African Journal of Crop Science

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative performance of Bt cotton with some elite conventional cotton cultivars under arid to semi-arid conditions

Ahsan Aziz^1*, Naeem Akhtar¹, Muhammad Afzal¹, Muhammad Ashraf¹, Asif Tanveer², Rashid Ahmad³, Muhammad Ehsan Safdar¹ and Salman Ahmad¹

¹University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha- 40100, Pakistan.

²Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.

³Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.

Accepted 26 May, 2021

Abstract

To identify the superior genotype, we studied the comparative growth and yield performance of four cotton cultivars namely, CIM-496, BH-162, VH-144 and Bt-121, grown on sandy clay loam soil, having pH 8.4, EC 1.0 dS m^-1, SAR 7.8 (mmolL^-1)1/2 and TSS, 10.0 meL^-1. The site was located at latitude 31.65^oN, longitude 72.36^oE and altitude 157.65 m. The results revealed that plant growth parameters like plant height, number of bolls plant^-1 and seed cotton weight boll- ¹, were differed significantly (P < 0.05) among Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars. Seed cotton yield and fiber quality parameters such as maturity percentage, micronaire value, staple length, fiber strength and virus infection percentage were also significantly (P < 0.05) different among different cultivars. Bt^-121 had maximum value for seed cotton weight boll-1 and maturity percentage and produced 26% higher seed cotton yield than all other cultivars. Furthermore, it also showed 58% less cotton leaf curl virus infection compared to other cultivars. BH -162 produced fiber with maximum length and fineness but it appeared most vulnerable to virus attack. It was concluded that Bt^-121 performed best in most of the studied traits than other cultivars and may be recommended for cultivation in areas having arid to semi-arid climatic conditions.

Key words: Genotypes, cotton, micronaire, ecological conditions, virus infection, yield performance.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Changes in the epidemiology of cassava mosaic disease and associated viruses in Rwanda: Occurrence and distribution since 2009-2017

Marie Claire Kanyange¹, Gervais Gashaka¹, Esperance Munganyinka², Marie Mutumwinka¹, Ghislain Niyonteze¹, Jeanine Umfuyisoni¹, Athanase Nduwumuremyi¹, Peter Sseruwagi³, Fred Tairo³ and Joseph Ndunguru⁴

¹Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, P.O. Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda.

²National Council for Science and Technology, P.O Box 2285 Kigali, Rwanda.

³Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 6226 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

⁴Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute Selian, P.O Box 6024, Arusha, Tanzania.

Accepted 29 April, 2021

Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important food security crop in Rwanda. However, Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is one of the major constraints to sustainable cassava productivity in the country. Four national surveys (2009, 2013, 2015 and 2017) were conducted to assess the continual prevalence of CMD and variations in incidences and severities in major cassava growing areas of Rwanda. The type of infections and virus species occurring were determined. The overall average mean CMD incidence was high (37.04%) in 2009 and low (5.4 %) in 2013. The incidences were less in 2015 and 2017 surveys compared to 2009 but higher than the ones recorded in 2013. The results showed that the cassava mosaic infections were generally associated with whitefly. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis showed occurrence of single infections of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) and co-infection with ACMV+EACMV. Single infections of EACMV were predominant (49.1% of total infections) in CMD-affected plants, followed by that of ACMV+EACMV (28.4%). Single infections of ACMV comprised of 22.5% of the total infections. This is the first study to report the occurrence and distribution of EACMV and co-infection of ACMV+EACMV based on molecular techniques in Rwanda.

Keywords: Incidence, Severity, Cassava mosaic disease, Whitefly.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of row spacing and plant density on silage yield of corn (Zea mays L.cv.sc704) in two plant pattern in North of Iran

M. Ramezani¹*, R. Rezaie Soukht Abandani¹, H. R. Mobasser¹ and E. Amiri²

¹Department of Agronomy, Islamic Azad University, Ghaemshahr Branch, Ghaemshahr, Iran.

²Department of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan Branch, Lahijan, Iran.

Accepted 24 November, 2020

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of row spacing and plant density on silage yield corn in two plant pattern, an experimental design was a randomized complete block in a factorial, treatments arrangement with three replications in north of Iran in 2009. Row spacing was included 65, 75 and 85 cm that evaluated in plant density 70000 and 80000 plant in ha^-1 and plant pattern were conventional row (linear) and new two rows (zigzag). The results indicated that row spacing and plant density did not significantly affect in biological yield and silage yield. New two rows had more biological yield (24%) than conventional row. New two rows pattern increased a plant fresh and dry weight, because plant height, stem diameter, ear length and ear diameter were high. There is negative between plant height and stem diameter. New two rows had increased silage yield of 29% related to conventional row. Difference was 3707 kg ha^-1 between new two rows and conventional rows. High row spacing increased leaf fresh weight (10.4%) and stem fresh weight (4.7%), but decreased ear fresh weight (4.6%) relation to low row spacing. High plant density increased leaf fresh weight (1.3%) and stem fresh weight (7.1%) ear fresh weight (6.7%) relation to low plant density. We conclude that silage corn responds to plant pattern and new two rows is higher for biological yield than conventional rows. Finally, new two rows had greater biological yield (19.1 Mg ha^–1) and silage yield (53.3 Mg ha^–1) than conventional row, increasing the probability of corn silage harvest before a fall frost.

