International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 221-234, July, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of rangeland in arid and semi-arid grazing land of South East Ethiopia

Teshome Abate^1*, Abule Ebro² and Lisanework Nigatu³

¹ Dilla University, School of Agriculture, Dilla, Ethiopia

²Adami Tulu Agriculture Research Center, Zeway, Ethiopia

³ Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

*Corresponding aurthor’s:Email: [email protected]

Received April 12, 2012; Accepted July 15, 2012

Abstract

Rangelands have multiple uses in drier parts of Africa. However, rangelands in Ethiopia are seriously degrading and under increasing threat. A study was conducted to examine the condition of rangeland, vegetation composition, percentage of bare ground cover, biomass production and grazing capacity under different elevation belts (high and low) and along grazing gradients (heavy, medium and light grazing pressure) using an integrated approach of herbaceous, soil, and woody plants layers. A total of 44 grasses, 2 legumes, 2 sedges, 8 other herbaceous plant species and 45, woody species were identified. Less desirable grass species dominated on the heavily grazed sites while highly desirable grass species were most frequent on the light grazed areas. The mean density of woody species was highest (P<0.05) in heavily (2 654 plants/ha) and in medium (2 668 plants/ha) than in light grazing sites (2 042 plants/ha). Rangelands in both elevation zones had suffered bush encroached and had low values for grass parameters. The total dry matter biomass (1332 kg/ha), dry matter of grass (1144 kg/ha), desirable (611 kg/ha), intermediate (269 kg/ha), least desirable grass dry matter (251 kg/ha) and grazing capacity (5.7TLU/ha) were highest (P<0.05) in lightly grazed sites. The mean total range condition score in the heavily grazed site 25.1 (poor), medium 41.0(fair) and lightly grazed sites 51.9(good) showed the heavily and medium grazed rangelands were deteriorated and urgent action is needed. This emphasizes the importance of stocking rates and proper rangeland management.

Keywords: Rangeland condition, grazing pressure, bush encroachment, grazing capacity, Ethiopia

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (6), pp.204-206, June, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Brazilian peach cultivars growing on the site of origin and in Spain: a comparative study

 Raseira. M. do C. B,¹ Legua Murcia P² and Hernandoz Garcia F³.

¹Fruit Breeder, Bolsista CNPq, Embrapa Clima Temperado, Rodovia BR 392, km 78.

Caixa Postal 403 - Pelotas, RS - Brasil

²Plant Science and  Microbiology Department, Universitas Miguel Hernández. Ctra

Beniel 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

³Plant Science and  Microbiology Department, Universitas Miguel Hernández. Ctra

Beniel 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain.

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

Received February 01, 2012; Accepted June 02, 2012

Abstract

The expression of a character is a function of the genotype in interaction with the environment. Some traits are more influenced by environmental factors than others. The present paper discusses some characteristics of four peach cultivars (BRS Libra; Bonão; BRS Kampai and Rubimel) comparing results obtained in Southern Brazil and South of Spain. There were some differences among fruits produced on one side or the other being fruit shape the most noticeable one. Fruits produced in Southeast of Spain, generally, tend to have an oblate shape and did not have a pronounced apex (tip).

Key words: sugar content; size; fruit shape, skin color.

Effect of chemical inducers on root rot and wilt diseases, yield and quality of tomato

Root rot and wilt in tomato caused by Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum is one of the most destructive diseases. Effect of some chemical inducers viz. ethephon, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), mannitol, salicylic acid (SA) at three different concentrations (50,100, 200 ppm) were used to treat tomato seedling by soaking into these to minimize root rot and wilt diseases incidence as well as influence of these chemicals on growth, quantity and quality parameters of tomato plants (cv. Super Strain B) e under greenhouse and field conditions were studied. All the tested chemical inducers significantly reduced root rot and wilt diseases severity either under both greenhouse and field conditions and the efficiency of these compounds increased with increasing concentrations. Mannitol was the most effective inducer for decreasing area under disease progress carve (AUDPC) followed by salicylic acid, while ethephon was  recoded as the least effective  for reducing AUDPC in greenhouse conditions. However, under laboratory conditions, all tested chemical inducers significantly reduced mycelial linear growth of all tomato root rot and wilt tested fungi compared with control. The highest decrease in linear growth wasobserved in ethephon at 200 ppm followed by SA at 200 ppm. Conversely, F. solani was more affected by chemical inducers than F. oxysporum and R. solani. Under field conditions, the selected chemicals significantly increased tomato growth, yield and quality. Application of mannitol at 200 ppm followed by SA at 200 was the most potent for growth, yield and quality of tomato  compared with control. Therefore, tt could be suggested that application of mannitol and SA to treat seedling by soaking could be commercially used for controlling tomato root rot and wilt diseases and increased both quality and quantity of tomato since they are safe, less expensive and effective against these diseases in field conditions.

