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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
May 2009 | Vol. 4 No. 3 |
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Title: |
Generating a
digital management map for variable rate herbicide
application using the global positioning system |
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Author (s): |
Davood
Mohammadzamani and Majid Rashidi |
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Abstract: |
This study
was conducted to generate a Digital Management Map (DMM) for
Variable Rate Application (VRA) of Cyanazine pre-emergence
herbicide using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The
main objective of this study was to develop a precision
method of herbicide application which eventuates to save
herbicide and reduce its adverse effects on the environment
and agricultural products. Around 6500 m2 uncultivated field
was selected and local and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
coordinates of the field were determined using Total Station
surveying equipments and four static GPS receivers. Data
processing was performed using a Personal Computer (PC)
equipped with COMPASS software. By means of LAND software a
42-cell grid was created and laid out on the selected field.
Then, soil samples were taken at the center of each cell,
and texture and organic matter content (OMC) of each soil
sample was determined. Using Kriging interpolation method,
soil texture and soil OMC values were determined at other
grid points. By considering manufacture recommendations for
herbicide application based on soil OMC and soil texture,
four management zones with four different herbicide
application rates as 1.4, 1.7, 2.9 and 3.5 L ha-1 were
determined and eventually a DMM was generated. Using the
generated DMM and VRA, total required herbicide for the
selected field was determined to be 1.61 L and it was
concluded that herbicide application can be decreased up to
13% in compared with a uniform herbicide application rate
for the entire selected field. |
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Title: |
Effects of
seed rate, row spacing and fertility levels on growth and
nutrient uptake of soybean (Glycine max. L.) under
temperate conditions |
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Author (s): |
Bilal Ahmad
Lone, Badrul Hasan, S. Ansar and Amarjeet Singh |
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Abstract: |
A field experiment was conducted at Shalimar
Campus during kharif seasons of 2004 and 2005 on a
silty clay loam soil, medium in available N and K, low in
available P to study the production performance of soybean
as influenced by seed rate, row spacing and fertility levels
under temperate conditions. The experiment comprising 27
treatment combinations viz., 3 levels each of seed rate (40,
60 and 80 kg ha-1), row spacing (30, 45 and 60
cm) and fertility (40:60:40, 60:90:60 and 80:120:80 of N: P2O5
:K2O kg ha-1) was laid out in split
plot design replicated thrice. Application of N80
P120 K80 kg ha-1significantly
improved the growth parameters viz., plant height, LAI,
number of nodules plant-1, fresh nodule weight
and dry matter accumulation. Uptake of nutrients both N and
P were increased with increase in fertility levels.
Significantly more protein and oil content were also
recorded at highest fertility level of N P2O5
K2O i.e. N80 P120 K80
kg ha-1. |
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Title: |
Mercury
induced alteration in the phycobiliproteins of
cyanobacterium, cylindrospermum stagnale (kütz.)
adapted under different light |
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Author (s): |
Velu Vijaya
Venkatesan Padmapriya, Narayanaswamy Anand, Balan Karunai
Sevi and J.A. John Paul |
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Abstract: |
Phycobilisomes extracted from the
cyanobacterium, Cylindrospermum stagnale grown under
different light conditions (white, red, blue and green) were
subjected to graded concentration of mercuric chloride 6 µM,
9 µM and 12 µM. At all concentrations of Hgcl2, partial
inhibition in the absorption of the phycobiliproteins was
observed, contrarily in 6 µM concentration of red-light, no
influence in phycocyanin absorbance was occurred. In
comparison phycocyanin and allophycocyanin inhibition was
less as 26.2% and 35.7% at higher concentration (12 µM) in
red light. Major effect was occurred even at low
concentration (6 µM) in phycoerythrin and phycocyanin of
blue light and green light. Whereas higher concentrations of
Hgcl2 produced dramatic changes at all other
light conditions. Significantly inhibition in green light
56% and blue light allophycocyanin was 53.1%, likely 40.4%
in white light phycocyanin. The differential percentage of
Hgcl2 inhibition towards the bilipigments at
different light conditions shows their influence in the
protein configuration of the phycobilisomes. |
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Title: |
In vivo
estimation of carcass components from live body measurements
of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica) |
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Author (s): |
Raji A. O., J.
Aliyu and J. U. Igwebuike |
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Abstract: |
Breast and thigh weights of mature Japanese
quails were estimated in vivo from live body
measurements using regression equations. Mean live weight
obtained in this study was 113.16g while breast and thigh
percent were 34.40 and 24.02%. Live weight(r =
0.85 and 0.78), chest
girth(r = 0.63 and 0.60)
and chest width(r = 0.62 and 0.60)
had high, positive and significant (P<0.01) correlation with
breast and thigh weights while they were low and non
significant (P>0.01) with breast and thigh percents.
