Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Influence of Manures on Some Soil Fertility Properties, Yield and Agronomic Efficiencies of Soybean (Glycine max) on Degraded Acid Soil

Julius Oluwaseun Adegoke — 2023-04-26

Aluminum toxicity is a major limitation to leguminous crop production in acidic soils but mineral and organic fertilizer applications could ameliorate the condition. Thus, the focus of this study was to evaluate the influence of manures on post-harvest soil fertility quality, yield and agronomic efficiencies of soybean (Glycine max). The study had six fertilizer treatments: poultry manures, rabbit manures, pig manures, sheep manures, cattle manures, single super phosphate and the control (no soil additive) laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with four replicates. The experiment was conducted at the greenhouse of the Wesley University, Ondo, Nigeria. The treatments were applied at the rate of 40 kg P₂0₅ha^-1and the effects of treatments on yield parameters (biomass, grain yield and total dry weight), relative agronomic efficiencies, as well as soil fertility status were observed. Data analysis using ANOVA at 5% level of probability showed the application of poultry manure to have enhanced soybean grain yield and yield component. Poultry manure treatment had the highest mean total dry weight of 11.5 g while SSP resulted in the lowest yield (4.7g). The efficiency of available P released from the applied poultry manure was 2 times higher than the referenced single super phosphate fertilizer in Ondo. Poultry manure application again had higher RAE_DSWthan to chemical fertilizer. Thus, applications of poultry or pig manures at 40 kg P₂0₅ha^-1could be excellent materials as alternatives to mineral fertilizer (single super phosphate) for improving soil fertility, yield of soybean and its agronomic efficiencies.

Non-Linear Growth Models for Acreage, Production and Productivity of Food-grains in Haryana

Sanju — 2023-04-14

In order to understand the growth patterns of diverse commodities, agricultural research heavily relies on the computation of growth rates. For the computation of the growth rate, many researchers adopted the parametric approach rather than the non-linear model. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop non-linear growth models for acreage, production and productivity of total (kharif + rabi) food-grains in Haryana from 1966 to 2021. We discussed different non-linear growth model viz. Logistic, Gompertz and Monomolecular and also determined the initial value for each parameter. The parameters were estimated using Levenberg - Marquardt’s iterative method of non-linear regression. Best model was selected based on goodness of fit statistics such R², RMSE and MAE. Finally we concluded that Logistic model was found suitable to fit for acreage, production and productivity of food-grains grown in Haryana followed by Gompertz model. Forecasting for the period 2022–2026 was done using the selected best non linear growth model.

Construction of Knowledge Test to Measure the Knowledge of KVK Beneficiary Farmers on Farming Practices

S. Ramalakshmi Devi — 2023-04-18

Knowledge on farming practices helps in implementing the best practices in the farm to improve the production system to get higher returns by the farmers. Krishi Vigyan Kendras are the knowledge network centres with district as jurisdiction. Due to the limited availability of knowledge tests to measure the knowledge of Krishi Vigyan Kendra KVK beneficiary farmers on farming practices, an attempt had been made to develop a test for measuring knowledge of KVK beneficiary farmers on farming practices. For this purpose, pertinent items were collected covering all aspects of farming practices. After getting jury opinion on the items of test, the item difficulty index, item discrimination index and point bi-serial correlation were worked out. Thirty eight statements were finally selected from 60 statements to measure the knowledge of KVK beneficiary farmers on farming practices. To administer the knowledge testa score of one was given for each correct answer and zero was given for a wrong answer. Thus the standardized knowledge test developed in this study can be used to measure the knowledge of beneficiary farmers by any KVK and the respondents can be categorized into low, medium and high groups based on the mean and standard deviation.