Key words: Forage, biological yield, conventional row, plant height.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2020. DOI: 10.46882/AJCS/1129. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of fish pond water on the growth and yield of maize at Wilberforce Island, Amassoma

Payebo C.O* and I.A. Ogidi

Department of Crop and Soil Science, Niger Delta University, P.M.B 7073, Wilberforce Island Amassoma, Nigeria.Email: [email protected]/08064322693

Accepted 16 September, 2020

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of fish pond water on the growth and yield of maize. The research was conducted at Niger Delta University Teaching and Research Farm. The treatments were 0litres/ha, 5000litres/ha, 10000litres/ha and 15000litres/ha of concrete fish pond water and were replicated four times. The treatments were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design. Growth parameters such as plant height were assessed at different week stages and fruit yields after harvest. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Growth parameters at week four were highest in treatments with 10000litres/ha with means of 25.35cm while at week six, growth parameters were highest and least in treatments with 15000litres/ha and 0litre/ha respectively. Also, at week eight, growth parameters were least in treatment with 0litre/ha while 1000 kernels weight were highest in treatment with 5000litres with the means of 4.21kg. Fresh yield of maize kernels in t/ha was highest in treatment with 15000litres/ha with the mean of 0.22kg and significantly different from other treatments. Least fresh yield was obtained from the treatment with 0litre/ha with a mean of 0.18kg. Highest dry kernel yield in t/ha was obtained from the treatments with 10000litres/ha and 15000litres/ha while treatments with 0litre/ha and 5000litres/ha were the least respectively.

Keywords: Water, growth, treatment, maize, yield.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Allelopathic effects of an invasive alien weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. compost on lettuce germination and growth

Mulatu Wakjira*, Gezahegn Berecha and Solomon Tulu

Department of Horticulture, Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia.

Accepted 15 October, 2019

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine allelopathic effects of parthenium compost and to investigate whether ratio of parthenium composted with other plant materials have an influence on allelopathic potential of parthenium. Two emergence and growth experiments were conducted using lettuce as a model plant. Fresh parthenium reduced lettuce emergence percentage and rate and radicle and plumule lengths by 93, 95, 97 and 93%, respectively. Composted parthenium however reduced emergence percentage and rate and radicle and plumule lengths by 0, 33, 35 and 43%, respectively. Composting parthenium with other plant materials reduced allelopathic inhibition effects of parthenium on lettuce emergence rate and radicle and plumule lengths more than composting parthenium alone. Our results clearly showed that composting greatly reduced allelopathic effects of parthenium compared to fresh parthenium. Furthermore, composting parthenium with other plants resulted in lower inhibition of emergence rate and radicle and plumule lengths compared to composting parthenium alone. Hence, we suggest parthenium composting with locally available plant materials as a means to reduce its allelopathic inhibitory effect and as a way of parthenium management by utilization.

Key words: Allelopathy, compost, germination, invasive alien weed, Parthenium hysterophorus, seedling growth.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Vegetative compatibility groups and pathogenicity of Verticillium dahliae isolates from watermelon in Turkey

Sibel Dervis¹*, Halit Yetisir², Fatih Mehmet Tok¹, Sener Kurt¹ and Fatih Karaca²

¹Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya/Hatay/Turkey.

²Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya/Hatay/Turkey.

Accepted 15 October, 2019

Abstract

In this study, surveys were carried out for Verticillium wilt in watermelon fields (262 fields) in 13 provinces from five regions of Turkey. The proportion of fields having wilted plants was 40%. Verticillium dahliae was isolated from 15.2% of the fields showing wilted plants. At the end of surveys, 16 V. dahliae isolates (each from a different wilted field, collected from eight provinces of the Aegean, Central Anatolia, Marmara, Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia Regions) were obtained and used for vegetative compatibility analysis using nitrate non- utilizing mutants and reference isolates belonging to vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) 1A, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A and 4B. Eleven V. dahliae isolates from Adana, Adıyaman, Balıkesir, Diyarbakır, Konya and Mersin provinces were assigned to VCG2B, two from Mersin province to VCG2A, one from Balıkesir province to VCG4B and two from Manisa and Aydın provinces to VCG1A whereas VCG3 and VCG4A were not defined among the isolates. To reveal a possible correlation between VCG and pathogenic group in V. dahliae, pathogenicity of all isolates representing the four VCGs were tested on three watermelon cultivars (Citrullus lanatus cultivars ‘Crimson Sweet’, ‘Crimson Tide’ and ‘Crisby’) and a susceptible cotton cultivar (Gossypium hirsutum cultivar ‘Çukurova 1518’) in a greenhouse. In watermelon cultivars, most VCG2B isolates caused significantly more severe symptoms than VCG4B, VCG2A and VCG1A. VCG4B isolate was more virulent on all watermelon cultivars than both VCG1A isolates. The isolates within VCG2A and VCG1A caused similar virulence patterns on ‘Crimson Sweet’ and ‘Crimson Tide’ cultivars but for ‘Crisby’ VCG1A did not cause any leaf symptom. Virulence to watermelon cultivars varied only among the isolates within VCG2B. Significant differences in virulence to cotton were observed between isolates from different VCGs except the similarity between VCG2A and VCG4B. The results expose that the population of V. dahliae from watermelon in Turkey is heterogeneous (four different VCGs among 16 isolates) but VCG2B seems to be a more specialized form for this host in Turkey.

Key words: Citrullus lanatus, Verticillium wilt, VCGs, virulence.