African Journal of Agronomy

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating Soil Suitability and Irrigation Impact on Amaranthus Yield in Nigeria's Southwestern Region

Fasina, A. S.*, Awe, G. O. and Aruleba, J. O.

Department of Crops, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 April, 2025

A detailed soil survey of 1.03 hectares of land within University of Ado Ekiti Teaching and Research Farm was carried out to evaluate the suitability of the soils for irrigation agriculture and to examine the influence of three different soil types, water and fertilizer rates on the yield of Amaranthus cruentus. All the soils evaluated were considered not suitable for gravity irrigation but soil A was considered highly suitable, soils B and C were considered moderately suitable for drip irrigation respectively. The results showed that soil types greatly influenced Amaranthus yield significantly (P<0.05). Soil A gave the highest total biomass yield (4597.9 kg/ha), followed by soil C (3152.2 kg/ha) and soil B (3111.1 kg/ha). Fertilizer regime based on soil test gave the highest biomass yield of 4051.6 kg/ha followed by the control with 3636.7 kg/ha and lastly the blanket with 3173.9 kg/ha. The study showed that watering the crop daily gave the highest biomass yield of 3703.1 kg/ha followed by once in two days with 3632 kg/ha and twice daily with 3527 kg/ha. This study confirmed that fertilizer recommendations based on soil test is necessary for determining the adequate level of nutrients that could replenish the soil as well as satisfy the need of the crop. The study suggests the use of drip irrigation rather than gravity irrigation in terms of water use.

Key words: Drip irrigation, gravity irrigation, Amaranthus, suitability evaluation, yield.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In Vitro Regeneration of Nigerian Rice Varieties: Callus Culture from Caryopsis of Suakoko 8 and FARO 55

Abolade S. Afolabi¹*, O. Oyebanji¹, O. Odusanya¹, M. E. Abo², M. Misra³ and G. H. Ogbadu¹

¹Biotechnology Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, PMB 186, Garki, Abuja FCT, Nigeria.
²National Cereal Research Institute, Badegi, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.
³M. Misra, Institute of Frontier Sciences and Biotechnology, Baramunda, Bhubaneswar-751003, India.

Accepted 4 October, 2024

Abstract

The regeneration protocol for rice plants from callus culture obtained from dehusked and sterilized whole rice seeds (caryopses) of a popular Nigerian local cultivar Suakoko 8, and a NERICA cultivar FARO 55 is described. Utilizing a modified Nippon Barre medium (NBm) consisting of: Macro N6, Micro B5, Fe-EDTA, B5 vitamin and 30 mg/l of locally produced St Louis® sugar (to save cost) supplemented with casein hydrolysate and proline, and with cytokinin and auxin hormones (ratio 1:10), profuse and friable calli were obtained at 25oC in the darkness. The friable calli produced were transferred to fresh medium once every week for three weeks before transferring them to pre-regeneration medium containing ABA and NAA (replacing 2-4,D in the callus induction medium), and incubated for 9 days in the darkness at 25oC. Finally the creamy calli were transferred into regeneration medium containing high cytokinin (3 mg l–1 BAP) with incubation at 28oC and 12 h – photoperiod. Regeneration of plantlets was obtained between two to four weeks of transfer on the regeneration medium. The regeneration frequency (efficiency) of 53 and 42% were obtained for Suakoko 8 and FARO 55. Regenerated plants also produced viable seeds and hence fertile plants.

Key words: Embryogenic calli, regeneration, Suakoko 8, FARO 55, new rice for Africa (NERICA), Oryza sativa, Oryza glaberrima.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative Analysis of Lactuca sativa Cultivars for Optimal Winter Growth in Hydroponic Systems

Maboko M. M.* and Du Plooy C. P.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)-Roodeplaat, Private Bag X 293, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.

Accepted 9 October, 2024

Abstract

Soilless cultivation of lettuce gained popularity in recent years in South Africa because of improved yield and quality. Thirteen crisphead lettuce cultivars were evaluated in a gravel-film production system during the winter season at the experimental farm of the ARC-Roodeplaat. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with five replicates. For each cultivar, yield, internal quality, compactness, uniformity, ribbing, tip-burn, disease tolerance, bolting tolerance and number of days to maturity were recorded. The cultivars were ready for harvest from 70 - 77 days after transplanting. Results showed clear differences between cultivars, with four cultivars, namely Del-Rio, Patagonia RZ, Winter haven and Winter Supreme, out yielding the rest of the cultivars included in the trial. These four cultivars were also more tolerant to tipburn and disease, compared to most other cultivars included in the trial. Cultivars Annie, Del Rio, Supreme Plus and L425 showed the best core ratio, combined with a good colour and tip burn resistance. Results, thus, indicate that variability in yield and quality of crisphead lettuce are determined by cultivar differences, changes in environmental conditions, as well as different production systems utilized by farmers. Improved yield and quality can be obtained by selecting the correct cultivars for winter production in a soilless medium.

