African Journal of Agriculture

‎African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 278-286, October, 2017. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of large scale production of AMF inoculum through root organ culture

*Sarojini Nanak, Anil O. Virat and Viswanathan Ambani

Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand-388121, Gujarat, India.

Accepted 15 February, 2017

Abstract

The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (AMF) plays a symbiotic vital role in most of the plant species by maintaining health, nutrient availability, against water stress, heavy metal resistance, against dreadful diseases with higher yields. To reach the requirement of AMF, large scale production practices can be required to produce specific strain aseptic inoculum. Carrot roots were selected for mass production of mycorrhizal spores among tomato, potato, sweet potato, soybean, amaranths and carrots through root organ culturing method. Aggregated roots were cultured and developed as root clumps for continuous sub-culturing. With slight modification of root organ culture method and split plate method, in containers shown significant increase in the extra radical spore count. Maximum Rhizophagus irregularis spore count was achieved with molecular weight (MW) medium among three different media MW medium, M medium and MSR medium. Almost 99204±1438.10 R. irregularis propagules were achieved with sugar free MW medium per container in 90 days of incubation in dark. M medium fortified with 1% sugars yields 16236±1186.70 intraradical and 39458±1098.00 extra radical spores were observed. To achieve continuous production of Mycorrhizal inoculum, transformed callus root clumps were infected with R. irregularis. This AMF inoculum developed in the sugar free medium is less contagious and highly productive during the process of harvesting, packing, transportation and preserved for longer duration without much contaminants.

Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Rhizophagus irregularis, root organ culture, endomycorrhizae.

‎African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 269-277, October, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Limitations in the use of chemical pesticides and potential of nanomaterials in sustainable agriculture management

*Anil O. Virat, Sarojini Nanak and Viswanathan Ambani

Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand-388121, Gujarat, India.

*Corresponding Author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 16 January, 2017

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a promising field of interdisciplinary research. It opens up a wide array of opportunities in various fields like medicine, pharmaceuticals, electronics and agriculture. The potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology are enormous. The current global population is nearly 7 */billion with 50% living in Asia. A large proportion of those living in developing countries face daily food shortages as a result of environmental impacts or political instability, while in the developed world there is surplus of food. For developing countries, the drive is to develop drought and pest resistant crops, which also maximize yield. The potential of nanotechnology to revolutionise the health care, textile, materials, information and communication technology, and energy sectors has been well publicized. The application of nanotechnology to agriculture and food industries is also getting attention nowadays. Investments in agriculture and food nanotechnologies carry increasing weight because their potential benefits range from improved food quality and safety to reduced agricultural inputs and improved processing and nutrition. While most investment is made primarily in developed countries, research advancements provide glimpses of potential applications in agricultural, food, and water safety that could have significant impacts on rural populations in developing countries. This review is concentrated on modern strategies used for the management of water, pesticides, limitations in the use of chemical pesticides and potential of nano-materials in sustainable agriculture management as modern approaches of nanotechnology.

Key words: Agriculture, nanotechnology, nanofertilizer, nanoencapsulation, nanoherbicides

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 263-268, October, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Participatory evaluations of Faba bean (Vicia faba l.) Varieties in Enda Mekoni District, Northern Ethiopia

*Teame Gereziher¹, Ephrem Seid² and Lemma Diriba¹

¹Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural research: Mehoni Agricultural Research Center.

²Mizan Tepi University: Plant Science Department.

Corresponding Author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 26 July, 2017

Abstract

Field experiment were conducted at Enda mekoni woreda (Mekan farmers training center), northern part of Ethiopia with the objective to assess and select faba bean varieties for high yield and other agronomic traits through involvement of farmer’s participation during the main cropping season of 2014. Four released varieties with one local check were laid out in Randomized complete block design in three replications. The plot size of the trial was 4 m x 2.4 m with 40 cm between rows and 10 cm among plants. 1 m among plots and 1.5 m between replications maintained. Agronomic and farmer selection data were collected and analyzed. From all the tested varieties, variety Dosha was superior in grain yield (3891 kg ha^-1) followed by Tumsa (3437 kg ha^-1) variety. The lowest grain yield was obtained from Gora (2146 kg ha^-1) while Local variety yielded (2503 kg ha^-1). In case of farmer evaluation Dosha score higher mean value (4.67) followed by Tumsa (4.16) and least mean value was recorded from variety Gora (3.00) variety. Thus, based on farmer’s evaluation and researcher’s selection, Dosha and Tumsa varieties were found promising under Enda mekoni condition. Therefore, farmers to be found at the study district are recommended to use those varieties to raise faba bean production.

