Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International

Integrated Weed Management in Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Md. Riazul Islam — 2024-03-27

The experiment was conducted at Regional Spices Research Centre, BARI, Magura during the cropping season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to find out the best management practices for controlling the weed of turmeric. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nine different treatments and a control plot were studied. Significant differences regarding yield and yield attributes were observed among different treatments. The results revealed that Cyperus rotundus was the major weed constituting 51% of the total weed flora. All treatments brought significant reduction in the count of weeds over control. The lowest number of these weeds was recorded in glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha treated plot. The highest fresh yield (64.63 t/ha in 2021-22 and 58.28 t/ha in 2022-23) was found from treatment T₅(glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha) and the lowest yield (20.16 kg/ha in 2021-22 and 20.07 in 2022-23) was found from control plot T_10. Maximum weed control efficiency (91.97%) was found from treatment T₅(glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha). Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was highest under glyphosate @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW at 70 DAP + straw mulch @ 5 t/ha (3.75) followed by T₆ (Paraquat @ 10 ml/L+ 1 HW (70 DAP) + straw mulch 5 t/ha (3.33).

Perception and Knowledge of Rice Value Chain Actors on the Effect of Improved Practices on Yield and Milling Characteristics of Rice in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu Districts of Ghana

Ibrahim Salifu Yussif — 2024-04-01

This study presents findings from a comprehensive survey conducted between January and March 2021, aimed at elucidating the agricultural practices and perceptions of rice farmers, processors, and marketers in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu districts of the Northern Region in Ghana. The research sought to gather essential data on improved techniques employed in rice cultivation, milling, and marketing, as well as understand the perceptions surrounding these practices within the local farming communities. Employing a multi-stage sampling methodology, primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 134 rice farmers, 82 processors, and 22 marketers. Key findings revealed that a significant proportion (54.7%) of farmers preferred cultivating local rice varieties such as Moses, Bumbass, Mandii, Bazolgu, Salimasaa, and Assemblyman. Moreover, the survey indicated that 54.5% of farmers adopted the broadcasting method for planting seeds, while only 18% practiced line transplanting with well-defined spacing. Additionally, a majority of transplanting activities occurred when seedlings were at least 4 weeks old, highlighting potential inefficiencies in timing. The study identified several constraints hindering rice production in both lowland and irrigated rice ecosystems across the surveyed districts. These constraints include the prevalence of poor-quality seed varieties, inadequate spacing, suboptimal timing of transplanting, and low soil fertility. Addressing these challenges is imperative for enhancing rice productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Genetic Evaluation for Stability of Grain Yield and Yield Components in Foxtail Millet Using GGE Biplot in Foothills of Nagaland

D. Purushotama Rao — 2024-04-02

Aims: Foxtail millet cultivation in India's North Eastern Hill region holds promise due to its adaptation to diverse environments and high-quality grain. Studying G x E interaction in this region will guide breeding programs to develop foxtail millet varieties adapted to local conditions. The objective of this study was to find out foxtail millet genotypes that produce high yield in diverse environments and to identify ideal mega-environments using GGE Biplot stability model analysis.

Methods: The investigation was carried out during July 2022 to May 2023 for four different dates of sowing with twenty-five days interval. Two environments maintained under rained condition and the remaining two environments are maintained under irrigated condition. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in all environments.

Results: Analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences (at 5%) among the 30 genotypes for all yield variables under evaluated. Genotype ‘G1’ exhibited superior performance for both yield and yield-related traits.In this study, four GGE biplots of GY, one is Discriminativeness and representativeness in GGE biplots revealed E4 is identified as the most representative environment. At the same time, E3 also stands out for its strong discriminative capacity. Another one is Which Own Where" biplots revealed that G19 and G27 displayed superior and stable performance in E1. Similarly, G25 and G1 excelled in E2, E3, and E4. while mean vs stability biplots revealed that G1 is stable and performs well.

Conclusion: Genotypes, namely G1, G22, G25, and G21, exhibited stable and reliable performance across different conditions.

