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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
January 2011
| Vol. 6 No. 1 |
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Title: |
Water
requirement of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in a tropical
humid-coastal savanna zone |
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Author (s): |
David O.
Yawson, Mensa Bonsu, Frederick A. Armah and Ernest K. A.
Afrifa |
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Abstract: |
Productivity of sunflower is strongly
regulated by the availability of water and greatest yield
losses occur when water shortage occurs at flowering. Field
experiment was carried out to study
the water
requirement of sunflower in a tropical humid-coastal savanna
environment in Ghana to evaluate the response of sunflower
to discretionary supplementary irrigation. Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with 5 treatments and
3 replicates. Can-irrigation system was used to irrigate the
crop at different levels and time intervals. The results
show that all the plant parameters measured (plant height,
leaf area index, head diameter and seed yield) increased
consistently with an increase in water input until T4 beyond
which any increase occurred at a decreasing rate. The field
estimate of water requirement of sunflower was determined as
the optimum level of water required to reach maximum head
diameter. Water requirement of sunflower (by the field
method) was estimated at 672.4 mm/season or 7.1 mm/day. The
consumptive use of sunflower estimated using the
Blaney-Criddle method was 4.3 mm/day. The Blaney-Criddle
method estimated the water requirement of sunflower at 361.2
mm/season. The field value was considered the water
requirement of sunflower since this can includes both soil
losses and losses in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. It
was concluded that even though sunflower is considered to be
tolerant to water deficit to some extent, in areas of low
rainfall, supplementary irrigation can boost the
productivity of the crop.
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Title: |
Comparative study on the use of natural and artificial based
feeds for the culture of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings |
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Author (s): |
N. F.
Olele |
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Abstract: |
In an effort to promote growth, increase
survival and reduce cost associated with fish meal, a
comparative study on the use of two diets (Maggot fortified
with cultured zooplankton and Coppens unfortified with
cultured zooplankton) were carried out on sixty specimens of
Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. They were fed twice
daily on Coppens and allowed to acclimatize for two weeks.
Ten fingerlings each from the general pool were randomly
selected and distributed into each of three pairs of glass
tanks (30cm x 15cm x 15cm), artificially aerated and
observed under laboratory conditions for 56 days. There was
a significant difference (P<0.05) in weight gain and total
length increase for both treatments in comparison with the
control experiment. The result of this study has shown that
diet I which contained the most essential nutrients for the
culture of fingerlings in the hatchery also resulted in the
best growth and size increase hence could be used to achieve
a well desired result in aquaculture. Fish mortality was nil
for diet I; 30.0 % for diet II and 60.0 % for diet III.
Again, diet I was less expensive, better easily accessible,
not in any form of competition and most easily
re-producible, its usage should be encouraged. In contrast,
the use of diet II which was the most expensive, beyond the
reach of most fish farmers and which requires laborious
water quality monitoring should be discouraged.
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Title: |
Performance and economic analysis of broiler starter chicks
fed enzyme supplemented sheep manure-based diets |
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Author (s): |
Onu P.
N., Madubuike F. N., Onu D. O. and Ekenyem B. U. |
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Abstract: |
A 35 day feeding trial was conducted to
evaluate the effects of exogenous enzymes supplementation of
heat-treated sheep manure-based diets on the performance of
broiler starter chicks. 210 7-day old broiler chicks were
randomly allotted to seven groups in a completely randomized
design. Each group was replicated three times. Seven
experimental broiler starter diets were formulated such that
diet 1 contained 0% heat-treated sheep manure (HSM). Diets
2, 4 and 6 contained 5%, 10% and 15% HSM without
supplementation respectively, while diets 3, 5 and 7
contained 5%, 10% and 15% HSM supplemented with 100mg of
exogenous enzyme (Roxayme G.), respectively. Results show
significant (P<0.05) differences in the feed intake, body
weight gain, feed conversion ratio, daily protein intake and
protein efficiency ratio of the birds. The feed intake of
the birds fed 10% and 15% unsupplemented HSM diets were
significantly (P<0.05) higher than the other groups. Body
weight gain, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios
of birds fed 15% unsupplemented diets were significantly (P<0.05) depressed. Enzymes supplementation of HSM diets
significantly (P<0.05) improved the performance of the
birds, reduced the cost of feed intake and the cost of feed
per kg weight gain over the control. |
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Title: |
Floristic
composition and abundance of weeds in an oil palm plantation
in Ghana |
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Author (s): |
Paul K.
Essandoh, Frederick A. Armah, Justice O. Odoi, David O.
