African Journal of Crop Science

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 102-107, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Combining ability for resistance to rice yellow mottle virus disease in interspecific and intraspecific rice Genotypes

Esperance Munganyinka^1*, Richard Edema², Jimmy Lamo³, Paul Gibson², Placide Rukundo¹

¹ Rwanda Agriculture Board, P. O. Box, 5016, Kigali, Rwanda.

² Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062,    Kampala, Uganda.

³ National Crops Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box, 7084 Kampala, Uganda.

*Correspondingauthor.E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 13 March, 2015

Abstract

Estimates of combining ability for resistance to rice yellow mottle virus disease (RYMV) were obtained in the green house of National Crops Resources Research Institute, Uganda.  The study involved forty-one F2’s diallel crosses and their five intraspecific and four interspecific parental lines. Effects of both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for RYMV reactions were significant, with a preponderance of GCA effects. Of parental lines used in this study, Naric 1, Nerica 6 and WAC 116 were good combiners for transferring resistance genes to their progenies. In this study, most genotypes with good resistance were good general combiners expect Gigante, that despite its good mean performance, combined badly for resistance to RYMV. The crosses with the best resistance were Naric 1x Gigante, Naric 1x Nerica 6, Nerica 6 x Nerica 4 and Nerica 1 x Nerica 6. From this study, we suggest that selection of parents as donors for resistance should consider both GCA and parental performance. On the basis of predominant additive genetic effects observed in the present study, we believe that combinations of interspecific parents may be used to produce rice varieties resistant to RYMV, and that selection in early selfing generations should be effective.

Key words: Rice, resistance, yellow mottle virus, combining ability, GCA, SCA.  

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 2 (4), pp. 094-097, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of chemical and cattle fertilizer on yield and yield constituent of barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Ramah T. Mohammadi, Shahram G. Hatima and Radmehr P. R Arsham

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

Accepted 30 July, 2014

Abstract

In order to study the effect of the interaction of manure and chemical fertilizer on yield and yield component of barley, an experiment was conducted as split plot design on randomized complete block design with three replications in research field of Zabol University, 2008. Different proportions of manure and chemical fertilizer treatments were composed of 100% manure (F₁), 100% chemical fertilizer (F₂), 50% manure + 50% chemical fertilizer (F₃) and control (F₄) as the main plot. Use of micro nutrient elements were composed of Iron Sulfate (N₁), Zinc Sulfate (N₂), Manganese Sulfate (N₃) and control (N₄) as sub plot in this experiment. Results showed that the effect of different proportions of manure and chemical fertilizer treatment on grain yield and yield components properties with the exception of grain number/ear, were significant. Nutrient treatments had a significant effect on grain yield and yield components in barley and among this nutrient use of Fe (N₁) had maximum effect on grain component of barley.

Key words: Barley (Hordeum vulgare), chemical fertilizer, manure, yield.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 2 (4), pp. 083-093, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Production and utilization of organic fertilizers using palms and shea tree as sources of biomass

Udoh Akinjoba, Abiola T. and Eniola G.

Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Email: [email protected]        

Accepted 02 July 2014

Abstract  

This document contains relevant information on biomass generation, utilization for the production of organic fertilizers and their alternative uses with respect to The Nigerian Institute for Oil Plam Research (NIFOR) mandate crops. The production of organic amendments using empty fruit bunches from the Oil palm Elaeis guineensis and its utilization in soil fertility management is well established. On an average, for every tonne of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) processed wastes of 230 to 250 kg empty fruit bunch (EFB) and 130 to 150 kg of fiber is produced. This large amount of biomass/waste can be successfully converted to fertilizer through the process of composting and can then be ploughed back into the soil. The palm oil mill effluent (POME) is also available, which in more recent times is being used as a soil conditioner and a source of bio fertilizers. Composted coir pith obtained from coconut Cocos nucifera husk is found to be rich in plant nutrients with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentage values of 1.24, 0.06 and 1.20, respectively among other required plant nutrient. Percentage nutrient values for composted date palm Phoenix dactylifera biomass are also available in this paper. These mandate crop posses several alternative uses which makes them useful to the food and feed industry as well as oleo chemical, fuel, building and construction, pharmaceutical and confectionary industries. The information presented strongly suggests and confirms that the various biomass and residue produced by the palms and shea tree industry can be fully harnessed for organic fertilizer (manure) production even for commercial purposes by and for farmers in order to increase crop production.

