World Journal of Agricultural Research

Considering suitability of climatic conditions and economic aspects in Konkan region of Maharashtra, cultivation of Calocybe indica was undertaken with locally available substrates viz. paddy straw, horse gram waste, wild grass (Themeda quadrivolvis), bamboo leaves and different casing materials such as vermicompost, sand + soil (1:1 v/v), dried biogas spent slurry and combination of sand +soil +dried biogas spent slurry (1:1:1 v/v). Among the four substrates evaluated for cultivation of milky mushroom, paddy straw was the best with 81.05 per cent biological efficiency followed by horse gram waste (BE 50 %) and bamboo leaves (BE 40.62 %), but wild grass (Themeda quadrivolvis) was the poorest substrate. The biological efficiency of Calocybe indica was doubled by using a combination of sand +soil +dried biogas spent slurry (BE 180.32%) or vermicompost (BE 176.28 %) as casing material. Use of dried biogas spent slurry alone also recorded 130 per cent biological efficiency but combination of sand + soil (BE 79.94 %) was inferior. From the present study it was concluded that the maximum biological efficiency of Calocybe indica (P & C) in Konkan conditions can be obtained by using paddy straw as a substrate encased with sand +soil +dried biogas spent slurry (1:1:1 v/v) or Vermicompost during summer season.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 187-191. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-9
Pub. Date: September 02, 2014

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Morphological and Biometrical Characterization of Seeds of Some Algerians Lentil Accessions: Quantitative and Qualitative Characters

by GAAD D., Laouar M. and Abdelguerfi A

Original Research

The preliminaries characterization of a collection of twenty three Algerians accessions of lentil (Lens culinaris M.) were done before sown. Seed thickness (STH), Seed diameter (SDM), thickness/diameter ratio (T/D) and Weight of 100 seeds (WHS), are a quantitative traits measured. Altitude and Rainfall of location of origin of accessions are considered as a supplement variables. Also, qualitative characters: Grain form (GFR), Ground color of seed testa (GCT), Pattern of testa (PAT), Cotyledons color (COC), were considered. From the result of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), axis 1 explains 65.08% of the variance in the qualitative character and it showed a strange negative correlation with seed diameter (SDM), Weight of 100 seeds (WHS) and altitude (ALT).Whereas, it was positively and significantly correlated with thickness/diameter ratio (T/D) variable. The second component, accounting for 23.58 % of the total variation, was correlated positively with seed thickness (STH). Hierarchical discriminate analysis revealed major differences between accessions from different regions. Three major regional groups were apparent: 1) a Western group characterized by accessions of the Macrosperma type, 2) a more Northern group of the Microsperma type and 3) A mixture group gathered all regions and the two types. Regarding qualitative traits, the application of Multiple Correspondence Analyses (MCA) showed that seeds with globular form (Microsperma) are two types: 1) Brown or green tasta with dotted seed coat pattern or note and yellow cotyledons and 2) Brown tasta with orange cotyledons. In addition, seeds with flat form (Macrosperma) are divided into two types: 1) Brown, Beige or Green tasta with yellow cotyledons, 2) Brown tasta with dotted seed coat pattern and yellow cotyledons.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 183-186. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-8
Pub. Date: August 31, 2014

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Aquaculture Monitoring and Control Systems for Seaweed and Fish Farming

by Nitaigour Premchand Mahalik and Kiseon Kim

Review Article

This paper reviews aquaculture monitoring and control systems for seaweed and fish farming. Seaweeds farming play an important role in business and constantly growing. Seaweed is considered to be second largest freshwater farming industry in the world. Not only seaweeds are eaten raw, but through industrial process, some components are extracted to use in other foods. This paper provides 5 types of seaweed species and their aquaculture methods that are very popular. Also we have reviewed, the per capita fish consumption (region-wise), global annual fish production, global fish production in past 60 years, fish production in percentage by region, global seaweed production, seaweed value and important seaweeds for industrial use. Implication of technology such as the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) integrated with sensors, pumping system and filtering mechanism to measure, control and eradicate parameters, variables, and wastes developed by academic institution that has already been demonstrated was reviewed. Typical specification of a 4-tank based RAS is given. The paper also provides an advanced monitoring and control architecture that can be capable of automating precise production processes. Details about the control hardware such as sensors, motors, pumps, electronics, computer and software are presented.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 176-182. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-7
Pub. Date: August 22, 2014

