, potassium and zinc |
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Author (s): |
Hasina Gul, Ahmad Said, Beena Saeed, Ijaz Ahmad and Khalid
Ali |
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Abstract: |
An experimental trail was
designed to quantify the response of yield and yield
component of wheat toward foliar spray of nitrogen,
potassium and zinc. The experiment was conducted at
Agricultural Research Farm of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Agricultural University Peshawar during 2002-2003. Yield and
yield component of wheat showed significant response towards
foliar spray of Nitrogen, Potassium and Zinc. Maximum
biological yield (8999 kg ha-1), number of grains
(52) spike-1 and straw yield (6074 kg ha-1
) were produced in plots under the effect of foliar spray
of 0.5% N + 0.5% K + 0.5% Zn solution (once), while control
(no spray) plots produced minimum biological yield (5447 kg
ha-1), number of grains (29) spike-1
and straw yield (3997 kg ha-1). Similarly maximum
thousand grain weight (46 g) and grain yield (2950 kg ha-1)
were recorded in plots sprayed with 0.5% N + 0.5% K + 0.5%
Zn solution (twice), followed by lowest values (36 g) and
(1450 kg ha-1) in plots having no spray
(control). Among the treatment of 0.5% N + 0.5% K + 0.5% Zn
solution applied either one or two times, gave best response
towards yield and yield components of wheat in irrigated
area of Peshawar valley. |
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Title: |
Analysis
of catfish farming system and its impact on net farm income
in Anambra State, Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Ugwumba C. O. A. |
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Abstract: |
The study examined catfish farming system and
its impact on net farm income in Anambra State, Nigeria. A
total of 256 respondents were selected through a multistage
random sampling technique and interviewed for the study.
However, 204 returned useful copies of questionnaire used to
collate primary data for analysis. Both non-parametric and
parametric statistical tools were employed for data
analysis. A mean net farm income of N734, 850 proved
catfish farming a profitable enterprise in the study area.
Majority of the farmers (76%) favoured the practice of
catfish farming using concrete ponds, flow-through water
supply method and intensive feeding technique. Net farm
income was significantly influenced by age, cost of feed,
farm area, pond type and stock size. Measures that would
encourage the establishment of more concrete ponds, such as
the expansion of extension services and provision of cheap
credits, must be pursued to create more employment
opportunities and retard the increasing rate of unemployment
in the area. |
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Title: |
Effect of different levels of phosphorus and
sulphur on yield and availability of
N
P
K,
protein and oil content in
Toria (Brassica
Sp.) var.
P.T.-303 |
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Author (s): |
Ram Bharose, Sunil Chandra, Tarence Thomas
and Dharambir Dhan |
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Abstract: |
A
field experiment was conducted during Rabi season 2008 to
Study the effect of different levels of phosphorus and
sulphur on availability of N, P, K, protein and oil content
in Toria (Brassica Sp.) Var.
P.T.-303
on crop research farm
department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Allahabad Agricultural Institute- Deemed University, Allahabad. The area is situated on the right bank adjacent
to Yamuna river in south of Allahabad city, which is located
at 250.80' N Latitude and 810.50' E
Longitude and 98 meter above the mean sea level having the
mean temperature during the growing period was 4.7 to 37.2
0C. The soil of experimental area falls in order
Inceptisol and the experimental field is alluvial in nature.
The design applied for statistical analysis was carried out
with 32 factorial randomized block design having
two factors with three levels of Phosphorus 0, 25,
and 50 kg
ha-1, and three levels of Sulphur 0, 20,
and 40 kg
ha-1 respectively, treatments were T0
-
0 kg P2O5 + 0 kg S ha-1 ,
T1-
25 kg P2O5
+ 0 kg S ha-1 ,
T2-
50 kg P2O5
+ 0 kg S ha-1 ,
T3-
0 kg P2O5 + 20 kg S ha-1,
T4-
25 kg P2O5 + 20 kg S
ha-1,
T5-
50 kg P2O5
+ 20 kg S ha-1,
T6-
0 kg P2O5
+ 40 kg S ha-1,
T7-25
kg P2O5 + 40 kg S ha-1,
T8-50
kg P2O5 + 40 kg S ha-1
and the treatments
was replicated thrice. The chemical analysis was done in the
laboratory of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry,
A.A.I.-DU,
Allahabad. During the course of experiment,
observations were recorded as mean values of the data showed
that there was significant increase in % Nitrogen,
%Phosphorus, % Potassium, % protein and oil content in
treatment combination T5 - (50.00 kg Phosphorus
+ 40.00 kg Sulphur ha-1) and followed by T4
- (25.00 kg Phosphorus + 20.00 kg Sulphur ha-1)
respectively over than T0 - (Control). |
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Title: |
Performance of three cowpea
(Vigna
unguiculata (L) walp)
varieties in two agro-ecological zones
of the central region of Ghana.