Study on the Incidence of Sucking Pests and Pink Bollworm in Cotton

N. Rajasekhar — 2023-04-19

Sucking pests and pink bollworm are serious pest of cotton one after the other in India by causing serious yield losess. The present investigation was carried out in three major cotton growing mandals of NTR district to understand the level of pest incidence in Bt cotton during Kharif, 2022-23 on regular interval. Among the sucking pests only thrips population recorded 32.26 no/3 leaves and crossed the ETL at 45 DAS. Remaining sucking pests such as Leafhopper, whitefly and aphid did not crossed ETL during crop growth period and highest incidence of 5.92, 4.04 and 27.14 no/3 leaves was recorded respectively at 45, 60 and 120 DAS. Whereas pink bollworm recorded 23.10% rosette flowers, 44.04% boll damage in Bheemavaram village of Vastavai mandal and 40.83% locule damage in Konakanchi village of Penuganchiprolu mandal.

Estimation of Energy Potential by Anaerobic Digestion of Agricultural Residues in Agro-ecological Zone 5 in Benin

Dimitri Chincoun — 2023-04-24

Aims: Evaluate the available dry matter deposit of crop residues and assimilated as well as its methanogenic and energetic potential in the agro-ecological zone 5, in Benin.

Place and Duration of Study: Rural Engineering Laboratory, National University of Agriculture, Benin, between October 2021 and October 2022.

Methodology: This evaluation was done through a prospective approach based on the Solagro-Indigo method. The potential yield was evaluated using national agricultural statistics and the residue-to-product ratios available in the literature. An exploratory survey was conducted to evaluate the availability of residues in the study area. The methanogenic and energetic potential was determined from the specific bio-methane potentials of each type of residues from previous studies.

Results: This study shows that 71% of the total dry matter produced is not valorized. This important deposit represents more than 248 million cubic meters of methane and is equivalent to approximately 210 kilo tons of oil equivalent and more than 100% of the total wood energy needs in the region. Additional studies on the optimal conditions for digestion of the main residues identified could promote initiatives for their valorization.

Conclusion: The assessment of agricultural residues potential in the ZAE5 revealed a huge deposit of organic matter that is underpriced and largely abandoned with considerable energy potential. Data are available for each commune and could be used for municipalities development strategies. However, an in-depth study of the optimal methanization conditions and more accurate and precise spatial analyses should be carried out for implementation for energy valorization initiatives.

Spatial Distribution of Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Corn Crops in Durango, Mexico

Claudia Carolina Gurrola-Pérez — 2023-05-04

Accurately determining the spatial distribution of an insect is crucial for making effective decisions and efficiently controlling their populations. This study aimed to determine the population distribution of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae in corn plots near the City of Durango, Mexico. A total of 30 corn-cultivated plots were sampled. In each plot, 5 points were selected (5 of coins method), where 10 consecutive corn plants in these phenological stages V4 to V10 were checked for the presence of larvae and recorded. Statistical analysis was conducted using Scattering Indices 2/χ2 and the Chi-square test (χ2). The results indicated that infestation was slightly higher during stage V6 than in V4 and V8. The population of S. frugiperda had a negative, aggregate, or binomial distribution only in stage V4 (corresponding to small larvae), while in other phenological stages, the distribution was random.

The Use of Scarlet Starglory (Merremia aegyptia L.) Mixed with Poultry Manure in the Agronomic Viability of Coriander in the Semiarid Region

Idelzuite Ferreira da Gama Neta — 2023-05-09

Aims: This research was aimed to study udy the use of jitirana mixed with poultry manure on the agronomic viability of coriander in the semiarid region.

Study: The experiment site was in the municipality of Mossoró, RN, Brazil, located at 5º 11' south latitude and 37º20' west longitude and altitude of 18 m.

Methodology: The experiment was carried out at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, belonging to the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido, located in the district of Alagoinha, rural area of Mossoró, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized with treatments arranged in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with three replications. The treatments consisted of the combination of five amounts of the mixture of scarlet starglory (Merremia aegyptia L.) plus poultry manure (0.0; 1.2; 2.4; 3.6 and 4.8 kg m^-2 of area in dry basis) and the second factor, by the forms of application to the soil (incorporated and covering).

