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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science May 2011 | Vol. 6 No. 5 |
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Title: |
Influence
of late planting dates and planting methods on seed
production of clovers
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Author (s): |
Hasina
Gul, Beena Saeed, Ahmad Said, Fida Mohammad
and Ijaz Ahmad
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Abstract: |
The present research was conducted for the
purpose to find out the effect of different late planting
dates (LPD), planting methods and their interaction on seed
production of Berseem and Shaftal. The experiment was
carried out at Research Farm of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan during 2004-05.
The experiment was planted in Randomized Complete Block
Design (RCBD) with four replications having split plot
arrangements. Four late sowing dates (22nd
October, 1st November, 11th November
and 22nd November) were allotted to main plots
and combination of planting methods (line and broadcast) and
clovers (shaftal and berseem) were allotted to sub-plots.
Late planting dates had significant effect on biological
yield and seed yield while number of heads m-2,
number of seed head-1 and 1000 seed weight were
non significantly affected by late planting dates. Maximum
biological yield (1717 kg ha-1) was produced at 1st
November sowing, while minimum biological yield (797 kg ha-1)
was on 22nd October. Similarly sowing at 11th
November produced highest seed yield (112 kg ha-1)
while 1st November sowing produced lowest seed
yield (96 kg ha-1). Significant differences were
found among the combination of planting methods and clovers
(PMC) for biological yield, number of heads m-2,
number of seeds head-1, seed yield and 1000 seed
weight. Shaftal, sown by line method produced maximum
biological yield (1113 kg ha-1), number of seed
head-1 (38.2) and 1000 seed weight (2.00 g).
Similarly Berseem, sown by line methods produced highest
number of heads m-2 (2046) and seed yield (198 kg
ha-1). Shaftal plots planted by broadcast method
produced lowest biological yield (791 kg ha-1)
and seed yield (19 kg ha-1) while berseem plots
sown by broadcast methods gave minimum number of heads ha-1
(1717), number of seeds head-1 (33.2) and 1000
seed weight (1.76 g). Interactive effects of shaftal showed
better performance under the agro-climatic conditions of
Peshawar valley, from 1st November to 11th
November by line method. It was concluded from the present
study that late sowing of Berseem and Shaftal gave best
results from Ist November to 11th
November by line method of planting under the irrigated
areas of Peshawar valley.
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Title: |
Plant
growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) effect on
physiological parameters and mineral uptake in basil (ociumum
basilicm L) under water stress |
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Author (s): |
Mostafa
Heidari and Amir Golpayegani |
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Abstract: |
In order to study the effects of water stress
and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on Proline,
soluble carbohydrates, chlorophyll and mineral content in
Basil, a field experiment was conducted at the University of
Zabol in Iran during 2010 growing season. The experiment
laid out as split plot based on randomized complete block
design with three replications. Three levels of water stress
W1= 80 (control), W2=60 and W3=
40% of the field capacity (FC) as main plots and four levels
of bacterial strain consisting of S1=
Pseudomonades sp, S2=
Bacillus lentus, S3= Azospirillum
brasilens, S4= combination of three bacterial
and S5= control (without use of bacterial) as sub
plots. Results showed water stress and different bacterial
strain significantly affected on proline and soluble
carbohydrate accumulations in leaves of plants. Proline of
the S1=
Pseudomonades sp and
soluble carbohydrate in S2= Bacillus lentus
plants increased significantly with an increasing of water
stress. Chlorophyll content was also increased in all the
bacterial strain treatments. Among the bacterial strain, the
chlorophyll content of the S1
and S4 increased with increasing of water
stress. The average concentration of K+
was higher in S2 and S5 bacterial
strains in the non-water stress. |
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Title: |
Energy
allocation changes during diapause in overwintering larvae
of pistachio twig borer, kermania pistaciella amsel (lepidoptera:
tineidae) in Rafsanjan |
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Author (s): |
Hamzeh
Izadi, Mohamad Amain Samih, Ehsan Behroozy, Firuzeh Hadavi
and Kamran Mahdian |
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Abstract: |
Pistachio twig borer,
Kermania
pistaciella,
is a devastating pest of pistachio trees in pistachio
producing zone of Rafsanjan, over wintering as last larval
diapausing in star. In this study, energy allocation changes
in relation to environmental changes were investigated in
field collected larvae of
pistachio
twig borer
by measuring total body sugar, glycogen, lipid and protein
contents. Glycogen content decreased with decrease in
ambient temperature. Decrease in glycogen content was
proportional to increase in total body sugar content. In
December with mean ambient temperature of 8.5˚C,
glycogen content with 26.2 mg/g fresh body weight was at
lowest level whereas total body sugar with 22.6 mg/g fresh
body weight was at highest level. In the same time, whole
body protein content with about 6.7 mg/g fresh body weight
was also at lowest level. Total body sugar content increased
as temperature decreased from 19˚C to 8.5˚C.
