African Journal of Agronomy

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1185 Vol. 4 (9), pp. 269-279, October, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Planting patterns and nutrient management of fertilizer N and P for maximization of productivity of maize/faba bean

Teddy F. Wolde*¹, Ejegayehu H. Isaac¹ and Ephraim H. Miruts¹

Agronomists, Adet Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 08, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 5 August, 2016

Abstract 

Field experiments were undertaken for two years at Adet and Motta experimental stations, northwestern Ethiopia with an objective of determining the appropriate planting pattern and optimum rate of N and P fertilizers for maximization of maize/faba bean intercropping system. A factorial combinations of four nitrogen rates (0, 32, 64, and 96 kg N/ha), three phosphorus rates (0, 46 and 69 kg P₂O₅/ha) and two planting patterns (1:1 and 2:1 maize: faba bean alternate row planting) were tested along with two sole crop treatments of maize and faba bean in randomized compete block design with three replications. The results indicated that there was significant difference in maize grain yield at the two locations due to nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer levels. Significant difference in faba bean yield was observed due to planting pattern. The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) is more than unity in most of the cases. The highest LERs, 2.0 at Motta and 1.5 at Adet were obtained when a planting pattern of 1:1 maize: faba bean alternate rows was used with the application of 96-46 N- P₂O₅ kg/ha. The specified intercropping pattern exhibited highest System Productivity Index (SPI) and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE). The economic Analysis has also confirmed that the specified 1:1 maize : faba bean intercropping with the application of 96-46 N- P₂O₅ kg/ha treatment gave the best advantage at both locations.

Keywords: Maize (Zea mays), faba bean (Vicia faba), intercropping, planting pattern, LER, SPI, economic profit

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1185 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 264-268, August, 2016.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of Malathion and Sevin on Radish growth

Haitham Bol Nemeiry¹, Gaafar C. Ismail²*, Mauute Daw Eltayeb³, Alexander Ahmed⁴ and Abdalla Bas¹

¹Department of Soil Science, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Shambat, P.O.Box 71, Khartoum North, Sudan.

²Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Shambat, P.O.Box 71, Khartoum North, Sudan.

³Department of Plant Protection, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Shambat, P.O.Box 71, Khartoum North, Sudan.

⁴Department of Agronomy, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Shambat, P.O.Box 71, Khartoum North, Sudan.

Accepted 10 July, 2016 

E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

This study was conducted at College of Agricultural studies, Sudan university of Science and Technology Farm to evaluate the residual effect of the recommended dose of Malathion, an organophosphate insecticide, and Sevin, a carbamate insecticide on the dry weight and length of radish. The results showed that, the recommended dose of Sevin has positively affected both variables; the average length and weight of the treated plants were 5.2 cm and 13.2g higher than their counterpart values of the control, respectively. However, when an over dose was administered it negatively affected both variables; the average length and weight of the treated plants were decreased by 6.6 cm and 26.9 g, respectively. On the other hand, the recommended dose of Malathion adversely affected the weight and length of radish. The average lengths of the treated plants were decreased by 6.6 cm and 26.9 g, respectively. Similary, the recommended dose of Malathion adversely affected the weight and length of radish. The average length of the treated plants was 11.7 cm shorter than that; of control where as the average weight was 7.9 g lighter than the control. Compared with control, the average length and the weight of the treated plants were reduced by 20 cm and 17.2g, respectively. Being a key component of the chemical structure of Sevin as well as a crucial element in soil fertility, the nitrogen seemed to have played a major role in the favorable results obtained the by recommended dose of Sevin or opposed to those of Malathion.

Keywords: Growth, malathion, radish, sevin.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1185 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 260-263, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Performance of different maize (ZEA MAYS L.) genotypes under field conditions

*Salva G. Mustafa¹ Manute C. Gaafar and Ismail J. Haitham² 

¹*Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Agricultural Studies, Department of Agronomy, Shambat, Khartoum North, P.O. Box 71, (sustec.edu). 

