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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
October 2012 | Vol. 7 No.
10 |
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Title: |
Relationship between physical, anatomical and strength
properties of 3-year old cultivated tropical bamboo
gigantochloa scortechinii |
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Author (s): |
Razak Wahab, Mohd Tamizi
Mustafa, Shafiqur Rahman and M. A. Salam |
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Abstract: |
The physical, anatomical and strength
properties of 3-year old cultivated tropical bamboo
Gigantochloa scortechinii was studied. Five (5) culms of
the bamboo were selected and
harvested from the Bambusetum Plot located in the Forest
Research Institute Malaysia in Kepong. The anatomical study
focussed on the vascular bundles and fibres located at the
internodes and nodes 8 at the outer, middle and inner cross
section of the bamboo. The sizes of the vascular bundles
length, vascular bundles width, fiber length, fiber
diameter, fiber lumens diameter, fiber walls thickness and
fiber Runkle’s ratio were measured in relation to the
samples positions at the internodes, nodes, and positions in
the cross-section of the bamboo culms.
The physical study gives emphasis on the moisture content,
basic density and dimensional stability. The strength
properties study focused on the tension parallel to the
grain and shear test. Both the
physical and strength study were conducted at internodes and
nodes no. 8 of the bamboo. |
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Title: |
Assessment of nitrates contamination in topsoils of
babagorgor watershed, western Iran |
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Author (s): |
Mohammad
Tahsin Karimi Nezhad, Fardin Mir Ahmadi and
Khosro Mohammadi |
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Abstract: |
The objectives of this study were to identify
spatial variability and main sources of NO3-
in rural soils of Northern Ghorveh. Influences of
topography, land use and soil properties on NO3-
concentrations were investigated. A total of 87 composite
soil samples were collected in an area of about 1352 km2.
The average concentrations of the analyzed nitrates in
topsoil were 8.373 mg /kg. In addition, the pH, organic
matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil grain
sizes and CaCO3 were measured for each sample.
The results indicated that land use had significant effect
on NO3- concentrations. The
experimental variogram of NO3- has
been fitted with an exponential model. The mapping showed
the highest contents of NO3- found in
northern and southern parts of the watershed which is along
the main water channel or irrigated farming. |
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Title: |
Nutrient
value in the effluent of human excreta and fruit waste in
two fixed dome biogas plants |
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Author (s): |
Abdul-Aziz
Issah and Tayari Salifu |
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Abstract: |
The aim of the study was to investigate the
nutrient value and heavy metals in the effluent of human
excreta (HE) and fruit waste (FW) in two biogas plants in
the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The research was
conducted under mesophyllic conditions within a short
hydraulic retention time of 21 days. Two samples each of the
influent and effluent were collected with sterilized plastic
containers from each digester from January, 2011 to May,
2011. The mean, standard error (SE) and percentage
increase/reduction in the effluent for each parameter were
computed for both digesters. The study found that the
process of anaerobic digestion has a transformation effect
on nutrients. After the process of anaerobic digestion,
ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N) in the effluent of both
human and fruit waste were found to increase by 25.2% and
24.35% respectively. With respect to the influent, total
potassium (K2O) of the effluent of human excreta
increased by 2.0% and that of fruit waste by 2.1%. Total
phosphate (P2O5) increased by 1.7% in
the effluent of human excreta whiles 1.8% total P2O5 was found to increase in the effluent of the fruit
waste. Dry matter (DM) content reduced more than half in
both effluents whiles pH increased relatively thereby
influencing the availability of NH4-N content in the
effluents. Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and
zinc (Zn) in both effluents (human excreta and fruit waste)
