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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
November 2010
| Vol. 5 No. 6 |
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Title: |
Growth
performance of nestling barn owls, tyto Alba javanica in rat
baiting area in Malaysia |
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Author (s): |
Mohd.
Naim, Hafidzi Mohd Noor, Azhar Kasim and Jalila Abu |
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Abstract: |
The growth of nestling barn
owls, Tyto Alba javanica in immature oil palm in
Malaysia were investigated under rat baiting with three
different rodenticides. Four treatment plots were
established with three plots baited each with warfarin,
brodifacoum and a protozoan based biorodenticide,
Sarcocystis singaporensis plus a fourth non-baited
control plot. Three rat baiting campaign were carried out
during the study, the first rat baiting campaign was
conducted in October 2008, the second was in March 2009
(except for biorodenticide baiting was conducted a month
earlier), and the last third baiting campaign in October
2009. The baiting campaigns coincided with the breeding
season of barn owl. Nestlings body measurements namely: body
mass, culmen length, tarsus length, wing length and tail
length were taken after the third baiting campaign, from
August to December 2009. Measurements were recorded every
three days from hatching up until 49 days old, i.e., several
days before fledging. Nestlings in control plot showed
superior for all parameter taken compared to rodenticides
treated plots. Body mass of nestlings in control plot were
heavier by 8.17%, 13.04%, and 6.88% compared to warfarin,
brodifacoum and biorodenticide treated plots respectively.
The culmen and tarsus length of nestling barn owls reached
the adult size during the growth period; while culmen length
in control plot was longer by 3.07%, 5.28%, and 1.41%
compared to warfarin, brodifacoum and biorodenticide treated
plots respectively. The tarsus length of nestlings in
control plot was also longer by 2.40%, 3.08% and 3.36%
compared to warfarin, brodifacoum and biorodenticide treated
plots respectively. In contrast with culmen and tarsus
length, wing and tail length still grew until day 49 i.e.,
several days before fledging. The wing and tail length in
control plot was shorter by 15.77% and 13.73% compared to
adult size. Teratogenic sign was shown by one nestling in
brodifacoum treated plot, where its primary feathers were
malformed rendering it flightless besides tail length that
were very short if compared to nestlings in control plot.
Wing and tail length in brodifacoum treated plot was shorter
by 15.26% and 18.24% respectively compared to control plot.
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Title: |
Study the
correlation, regression and path coefficient analysis in
sweet corn (zea mays var. saccharata) under different levels
of plant density and nitrogen rate |
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Author (s): |
F.
Khazaei, M. AghaAlikhani, L.Yari and A. Khandan |
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Abstract: |
In order to evaluate the
effect of plant density and nitrogen rate on ear yield of
sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) cultivar KSC.
403, an experiment was conducted at research field of
Tarbiat Modarres University on summer 2008. The experiment
was carried out in a split plot design based on randomized
complete blocks with four replications. In this research
plant density (60000, 80000 and 100000 plant/ha) and
nitrogen rate (120, 180, 240 and 300 kg N/ha) were arranged
in main plots and sub plots respectively. Seeds were sown on
these plots on July 3rd and were harvested at
soft dough stage on September 24th. Sweet corn
yield components including ear number.m-2 C row
number .ear-1, grain number per row, 1000 grain
weight and grain yield.m-2 were measured. Some
morphological traits like as plant height, leaf area, ear
length and diameter have also investigated. Correlation,
regression and path coefficient analysis were used to better
understanding the direct and indirect effects of plant
density and nitrogen rate on sweet corn ear yield and yield
components. The results revealed that the grain yield was
affected by plant density but it was not affected
significantly by different levels of nitrogen rate. However
by increment of plant density, the ear number.m-2
and grain yield were increased in expense of ear weight. The
higher ear length and ear number was obtained in the lowest
plant density and nitrogen rate (D1N1).
