International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (9), pp. 1128-1132, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic analysis of seed yield in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Swapan K. Tripathy*, D.R. Mishra, P.M. Mohapatra, Kartik Ch. Pradhan, D. Mishra,  S.K. Mohanty, S. Dash, K.R. Reshmi Raj, D. Swain, M.R. Mohanty and S. Panda    

Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar (India).

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Received 20 June, 2016; Revised 15 July, 2016; Accepted 16 July, 2016; Published 10 September, 2016

Abstract

Genetics of seed yield was studied in a set of 12 x 12 half diallel crosses of sesame which indicated importance of both dominant and additive gene action. E 8, Phule Til 1 and CST 785 emerged as a good general combiner for high seed yield. Among the crosses, PratapxRT103, CST 785xE8, BS5-18-6xPhule Til-1, T13x E8 exhibited positive and significant SCA effect indicating non-additive gene action for high seed yield. Study of various genetic parameters revealed that a number of groups of genes or loci having recessive alleles with increasing effect might be involved in realization of high seed yield and involvement of modifiers in the background genotype could not be ruled out.

Key words: Oil content, Diallel analysis, Gene action, Lathyrus sativus (L).

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (8), pp. 1119-1127, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro antibacterial activity of Tagetes minuta and Capsicum frutescens extracts against pectobacterium carotovorum

Nyamari Jackline Kwamboka, Wolukau Joseph Ngwela and Gesimba Robert  Morwani  

Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Faculty of Agriculture, Egerton University, Kenya.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 12 April, 2016; Accepted 13 May, 2016; Published 16 August, 2016

Abstract

Pectobacterium carotovorum bacteria cause soft rot and vascular wilt of vegetables in the field and post harvest decay. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro antibacterial activity of Tagetes minuta and Capsicum frutescens extracts against Pectobacterium carotovorum. Aqueous extracts of T. minuta and C. frutescens were tested against Pectobacterium by modified disc diffusion method on agar plates and potato chips assay. Streptomycin sulphate and distilled water were the positive and the negative controls respectively. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design. Data was collected on zone of growth inhibition, number of days to total tissue maceration and %weight loss of potato chips due to tissue maceration. The three concentrations of T. minuta (40%, 30% and 20%)  recorded zones of inhibition of 7.167mm, 6.667mm and 6.1mm; and streptomycin sulphate recorded 8.83mm which were significantly different from C. frutescens and distilled water that recorded 0.00mm. In the potato chips assay, T. minuta and streptomycin sulphate showed a significant difference in the number of days (9days) to total tissue maceration and % weight loss from C. frutescens and water that took only 5days for the potato chips to be totally macerated. It can be concluded that extracts from T. minuta have antibacterial activity against Pectobacterium carotovorum.

Key words: In vitro, growth inhibition, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Tagetes minuta, Capsicum frutescens.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (8), pp. 1107-1118, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative nutritional evaluation of high quality weaning foods formulated with processed quail (Cortunix ypsilophora), guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), and domestic poultry hen (Gallus gallus) eggs

^*1Obimba, Kelechukwu Clarence, ²Ozougwu, Jevas Chibuike, ³Ihedimbu, Chiamaka Perpetua, ⁴Obasi, Uchechi Kingsley, ⁵Nwufo, Chekwube Kanayo

^{*1, 3,4,5}Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

²Physiology and Biomedical Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 20 July, 2016; Accepted 07 August, 2016; Published 15 August, 2016

Abstract

Weaning formulae, SMQ, SMG, SMD (20% dietary protein) prepared from available and affordable plants (soya bean seeds, maize grains, and fluted pumpkin leaves) and animal (quail, guinea fowl, domestic poultry hen eggs) sources were evaluated for their nutritional efficiency in a comparative study. The experimental design for the animal feeding trial was a single factor, Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Fifty male wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 animals each, housed in stainless steel cages and fed ad-libitum on 4 different types of weaning formulae (SMQ, SMG, SMD and nutrend (Rd)), and a basal diet, for a period of 28 days. Results were recorded as values of mean ± S.E unit (range of values): growth performance (GP): (-25.1± 1.02 -130 ± 0.2 g), Serum albumin (SA) (1.58 ± 0.1-5.5 ± 0.1g/dl), Serum total cholesterol (C) (165 ± 0.01-178.5 ± 0.01 g/dl), Serum triglyceride (T) (102± 0.02 -125± 0.01g/dl), WBC_Total (2754± 2-5205± 0.15 mm), Aspartate amino transferase (AST): (9.05 ± 0.16-42.1 ± 0.16 U/l), PCV% (25.1 ± 0.2-55.8 ± 1.2%), Net protein utilization (NPU%) (87.1 ± 2.1-98.2 ± 1.0%), True digestibility (TD%) (88.1 ± 1.1-97.5± 2.0), Biological value (BV): (90.5 ± 1.0-98.0 ± 1.02%), and Protein efficiency ratio (PER): (-1.35 ± 0.5-3.85± 0.16), Histopathology (liver tissues), diet groups : SMQ, SMG, SMD and nutrend (Rd): normal; basal : degenerative changes. The SMQ, SMG, SMD diet groups had the highest mean values of all the parameters measured, except the AST activity of which these groups had the lowest, and C(SMQ had the lowest) and T. The regression and correlation statistical analysis between TD% and SA (g/dl) of the SMQ, SMG, and SMD diet groups were significant (p<0.05)(r = 0.985, 0.980 and 0.972, respectively). The nutritional quality of the weaning formulae listed in sequential order of significant (p<0.05) decrease: SMQ/SMG/SMD>Rd (nutrend). The weaning formulae are preventive and curative dietary therapies of protein energy malnutrition in human infants.

