December 22, 2015

Species diversity of adult odonata in selected areas of Lanao Del Sur, Philippines - JBES

  • Fathma Aliah Dimapinto1, Olga M. Nuñeza1*, Reagan Joseph T. Villanueva2
  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, 9200, Philippines
  2. Forestal Healing Homes and Therapeutic Milieu, Forestal Road, Cabantian, Davao City, 8000 Philippines
Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) plays an important role in the ecosystem. It is considered an indicator group in determining fluvial habitat status. Fieldwork in selected areas in Lanao del Sur was conducted to determine the Odonata fauna present in the area. Adult Odonata samples were collected using sweep netting and hand-picking methods from four sampling sites. Biodiversity indices, similarity index, and canonical correspondence analysis were determined using Paleontological Statistics Software Package (PAST) version 2.17c. Twenty-one species (10 damselflies and 11 dragonflies) were documented with relatively low endemism of 42.86%.


High relative abundance of 37.28% was observed in site 4. Sites 1 and 3 were observed to have high species diversity while sites 2 and 4 had moderate species diversity. There was a more or less even species distribution in the areas sampled. The dominance of Pseudagrion pilidorsum pilidorsum was recorded in Marawi City. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that environmental factors such as elevation, air temperature, and relative humidity affect the abundance of species. It appears that human-induced activities limit the occurrence and abundance of the Odonata, especially the endemic species. This article originally published at: Volume 6, Number 5, May 2015 – JBES

Journal Name: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

December 20, 2015

Composition of farmyard chicken, production practices and season effect on the reproductive parameters of local hens in the regions of Eastern Chad - IJAAR

  • Mopate Logtene Youssouf1*, Zeuh Vounparet2, Issa Adoum Youssouf3
  1. Zootechnical and Veterinary Research Laboratory, NDjamena, P.O.Box. 433, Chad
  2. Livestock Polytechnic Institute of Moussoro, Moussoro, Chad
  3. University Institute of Sciences and Techniques, Abeche, Chad
This study was about the composition of the farmyard chicken, to evaluate the production practices and the reproduction performance of the hens of the Eastern Chad .The transversal retrospective survey covered 113 villages chosen at random in 12 Departments of three (3) regions (Wadi Fira, Ouaddai and Salamat). It was about 732 chicken farms with a total number of 18197 chickens. The average number per chicken farm was 25±17 chickens.The females were 62% of the total number and the males 38%. The sex ratio was 4.7 in favor of the females. 

The hen houses with a roof were the majority (95%) among the ones with no roof (5%). Many producers (91%) distributed the cereal ban in some troughs for the chicks and 98% of the grains were thrown straight on the floor for the young chickens and the adult ones. The average total number of the hens clutch per year was 3.6±0.7 and the average total number of eggs per hen clutch was 11.7±1.7. The yearly average production was 41±9 eggs;  the average hatching rate was 86.6% and the average survival rate when chicks were two months was 60%. According to the seasons, the low reproduction performances were noted during the dry hot season (P<0.05). The loss was important after the weaning. Some practices aiming to reduce that loss would permit the numerical increase of the numbers. The characterization of the initial state of the hens production allows to evaluate the  impact of the improvement and innovation practices which were introduced in the concerned regions.


Source of Articles: Volume 4, Number 1, January 2014 – IJAAR

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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December 15, 2015

Management of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) on okra (Abelmoschus esculuntus (L.) Moench) with aqueous sesame seed extract - IJAAR

  • Frederick Kankam, Elias Nortaa Kunedeb Sowley*, Mohammed Alhassan
  1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculuntus (L.) Moench) is a popular vegetable in Ghana but its production is limited by nematode infestation of soils. Pot experiments were carried out in a plant house at the Nyankpala campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale to assess the effect of aqueous sesame seed extract on rootknot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) of okra. 


The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with each of the four treatments replicated four times.Treatments consisted of three levels of sesame seed extract (10, 20 and 30 g/50ml) per pot and a control (0 g/50ml).All pots were inoculated with 1000 root-knot nematode eggs a week before the application of the treatments. Data collected included plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, fruit weight, fresh root weight, number of fruits, nematode eggs per 50 g of fresh soil and root galling index.

