Title:

Effect of sowing date and nitrogen level on yield and yield components of two extra early maize varieties (Zea mays L.) in Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Namakka A., I. U. Abubakar, Sadik I. A., Sharifai A. I. and Hassas A. H.

A two year field study was conducted during 2000 and 2001 rainy seasons at Kadawa (11039’N,0802’E and 500metre above sea level) in Sudan savanna of Nigeria to study the effect of Sowing dates and nitrogen level on yield and yield components of two extra early maize varieties. The end of June sown maize had the highest cob length, cob diameter and cob weight compare with other dates throughout the period of study except in 2000 where mid-July sowing produced longer and heavier cobs. Application of nitrogen up to 80 kg N ha^-1 increased the cob length, cob diameter and cob weight in all the two years. Further increase of nitrogen to 120 kg N ha^-1 did not result in increase in diameter. The optimum grain yields were obtained from the maize sown at the end of June in all the years and mid-July sown maize in 2000. Nitrogen application significantly increase grain yield up to 80 kg N ha^-1 while further application did not affect the grain yield.

Modeling of soil cation exchange capacity based on some soil physical and chemical properties

Majid Rashidi and Mohsen Seilsepour

There are many cases in which it is desirable to determine relationships among some soil physical and chemical properties. For instance, soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) are often determined using laborious and time consuming laboratory tests, but it may be more suitable and economical to develop a method which uses some soil physical and chemical properties. Therefore, a relationship between soil CEC and some soil physical and chemical properties is needed. In this study, 31 linear multiple regression models for predicting soil CEC from some physical and chemical properties such as sand (SA), silt (SI), clay (CL) and organic carbon (OC) content (% by weight) and pH (PH) of soil were suggested. Models were divided into five main classifications and the CEC was estimated as a function of one, two, three, four or five independent variables. The statistical results of the study indicated that in order to predict soil CEC based on the soil physical and chemical properties the three variables linear regression model CEC = 23.56 + 0.09 SA + 7.35 OC – 2.36 PH with R2 = 0.80 and the four variables linear regression model CEC = 20.50 + 0.17 SA + 0.11 CL + 7.67 OC – 2.67 PH with R2 = 0.82 can be recommended.

Profitability of ‘egusi’ melon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb. Mansf) production under sole and mixed cropping systems in Kogi state, Nigeria

Yusuf O., Sanni S. A., Ojuekaiye E. O. and Ugbabe O.O.

The study assessed the profitability of ‘egusi’ melon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb. Mansf) under sole and intercropping systems in Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State. Primary data were used for the investigation. The primary data were obtained through the use of questionnaire in Okehi LGA. 240 farmers were purposively sampled and 120 were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive statistics and net farm income analysis were employed in the analysis of the data. The result showed that the average net farm income per  hectare for sole melon, melon in 2, 3, and 4 crops mixture were N1,328.69, N915.77, N887.27 and N414.57 respectively. The total gross return per hectare for melon (from the pooled data) averaged N12.638.61 while the total cost of production was N8, 838.74 on the average. The total net farm income per hectare for both sole and mixed (pooled data) was N3, 799 on the average, implying that ‘egusi’ melon production is profitable in the area. Based on the findings, it was recommended that farmers in the area should continue to focus more attention on sole melon production. Also the Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) in the state should intensify melon production awareness and mobilize the local industries for ‘egusi’ melon processing and extraction of the oil for better utilization in the area.

An out break of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in goats in district Chitral, N.W.F.P., Pakistan

Mirza Ali khan, S. Nasir Hussain, Sher Bahadar, Anwar Ali and Imtiaz Ali Shah

An outbreak of Peste Des Petites Ruminants (PPR) was investigated in goat flocks in district Chitral, N.W.F.P., Pakistan in June 2006. History, postmortem findings and clinical signs of the disease being suggestive of Peste des Petits Ruminants. 23 serum samples and 09 occular and nasal swabs from the diseased animals were tested for the presence of Peste des Petits Ruminants antibodies and antigen through competitive and immuno-capture ELISA, respectively. Out of 23 serum samples 09 were found positive for PPR antibodies. Out of 09 occular and nasal swabs 03 were found positive for PPR antigen.PPR was confirmed for the first time in Chitral district of NWFP, in June 2006.following is a detailed description of the outbreak. History and general management practices, total exposure area and strategy aimed at bringing this important disease under control has been discussed in detail.

Effect of sowing date and NPK fertilizer rate on yield and yield components of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.)