Equations D (R2 = 0.83, MSE = 4.95, SDE
= 2.22), I (R2 = 0.85, MSE = 4.89 SDE
= 2.22), J (R2 = 0.85, MSE = 5.05, SDE
= 2.24) and K (R2 = 0.87, MSE = 4.97,
SDE = 2.23) for breast weight estimation and 4 (R2
= 0.68, MSE = 2.29, SDE = 1.51),
6 (R2 = 0.67, MSE = 2.29, SDE
= 1.51) and 11 (R2 = 0.77, MSE = 2.24,
SDE = 1.30) for thigh weight estimation had
higher R2, lower MSE and SDE
compared to the other equations. Thus, they produced a
better goodness of fit and greater accuracy in prediction of
carcass components. Under field conditions, depending on the
ease of measurement, these equations can be used to predict
carcass components. |
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Title: |
Alternative
management strategies for weeds and root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne
spp) in rose plants grown under polyethylene covered
tunnels |
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Author (s): |
Grace Oloo,
Aguyoh J. N., Tunya G. O. and O. J. Ombiri |
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Abstract: |
A field study on alternative ways to manage
weeds and nematodes was conducted for two seasons under
polyethylene covered growth tunnels in Horticultural
Research and Teaching Field at Egerton University in 2005
and 2006. The treatments tested were: Dazomet (83.3g/m2),
Metham sodium (0.12g/1): Brassica napus and
Brassica juncea applied at 2, 3 and 4kgs/m2.
The two brassica biofumigants were planted and uprooted at
initial flowering stage and chopped into 10mm small pieces
separately before being applied to their respective plots.
The biofumigants reduced the number of nematodes by between
25% and 62% compared to the non treated plots, but their
activities were quite inconsistent and were insignificant in
the second season of study. In both seasons, reinfestation
occurred soon after field aeration. However, the highest
reduction of the 2nd juvenile stage of root knot
nematodes of between 42% and 81% and up to 88% reduction in
the emergence of some weeds were observed in the plots
treated with Metham sodium at 0.12g/1. The findings of this
study clearly show that, metham sodium and dozamet still
remain the most effective means of controlling weeds under
enclosed environment. Alternatively, weeds can be managed
through seed bank depletion. With continuous uprooting of
weeds the seed bank is exhausted in the soil and weed
population gets reduced below threshold levels as we
observed in the non treated plots. |
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Title: |
Interactive
effects of coating method and storage period on quality of
carrot (cv. Nantes) during ambient storage |
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Author (s): |
Majid Rashidi
and Mahdi Hosseini Bahri |
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Abstract: |
This study was conducted on the interactive
effects of Coating Methods (CM) and Storage Periods (SP) on
Nantes carrot during ambient storage at temperature of 25°C
and 65% relative humidity. Four CM [Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
+ Cellophane Film (CMC + CF), Carboxy Methyl Cellulose
(CMC), Cellophane Film (CF) and No-Coating (NC)] and five SP
(0, 4, 8, 11 and 14-days) were investigated for some
qualitative characteristics including water content, total
soluble solids (TSS), reducing sugar and firmness. A
factorial experiment design was laid out in completely
randomized design with 3 replications for each one of
factors and Duncan’s multiple range tests were performed to
compare the means of different treatments. The statistical
results of the study indicated that CM and SP significantly
(P ≤ 0.01) affected all traits. Interaction of CM × SP for
all traits was also significant. The statistical results of
the study indicated that CMC + CF for water content and
reducing sugar, and CF for firmness were the best CM. In
addition, water content, reducing sugar and firmness
decreased by increasing the SP, whereas TSS increased by an
increase in SP. |
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Title: |
Blue light
enhance the pigment synthesis in cyanobacterium Anabaena
ambigua Rao (Nostacales) |
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Author (s): |
Velu Vijaya
and Narayanaswamy Anand |
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Abstract: |
Light intensity and quality are the most
significant environmental factors influencing the
photosynthetic pigments in Cyanobacteria. Cyanobacterium
Anabaena ambigua, was subjected to different light
intensities (highlight-48 W m-2, medium light-32
W m-2 and low light 16 W m-2) and
different light qualities (blue, red and green light). The
content of Chl a decreased with the increase in light
intensity and reached the highest amount of 21% at low light
16 W m-2, whereas other biliprotein
and total protein were relatively less. It was reversible in
highlight 48 W m-2, except Chl 11%; the total
protein 90%; phycoerythrin 4%, phycocyanin 25% and
allophycocyanin 19% content were found to be relatively
high. At ML and LL, PC content remained constant (21%).
Since light quality seem to play an important role in
regulation of pigment synthesis, Comparatively in RL and GL,
29% and 23% of PC content were found and other pigments were
less than BL. Significantly all the photosynthetic pigment’s
content was high in blue light cells, as high as Chl a
22%, total protein 95%; phycoerythrin 11%, phycocyanin 45%
and allophycocyanin 17%. Besides other light conditions,
blue light triggered high photosynthetic pigments synthesis,
especially high PC synthesis of this cyanobacterium. |
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Title: |
Interactive
effects of packaging and storage temperatures on the
shelf-life of okra |
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Author(s): |
Joyce W. Ngure,
Joseph N. Aguyoh and Liu Gaoquiong |
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Abstract: |
A study aimed at evaluating the potential
benefits of pre-packaging and storage temperature in
extending the shelf life of okra was conducted at Egerton
University Horticulture Field and Biotechnology Laboratory.