The sown coriander cultivar was the Verdão cultivar. The characteristics evaluated were the following: plant height, number of stems plant^-1, productivity, number of bunches and dry mass of coriander.

The highest productivity and number of bunches of coriander culture was observed in the amount of 4.8 kg m^-2 of the mixture of scarlet starglory with poultry manure, with values of 1246.5 g m^-2 and 24.9 units of bunches m^-2, respectively. The mixture It is concluded that the misture of organic fertilizers (scarlet starglory with poultry manure) contributed positively to the agronomic characteristics of the coriander crop.

Assessment of Growth Pattern and Intervention’s Effects of Oilseeds Mission on Groundnut Production in Andhra Pradesh, India

Sushmitha Burigi — 2023-05-09

High instability in crop area and yield resulted in production shortfall in Andhra Pradesh. As groundnut is raised mostly as rainfed kharif crop, yield during this season is half of the yield attained during rabi/summer season. State’s average productivity is also lower than the national average necessitating the importance of improving the oilseeds production in the state since the state contributing 8 % to India’s groundnut production. Oilseeds mission was implemented in all the districts of the state to scale up the production through various technological interventions. Therefore, understanding the pattern of production before and after the intervention is critically important for future directions and strategies required to scale up the groundnut production in the state. The present paper aims at assessing the district-wise growth performance of groundnut and examining the sustained effects of oilseeds mission. Using the time series data on area, production, and productivity (1997-98 and 2019-20), growth analysis and interrupted time series segmented regression analyses were employed. Groundnut area tended to decline in all the districts of the state. The rate of decline was higher in Cuddapah (7.47%) followed by Kurnool (3.82 %), Chittoor (3.79%) and Anantapur (2.13%) and the state recorded a negative growth rate of 3.49 % per annum. Production growth was found low in Anantapur district (1.39%) though the yield registered a 3.63 % growth per annum. Similarly, production in Chittoor district declined by 2.1% per annum though yield grew by 4 % annum due to higher fall in area. The Cuddapah also witnessed a negative growth in production and production decline was around 2% per annum. However, productivity in the Cuddapah district grew at faster rate compare to other major districts and the productivity has grown at the rate 6% per annum. Groundnut production in the state declined by 0.4% per annum due to decline in both productivity and area by 3% and 3.4% respectively. It is alarming to note that the maximum decline in production was 12.38% in the State mainly due to the maximum decline in production in major groundnut producing districts namely Anantapur (76%) followed by Kurnool (32.32%), Cuddapah (22.19%) and Chittoor (13.40%). The model results of interrupted time series show that though there is no significant intervention effect, there is sign of productivity improvement after the intervention. The coefficient of sustained effect for yield turned to positive from negative though not significant (immediate effect) for the major growing districts, indicating the long-term effect of the oilseeds mission. Constraints relating to adoption of improved technology, non-suitability of improved technology, and lack of technical guidance were identified by studies affecting groundnut production in the state. Therefore, addressing these issues through policy and technological interventions are crucial for sustaining the productivity and increasing the production in the major districts.

Knowledge of the Farmers toward Improved Pigeon Pea Cultivation Practices in Gopalganj District of Bihar in India

Rheecha — 2023-05-10

The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of farmers towards improved Pigeon pea cultivation practices in Gopalganj district of Bihar, during year 2021-22. The data were collected through pre-tested interview schedule form 120 respondents which were selected randomly. The collected data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted with the help of appropriate statistical analysis was done to find out meaningful results. The study revealed that maximum number of respondents were middle aged with 54.17 per cent ,59.16 respondents had marginal land holding, The maximum number of respondents having medium level scientific orientation, mass media exposure, extension contact and 60.84 per cent of the respondents had medium level of knowledge about pigeon pea cultivation practices. Respondents had maximum knowledge about soil type, varieties, season of growing and harvesting etc and they had less knowledge about seed treatment with fungicide, spacing, inter cultivation etc and age, caste, source of information, scientific orientation, mass media exposure and risk orientation were positively and significantly correlated with knowledge of pigeon pea grower.