Concentration Weathering of some Agrochemicals in Runoff and Soil Interface on the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) Farm, Ilorin, Nigeria

Manta, I. H. — 2024-04-05

Agrochemicals are needed to boost agricultural productivity, but substantial quantities are either transported into surface water through runoff or leached into groundwater, which may eventually lead to environmental degradation and pollution. Although several studies have been carried out on the effects of agrochemicals o soil and water qualities but the rate of dissipation of agrochemicals along their pathways are not fully understood yet. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the level of dissipation of agrochemical elements and compounds as they moved along the furrow. Four experimental fields - NPK fertilizer, urea fertilizer, pesticides (organochlorine) and herbicides (glyphosate) were prepared for this study. The selected agrochemicals were applied on the experimental field and the concentration of chemical elements (electrical conductivity, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, magnesium, potassium, glyphosate and organochlorine) along the furrow were measured at intervals (1 m on a 20 m row) using standard techniques. The range of electrical conductivity, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, magnesium and potassium concentrations for runoff from NPK fertilizer applied field were: 95.75 - 174.51 µS/cm, 5.72 - 7.54, 0.21 - 0.68%, 0.09 - 0.36%, 0.1 - 0.47 mg L^-1, 0.25 - 0.66 mg L^-1, 4.63 - 7.88 mg L^-1 and 7.28 - 16.15 mg L^-1; for runoff from Urea fertilizer applied field, the range were: 176.25 - 186.33 µS/cm, 7.14 - 7.64, 0.21 - 0.48 %, 0.21 - 0.38%, 0.41 - 0.65 mg L^-1, 0.23 - 0.49 mg L^-1, 5.48 - 7.64 mg L^-1and 8. 23 - 10.46 mg L^-1. The range of electrical conductivity, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and magnesium concentrations for runoff from glyphosate applied field were: 114.00 - 283.78 µS/cm, 6.49 - 7.82, 0.13 - 0.67 mg/kg, 0.03 - 0.09%, 0.41 - 1.60 mg L^-1, 0.45 - 2.59 mg L^-1, 8.35 - 12.76 mg L^-1; and for runoff from organochloride applied field the range were: 344.37 - 380.48 µS/cm, 6.66 - 7.86, 0.30 - 0.56 mg/kg, 0.05 - 0.18%, 0.68 - 0.91 mg L^-1, 0.81 - 1.45 mg L^-1 12.48 - 14.68 mg L^-1. The concentration of agrochemical elements and compounds disintegrate along the furrows on all agrochemical fields except in the case of pH.

Effectiveness of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria on Enhancing Phosphorus Availability from Minjingu Phosphate Rock to Maize in Slightly Acid to Neutral Soils

Daniel M. Nhunda — 2024-04-05

The aim of this one-year field study was to evaluate the impact of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on increasing the availability of phosphorus locked up in insoluble Minjingu phosphate rock for the maize crop (Zea mays L.) in high soil pH. The study was carried out during one wet season in Nghumbi and Mlali villages in Kongwa District in the Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Based on the pH of their soil and the limiting nutrients, two farms from Mlali village and five from Nghumbi village were chosen at random for field trials. To determine the fertility status, composite soil samples were collected from the chosen farms and examined in a lab. Target treatments included the application of PSB inoculum in combination with various rates of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) (0, 20, 30, 40, and 60 KgP ha-1) as a basal fertilizer, placed beneath maize seed and covered with a thin layer of soil. Using a fully randomised block design, the treatments were set up three times. Inadequate levels of N, P, K, and Zn were found in the research area's soil samples. Results indicated the main effect of fields’ characteristics from field No.2 had the highest yield to other fields with significantly (P< 0.001) highest grain yield being 4.4 t ha-1, biological yield of 5.6 t ha-1, and Straw P uptake of 19.63 kg ha-1. Using P or an inoculant (Mx) produced a negligible yield of grain and straw, according to the major effect of treatments. For the studied variables, none of the treatments showed any significant (P =0.427) interaction effects. An intriguing revelation that the study's maize response to native P is provided by interaction effects area is a factor of soil and amount of P released to the soil. We recommend more research on PSB for more than one season in high soil pH before ascertaining the technology to farmers.