Highly significant and positive correlation was observed
between grain yield with ear number, 1000grain weight and
grain number per ear. In this respect D3N1
treatment (60000 plant.ha-1 and 120 kg N.ha-1)
which produced more ears and grain yield are recommended for
the sandy soil as superior treatment, in studied area. The
results of regression analysis by stepwise method for grain
yield showed that
Grain number and 1000 grain weight made 98 percent of the
grain yield variation. It is
concluded that sweet corn grain yield can be improved by
increment of grain number per m2
and 1000 grain weight through increasing of plant density. |
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Title: |
Investigation of seed moisture content at harvest time as an
empirical index for improving viability and seed vigor of
two oil-seed rape cultivars |
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Author (s): |
Sadeghi
H., Khazaei F., Aghaalikhani M., Sharafinezhad M. |
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Abstract: |
In order to evaluate the
role of seed moisture content (SMC) at harvest time two
oil-seed rape
cultivars (Hyola 401 and Hyola 308) in seed
viability and vigore, a laboratory investigation was
conducted at Seed & Plant Certification and Registration
Institute (SPCRI) in Karaj, Iran. Seed samples provided from
2007 and 2008 growing season of a trade oil-seed rape field
which is located at Dezful region, Khuzestan province,
Iran. Enough seed samples were prepared from each cultivar
contained 10, 15, 25 and 35 percent of moisture at harvest
time and studied foe several germination indices.
Experimental data were arranged in a 2×4 factorial
experiment based on completely randomized design with three
replications. Results showed that the highest primary and
final germination percent for both cultivars were earned at
15% of SMC. Also the highest rate of mean daily germination,
seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight and seedling
vigor index were obtained at seed moisture content.
Meanwhile it was found that Hyola 401 cultivar was superior
to Hyola 308 in all treatments and both year for primary and
final germination percent. Altogether Since the seed quality
has been affected by experimental condition, harvesting two
investigated cultivars of oil-seed rape with 15% of SMC is
recommended. |
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Title: |
Comparative susceptibility of fayoumi, indigenous and white
leghorn chicks to infectious bursal disease |
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Author (s): |
Pankaj
Chakraborty, Babul Deba Nath, Md. Rafiqul Islam and Priya
Mohan Das |
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Abstract: |
A research was undertaken in
order to compare the susceptibility of Fayoumi, Indigenous
and White Leghorn (WLH) chicks to infectious bursal disease
(IBD). But indigenous chicks were naturally infected with
IBD prior to experimental infection. Even though IBDV bursal
homogenate [20 % (w/v)] (collected from a field sample) was
prepared and virus challenge given @ 50
ml/bird
on their 35th days (day 0) of age. After
challenge, clinical signs, morbidity and mortality of birds
were recorded and histopathology of lymphoid organs was
studied either from dead or sacrificed birds on day 0 and
days 3, 7 and 14 post challenge. Antibody levels were
detected at different ages by using commercial IDEXX ELISA
kit. Cumulative morbidity and mortality were found higher
(88.46% and 80.77%, respectively) in Fayoumi birds than
those of WLH birds (31.25% and 18.75%, respectively).
Indigenous chicks were infected naturally with IBD at their
24th days of age and at that time 12 birds
affected and 9 birds died. Indigenous birds did not show any
morbidity and mortality after experimental challenge. In
ELISA, antibody level at day-one was found lower (titer
1288) in Fayoumi than in WLH birds (titer 2293). On the
other hand, it was lowest (titer 304) in indigenous chicks
at day-one. Following virus challenge, antibody levels of
Fayoumi birds increased in higher rate than WLH birds.
