International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 248-251, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Review 

Review: Reproductive biology of Cichlidae

Christian Larbi Ayisi

Key Laboratory of Fresh water Fishery Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai 201306, P.R China.

E-mail: [email protected] . Tel: 008613621770965

Accepted May, 2014

Abstract

The Cichlidae family is in the order perciformes. The fish family Cichlidae presents an array of fishes with great diversity. Production of eggs and fry in tilapia are affected by several factors within its environment which includes temperature, day length, density and sex-ratio of broodstock, length and/or weight of breeders, food quality, and stress as well as the water quality (oxygen, salinity, pH etc.) but also the overall spawning capacity of a group. The mating system of the African cichlid fish Oreochromis mossambicus resembles that of other lekking animals; males defend mating territories where the spawning pits they dig are sites only for mating and oviposition and are not used for rearing offspring.

Key words: Reproductive, biology, cichlidae, perciformes, oreochromis.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 232-240, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of weed control on production and quality in a plantation of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench in Galicia (NW Spain)

R. Romero, R.M. Barros Camba, A. Rigueiro and J.L. Fernández Lorenzo

University of Santiago de Compostela. Escuela Politécnica Superior de Lugo. Crop Production Departament. Lugo.

Rosa Romero Franco. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Escuela Politécnica Superior de Lugo. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Campus Universitario de Lugo. 27002 Lugo. Spain.

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

Accepted 29 May, 2014

Abstract

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. is a perennial plant used for the treatment and prevention of the common cold and flu because of its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. At present, it is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the world. This study evaluated several weeding methods during three years of E. purpurea cultivation: mulching with black polyethylene film, corn gluten meal treatment, white clover living mulch, flame weeding, and metribuzin application. The adventitious flora was periodically inventoried, recording the coverage (%) and density (individuals/m²). Furthermore, yields of biomass were determined and concentrations of alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives were analyzed. Plastic mulching and metribuzin controlled weeds efficiently, allowing profitable biomass production. The highest yield of aerial and underground parts was afforded by plots mulched with black polyethylene film (5800 kg DM/ha and 1032.5 kg DM/ha at year 3). The highest concentrations of alkamides were found in plants from plots treated with metribuzin. Caffeic acid derivatives concentration in plants from plots treated with metribuzin was similar to that from plots treated with plastic mulching.

Key words: Adventitious flora, alkamides, biomass, caffeic acid derivatives, flame weeding, live mulch, medicinal plant, metribuzin, polyethylene film. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (8), pp. 241-247, August, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Traditional medicinal knowledge of underutilized minor fruits as medicine in Manipur

S. R. Singh¹, A.K.Phurailatpam²*, L. Wangchu³, P. Ngangbam⁴ and T.M.Chanu⁵

¹Department of Fruit Science,  ²Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,

³ Department of Fruit Science,

⁴Department of Post Harvest Technology,

⁵Department of Basic Science, Extension Education, College of Horticulture & Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat – 791 102, Arunachal Pradesh, India

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

Accepted 14, April 2014

Abstract

A number of underutilized minor edible fruits have been identified during the methodical field survey conducted during the year 2012-2013 in the Imphal valley (excluding Jiribam sub-division, Imphal East) of Manipur. Information on medicinal claims was collected from elderly people of 30-75 years age group of both genders after interviewed (using standard questionnaires) on the different types of underutilized minor fruit plants they have been used for generations and their medicinal uses. Study revealed the therapeutic application of 39 plant representing 29 genera and 23 families used as medicine by the Meitei community. Tree species contributed in maximum having 76 % while shrubs 10% and herbs recorded 7 % of the total underutilized fruits as medicine. These plants are used for a wide range of common ailments like diuretic, laxative, jaundice, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery etc. Fruits and leaves are the major plant parts used for the preparation of medicine having 52 % and 22%. The study describes details of their scientific name, common name, local name, family, part used, medicinal benefit and period of availability in the local market. They have great potential and further investigations are needed for its medicinal compound identification from such underutilized minor fruit crops.

Key words: Manipur, meitei, underutilized fruit, medicinal value. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 222-231, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Predictor variables for soil organic carbon contents in the Miombo woodlands ecosystem of Kitonga forest reserve, Tanzania

^*1Shelukindo H. B, ¹Semu E., ¹Msanya B. M., ²Singh B. R. and ³Munishi P. K. T

¹Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3008, Morogoro, Tanzania.

²Department of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box  1432, Ås – Norway.

³Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania.