remained unchanged but traceable and met acceptable
standards for disposal into the environment. |
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Title: |
Eco-physiological traits NAR and LAR role in determining the
relative growth rate in competition |
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Author (s): |
Allah
Bakhsh Gulshan, Altaf Ahmad Dasti and Shazia
Shakoor |
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Abstract: |
Crop responses to weed
competition are difficult to predict, particularly in crop
production systems. Subsequently models can be used to
integrate and to assess the relative importance of the
multiple influences on competition. In the present studies
the dynamics of competition between grass and different weed
species. Two experiments were performed. Experiment #1 was
performed to evaluate the variation in growth rates and
biomass allocation among the weed flora grown under normal
conditions. Experiment #2 was performed to measure the
responses of a particular weed species to competition in
natural and agro-ecosystem. NAR and LAR are important
factors in determining the RGR of ten herbaceous weed
species in combination with grass. The competition was
reduced the growth of weed species and effect positively on
the grass species. Allocation of physiological traits such
as NAR and LAR were more significant for determining the
relative growth of different species in competition with
grass. |
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Title: |
Evaluation of planting methods for growth and yield of
“Digang” rice (Oryza Sativa L) under upland condition of
Bawku, upper east region, Ghana |
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Author (s): |
J. K.
Laary, W. Dogbe, P. O. Boamah and J. Agawini |
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Abstract: |
Field experiments were conducted in the rainy
seasons of 2010 and 2011 at the Savannah Agricultural
Research Institute (SARI), experimental farms (Latitude
11°11'and 10°40'N, Longitude 0°18' W and 0°6'E), Manga,
Bawku, Upper East Region, Ghana to determine the effects of
planting methods on growth, development, yield and yield
components of an introduced rice variety, IR129429-4-1, (“Digang”)
under upland conditions. The experiments were laid out in
Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four
replications at two separate upland locations (0.5 Km
apart). The treatments comprised of four planting methods
vis; Direct Seed Dibbling, Pre-germinated seed Broadcasting,
Direct Seed Drilling and Seedling Transplanting. Fertilizer
dose of N.P.K. (15, 15, 15) in the form of nitrogen,
phosphorus and potash was applied to the crop as basal NPK
(60, 30, 30 kg/ha) and later top-dressed with 30 kg/ha
nitrogen in the form of sulphate of ammonia. Results from
analyzed data of both seasons showed that planting methods
had significant effect on “Digang” growth, yield and yield
components, but differences in years and plot locations were
not significant. With the exception of seedling
transplanting method, the other planting methods did not
have significant effect on germination and plant height. The
direct seed dibbling and direct seed drilling had better
plant establishment and was significantly higher than
pre-germinated seed broadcasting and seedling transplanting
methods. Straw dry matter yield was higher in direct seed
dibbling and seedling transplanting methods, and both were
significantly different from direct seed drilling and
pre-germinated seed broadcasting methods. Seedling
transplanting method had higher panicle count, and recorded,
higher yields of 2.5 tons/ha in 2010 and 2.8 tons/ha in
2011, with an overall average yield of 2.7 tons/ha, than
direct seed drilling and pre-germinated seed broadcasting.