Total body lipid decreased during diapause and reached
lowest level in full developed diapause larvae. In
conclusion, low molecular weight carbohydrates may play a
role in winter surviving and adaptation of
pistachio twig borer to cold and provide the cryoprotection
and most probably,
diapausing larvae of pistachio twig borer
have ability to reserve energy in the form of lipid and
utilize it during over wintering. |
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Title: |
Price
transmission and market integration of banana and plantain
in Oyo State, Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Adeoye I.
B., Dontsop Nguezet P. M., Badmus M. A. and Amao I. O. |
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Abstract: |
This study examined trend in plantain and
banana prices in urban and rural market of Oyo State,
Nigeria. Secondary data on plantain and banana monthly
prices spanning 2004/2007 were sourced from Oyo State
Agricultural Development Project (OYSADEP). The data were
analyzed using Augmented Dicker Fuller (ADF) test, granger
causality test and index of market concentration. The
maximum and minimum prices of banana in the rural area were
found to be N95.09/kg and N39.60/kg respectively. Similarly
for urban banana, the maximum and minimum prices attained
were N114.17/kg and N31.5/kg respectively. Furthermore, the
maximum price of a kilogram of plantain attained in the
rural market was N169.14/kg against N236.39/kg that was
obtained in the urban market between 2004/2007. Plantain and
banana price were all integrated of order one I (1). Six
market links rejected their respective null hypothesis of no
granger causality (P>0.05), two of the market links
exhibited bi-directional granger causality or simultaneous
feedback relationship while four market links exhibited uni-directional
granger causality at 5% and 10% level of significance. Urban
plantain market occupies the leadership position in the
commodity price formation and transmission in the markets
investigated. The Index of market concentration (IMC)
indicates that the markets exhibit low short run market
integration. |
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Title: |
Growth
and survival of clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)
fingerlings in different concentrations of domestic leachate |
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Author (s): |
Agatha A. Nwabueze and
Jerimoth K. Ekelemu |
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Abstract: |
Growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus
in different concentrations of domestic leachate were
investigated. Leachate collected from Ogbeogonogo market
dumpsite in Asaba was analysed for its physico-chemical
parameters. Leachate was diluted with borehole water to give
- 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% strength. Ten four weeks
old fingerlings each of C. gariepinus were cultured
in the different concentrations of leachate-borehole water
in a static renewal bioassay system. Poor growth of C.
gariepinus was observed in the treatment tanks compared
with growth of fish in the control tank which was
progressive as indicated by the higher value of condition
factor. Leachate had significantly (P < 0.05) higher BOD,
COD, alkalinity and significantly (P <0.05) lower dissolved
oxygen than culture water in control tank. All fish in
control tank survived till the end of the study while 100%
mortality was recorded for fish in 100% leachate
concentration by the end of the second week of the study.
