African Journal of Agronomy

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full length research paper

Influence of genotypes, planting methods and weed management on competitiveness of wheat (Tritcum aestivum L.) and Phalaris minor Retz

M Anwar Bhat*, S S Mahal, K K Vashaist, R K Mahey, A Hussain* and G M Mushki*

Department of Agronomy and Agrometeorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

*Rice Research and Regional Station SKUAST-K Khudwani, J&K, India

Accepted 19 October, 2022

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the research farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2003-04 and 2004-05. The soil of the experimental site was loamy sand in texture and neutral in reaction rating low in organic carbon and nitrogen, and medium in phosphorus and potassium. Bread wheat genotype PBW 343 tended to reduce the values for dry matter accumulation and density of Phalaris minor indicating comparatively more smothering effect on Phalaris minor as compared to durum wheat genotype PDW 274. PBW 343 recorded 8.52 per cent higher grain yield than PDW 274.Significant reduction in population and dry matter production of Phalaris minor and higher grain yield of wheat was observed under bed planting method as compared to flat planting during both the years of experimentation. Application of clodinafop 0.06 kg ha^-1 and integrated weed control with clodinafop 0.045 kg ha^-1 + hand / mechanical weeding effectively controlled the Phalaris minor and provided a weed control efficiency of 87.7 and 85.1 per cent, respectively. Integrated weed management practice resulted in 29.12 and 8.46 per cent more grain yield against the unweeded check and two hand/mechanical weedings, respectively.

Key words: Bread wheat, Durum Wheat, Phalaris minor, Bed planting, Weed management

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-011, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of hydraulic retention time and media of constructed wetland for treatment of domestic wastewater

Suntud Sirianuntapiboon¹*, Manoch Kongchum² and Worawut Jitmaikasem¹

¹Department of Environmental Technology, School of Energy and Materials, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok 10140, Thailand.

²Department of Agronomyand Environmental Management, Louisiana State University, Botan Rouge, LA 70803, USA.

Accepted 16 November, 2022

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of varying soil-to-sand ratios of constructed wetland on wastewater treating efficiency. Wetland beds were prepared with locally available plants, specifically cattail (Typha sp.). Treatment efficiency was evaluated for parameters such as BOD₅, COD, SS, TKN and TP. The results indicated that the nutrient reduction corresponds to a longer retention time in wetland beds. Under the longest hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 3 days, the system with media containing a soil-to-sand ratio of 75:25 illustrated the highest removal efficiencies of BOD₅, COD, SS, TKN and TP by 92±5, 91±%, 76±9, 90±3 and 95±3%, respectively. The infiltration rate was also decreased after operation, particularly in the treatment with lower sand content. However, the highest growth rate of cattail was found under the shortest HRT (0.75 day) condition.

Key words: Hydraulic retention time (HRT), Media, Typha sp., constructed wetland.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative effects of undigested and anaerobically digested poultry manure on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays, L)

B. A. Adelekan^1*, F. I. Oluwatoyinbo² and A. I. Bamgboye³

¹Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P. M. B 5026, Ibogun, Ogun State, Nigeria.

²Federal College of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, P. M. B. 5029, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.

³Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 4 January, 2023

Abstract

A comparative study of the effects of undigested and anaerobically digested poultry manure and conventional inorganic fertilizer on the growth characteristics and yield of maize was investigated at Ibadan, Nigeria. The pot experiment consisted of sixty (60) nursery bags, set out in the greenhouse. The treatments, thoroughly mixed with soil, were: control (untreated soil), inorganic fertilizer, (NPK 20:10:10) applied at the 120 kgN/ha; air-dried undigested and anaerobically digested manure applied at 12.5 g/pot, or 25.0 g/pot or 37.5 g/pot, and or 50.0 g/pot. Plant height, stem girth, leaf area, number of leaves at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) and stover mass and grain yield were measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P 0.05 was used to further determine the relationships among the factors investigated. Generally, results in respect of crops treated with digested manure, were quite comparable with those treated with undigested manure and inorganic fertilizer, right from 2WAP to 6WAP. Stover yield was increased to as much as 1.58, 1.65 and 2.07 times by inorganic fertilizer, digested and undigested manure, respectively while grain yields were increased by only 200% with inorganic fertilizer, but by up to 812 and 933% by digested and undigested manure, respectively. In conclusion, digested poultry manure enhanced the growth characteristics of the treated plants for the maize variety used. As observed, the order of grain yield was undigested manure > digested manure > inorganic fertilizer.