Typology of Plantain Cultivation in a Context of Climate Change in the Agroecological Zone of Haut-Sassandra, Central-West, Côte d'Ivoire

Ousmane Fofana — 2024-04-15

The Haut-Sassandra region (Côte d'Ivoire), experiencing climate change with its many consequences, continues to produce bananas even if the level has fallen in recent years. This work was carried out to understand the adaptation strategies of plantain farmers facing the consequences of climate change. The methodological approach consisted of listing banana plantations of more than one hectare in Haut-Sassandra and carrying out a survey on plantain cultivation practices observed in this agroecological zone. The survey carried out made it possible to list 34 banana plantations with areas of between 1.5 and 5 hectares. For the establishment of banana plantations, slash-and-burn crops are the most favored (100%). The most used crop type is the crop association (85%) (cocoa (65%), coffee (15%) and food crops (5%)). Only 15% of banana plantations were monoculture. The fight against the wind is achieved by hedges made up of plots of rubber and teak surrounding the banana plantations. Symptoms of biotic and abiotic diseases were observed in all the banana plantations investigated. To maintain sustainability and better banana production, Haut-Sassandra planters combine several agroecological practices.

Comparative Analysis of Hydroponic Farming Income between Pak Choy (Brassisca chinensis L.) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Uliya Pryatnasari — 2024-04-17

The increasingly narrow area of productive land, especially in big cities, makes cultivating plants using hydroponic techniques attractive and increasingly important. In hydroponic farming there is also a production income value that is different from the production of the types of vegetables that have been planted. This research aims to determine the hydroponic farming income. This research was carried out from November 2022 to January 2023. The sampling method was carried out purposive sampling or intentionally, namely at Graha Indah Farm. The data collected is primary data because this hydroponic cultivator built his own business. The research findings indicate that the hydroponic farming income at Graha Indah Farm varies significantly. Pak choy generated IDR 38,660,002.53 in the first planting season and IDR 463,920,030.36 annually, equivalent to IDR 5,799.00 m^-2 year^-1. Meanwhile, lettuce yielded IDR 16,183,000.83 in the first planting season and IDR 194,196,007.59 annually, equivalent to IDR 809.15 m^-2 year^-1. Pak choy contributed to 87.76% of the income, whereas lettuce accounted for 12.24%. Thus, it's evident that lettuce has a higher income and demand value.

Economic Importance of Kenaf Seed as Alternative Feed Resource in Micro Livestock Production: A Review

Popoola, Y. A. — 2024-04-02

Feed supply has remained a major constraint in animal production due to an ever-increasing cost of conventional feedstuff occasioned by the competition between man and animals for cereal grains. There is need to harness the potential of the numerous agro-industrial by-products and the so-called wastes as part of replacing them for expensive feedstuffs. This necessitated for the utilization of kenaf grains and leaf in the diet of micro–livestock. The cost of conventional feedstuffs coupled with high demand for grains for human consumption has stimulated interest in the use of non-conventional, readily available, and cheaper source of feedstuffs. Use of kenaf by-product in other livestock with an impressive result has been recorded without any deleterious effect on the experimental animals. Kenaf is an annual or biennial herbaceous short-lived plant belongs to family malvaceae and is usually considered as a fiber crop, primarily used for rope, twine, coarse cloth and paper. Hence, kenaf grains and leaf could be used as alternative feed resource for micro-livestock.

Evaluation of Botanicals against Rice Case Worm Parapoynx stagnalis Zeller. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Malini Nilamudeen — 2024-03-22

Rice, Oryza sativa L. is the staple food of two thirds of world population. Several insect pests are reported to cause damage to rice crop. Rice case worm, unlike other lepidopteran rice pests, have an aquatic larval period and hence depends on dissolved oxygen in the water drop it carries in its case, made from rice leaf. Application of insecticide spray, does not give much control of this pest. No botanicals are yet reported as effective against this pest. In the present study, six botanicals were tested on rice case worm under laboratory and field conditions. Of the six plants, Anamirta cocculus gave promising results at five percent concentration followed by Glyricida sepium under both field and laboratory conditions.