ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science       ISSN 1990-6145
   
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ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science                    June 2013 | Vol. 8 No. 6
 
Title:

Characterization and selection of halophilic microorganisms isolated from Mexican soils

Author (s):

Delgado-García M, De la Garza-Rodríguez I, Cruz Hernández M.A, Balagurusamy N, Aguilar C. and y Rodríguez-Herrera R.

Abstract:

Halophilic microorganisms thrive in conditions of high salt concentration and osmotic stress. Due to these reasons, halophilic microorganisms with ability to fix nitrogen or mobilize phosphate represent a potential as bio-fertilizer to increase crop growth and yield in saline soils. In this study, 35 different halophilic bacteria were isolated from saline soils of Coahuila State, Mexico. These bacterial isolates were characterized, and evaluated for their halophilic potential by growth kinetics, hydrolysis halos formation and in vitro sodium capture. Based on the results, seven potential strains for saline conditions were selected and were identified by 16S rDNA analysis. Phylogenetic relationship of the selected strains as well as with other halophilic microorganisms was determined. Six of the identified strains were Halobacillus trueperi, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus succinus, Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus subtilis. Other two strains identified were Halobacillus sp. and Oceanobacillus sp., moderately halophilic organisms.

 
 
 
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Title:

Assessment of functional properties and nutritional composition of some cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) genotypes in Ghana

Author (s):

Aaron T. Asare, Robert Agbemafle, Genevieve E. Adukpo, Emmanuel Diabor and Kingsley A. Adamtey

Abstract:

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a widely consumed food crop and largely cultivated in the dry savanna region of Northern Ghana. However one of the major constraints to cowpea production in Ghana is parasitism by Striga gesnerioides given rise to poor yield, hence to solve this problem resistance-cowpea recombinant inbred line has been developed from IT97K-499-35 (Striga-resistant parent) x Apagbaala (susceptible parent). The current study determined the functional properties and nutritional compositions of seeds of four advanced genotypes (F8 progenies) derived from the cross and compared to the parental lines and a local check (GH3684) to assess their potential use in food and nutrition based on standard chemical analytical methods. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the nutritional and functional properties among the new cowpea genotypes and their parents compared to the local check, GH3684. Water absorption capacities, oil absorption capacities, foaming capacities and swelling power of the new breeds varied between 1.57-1.67 g/g, 0.86-0.97 g/g, 17.89-21.68 ml and 2.77-3.23 g/g respectively. There were high values for ash, fiber and carbohydrate with ranges 4.47-4.72 %, 1.56-2.55 % and 54.78-59.03 % respectively. Fat content varied between 1.17-1.36 %. Moisture and protein content ranged between 11.81-13.24 % and 21.63-25.28 % respectively. The results indicate that the four new breeds of cowpea have appreciable nutritional composition and functional properties and therefore have great potential use in the food industry.

 
 
 
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Title:

Study on effect of spermine and putrescine on free polyamines and tss of apricot fruits (var: shahroodi 48)

Author (s):

Somayeh Nikfar and Vahid Abdoosi

Abstract:

This study was done on Apricot trees (Prunus armeniace var SHAHROODI48) in Kamal Abad garden in Alborz province. Three concentrations of Put and Spm (5, 10, 15 mM /Lit) was applied on trees in 5 different physiological times (Bud stage, 5 days after Bud stage, Full bloom, 5 days after Full bloom, 10 days after Full bloom). The content of free polyamines (Put, Spm, and Spd) was evaluated. The highest content of Put was observed in Put 15 mM /Lit, Spm in Spm15 mM /Lit, Spd in Spm 15 mM /Lit. The highest content of TSS was observed in Spm 15 mM/Lit.

