-
Distribution and Indexation of Plant Available Nutrients of District Layyah, Punjab Pakistan
Muhammad Ashraf,
Fayyaz Ahmad Tahir,
Muhammad Nasir,
Muhammad Bilal Khan,
Farah Umer
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
16-20
Received:
11 February 2015
Accepted:
26 February 2015
Published:
2 March 2015
Abstract: During last five years 2008-09 to 2012-13, a study was conducted to assess the fertility and salinity/sodicity status of district Layyah for the provision of guidelines to farmers and researchers for better crop production. Representative soil samples received/collected from farmers’ fields were analyzed for texture, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic matter (O.M) and available phosphorus (P). A total of 31032 soil samples were collected from all tehsils of Layyah district, (15768 samples from tehsil Layyah, 7650 from Karor Lal Eisen, and 7614 from Chaubara). These soil samples were tested in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory Layyah and fertilizer recommendations were served to farmers according to soil and crop. The results showed that, soil texture of 91.18% soil samples was sandy loam (light), 8.53% loam (medium) and 0.29% clayey (heavy). About 99.42% soil samples had EC values within the normal range (< 4 dS m-1) while 0.68% had (> 4 dS m-1). The pH of 88.43% soil samples was up to 8.5 whereas 11.57% had >8.5. Organic matter content of 94.20% soil sample was poor (<0.86%), 5.25% medium (0.86-1.29%) and only 0.55% adequate (>1.29%). Available phosphorus of 67.75% soil sample was poor, (<7 mg kg-1), 25.00% medium (7.1-14 mg kg-1) while only 7.25% adequate (>14 mg kg-1). Awareness camps, rallies and training programmes can be arranged for farmers regarding the benefits of soil and water testing, balanced use of chemical fertilizers and use of organic agriculture in crop production in improving soil fertility and nutrition status.
Abstract: During last five years 2008-09 to 2012-13, a study was conducted to assess the fertility and salinity/sodicity status of district Layyah for the provision of guidelines to farmers and researchers for better crop production. Representative soil samples received/collected from farmers’ fields were analyzed for texture, electrical conductivity (EC), p...
Show More
-
Level of Adoption and Factor Affecting the Level of Adoption Sustainable Soil Management Practices in Ramechhap District, Nepal
Bikal Koirala,
Jay Prakash Dutta,
Shiva Chandra Dhakal,
Krishna Kumar Pant
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
21-24
Received:
7 January 2015
Accepted:
21 January 2015
Published:
3 March 2015
Abstract: This study investigated the level of adoption and factor affecting the level of adoption of sustainable soil management practices. This research was based on the primary data that was collected in 2012 at Chisapani, Nagdaha and Kathjor VDCs of Ramechhap district of Nepal to analyze the level of adoption and factor affecting the level of adoption of sustainable soil management practices. Pre-tested semi structured interview schedule were used to collect the primary data from 120 farmers, 40 farmers from each VDC by applying simple random sampling technique. The major sustainable soil management practices adopted were found to be improved farm yard manure, improved cattle urine, inclusion of the vegetable and legume in the farming system and use of the bio-pesticide. The level of technology adoption was found to be 79.55% and this shows that the level of adoption was high. The higher level of adoption was due to increase in the production and productivity of the crops and improvement in soil fertility. While considering about the factor affecting the adoption of sustainable soil management practices, the study showed that the five variables namely training, credit, income, livestock standard unit and experience were significantly affecting for higher level of adoption. A unit increase in training, credit, livestock standard unit and experience would increase the probability of level of adoption by 3.48%, 0.83%, 0.45% and 1.1% respectively and a hundred rupees increase in income would increase the probability of level of adoption by 0.0819%.
Abstract: This study investigated the level of adoption and factor affecting the level of adoption of sustainable soil management practices. This research was based on the primary data that was collected in 2012 at Chisapani, Nagdaha and Kathjor VDCs of Ramechhap district of Nepal to analyze the level of adoption and factor affecting the level of adoption of...