Yawson and Ernest K. A. Afrifa |
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Abstract: |
The weed flora in an oil palm plantation
situated in a semi-deciduous forest zone in central region
of Ghana was assessed to identify the weeds and evaluate
their abundance. The comprehensive stock of weeds obtained
was analysed to determine the relative abundance of taxa and
life forms. One hundred and thirty six weed species
belonging to 33 dicot families, 3 monocot families and 8
families of Pteridophyta were identified. The weed families
derived from seven subclasses; the most diverse of the
dicots were the Rosidae and Asteridae. The monocots present
were from the Commelinidae. Eight plant life forms were
identified; the most diversed were the herbs, which
consisted of 79 species and 56 genera; and the shrubs which
consisted of 32 species and 26 genera. In terms of abundance
and distribution, weeds of Poaceae and Asteraceae were found
to be far more invasive. Chromolaena odorata,
Aspillia africana and Melanthera scandens
of the Asteraceae, Panicum maximum and Imperata
cylindrical of the Poaceae and Mallotus
oppositifolius of the Euphorbiaceae were widespread and
problematic. The diversity of weed species was high in the
oil palm plantation. |
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Title: |
Evaluation of qualitative and quantitative characters of
pineapple hybrids resulted from crossing between Cayenne and
Queen |
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Author (s): |
Sri Hadiati, Sri Yuliati and
A. Soemargono |
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Abstract: |
The aim of the research
was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characters
of pineapple hybrids from crossing between Cayenne x
Queen and their reciprocal.
This research was conducted at the Indonesian Tropical
Fruits Research Institute from June 2004 to December 2006.
Genetic materials used were 75 hybrid plants from Cayenne x
Queen crossing and 40 hybrid plants from Queen x Cayenne
crossing. The qualitative and
quantitative characters were observed on each of sampled
plants. The results showed that the distribution of spines
on the leaves and the shape of eyes were affected by female
parents. The percentage of hybrid plants possessing spiny
leaves was 14.3% lower on
the Cayenne x Queen crossing than on the Queen x
Cayenne crossing. Similarly, the percentage of plants
bearing fruit ≥1019.5-g was 14.2% lower
on the Cayenne x Queen crossing.
In contrast, plants bearing fruit with broad eyes and sugar
content ≥ 16° Brix were 23.8% and 6.7%, respectively, higher
on the
Cayenne x Queen Hybrids than on the Queen x
Cayenne hybrids.
The hybrid plants possessing
the combined characters of spineless or spiny at the leaf
tip, fruit ≥ 1000 g, sugar content (TSS ≥ 16°Brix), and
broad eyes are CQ-4, CQ-20, CQ-22, CQ-26, CQ-41 and QC-26.
Except for the projected eyes, these characters are also
possessed by the hybrids CQ-16, CQ-46, and QC-8. These
results can potentially provide
valuable information on the choice of female and male
parents for the programs of pineapple variety improvement. |
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Title: |
Effect of
seed osmopriming on seed germination behavior and vigor of
soybean (Glysin max L.) |
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Author (s): |
Hossein Sadeghi, Fardin
Khazaei, Liela Yari, and Saman Sheidaei |
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Abstract: |
In order to evaluate the
effect of seed osmopriming by using PEG6000 priming media
on germination behavior and seed vigor of
soybean (cultivar
033) an experiment was conducted at Seed analysis
laboratory of agricultural and natural resources center of
Sari, Iran. Seeds were primed with six levels of Poly
ethylene glycol (PEG6000) as priming media (distilled water
as control, -0.4, -0.8, -1.2, -1.6 and -2 MPa) for 6, 12, 24
and 48 hours at 25°C. Experimental units were arranged
factorial in a completely randomized design with three
replications. Dry soybean seeds considered as a control
treatment (non primed). Results of variance analysis made
clear that different osmotic potential and priming duration
had significant effect on germination percentage, mean
germination time, germination index, and the time to get 50%
germination, seed vigor and electrical conductivity of
seeds. Also -1.2 MPa osmotic potential increased germination
percentages, germination index and seed vigor meanwhile
decreased mean germination time, the time to get 50%
germination and electrical conductivity of seeds. Also it
was observed that 12 h priming duration had most effect on
studied traits as -1.2 MPa osmotic potential treatment.
