IJAAR - INNSPUB

International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) publish high-quality original research papers together with review articles and short-communications. It publishes original scientific work in all areas of Agronomy and Agricultural...

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Effect of varying maize intra-row spacing on intercropped yields of egusi melon (Citrullus lunatus Thunb.) and maize (Zea mays L.) at Makurdi, Nigeria Michael Ojore Ijoyah, Amos Alexander, Fanen Felix Terna Key words: Intercropping, intra-row spacing, egusi melon, maize. Abstract Field experiments were conducted from June to September during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons, at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of varying maize intra-row spacing on intercropped yields of egusi melon and maize and to assess the advantages of the intercropping system. The trial consisted of five treatments, replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Three of the treatments consisted of three intra-row spacing (20 cm, 25 cm and 30 cm) into melon plots. Monocropped maize and melon, respectively sown at their recommended intra-row spacing of 25 cm and 35 cm constituted the fourth and fifth treatments, which also served as control plots. Results obtained showed that the greatest intercropped yields of egusi melon and maize were obtained when maize was sown at the intra-row spacing of 30 cm, significantly (P≤0.05) greater than the rest treatments. Maize sown at the intra-row spacing of 30 cm into egusi melon plots, not  only recorded the lowest competitive pressure but gave the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) values of 1.80 and 1.76 respectively, in years 2010 and 2011, indicating that greater productivity per unit area was achieved by growing the two crops together than by growing them separately. With these LER values, 44.4 % and 43.2 % of land were saved respectively, in years 2010 and 2011, which could be used for other agricultural purposes. Both crops were found to be highly complementary and most suitable in mixture when maize was sown at the intra-row spacing of 30 cm. The implication of study showed that to maximize intercrop yields of egusi melon and maize, the optimal maize intra-row spacing would be 30 cm. This should therefore be recommended for Makurdi location, Nigeria. Full Article Available: Volume 2, Number 1, January 2012 – IJAAR Publish on:  International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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The effect of irrigation and nitrogenous and phosphorous biofertilizers on yield and yield component on chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) ILC482 line Zahra Rabieyan, Farrokh Rahimzadeh Khoei, Vida Ahmadi Key words: Biofertilizers, Biosuper, Chickpea,Deficit Irrigation, Nitragen. Abstract To evaluate the effects of nitrogenous and phosphorous biofertilizers on yield and yield components of chickpea under different irrigation levels a research was conducted in a split plot experiment with three replicationsbased on completelyrandomized block design at Research Field of Islamic Azad University Tabriz Branch in the spring of 2009. Irrigation levels (normal and deficit irrigation) were considered as a main factor and also fertilizers levels (control, nitragin, biosuper and nitragin + biosuper) sub factors respectively.  Control treatment of biofertilizer showed fewer enhancements. Comparison of biofertilzer treatments showed that nitrogen + biosuper biofertilizer increased more number of pods with one seed per plant by 19/28,  number of pods with two seed by 15/28, seed weight per plant by 4/47 g/m2, pod weight per plant by 5/93 g/m2and yield by 89/39g/m2. There is no significant difference among nitragen ,biosuper and control treatments.Comparison of the different irrigation levels effect on number of pods with two seed per plant showed that complete irrigation produced more number of pods with two seed per plant by 24/1.and 100 seed weight by 30/76 g nitragen and biosuper produced significant yield relative to other treatments. Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 7, July 2013 – IJAAR Publish on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Carbon sequestration and soil quality under organic system of local rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety in Tabanan, Bali Indonesia

Carbon sequestration and soil quality under organic system of local rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety in Tabanan, Bali Indonesia

Wayan Diara, I. Made Adnyana, I.B. Putra Manuaba, I.G.A. Mas Sri Agung

Key words: Carbon sequestration, soil quality, organic and conventional system, Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) storage has been widely considered as a measure for mitigating global climate change through C sequestration (SOCS) in soils. A study was conducted by evaluating SOC, total N, available P, K, bulk density, and total soil microbes under organic system and conventional of Local rice variety at the same time in two farmer fields (subak Jatiluwih and Wangaya Betan at Mangesta village in Penebel district,Tabanan regency, Bali Indonesia. Half of farmers in those two locations have been managing certified organic system with Red local rice variety for two years (2010-2012), while the other half maintaining conventional system. Composite soil samples were taken at three points at depth of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm in three replications at each location. Results showed that after two years, organic system resulted in better soil quality and higher SOCS only in Jatiluwih. Significantly higher SOC (3.338%), total N (0.252%), available P (15.84 ppm), K (133.63 ppm), bulk density (0.510 Mg m-3) and higher SOCS (81.354 Mg ha-1) were recorded under organic compared to conventional system. In Wangaya Betan, those components, except bulk density, were not different under two systems. The yield of Red local rice variety under organic was 6.44.t ha-1 compared to 5.12 t ha-1 under conventional system.

