Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The environmental impact of palm oil mill effluent (pome) on some physico-chemical parameters and total aerobic bioload of soil at a dump site in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Okwute, Loretta Ojonoma^* and Isu, Nnennaya R.

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 October, 2016

Abstract

The effect of POME on the integrity of the soil was investigated. Soil samples from the palm oil mill effluent (POME) dumpsite as well as a non-POME site were tested for physico-chemical properties such as pH, water holding capacity, available phosphorus, organic carbon, total nitrogen, mineral assay and cation exchange capacity. Furthermore, the total aerobic bacteria counts of the samples at 2, 30 and 40^oC were assayed. Results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) and (P < 0.01) in pH, water holding capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity and available phosphorus. 30^oC had the highest average microbial bioload (1.64 x 10⁹ ± 0.2) and so, the most favourable for growth. Bacterial counts from the POME dumpsite were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05), (9.6 x 10⁸ + 0.1 at 20^oC, 1.64 x 10⁹ + 0.2 at 30^oC and 1.07 x 10⁹ + 0.2 at 40^oC) than the counts for the non-POME soil sites (4.5 x 10⁸ + 0.3 at 20^oC, 7.6 x 10⁸ + 0.3 at 30^oC and 5.9 x 10⁸ + 0.3 at 40^oC) at all the temperatures. The implications of these results on soil environment are discussed.

Key words: Environmental impact, POME, total aerobic bacteria.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Lithological mapping of the unsaturated zone of a porous media aquifer to delineate hydrogeological characteristic areas

A. Melloul*, J. Albert, and M. Collin

*Hydrological Service; POB 36118; IL-91 360 Jerusalem

Accepted 20 October, 2015

Abstract

With water quality steadily decreasing, decision- making with regard to water supply must improve aquifer management models, which are based upon various assumptions. Amongst these are assumptions concerning subsurface aquifer lithology. The objective of this study is to present a means of improving information and assumptions, as well as providing guidelines to characterise the unsaturated zone media. This media integrates soils and the "parental material" of soils, which results in a more realistic picture of the surficial layers of the aquifer. This is a key factor for understanding the behavior of the upper border of coastal aquifers and simulation of their hydrogeological models. Developing a digital GIS unsaturated zone map enables 3-dimensional depiction by illustrating the varying permeability characteristics of the stratigraphic layers. The resultant map conveys information about areas having low to high permeability and areas in which perched aquifers might be found. This can consequently contribute to better understanding of the recharge process, and of the reasons for deterioration of groundwater quality in the aquifer. In the case of aquifers prone to stress from significant anthropogenic land-use, the map highlights areas whose vadose zone has the ability to convey liquids and pollutants to the aquifer below. The focus of this study is Israel 's Coastal aquifer, a resource of critical significance to the country's water supply, which underlies the most populated areas of the country. This aquifer has been chosen because of its variegated lithology and water quality, the quantities of water being pumped from it, the large amount of existing data, and the potential of water which can be readily stored in it. This aquifer would appear to be an appropriate example of coastal aquifers around the world, to demonstrate the utility of such unsaturated zone mapping. This mapping can prove a tool for developing recommendations with regard to irrigation, land-use planning, and aquifer management.

Key words: GIS mapping, unsaturated zone/vadose zone, lithology, confined aquifer, phreatic aquifer, Coastal aquifer.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 160-163, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

A review on heat and drought tolerance in coffee

*Daniel S. Mariga, Ngugu Chris Froome and Tegla F. Loroupe

Coffee Research Foundation, P.O. Box 4 – 00232, Ruiru, Kenya

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 19 July, 2016

Abstract

Climatic variability is the main factor responsible for the fluctuations in the coffee yield in the world. The relationships between the climatic parameters and the agricultural production are quite complex, because environmental factors affect the growth and the development of plants under different forms during the phenological phases of the coffee crop. Such environmental factors include reduced rainfall and high temperatures both of which majorly contribute to drought. This paper briefly reviews some of the important aspects of drought and heat tolerance in coffee. It highlights the impacts of draught and high temperatures in coffee production, tolerance mechanisms, necessary interventions, selection challenges and current advances towards development of drought and heat tolerant coffee cultivars.

Keywords: Coffee, Water Stress, High Temperatures, Tolerance Mechanisms

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 156-159, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of organic manure cow dung and inorganic fertilizer N.P.K on the growth rate of maize

*Nwodoka F. Clement, Chukwuma C. Iyke and O. J. Camron

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 11 July, 2016

Abstract

A Comparative study on the effect of organic manure (cow dung) and inorganic fertilizer (N.P.K) on the growth of maize (Zea Mays L.) was carried out at the University of Abuja, Biological science garden for a period of fourteen (14) weeks. A control was set up for this study. Maize plants treated with N. P.K fertilizer were significantly taller than those treated with cow dung and those of control. Mean number of leaves, stem diameter, shoot and root dry weight were higher with N.P.K fertilizer but showed no significant difference (P>0.05) from those grown with cow dung manure. Growth indices of maize plants to which fertilizer N.P.K was applied showed no significant (P>0.05) increase than the cow dung. It is recommended that cow dung manure can be used in the absence of N.P.K fertilizer considering the cost and associated environmental effect of the later.

Keywords: Inorganic fertilizer, N.P.K, Organic manure, growth

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 149-155, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment on variation among genotypes of kersting’s groundnut in Northern Ghana

*Akosua G. Mensah, Abedi Dramani Gyan and Asamoah Marcel Yeboah

University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 16 June, 2016

Abstract 

A study was carried out on Kersting’s groundnut, which was collected from fourteen communities in Northern Ghana, to evaluate the growth and yield potential of sixteen genotypes having three seed colours white, black and mottled. Some growth parameters were taken, and among these parameters, only leaf area index showed significant differences among colour types (P<0.05) and genotypes (P<0.05). In general, white-coloured and mottled genotype seeds performed better than black seeded genotypes. Pod number and nodule number per plant were not significantly different among the genotypes. However, 100-seed weight and seed yield showed variation among colour types and also genotypes. Yields ranging from 192 to 688 kg/ha were obtained. The relatively good performance exhibited by white and mottled seeded genotypes and variation in yield offer opportunities for varietal improvement of the crop and required research attention.

Keywords: Kersting’s groundnut, Macrotyloma geocarpum, legume, growth, genotypes.