Characteristic microscopic lesions, such as- hemorrhage,
lymphoid depletion, cystic atrophy in bursa, increased
bursal lesion scores, hemorrhagic and congested spleen,
thymus and caecal tonsil were observed. In conclusion, it
can be said that under confinement, indigenous birds are
susceptible to infectious bursal disease. In between Fayoumi
and WLH birds, Fayoumi are more susceptible to IBD than WLH. |
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Title: |
Growth
rate of various indigenous breed fed on shandar wanda at
livestock research and development station surezai Peshawar |
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Author (s): |
Rajwali Khan, Sajjad Ahmad,
Khisro Kaleem, Muhammad Shahid, Parvez Khan, Muhammad Irshad
and Muhammad Rizwan |
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Abstract: |
In the absence of any typical
beef breed in Pakistan cattle and buffaloes, the present
study was conducted to exploit the potential of beef
production of indigenous breeds fed on Shandar Wanda. Total
43 calves contained 8 cross bred calves, 7 Dhani calves, 6
Lohani, 6 Sahiwal, 6 Bhagnari and 10 Nili Ravi buffaloe
calves were selected and purchased from local market for
this trail. The calves were fed on Shandar Wanda and weekly
growth rate was recorded. Sahiwal calves showed highest
daily weight gain 0.47 kg/day. During first period (1-7
week) and In 2nd period (7-14 week of experiment
the highest BW (body weight) was found in Nili Ravi buffaloe
calves (112.9 kg and 133.7 kg respectively). During 3rd
period of experiment the highest Body weight was found in
Sahiwal calves 149.25 kg. The final BW in 3rd
Period of experiment ranged from 108 kg in Lohani breed
calves to 149.25 kg in Sahiwal breed calves. The time period
effect on growth rate was significant (P<0.01). It is
concluded from the present study that the Sahiwal breed of
cattle and Nili Ravi buffalo have a potential of beef
production on special fed ration. |
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Title: |
Interaction between salinity and potassium on grain yield,
carbohydrate content and nutrient uptake in pearl millet |
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Author (s): |
Heidari
M. Steppuhn H. and Jamshidain P |
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Abstract: |
To study the effects of
different salinity levels and potassium supply on grain
yield, yield components, carbohydrate content and nutrient
uptake in pearl millet, a plot experiment was conducted in a
greenhouse at university of Zabol,
Iran. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized
factorial design with three replicates. Potassium sulfate
was used as the potassium source. The rate of potassium
treatment was 0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1. Pearl
millet was subjected to different salinity levels (0, 4, 8
and 12 ds/m) through addition of NaCl to irrigation water.
Results showed by increasing salt concentration from control
to 12 ds/m grain yield (45.6%),
biological yield (35.3%), harvest index (15.1%) and 1000
seed weight (60.1%) decreased.
In this study salt stress
remarkably elevated the carbohydrate content at vegetative
and reproductive stages in leaves of millet. Salinity
treatment decreased potassium and magnesium uptake but
application potassium increased potassium and magnesium
content in leaves at two stages until 200 kg.ha-1.
Potassium application had significantly effect on grain
yield and yield components and increased them.
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Title: |
Characterization and fodder production potential of local
cowpea germplasm |
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Author (s): |
Asim
Muhammad, Mohammad Akmal Khan, Sultan Mehmood Wazir and Shah
Faisal Mohammad |
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Abstract: |
In order to improve the acute scarcity of
fresh fodder in the country, four local fodder legumes
(cowpea) namely CP-1, CP-8, CP-31 and CP-801 were compared
for plant characteristics and fresh fodder production
potential at NWFP Agriculture University, Peshawar.CP-1
required minimum days to emergence (4.7 days), flowering (87
days) and pod formation (94.7 days) and the shortest plant
length (235 cm). CP-8 produced the longest plants (382 cm)
though statistically not different than CP-31 and CP-801.