The direct seed dibbling recorded mean paddy yield of 2.5
tons/ha which was significantly higher than direct seed
dibbling and pre-germinated seed broadcasting method. Among
examined planting methods, the most consistent planting
method and best in almost all examined parameters under
individual years was the seedling transplanting method
followed by direct seed dibbling method. Seedling
transplanting method was not significantly different from
direct dibble method in almost all parameters examined. So
in situation where labour is available and affordable,
seedling transplanting could be chosen under upland
condition, but where labour and time are limiting, it makes
more economic sense to opt for direct dibbling method for
“Digang” rice under upland conditions. |
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Title: |
The
effect of BAP and thidiazuron on in vitro growth of java
turmeric (Curcuma X anthorrhiza Roxb) |
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Author (s): |
Suci
Rahayu dan and Widiati Hadi Adil |
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Abstract: |
Java turmeric (Curcuma
xanthorrhiza Roxb), a natural
medicinal crop, has potential to be developed due to a great
demand of raw material for
Jamoe industry
in Indonesia. A technology for rapid propagation such as
in vitro propagation is required to meet the need of
this crop. The aim of this research was to ascertain the
effect of BAP either alone or in combination with
Thidiazuron
on the growth of Java turmeric through in vitro
culture. The research was conducted at the Laboratory
of Cell Biology and Tissue Culture Division, the Indonesian
Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources
Research and Development,
Bogor from
January to June 2008. The research was arranged in a Fully
Randomized Design with 10 treatments and 4 replications. The
treatments consisted of MS medium enriched with BAP (0, 1,
3, 5, and 7 mg/l) either alone or in combination with 0.1
mg/l Thidiazuron. The results showed that 5 mg/l BAP was the
best media for all growth components in terms of shoots
number, shoot height, roots number, root length and leaves
number. No effect of Thidiazuron was shown on shoot
regeneration of Java turmeric. These findings suggested that
a further research should be conducted to find out the
appropriate concentration of Thidiazuron for inducing the
growth of Java turmeric. |
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Title: |
Water
quality analysis and food preference of sarotherodon
galilaeus in the golinga community reservoir in the northern
region of Ghana |
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Author (s): |
Abdul-Aziz
Issah and Tayari Salifu |
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Abstract: |
The study investigated
the water quality and food preference of Sarotherodon
galilaeus (S. galilaeus) in the Golinga Community
Reservoir in the Northern Region of Ghana from November,
2011 to April, 2012. Analysis of stomach contents in the
laboratory found seven different food items (detritus,
filamentous blue green algae, diatoms, green algae, blue
green algae, undigested items and xamthophyceae) in 216
stomachs sampled. The food preference was in the order of
detritus (43.5%), filamentous blue green algae (23.9%),
diatoms (13.0%), green algae (11.4%), blue green algae
(8.9%), undigested items (1.2%) and xamthophyceae (0.4%).
The ranges for the water quality parameters in the reservoir
were 23.8 -31.3 oC, 43.1-61.1 µcm-1,
6.85-7.65, 1.8 -18.8 NTU, 23.3-29.3 mg/l, 0.04 mg/l-1.80
mg/l and 0.006-0.007 mg/l for temperature, conductivity, pH,
turbidity, total alkalinity, nitrates and phosphates,
respectively. These were within the optimum range for
plankton production and culturing of
S. galilaeus. |
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Title: |
Characterization of Indonesian ‘Siam’ cultivar (Citrus
Nobilis Lour) by morphological and ISSR markers |
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Author (s): |
C.
Martasari, Karsinah and Dan Reflinur |
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Abstract: |
Siam (Citrus nobilis var siam Hort.)
is the most cultivar that cultured in citrus production
centers in Indonesia. Those cultivars have different name
according to the origin of planting area, but they have many
similar morphology. The phenomena often made a confusing on
their seed industry. Therefore, characterization of those
cultivars must be clear to propagation them on pure variety.
The objective of this research was to characterize 20
Indonesia’s Siam cultivars from 9 provinces by morphology
and ISSR markers. Morphological characterization was done
based on IPGRI descriptor list to leaf, stem, and flower and
fruit. The result showed there were differences on shape,
color and thickness of rind and taste of ripe fruit.
Characterizations by eight primers ISSR have done and the
result produced 287 bands totally that were 253 polymorphic
bands (88.15%).
Dendogram
generated
from the
DNA
bands
showed
a breakdown of
20
Siam
conjoined
into
four
groups.
Group A include 9 cultivars (Lumajang, Banjar 2, Candi,
Tulungagung, Mamuju, Tapin and Ponorogo). The group B had
five cultivars (Batola, Tlekung, Pontianak 2, Bangkinang and
Madu). The group C forms by only one cultivar that is
Banyuwangi. The last group D has five cultivar (Jember,
Kintamani, Pati, Jambi, Banjar 2).
Each
group
has a
morphological
resemblance to
the fruit.
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Title: |
Empowering rural communities through village information
centers in Tamil Nadu |
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Author (s): |
T.