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Effect of Conservation Agriculture on Growth and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Terai Region of Nepal

by Santa Bahadur BK and Jiban Shrestha

Original Research

In order to evaluate the performance of hybrid and open pollinated varieties of maize under various conservation agriculture based practices in terai, region of Nepal, a field experiment was conducted at the research farm of National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal from February, 2012 to June, 2012. Altogether 16 treatments consisting of four maize varieties namely; DMH-849, Rajkumar, Manakamana-3 and Rampur Composite, and two levels of tillage, (i.e., conventional and no tillage) and two levels of residues management (i.e. with or without residue) were tested in 3 replication under split-split plot design. The data was analyzed using MSTATC statistical package. The results revealed that higher number of ears/ha was found in Manakamana-3 (54013) followed by Rajkumar hybrid (53550). The number of grains per ear was higher for residue left plot (406.04). Rajkumar hybrid produced the highest grain and stover yields of 7182 and 9996 kg/ha followed by 6295.0 and 9825.62 kg/ha in Manakamana-3. Variation on leaf area index (LAI) was due to no tillage was found significant in 45 DAS. Where as, the effect of residues on LAI was found significant at 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS. Genotypic effect on LAI was found significant only at 30 DAS, where Manakamana-3 had the highest LAI (0.066) followed by DMH849 (0.056) and Rampur Composite (0.055). The variation due to tillage, residue and variety was evident for plant height in all the time series. The effect of residue on dry matter at 45 DAS was highly significant, where higher amount of dry matter was recorded in residue removed plots than the residue left plots. However, the hybrids DMH-849 had more grain to stover ratio (0.75) followed by Rajkumar (0.74) as compare to Rampur Composite (0.69). The plot having residues took longer duration for silking compared to the plot having no residue. Among the genotypes, DMH-849 showed earlier in tasseling (76 days) and maturity (118 days) followed by Rampur Composite. Economic analysis depicted the highest net return in Rajkumar hybrid (Rs. 105617/ha) under no tilled with residue used condition followed by without residue condition (Rs. 92267/ha). Manakamana-3 produced the higher net return (Rs. 85349/ha) under no tillage with no residue used condition followed by conventional tillage with no residue (Rs.70766/ha). The high benefit cost ratio was found of 2.432 in plots having no tillage with residue followed by no tilled with no residue 2.382. Manakamana-3 had the highest benefit cost ratio of 2.351 in no residue plots followed by no tilled with no residue plots (2.072). Significant reduction of production cost due to conservation agriculture (CA) based practices over conventional agriculture was recorded. Therefore, the CA based crop management practices need to be further promoted in wider areas.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 168-175. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-6
Pub. Date: August 04, 2014

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Secondary Metabolites Contents and Antioxidant Capacities of Acmella Oleraceae Grown under Different Growing Systems

by D.C. Abeysinghe, S.M.N.K. Wijerathne and R.M. Dharmadasa

Original Research

Acmella oleraceae (L.) R.K. Jansen (Asteraceae) is a therapeutically important medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine. Present study was undertaken to compare the total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) profiles of areal parts and callus extracts of A. oleraceae grown under different growing systems (field grown, hydroponically grown and callus culture. Callus established in Murasige and Skoog (MS) medium, areal parts of field grown and hydroponically grown plants were extracted in 80% methanol. TPC, TFC and TAC were carried out by using colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminum nitrate method and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay respectively. TLC profiles were developed using established protocol. The best callus growth and the highest mean callus weight were observed in leaf explants established in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BA and 1 mg/L IBA. Comparatively higher TPC (11.45 ± 0.17), TFC (12.33 ± 0.92) and TAC (10.27 ± 0.28) were observed in hydroponically grown plants. Order of TPC, TFC and TAC were increased as callus<field grown plants< hydroponically grown plants. The presence of higher TPC, TFC and TAC in hydroponically grown plants opens a new window for use of hydroponic system for growing of A. oleraceae for better secondary metabolites content.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 163-167. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-5
Pub. Date: July 23, 2014

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Determination of Optimum Maturity Stage for Ocimum sanctum L. Grown under Different Growing Systems in Terms of Therapeutically Active Secondary Metabolites