Association between Socio Economic Profile with Knowledge of Respondents towards Improved Banana Cultivation Practices in Vaishali District of Bihar

Munam Abedin — 2023-05-10

The present study was conducted to assess the socio-economic profile and association between independent variables with knowledge of the banana growers in Vaishali district, Bihar. The study used purposive sampling to select two blocks, namely Hajipur and Bidupur, and simple random sampling to select three villages from each block. In total, six villages were selected for the study, and a total sample of 120 banana growers was chosen using proportionate simple random sampling technique. The study employed path coefficient analysis to measure the effect of the independent variables on knowledge. There was a significant and positive correlation between the level of knowledge regarding improved banana cultivation practices and the variables of age, annual income, source of information, scientific orientation, risk orientation, mass media exposure at a 0.01 per cent level of probability. On the other hand, extension contact was positive and significant association with the level of knowledge toward improved banana cultivation practices at 0.05 per cent levels of probability. The variables of education, caste, type of family and size of land holding were not significant.

Results of Trial Transplanting of Oriental Tobacco Varieties in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam in 2022

Đo Đinh Dung — 2023-05-11

In 2022, the Vietnam Tobacco Institute continued to test 6 tobacco oriental varieties in Dak Lak province based on the test results of tobacco varieties, cultivation techniques, curing in Ninh Thuan and Dak Lak provinces in 2021. To determine the suitable growing areas and varieties of oriental tobacco for the Dak Lak region, we experimented with six oriental tobacco varieties, including Basma 16, Kozarsko, Hanski 227, Rila 89, Dupnitsa 733 và Basma X with a fertilizer rate of 40N: 30P2O5: 50K2O kg/ha. The variety experiment was designed with a completely randomized block, repeated 3 times with 50 m²/plot. The experimental results have determined Dak Lak region to be suitable for planting the oriental tobacco plants and have selected two of the property oriental varieties as Basma and Hanski 227. Those varieties were good growth, high yield and good quality. The quality of oriental tobacco production in Dak Lak region was quite good, equivalent to the imported samples which was been used by Vietnam’s factories. In the coming time, the Vietnam Tobacco Institute will continue to experiment and expand the oriental tobacco area in Dak Lak to provide materials for cigarette factories and limit imported tobacco from abroad.

Evaluation of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) Clones for Yield and Quality and Its Contributing Traits

S. Ganapathy — 2023-05-12

Evaluation and identification of varieties for different agro-climatic condition is of prime importance in sugarcane cultivation for farmers. The present investigation was undertaken with the objective of evaluation of sugarcane clones for yield and quality and its contributing traits. The Experimental materials consist of five test clones viz., CoA 13322, CoA 13323, CoC 13336, CoC 13337 and CoV 13356 and two standard checks (CoC 01061 and CoA 92081). Observations were recorded for germination per cent (%), number of tillers (x1000/ha), number of millable cane (x1000/ha), cane length (cm), Cane diameter (cm), Single cane weight (kg), cane yield (t/ha), brix (%), Purity (%), sucrose (%), CCS (%) and CCS yield (t/ha). Based on the results of the different clones for different traits evaluated, the clone CoC 13336 was found the best performing clone in respect of cane yield (140.71 t/ha), CCS yield (18.23 t/ha) and other important traits over the standards (checks). The clone CoC 13337 was the next best performing clone for cane yield (139.92 t/ha), CCS yield (17.93 t/ha) and other traits over the standards and these two clones may be promoted for further evaluation trial for the release new sugarcane variety suitable for early season of Tamil Nadu.