Show More
-
Standardization of Sucrose and 6-Benzyl Aminopurine for in vitro Micro Tuberization of Potato
Md. Afzal Hossain,
Md. Abu Kawochar,
Abdullah-Al-Mahmud,
Ebna Habib Md. Shofiur Rahaman,
Md. Altaf Hossain,
Khondoker Md. Nasiruddin
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
25-30
Received:
25 January 2015
Accepted:
10 February 2015
Published:
8 March 2015
Abstract: In vitro micro tuberization from regenerated plantlets of potato varieties was observed in Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University. Tubers of potato cultivars Diamant and Cardinal were used as initial experimental materials for meristem culture. The experiment was consisted of three factors; variety (Diamant, Cardinal), sucrose concentration (3%, 6%, 9%, 12%) and 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) levels (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mg L-1). As a whole, 24 treatments were laid out in complete randomized design with three replications. Among the varieties, Diamant required minimum days (6-17) for micro-tuber initiation, produced more number of micro-tubers (4.97) and produced more average weight of micro-tuber (120.39mg) but there had no significant difference. Among the sucrose levels, quickest (6-15 days) micro-tuber initiation, the highest number of micro-tubers vial-1 (5.06) and the highest average weight of micro-tuber (137.31 mg) were found in 9% sucrose level. For different BAP levels, quickest (6-15 days) micro-tuber initiation, the highest number of micro-tubers vial-1 (5.38) and the highest average weight of micro-tuber (126.31 mg) were found at 5.0 mg L-1. The best combination for minimum duration (6-8 days) of micro-tuber initiation, the highest number of micro-tubers vial-1 (6.00) and the highest average weight of micro-tuber (152.01 mg) was in Diamant with 9% sucrose at 5 mg L-1. Concomitantly, the lowest number micro-tubers vial-1 (2.00) and the lowest average weight of micro-tuber (89.98 mg) were found in Cardinal cultured with 3% sucrose media where at 7.5 mg L-1 BAP and at 2.5 mg L-1 BAP, respectively.
Abstract: In vitro micro tuberization from regenerated plantlets of potato varieties was observed in Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University. Tubers of potato cultivars Diamant and Cardinal were used as initial experimental materials for meristem culture. The experiment was consisted of three factors; variety...
Show More
-
Technical Efficiency of Boro Rice Production in Meherpur District of Bangladesh: A Stochastic Frontier Approach
Md. Nehal Hasnain,
Md. Elias Hossain,
Md. Khairul Islam
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
31-37
Received:
10 February 2015
Accepted:
27 February 2015
Published:
8 March 2015
Abstract: Although rice is the main crop in Bangladesh and the country is ranked as the sixth largest rice producer in the world, researchers observe that rice is not produced with full efficiency in the country. It is also observed that owing to the application of high yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizer, pesticide, and irrigation, productivity of rice in Bangladesh has increased in the recent years though it is still lower compared to other Asian countries. A review of existing literature reveals that so far little attention has been given by the researchers in investigating the efficiency of rice production in Bangladesh. Thus, the objective of the present study is to analyze the technical efficiency of rice production in Bangladesh using data from boro rice farmers. Required data are collected from 115 boro rice producing farmers of Meherpur district selected using multistage random sampling procedure. In analyzing the data, farm specific technical efficiency scores are estimated using the Translog Stochastic Frontier Production function approach. The study found that technical efficiency of boro rice farms in Meherpur district is 89.5%. It is also found that ‘labor’, ‘fertilizer and pesticide’, ‘seed’ and ‘irrigation’ are the significant factors that affect the level of technical efficiency while ‘farm size’ and ‘ploughing cost’ are found insignificant in affecting technical efficiency of boro rice production in the study area. The results indicate that boro rice farms in the study area have been operating below the maximum level of production frontier and given the available technology, farmers can increase their production by 10.5% through increasing the use of labor, seed and irrigation inputs and also by using proper doses of fertilizer and pesticide inputs.