Slight growth was recorded for fish in the other treatment
tanks until the fourth week when drop in fish weight was
observed. The poor growth and survival of fish in the
treatment tanks may be due to the high levels of BOD, COD,
alkalinity and the low level of dissolved oxygen observed in
the tanks. The higher the concentration of leachate the
lower the survival of fish with time of exposure. The longer
the exposure time in leachate the lower the survival of fish
with increasing concentration. This study has shown that
leachate can reduce growth rate and survival of C.
gariepinus. An urgent need for strict legislation
regarding waste dumps located close to water bodies is
recommended to forestall fish stress and kills.
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Title: |
Participatory approach: farmers’ competence status in the
use of improved cassava stem multiplication technology in
Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
K. C.
Ekwe and Njoku D. N. |
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Abstract: |
This paper examined the competence status of
farmers in the use of cassava stem multiplication technology
in Imo State. The three agricultural zones of the Imo State
Agricultural Development Programme namely Okigwe, Orlu and
Owerri were all selected for the study. From the zones
twenty five ADP contact farmers were selected from each zone
totalling a sample size of seventy five respondents for the
entire study area. Using structured questionnaire, data on
farmers’ socio economic characteristics as well as extent of
knowledge of the cassava stem multiplication technology were
collected from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed
with descriptive statistics and Chi square statistics.
Result of Chi square analysis performed at 5% significance
level shows significant variation (P<0.5) in farmers’
competence status in 9 out of 11 practices that comprise the
cassava stem multiplication technology. They include land
preparations methods , selection and handling of stems,
length/size of cassava stakes (1, 2, 3 and 5 nodes), type of
chemicals required in technology, chemical treatment of the
stakes , soil nutrient management, essential farm tools/
equipment, pre sprouting of the cassava stakes and
hardening process for the pre-sprouted stakes. Moreover,
there was generally only a fair knowledge of the various
practices in the cassava stem multiplication technology.
Thus, it is recommended that the technology be given
accelerated promotion and dissemination through extensive
training of farmers in various locations in the study area.
Also, multi-locational method demonstration field days
should also be organized for farmers. To achieve a wider
diffusion of the technology, training of farmers’
cooperative societies in the study is very imperative. |
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Title: |
Physiological and biochemical responses of eight wheat
cultivars under salinity stress |
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Author (s): |
Mostafa
Heidari |
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Abstract: |
Effects of NaCl salinity was studied in eight
wheat cvs, Shirazi, Toss, Roshan, Hirman, Bolani, Falat,
Kavir and Star, grown under salt stress (nutrient solution
containing 0, 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl) conditions. The
results revealed that salinity caused significant decreases
in the growth parameters such as root and shoot dry weight.
Toss and Falat cultivars had the highest decreasing. The
negative effect of salinity on plant was due increasing Na+
and decreasing K+ content in the leaves. Bolani
and Toss cultivars had the highest Na+ and lowest
K+ content. In leaves of plants, ascorbate
peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activity increased and
guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) decreased with salinity. Changes
in proline and soluble carbohydrate content in wheat
cultivars showed that at 300 mM NaCl, Toss and Star
cultivars had the highest carbohydrate and proline content.
The results suggest that cv. Roshan, exhibits a better
protection mechanism against salinity. |
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Title: |
Micronuclei as an evidence of DNA damage in fresh water
catfish heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) exposed to synthetic
sindoor |
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Author(s): |
Tahir M.