Keywords: Serum albumin, histopathology, protein energy malnutrition.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (8), pp. 1100-1106, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative analysis of inter-varietal variability in bud fertility and fruit quality of grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) from Algeria

Radhouane Benmehaia¹, Mohamed El Mouncif Bentchikou¹ and Mohamed Amine Benmehaia²

¹University of Constantine I, Constantine, Algeria.

²National Higher School of Agronomy, Algiers, Algeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 03 May 2016; Accepted 13 May, 2016 and Publish 13 August, 2016

Abstract

This study was carried out at the ITAF Station at Medjez Eddchiche Region (Skikda, Algeria) in order to examine the inter-varietal differences in grapevine bud fertility and grape fruit quality, between local and introduced grapevine cultivars grown under sub-humid environment in Algeria. Eighteen grapevine cultivars were studied through the principal component analysis and the analysis of variance using the least significant difference test to achieve rankings of grapevine varieties based on their fertility and fruit quality measures. Data analysis indicate that the three introduced varieties (Cardinal, Muscat de Hambourg and Alphonse Lavallée) had significantly higher bud fertility with good fruit shape characteristics. Most studied local varieties have high sugar content. Two local varieties (Lakhdari and Bouabar Aurès) had a strong component in size and weight. We distinguish three local varieties (Muscat El Adda, Ain El Bouma and Sbaa El Tolba) significantly higher bud fertility than all other cultivars, whereas Bouabar Aurès, Lakhdari and Amokrane with good fruit quality characteristics, although they have low fertility compared to the introduced ones. These local varieties are considered good across all varieties studied and should have special attention from scientists and grapevine producers.

Keywords: Grapevine, bud fertility, fruit quality, local varieties, introduced varieties, Algeria.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 1084-1099, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Livestock waste and its impact on human health 

Saxena K. L. and Sewak R. 

Safe Water Network The Centrum, 369-370, TB-3, 3rd Floor, Main Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, Sultanpur, New Delhi – 110030 INDIA. Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Received 03 September, 2015; Accepted 05 June, 2016; Published 08 July, 2016

Abstract

The Government of India currently has prime focus on construction of toilets to control open defecation, highly prevalent in rural India. India has about 512 Million livestock population and is largely affected by zoonotic diseases. Microbes are transported to the water bodies in slurry form. The total amount of dung produced is about 3 million tons annually. The main pathogen content of dung excreta is more than faecal extra. Pathogens are bacterial, helminthic, pathogenic and viral. Cattle excreta have more pathogens than human excreta, while human excreta have more fertilizer value than pig and cow manure. Per capita contribution of human excreta is about 450g in wet condition and 110g in dry condition. The die-off rate of pathogens depends on the temperature, moisture, UV light, type of organisms, and their environment. Modes of transmission of pathogens can be water-borne infection, water-washed infection, water-based infection and insect vector infection. These are prevented and controlled by improving water quality and quantity supplied of water by different state agencies, improving use of water, improving hygiene standards, reducing water body contamination by human and cattle excreta, controlling breeding of insects in water bodies, and use of mosquito nets and repellents at the household level.

Keywords: Safe water network, reverse osmosis, livestock pathogens, human sanitation campaign, individual household latrines, zoonotic diseases. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 1077-1083, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of combined application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures on nut yield and quality of four walnut (Juglans regia L.) selections

Imtiyaz A. Wani¹ and M.Y. Bhat¹            

¹Division of Fruit science, Sher-e-kashmiar University of Agricultural Sciences and technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar 191121 (India).

Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Received 30 January, 2016; Accepted 17 February, 2016

Abstract

The effectiveness of combined application of inorganic fertilisers and organic manures was studied on four walnut selections in temperate region of India (Kashmir). The experiment consisted of four selections and six treatments replicated five times and three tree in each replication in Factorial Randomized Block Design.  All fertilizers and manures were applied in the first week of December beneath the tree canopy and mixed well with soil. There was significant difference in yield and nut quality parameters among different walnut selections under different treatments. Maximum yield 6.82 kg/tree) was found in selection S₂ under treatment T₄. The quality parameters of walnut were found improved by combined effect of inorganic fertilisers and vermicompost. Maximum nut weight (13.16g), kernel weight (7.17 g), kernel protein content (18.31 per cent). Among selections highest nut weight (12.5 g) was found in S₄. Thus it may be concluded that application of 75% fertilizer through inorganic coupled with 25% vermicompost was the best treatment for optimum yield and fruit quality. Among the selections, S₂ showed better performance with respect to yield and quality followed by selection S₁.

Key words: Chemical fertilisers, growth, nutrients, organic manure, walnut, yield.