African Journal of Agronomy

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Economic aspects of intercropping systems of vegetables (okra, tomato and cowpea)

O. R. Adeniyi

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Bowen University, Iwo – Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 16 November, 2020

Abstract

Various field experiments were conducted in the cropping seasons of 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the agro-economic returns obtainable from the intercrop involving tomato, okra and cowpea at varying levels of cropping densities. The experimental design used for each of the field analyses was randomized complete block design with each of the treatments replicated three times. Average of yields over the consecutive two-year period of 2007 and 2008 covered by the current study was used for the measurement of output while the values of input and output were determined with the prevailing market price. Budgeting techniques were used as analytical tools. Results of analyses using net returns, benefit-cost ratio and increased net returns as economic indicators showed that the most favourable mix of vegetables which could be recommended for adoption to farmers was the intercrop of a pair rows of tomato with one row of cowpea (TC 2:1). The practice gave increased net returns of N32, 245.71 or US$214.97(21.04%) and N129, 823.22 or US$865.49(233.18%) over the sole cropping of tomato and cowpea respectively. This was also an increased net revenue of N46,427.07 or US$309.51(33.38%) above TO 2:1 and N98,319.81 or US$655.47 (112.78%) above OC 2:1 which were themselves optimal alternatives preferred to sole cropping of any of the vegetables involved. This result however, was in favour of extension policies towards popularizing the recommendation of alley farming for horticultural practice. 

Key words: Agro-economic indicators, increased net-revenue, optimal alternatives, vegetable practice.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of drought stress and N fertilizer on yield, yield components and grain storage proteins in chickpea (CICER ARIETINUM L.) cultivars

Cyrus Mansourifar¹, Morad Shaban²*,  Mokhtar Ghobadi¹ and Abasalt Rostami Ajirlu¹

¹Department of Crop Production and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

Accepted 11 September, 2020

Abstract

Among the unfavorable environmental conditions, water deficit is the most significant factor that adversely affects plant growth, development and productivity. To determine the effects of drought stress and N fertilizer on yield, yield components and grain protein profiling pattern of chickpea (CICER ARIETINUM L.) a field experiment was conducted on a clay soil, in Razi University of Kermanshah, Iran. The experiment was a split- factorial design with three replications. The main treatment was drought stress (sever drought stress, moderate drought stress and no drought stress). The sub treatment was four cultivars of chickpea, Azad, Bivanij, Hashem and ILC482 and 2 N levels (0 and 25 kg/ha). The results showed that the effects of drought stress on yield and yield component, effect of cultivars on grain yield and protein yield were significant. With increase level of drought stress yield, yield components and protein yield decreased. Therefore, Bivanij cultivar had highest production of chickpea (grain yield and grain protein yield) and Hashem cultivar had a lowest them. Application of small starter N fertilizer (25 kg/ha) had better effect on grain yield, yield components and grain protein yield compared to the control (0 kg /ha N). Therefore, we can increase yield and grain protein yield of chickpea by irrigation and application of small starter N fertilizer. Also the results revealed that drought stress and N fertilizer no effects on grain protein banding patterns in chickpea cultivars.

Key words: Chickpea, drought stress, N fertilizer, protein, Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), yield.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Salinity tolerance of rice lines related to endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) level synthesis under stress

Saeed Saeedipour

Department of Agronomy, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 26 October, 2020

Abstract

As the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in responses to salinity stress. We tested its putative relationship with the degree of tolerance to this abiotic stress. For this purpose we have examined the responses of sensitive (IR29) and tolerant (IR651) varieties of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) to a range of salinity (0 (control) and 100 mM NaCl). Shoot and root dry weight was reduced and leaf Na concentration increased in response to salinity for both cultivars with a bigger extent in sensitive. Tolerance of IR29 to saline stress was generally improved by ABA treatment and leaves Na content reduced to their respective control treatment. This ABA effect was evident in IR29 with low tolerance, as their ability to recover from stress increased up to seven fold. Independent of the saline treatment, the absolute endogenous leaf ABA content in sensitive variety was significantly more than tolerant one. However, upon stress, the increase in endogenous ABA synthesis was higher in tolerant than in sensitive varieties. These data together with those obtained by using Fluridone, an inhibitor of ABA synthesis, suggested first, there was differential sensitivity to ABA in the tolerant and sensitive leaves cultivars and enhanced concentrations at tolerant levels acted primarily to maintain root and shoot growth salt stress and second, the differences in the level of tolerance to saline stress is related to their different capacity of ABA synthesis under stress conditions.

Key words: Abscisic acid, fluridone, Oryza sativa L., salinity, stress tolerance.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 8 (11), pp. 001-004, November, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prediction of carrot firmness based on water content and total soluble solids of carrot

Majid Rashidi* and Mohammad Gholami

Department of Agricultural Machinery, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran.

Accepted 21 November, 2020

Abstract

Carrot firmness (FIR) is often determined using difficult and time consuming laboratory tests, but it may be more appropriate and economical to develop a method which uses easily available and known quality characteristics of carrot such as water content (WC) and total soluble solids (TSS). In this study, typical two variables linear regression model for predicting FIR of Nantes carrot based on WC and TSS of carrot was suggested. The statistical results of the study indicated that in order to predict carrot FIR based on WC and TSS of carrot, the two variables linear regression model FIR = -2805.8 + 64.9 WC + 36.4 TSS with R² = 0.84 can be strongly recommended.

Key words: Carrot, quality characteristics, prediction, modeling, firmness, water content, total soluble solids.