ISSN 2375-091X
Research Article
African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 3 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Growth and evapotranspiration of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in a transitional humid zone of Nigeria
M. E. Idinoba1*, P. A Idinoba2, A. Gbadegesin3 and S. S. Jagtap4
106 BP 9478, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
2Africa Rice Centre, Cotonou, Benin.
3Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
4Department of Agiricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida.
Accepted 11 May, 2015
Abstract
This experiment was conducted in the transitional humid zone of Nigeria to examine crop evapotranspiration and growth characteristics of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) for that ecological zone . The crop was grown in and outside a drainage lysimeter for two years. Mean total water used (Evapotranspiration) by the crop during the 105 days from sowing to harvest was 302.5 mm. More water was used between the vegetative and reproductive growth stages of the crop, that is, between 20 and 60 days after planting DAP. The highest mean leaf area (LAI) obtained was 7 at 75 DAP. Lysimeter mean grain yield was 940 kg/ha while mean yields in rainfed plots was 1511 kg/ha. Yield from the rainfed plot was significantly different (p = 0.01) from yields from the lysimeter plot. There was high positive correlation (p = 0.01) between growth parameters and water use. Dry matter accumulation was highest between 75 and 90 DAP when canopy radiation interception was between 70 and 80 percent.
Key words: Drainage lysimeter, crop evapotranspiration, leaf area index, dry-matter accumulation, yield, Canopy radiation interception.
A. Gbadegesin and S. S. Jagtap, P. A Idinoba, M. E. Idinoba*
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJTA/1028Research Article
African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 3 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Enhancing off-season yam production in Nigeria
H. Shiwachi*, H. Kikuno, R. Fashola and R. Asiedu
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria /Faculty of International Agriculture and Food Studies, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan.
Accepted 12 May, 2015
Abstract
Yam cultivation in dry season was tested in the farmer’s field at inland valley in Niger state, Nigeria. Water yam (Dioscorea alata) variety TDa 95/00328 had the greater response to the gibberellin inhibitor prohexadione-calcium (PC). The sprouting period of PC treated tuber was 21 – 27 days at December. After tuber sprouting, the plants grew in the field during January to September. Shorter sprouting period was not observed in the harvested tuber. Demand of ware yam production during off- season for yam cultivation is high in West Africa. Although yield through this cultivation was smaller than rainy season yam cultivation. The dry season yam cultivation using the gibberellin inhibitors could be new option of intensive yam cultivation technique.
Key words: Dioscorea alata, dormancy, gibberellin inhibitors, off-season production, yams.
R. Fashola and R. Asiedu, H. Shiwachi*, H. Kikuno
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJTA/1027Review
African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 3 (7), pp. 173-175, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Economical advantage of trees integration in orchards
*Rahul V. Basu, Kaushik Ghose and Aung Sen Sharma
Department of Horticulture, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, India.
Email: [email protected]
Accepted 16 June, 2015
Abstract
Farming in Punjab has been the predominantly economic activity managing food production system. Integration of trees on agriculture land is increasingly appreciated as an important strategy for secured additional economic income. This is demonstrated by the 0.37% cropping area being under Wheat-poplar system. The extension of this strategy is the integration of trees in orchards in the state. Various fruits like Guava, Kinnow, Pear, Peach, and Plum are being grown on 47087 hectares in the state. Integration of short rotation woody perennials in this land use system definitely contributes to the increased income and other intangible ecological benefits. This could also be one of the potential strategies towards diversification of farming system in the state. There is a wide gap between the operational area and potential areas which can be bought under combination of fruits and trees. Moreover, little understanding on the interaction between trees and fruit trees and many areas such as nutrient cycling, water and soil moisture conservation, melioration of microclimate which tender resilience to the complex system still remains untouched. Accurate, concise and clear information facilitates the recommendations on choice between alternatives and promoting the horti- silvi models. The deficiency of reliable yield data based on empirical work calls for efforts in the research and development through which site specific technology packages can be disseminated. The existing operational models include integration of eucalyptus and poplar trees in orchards. Several other short rotation tree species such as Gmelina arborea, Anthocephalus cadamba, Ailanlhes excelsa, Melia azedarch are known to be performing equally well. This paper attempts to focus on reviewing the role of trees in orchards, supporting evidences from existing system and strategies for reducing the gap for further recommendations.