Key words: Organic fertilizer, composting, biomass, alternative uses.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 2 (5), pp. 098-101, September, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Improvement on grass establishment at a quarry rehabilitation site influenced by poultry manure in the subtropical South Africa

Lule E. Nelson, Oliver R. Khama and Kaiser Cedric

Department of plant and crop science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 02 August, 2014

Abstract

The rehabilitation of a quarry was conducted with selected grass species in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The seed cocktail applied contained Chloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, Panicum maximum and Paspalum distichum. Three treatments used were: No soil enhancement (control), poultry manure application, and commercial fertilizer application. Four months after sowing, the percentage grass cover per 1 m² of treatment was 33% for the control, 65% where manure was applied and 76% with fertilizer application. Both fertilizer and manure applications promoted the colonization of grass species. Fertilizer application significantly increased biomass of grass (P 0.05). Poultry manure resulted in higher biomass of approximately 5 g per m² more than the control; however the mean was not significantly different from the control (P 0.05). These results suggest that fertilizer application prior to seed sowing in a rehabilitated quarry provide the highest biomass after four months. The application of poultry manure proved to be a cheaper option to increase aboveground plant cover in a rehabilitated area, but it is less effective than fertilizer in terms of biomass production.

Key words: Quarry, vegetation, restoration, biomass, grassland.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 2 (3), pp. 074-082, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Micro dose and N and P fertilizer application for pearl millet in West Africa

Waldorf N. Garner, Shayan Junghans and Colwell A. Rodgers

College of Crop science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. E-mail: wardof16@gmail

Accepted 28 June, 2014

Abstract 

The objective of this study was to determine the grain and stover yield response of pearl millet to microdose fertilizer application alone, and microdose combined with N and P fertilizer application rates across years and locations in West Africa. Microdose fertilizer application increased pearl millet grain yields by 240 to 300 kg ha^-1 on sandy soils across a broad range of climatic and soil conditions in West Africa, while increasing pearl millet grain yields by 400 kg ha^-1 on silty clay soils in Mali. Stover yield increases of pearl millet were 250 to 400 kg ha^-1 on sandy soils and 500 to 2500 kg ha^-1 on silty clay soils in Mali. Application of 20 kg ha^-1 P₂O ₅ and 30 kg ha^-1 N in addition to microdose commonly increased grain yields by 140 to 180 kg ha^-1 and stover yields by 600 to 1500 kg ha^-1 over that of microdose application only. These results indicate that micodose in combination with 20 kg ha^-1 P₂O₅ and 30 kg ha^-1 N fertilizer application is required to optimize both grain and stover yield of pearl millet in West Africa to meet food, fuel and soil improvement needs of farmers.

Key words: Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., grain yield, stover yield.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 2 (3), pp. 067-073, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

 Full Length Research Paper

Possible outcome of decomposition intensity of integrated chickpea manure on stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity of a clay loam and clay soil

Oliver R. Khama, Kaiser Cedric and Lule E. Nelson

Department of plant and crop science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Email:[email protected]

Accepted 18 June, 2014

Abstract

The role of organic matter (OM) in soil aggregation and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) has long been recognised but their depedence on the intensity of decay is less studied. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of decomposition intensity of incorporated chickpea manure on soil aggregate stability and Ksat. Samples of a clay loam and clay soil were collected from the top 15 cm layer and amended with chickpea green or mature dry manure and incubated at 30°C and ~60% water holding capacity. Decomposition intensity was determined by measuring CO ₂ evolution using NaOH traps, aggregate stability by wet sieving and Ksat by the constant head method. All determinations were made 3, 7 and 30 days after incubation and the data analysed following the general linear model for a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial in randomised complete block design. Evolution of CO ₂ in both soils and manure was highest on day 7 compared to day 3 and 30. In both soils >60% of the soil aggregates were macroaggregates >0.5 mm but the relative proportion of microaggregates <0.5 mm increased from ~10 to ~20% in the control and to ~15% in the amended cay loam soil in the day 30 treatments. Decomposition intensity was increased by incorporating chickpea manure which resulted in improved soil aggregate stability and Ksat especially in soil with low clay content. CO₂ which is a simple product of decomposition may be used as a rapid indicator of soil aggregate stability and water movement in agricultural soils.

Key words: Green manure, organic matter, aggregate stability, chickpea, incubation, soil texture.