Read full Article: Volume 5, Number 3, September 2014 – IJAAR

Publish on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Genetic diversity of orange fruit (Citrus sinensis L.) cultivars in Tunisia using AFLP markers

Olfa Saddoud Debbabi, Najla Mezghani, Maher Madini, Nasr Ben Abedelaali, Rym Bouhlel, Aymen Ksia, Massaoud Mars

Key words: genetic diversity, AFLP markers, Citrus sinensis L., Tunisia.

Abstract

In Tunisia, Citrus sinensis culture is spread especially in Cap Bon region in the North East. It is represented by a large number of varieties. AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers were used in order to study genetic diversity. Thirty accessions representing the majority of orange germplasm were collected from Cap Bon region. AFLP products were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on an automated ABI Prism 3130 DNA sequencer. Using GeneMapper, AFLP bands were scored, across all genotypes, for presence (1) or absence (0) and transformed into 0/1 binary matrix. A total of 330 of polymorphic markers were revealed using 3 AFLP primer combinations. These markers expressed a high level of polymorphism allowing the distinction of all accessions. Resolving power (Rp) showed a high rate of collective Rp (97.75) with an average of 32.58. The Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) ranged from 0.16 to 0.22 with an average of 0.18 per primer pair. Genetic similarities were estimated basing on Nei and Li’s (1972) formula. The similarity coefficient between cultivars ranged from 0.15 to 0.96 with an average of 0.76. Most of the accessions showed a high degree of genetic similarity. Additionally, the relationship of the cultivars was also estimated using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA); the first three principal axes explained 94.56 of the total variation. Bioinformatic tools were very useful for investigating the genetic diversity of orange genotypes. Results of this study showed that AFLP markers can be useful tool for investigating the genetic diversity of orange genotypes.

Read Full Article: Volume 5, Number 1, July 2014 – IJAAR

Publish on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Mulch and planting method on quantitative traits of cucumber R. Soleymani, M.R. Hassandokht, V. Abdoosi Key words: Broomrape, earliness, transplant, yield. Abstract Water deficiency and broomrape (Orobanche spp.) infestation are important limitations for cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production in Iran. Effects of mulch type (clear polyethylene mulch, black polyethylene mulch, hydro flume mulch, and no mulch), and planting method (seeded and transplanted) were tested to determine effects on cucumber, cv. Super Dominus. The interaction between mulch and planting method affected the number of days to flowering, plant length, number of days to harvest, and earliness. Early yield and yield per plant was highest (186.42 and 183.12 g/plant, respectively) when transplanting was with clear and black polyethylene mulch. Black mulch produced the highest total yield, 1671.75 g per plant. Clear mulch was most effective in controlling broomrape. Using polyethylene mulch (black and clear), and transplanting produced the highest early yield and mulch alone produced the highest yield and control of broomrape. Read Full Article: Volume 6, Number 1, January 2015 – IJAAR Publish on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Screening of Gossypium hirsutum germplasm against Verticillium dahlia Kleb by natural infection Blessing Chapepa, James Chitamba, Pepukai Manjeru, Nhamo Mudada Key words: Verticillium wilt; Gossypium hirsutum, germplasm. Abstract An experiment on screening of cotton germplasm against Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahlia Kleb was carried out at Cotton Research Institute in 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons in Zimbabwe. The objective of the study was to identify cotton germplasm with considerable resistance to the disease under natural infection for use in cotton variety development programmes. Twelve varieties were laid in a randomised complete block design replicated three times. Eight were new elite varieties and three were commercial cultivars. Infection percentages were calculated for infected plants in each plot. Percentage infection were Arcsine transformed and varieties with scores of 0-9% rated highly resistant, 10-19% rated resistant, 20-29% rated tolerant and above 29% rated susceptible. Three test varieties LS96-05-1, 937-05-8 and 97-05-1 were identified as resistant to the disease and were recommended for use in cotton breeding programmes. Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 1, January 2013 – IJAAR Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Effect of organic fertilizers on apparent nitrogen utilization and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as influenced by fertilizer timing Paul Kinoti Ng’ang’a, Katrin Meriel Jezik Key words: Organic nitrogen fertilizers, apparent N utilization, N mineralization, yield, sweet pepper. Abstract A glasshouse experiment was carried out at the University of Natural resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria during the months of April to September in both 2012 and 2013 to investigate the effect of organic fertilizers on apparent nitrogen utilization and yield of sweet pepper as influenced by fertilizer timing. In two subsequent years, sweet peppers were grown in glasshouse and fertilized with 20 g N/m2 as Maltaflor®-spezial, coarse meal of fababean and horn at different times within a 30 cm wide fertilizer-band. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. Data was recorded on the various parameters and subjected to statistical analysis. Yields of tomatoes, plant N uptake and apparent N utilization obtained with Maltaflor®-spezial or fababean were comparable to those of horn in both years. The apparent N utilization did not exceed 19-33 % in the first year (2012) due to a high N uptake in the control, but increased in the following year (2013) to 26-57 %, because of the poorer growth in the unfertilized control. There were marked differences in the amount of NO3--N remaining in soil during and after cultivation, so that the N supply by Maltaflor®-spezial was higher compared to fababean and horn. Split application of a readily available organic fertilizer could be promising and an additional N mineralization could be expected by a regular hoeing of formerly fertilized plots. Read Full Article Here: Volume 4, Number 2, February 2014 – IJAAR Publish on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Influence of potassium humate on Morus alba and analysis their nutrients content

