International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 579-585, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Induction of systemic acquired resistance against Leaf blight of lupine (Lupinus termis Forsk) caused by Bacillus megaterium pv lupine

Abdel-Monaim M. F.^1*, Gabr M. R.², El-Gantiry S. M.¹, Shaat M. N.² and El-Bana A. A.²

¹Legume Diseases Res. Dep., Plant Pathology Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Cen., Giza, Egypt.

²Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, El-Minia University, Minia,  Egypt.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Tel.+2-092-7936364, +201153428533. Fax: +2-092-7925452.

Accepted 12 June, 2013

Abstract

Four chemical inducers viz. Benzoic, ferulic, malic, and oxalic acids at different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 ppm) were applied on lupine plants in the frame of leaf blight caused by Bacillus megaterium management study. All the tested chemicals clearly retarded disease development on lupine plants treated with chemical inducers (especially in case of higher concentration, 200 ppm) compared with the untreated plants. Oxalic and malic acids were the most effective chemical inducers as they greatly reduced disease severity, while ferulic and benzoic acids were the least effective compounds. Also, the in vitro effect of these chemicals on bacterial growth was weak or moderate at higher concentration when compared with the control. Assessment of peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and phenol compound contents in lupine treated plants indicated great increase in their activities in chemical inducers treated plants. Lupine plants treated with oxalic and malic acids recorded the highest of all the tested enzymes and total phenol compounds, while ferulic and benzoic acid gave the lowest ones in this respect.

Key words: Chemical inducers, leaf blight, lupine, induce resistance, oxidative enzyme, phenol contents.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 566-570, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Economic impact of front line demonstrations on cereal crops in Tribal Belt of Rajasthan

Raja Singh, Shah Ratan and Ratan T.A

College of Agriculture, Bihar Agricultural University, Agriculture College Road, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar 813210, India.

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

Accepted 05 May, 2013

Abstract

Dungarpur is one of the most backward districts of Rajasthan (India) having 69.5% of area as rainfed. Maize (Zea mays), Paddy (Oryzae sativa) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) are the three major cereal crops grown in the district. Farm Science Centre known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra laid down Front Line Demonstrations on these three cereal crops under NAIP project by introducing some new varieties and applying scientific practices in their cultivation. The productivity and economic returns of maize, paddy and wheat in improved technologies were calculated and compared with the corresponding farmer's practices (local checks). All the three cereal crops recorded higher gross returns, net return and benefit cost ratio in improved technologies as compared to the plots where farmers were using traditional practices in their cultivation. It is suggested that location-specific integrated approaches would be needed to bridge the productivity gap of the cereal crops grown in the district.

Key words: Cereal crops, front line demonstrations, technology and extension gaps, technology index, improved technologies, rainfed.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 558-565, August, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors affecting farmers’ crops diversification: Evidence from SNNPR, Ethiopia

Rehima M¹, Belay K², Dawit A³ and Rashid S.⁴

¹Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

² Haramaya University, 138,  Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

³Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

⁴International Food Policy Research Institute, NW, Washington, DC 20006-1002, USA.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 1 August, 2013

Abstract

Crop diversification under small-scale production system is a risk management strategy and an important step for transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. This paper investigates the determinants of crop diversification using data on the three stage randomly selected 393 farm households in SNNPR of Ethiopia. The value of Margalef index was used as dependent variable. The Heckman two stage model was applied to estimate separately the farmers’ decisions and level of diversification. The factors that affected crop diversification were gender, education and trade experience, membership in cooperatives, resource ownership, features of the land owned, access to extension services and transaction costs. Based on the findings the following recommendations were forwarded. The government should promote female participations, invest on formal and informal education of the farmers, provide incentive for extension workers and improve the extension system. Furthermore, the government and stakeholder should strengthen agricultural inputs and agricultural research particularly, generating agro-ecology based technologies and disseminates them. Non-crop activities (trade experience) and social organizations underline the need for designing integrated agriculture system (crop-non crop) and improving social organizations as powerful tools to increase diversification capacity of the farmers. Transaction costs need strengthening rural urban infrastructure to link crop diversification with markets.