by K.W. ABEYWARDHANA, D.C. ABEYSINGHE, R.M. DHARMADASA and A.M.L ATHTHANAYAKE

Original Research

Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae) is therapeutically important medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine. Present study was undertaken to determine the optimum growth stage in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant capacity (TAC) of leaf and bark extracts of hydroponically and field grown plants of O. sanctum in three different maturity stages. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and steroid glycosides were qualitatively screened through established protocols. TPC, TFC and TAC were determined by colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminum nitrate method and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay respectively. Leaf and bark extracts of O. sanctum grown under both field and hydroponic conditions, at all three maturity stages exhibited the presence of all phytochemicals tested. TPC, TFC and TAC were increased with the maturity. Significantly higher TPC (8.34 ± 0.14 mg GAE /g DW), TFC (132.29 ± 1.45 mg RE /g DW) and TAC (120.02 ± 4.06 mg TE /g DW) were observed in leaf extracts taken from field grown plants at fully maturity stage. The order of increase was just before flowering< just after flowering< fully maturity stage. Presence of higher content of TPC, TFC and TAC in O. sanctum leaves at fully maturity stage, scientifically validate the traditional claims of harvesting of O. sanctum leaves at fully maturity stage for better therapeutic value. Moreover, presence of all tested phytochemicals in hydroponically grown plants is positive sign of use of hydroponic system as an alternative growing system for O. sanctum.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 159-162. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-4
Pub. Date: July 22, 2014

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Control of White Grubs Adoretus emarginatus Ohaus and Heteronychus licas klug (coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Sugarcane

by Omer R. M. Rahama, Abdalla M. Abdalla and Ahmed M. El Naim

Original Research

White grubs Adoretus emarginatus Ohaus and Heteronychus licas Klug are beetles belonging to (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) sited among the serious subterranean pests of sugarcane Succharum officinarum L. (Graminae) in The Kenana Sugar Farm in Sudan. In this study, previous work on chemical control and population dynamic of the pest is reviewed. Field experiments and surveys were maintained for the two consecutive seasons ( ), in Kenana sugar farm targeting the white grubs as pests of the cane crop. Two concentrations from each of the three chemicals insecticides namely Dursban, Regent and Tafaban Chlorpyriphos, were tested for their efficacy against the white grubs. Tafaban 1L. /fed gave the best efficacy against the white grubs with average number of dead grubs (17.467± 1.4430).

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 155-158. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-3
Pub. Date: July 21, 2014

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Enhanced Seed Germination of Psoralea Corylifolia L. by Heat Treatment

by G. Siva, S. Sivakumar, G. Premkumar, P. Baskaran, T. Senthilkumar and N. Jayabalan

Original Research

Psoralea corylifolia is a medically important plant and it used for large scale level in pharmaceutical industries to cure various skin diseases. This plant is facing difficulties in propagation because of poor seed germination and high mortality of seedlings. Therefore, an efficient and simple protocol developed for seed germination of Psoralea corylifolia via hot water treatment for in situ and ex situ plant propagation and conservation. Different treatments such as hot water heat treatment (10°C to 100°C) and sulfuric acid (H₂So₄) treatment (5 to 30 min) were used for seed germination. In which, hot water heat treatment with 70°C was produced the highest seed germination (70%) and survival rate. It is concluded that the hot water heat treatment favorably overcome the dormancy of seed. Developed protocol in this study will be helpful for mass propagation and in situ and ex situ conservations.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 151-154. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-2
Pub. Date: July 21, 2014

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Anatomical Traits as an Additional Taxonomic Tool for Munronia pinnata (Wall.) Theob. (Meliaceae) Found in Sri Lanka

by R.M. Dharmadasa, P.L. Hettiarachchi and GAS Premakumara

Original Research

Munronia pinnata (Wall) Theob. (Meliaceae) is a rare, therapeutically important medicinal plant widely used in traditional systems of medicine in Sri Lanka. Different populations of M. pinnata in Sri Lanka display an array of variable phenotypic characters. However, due to seasonal variations and rare flowering, study of reproductive characters in all populations is not possible. The present study emphasizes on the use of anatomical characters of leaf, stem and petiole of 13 populations of M. Pinnata as a systematic tool. Six monomorphic and 53 polymorphic quantitative and qualitative anatomical characters were scored. Cluster analysis was performed to derive the taxonomic relationship among the populations studied. A single access, indented key which could be used to identify anatomically different populations of M. pinnata was constructed using taxonomically stable anatomical characters. Populations collected from Ritigala reserve possessed distinguished characters such as presence of extra vascular bundles in outer part of the main vascular bundle in the midrib, higher number of epidermal cells in the upper epidermis, four separated parts in the stem vascular bundle and absence of secretory cells in the pith. Therefore, reconsideration of its taxonomic status is suggested. However, the level of taxon has to be decided after numerical analysis of combined taxonomic evidence of different disciplines. This study demonstrates that the importance of anatomical traits as an additional taxonomic tool for correct identification of M. pinnata.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2014, 2(4), 142-150. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-2-4-1
Pub. Date: July 09, 2014

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