Key words: Gravel-film technique, quality, yield, growing season.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Molecular Characterization of Avena Species from the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan Through RAPD and SSR Techniques

Zahid Hanif¹, Zahoor A. Swati¹, Imtiaz Khan²*, Gul Hassan², K. B. Marwat², sabz Ali³ and M. Ishfaq Khan²

¹Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, NWFP, Agricultural University Peshawar-Pakistan.
²Department of weed science, NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar-Pakistan.
³Plant breeding group, Plant research international, Wageningen University, Netherlands.

Accepted 16 November, 2024

Abstract

Genetic diversity of 10 biotypes of wild oats (Avena species) which differ in certain morphological and physiological characters were analyzed using 9 Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and 2 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) primer sets. RAPD and SSR primers revealed different levels of genetic polymorphisms among the various biotypes. Range of genetic distances estimated by using individual primers was 0 – 100 % but on an average genetic distances were in the range of 30 - 65% indicating that these biotypes were genetically very diverse and possess a high degree of polymorphism.

Key words: Wild oats, DNA, Polymorphism, RAPD, SSR.
 

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of Leucaena leucocephala on Soil Properties and Oil Palm Yield Over Time

Imogie, A. E., Udosen, C.V., Ugbah, M. M. and Utulu, S. N.

Agronomy Division, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), P.M.B. 1030,
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 26 November, 2024

Abstract

The study investigated a long-term effect of Leucaena leucocephala a leguminous tree crop on the soil physico- chemical properties and its possible effect on the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production of oil palm. L. leucocephala had a highly significant (P<.01) effect on soil physico-chemical properties than the control. The soil under Leucaena leucocephala exhibited relatively high mean weight diameter, water retention, total soil available N, available P and Exchangeable cation, than the control, and thus enhanced fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production. Mean fresh fruit bunch yield, over a three year period, was significantly higher (P<0.05), with FFB yields of 10.93 tons / ha in plots with L. leucocephala as against 6.8 tons / ha in the control plots.

Key words: Long term (to be deleted), Leucaena leucocephala, physico-chemical properties, and fresh fruit bunch yields.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilizing Stored Rainwater for Sustainable Watermelon Cultivation in Sahelian Sandy Soils

D. Fatondji, D. Pasternak and L. Woltering*

ICRISAT Niamey, P.O. Box 12404, Niamey Niger

Accepted 4 November, 2024

Abstract

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thumb) Matsun and Nakai] is an important cash crop in West Africa where it is cultivated under rainfed conditions. The objective of this work was to identify best cultural practices for production of watermelons in the Sahel on stored rainwater in acid sandy soils. The experiments were carried out at the ICRISAT Sadore research center in Niger during two consecutive dry seasons, 2003 - 2004 and 2004 - 2005. Three soil management treatments were applied: micro-catchments (also called half -moons), planting pits (also called zaï) and sowing on flat land. Each of these three treatments came with and without a soil amendment comprising of 500 g of manure mixed with 24 g of a complete (NPK) fertilizer (15-15-15) individually applied to each planting hill. Two watermelon cultivars were tested: ‘Malali’ and ‘Kaolack’. In each of the two years the experiments were sown on the 1st and on the 21st of September. Fruit and biomass yield, fruit Total Soluble Solids (TSS), days to fruiting and harvesting were determined. Soil fertility, root development and other physiological parameters were monitored to explain some of the differences between treatments. Soil amendments increased marketable yields from 1.3 to 3.5 tons ha-1 on average. Marketable yields at the first planting date were double the yields of the second planting date (3.2 vs. 1.6 tons ha-1). Yield differences were due to changes in fruit number not in fruit weight. Deep placement of soil amendments resulted in significant root development in deeper soil layers. Highest watermelon yields were achieved when sowing the Malali cultivar in amended planting pits on September 1st giving a yield of 8.2 tons ha-1.

Key words: Citrullus lanatus, Malali, Kaolack, Zaï, planting pits, half moons, stored water, root development, Sahel.