The results showed that aqueous extract of S. indicum at 30 g/50 ml (w/v) suppressed root-knot nematodes better than the control. Similarly, okra plants treated with S. indicum had the lowest infection index (root gall). There were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment means for number of fruits and fruit weight of okra between aqueous sesame seed extract at 30 g/50 ml and the control. Yield of okra can be enhanced and nematode population reduced through the application of sesame seed extract preferably at 30 g/50ml


Source of Articles: Volume 6, Number 4, April 2015 – IJAAR

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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December 9, 2015

Investigation of environmental effective factors to distribution of Salvia officinalis (case study: Ghohroud watershed in Kashan, Iran)



Salvia officinalis
  • Mojtaba Akhavan Armaki
  1. Young Researchers and Elite club, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

This research aims to study the existing relationships between the phytosociology characteristics of Salvia officinalis and environmental factors in order to find the most important factors governing the development of the species in middle Ghohroud rangelands, Iran. Subsequent to indicating the study region, the required flora and environmental data were collected by field survey. Plot size and sample size were determined by minimum area and vegetation procedure methods, using 40 plots along four 100 m transects. The characteristics including floristic list, percentage of canopy cover, number of plants as well as height, the largest and smallest diameter, and freshness of S. officinalis were recorded.


Likewise, bare soil percentage, litter percentage, and stone and gravel percentage of topsoil were recorded in each plot. Moreover, in order to study the soil features, eight soil profiles were taken at each site up to 30 cm depth at the beginning and end of each transect. Classification of vegetation cover was performed by TWINSPAN analysis while factors influencing the change in vegetation characteristics of S. officinalis were determined by PCA analysis. Results demonstrated that factors involving slope, altitude, organic matter, lime content, nitrogen content and soil texture show the highest impact on vegetation characteristics. Overall, variables including elevation ranging between 2300-2500 m, slope in the range of 20% - 40%, and fertile sandy loam textured soils in the presence of nitrogen and high organic matter content as well as low lime content provide the most suitable condition to develop a high production T. kotschyanus.
2be1546a371e3ec2087cd71dce3f4de4  JBES0 9DEC2015

 

Journal Name: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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December 8, 2015

Significance of Trianthema portulacastrum L. in sustenance of Apis florea colonies during dearth period - IJB

  • Ujjwal Layek1, Prakash Karmakar2*, Pankaj Kumar Pal3
  1. Department of Botany & Forestry, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, India (1 & 2)
  2. Department of Botany, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, India

Abstract

The paper reports flowering phenology, floral visitors of Trianthema portulacastrum and melissopalynological analyses of 8 honey samples and 374 pollen loads of Apis florea, collected during May to August from Bankura district, West Bengal. T. portulacastrum flowers during April to October. Flowers open at 6.30-7.00 am in the morning. Anther dehiscence takes place after 30 minutes from flower opening. Closing of the flower takes place at about 11.30 am – 12.15 pm.



During the opening phase of the flower, a number of visitors viz. Apis cerana, A. florea, Augochloropsis metallica, Halictus sp., Pseudoborbo bevani and Trigona iridipennis visit the flower for nectar or pollen. Melissopalynological analyses revealed that all the honey samples were multifloral in origin and T. portulacastrum present in all the honey samples. Regarding the pollen foraging scenario of the bee species, T. portulacastrum also played an important role during those months. The overall result reflects the importance of T. portulacastrum as a major source of both nectar and pollen grains for A. florea colonies during dearth period.