Prakash, R. Samundeeswari, G. Navaneethan, Palagani Padmaja, B. Ramakrishnan, Anurima chatterjee, Mary Magar Nisha

Key words: Mulberry, potassium humate and nutrients, secondary metabolites.

Abstract

We aimed to the influence of potassium humate on growth rate and nutritional value of Mulberry plant is studied. Potassium humate is extracted from lignite by treating with Potassium hydroxide. In the present study, Mulberry plants were grown in different concentration of potassium humate from 1% to 10% respectively. After five months of respective treatment physical parameters like plant height, number of the leaves and biochemical like protein, total chlorophylls, total carbohydrates and secondary metabolites were evaluated. They were found to be in increasing order in all the treated groups than the untreated control. The maximum growth and the nutrient contents were recorded in 4% of the potassium humate treated plants than the untreated control.

Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 6, June 2013 – IJAAR

Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Genetic diversity among different Crataegus azarolus L. populations using RAPD markers in Iran Fariba Sharifnia, Nasim Seyedipour, S. Abodolhamid Angaji, Fahimeh Salimpour, Roya Razavipour Key words: Crataegus azarolus, phenogram, genotype, Iran, RAPD. Abstract The genus Crataegus azarolus L. is well distributed in Iran as a wild plant, with numerous, inherently variable population and genotypes. In flora of Iran this species is divides into tree independent species, while Christensen believed all of them are varieties of C. azarolus. RAPD markers were used to study 12 hawthorn genotypes belonging to Crataegus aronia, C. pontica, C. assadi and C. zarrei. The four RAPD primers produced polymorphic bands. A phenogram based on average linkage method included four major groups. The lowest genetic variability was observed within C. azarolus var. aronia genotypes. The study demonstrated that RAPD analysis is efficient for genotyping wild-grown hawthorns. Read Full Article: Volume 4, Number 1, January 2014 – JBES Published on: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

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Effect of terminal high temperature imposed by late sowing on phenological traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Md. Nur Alam, Md. Abdul Mannaf, Md. Abu Zaman Sarker, Mst Masuma Akhter Key words: Temperature, phenological traits, heat tolerant genotypes. Abstract With a views to observe the effect of prevailing air temperature at irrigated late sowing (ILS) conditions on phenological traits of advanced wheat genotypes and to identify heat tolerant genotypes, the trial was carried out in the research field of Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research institute (BARI), Nashipur, Dinajpur in the season of 2011-12. The treatments were four dates of sowing viz. 30 Nov (D1), 15 Dec (D2), 30 Dec (D3), 14 Jan (D4) and four genotypes viz. BARI Gom 26 (V1), BAW 1051 (V2), BAW 1120 (V3), BAW 1141(V4) . The genotypes V2, V3, and V4 were taken as tested genotypes and V1 as check. The design was split-plot with three replications. In ILS conditions, the genotypes phased high temperature stress that significantly reduced the duration of booting, heading, anthesis and physiological maturity stages of all genotypes compared as irrigated timely sowing (ILS, D1) condition since those faced 21 to 25.8oC average mean temperature during booting to physiological maturity stages from 19 February to 09 April, 2012 (10 days interval minimum and maximum temperature was averaged). All genotypes sown on 30 Nov. and 15 Dec. produced yield more than 4 t ha-1 but produced less than 4 t ha-1 in other ILS conditions except BAW 1141 seeded on 30 December. Considering overall performance, BAW 1120 and BAW 1141 may be cultivated up to 15 December and 30 December to get yield 3.34 t ha-1 and 4.15 t ha-1, respectively as heat tolerant genotypes. Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 3, March 2013 – IJAAR Publish on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Comparative studies of Indian and Malaysian Thaparocleidus siamensis using molecular marker Saroj Rajvanshi, Nirupama Agrawal

