ISSN 2375-1185
Research Article
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessment of drought tolerance in segregating populations in durum wheat
M. Golabadi, A. Arzani*, and S. A. M. Mirmohammadi Maibody
Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan-84156, Iran
Accepted 10 November, 2018
Abstract
Wheat improvement for drought tolerance requires reliable assessment of drought tolerance variability among segregating populations. One hundred and fifty-one F3 and F4 families of durum wheat derived from a cross between Oste-Gata (as drought tolerance) and Massara-1 (as susceptible) genotypes were evaluated both under moisture stress (E1) and non-stress (E2) field environments using a randomized complete block design for each environment and growing season (2003-04, 2004-05) . Entries of E1 were subjected to moisture stress at grain filling period. Five drought tolerance indices comprising: stress tolerance index (STI), stress tolerance (TOL), stress susceptibility index (SSI), mean productivity (MP), and geometric mean productivity (GMP) were used. The indices were adjusted based on grain yield under drought (Ys) and normal (Yp) conditions. Analysis of variance for each individual year showed that there was a significant genetic variation among families for all criteria with the exception of SSI. The combined analysis of variance over seasons indicated the genetic diversity of lines, significant variation of seasons and differential response of genotypes over seasons for all indices with the exception of SSI. The significant and positive correlations of Yp and (MP, GMP and STI) and Ys and (MP, GMP and STI) under both the seasons as well as significant negative correlation of SSI and TOL in E1 revealed that selection could be conducted for high MP, GMP and STI under both environments and low SSI and TOL under E1 conditions. The calculated correlation coefficients revealed that STI, MP, and GMP are the superior criteria for selection of high yielding genotypes both under E1 and E2. Cluster analysis of families using Ys, Yp and five other indices categorized genotypes into five groups each of which having 37, 56, 13, 34 and 11 genotypes in year 2003-04 growing season, respectively. Based on 2004-05 growing season data, six groups each of which having 25, 9, 25, 45, 10 and 37 genotypes were obtained, respectively. Cluster analysis distinguished groups contains superior lines for both E1 and E2, superior lines for only E1 conditions and superior lines for E2 conditions, considering their yield performance (Yp and Ys). Results of calculated gain from indirect selection indicated that selection from moisture stress environment would improve yield in moisture stress environment better than selection from non -moisture stress environment. The comparison of the number of families in common within the top 25% families at E1 in year 2004-05 and those selected using various indices indicated that drought tolerant indices could perform comparable with yield performance (Yp and Ys).
Key words: Durum wheat, Moisture stress, Drought tolerance index, grain yield.
A. Arzani*, and S. A. M. Mirmohammadi Maibody, M. Golabadi
Page: 1 - 10
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJA/1080Research Article
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Participatory variety selection and characterization of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) elite accessions from Malawian gene pool using farmer and breeder knowledge
K. K. Nkongolo1*, K. K., L. Chinthu2, M. Malusi1, and Z. Vokhiwa3, 4
1Department of Biological Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, P3E – 2C6.
2Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Kansithula Research Station, Malawi.
3Department of Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources, Lilongwe, Malawi.
4Present address: Department of Mathematics and Sciences, Mercer University, Maco, Georgia, 31207 0001, USA.
Accepted 13 March, 2018
Abstract
Participatory approaches for variety selection, breeding, ex- situ and in-situ conservation of neglected crops in Malawi was initiated in 1998. The specific objective of the present study was to select diverse and productive sorghum lines adapted to local conditions and accepted by farmers and consumers at large using farmers’ knowledge and breeders’ scientific approach. Participatory rural appraisals (PRAs) were conducted on the major characteristics of sorghum landraces. This was done in village meetings by focused group discussions (FGDs), matrix ranking, and individual interviews. Participatory variety selection was applied to select diversified sorghum lines that possess farmer-preferred plant and grain traits. During the first season, male and female farmers were invited to research stations to select 20 accessions from a pool of 101 landraces. These 20 accessions were evaluated by farmers on community plots managed by them at several sites in different agroecological areas for two years. Selection was based primarily on agronomic traits such as time to maturity, height, drought tolerance, insect resistance, and grain yield. Protein content and genetic differences assessed by the breeders were also used as selection tools. Overall, the results of the present study showed that farmers’ characterization of several accessions combined with statistical, nutritional, and genetic analyses performed by the breeders has allowed selection of sorghum landraces that have out-performed breeder-developed lines on more than one criterion. These lines have been adopted by the farmers and are still being grown in many communities five years avec local release.
Key words: Participatory variety selection, Sorghum bicolor, Malawi, agrobiodiversity.
