African Journal of Crop Science

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 280-285, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) epidemics and yield loss assessment on wheat and triticale crops in Amhara region, Ethiopia

Landuber Wendale^1, Habtamu Ayalew*², Getaneh Woldeab³, Girma Mulugeta⁴

¹Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Adet Agricultural Research Centre, P.O.Box 8, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

²Debre Markos University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O.Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.

³Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ambo Plant Protection Research Centre, P. O. Box 37 Ambo, Ethiopia.

⁴Amhara Regional Bureau of Agriculture, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Accepted 09 October, 2015

Abstract

The impact of yellow rust on grain yield and thousand grains weight was assessed by superimposing trials on farmer’s fields in three administrative zones in Amhara region. Paired (fungicide sprayed and unsprayed) plots with two replications were used in three districts with three localities each. Yellow rust resulted in a significant (P<0.05) reduction in grain yield (34%) and thousand seed weight (16.7 %) in the region. Grain yield losses of 47.2% and 32% were observed in the worst scenario in north Shewa and in east Gojam zones, respectively. Grain yield loss was lowest (28%) for south Gondar zone. The wheat cultivars suffered the highest yield and seed weight reductions as compared to triticale. Grain yield reductions of 41.5% and 43.6% were recorded on cultivars HAR 1685 and HAR 604, respectively while the triticale cultivar, Logaw Shibo showed a 23.8% reduction. Reductions in thousand seed weight were 19.2% for the cultivar HAR 1685 and 21.7% for HAR 604. The seed weight loss of triticale was only 8.5%. This data indicates that the effect of yellow rust on yields of wheat and triticale was significant in the region and of course spraying chemicals did significantly reduce the impact of the disease.

Key words: Grain yield, thousand grain weight, disease epidemic, disease incidence, disease severity.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 275-279, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Using biotechnology approach for increasing soybean production in Nigeria

 *Umar Alkali, Ali Abubakar and Kagara Musa

National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi, PMB 8, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

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

Accepted December 12, 2015

Abstract

Soybean production in Nigeria has increased tremendously through the performance of improved varieties. This is as a result of increased demand for the crop. Production cannot however meet the demand due to various challenges faced by the crop. This range from biotic factors like rust to abiotic factor like pod shattering. Using biotechnological approach has provided some solutions to trait improvement in diseases, pest, grain yield and nutrient enhancement of the crop. Biotechnological tools have helped in solving some production constrains like weed (development of Round-up ready soybean varieties) which has enhanced and increased soybean production worldwide. New varieties have also been incorporated with improved nutrient content and disease tolerance. Despite these efforts however, biotechnology faces some challenges due to cost, consumer test and environment acceptability.

Key words: Soybean, productivity, biotechnology, Nigeria.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 257-267, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Selection of maize progenies for tryptophan content and grain yield

Constantino Tomás Senete^1,2, Pedro Fato¹, João Massitela¹, Otília Henrique Tamele¹and João Cândido de Souza²

¹Institute of Agricultural Research of Mozambique, PO Box 3658, Avenue of FPLM nº 2698, Maputo, Mozambique.

²Federal University of Lavras, Department of Biology, PO Box 3037, CEP 37200-000 Lavras, MG, Brazil.

Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 07 October, 2015

Abstract

The incrementation of lysine, tryptophan and maize protein nutritional value in locals where maize is staple food could contribute significantly to improving the population nutritional status. The objective of this study was to estimate variance and average components related to the maize protein quality based on tryptophan and grain yield analysis, and to select from the early generations progenies which best complement with the tester for both characters. The laboratory analyses were carried out by using colorimetric reactions and the statistical analyses were based on mixed model. The experiment was set out in partially balanced square lattice with 144 treatments, two replications and 12 blocks. The estimations, associated with the assessed treatment performances made it possible to infer that both populations are promising for recurrent selection and suggested good experimental precision. The selective accuracy demonstrated the possibility of obtaining gains by selecting in both characters. For tryptophan content, the specific combining ability presented small magnitude value due the qualitative inheritance and, the additive effects might have been more important. The shrinkage effect in grain yield was more noticeable than the tryptophan content.  Over 25% of the progenies contributed positively to the tryptophan content and only 3.65% to grain yield.

Key words: Zea mays, QPM, Mozambique, specific combining ability, shrinkage, BLUP.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 239-244, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the commercialization of glasshouse vegetables and ornamentals as a means of changing the dynamics of the Nigerian agricultural industry

 Abimbola J.A, Segun Olatunji and Muyiwa Titilayo

Department of crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 12 March, 2013

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of most African economies and people’s livelihoods because it employs 70% of the population. In Nigeria, the population growth rates remain among the highest in Africa; it is presently estimated at 160 million. While population grows at a rate of 3.5% per annum, food production increase is 2.5% or less. This specifies the importance of glasshouse cultivation of vegetables and ornamentals as an augment against the present situation of food crisis in Nigeria. Glasshouse vegetable production has potential as a niche market for out-of-season, all year round produce and as a sustainable method of production. There are however, factors frustrating successful introduction of glasshouses into the Nigerian agricultural sector such as low technology transfer, limited empowerment of farmers with respect to access to financial and technological inputs necessary for sustained agricultural production and poor public perception of modern technology influencing the direction of innovation in the commercialization of agriculture. In order that farmers adopt the use of glasshouses in cultivation of vegetables and ornamentals, the government should make its adoption easy by financing glasshouse construction as a model for commercial farmers to follow. Efforts in creating awareness should be increased; the active role of the private sector, government and collaboration between research institutes, universities, and colleges of technology within and outside Nigeria should be enhanced. This paper examines the need for the commercialization of glasshouse vegetables and ornamentals as a means of increasing human agricultural activity including expansion of cultivated area and changing the dynamics of the agricultural industry of Nigeria thus changing the status of economy.

Key words: Glasshouse, vegetables, ornamental, agricultural production, Nigeria.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 234-238, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of phosphorus effect and application on growth, yield and yield components of snake tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina L.)

Adekunle Abiodun¹, Tunde Olusola¹*, Tope Olamide²

¹Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology P M B 65, Minna, Niger state, Nigeria.

²Department of Seed Certification, quality control, Crop Registration and Release, National Agricultural seeds council, Abuja-Nigeria.

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

Accepted 02 December, 2015

Abstract

The experiment was carried out on the teaching and research farm of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to determine the effect of phosphorus application rates on growth, yield and yield components of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with three replicates. The treatments were application of phosphorus at different levels (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kgha^-1). Phosphorus significantly increased growth, yield and yield components (number of leaves, number of flowers length of main vine etc.) of snake tomato at 15kg/ha up to 30 kg P ha^-1, beyond which there was a reduction.

Key words: Phosphorus, snake tomato, Trichosanthes cucumerina, yields.