Key words: Faba bean, participatory varietal selection, Dosha, farmers training center, yield.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 254-262, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Determination of sufficiency of crop residue for biochar application

*Masauso Ndhlovu and Noble Banadda

Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. 

Email: [email protected]

Received 13 October, 2016; Revised 13 November, 2016; Accepted 16 November, 2016 and Published 10 January, 2017

Abstract

Biochar technology is among possible solutions to the problem of low productivity in farming communities. However, the technology is yet to be adopted by farmers. One of the reasons for this is uncertainty on a sustainable supply of feedstock material. Through the analysis of maize residue, pyrolysis, and biochar application rates, this paper unveils the fact that a region generates enough feedstock for itself without extra activity.  The mass of residue generated from a maize field or region was found to be 2.47N (where N is mass of produce). The total mass of maize residue in the selected countries was found to be 40,495,650 tonnes. Out of this amount, 16,198,260 tonnes of biochar could have been produced and applied on a total area of 3,239,652 hectares. This area was about 34% (or one-third) of the total planted area (9,414,000). Thus at an application interval of three seasons, the generated residue would suffice. It was observed that as yield increases the area covered as a percentage of planted area increases. Thus at high yield, there would be extra biochar or residue for other uses. This knowledge would enhance interest in biochar technology as it guarantee sustainable supply of feedstock material.

Keywords: Biochar, crop residue, feedstock, maize, pyrolysis, residue product ratio.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (11), pp. 247-253, December, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Enzyme activities and expression of genes in plant tolerance to low temperatures in dry maize seed

Sérgio Naymer Amaral*, Paulo C. Fernando, Tarsila Vieira Carlos and Jpse Braga Amado

Department of Agriculture, Seeds Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras (Universidade Federal de Lavras – UFLA), University Campus – P.O. Box 3037, ZIP code 37200-000, Lavras MG, Brazil.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 November, 2016

Abstract

The study was conducted on dry maize seed and seed subjected to sub optimal germination temperature. Four lines of maize seeds were used, two were classified as susceptible to low temperature (44 and 54) and two tolerant to low temperature (64 and 91°C). Water content and germination tests were performed at different temperatures (10 and 25°C) to evaluate the physical and physiological quality of maize seeds. For molecular study, activity of heat-resistant proteins, esterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and α-amylase enzymes were assessed. Study of AOX1, ZmMPK5, SOD, APX, SAD, ENR and LEA genes with real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were carried out. AOX, SAD and LEA genes that are related as tolerant to abiotic stress showed higher expression in line 64, which was classified as tolerant to low germination temperature. The ZmMPK5 gene is associated with increased production of abscisic acid and expressed more in line 54, which was considered as susceptible to low germination temperature.

Key words: Zea mays, seed vigor, abiotic stress.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 234-246, November, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of crop rotation and the restitution of dry crop residues on pearl millet yield in mono-cropping system

Daouda Hama Rafini¹*, Ibrahim Seyni Doiri², Mahamadou brigi Wanke³ and Hamani Ali Tandjan¹

¹ICRISAT Niamey, BP12404, Niamey, Niger.

²Ecole Normale Supérieure, University Adbou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.

³University Adbou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger. 

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 28 October, 2016

Abstract

Studies on combined effects of 4 legume crops residues and rock phosphate application on pearl millet yield were undertaken on sandy acid soil field from 2012 to 2015 at ICRISAT Sahelian center (ISC)-Sadore, Niger. The objective of the experiment was to assess the best combination of legume species x rate of crop residue x rock phosphate doses that can sustainably improve pearl millet yield in cereal monoculture system with a low input cost and minimum soil tillage. Over 3 years, the residual effect of previous legume crop residue significantly improved not only the grain yield (P<0.001) and dry residue yields (P<0.001) but also the growth parameters of pearl millet than millet mono-cropping. Treatments with or without natural rock phosphate did not show any statistical differences on millet yield while adding a micro dose of urea improved significantly the yield (P<0.001). The interaction effects of preceding legume crops in rotation with millet and restitution of dry residue on the earlier mentioned parameters across 3 years mono-cropping were studied in this experiment.

Key words: Millet, legume, cropping system, soil fertility.