Malla, C. S. Senthilkumar, Sameena Akhtar and N. Ganesh |
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Abstract: |
Fish serve as useful genetic models for the evaluation of pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Plenty of commonly available synthetic sindoor is being used in the religious rituals especially during the idol immersions in India, which contains lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and industrial dyes and can be harmful to the fishes. The present study was an attempt to explore the genotoxicity of synthetic sindoor in freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) by micronucleus assay. Healthy fishes were collected and housed in well aerated aquaria. Different groups of fishes were treated with different concentrations of synthetic sindoor and the toxicity produced was compared with the control group. Significantly increased frequency of micronuclei in the renal and peripheral blood erythrocytes, observed in the present study suggests that synthetic sindoor is a potential clastogen at higher concentrations. |
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Title: |
Effects
of graded levels of maize bran on the growth and carcass
characteristics of weaned rabbits |
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Author (s): |
Onakpa
M. M., Onuh F. and Gode D. S. |
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Abstract: |
A total of sixteen weaned
rabbits of different cross breeds and of age 6-7 weeks were
randomly allotted to four dietary treatment groups
containing 0 (control) T1, T2 17.5%, T3 26.5% and T4 25%
levels. They were grouped into four treatments with each
group having four replicates each. The rabbits were fed with
graded levels of maize bran. The initial weight, average
daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio were significantly
(P <0.05) by the treatment. There was no significant
difference in daily weight gain (P>0.05). The cost per kg
feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) influenced. For
carcass analysis, there was no significant difference
(P>0.05) across the dietary treatment with respect to pre -
slaughter weight, dressing%, liver, kidney weight, heart
weight, small intestine, length, large intestine length,
shoulder, pelt weight, head, rack weight, lungs weight,
spleen and legs. There was significant difference (P˂0.05)
in carcass weight, thigh weight, loin, weight and caecum
length showed that graded level of maize bran could be
influenced at 35% dietary inclusion in growing rabbits
ration without deleterious effect. |
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Title: |
The
effect of mother plant nitrogen on seed vigour and
germination in rapeseed |
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Author (s): |
Bita
Oskouie and Maryam Divsalar |
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Abstract: |
This experiment was conducted in laboratory
and field to evaluate the effect of top-dress nitrogen
fertilizer application in mother plant of rapeseed on
germination and vigour of produced seeds. The field test was
conducted in factorial on the basis of complete randomized
block design in three replications. The treatments consist
of top-dressing nitrogen fertilizer in three levels of 0, 50
and 100 Kg/ha that exerted on mother plant and cultivar in
six level including Talaieh, SLM046, Okapi, Orient, locord
and Zarfam and the emergence rate, mean emergence time and
seedling emergence percentage were measured .Studied factors
in laboratory were standard germination, mean germination
time, coefficient of velocity of germination and electrical
conductivity test. Field tests results showed that the
effect of cultivar, top-dressing nitrogen fertilizer
application and the interaction effect of cultivar and
top-dressing fertilizer on emergence rate, mean emergence
time and field emergence percentage was significant and the
highest rate of emergence, the lowest amount of mean time
for emergence and the highest percentage of field emergence
were for cultivar of Zarfam and application of 100 Kg/ha
top-dress nitrogen fertilizer in mother plant. The lab
results also showed that standard germination of seeds was
not affected by application of different levels of nitrogen
fertilizer but the effect of cultivar, top-dressing
fertilizer and interaction of cultivar and top-dressing
fertilizer on mean time for germination, coefficient of
velocity of germination and electrical conductivity was
significant. The highest mean time for germination observed
in no-fertilizer application treatment and the lowest was in
100 Kg/ha treatment. Cultivar of Okapi had the highest mean
time for germination in all levels of nitrogen fertilizer
application The highest amount of coefficient of velocity of
germination was in cultivar of Zarfam and 100 Kg/ha
application of top-dressing nitrogen fertilizer and the
lowest amount was in cultivar of Okapi without top dress
fertilizer application. Electrical conductivity test results
also indicated the highest amount of exudation from seed in
cultivar of Talaieh and without nitrogen fertilizer
application in mother plant and the lowest amount in
cultivar of Zarfam with 100Kg/ha application of nitrogen
fertilizer in mother plant. The regression results of
electrical conductivity and measured characters in field
conditions showed that electrical conductivity has
significant correlation with all measured indexes in field
and this test could apply for determining seedling emergence
percentage and seedling establishment in
field. |
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