African Journal of Agronomy

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 2 (7), pp. 180-187, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Manufacture and categorization of nanoporous zeolite based N fertilizer

Gaurav Kaushik, Jadav Vishnu and Ranjan Arslan

College of Agriculture, Faculty of Crop Physiology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 18 May, 2014

Abstract 

A laboratory study was undertaken to improve the nitrogen (N) use efficiency of urea using microporous natural zeolite (Z) and nanoporous zeolite (NZ) as substrate. The fertilizer composite was prepared under ambient conditions by impregnation urea in adsorbents. Z and nanoporous-zeolite measuring a dimension of 794, 87 nm were used for this study. The commercial urea fertilizer and adsorbents were blended or fused at varying w/w ratios of 1:1 to 1:10 using simple liquid immersion with hydrothermal technique. The 1:1 ratio of natural zeolite: urea and NZ: urea registered the highest total N content of 18.5 and 28%, respectively. The adsorbents and fabricated fertilizers such as zeourea (ZU) and nano-zeourea (NZU) of 1: 1 ratios were characterized using particle size analyzer, zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM with EDS besides release pattern of N. The data revealed that, the N release from the urea blended with NZ (1:1) was up to 48 days while the conventional Z - urea (1:1) mix was up to 34 day and the N release ceased to exist in urea within 4 days under ambient conditions. This suggests that, nanoporous zeolite based on N fertilizer (NZU) can be used as alternate strategy to improve the N use efficiency in crop production systems.

Key words: Nanoporous zeolite, Natural zeolite, Nano-fertilizers, Nitrogen, Slow release N fertilizers.

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 2 (6), pp. 177-179, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The result of nitrogen, sulphur and farmyard manure on growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under moderate conditions

Gaurav Kaushik, Jadav Vishnu and Ranjan Arslan

College of Agriculture, Faculty of Crop Physiology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 29 May, 2014

Abstract 

An attempt was initiated during two consecutive kharifs of 2009 and 2010 at Agronomy Farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir to ascertain the impact of nitrogen (N), sulphur (S) and farmyard manure (FYM) which was taken from farm animals (Bovine) on developmental dynamics and yield of sunflower. Application of N at 80 and 120 kg ha^-1 at par, significantly increased periodic growth parameters and yield over 40 kg N ha^-1. S at 60 kg ha^-1 showed yield advantage over 30 kg S ha^-1. Seed yield with 10 and 20 t FYM ha^-1 was significantly higher over the control. Availability of N was highest with treatment combination of 120 kg N + 60 kg S + 20 t FYM ha^-1. Similarity was observed for available S. Therefore, for sustainably higher yield of sunflower, the nutrient management must centre around 120 kg N + 60 kg S ha^-1 with 20 t FYM ha^-1.

Key words: Seed yield, farmyard manure (FYM), nitrogen (N), oil content, sulphur (S), sunflower.

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 2 (6), pp. 171-176, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Differentiation of livestock manure market and the income contribution of manure trade in Mukogodo, Laikipia, Kenya

Simon Calvin, Nduta  Hanjari and Bedan H. Jacques

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Egerton University,kenya. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 5 May, 2013

Abstract 

The use of livestock manure in African agriculture supports a market system that links pastoral and agricultural communities, but has been little studied. We investigated this market in central Kenya. Out of 60 households interviewed, all had livestock and 81% were involved in livestock manure trade. Livestock manure from rangelands is marketed directly to individual traders or brokers (76%), farmers (20%), and horticultural growers (4.6%). There was a significantly greater demand by farmers for small ruminant manure than for cattle manure. The mean annual livestock manure sales per household were 10.8 and 5.7 metric tonnes (MT) for small ruminant and cattle manure, respectively. Mean annual household gross income for small ruminant and cattle manure was KShs. 3,450 and 1,350, respectively. In 2006, livestock manure brokers were receiving a mark-up of 90% from sale of small ruminant manure at an agricultural town. Local government levies KShs. 92.90 per MTof livestock manure and received a total of Kshs. 54,532 from the sale of 587 MT of manure during the study period. Other beneficiaries to the livestock manure business included truck loaders who received an average wage of between KShs. 200 and 270 per MT.Themost important variables determining the quantities of livestock manure per metric tonne (MT) were household size, number of goats and sheep, income from manure sale, prices of small ruminant manure per MT, hypothesized to influence the quantities of manure sold. The most important variables determining the livestock manure income were number of goats and sheep, amount of small ruminant manure (MT) sold, prices of small ruminant manure per MT and income from livestock sale.