Abstract: Although rice is the main crop in Bangladesh and the country is ranked as the sixth largest rice producer in the world, researchers observe that rice is not produced with full efficiency in the country. It is also observed that owing to the application of high yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizer, pesticide, and irrigation, productivity of r...
Show More
-
Establishment of Africa Red Mahogany (Khaya anthoteca) Pre-Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) and Compost Application on an Ex-Coal Mined Site
Philip Worlanyo Dugbley,
Irdika Mansur,
Basuki Wasis
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
38-46
Received:
24 February 2015
Accepted:
11 March 2015
Published:
15 March 2015
Abstract: Coal mining provides a means for creating wealth and significantly contributes to export earnings, economic activity and employment whilst supporting regional development. However, coal mining is one of the most severe disturbances in terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, the removal of the natural vegetation and upper soil horizons for mining exploration hinders the establishment and survival of plant and soil microbial communities. Revegetation of ex-coal mined lands is therefore required to enable the recover, as close as possible, to its previous integrity. The establishment of tree species capable of protecting the underlying soil and its micro-fauna and flora is one way of achieving this aim. This study therefore aims to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) pre-inoculation and compost application on the growth performance of the Africa red mahogany, Khaya anthoteca on an ex-coal mined site. The field design for this study was the completely randomized design (CRD) in factorial experiment. Four (4) levels of each factor namely compost and AMF were used with sixteen treatment combinations and each treatment replicated four times giving sixty four (64) experimental units. The results indicated that compost has significant effect (P<0.001) on height, diameter and leaf increment with steady increment during this study. There was no significant effect of mycorrhizae treatment as well as interaction between both factors (AMF and compost) on the growth of K. anthoteca. However, compost composition from a mixture of Salvinia natans and that prepared from the paddy husk (C3) recorded the highest increment in height of 9.31 cm while compost from S. natans only (C1), rice hull compost; herein known as paddy husk compost (C2) and control (C0) recorded increments of 9.00 cm, 5.78 cm and 4.47 cm respectively. The arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi played a role in the survival of the species on the field. There was percentage difference of between 18.5-37.5% over the control treatment. AMF from Glomus manihotis had the highest percentage survival of 81.25% whiles the control treatment of mycorrhizae had the lowest percentage of 43.75%. Plants are also able to withstand harsh environmental conditions through fungi-plant symbiosis enhancing the chances of survival on the field and thus, aiding the plant establishment. The study concludes that AMF and compost applications are feasible and sound technologies for the establishment of K. anthoteca on ex-coal mined sites.
Abstract: Coal mining provides a means for creating wealth and significantly contributes to export earnings, economic activity and employment whilst supporting regional development. However, coal mining is one of the most severe disturbances in terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, the removal of the natural vegetation and upper soil horizons for mining exploration ...
Show More
-
Biological Control of Insect Pests of Medicinal Plants - Abelmoschus moschatus, Gloriosa superba and Withania somnifera in Forest Nursery and Plantation in Madhya Pradesh, India
Premanand Balkrishna Meshram,
Nahar Singh Mawai,
Ramkumar Malviya
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
47-51
Received:
10 March 2015
Accepted:
22 March 2015
Published:
31 March 2015
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the parasitoids (Trichogramma raoi, T. chilonis), predator (Chrysoperla cornea) and biopesticides i.e. botanicals (neem based Gronim) / mocrobials (Bacillus thuringensis and Beauveria bassiana ) against five major insect pests viz. Polytela gloriosae, Anomis flava, Earias vitella, Dysdercus cingulatus and Aphis gossypi of important target species of medicinal plants- Abelmoschus moschatus, Gloriosa superba and Withania somnifera in forest nursery, Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur and Delakhari west Chhindwara forest division, Madhya Pradesh (India). The results revealed that Bacillus thuringensis 1% followed by neem based pesticide (Gronim) 1% was found to be most effective against defoliators Polytela gloriosae on G. superba, Anomis flava and shoot/fruit borer Earias vitella on A. moschatus. Neem based pesticide (Gronim) followed by Bt 1% was found to be most effective against red bug Dysdercus cingulatus on the fruits of A. moschatus and aphid, Aphis gossypi on W. somnifera. Predator, Chrysoperla cornea @ 500 per 100 sq m followed by parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis @1500 per 100 sq m was also found to be most effective for reduction of the larval population of defoliators P. gloriosae and A. flava.