CP-8 gave the maximum grain yield (969lg.ha-1), seeds pod-1
(11.3) and 100 seed weight (11.4g). The pods plant-1and
grain yield ha-1produced by CP-1 were significantly lower
than the other three germplasms. Generally the fresh fodder
yield in all germplasms gradually increased from 14 ton
ha-1, 50 days after emergence to 64.2 ton ha-1,125 days
after emergence. However slight decline was observed with
further interval of 25 days. CP-8 produced 30-40 percent
more fresh fodder than the other germplasm, and accumulated
638 kg ha-1 fresh fodder compared with CP-1 (460 kg ha-1).
It is concluded that maximum fresh fodder can be obtained
125 days after emergence and CP-8 gave the maximum grains as
well as fresh fodder yield among the germplasms tested.
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Title: |
Yield gap
analysis in rice production from stakeholders’ perspective
at annum valley bottom irrigation project at nobewam in
Ghana |
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Author(s): |
E. Ofori,
N. Kyei-Baffour, E. Mensah and W. A. Agyare |
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Abstract: |
Rice is a major food crop in
Ghana. Local production falls below demand and invariably
large quantities are imported to meet consumption. Suitable
rice growing ecologies exist in the Annum Valley Irrigation
and also some level of inputs which includes planting
varieties with high yielding potential also exist. The
Nobewam project average yield was 3.87 t/ha and that on the
researchers’ fields were between 4-11 t/ha with an average
of 7.5 t/ha for Sikamo. There is therefore the need
to identify and remove constraints to improving/increasing
yield for each production ecology. A survey was conducted
based on FAO yield gap determinants (technical, biophysical,
socio-economic and policy) to identify constraints to yield
from the perspective of major stakeholders (farmers,
researchers and project management). Results show that the
dominant constraints to yield are poor access to credit, low
market price, inadequate market access , low knowhow in
cropping techniques and poor extension and research support
which are all policy related. Others are poor water
application, high incidence of pest, low soil fertility,
unreliable water supply for all year round farming, untimely
availability of inputs and services, inadequate machinery
for land preparation and low seed quality. Proper policy
initiative could set in motion actions by farmers to
eliminate most of the constraints with support from
research, extension and management. Policy direction could
create suitable collaboration between farmers, research and
extension. |
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Title: |
Enrichment of some summer season vegetables with selected
minerals that may potentially act as hypoglycemic agents in
the control of diabetes and can play important role in the
elimination of other deficiency diseases |
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Author (s): |
Javed
Abbas Bangash, Abdus Sattar Khan, Muhammad Arif, Faizullah
Khan and Faridullah Khan |
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Abstract: |
Three summer season vegetables
Bitter gourd (Momordica-charantia), Bath
sponge (Luffa-acutangula) and Bringal/Egg-plant
(Solanum-melongena) were included in the present
study to determine some of their mineral components and see
if some of their mineral (Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg and Fe) content
could be increased by supplementation through their roots.
Thus calculated amount of Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg and Fe salts
(as fertilizer) were applied in solution form to the roots
of vegetables in different concentration as individual or in
combinations. These vegetables were grown from seeds in the
soil plot, having three columns marked as boxes (Box-A,
Box-B and Box-C), each box further divided in to four
sub-boxes (A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4) (B-5, B-6, B-7, B-8) and
(C-9, C-10, C-11, C-12) respectively. Thus one row had
twelve sub-boxes. Box C-12 was not supplemented for
comparison. Before sowing seeds, soil samples were taken and
analyzed for pH at different depth levels; 7.4 (0-15cm); 7.3
(15-30cm) and 7.3 (30-45cm ) with an average of pH 7.3,
electrical conductivity (EC) at different depths 0.10 dsm-1