Source of Articles: Volume 7, Number 1, July 2015 – IJB

Journal Name: International Journal of Biosciences - IJB

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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December 1, 2015

Assessment of the vegetation cover of northern high mountains in Jordan - JBES

  • Dawud MH Al-Eisawi 1*, Sawsan AS Oran2
Dept. of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942 – Jordan

The vegetation cover of the northern mountains of Jordan was investigated and surveyed. Line transects sampling method as well as walking through methods have been applied in this study. A total area of 15x80 km was studied and divided into grid system, and thus the selected grids have been used for the line transect sampling. The study showed that the natural forest of Aleppo pine, evergreen oak forest, deciduous oak forest, degraded forest and manmade Aleppo pine forest areas are suffering from man interference and continuous encroachment for the uses of agriculture, urbanization, grazing, fire and querying.

The available plant species under forest were collected and herbarium specimens are prepared and deposited. Analysis parameters such as density (D), relative density (RD), frequency (F), relative frequency (RF), abundance (A), relative abundance (RA) and the importance value (IV) are studied. The values of the parameters are recorded for all species, but since the number of collected species is more than 500, then these parameters are listed for the highest 20 species to show clear image about the most dominant and the most abundant and other parameters. From the quantitative ecological analysis using various parameters, the species recoded as having the highest values such as Quercus coccifera, Sarcopoterium spinosum, Asphodelus aestivus, Eryngium creticum, Ononis natrix and others confirm that the study area falls within a Mediterranean biogeographic zone in Jordan. Based on the obtained results, it is highly recommended thus to exert maximum efforts to conserve such limited forest cover, since Jordan, is classified as a country with dry to semidry ecosystem. In addition some of the rare and endemic recorded species occur only under forest cover, particularly the orchid species. This articles originally published at: Volume 6, Number 5, May 2015 – JBES

Journal Name: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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November 26, 2015

Sexual maturity prediction based on hormonal profiles, testes and semen characteristics in male Coturnix quail (Garsault, 1764) in the Western Highlands of Cameroon - IJAAR


  • François Djitie Kouatcho1*, Augustave Kenfack2, Ferdinand Ngoula3, Alexis Teguia4
  1. Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
  2. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon (2,3,4)
With the aim to investigate age at sexual maturity in male quail in the Western Highlands of Cameroon, a study was conducted on 68 quails of 4 weeks old.Data were collected during 14 weeks on FSH, LH and testosterone levels as well as testes and semen characteristics. FSH and LH rate were similar and higher from 6 to 15 weeks old. Highest testosterone levels were recorded on 15 (2.25 ng/ml) and 18 (2.62 ng/ml) weeks old quails. 


Testes weight, height, diameter as well as gonado somatic index recorded from 12 to 18 weeks old were similar but significantly higher than others. Morphometric characteristics of seminiferous tubules at 6 and 9 weeks old were similar but significantly lower than later values. Comparable sizes of seminiferous tubules circumference and germinal epithelium height were noticed from 15 weeks old.


Histological analysis of testes sections showed fully developed and active seminiferous tubules from week 12 but, spermatogenic activity was more pronounced at week 15. Mass and individual motilities were comparable with quail age. However, the highest sperm count was recorded at 12 weeks old compared to later values. It has been concluded that age at sexual maturity in male quail could be situated around 12 weeks in the context of the Western Highlands of Cameroon.

 Source of Articles: Volume 7, Number 4, October 2015 – IJAAR

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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November 25, 2015

Morpho-physiological characterization of cultivated rice (Oryza spp. ) during early vegetative growth under different soil water conditions - IJAAR


  • David Montcho1,2*, Koichi Futakuchi1, Gustave Djedatin3, Mamadou Fofana4, Baboucarr Manneh5, Clement Agbangla2, Corneille Ahanhanzo2
  1. Physiology Unit, Africa Rice Center, Cotonou, Benin
  2. Department of Genetic and Biotechnology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
  3. Department of Genetic, Polytechnic University of Abomey, Dassa, Benin
  4. Physiology Unit Africa Rice Center Ibadan, Nigeria
  5. Irrigated Rice Breeding Unit, Africa Rice Center, Sahel Station Saint Louis Senegal
In rainfed rice cultivation, weeds, low or no fertiliser inputs and no water control can be production constraints. Vegetative early vigor may favour weed competitiveness. Since Oryza glaberrima is considered as genetic resources for this characteristic, growth analyses of three lines were made from seeds to juvenile plants of 35 days after seed soaking (DAS) in a pot experiment with two O. sativa under two soil water regimes: soil of water saturation without standing water (SAT) and soil of a wet surface without water saturation (WET). 