Senthilkumar and F. R. Sheriff |
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Abstract: |
Agriculture including Crop
husbandry, Animal husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry,
Agro-forestry and Agro-industries provides livelihoods to
over 70 per cent of rural Indian population. Developing
appropriate ICTs for sustainable development and livelihood
is, therefore, essential at grass roots level, i.e., at
community level. A study was performed in determining the
information needs of different communities and designing
system for linking the groups to relevant information and
training resources ultimately to enable rural people to have
information access for rural development. Data of two years
period from July 2001-2002 to July 2002-2003 were collected
from the beneficiaries of multimedia village information
centers established by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal
Sciences University. The users of village information
centers who accessed different information technology tools
during the study period were classified as users of
Electronic media, Audio media, Video media, Print media and
others. 28.97 per cent of the beneficiaries were accessed
the electronic media during the second year with an increase
of 8.98 per cent when compared to the first year which was
only 19.99 per cent. The 8.98 per cent increased access
shows the awareness, knowledge gain towards the electronic
media access and overall built up of computer literacy and
capacity in accessing information and communication
technologies for information access and development, sense
of ownership and empowerment. |
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Title: |
The
effect of gamma irradiation on the growth of mango grafted
material |
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Author (s): |
Karsinah
N. L. P. Indriyani and Sukartini |
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Abstract: |
Mutation breeding refers to
development of new cultivars or germplasm by the deliberate
production and selection of new mutations. The objective of
this
research was to
examine the effect of different doses of γ-irradiation on
the
growth
of mango (Mangifera indica L.) grafted material.
The experiment
was conducted at Subang
Experimental Field, West Java, from May to December 2009.
The research was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block
Design with five treatments and three replications, and each
treatment consisted of 40 scions.
The treatments
were doses
of
γ-rays
irradiation,
consist of:
0
(non-irradiated as
control), 20,
40,
60,
and
80
Gy.
Mango scions of cv. ‘Arumanis’ were irradiated
with
γ-rays
at CRDIRT-BATAN Jakarta
and
then
grafted
on one
year
old of mango
rootstocks at Subang
Experimental Field. The parameters measured were percentage
of graft success, time of bud break,
shoot length,
number of bud
that grew on the scion,
number of
leaves,
chlorophyll
content, and
number of
stomata. The
results indicated
that γ-irradiation doses influence the percentage
of graft success, bud break,
percentage
of grafted material success, shoot length, bud number, total
leaf number, and chlorophyll
content.
Mango
grafted
materials that can
grow
were obtained
from 0-40
Gy
γ-irradiation. Doses of γ-irradiation beyond 60 Gy was
lethal to mango cv. ‘Arumanis’. |
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Title: |
The
influence of soil moisture status on reproductive growth and
development of bambara groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L)
verdc) landraces in Ghana |
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Author (s): |
J. K.
Laary, K. Ofori and F. K. Kumaga |
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Abstract: |
The increasing threat of water deficits for
crop production requires evaluating potential drought
tolerant crops for cultivars that can withstand and
efficiently produce under moderate to low soil moisture
conditions. Bambara groundnut is one such drought tolerant
crop, but this trait varies among landraces with respect to
its reproductive development. Experiments were therefore
carried out on bambara groundnut in Ghana, to evaluate the
reproductive response of two contrasting landraces;