(0-15cm); 0.11 dsm-1 (15-30cm) and 0.11 dsm-1(30-45cm)
with an average EC of 0.12 dsm-1., texture
Clay-loam, organic matter of different depths; 0.92%
(0-15cm); 1.19% (15-30cm) and 1.18% (30-45cm), lime content
(CaCO3) at different depths: 12.66% (0-15cm);
13.33 % (15-30 cm) and 13.45% (30-45 cm) with an average of
(13.15%), Potassium at different depths; 206ppm (0-15cm);
192ppm (15-30cm) and 185ppm (30-45cm) with an average of
195ppm, Phosphorus at different depths; 7.23ppm (0-15cm);
6.66ppm (15-30cm) and 6.32ppm (30-45cm) with an average of
6.74ppm and concentrations of extractable metals (Cr, Zn, Mn,
Cu, Mg and Fe) found in soil on dry weight basis at
different depths were: 2.42±0.006, 5±0.011, 20.69±0.115,
6.90±0.023, 35.30± 0.202and 39.00±0.231mg/kg at (0-15cm)
2.40±0.006, 4.26±0.006, 19.54±0.087, 5.40± 0.006,
33.82±0.115 and 38.92±0.173 mg/Kg at (15-30 cm); 2.44±0.011,
4.50±0.017, 19.37±0.069, 5.20±0.006, 32.86±0.086 and
38.46±0.144 mg/Kg at (30-45cm). Irrigation water was also
analyzed for pH 7.2, conductivity (EC) 0.38 dS/m, Chloride
31.14 mg/L, sulphate 30.19 mg/L and Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg and
Fe concentrations, (0.06±0.000, 0.07±0.006, 0.02±0.000,
0.05±0.000, 21.81±0.040, and 2.39±0.011) (mg/L)
respectively. After harvesting vegetables were dried, acid
digested and analyzed for Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mg on
Hitachi Zeeman Japan Z-8000, Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer. In these vegetables total increase in
minerals concentration milligram per Kilogram dry weight
basis observed was for chromium; Momordica-charantia
90, Luffa acutangula, 14 and Solanum-melongena
4. for zinc; Solanum-melongena 108, Luffa
acutangula 104 and Momordica-charantia 52. for
manganese; Momordica-charantia 32, Luffa
acutangula and Solanum-melongena 10. for copper;
Momordica-charantia 40, Luffa acutangula 20
and Solanum-melongena 12. for magnesium; Luffa
acutangula 962, Momordica-charantia 176 and
Solanum-melongena 134. for iron; Momordica-charantia
508 and Solanum-melongena 56. From the
present study it can be concluded that by changing the soil
minerals environment the uptake of required mineral content
of vegetables, perhaps could be enhanced. This in turn could
play important role in diabetes control and also in the
elimination of other deficiency diseases like anemia etc. |
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Title: |
Occurrence of escherichia coli infection among the women of
Dhaka City |
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Author (s): |
Syeda
Jabun Nahar, Hamida Khanum and Kazuhiko Shimasaki |
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Abstract: |
Urinary tract infections are
among the most common infectious diseases encountered in
humans. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most
predominant organism and its prevalence varies in different
studies. The aim of this study were to determine the
prevalence of Escherichia coli during the summer and
winter season, were detected in different age group of male
and female. A retrospective study was carried from urine
samples that were received at Shandhani Diagnosis Complex,
Unit-2, Mirpur-10, Dhaka, Bangladesh throughout from
November 1999 to January 2000 (winter) and from April to
June 2000 (summer). Growth on Mac-Conkey’s agar and blood
agar plate was analyzed by colonical characters. During the
study period, 2000 urine samples were analyzed both the two
seasons of the year and 952 urine samples showed
Escherichia coli infection. A total of 794 urine samples
were analyzed for the different adult age groups (from 16-80
years) of male and female during the summer season of the
year. A total of 444 (55.91%) urine samples showed E．coli
infection; among them 64.18% were prevalent of female
and 35.81% were prevalent of male. During winter season,
total 443 male and female were examined, 56.98% cases were
positive; the prevalence of the UTI was 63.63% in female and
36.36% in male. The results of this study indicate E.
coli is prevalent in women and it possesses virulence
associated properties. So, appropriate measures should be
taken for detection and treatment of such cases. From the
present study it appears that the urinary tract infection is
fairly common in women. |
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