Keywords: Tomato, chemical inducers, root rot, wilt, yield and quality of tomato 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (7), pp. 207-210, July, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Extension needs of cashew farmers in Oyo state, Nigeria

Adeola, R. G.

Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P M B 4000, Ogbomoso Oyo state, Nigeria.

*E-mail: [email protected]

Received July 06, 2012; Accepted July 14, 2012

Abstract

The study focused on the extension needs of cashew farmers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. A multi-stage sampling procedure, involving three stages, was used to select one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information on the extension needs of cashew farmers from the respondents. The analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient (PPMC), was used to test the relationships between variables. The results revealed the extension needs of respondents to include improved variety, plant spacing, fertilizer application, pest control, harvesting technique and processing; intercropping techniques, storage, mulching and marketing. Correlation analysis show significant (P < 0.01; P < 0.05 ) relationship between selected personal characteristics such as age, sex, farm size, farming experience, educational level and extension needs of cashew farmers. Attention must be paid to the identified extension needs of farmers in designing appropriate programmes for the farmers.

Keywords: extension, needs, cashew, farmers, potentials

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 186-197, June, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on the nutritional contribution and seasonal variation of essentials minerals in edible seaweeds, Porphyra columbina and Ulva spp., from central Patagonia, Argentina

Adriana Ángela Pérez¹, Silvia Sara Farías², Analía Mabel Strobl¹, Silvina Camarda¹, Laura Beatriz Pérez¹, Otmaro Roses³ and  María Angélica Fajardo¹

¹Cátedras de: Toxicología y Química Legal, Biología y Bromatología y Nutrición. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Ciudad Universitaria, Km 4 (9000) Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina.

²Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Gerencia de Tecnología y Medio Ambiente. Av. del Libertador 8250, (1429) Buenos Aires, Argentina.

³Cátedra de Toxicología y Química Legal, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junín 956, 7º piso

Universidad de Buenos Aires, (1429) Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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

Received May 14, 2012; Accepted June 10, 2012

Abstract

Seaweeds are considered a non- traditional food, constituent part of exotic diets or mineral supplement in far from the sea areas. The objective of this work was determining the concentrations of macroelements (Ca, Mg, and P), microelements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn) and ultratrace (Ni, V) in Porphyra columbina and Ulva spp. in the San Jorge Gulf (Argentina) during 2002, in order to assess the spatial and seasonal variation of these elements, as well as for determining their nutritional contribution.

These elements were quantified by inductively coupled argon plasma/optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) with solid-state detectors. The two algal species under study provide a great amount of essential elements and there is also the possibility of using them to fortify food or as an alternative diet with a very low caloric intake.

Key Words: Mineral composition, macronutrients, micronutrients, seaweeds, trace elements, seasonal variation.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 166- 172,  June, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of leaf macro nutrients turn over potential of six pigeonpea genotypes intercropped with maize in a humid savanna agro-ecology of Nigeria

*Dasbak M.A and Asiegbu J.E

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Phone No.: +2348060766335.

College of Agriculture Garkawa, PMB 001 Garkawa. Plateau State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding authur E-mail: [email protected]

Received December 30, 2011; Accepted June 02, 2012

Abstract

The macro mineral nutrients turnover potential in pigeonpea leaf comprising nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) was studied at anthesis in five improved pigeonpea genotypes from ICRISAT and one Nsukka Local genotype under intercropping with two maize genotypes and as sole crops at Nsukka, Nigeria in 2005. The experiment was a factorial laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result showed that the pigeonpea genotypes had high leaf production with average dry matter weight of  1455kgha^-1 under sole cropping and  952kgha^-1and 1070kgha^-1 under intercropping with hybrid maize and open pollinated maize respectively. The N turnover in the leaves on average was high at 39.6kgha^-1 N while P, K and Ca leaf turnovers were 2.59kgha^-1 P, 1.16kgha^-1 K and 1.32kgha^-1 Ca respectively. Maize intercropping significantly (p<0.05) depressed N, P and K turnover in the pigeonpea leaves by 38.2%, 37.3% and 39.6% respectively under hybrid maize intercropping and by 25.5%, 27.3% and 27.5% respectively under open pollinated maize intercropping. Ca turnover in the leaves was however significantly (p<0.05) higher in those intercropped with hybrid maize compared to those intercropped with open pollinated maize and those grown as sole crops. The pigeonpea genotypes differed significant (p<0.05) in their leaf dry matter weight, and the N, P and Ca turnover in the leaf. They did not differ significantly (p<0.05) in their leaf K turnover. The pigeonpea genotypes had high potential to improve soil fertility through leaf litter.

Key words: Pigeonpea, maize, leaf litter,  macro nutrients turnover, intercropping.