M. M. Jaliya, A. M. Falaki, M. Mahmud and Y.A. Sani

Two field trials were conducted in 1998 and 1999 wet seasons to determine the effect of three dates of planting (10,20 and 30 June) and four NPK levels (0:0:0, 120:18:33, 150:26:50 and 180:35:66 kg NPK/ha) on the yield and yield components (number of grains/cob, 100-grain weight, cob weight/plant, cob weight/ha, grain weight/plant and grain weight/ha) of quality protein maize. Yield and yield components data were computed from the net plots. Sowing on 30th June produced significantly lower number of grain/cob; cob yield/plant; cob yield/ha; 100-grain weight; grain yield/plant and grain yield/ha than the earlier sowing dates. There was no significant difference in yield and yield parameters between 10th and 20th June sowing dates. The application of 150:26:50 kg NPK/ha gave significantly higher number of grains/cob in both years, 100-grain weight in 1998 and grain yield/ha in 1999. However, cob weight/plant; cob yield/ha and grain weight/plant in 150:26:50 kg NPK/ha were significantly higher than the other rates except 180:35:66 in both years. Early sowing (June 10) and 150:26:50 kg NPK/ha were the best sowing date and fertilizer rate for growth and yield of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) variety GH110 - 5 in Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam campus, Lahore

Akhtar Tanveer, Komal Batool and Asma Waheed Qureshi

The students and administrative staff members of Punjab University, Lahore (new campus) were screened for the presence of hepatitis B antigens (HbsAg) and HCV antibodies (anti- HCV). The prevalence rate of anti-HCV was found 1.48 % and HbsAg was 2.46 % respectively, no overlapping between the seropositiity of HBV and HCV. In order to prevent the transmission of HH H HBV and HCV through blood transfusion, it is essential that all donors should be screened for anti- HCV and HbsAg. There is need to create the awareness about it.

Effect of irrigation and plant density on the growth, yield and water use efficiency of early maize in the Nigerian Savanna

B. M. Sani, K. O. Oluwasemire and H. I. Mohammed

A field experiment was conducted during the dry season of 2002/2003 at the Irrigation Research Farm, Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of irrigation and plant density on the growth, yield and water use of an extra early maturing maize variety. The trial involved three population densities (38,000, 53,000 and 66,000 plants ha^-1) and three irrigation regimes (full, three quarter and half application of the consumptive use at each stage of growth). The nine treatments were laid out in a split plot design with randomized blocks in three replications with irrigation regimes as main plots and population densities as sub plots. Water use and water use efficiency were highest with application of full consumptive use requirement at each stage of growth. The highest plant population density used water more efficiently (25% less than other populations). Therefore, the water use efficiency of maize was changed through the manipulation of plant population density.

Effect of different tillage methods on soil physical properties and crop yield of melon (Cucumis melo)

Majid Rashidi and Fereydoun Keshavarzpour

A two year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different tillage methods on soil physical properties and crop yield of melon. Tillage treatments in the study were moldboard plow + two passes of disk harrow as conventional tillage (CT), two passes of disk harrow as reduced tillage (RT), one pass of disk harrow as minimum tillage (MT) and no-tillage (NT) as direct drilling method. The statistical results of the study indicated that tillage method significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected crop yield, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, total soluble solids and root dry matter, but there was no significant differences in other components such as number of plants per hectare, number of fruits per plant and root length. The maximum value of crop yield (27.2 t ha^-1), number of plants per hectare (6360) and number of fruits per plant (1.9) was obtained in case of CT treatment, while maximum value of fruit weight (3.6kg), total soluble solids (10.25%), root length (42.3cm) and root dry matter (72.5%) was observed in case of RT treatment. Also, maximum value of fruit length (29.0cm) and fruit diameter (17.2cm) was noted in case of MT treatment. Conversely, the minimum value of crop yield (20.6 t ha^-1), number of plants per hectare (5910), fruit weight (1.9kg), fruit length (26.4cm), fruit diameter (14.1cm), root length (36.6cm) and root dry matter (54.1%) was obtained in case of NT treatment, while minimum value of number of fruits per plant (1.2) was observed in case of RT treatment. Moreover, minimum value of total soluble solids (9.75%) was noted in case of MT treatment. The statistical results of the study also indicated that tillage method significantly affected soil physical properties. The soil of the CT treatment had consistently the highest moisture contents (19.6%) and the lowest bulk density (1.41g) and penetration resistance (560 kPa); while the soil of the NT treatment had the lowest moisture contents (16.8%) and the highest bulk density (1.52g) and penetration resistance (1250 kPa). Therefore, moldboard plow followed by two passes of disk harrow was found to be more appropriate and profitable tillage method in improving soil physical properties and crop yield of melon due to reduced soil compaction, increased soil moisture content, enhanced seed-soil contact and suppressing weed growth.