Cream-seeded and Mottled-seeded, under three soil moisture
regimes, viz. 30-40%, 50-60% and ≥70%. In both landraces,
days to 50% flowering, pod and seed numbers, dry matter, pod
and seed yield and harvest indices were significantly higher
at 50-60% soil moisture than at 30-40% and ≥70% soil
moisture regimes. The 30-40% soil moisture greatly promoted
early flowering and pod-filling with enhanced harvest
indices of the landraces than ≥70% soil moisture. There was
higher biomass production at ≥70% soil moisture, but this
did not translate into higher harvest indices as compared to
30-40% soil moisture. In all three soil moisture regimes,
the pod, seed and dry matter yields, and harvest indices,
were higher in Cream-seeded landrace than in Mottle-seeded
landrace. Cream-seeded landrace was the most soil moisture
efficient cultivar, and demonstrated superiority and better
adaptation to low soil moisture condition than
Mottled-seeded landrace, and could be chosen in areas of
inadequate rainfall. The differences in reproductive
response patterns of the landraces under varying soil
moisture conditions might provide basis for developing
strategies towards stabilizing bambara groundnut yields in
areas of low rainfall. |
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Title: |
Risk,
recessions and resilience of sub Saharan
African
economies |
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Author (s): |
L. O. E.
Nwuawa S. A. Yusuf and K. O. Akintunde |
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Abstract: |
The ability to predict overall
developments in the economy is extremely limited. The track
record of forecasting is very poor, especially immediately
before or during recessions when good forecasts are needed
most by policy-makers. This paper examined facts on duration
and size of recessions, which can be used by policy-makers
in assessing macroeconomic risks. In addition, models of the
business cycle in economic theory will be required to
replicate or substantiate these facts. Evidence is taken
from 17 Sub Saharan African economies between a period 1960
to 2010. Two definitions of recession are used, and the
resulting analyses from the two are robust with respect to
the definitions. The striking feature of the data is the
resilience of the economies. The majority of recessions last
for a year and small minority persisted for more than 2
years. However, in terms of size and duration, the bigger
the recession and the longer it persisted, the less likely
recovery becomes. This is not consistent with the assumption
made in mainstream macroeconomic theory that business
fluctuations are driven by recurring identically
independently distributed random shocks. |
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Title: |
Effect of
UV-C radiation on antioxidant enzymes in strawberry fruit (Fragaria
X Ananassa CV. Camarosa) |
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Author (s): |
Nasrin
Mohammadi, Soraya Mohammadi, Vahid Abdossi and Masoud
Mashhadi Akbar Boojar |
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Abstract: |
The changes in antioxidant enzyme activity
and oxidative enzyme, polyphenol oxidase enzyme (PPO) in
strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa cv.
Camarosa) illuminated with different UV-C dosages were
investigated. Three UV-C illumination dosages 0.25, 0.5 and
0.75 kJ/m2 tested, promoted antioxidant enzyme
activity and reduced oxidative enzyme, polyphenol oxidase,
activity at 10˚C compared to the control. UV-C radiation for
0.5 and 0.75 kJ/m2 showed the best results for
enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity including superoxide
dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), also decreasing
polyphenol oxidase activity. All UV-C dosages enhanced
antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced, polyphenol oxidase
activity but 0.75 kJ/m2 UV illumination gave the
best results. |
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Title: |
Effect of
biological fertilizer and mineral fertilizer on yield and
yield components of corn (Zea Mays) CV. S.C. 504 |
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Author (s): |
Mohamad
reza Nam azari and Farshad Babaoghli |
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Abstract: |
To evaluate the effect of
Biosuper biofertilizer and mineral fertilizer on yield and
yield components of corn separately and collectively, a
research was conducted in Tabriz Islamic Azad university
research field in 2010 based on factorial experiment in
completely randomized block design in three replications.
Biosuper biofertilizer was considered as factor B and
mineral fertilizer was considered as factor A and collective
application was considered as AB. The results showed that
using Biosuper biofertilizer had positive effect on 100
Kernel Weight, Ear weight and Grain yield. Also, using
mineral fertilizer (once Application treatment) led to
increase 100 Kernel Weight, Ear Weight and Grain yield.
Application of fertilizers was effective on the traits and
collective application of mineral fertilizer with Biosuper
biofertilizer (once application of mineral fertilizer
treatment with Biosuper) increased yield components, as this
enhancement led to increase yield by %30.69 related to when
the biofertilizer not applied. |
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