Okra pods were subjected to different
combination of packaging and storage temperature.
Three levels of packaging were used
consisting of perforated (punched) polyfilm bags,
non-perforated polyfilm bags (0.03mm thickness) and
unpackaged to modifying the storage atmosphere. Pods
weighing 100g were put in the various packages and the
unpackaged pods were placed on flat cartons. Four levels of
storage temperature, 4oC, 8.5oC, 13oC
and room temperature storage were used for storing okra
pods. The temperatures of 4oC, 8.5oC
and 13oC were attained in refrigerators while
room temperature was obtained by placing the pods on tables
in the open. Pods stored at 4oC were unmarketable
21 days after storage as they were frozen and had the
highest electrolyte leakage due to high chilling injury.
All unpackaged okra pods stored at all
temperatures were also not marketable by day 21 of storage
as they were dry and shriveled. These pods had the greatest
weight loss (79%) at 13oC compared to weight loss
of less than 30% observed in the pods stored at the same
temperature (13oC) but kept in perforated
packages.
The best marketable pods that were not frozen
and had the least off odour were those kept at 13oC
storage temperature treatment in non perforated and
perforated packaging.
Blackening
was inhibited under these storage conditions resulting in
the best visual appearance of okra pods. It is possible that
pod discoloration was controlled by atmosphere modification
provided by packaging thus resulting in enhanced quality and
marketability of the pods for 21 days. |
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Title: |
Effect of blue
green micro algae (spirulina) on cocoon quantitative
parameters of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) |
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Author (s): |
Venkatesh
Kumar R., Dhiraj Kumar, Ashutosh Kumar and S. S. Dhami |
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Abstract: |
Spirulina
is blue-green micro algae. It contains 18 amino acids and
vital vitamins like biotin, tocopherol, thiamine,
riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pyrodozoic acid,
beta-carotene and vitamin B12 etc. These nutrients which are
very easy to digest protein (biliprotein), carbohydrates (mucopolysaccharides,
rhamnose and glycogen), 50 different minerals and trace
minerals, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, GLA omega-3 fatty
acid, and many other nutrients found in spirulina. Under the
present investigation the effect of blue green algae (Spirulina)
on cocoon quantitative parameters (cocoon weight, shell
weight, pupal weight, shell percentage and silk filament
length) of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.
(Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) was studied.
Three treatments (100ppm, 200ppm and 300ppm foliar
spray) one control were taken for the study. Data were
collected and subjected to the statistical analysis on
comparative analysis of the results. Differences between the
treatments were found significant in all the quantitative
cocoon characters except shell percentage. Single cocoon
weight, single shell weight, pupal weight, and silk filament
length are significantly higher at 300ppm concentration
compared to control, 100ppm and 200ppm. |
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Title: |
Genetic
evaluation of rams for total milk yield in Iraqi Awassi
sheep |
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Author (s): |
Firas Rashad
Al-Samarai and Nasr Noori Al-Anbari |
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Abstract: |
This study was conducted at the Improvement
of Sheep and Goats Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq. A
total of 344 milk records of the Awassi ewes collected
during 2006-2007 were used to investigate the effect of
non-genetic factors (year of calving, parity, lamb sex and
litter size) on total milk yield (TMY), average daily milk
yield (ADMY)and lactation period (LP). Data were analyzed by
using GLM in SAS program. Components of variance for the
random effects in the employed mixed model were estimated by
MIVQUE method. Harvey program was used to estimate Best
Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) values of sires for all
studied traits. Results showed that the total milk yield (TMY),
average daily milk yield (ADMY) and lactation period (LP)
was significantly affected by parity and production year.
Litter size affected only LP, whereas the effect of lamb sex
was not significant on all traits. The averages of total
milk yield, average daily milk yield and lactation period
were 73.16 kg, 0.81 kg and 85.78 day, respectively.
Heritability estimates (h²) of TMY, ADMY and LP were 0.47,
0.44 and 0.33 respectively. BLUP values of sires for total
milk yield were between 48.49 and-39.17 kg. These results
provide evidence that Awassi sheep will response to genetic
improvement process. |
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Title: |
Zoometrical
body measurements and their relation with live weight in
matured local muscovy ducks in Borno State Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Raji A. O., J.
U. Igwebuike and M. T. Usman |
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Abstract: |
Zoometrical body measurements and their
relationship with body weight of matured Muscovy ducks were
determined. The effect of sex and plumage was significant (P
< 0.05) for all body measurements. Drakes showed
significantly higher body weight (2.71kg) than ducks
(1.46kg) while black colored ducks had significantly higher
weights than the other color types. High, positive and
highly significant (P < 0.01) correlations were observed
between body weights and all body measurements. Though chest
girth (r = 0.85) and body length (r = 0.87) had the highest
correlation with body weight, the most reliable prediction
from regression analysis was between body weight and body
length + chest girth + chest width (R2 = 0.856,
SE = 0.290). These parameters may be used to evaluate the
body weight of ducks, in addition to being used as selection
criteria. |
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