After germination, total dry weigh decreased (heterotrophic phase using carbohydrate reserve in kernels) then increased during autotrophic phase. Start of autotrophic phase was earlier in SAT than in WET (6.2 vs 7.6 DAS) and kernel weight lost was also higher in SAT (93 vs 82 %). Total dry weight was smaller in SAT than in WET at 5 DAS but larger at and after 11 DAS. The carbohydrate reserve in kernels was more rapidly and sufficiently used for seedling growth in SAT than in WET; the growth phase more quickly shifted from the hetero trophic to auto trophic in SAT than in WET then growth after the sift was better in SAT. Leaf area (determined at and after 13 DAS) was always larger in SAT than in WET. Varietal difference in total dry weight became significant (P<0.05) at 28 DAS; the O. glaberrima lines showed larger total dry weight than O. sativa varieties and difference between the two species was more obvious in SAT.

http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-4-october-2015-ijaar/

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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November 8, 2015

Effects of fertilization on the proximate composition of fresh and stored groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) - IJAAR


  • Evans A. Alenyorege1*, Felix K. Abagale1, Albert Yawson1, Nelson Opoku2
  1. Department of Agricultural Mechanization & Irrigation Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, P.O Box TL 1882, Tamale, Ghana
  2. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, P.O Box TL 1882, Tamale, Ghana
The study was aimed at evaluating the proximate composition of groundnuts cultivated using Yaralegume and Humate Green OK fertilizers at four (4) communities in the Lambussie-Karni District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. In all, twenty four (24) fresh and stored groundnut samples were analysed using standard methods and procedures.

The results indicated average moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate contents of 3.65 %, 24.78 %, 44.70 %, 5.65 %, 2.18 % and 19.16 % for fresh groundnuts and 3.88 %, 27.08 %, 47.62 %, 6.76 %, 2.28 % and 12.28 % for stored groundnuts respectively. After storage, 83.33 %, 58.33 % and 66.67 % of the samples recorded increase in moisture and crude protein, fibre and ash content, and crude fat correspondingly. However, 91.67 % of the samples had reduced levels of carbohydrate after storage. Fertilization did not have a significant impact on the proximate composition of both categories of groundnuts and therefore, the use of these fertilizers to improve the proximate composition of groundnuts may not be recommendable but storage could improve proximate composition.

http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-4-october-2015-ijaar/

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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October 22, 2015

Estimation of genetic parameters and gene actions of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] tolerance to low p condition - IJAAR


Yuli Sulistyowati, Trikoesoemaningtyas*, Didy Sopandie, Sintho Wahyuning Ardie, Satya Nugroho
  • Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
A study of sorghum tolerance to low P condition was conducted in two experiments: (1) in nutrient solution and (2) in acid soil.The aim of this study was to obtain information on the genetic variability and heritability of agronomic characters that could be used as selection criteria in low P condition and to obtain information on gene action that controlled agronomic characters of sorghum.The plant materials used in this experiment were F2 segregating population derived from the cross between B69 and Numbu.The first experiment was conducted in the green house of Bogor Agricultural University. B69, Numbu and F2 population were grown hidroponically for 14 days.