Generally primed seeds showed better condition than control
treatment in aspect of studied criteria. |
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Title: |
Effects
of lead and cadmium on seed germination, seedling growth and
antioxidant enzymes activities of mustard (Sinapis
arvensis L.) |
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Author (s): |
Mostafa
Heidari and Semin Sarani |
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Abstract: |
The effect of different
concentrations of Cadmium nitrate (0 to 1000 μM) and lead
nitrate (0 to 1500 μM) on seed germination, seedling growth
and antioxidant enzymes activities of mustard
(Sinapis arvensis L.) after
10 days of incubation were investigated. The results
revealed that Cd and Pb adversely influenced the seed
germination. The effective of Cd and Pb concentrations
causing 5.6% and 10.23% inhibition of germination of seeds
respectively. The root and shoot of mustard plants were also
decreased with increasing concentrations of Cd and Pb
metals. When plants were treated with Pb and Cd, the
activity of antioxidant enzymes such as APX, GPX and CAT
were increased in shoot plants. In addition, it was observed
that cadmium cased higher antioxidative activity in mustard
plant than lead. Results in this study showed that at the
highest concentration of heavy metals, the activity of CAT
and APX activity were higher in Cd treatment than Pb
treatment. |
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Title: |
The
dynamics of potassium (K) in representative soil series of
Ghana |
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Author(s): |
D. O.
Yawson, P. K. Kwakye and F. A. Armah |
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Abstract: |
The immediate supply of K by
soils to growing plants derives mainly from the K that is
labile whereas the long term K nutrition of plants depends
on the non-labile K. The dynamic relationship between these
forms of K constitutes the dynamics of K in soils. Most
Ghanaian farmers grow root and tuberous crops which have
high K requirements. Knowledge of K dynamics in soils is
therefore essential for K management to sustain crop
production and management of agro-ecological environments in
Ghana. Quantity-Intensity isotherms provide a better
overview of K dynamics in soils. Therefore,
Quantity/Intensity (Q/I) curves were used in this study to
evaluate the dynamics of K in ten soil series representing
the major agro-ecological zones of Ghana. K dynamics in the
soils were found to be influenced by some soil properties.
Significant correlations were found between soil properties
and Q/I parameters; and among equilibrium solution
parameters and Q/I parameters. There was no significant
variation among the mean quantity (±ΔK) values of the soils.
The savannah soils had higher non-specific K, K-potential,
and potential buffering capacity (PBCK) than the
forest soils; and the Akuse series had the highest values
for these parameters. However, the forest soils had higher
K-intensity. Therefore, the forest soils will require
frequent and split K applications since they have lower
capacity to maintain long-term supply of K. However, the
savannah soils will require less frequent but higher K
fertilization to satisfy the exchangeable pool and immediate
plant nutrition requirement. |
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Title: |
Some
aspects of the biology of Synodontis nigrita (curvier and
valencienes, 1864) in Onah Lake, Asaba, Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Olele N.
F. and Etim L. |
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Abstract: |
A total number of 655 specimens of
Synodontis nigrita were caught from Onah Lake. This gave
a sex ratio of one male to 1.3 females. Fourteen size
classes were identified. Fish abundance was highest in size
class 90.0 to 99.99 mm and lowest in the size class (200.9
to 209.99 mm). The highest numbers of specimens were caught
in October (209) which coincided with the period of the
flood while the lowest number (5) was caught in June at the
inception of the rains. The total length range for male
specimens was 96.5 to 214.0 mm and for females, it was 80.9
to 210.1mm. The length of the fish at sexual maturity was
103.5mm (male) and 114.7mm (female). The length weight
relationship revealed that there was a significant
difference (P<0.001) for the male and female specimens.
Male: Log TL = -4.200+ 2.721 Log TL (r
= 0.941) and Female: Log -4.115 + 2.614 Log TL (r
= 0.911). The slope of the regression was less than 3 which
implied that the fish increased more in length than in body
weight. The gonado-somatic index was (0.37-7.18.6) for
females. Fecundity was established at 1037±773 (675 - 3642).
Two sets of ova diameter were evident: the small developing
ones (0.1 -0.2µ) and the large developed ones (0.6 to 1.3
µ). This observation indicates that the fish was a total
spawner, releasing almost the same size of ripe ova during
spawning. The photomicrograph revealed five maturity stages,
at which the gonads developed from the sertolit stages,
became ripe and finally released its sex cell during
spawning. |
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Title: |
Using
residual moisture to support a second crop in a rice-based
cropping system in two different agro-ecological zones in
Ghana |
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Author (s): |
L. K.
Sam-Amoah, M. Bonsu and E. E. Abano |
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Abstract: |
The common practice of most rice farmers in
Ghana is to leave the land fallow after harvesting the rice.
However, the possibility of using the residual moisture to
produce some kind of vegetable may enhance the income of the
rice farmer to improve his or her livelihood. The main
objective of the study was therefore to grow rice under two
different cropping systems, (i.e. flooded-puddled conditions
and semi-flooded no-till conditions), and to investigate the
potential of these two cropping systems to produce okro
(okra) after harvesting the rice using the residual moisture
after rice. The study was conducted using farmers’ fields.
The study showed clearly that it is more profitable to
produce rice under flooded-puddled condition. Growing rice
under rain-fed condition in the semi-deciduous forest zone
is risky. Furthermore, it is unprofitable to grow
vegetables like okro after rice in the two agro-ecological
zones. Again, under no-till condition, the loss incurred in
growing okro after rice was far lower than that under
flooded-puddled condition. |
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