²Desertification Research Institute, National Centre for Research, P.O. Box 2404, Khartoum, Sudan.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 June, 2016

Abstract

Nine open-pollinated maize genotypes were evaluated for two seasons in 2007/08 and 2008/09 at the experimental farm, University of Sudan Science and Technology, Shambat. The study was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic variability in maize genotypes for vegetative, yield and yield components under field conditions. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used for laying out the experiment. The results showed that there were non-significant differences-1 for most character under study, except the plant height, stem diameter, number of rows cob and ear length in the first season and for days until 50% flowering and 100-seed weight in the second season. Frantic genotype had maximum average seed weight (426.8g) in the first season while Huediba-1 had maximum seed weight (590.2g) in the second season. Giza 2 genotype had maximum grain yield (0.821 ton/ha) in the first season, while maximum grain yield ton/ha was recorded in Panama (0.456 ton/ha). Data recorded for heritability showed that stem diameter had maximum heritability (67.02%) in the first season while the maximum heritability (84.57%) was recorded for days to 50% flowering in the second season. The present study revealed considerable amount of diversity among the tested populations which could be manipulated for further improvement in maize breeding.

Keywords:  Genetic, variability, genotypes heritability, maize

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1185 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 254-259, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Use of attractive foods an alternative in the capture of (Zaprionus indianus) in Brazil

^1,2Roberto Amaral* Tarsila Costa Montenegro and Alice G. Miranda³

¹ Departamento de Defesa Fitossanitária, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus Universitário, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria – RS.

²Academic of Agronomy Course of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, state, Brazil. ³Eng. Agro. Dr. Prof. Titular da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 15 May, 2016

Abstract

The use of food baits in traps is an alternative for monitoring and controlling of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae). The damages caused by the fig fly, in fig orchards in Brazil are expressive, however there are few alternatives to minimize their attack. The aim of this work was to determine the response of Z. indianus to different traps models. The trials were developed at the University Federal of Santa Maria in Santa Maria County, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, from February 11 to April 1, 2010, in fig orchard (Ficus carica L.). The experimental design used was randomized block, with five treatments and four replications. Four different traps models were evaluated: pet colorless bottle of 2L capacity (P1); plastic bottle McPhail (M1), pet bottle of 1L, white (P2) and plastic bottle of 0,6L, this one was colorless (P3I) and one of green color (P3V). The best trap for capturing Z. indianus was P3I trap. Also traps P3V and P2 captured satisfactorily to Z. indianus, however, before using the last traps is necessary to perform an adjustment on them. The McPhail trap is inefficient in the research condition.

Keywords: Alternative control, drosophilidae, environment, fig fly, food baits.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1185 Vol. 4 (4), pp. 245-246, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Salt tolerance of rice varieties under salt-affected soil at Zaidi Farm

*¹ Fawad Khan Pervez, ²Imran O. Zefar and ³Nawaz Shahid Akram

*¹NARC, Islamabad–45500, Pakistan.

²Agronomy Department, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

³Agriculture Extension Department, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 6 March, 2016

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate salt tolerance of eight rice varieties viz; K-282, Shaheen Bas, Bas-370, PB-95, IR-6, COM-2004, Basmati-370 and IR-9. Under salt-affected soil having (EC=7.5 dsm^-1, pH=8.3, SAR=47and texture silty clay loam) at Zaidi Farm, Kakar Gill, Sheikhupura. This study was operated to determine the number of productive tillers, panicle length, straw and paddy yield for salt tolerance. IR-6 had higher straw yield while paddy yield was maximum in case of COM-2004 showing better salt tolerance. As IR-9 failed to produce paddy yield under salt-affected conditions, therefore, it was placed at the lowest position. However, on the basis of this study I R-9, Bas-370 and Bas-385 could easily be ranked on the salt sensitive rice line.

Keywords: Salt tolerance, panicle length, mass screening, paddy and straw ratio