 
 
 
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Title:

Assessment of bacteriological quality and traditional treatment methods of water-borne diseases among well water users in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia

Author (s):

Divekulu Siyum and Delelegn Woyessa

Abstract:

The purposes of this study were to assess the bacteriological quality of drinking well water and the traditional methods of treatments used against water-borne diseases among residents of Jimma town well water users. A cross-sectional study design was conducted using structured and semi-structured questionnaire through interview to collect data regarding water handling practices, water-borne diseases, symptoms and traditional methods of treatments from 30 purposively selected well water owners of Jimma town. Ten wells were also randomly selected, and water samples were analysed for physico-chemical and bacteriological quality. The mean pH value of the water was 7.2 while the mean temperature was 21.560C. Moreover, the well water was not in acceptable level for drinking in terms of microbial quality as large number of diverse group of bacterial load was recorded during laboratory analysis. Accordingly, the mean cfu/ml of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) was 815.4; while the mean cfu/ml was 264 and 306.8 for coliforms and enterobacteriaceae, respectively. The isolated colonies also displayed diverse morphological and biochemical features. Furthermore, the position and distance of the wells from latrines, depth of the wells, water handling as well as water storage practices of the well water users were the major factors for the poor quality of the water. Multiple disease symptoms (diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramp and others) were frequently reported cases among the well water users, children and women being the most affected groups. Various parts of different plants (seed, leaf, root, fruit etc) and spices  such as korarima (Aframomum corrorima), garlic (Allium sativum), and ginger (Zingeber officinale)) as well as other materials like honey, butter and coffee flour have been used by the residents as traditional treatment methods against diverse water-borne diseases.

 
 
 
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Title:

Effect of different amount of mineral nitrogen and biological fertilizer on yield and yield components of corn

Author (s):

Hadi Aminzadeh and Mohammad Reza Namazari

Abstract:

To evaluate the effects of different amount of mineral nitrogen and biosuper fertilizer on yield and yield components of corn, a research was conducted in Tabriz Islamic Azad university research field in 2011 based on factorial experiment in completely randomized block design in three replications. Mineral nitrogen fertilizer (N) levels (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg/ha) and two levels of Biosuper fertilizer (B) application (control and biosuper) and collective application was considered as (NB). The results showed that using mineral nitrogen fertilizer had positive effect on 100 Kernel weight, Row in ear, Number of leaves, Ear weight, Leaf area index and Grain yield. Also, using Biosuper fertilizer (once application treatment) led to increase Grain yield. Most of the grain yield obtained from application of Biosuper fertilizer equal to 295.051gr/m2 and application of 180 kg/ha of mineral nitrogen equal to 445.547 gr/m2. Application of Biosuper fertilizer led to increase of Grain yield by 16% and application of Nitrogen fertilizer led to increase of Grain yield by 61% CV. 504 of corn.

 
 
 
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Title: Determination of glycemic indices and glycemic loads of various types of cereal foods
Author (s): Farukh Tabassum, Alam Khan, Iftakhar Alam, Niamatullah, Saleem Khan, Imran Khan, Muhammad Zubair, Muhammad Zafar, Kalsoom Qureshi, Mahpara Safdar and Zia ud Din
Abstract:

Glycemic indicies (GI) and glycemic loads (GL) of various cereal foods were determined. Forty nine male individuals of Agricultural University were recruited and were divided into seven groups, with seven students in each group. Rice, macronies were boiled in tape water before feeding to the individuals, Salty biscuits, macaroni, namakparae and wonder bread were purchased from the local bakery shop. Maize and wheat bread and wheat chapatti were fed.50 g of glucose dissolved in 300 mL of water (as control diet) was given to each individual of all the groups on day first and amount of the boiled cereal foods equivalent to 50 g carbohydrate were given to each individual of the assigned group on the next day. Blood samples were collected at various time-points i.e., at 0 (fasting), 30, 60 and 120 minutes after ingestion of glucose and test foods. GI was determined from the area under curves of glucose concentration for reference and test foods. Glycemic load GL was determined by taking the percentage of the carbohydrate content in a typical serving multiplying by its GI. The GI values of rice, macaronis, wonder bread, salty biscuits, namakparae, maize bread and wheat chapatti were 66, 51, 64, 69, 45, 56 and 67 respectively. The GL values of rice, macaronis, wonder bread, salty biscuits, namakparae, maize bread and wheat chapatti were 25, 24, 9, 13, 8, 17and 20 respectively. The results of the study indicated that cereal based foods have higher GI and GL and hence could be used with precaution in the diet of patients with hyperglycemic complications.