Key words: Crop diversification, Ethiopia, risk management strategies, heckman-two-stage, margalef index.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 553-557, August, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of soil quality parameters and yield of rainfed Bt. Cotton as influenced by application of herbicides in Vertisols

M. S. Deshmukh¹, V. D. Patil² , A. S. Jadhav³ G. D. Gadade⁴ and A.L. Dhamak⁵

College of Agriculture, Marathwada Krishi Vidaypeeth, Parbhani – 431 402 (MS), India.

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

Accepted 18 June, 2013

Abstract

The present study pertains to the effect of different herbicides viz. Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ai ha^-1 as a pre emergence herbicide, Pyrithiobacksodium @ 62.5 g ai ha^-1, Quazolfopethyl @ 40 g ai ha^-1, Fenoxyprop @ 12 g ai ha^-1 as a post emergence herbicide (25 DAS) and management practices on physico-chemical, biological properties, seed cotton, dry matter yield and soil fertility status. The results revealed that organic carbon content (8.0 g kg^-1), soil porosity (48 per cent) and cation exchange capacity (63.66 cmol (p⁺) kg^-1) was significantly higher in the plots treated with 3 hoeings and 3 hand weedings as compared to all other herbicide treatments applied as a pre and post emergence. Almost similar trend was observed in the seed cotton yield (1868 kg ha^-1), dry matter yield (2835 kg ha^-1), available N (184.90 kg ha^-1), available P (11.70 kg ha^-1) and available K (666.20 kg ha^-1). The practice of 3 hoeing and 3 hand weedings showed the highest efficiency in weed control and thus reflected in higher yields when maintaining soil fertility status.

Key words: Soil quality, herbicides, seed cotton yield, soil fertility, microbial count. 

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of feeding soy enriched burfi on the internal body parts of the albino rats

T. Verma¹, J. Singh², Ram Niwas³, D. Singh⁴, A. K. Gautam⁵ and S. kumar⁶

^1-6Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi-221005, India.

*Corresponding author: [email protected] 

Accepted 28 June 2013

Abstract

The present article was designed with the aim to see the impact of feeding soy enriched burfi on the internal body parts of the albino rats. In said context, Out of 200 albino rats, 20 albino rats of similar body weight and body conformation were selected at fifth day after birth and randomly divided into four groups of five each with an average body weight of 26.7± 3gm. The albino rats were fed ad libitum exclusively on the basal ration (maize 25% + Bajra 25% + Gram chunni 50%) in group I (G1). In rest of the groups, out of 50% gram chunni in basal ration, 25% was replaced with normal burfi in group 2 (G2), soy burfi (containing 10 % soy flour) in group 3 (G3) and soy burfi (containing 20% soy flour) in group 4 (G4) for a period of 42 days. Result revealed that within the treatment groups, when there is increase in the level of Soy in burfi, the average weight gain in albino rats becomes lower but no significant changes have been reported in the internal organ parts. So, Soy burfi can be good nutritious substitute of normal burfi.

Key words: Albino rats, basal ration, organs, burfi.

Full Length Research Paper

Some activities and constraints of National Fadama Development Project phase three on poverty redcution among cattle fatteners in Central Agricultural Zone of Nigeria

Bello, M.¹, E. S. Salau¹ G. A. Miri¹ and E. Allu¹

¹Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Shabu – Lafia Campus, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria. 

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

Accepted 11 July, 2013

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of National Fadama Development Phase Three (NFDP III) on poverty reduction among loan beneficiaries of cattle fatteners in the agricultural zone programme of Central Nigeria.  The data for the study were collected using structured interview schedule.  Simple descriptive statistics involving frequency counts, percentage and mean scores were used to achieve all the objectives of the study.  The findings of the study revealed high adoption of improved technologies introduced to the cattle fatteners, enhanced income level of the respondents as well as development of culture of saving by respondents to improve the project sustainability.  It is recommended that the State Fadama Coordinating Office (SFCO) should ensure the establishment of an effective training programme for the Fadama Users’ Groups (FUGs) so as to strengthens and encourage their active participation in Community Demand Driven (CDD) approach.

Key words: Impact, Fadama Project, poverty, cattle, fatteners.