Composition of the nutrient solution used in the experiment followed the method suggested by Ohki with modification of P concentration. P is given in the form of KH2PO4: 0.001 mM. The results showed that shoot dry weight (SDW) and total dry weight (TDW) had high estimate of heritability and moderate genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV), thus these characters can be used for criteria selection for low P tolerance at seedling stage.The significant value of skweness from the distribution shoot dry weight in F2 segregants, indicate the presence of complementary epistasis gene action, whereas normal distribution of total dry weight showed additive gene action.The second experiment was conducted in acid soils of Bogor District Experimental Field Tenjo, Bogor.The results showed that stem diameter, panicle weight and grain yield per plant had high heritability and wide GCV value, indicating these characters can be used as the selection criteria in selecting sorghum genotypes for low P tolerance in acid soil. Based on the skewness values, all of the agronomy characters observed in this study were influenced by additive gene action. Get more articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-3-september-2015-ijaar/

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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October 21, 2015

Morpho-physicochemical characterization of Kartiksail rice(Oryza sativa L.) land races of Bangladesh - IJAAR

Mir Sharf Uddin Ahmed1*, Shahnaz Parveen1, Mohammed Khalequzzaman1, A.K.M
Shamsuddin2

  1. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh
  2. Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, BAU, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Twenty one land races of Kartiksail rice of Bangladesh were studied at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute during T.Aman2011.The analysis of variance of 37 morpho-physicochemical characters showed highly significant differences among the land races. The mean performances showed that wide range of variations among the genotypes was existed and there was no duplicate genotype.


The seedling height varied from 53.24 (KS15) to 82.93 cm (KS1), culm height from 80.80 (KS15) to 117.0 cm (KS6), straw yield per hill from 12.34 (KS3) to 34.39 g (KS14), panicle length from 19.81 (KS13) to 27.04 cm (KS5), secondary branch number from 15.67 (KS13) to 49.0 (KS5), grain length from 44 (KS16) to 10.6 mm (KS19), 1000-grain weight from 16.52 g (KS16) to 30.06 g (KS13), protein content from 6.6% (KS10) to 10% (KS20), grain yield per panicle 1.58 (KS15) to 3.82 g (KS1) and grain yield per hill from 16.83 (KS17) to 29.84 g (KS19), respectively. Besides, high GCV and h2 b together with high GAPM were observed in secondary branch number, LB ratio, seedling height, 1000-grain weight, protein content etc. suggested that selection may be effective for these characters in segregating generations.The correlation between different characters indicated that the higher the PBN, APBL, SBN and SBFGW possessed greater PL and PGY and these characters emerged as most important associates of grain yield in rice. Finally, the identified traditional rice germplasmof the present study can offer a valuable gene reservoir which needs to be characterized as well as mapping the QTL using molecular tools for validating useful genes.
http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-3-september-2015-ijaar/


Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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October 18, 2015

The effect of foliar application of microelements on phenological and physiological characteristics of Mung bean under drought stress- IJAAR

Delbar Chehel Amirani*, Pourang Kasraei
  • Department of Agroecology, Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Varamin-Pishva, Iran
In order to investigate on the effect of foliar application of microelements on phenological and physiological characteristics of Mung bean under drought stress, factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in the Agriculture Faculty greenhouse of Islamic Azad University of Varamin-Pishva branch in2013-2014.The first factor was drought stress at four levels include a control (without stress),applying of drought stress at flowering stage,pod and dough stages and the second factor was foliar application of microelements at three levels include a control (spraying of distilled water),3 and 6 pm.The results showed that the drought stress decreases plant height, leaf area index, thousand grain weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll and increases grain protein percentage and pro line accumulation. 


The effect of drought stress at flowering stage was higher than other stages. Also, the foliar application of microelements was increased the plant height, leaf area index, thousand grain weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll, grain protein percentage and pro line accumulation in with and without stress conditions.Therefore, the most effective concentration of microelements was 6 pm.

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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October 15, 2015

Studies on removal of malachite green from aqueous solution by sorption method using water hyacinth - Eichornia crassipes roots- JBES

Gopinath1*, Karthikeyan1, Sivakumar1, Magesh1, MohanaSundaram1, Poongodi1, Ramesh2, Rajamohan2
  1. Department of Biotechnology, Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology,
    Maduranthagam-603308, TamilNadu, India
  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India
Dye containing waste water can cause serious water pollution problems by hindering light penetration and photo synthesis and toxicity from heavy metals associated with dyes. In this research study, batch experiments were conducted using thermally activated Eichornia crassipes roots as an adsorbent for the removal a basic dye, malachite green, from aqueous solutions.