Effect of Source and Rate of Livestock Manure on Yield, Quality and Net Economic Benefit of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)

Kamunyu Deborah Ncuuri — 2023-05-26

Okra farmers use inorganic fertilizers which are expensive, they result to water pollution, increases the soil acidity, which affects soil nutrients availability and uptake as well as reducing microbial activity. Organic manure improves soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and are environmental friendly. However, farmers have limited information on the utilization of these organic manure sources on growth yield, quality and net economic benefit of okra. A study was conducted to determine the effects of rate cattle, goat and poultry manure on okra growth, yield, quality and net economic benefit at KALRO-Kandara Centre in Murang’a County between 2018 and 2019. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications for two cultivations. There were 10 treatments, i.e., 0, 3, 6 and 7 tonne ha^-1 for cattle and goat manure, and 0, 3, 5 and 7 tonnes ha^-1 poultry manure that were applied before planting okra variety Pusa Sawani. Data collected included yield characteristics total fresh pod yield and quality characteristics mainly total soluble solids (TSS). Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical software version 9.4 and significantly different means were separated using LSD at α = 0.05. The results showed that there was significant effect of treatments (p < 0.05) on yield, quality and net economic benefit of okra. Poultry manure at the rate of 5t ha^-1 recorded highest yield while control had the least. Goat manure at the rate of 6 tonnes ha^-1 recorded the highest total soluble solids, hence, produced pods of the highest quality of 3.18°Brix and 3.21°Brix for Trial 1 and Trial 2, respectively, whereas the control produced pods of lowest quality of 2.31°Brix and 2.34°Brix for Trial 1 and Trial 2, respectively. Cattle manure at the rate of 6 tonnes ha^-1 recorded the best net economic benefit of Ksh. 700,267 in Trial 1 and Ksh. 694,320 in Trial 2, while the control gave minimal returns of Ksh. 69,158 in Trial 1 and Ksh. 64,320 in Trial 2. This indicates an increase of net economic benefit of Ksh. 631,109 in Trial 1 and Ksh. 630,000 in Trial 2 for cattle manure compared to the control. The results of this study clearly indicate that in okra production, application of different types of animal organic manure can improve the productivity of the okra. The study recommends application of 5 tonnes ha^-1 poultry manure, or 6 tonnes ha^-1 of goat or cattle manure for best growth, yield, quality and net economic benefit of okra.

Combining Ability of Maize (Zea mays L.) Line for Grain Yield in Mali

Mamadou Mory Coulibaly — 2023-05-27

Mali experiences irregular and poor distribution of rains which limit maize production greatly. The study objective was to evaluate the performance of various maize hybrids as well as determine general and specific combining ability of the lines under water limited conditions. Two trials were conducted at Sotuba and Kassela in South-Western Mali with 23 genotypes in the first trial and 15 genotypes in the second trial. The experimental design was a completely random Fisher block design. Morphological and agronomic traits were evaluated in a lines/testers crossing scheme where the testers were females and the lines were males. Results showed significant difference (P< 0.05) for ear height, days to anthesis, days to silking, grain yield, leaf width, plant aspect, and 1000 grain weight. In both sites, the general combining ability was significantly different (P< 0.05) between testers whereas the specific combining ability differed significantly (P< 0.05) between the lines. The best performing hybrid at Sotuba in term of grain yield was observed with TZI1876/9071 (6,003 kg/ha), and at Kassela the highest yielding was TZI1876/CML442 (6,320 kg/ha).

The Rise of Nanotechnology- Food Processing and Packaging

Harpreet Kaur — 2023-05-08

The main concern of food processing is to satisfy the demand of excellent quality product and safety concerns related to product. Nanotechnology has contributed a lot in the area of eatable production, preservation and wrapping by increasing the product shelf life. The applications are not limited up to fresh foods, novel food products are also being designed through nano-delivery systems which act as food supplement carriers in the process. Packaging materials based on nanotechnology provides better barrier and mechanical properties with an opportunity of preservation, achieved by controlled release of preservatives or antimicrobials. Here, an outline has been specified on nanotechnology applications in the areas of food production, preservation and packaging.