Key words: Manure, rural markets, cattle, goats, Mukogodo, Laikipia, Kenya.

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 2 (5), pp. 165-170, May, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of the potential for biogas and biogas manure from the chosen fruit wastes in

Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia

Desalegn F.Habte, Makonnen V. Tsehafi and Imru S.

Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Mizan–Tepi University, Mizan Teferi, Ethopia. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 24 April, 2014

Abstract 

In this paper, the overall potential of biogas and biogas manure from the selected fruit wastes in the city of Addis Ababa was estimated (quantified). The prediction is based on the characterization and biogas yield results in a related study, using structured questionnaire and checklists during field survey. This study has shown a survey of the major sources of the fruit wastes and compiled the number of registered service providers in this particular sector by category. Consequently, this study has shown that the wasted biogas potential of the city from the selected 164.51 tons of daily fruit wastes alone was 20896 m³ per day. This wasted energy material is equivalent to 9000 L of diesel fuel that currently would cost 9389 US dollars. Further, soil nutrients that could be obtained from use of anaerobic digestion of the selected fruit wastes are 366 kg/day of total phosphorus, 798 kg/day of total nitrogen and 565 kg/day of potassium, which are also lost in vain. Therefore, the study shows the importance of proper organic waste management for the recovery of clean energy and nutrients, while at the same time avoiding expenses to buy fossil fuel as source of energy and reduce the associated stress on our environment and more.

Key words: Biogas potential, fruit waste, quantification, prediction, biogas manure.

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 2 (5), pp. 159-164, May, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Improvement of phosphorus fertilizer in accordance to the soil test in the rape dry farming of canola (Brassica naplusl) in the south east of Khuzestan province

Shahram G. Hatima

Department of Plant and Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, Iran. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 05 April, 2014

Abstract 

For development of phosphorus fertilizer needed for canola “Brassica naplusl” Hayola 401 figure according to the soil test in the dry framing 16 tests in four places and in each place 4 tests in 4 groups of phosphorus useable in the soil (less than 3 ppm, 3-6 ppm, 6-10 ppm and more than 10 ppm) in the form of randomized complete blocks design with 4 phosphorus fertilizer treatments (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg of P₂ O₅ in each acre) triple super phosphate sources were used in 4 repetition for 2 agricultural years (2008 to 2010). The results obtained show that the fertility index degrees in phosphorous groups used in the soil have been determined as (less than 3 ppm, 3-5 ppm, 5-7 ppm and more than 7 ppm) respectively (60, 44, 25 and 0 kg P₂ O₅ in acres).

Key words: Canola (Brassica napusl), phosphorous fertilizer, soil test.

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 2 (4), pp. 156-158, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of fertilizer on nitrogen substance of berries of three coffee clones and berry domination by the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferr.) (Coleoptera:Scolytidae)

Sammie Van, Melfah Nanaba and Tadias Kwame

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 24 March, 2014

Abstract 

The influence of six levels of fertilizer on the nitrogen content of coffee berries and the resulting incidence of Hypothenemus hampei was investigated on three improved clones of Robusta coffee at the Afosu Sub-station of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. The treatments were unfertilized control, basal dressing of 100 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 mixed with 100 kg K ₂O ha^-1, basal dressing of 100 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 with 100 kg K₂O ha^-1 and 50 kg N ha^-1, basal dressing of 100 kg P₂O ₅ ha^-1 with 100 kg K₂O ha^-1 and 70 kg N ha^-1, basal dressing of 100 kg P₂O ₅ ha^-1 with 100 kg K₂O ha^-1 and 90 kg N ha^-1, as well as basal dressing of 100 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 with 100 kg K₂O ha^-1 and 150 kg N ha^-1. The coffee clones were E152, E139 and E138. No differences were found in the nitrogen contents of berries of the various clones. Application of higher rates of fertilizer to the soil increased the nitrogen content and H. hampei numbers in the berries. The correlation coefficients between fertilizer dose and H. hampei numbers were significant. The relation between nitrogen in the berries and H. hampei numbers was also significant.

Key words: Fertilizer, coffee clones, nitrogen levels, infestation, Hypothenemus hampei.