International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 844-848, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genotypes and fertilization influence on grain yield of winter maize

B.H. Adhikary¹, B.R. Baral², J. Shrestha² and R. Adhikary³

¹Communication, Publication and Documentation Division, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal.

²National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal.

³Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, SundarBazar, Lamjung, Nepal.

*Corresponding Author: E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 October, 2013

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of different rates of fertilizers (NPK and farmyard manures) on grain yield and yield attributing traits of different maize cultivars, field experiments were conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during winter seasons of 2009/10 and 2010/011. Five levels of fertilization; Control (zero fertilizer), Farm yard manure (FYM) 10 t/ha, 60:30:20 N, P₂O₅ and K₂O plus FYM 10 t/ha, 120: 60: 40 N, P₂O₅ and K₂O plus FYM 10 t/ha, 180: 90: 60 N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg/ha  plus FYM 10 t/ha and 120: 60: 40 N, P₂O₅ and K₂O kg/ha) applied to four maize varieties (Rampur Composite, Manakamana-4, Across9942 x Across 9944 and S99TLYQ-B) in the experiment. Grain yield was non significant for varieties but the fertilization rates were highly significant for grain yield. Rampur Composite produced the highest grain yield (5195 kg/ha), followed by Manakamana-4 (5074 kg/ha) and Across9942 x Across9944 (5052 kg/ha) with application of NPK 180: 90: 60 kg/ha plus FYM 10 t/ha. Similarly, S99TLYQ-B produced the highest grain yield (4789 kg/ha) under the same level of fertilization. This information obtained through this study might be useful in generating suitable fertilization packages for higher grain yield of maize cultivars.

Key words: Fertilizer, manures, maize genotypes, grain yield, yield attributing traits.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 864-877, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of farming practices and environmental pollution in Manyara basin, Tanzania

*Jakaya Kikiwete, Mizengo G. Garang and Yoweri Membe

Department of Agriculture, Tumaini University Makumira, Moshi, Tanzania, Tanzania.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 13 July, 2015

Abstract 

This study was conducted to assess farming practices, agrochemical usage and environmental pollution in Manyara basin, Tanzania. Field surveys, interviews, questionnaires and Lake Manyara nutrient analysis were used in data collection. The highest number (95%) of households grew crops, namely, maize, rice, banana and vegetables with median farm size of 3 ha. Irrigated farming was common (75%) which enhanced cultivation on same piece of land up to 6 times a year. Farmers indiscriminately used pesticides, namely, insecticides (50%), fungicides (37.5%) and herbicides (12.5%). Uses of endosulfan in vegetable farms poses public health threats to consumers. Most respondents (85%) applied insecticides in vegetables up to 4 times per cropping season. Excessive use of pesticides and haphazard disposal of pesticide remnants and containers caused environmental pollution. The average amount of acaricides used was 1109±915 ml (mean ± SD) per livestock keeper per month per. Most farmers (78%) used inorganic fertilizers and animal manure (43.4%). Low levels of ammonium (3.6±3.1 µg/L), nitrate (1±0.8µg/L) and phosphate (36.1±42 µg/L) were recorded in the lake. Easy access to agrochemicals, limited knowledge of pesticide on environmental health and limited extension services were factors for indiscriminate uses of agrochemicals. Increasing farmers awareness and training aimed at sustainable agriculture, agrochemical uses and integrated pest management is suggested.

Key words: Fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides, unsustainable agriculture, vegetables.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5 (5), pp. 819-821, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Commentary

An overview of Agricultural sustainability in Northern Nigeria

Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Tonukari Ochuko

Accepted 06 March, 2014

To sustain Agriculture in Northern Nigeria requires flexibility in both ecological management as well as economic activity. Rainfall occurs only seasonally – and there is a marked dry season – however, rainfall is often intensive when it does come, making it necessary for farmers to employ soil moisture conservation techniques. The main crops grown in the region are millet, sorghum, and cowpea, while groundnut and sesame are significant minor crops. Wild foods also serve as an important supplement to the diet, especially during times of food shortage. The bulk of crops are grown during the rainy season which begins in June or July, when temperatures are warmer. There has traditionally been a division between sedentary farmers made up of the Manga and Hausa people, and the nomadic pastoralists known as Fulani, however this has diminished in recent times. Historically, development plans for this region have focused on the use of imported technology and irrigation schemes, while neglecting traditional farming practices of the region. These traditional practices generally focus on the close integration between the raising of livestock and farming, and have been studied in detail in the Kano Close Settled Zone of Northern Nigeria.

Keywords: Farmers, soils, crops, food, agricultural sustainability.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5 (5), pp. 818-819, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Commentary

A look at Cassava production in Nigeria

Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Iyasere Eguono

Accepted 11 February, 2014

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) production is vital to the economy of Nigeria as the country is the world's largest producer of the commodity. The crop is produced in 24 of the country's 36 states. In 1999, Nigeria produced 33 million tonnes, while a decade later, it produced approximately 45 million tonnes, which is almost 19% of production in the world. The average yield per hectare is 10.6 tonnes.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 820-823, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of phenotypic and genetic parameters for ewe production traits of Lohi sheep in Pakistan

Omar S.U¹* and Bobra S.L²

¹Livestock Production Research Institute, Bahadurnagar, Okara, Pakistan.

²Livestock Experimental Station, Bahadurnagar, Okara, Pakistan.

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

Abstract

The aims of the study were to investigate the fixed effects which are considered to influence ewe productivity and to estimate the genetic parameters for ewe productivity traits of Lohi sheep. Genetic parameters were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure using the GENSTAT program. The effects of year and age of ewe were significant for fertility, litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter weight at birth (LWB) and litter weight at weaning (LWW). The least squares means of fertility, LSB, LSW, LWB and LWW were 0.904, 1.422, 1.358, 6.689 kg and 41.577 kg, respectively. The means of total number of lambs born (TLB), total number of lambs weaned (TLW), total birth weight of lambs (TWB) and total weight of lambs weaned (TWW) per ewe over four lambing opportunities were 5.48, 5.25, 25.61 kg and 162.47 kg, respectively. Estimates of heritability for fertility, LSB, LSW, LWB and LWW were 0.0250, 0.0533, 0.0430, 0.0462 and 0.0255, respectively; and estimates of repeatability for these traits were 0.1242, 0.0787, 0.0772, 0.0882 and 0.0715, respectively. The low estimates of heritability and repeatability obtained in the current study for ewe productivity traits indicate that selection based on the ewe's own performance may result in slow genetic improvement.

Key words: Genetic parameter, litter size, ewe productivity.