K. K. Nkongolo*, L. Chinthu, M. Malusi and Z. Vokhiwa, K. K.
Page: 1 - 11
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJA/1078Research Article
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-012, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of different land use types and their implications on land degradation and productivity in Ogun State, Nigeria
B. A. Senjobi1* and A. O. Ogunkunle2
1Department of Soil Science and Land Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
2Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Accepted 12 December, 2018
Abstract
This study was designed to assess the extent to which land use types influence soil nutrients and productivity in Ogun State. Soils under four land uses were sampled for physical, chemical and biological analyses. The land use types studied were arable cropping (land use 1); oil palm (land use 2), secondary forest (land use 3) and building sites (land use 4). The results showed that soil nutrients vary from one land use type to another with respect to morphological properties such as colour, texture, structure and consistency. This soils have very high sand content (>90%), this decreases with depth thereby enhancing porosity, uptill a point of high clay content where permeability is hampered. Exchangeable bases, and acidity and silt: Clay ratios were generally low. Ca and Mg dominate the exchange complex, organic matter content, total nitrogen and effective cation exchange capacity were high in the surface soils compared to sub-surface. The reverse is the trend for available P. Extractable Zn and Cu relative to the critical levels established down the profile were very high and erratic. Soil nutrients depletion followed this order: Secondary forest < Oil palm < Arable cropping < Building sites. Soil depletion and degradation were very prominent under building sites and arable cropping. It was observed that the land use types employed on the study sites were not very compatible with the characteristics of the soil. However, since soil nutrients depletion were very high in all land uses, therefore, there must be a careful choice of appropriate use of land in order to reduce soil nutrients depletion and enhances soil productivity. In addition to the above, plausible land use approach, multiple cropping, organic mulching, contour ridge and cultivation of cover crops are recommended in order to minimize soil nutrients depletion which mostly accounted for major degradation in these plots.
Key words: Soil nutrients depletion, land uses, nutrients dynamic, land degradation, productivity.
B. A. Senjobi*, A. O. Ogunkunle
Page: 1 - 12
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJA/1077Research Article
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Investigating Fe and Zn foliar application on yield and its components of soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) at different growth stages
A. R. Heidarian1, H. Kord1, Khodadad Mostafavi2, Amir Parviz Lak2, Faezeh Amini Mashhadi3
1M.Sc. Graduate, Department of Agronomy, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Iran.
2Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
3Department of Statistics, Khayyam Institute of High Education, Mashhad, Iran.
Accepted 03 December, 2018
Abstract
In order to investigate Zn, Fe and Zn+Fe foliar application effects on soybean (Glycine max L.) yield and its components (number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 1000 grain weight), a field experiment was conducted at Minodasht, Iran during 2009 and 2010 growth season. The experiment was arranged in split plot of a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Parameters measured were grain yield, harvest index, first pod height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and 1000 grain weight. Results showed significant effect of Zn+Fe treatment on grain yield, number of pods per plant (p < 0.05) and 1000 grain weight (p < 0.01). The time of foliar application on number of pods per plant (p < 0.05) and 1000 grain weight (p < 0.01) was also significant. In general, the highest yield was produced by Zn+Fe combination treatment. There was a significant and positive correlation between grain yield and its components. Leaf area index in 407 growth degree days at the beginning of pod set (6/6), crop growth rate in 272 growth degree day (GDD) at the beginning of flowering (39/52) and net assimilation rate in 272 GDD at 10-leaf stage (3 g plant-1 GDD-1) reached the highest point, respectively.
Key words: Glycine max L., nutrients, seed production, growth indexes.
Amir Parviz Lak, H. Kord, Faezeh Amini Mashhadi, Khodadad Mostafavi, A. R. Heidarian
Page: 1 - 9
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJA/1076Research Article
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of variety and spacing on insect pest infestations and growth of Amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.) in Alau Dam, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Degri, M. M.1* and Randy, S.2
1Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.
2Department of crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture University of Maiduguri Borno State, Nigeria.
Accepted 19 October, 2018
Abstract
Amaranthus species are important vegetable crop cultivated and consumed daily in Nigeria and many countries of the world. Unfortunately, insect pests are a major setback for commercial production and for the purpose of food security in the country. The experiment was conducted at Alau Dam in 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons to investigate the effect of variety and spacing on these insect pests infestation and their subsequent growth performance. The results showed that Amaranthus cruentus was attacked more than the remaining three species and 20cm × 20cm plant spacing was found to be also the most effective in reducing insect pest infestations. A. caudatus and A. cruentus were also found to perform better by having more number of leaves of leaves/plant, more number of branches/plant and high heights and fresh weight/plot. Therefore vegetable farmers should use insect pest resistant varieties and good agricultural practices like the recommended crop spacing for the purpose of pest management and good crop performance.
Key words: Amaranthus, leaf beetle, variety spacing infestation growth, Alau Dam.
Degri , M. M* and Randy, S
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJA/1075Research Article
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Forage yield and nutritive value of natural pastures at varying levels of maturity in North West Lowlands of Ethiopia
Bilatu Agza*, Binyam Kassa, Solomon Zewdu, Eskinder Aklilu and Ferede Alemu
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Animal Science Research Process, Ethiopia.
Accepted 14 October, 2018
Abstract
A study was conducted to describe forage yield and nutritive value of natural pasture at varying harvesting time from Metekel area. An area of 2,414 m2 natural pasture was enclosed in three districts at the beginning of the main rainy season in two consecutive years and harvesting was made at 10 days interval starting from late July to November. The average yield of the natural pasture in the study area was 5.40 ton DM/ha. The dry matter yield was significantly (P<0.05) increased in advancing flowering while crude protein and in vitro organic matter digestibility was decreased, as expected. Unlike acid detergent fiber which increased significantly (p<0.05) with maturity, the neutral detergent fiber and hemicellulose level of the pasture was not significantly different (p>0.05) between harvestings. Despite poor balance of grass and legume combinations which contributed for lower protein content and digestibility, the natural pasture of Metekel zone has a high productivity in relation to total DM yield. It could be concluded that appropriate harvesting time for quality hay making is at 40 to 80% of flowering and after 17±2 weeks of precipitation.
Key words: Metekel lowlands, ruminant, grazing land, biomass yield, chemical composition, Benishangul-gumuz.
Binyam Kassa, Bilatu Agza*, Solomon Zewdu, Eskinder Aklilu and Ferede Alemu
Page: 1 - 7
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJA/1074