Key words: Undigested poultry manure, digested manure, inorganic fertilizer, maize.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 10 (4), pp. 001-011, March, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Measuring agricultural productivity growth in MENA countries

Mounir Belloumi¹ and Mohamed Salah Matoussi²

¹Institute of High Commercial Studies of Sousse, University of Sousse. B.P. 40 Street la Ceiture Sahloul III 4054 Sousse Tunisia

²Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, El Manar 2001 Tunis Tunisia.

Accepted 22 June, 2021

Abstract

This paper investigates the patterns of agricultural productivity growth in 16 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries during the period 1970 - 2000. We use a nonparametric, output-based Malmquist index to examine whether our estimates confirm or invalidate the previous studies results indicating the decrease of agricultural productivity in developing countries. We will show that on average, agricultural productivity growth increased at an annual rate of 1% during the whole period. Our estimations show that technical change is the main source for this growth. Those results weaken as a whole the findings of the other studies, however we find a decrease in agricultural productivity mainly for developing countries suffering from political conflicts and wars. This paper fills the void of hardly any agricultural studies on MENA countries collectively, especially on productivity trends.

Key words: Agricultural productivity growth, MENA region, Malmquist productivity index.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diagnosis of business failures in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Austin O. Oparanma*, Isaac Zep-obipi and Donald I. Hamilton

Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 June, 2021

Abstract

This study explores the causes of business failures especially manufacturing firms in Ikwerre Local Government Area (KELGA) of Nigeria. The study samples were drawn from five (5) randomly selected manufacturing firms such as Rizonpalm Limited, Unizon Limited, Johnson Nigeria Limited, Chinda Limited, and Chizi Limited. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire and personal interviews of the sample elements of the population. The hypotheses were tested using both the Chi-square (X) and test of proportion (Z-test) statistical tools. The findings of the research showed that the business failures are caused by the negative internal and external environmental factors namely: pressure from competitors or new entrants, poor improvement in modern technology and poor sales, the outbreak of pest and farm diseases, government policy and etc. The study recommends that there must be application of strategies in order to ensure that manufacturing firms with poor performances can have suggestions for achieving business survival, increase in profit and greater market share.

Key words: Firm, manufacturing, liquidation, business failure, business.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-020, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Review

A plan to place successfully organic products in the Cypriot market

M. Markou¹ and T. Stylianides²

¹The Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia Cyprus.

²The Cyprus International Institute of Management, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Accepted 15 June, 2021

Abstract

This study aims to introduce a plan to place successfully organic products in the Cypriot market. In this sense, it attempts to offer more insight into Cypriot organic market. The research focused on three levels; consumers, producers and retailers of organic products in order to collect information regarding the production process of organic products, the difficulties in their disposal, the availability and quality of the organic products, their prices and the demand of organic products, as well as consumers’ behaviour towards organic versus conventional grocery products. A survey that utilised a self-administered questionnaire for collecting data from respondents was conducted at various areas of Cyprus. According to the results, although the majority of consumers are aware of organic agriculture, only a few buy certified organic products. On the other hand, consumers are willing to pay higher prices to buy organic products. According to growers, market organisation is the most important weakness in the successful promotion of organic products. In addition, organic growers are reluctant to increase their production imposing that government does not support satisfactorily organic production. On the other hand, retailers argue that consumer demand, personal considerations about organic production and the fact that organics is an emerging market, could affect their decision to place more organic products in their stores. Therefore, a national plan, in order to place successfully organic products in the local market, it should incorporate all the above mentioned issues. Additionally, it should be in line with the European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming initiated by the European Commission in 2004.

Key words: Cyprus, organic agriculture products market, national plan.