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the parasitoids (Trichogramma raoi, T. chilonis), predator (Chrysoperla cornea) and biopesticides i.e. botanicals (neem based Gronim) / mocrobials (Bacillus thuringensis and Beauveria bassiana ) against five major insect pests viz. Polytela gloriosae, Anomis flava, Earias vitella, Dysdercus cing...
Show More
-
Effect of Micro Catchment Techniques on Vegetative Growth of Jatropha (Jatropha Curcas)
Azmi Elhag Aydrous,
Abdel Moneim Elamin Mohamed,
Abdelbagi Ahmed Abdelbagi
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
52-57
Received:
17 March 2015
Accepted:
24 March 2015
Published:
9 April 2015
Abstract: This study was conducted during two consecutive seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) at the southern Omdurman region near Khartoum New International Airport (KNIA) to evaluate the effect of four rain water harvesting micro catchment techniques on some growth attributes of Jatropha trees. The micro catchments used were semicircular, pits, deep ditch and V-shape in addition to the control. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used to study the effect of these techniques on trees growth. The results of the study showed that plant height, stem thickness (for some cases) and number of leaves/tree for Jatropha trees were significantly increased under the micro catchment techniques as compared to the control, with higher mean obtained by V-shape.
Abstract: This study was conducted during two consecutive seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) at the southern Omdurman region near Khartoum New International Airport (KNIA) to evaluate the effect of four rain water harvesting micro catchment techniques on some growth attributes of Jatropha trees. The micro catchments used were semicircular, pits, deep ditch an...
Show More
-
Optimization of Minituber Size and Planting Distance for the Breeder Seed Production of Potato
Md. Altaf Hossain,
Abdullah-Al-Mahmud,
Md. Abdullah-Al-Mamun,
Md. Shamimuzzaman,
Md. Mizanur Rahman
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, March 2015
Pages:
58-64
Received:
17 February 2015
Accepted:
25 March 2015
Published:
10 April 2015
Abstract: Six grades of potato minitubers (<5 mm, 5-10 mm, 10-15 mm, 15-20 mm, 20-25 mm and > 25 mm) and four planting distance (25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm and 10 cm) with a potato variety Diamant were taken in an study during 2013-14 at the Tuber Crops Research Centre of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh. The objective was to observe the effect of minituber grades and planting distance on growth, seed yield, increase ratio and seed potential of potato. The largest minitubers (>25 mm) planted at widest distance (25 cm) produced maximum number of tubers per plant (18.7). The highest number of tubers per m2 (306.7) was obtained with largest minitubers (>25 mm) planted at the closest plant spacing 10 cm, while it was lowest (64.0) in smallest size minituber (<5 mm) with the widest distance 25 cm. A significant increase ratio was found ranged from 14 (largest minituber with the closest planting distance) to 297 (smallest minituber with widest planting distance). The maximum percentage (53%) of ‘A grade’ seed (28-55mm size) was obtained from the pea size (5-10 mm) minituber size planted at 15 cm distance. The highest seed potential (39.8) was in >25 mm size minituber planted at 10 cm distance. The lowest (4.4) was in <5 mm size minituber when planted at 25 cm distance. Seed sizes increasing from <5 mm to >25 mm had significant increase ratio ranged from 12 to 269. The highest economic return (9.4) would occur for the pea size (5-10 mm) minituber when planted at 15 cm spacing.
Abstract: Six grades of potato minitubers (<5 mm, 5-10 mm, 10-15 mm, 15-20 mm, 20-25 mm and > 25 mm) and four planting distance (25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm and 10 cm) with a potato variety Diamant were taken in an study during 2013-14 at the Tuber Crops Research Centre of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh. The objective was to observe the effect of minituber grades and planting distan...
Show More