 
Effect of operating variables i.e. pH, sorbent dosage, dye concentration and contact time was studied in an agitated batch adsorber. Results showed that maximum dye uptake was observed at an optimum pH 7 .There was no significant difference in dye concentration remaining when the pH increased from 5-10. Dye removal was influenced by initial dye concentration and the sorption process followed first order kinetics. Among the three isotherms tested Redlich Peterson and Langmuir isotherms fitted reasonably well to the data. The negative value of the free energy change indicates the spontaneous nature of biosorption. From the above findings, it was observed that the biosorption process obeyed the first order adsorption kinetics. The negative value of the free energy change calculated indicates the spontaneous nature of the sorption and confirms the affinity between the sorbent and the dye cations.

Journal Name: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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October 6, 2015

Methodological approach to indigenous fruit trees breeding: case of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don.) H. J. Lam.(Burseraceae) in Cameroon

  • Makueti Josephine Therese1*, Tchoundjeu Zacharie1, Van Damme Patrick2,3, Kalinganire Antoine4, Asaah Ebenezar5, Tsobeng Alain1
  1. World Agroforestry Centre, PO Box. 16317, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  2. Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Ethnobotany, University of Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
  3. Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague 6-Suchdol, 165 21, Czech Republic
  4. World Agroforestry Centre, ICRAF-WCA/Sahel, BPE 5118, Bamako, Mali.
  5. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Sierra Leone, 32A Wilkinson Road, PO Box 210, Freetown, Sierra Leone
 
Very little work has been done forthe varietal improvement of indigenous fruit trees. Controlled cross pollination tests were conducted on Dacryodes edulis to assess the influence of the origin of the male parent and the type of flower that produced pollen used for fertilization on the fruiting efficiency of 14 well-known females’ accessions from three provenances.

The crossbreeding test was performed following a full nested mating design. The experimental design included provenance as a fixed factor, treatment as within-subject (i.e. repeated measures) fixed factor and plant individual as a random factor (subject). The results showed that the fruiting index that determines the species’ yield varies significantly (p = 0.010) with the combined actions of the three factors studied which were (i) the provenance of the male parent; (ii) the pollen type used for hand fertilization (pure male or hermaphrodite) and (iii) the female parent status.Six best combinations originated from Boumnyebel and Makenene provenances, characterized by high fruit-setting rate and the fruiting index (˃70% and ˃50% respectively), then by low fruit-dropping rate after fruit set (˂20%) were identified. Although we did not observe increasing in fruit size as compare to breeding in Citrus or Ziziphus species, the process of controlled cross-pollination investigated in this study significantly increased the fruit set. This could help in controlling the early fruit drop which negatively impacts thespecies’ yield.Thereafter, control-pollinated seedlings (F1) obtained from this study and established as progeny trials will be vulgarized within agro-ecological zones and/ormultiplied vegetatively for clonal and futurecultivars development trials.

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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September 19, 2015

Irrigation interval and fertilizer nutrient sources influenced growth and biomass yield of ‘PITA 24’ plantain (Musa spp. AAB) --IJAAR

  • Simon Chinekenwa Aba1*, Kayode Paul Baiyeri1,2
  1. Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
  2. Visiting scientist to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, P.M.B 5320, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
In the current global climate change scenario, there are predictions of drought and water shortages. This study evaluated varying fertilizer treatments (organic – 20 t.ha-1 of composted poultry manure, inorganic – 400 kg N +600 kg K2O + 100 kg P2O5 per hectare, and
the complementary doses thereof, and a no- fertilizer control) alongside three irrigation intervals (every 3 days, 6 days or 9 days) on growth and biomass yield of micro propagated‘PITA 24’ plantain. Results showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in growth and dry matter yield (DMY), and the distribution pattern following the irrigation and fertilizer treatments. Plant performances (height,girth, biomass yield, and leaf canopy indices) were superior and sometimes similar in plants that received organic fertilizer or the combined doses of organic/inorganic fertilizers. Similarly, plants that received water every 3 days had the best growth and DMY, followed by those of the 6 days interval. Growth lag and leaf losses were obvious in plants watered every 6 or 9 days interval. The worst hit by the transient moisture stress were the control plants and those plants grown with mineral fertilizers alone. DMY was significantly high in plants that received organic fertilizer alone, followed closely by plants that had the complementary fertilizer doses.