Key words: Thparocleidus, comparative study, motif identification, secondary structure.

Abstract

In the present communication the sequence of an exotic species of genus Thaparocleidus i.e T. siamensis (Lim, 1990) Lim, 1996 (collected in India) has been compared with that of Malaysian, on in silico basis using 28S rDNA. Since, both are morphologically more or less similar and effect of environment on T. siamensis cannot access structurally. Thus to evaluate the environmental effects on 28S rDNA region of T. siamensis, a comparative study has been done for Indian (obtained) and Malaysian (retrieved) T. siamensis using MEME Suite, MARNA and ExpaRNA (online softwares)). The results obtained showing a shift in genetic material because of climatic changes in India.

Read Full Article: Volume 4, Number 1, January 2014 – JBES

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Microbiological and toxicological qualities of the water of watering used in urban agriculture in Cotonou (Republic of Benin)

TV Dougnon, TJ Dougnon, PA Edorh, JR Klotoé, S Sahidou, P Guédénon, B Sossou, M Boko, EE Creppy Key words: Escherichia coli, cadmium, water of watering. Abstract This study has evaluated microbiological and toxicological qualities of water of watering in Cotonou. A pilot site at Glo-Djigbé, the market-gardening sites of Houeyiho, Fidjrosse and Agongbomey were included in the work. The salmonellas, Escherichia coli and cadmium were required in water of watering. On the whole, eight water samples of water were analyzed. Water of watering of the pilot site of Glo-Djigbé is not contaminated by Escherichia coli compared to those used at the sites of Houeyiho; Fidjrosse; Agongbomey. Cadmium is absent from all the samples. The study has showed that waters of watering used in urban agriculture in Cotonou are not good and could contaminate the culture, what could induce some diseases with populations. Read Full Article: Volume 2, Number 3, March 2012 – IJAAR Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Comparative effects of different organic manure on agronomic performances of Corchorus olitorus in rainforest agro-ecological zone of South Western Nigeria

M. Adesina, K. O. Sanni

Key words: Cow dung, influence, pig dung, poultry manure, weeks after planting.

Abstract

Low soil fertility is one of the main factors for the low productivity of vegetables in Nigeria. The effect of different organic manures on the agronomic performance of Corchorus olitorus was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the Teaching, Commercial and Research Farms of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State. Four treatments namely: poultry manure (PM) 50kg/20m2, pig dung (PD) 50kg/20m2, cow dung (CD) 50kg/20m2 and control (with no manure) were evaluated and replicated 4 times. Results shows that plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, and leave area index at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP) and yield were significantly influence by the application of organic manures compared to control. C. olitorus responded to the manure application in the following order; PM, PD, CD and plot with no manure amendment (control). The higher major nutrients constituents in PM and PD has influence on the growth and yield of C. olitorus. Therefore, the cultivation of C. olitorus in South West Nigeria could be a profitable enterprise as against popular belief if emphasis is placed on the use of fertilizers from organic sources.

Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 1, January 2013 – IJAAR

Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Typology of local poultry breeding of Gallus gallus species in family poultry in Benin Issaka Youssao Abdou Karim, Ulbad Polycape Tougan, Serge Gbênagnon Ahounou, Bernice Finagnon José Houessionon, Bénoît Koutinhouin Key words: Gallus gallus, typology, family poultry, Benin. Abstract The characterization of breeding systems enables to identify the types of breeding in order to elaborate development activities. The aim of this study was to characterize the types of local chicken breedings of Benin. Thus, 216 local chicken breeders of the twelve departments of Benin were interviewed. Three Types of breeding were identified. The Type 1 corresponds to livestock breeders who are not provided with schooling and includes farmers, artisans and housewives. They are distributed in almost all departments of Benin and constitute 77.78% of the survey population. The average herd size is 33 chickens and veterinary treatments or health follow-up are not practiced. In Type 2, the farmers are not provided with schooling; only a few have the primary or secondary standards. These farmers are more concentrated in Alibori, Atacora and Donga. This type of breeding regroups mostly housewives who do a food crops. The average herd size is 27 chickens and the sick birds are not usually treated. The sale of animals is not primordial. Farmers in this group represent 16.68% of the sampled population. Finally, in the Type 3, breeders have a high school standard and do agriculture as dominant activity. They represent 5.5% of the sampled population and practice their activities in north Benin. The herds are of large scale (92 heads) and the animals profit from a good medicare by administration of vitamin complex, antibiotics, vaccines and deworming based on veterinary requirements. Improving local chicken breeding must take into account the particularity of each breeding type. Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 4, April 2013 – IJAAR Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Evaluation of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill.) for fruit yield and yield components in the southern Guinea Savanna ecology of Nigeria G. O. S. Ojo, E. E. Ekoja, O. P. Ukpoju Key words: Performance, southern Guinea Savanna. Abstract Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi during the 2010 and 2011 rain fed cropping season with the objective of evaluating the performance of tomato varieties in the Southern Guinea Savanna ecology of Nigeria. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design with three replications while four varieties of tomato namely Roma Savanna VF (an improved variety), two hybrid varieties (F1 Lindo and F1 Jaguar) and a local variety (Local check) constituted the treatments. Highly significant variety effect was observed for all the traits (days to flowering, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruit s/plant, weight of fruits/plant and fruit yield) studied, indicating that the varieties evaluated are genetically diverse. The highest values for fruit length, fruit diameter, number of fruit s/plant, weight of fruits/plant and fruit yield observed for Roma Savanna VF is an indication that this variety has the potential for good performance in the southern guinea savanna ecology of Nigeria. Further studies on multi-locational evaluation of Roma savana VF along with more varieties including the local variety (local check) is required prior to the recommendation of Roma savana VF for adoption in the southern Guinea Savanna ecology of Nigeria. Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 3, March 2013 – IJAAR Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Analysing fruit shape in safou (Dacryodes edulis) fruit by using aspect ratio Alain Serges Ondo-Azi, Crépin Ella Missang, Pamphile Nguema N, Thomas Silou Key words: Dacryodes edulis, fruits characteristics, aspect ratio, shape. Abstract Fruit shape is one of the most important quality criteria for evaluation by customer preference. Aspect ratio (A.R.) was used as physical parameter to perform the choice of ratios for fruits shape determination. This study proposes a relationship between fruit shape and morphological parameters in bush butter fruits (Dacryodes edulis) collected on 35 bush butter trees. The results show that bush butter fruits present some shapes. To describe fruit shapes the use of morphological characteristics is possible. So, the unique parameter used in our study was A.R., width over length. All of 35 trees analyzed were regrouped in three types; those types were assimilated at shapes in bush butter fruit designated by elliptical, spheroidal and obovate shape. On fruit shapes, the analysis of variance shows that the mean values of aspect ratio are significantly different shape as shape. So, it indicates great distinction in the three fruit shapes presented. The distance calculus proposes also a bush butter categorization model based on A.R. A model to describe fruits source of the new trees is proposed. Read Full Article: Volume 3, Number 6, June 2013 – IJAAR Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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Application of biophysical and biochemical methods as priming techniques on Carthamus Tinctorius L.

Faride Faqenabi, Mehdi Tajbakhsh, Iraj Bernousi

Key words: priming techniques, chemical method, physical method, safflower.

Abstract

For disclosing the effects of seed priming with biophysical and biochemical methods on yield and other characteristics on safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.), the seeds of one safflower cultivar was treated with 72 mT strength for 10 min, hydro priming for 72 hours and gibberellic acid with 50ppm concentration for 8hours before germination and cultivation. In this experiment traits such as yield components, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index, petal yield, percentage of oil, percentage of huld seed and correlations were measured. Seed priming was significantly impressed characteristics under study. Plants showed that yield parameters and major traits were increased, in most cases, for magnetic treatment versus control (non-treated seeds) and other pretreatments. Results indicated that biophysical methods (magnetic field) had greatest difference with biochemical methods and control at traits under study.

Read Full Article: Volume 4, Number 6, June 2014 – IJAAR

Published on: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)