Key words: Peach, pear, plum, poplar.
*Rahul V. Basu, Kaushik Ghose and Aung Sen Sharma
Page: 173 - 175
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJTA/1026Research Article
Full Length Research Paper
Economic importance of the endemic Sumatran lowland dipterocarp tree species (Shorea javanica)
*Akira Hiroshi, Yoshihiro Nakai and Gaku P. Hasegawa
Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 12 May, 2015
Abstract
Shorea javanica is an economically important dammar-producing tree, endemic to tropical lowland forest in Sumatra and Java, Indonesia. Total population size, however, is very limited and endangered. We sequenced three non-coding regions of chloroplast DNA and three nuclear genes, and genotyped seven microsatellite loci in six populations representing the current species distribution. There was no variation in the chloroplast DNA regions, except for one unique indel polymorphism. Mean silent site nucleotide diversity across three nuclear regions was 0.0011, which is much smaller than those of common dipterocarp species. Expected mean population heterozygosity in the microsatellite loci was 0.423, and the total heterozygosity was 0.477. These results show genetic variation in S. javanica is extremely low at both population and species levels. Genetic differentiation among populations was moderate (FST = 0.064 for nuclear genes and F ST {ENA} = 0.076 for microsatellite loci), but this result is essentially caused by one isolated population in Oku. We suggest that conservation efforts should focus on promoting connectivity and augmenting population size across the species range. Ex-situ conservation should also be considered to provide insurance against catastrophic events and to facilitate for reintroduction.
Key words: Shorea javanica, repong dammar, chloroplast DNA, nuclear genes, microsatellite markers.
*Akira Hiroshi, Yoshihiro Nakai and Gaku P. Hasegawa
Page: 163 - 172
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJTA/1025Research Article
African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 3 (5), pp. 156-162, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A survey on the economic and demographic determinants of migration and receipt of remittances in rural Nigeria
Adesuwa T. Bola
Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]
Accepted 30 April, 2015
Abstract
This study uses NLSS, 2004 data collected for rural Nigeria to estimate a multinomial logit model of the economic and demographic determinants of migration and receipt of remittances in rural Nigeria. Findings showed that most of the human capital variables are statistically insignificant. However, for internal remittances, households with more educated members at the secondary school level (X2), age of household head (X4), Number of males over age 15 (X7), zone 1, 2, 3 and 5, Land size (X11), are positive and significantly associated with internal migration receiving internal remittances. Likewise, for international remittances, households with more educated members at the university level (X3), age of household head (X4), and Land size (X11) are positive and significantly associated with receiving international remittances.
Key words: Migration, remittances, rural Nigeria, multinomial logit.
Adesuwa T. Bola
Page: 156 - 162
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJTA/1024Research Article
African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 3 (4), pp. 149-155, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Slash and burn effects on microbial soil in Ondo, Nigeria
Adesuwa T. Bola
Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]
Accepted 15 March, 2015
Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the effects of slash and burn on the diversity and abundance of soil microorganisms. Composite soil samples were collected from the study area before burning and two weeks after burning progressively for a period of three (3) months. The bacteria and fungi in the soil samples were isolated and identified. In addition, the pH, soil temperature and soil moisture content of the samples were determined. The results show that the diversity and abundance of the soil microorganisms decreased significantly (p 0.05) within the fourteen and twenty-eight days after burning. However, a significant increase in the abundance and diversity of the microorganism was recorded as from the forty-two days after burning. The soil pH was also observed to increase significantly between the fourteen and twenty eight days after burning. The results further revealed that there was significant (p 0.05) increase in bacteria and fungi abundance after burning. The relationship between soil pH and bacteria was significant, while there was no significant relationship between soil pH and fungi. The relationship between temperature, fungi and bacteria were not significant (R2 50%). Total microorganism abundance and diversity significantly increased following burning during the current study.
Key words: Bacteria, fungi, mineralization, yield, species, soil.
Adesuwa T. Bola
Page: 149 - 155
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJTA/1023