II:
Grain
yield and its components |
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Author (s): |
A. A.
Addo-Quaye, A. A. Darkwa and M. K. P. Ampiah |
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Abstract: |
Field experiments were conducted in two
agro-ecological zones (Twifo Hemang in the transition zone
and Cape Coast in the Coastal savanna) of Ghana during the
2008 minor rainy season to study the effect of plant density
on grain yield of three cowpea varieties. Three density
levels: low, medium and high (125 X 103, 1667.7 X
103 and 250 X 103 plants/ha
respectively) and three cowpea varieties Ayiyi, Bengpla and
UCC-Early were used. The three varieties and three densities
were factorially combined and replicated four times in a
randomized complete block design. In order to obtain
location effect, data were analyzed as a split-split plot
design with location as the main plot, density as sub-plot
and variety as sub-sub plot. Mean pod length and mean number
of seeds per pod were almost the same at both locations.
This implied that these characters were least affected by
the environment. Mean number of pods per plant, 1000 seed
weight and grain yield were higher at Twifo Hemang than at
Cape Coast, indicating that with adequate control of
insects, higher yields of cowpea could be achieved in more
humid locations. Ayiyi gave the highest grain yield at both
locations followed by UCC-Early and Bengpla. The
relationship between grain yield and density across
locations was parabolic. |
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Title: |
The effect of planting medium
on the growth of pineapple seedling |
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Author(s): |
Ni
Luh Putu Indriyani, Sri
Hadiati and A. Soemargono |
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Abstract: |
The aim of the research
was to ascertain the influence of media on pineapple
seedling growth. The research was conducted at the Aripan
Experimental Field of Indonesian Tropical Fruit Research
Institute from November 2006 until August 2007. This
research was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design
with six treatments and four replications. These treatments
were (a) soil, (b) soil + manure (1:1), (c) soil + sand
(1:1), (d) soil + manure + sand (1:1:1), (e) soil + manure +
sand (1:1:2), and (f) soil + manure + sand (2:1:2). The
results showed that the medium of soil + manure (1:1) gave
higher growth of the pineapple seedlings than the other
media consistently
started from three months
after planting. This
medium was also
the best medium for the
growth of
pineapple seedling
as it gave the
highest parameters in terms of plant height,
leaf length, leaf
width, leaf numbers, and seedling wet weight. This result
suggested that soil + manure (1:1) is useful medium for
accelerating the growth of pineapple seedling.
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Title: |
Assessment of climate shift and crop yields
in a semi deciduous forest in the central region of Ghana |
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Author (s): |
J. D. Owusu-Sekyere, M. Alhassan and B. K.
Nyarko |
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Abstract: |
The
aim of the study was to assess the variability and trend of
major climatic elements in the Cape Coast metropolis and the
possible impact of these changes on the yield of major crops
produced in the metropolis. Climatic data covering a period
of sixteen years (1993-2008) was obtained from the Ghana
Meteorological Agency, Cape Coast. Crop yield data spanning
a period of eight years (2000-2008) was obtained from the
Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Cape Coast.
Probability analysis of rainfall data was used to predict
the probability of occurrence and exceedance of rainfall of
a certain amount in the future as well as the return period.
The study revealed that over the period under scrutiny,
temperature and evaporation have been increasing gradually
and this may be attributed to global warming due to the
green house effect. It was also discovered that peak monthly
rainfall is also declining and there is a higher probability
of lower amount of rainfall occurring in the future. Based
on the observed trend, recommendations were made to help
adopt the necessary adaptive measures to mitigate the
adverse effect of climate change and to enhance the
productivity of major crops produced in the metropolis. |
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Title: |
Effects
of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on floral induction and associated
hormonal and metabolic changes of biennially bearing mango (Mangifera
indica L.) cultivars during off year |
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Author (s): |
Adil O.
S. Abdel Rahim, Osman M. Elamin and Fritz K. Bangerth |
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Abstract: |
The physiology of floral
induction in mango is still controversial and thus further
work is needed for a better understanding of reproductive
physiology of this important fruit tree. The objectives of
this study were to investigate the role of a gibberellins
biosynthesis inhibitor, paclobutrazol on floral induction of
biennially bearing mango during off year and to examine the
possible correlated hormonal and non-structural carbohydrate
changes. Three distinctly biennially bearing mango cultivars
were tested for two years under North Sudan climates.
Results indicated the advantage of paclobutrazol on inducing
flowering of the biennially bearing mango cultivars, Miska,
Mahmoudi, and Totocombo during off year. Similar trends of
hormonal changes were observed during the floral induction
period on the tested cultivars. More-specifically, the
levels of cytokinins (zeatin (z) + zeatin riboside (zr) and
isopentenyl Adenosine (i-Ado) + isopentenyl Adenine (i-Ade)),
and to a less extent the levels of abscisic acid (ABA)
generally showed trends of increase during the floral
induction period, while those of gibberellins (GA1+3+20)
and auxin (IAA) were decreased during the same period.
Starch levels in most of the cases were increased by the
paclobutrazol treatment. Moreover, sucrose levels were
generally increased during the floral induction period. To
close, possible roles for some of the tested hormones and
non-structural carbohydrates on mango flowering are probably
implicated. |
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