These plants allotted greater proportion of the DMY to the aerial components, whereas the control plants accumulated more underground components. Results from the study suggest that transient moisture stress in plantains could be managed with judicious use of manure or complementary application with mineral fertilizers.

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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September 18, 2015

Analysis of response to water deficit in three Indian varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) for drought tolerance--IJAAR

  • Bhupendra Koul1*, Devindra Vijay Amla1, Indraneel Sanyal1, Ruchi Singh
  1. Plant Transgenic Lab, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, P.O. Box 436, Rana Pratap
    Marg, Lucknow-226 001, India
  2. Plant Physiology Lab, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, P.O. Box 436, Rana Pratap
    Marg, Lucknow-226 001, India
Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses in agriculture for losses in crop productivity worldwide. Three chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties namely P362, P1103 and SBD377 were assessed for response to drought tolerance during vegetative stage, in stress and non-stress environments, under contained conditions. Several physiological parameters including gas exchange, photosynthesis rate, fluorescence, stomatal conductance and water loss per day were monitored simultaneously.


P362 variety showed maximum photosynthesis rate in irrigated as well as in drought conditions. This variety also maintained its relative water content (RWC)and water potential (WP) during imposition of similar duration of drought. Due to the maximum elasticity of leaf cells, it maintained its cell turgidity upto 68% RWC to protect itself from water stress, compared to variety P1103 and SBD377. The effective solute concentration and osmotic potential in the irrigated controls at full turgor was lowest in P362 variety, compared to the other two varieties. 

Osmotic adjustment (OA) was assessed as a capacity factor which is rate of change in turgor pressure with RWC.P362 variety showed a maximum OA value of 0.27 while the values for SBD377 and P1103 were 0.22 and 0.21, respectively. During water stress, the chlorophyll content was minimally reduced in P362 variety, therefore effective quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and photosynthesis rate was maximally maintained. The higher photosynthesis rate under irrigated conditions and maintenance of higher RWC under drought conditions makes P362 variety a promising option for optimum yield under prolonged terminal drought or under rain-fed conditions.

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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September 16, 2015

Effect of application of Nitrogen and Potassium fertilizers on some vegetative and reproductive traits in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) -IJAAR

  • Shiva Ghasemi, Khadijeh Abbaszadeh, Mostafa Ghasemi*, Morteza Salari, Fatemeh
    Zarei
  1. Department of Horticulture, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
A pot experiment was carried out to examine the effect of application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on some vegetative and reproductive traits in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Treatments were included control with no fertilizer (T1); 70 mg N per kg soil (T2); 50 mg K2O per kg soil (T3); and combination of T2 and T3 (T4) that applied on 30 day old seedlings.


In the end of experiment (30 days after flowering), the parameters stem height, stem diameter, number of leaves and flowers, flower diameter, calyx length, number of shoots, fresh and dry weight of organs and vitamin C were evaluated. The results showed that were significant differences in some parameters among applied treatments.
Treatments 3 and 4 showed no significant differences in studied parameters. Application of nitrogen fertilizer decreased the levels of vitamin C while potassium fertilizer and integrated use of N and K increased the levels of vitamin C.
The traits stem height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of flowers, number of shoots, biomass of leaves and flowers were not significantly affected by fertilizer treatments. The highest flower diameter (2.63 cm), calyx length (2.91 cm) and flower dry weight (10.56g), were obtained at treatment of 50 mg K2O kg-1 soil. The results showed that the treatments K alone and combination of N with K were more efficient than either N or no fertilizer in improving traits of Roselle.

Journal Name: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

Publication Name: International Network For Natural Sciences (INNSPUB)

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