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

Accepted 29 May, 2014

Abstract

Few studies have established the variables which adequately predict SOC storage in the Miombo woodlands. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the variables which could predict SOC contents in dominant soils of the Miombo woodlands of Kitonga Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Thirty soil mini-pits located at different elevations across a topographical gradient were selected, geo-referenced, excavated and samples from the natural horizons were collected for physico-chemical analysis.  A total of 85 samples were collected, each representing a natural soil horizon. The results indicated that total nitrogen (TN), (P< 0.001, R² = 0.97) and TN in combination with calcium (Ca) (P< 0.001, R² = 0.99) were important predictor variables of SOC contents. The combination of cation exchange capacity, Zinc, Copper, clay and iron together with TN and Ca predicted well the SOC contents (P< 0.001, R² = 0.999). Considering time and cost implications for field and laboratory analysis in predicting SOC stocks, the combination of TN and Ca that predicted the SOC contents by 99% provided equally strong prediction when compared to the combination of all the variables. Thus, proper land management strategies which enhance conservation of TN and Ca in concert would provide adequate prediction of SOC contents in soils.

Key words: Miombo woodlands, predictor variables, soil organic carbon contents, multiple regressions, Kitonga Forest Reserve, Tanzania. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 214-221, July, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Quantitative trait loci analysis for some root traits in Bread Wheat (triticum aestivum l.)

Sonu Bharti, H. S. Balyan and P.K. Gupta

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Ch. Charan Singh,Meerut-250 004 (U.P), India.

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

Accepted 19 December, 2013

Abstract

In India, large areas of wheat cultivation suffer with water-stress leading to poor yield, which may be improved through genetic manipulation of plant architecture, particularly involving the root morphology. The root system plays a key role in water and nutrient absorption from the soil, but has not received due attention of geneticists in the past due to the difficulties associated with phenotyping of this trait. During the present study, we dissected the genetic architecture of four root traits through QTL analysis using a RIL mapping population  derived from the cross Chinese Spring × Rye Selection. Eight QTLs located on six chromosomes were identified, which included two suggestive QTLs (one each for root length and root dry weight), and six significant QTLs, which included one QTL for root number, four  QTLs for root volume and one QTL for root dry weight. A major QTL (QRv.ccsu-4A.1) for root volume, detected at a LOD score of 6.5, explained ~30% phenotypic variation in root volume. The remaining five minor QTL each explained 8.82% (QRv.ccsu-2D.1 for root volume) to 15.93% (QRdw.ccsu-2A.1 for root dry weight) of the phenotypic variation. SSR markers Xgwm89 and Xgwm610 flanking the major QTL QRv.ccsu-4A.1 may be used for marker-assisted selection for higher root volume  for improvement of water absorption efficiency of wheat grown in limited-water conditions.

Key words: Triticum aestivum, Chinese spring, rye selection, RIL, root traits, QTL analysis, marker-assisted selection, SSR markers.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 210-213, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of pre-planting Pendimethalin’s minimum dose on redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.)

Ibrahim Kahramanoğlu^{1, 2}

¹ European University of Lefke, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Cyprus, Mersin 10 Turkey.

² Alnar Pomegranates Ltd., Ataturk Ave. 109/1 Guzelyurt, Cyprus, Mersin 10 Turkey.

[email protected], +90 533 847 14 71

Accepted May, 2014

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the minimum dose of pre-planting pendimethalin giving satisfactory control efficacy (>90%) on Amaranthus retroflexus L., a troublesome weed of spring planted potato fields. Experiments were conducted in 400 ml plastic pots with 6 replications each containing ~500 g soil and pots were arranged in the completely randomized design in controlled greenhouses. 100, 80, 60, 40, 20 and 0 (control) % of the registered dose of pendimethalin were tested. Herbicide solutions were prepared in distilled water and applied to air-dried soil. Treated soil was mixed by shaking in a plastic bag for 2 min, dried for 1 h and placed into plastic pots. Thus, 10 seeds were sown into every pot and transferred into greenhouses. Plants height, number of leaves and herbicide symptoms measured at 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th days. At the 28^th day plants were cut at soil surface, thus fresh and dry weights were determined. Dry weight data of the experiments were subjected to nonlinear regression analyses and the effective doses of pendimethalin causing 90% reduction in dry weight (ED₉₀) were estimated. Results indicated that 1092.5±48.7 g a.i. ha^-1 pendimethalin gives 90% reduction in dry weight of A. retroflexus.

Key words: Minimum dose, pre-planting, pendimethalin, dose-response curve, satisfactory control efficacy.