International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 886-894, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Mineral content of cassava growing in four districts of Mozambique: Implications for consumer health

Elsa Maria Salvador^1,4, Cheryl ME McCrindle^1*, Mathapelo P Seopela ², Vanessa Steenkamp³

¹School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007, South Africa.

²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X 680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

³Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007, Pretoria, South Africa.

⁴Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique.

Corresponding Author. Email: [email protected]. Tel: +27 (0) 827877823; Fax: +27 12 319 2411

Accepted 13 October, 2015

Abstract

Mozambique is the fifth highest producer of cassava in Africa. Cassava is mainly produced for human consumption and contributes to food security. Information on whether soil composition influences mineral concentrations in cassava roots is lacking. The aim of the study was to assess whether the concentration of aluminium, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, lead and zinc in cassava roots is influenced by soil concentrations of these minerals and indicate its implications for consumer health. Samples of cassava root and adjacent soil were collected from four districts in Mozambique. The concentrations of minerals were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The mineral concentration of soil from the four districts differed significantly (p < 0.05) as did the mineral concentration in the root samples. The concentration in the roots was lower than the adjacent soil. The low level of minerals is a concern to the health of mainly cassava consumers, since these levels would not provide sufficient nutrition, especially for the vulnerable population; young children and women of reproductive age. It is advised that fortification of cassava root products be investigated to determine whether the nutritional value could be improved for consumers who are almost exclusively dependent on cassava as a staple.

Key words: Cassava roots, health, iron, mineral concentration, Mozambique, soil type.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (7), pp. 874-877, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of different physical treatments on antioxidant activity of jenny milk

Carlo Cosentino¹, Cristiana Labella¹, Mauro Musto¹, Rosanna Paolino¹_, Salvatore Naturali² and  Freschi Pierangelo¹

¹SAFE School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences - University of Basilicata, Via dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy.

²Veterinary surgeon, Contrada Maruchiello - 85030 San Martino d'Agri (PZ), Italy.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 August, 2015

Abstract

The shelf life of food can be extended by employing several physical treatments. Among them, pasteurization and condensation are widely adopted for prolonging the shelf-life of milk by reducing the microbial load. However, these treatmens could affect the antioxidant activity of the product. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of pasteurization and condensation on the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of raw and pasteurised jenny milk. Using 2,2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. TAC was also measured after condensation at 40 and at 20% of the initial volume. ABTS assay was found to be more accurate and reproducible than DPPH. Pasteurisation reduced significantly (P<0.05) the total antioxidant capacity from 84.15to 82.09% (ABTS test). The TAC decreased with the increase of condensation in raw and pasteurised milk. Overall, the TAC was reduced by only 3 and 4%, in pasteurised and in raw milk, respectively (ABTS test). Therefore, both pasteurization and condensation are recommended as physical treatments to prolong the shelf-life of jenny milk.

Key words: Jenny milk, antioxidant activity, condensation, pasteurization, ABTS, DPPH.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (7), pp. 878-885, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of nitrogen rates on the growth and yield of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in rain-fed lowland in the forest agro-ecological zone of Ghana

Buri Mohammed Moro*, Issaka Roland Nuhu, Essien Ato and Biney Nathanial

CSIR – Soil Research Institute (SRI), Academy Post Office, Private Mail Bag, Kwadaso – Kumasi, Ghana.

Corresponding Author.E-mail: [email protected]. Tel. 231-880005361.

Accepted 28 July, 2015

Abstract 

Nitrogen is not only a major nutrient but most often the most limiting nutrient element in lowland ecologies.  With the introduction of improved soil and water management ('sawah system) for lowland rice production, a study was conducted to determine the optimum nitrogen rate required. A randomized complete block design arranged in a split plot consisting of five levels of nitrogen as main treatments and three improved rice varieties as sub-treatments was adopted. Results showed that total number of tillers per m² increased significantly with increasing levels of N as was total dry matter production. However, total number of panicles did not show the same relationship. Total biomass yield increased significantly and linearly with increasing levels of N. Paddy yield significantly increased from 1.7t ha^-1(control) to a maximum of 9.4t ha^-1 (90kgN ha^-1) before declining to 5.8 t ha^-1 (150kgN ha^-1) in the order: 0 < 30 < 60 < 150 < 120 < 90kgN ha^-1respectively. This result significantly and positively reflected on grain harvest index (GHI) in the order: 0.27 < 0.38 < 0.46 < 0.47 < 0.57 < 0.68 for 0, 30, 60, 150, 120 and 90kgNha^-1respectively. Nitrogen at 90 kgN ha^-1was therefore recommended.