 
 
 
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Title:

Documentation of sorghum (sorghum bicolor l moench) landraces: production, utilization and challenges in Eritrea

Author (s):

Tesfamichael A, A. B. Nyende, S. M. Githiri, R.W. Kasili and Woldeamlak A.

Abstract:

Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the most important staple food crop in Eritrea. A study conducted in four sub regions (Hamelmalo, Segeneyti, Tesseney and Goluj) of Eritrea to determined farmers’ perceptions on sorghum diversity, utilization, post harvest and production problems and their management practices using a semi-structured questionnaire and focused group discussions. A total of 190 sorghum growing farmers were randomly selected for this study. Results from the study showed that about 22 sorghum landraces were in active cultivation in the four sub regions, though there is a possible duplication in the naming of landraces. The naming of landraces was based on maturity dates, grain color, plant height and uses. Grain sorghum was used for home consumption in the form of injera (90%), bread (5%) porridge (5%) and local alcoholic beverages (13%). Varieties with white and red grains were used mainly for injera and porridge while those with brown grains were used for local alcoholic beverages. Storage pests were the leading post harvest constraint in all the sub regions. Farmers reported various traditional pest management options which included treatment with ash and herbs; washing with water, sun dry and winnowing methods. Low yields (less than 1.0 t ha-1) were reported by farmers in all the sub regions. Drought was reported to be the leading production constraint (71%) followed by striga and diseases (17.9 %) and access to labour (3.2 %). Post flowering drought was the key yield reducing factor on farmers’ field. The use of early maturing landraces and good adaptation to marginal areas coupled with some agronomic practices are the main options used by the farmers to mitigate drought. The results also indicated that 85.8 % of the farmers used their own saved sorghum seed for planting. The main criteria for seed selection were panicle and seed size, grain color and maturity dates. The panicles to be used as seed were selected when the sorghum plants reached physiological maturity.

 
 
 
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Title: Resource use efficiency of wetland farmers in Ibadan metropolis
Author (s): Ayeni-Abiodun, Bamike and Bolarinwa Titu

Abstract:

Given the small areas cultivated by limited resource farmers, it is difficult to determine how they are able to maintain their families from such low-productivity farms. Hence, the resource use efficiency and profitability of wetland farmers in Ibadan metropolis Nigeria was investigated. A multistage sampling was employed for the study. Ibadan metropolis was stratified into two: urban and semi-urban. This was followed by random selection of two Local Government Areas (LGAs) from each of the strata. Lastly, 122 respondents were randomly selected from the local government based on probability proportionate to the size. Data on household demographic characteristics and farm production input and output variables were collected with structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary and production frontier analysis. Mean age and household size were 45.5±11.2 years and 6.0±1.3 respectively. Farmers had at least six years of education and are mostly female. The result of profitability analysis showed that a farmer made an average profit of N36, 103.52. The Gross Ratio (GR) of the farm was 0.48 which showed that 48% of the gross income went for total cost. The returns on naira invested in production by the farmers were N0.93 that is 93.0%. The results of frontier model revealed that Technical Efficiency of farmers varied due to the presence of technical inefficiency effects in agricultural production. Land size, herbicide, water, family and hired labour were found to be the significant production factors which accounted for changes in the output of farmers. The distribution of the technical efficiency indices revealed that most of the farmers were technically efficient with mean Technical Efficiency Index of 0.519 (about 43.5.22% of the farmers had technically efficiency above 59%). The results of the inefficiency model showed that the age, years of education and household size significantly increased the farmers’ technical efficiency. The wetland farmers are therefore encouraged to continue in the business because it is profitable.

 
 
 
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