Key words: Forest agro-ecology, Ghana, rain-fed lowland, nitrogen fertilization, yield.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (7), pp. 864-873, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Socioeconomic assessment of wheat varieties and the adoption of recommended technologies in North Jordan

Dr. Masnat Al Hiary ^(1)*, Dr. Yahya Shakhatreh¹⁾, Eng. Yahya Bani Khalaf ^(1), Eng. Maysoon Ababneh⁽¹⁾

National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE), Jordan.

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

Accepted 22 July, 2015

Abstract

This study explored socioeconomic conditions of wheat farmers to evaluate the impacts of the introduction of the full package (FP) which includes zero tillage practices, wheat improved varieties, fertilizer application, combine, and herbicides. A socio-economic questionnaire was designed, 100 farmers were personally interviewed from Irbid governorate. Garrett ranking was also applied to rank a set of factors in adopting the FP, it showed that new techniques have been adopted. Seeders are one of the main newly adopted techniques as mentioned by 96% of farmers, 92% of farmers adopted adding fertilizer, 98% of farmers adopted the use of herbicides. Regarding to seeding rate, 79% of farmers reduced the seeding rate, 98% of farmers adopted the use of fertilizer schedule, and 97% of farmers planted the improved variety. All farmers planted earlier because it increases the profit, and saves time and money. The net return for wheat enterprise was estimated at US$ 743 /ha. The recommended and promising technologies proved to be an appropriate and effective method that can be used in Jordan to increase both wheat yield and farmers income and therefore contribute to food security.

Key words: Garrett Ranking, SWOT analysis, wheat varieties, zero tillage. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 854-863, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficiency of contour bunds in controlling soil and nutrient losses from major agricultural land-use types in the Lake Victoria Catchment

Majaliwa Mwanjalolo Jackson Gilbert, Magunda Matthias K, Tenywa Makooma Moses, Semalulu Onesmus and Rusoke Charles

Makerere University, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256782428260; email: [email protected]

Agricultural Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256772518314, email: [email protected]

University, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256772827710, email: [email protected]

Agricultural Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256 772615009; email: [email protected]

Ministry of Agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, P.O. Box 102, Entebbe, Uganda.  Tel: +256 77480062,  e-mail: [email protected]

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel. +256782428260.

Accepted 28 July, 2015

Abstract

This study determined the efficiency of contour bunds in controlling soil and nutrient losses from annual crops, bananas, coffee, and rangelands in the Lake Victoria catchment. Soil and nutrient losses were quantified using a runoff plot approach. Runoff plots measuring 15 m x 10 m were established on each agricultural land-use and were replicated four times for banana and three times for annual crops, coffee and rangelands.. Runoff data was collected for one year prior to the establishment of contour bunds. The bunds were hand constructed 5 m above each plots, and data was thereafter collected for three years. Soil and nutrient losses were significantly higher on annuals compared to other land-uses (P<0.05). Contour bunds efficiency in controlling soil loss increased linearly with time on all land-uses (P<0.05); while for runoff losses it gradually increased only for coffee and rangelands (P<0.05). For nutrient loss the contour bunds efficiency varied with the type of nutrient and land-use type.

Key words: Soil erosion, water pollution, Lake Victoria, nutrient transfers, Uganda.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 849-853, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effectiveness of wood vinegar in controlling Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in green house-cucumber

Mahin Saberi¹, Abolfazl Sarpeleh², Hassan Askary*² and Flora Rafiei¹

¹Agriculture college, Islamic Azad University, Ashtian branch, Ashtian, Iran

²Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran.

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

Accepted 24 October, 2013

Abstract

Wood waste recycling in addition to reducing environmental hazards can replace chemical pesticides for organic farming purposes. In this study, the inhibitory effects of non-volatile and volatile components of wood vinegar were evaluated on the mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as well as on the control of root and crown rot disease of green house-cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) induced by R. solani. To study the effects of wood vinegar, fresh mycelial disks of R. solani and S. sclerotiorum were placed on Petri dishes containing artificial media and different concentrations of wood vinegar (0.75, 0.5, 0.37, 0.25, 0.125, 0.05, 0.025 and 0%). Both volatile and non-volatile components of wood vinegar inhibited significantly the mycelial growth of both pathogens (α =0.05). Three concentrations of wood vinegar (0.125%, 0.25% and 0.50%) inhibited significantly the mycelial growth of R. solani were used to control the associated disease in cucumber plants inoculated with this pathogen. Diseases severity was significantly reduced in all concentrations (α₌ 0.05) compared to untreated control plants. Wood vinegar reduced the pathogenicity rate of the pathogen up to 87% compared with the untreated control.

Key words: Pathogen, soil-borne, fungistatic, natural products, growth stimulator, pyroligneous acid.