World Journal of Agricultural Research

In guava significant correlations were observed between duration of flowering with their respective seasons and their yield and total yield. Duration of flowering was positively correlated with yield of respective seasons. Fruit weight was positively and significantly correlated with fruit size (r=0.860**) and fruit volume (r=0.981**). T.S.S. was positively and significantly correlated with reducing sugar (r=0.586**) and total sugar (r=0.683**). Acidity also positively and significantly correlated with reducing sugar (r=0.497**) and total sugar (r=0.417*). Reducing sugar was positively and significantly correlated with total sugar (r=0.888**). Yield was significantly and positively correlated with fruit size, weight and fruit volume (r=0.327*).

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 91-93. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-11
Pub. Date: April 20, 2015

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Trading of Agricultural Products between Countries from Balkan Region

by Ilaz Ameti, Naser Raimi and Oriola Vukaj

Original Research

Republic of Macedonia has solid trade relations with many countries in the world. The most important trade partners for Macedonia, when considering trading volume and value, are member states of EU and countries from Balkan region. Trade value of agro complex products is on average 556, 2 million $; 63, 9% goes to food; 15, 55% to beverages and 25, 7% to tobacco. Import value exceed export value by 721, 2 million $. In view of export value for both aforementioned values, goes to Serbia and the least to Moldova. In the same time, when considering export value per person of agro complex products first place goes to Kosovo, and last to Moldova while fruits and tobacco comes from Serbia, and the least from Romania. In general Macedonia´s most important trade partner in Balkan region is Serbia, second place Kosovo while trading with Moldova is nearly insignificant

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 86-90. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-10
Pub. Date: April 15, 2015

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Seedling Quality and Morphology in Seed Sources and Seedling Type of Brutian Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.)

by Merve Dilaver, Nasrin Seyedi and Nebi Bilir

Original Research

This study was carried out on 1+0 year containerized and bare root seedlings originated from a seed stand and a seed orchard of Brutian Pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) at Dursunbey Forest Nursery of Turkey. Findings of present investigation may contribute to better nursery practices, productive plantation establishment, and genetic improvement of the species. Seedling height and root-collar diameter were examined on 100 seedlings chosen randomly from each seed source and seedling type at the end of the growing period. Seedling quality and relation between the characteristics were also investigated. Averages of seedling height and root-collar diameter were 12.5 cm and 2.74 mm in the polled seed sources and seedling type, respectively. While containerized seedling showed better performance than bare root seedlings, seed stand was better than seed orchards for observed characters. There were significant differences (p≤0.05) among seedling type and seed source based on results of variance analysis. Distribution of seedlings changed for quality classes, characters, seed sources and seedling types. The both classification was suitable for the seedlings according to results of Discriminant analysis. There were positive and significant (p≤0.05) relations between the characters based on results of correlation analysis. Results of the study were discussed for nursery practice of the species. Results of the study could be combined by field performance.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 83-85. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-9
Pub. Date: April 14, 2015

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Biological Yield and Harvest Index of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) as Affected by Different Agro-ecological Environments

by Amna A. Abdalla, Ahmed M. El Naim, Mahmud F. Ahmed and Musa B. Taha

Original Research

The crop biological yield refers to the total dry matter accumulation of a plant system. Improved harvest index of the represents increased physiological capacity to mobilize photosynthates and translocate them into organs having economic yield. The economic yield is a fraction of dry matter produced; the harvest index forms a useful measure of crop yield potential. Accordingly, multi agro-ecological field experiments were conducted for three consecutive seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08), to investigate the effect of five agro-ecological environments on the biological yield and harvest index of Faba bean (Vicia faba L.). The selection based on different soil types and different climatic growing conditions. Six Faba bean lines were used; namely: H.72/7/1, Daba.1/1, Z B F.1/1, C.86, Triple White and Turki. The treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the environments had significant effect on the biological yield. The highest biological yield of faba bean crop was obtained from the lower terrace soil, Riverian(Al Salama location). However, the high terrace soils in Almatara location attained the lowest biological yield compared to other environments. The highest harvest index of faba bean crop was observed in the middle and lower terrace soils in Hudeiba andAl Salama environment. In all production environments tested in this study the line C.86 scored the highest biological yield and harvest index.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 78-82. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-8
Pub. Date: April 09, 2015

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Yield and Economics of Maize (Zea mays) + Soybean (Glycin max L. Merrill) Intercropping System under Different Tillage Methods

by B. Paudel, T. B. Karki, S.C. Shah and N. K. Chaudhary

Original Research

A study was conducted to determine the most profitable crop arrangements for maize and soybean intercropping system. The effect of tillage {conventional (CT) versus zero tillage (ZT)} and six crop arrangements (sole maize, sole soybean, maize+soybean intercropping at different row ratio arrangements) on grain yield and economics was investigated in Chitwan, Nepal during the summer of 2013. The grain yields of maize and soybean were not affected by tillage methods. However, crop arrangements significantly affect yield component and yield of both maize and soybean. Sole crop of maize and soybean recorded significantly higher grain yield than corresponding yields under intercropping systems. Planting maize+soybean at 1:1 ratio recorded highest maize grain yield (4.58 Mg ha^-1)and 2:2 ratio recorded the highest soybean yield (1.70 Mg ha^-1). Yield reduction due to intercropping ranged from 21.44% to 31.9% in maize and 22.3% to 53.88% in soybean as compared to their sole cropping. Remarkably higher net return was obtained in ZT (NPRs 110.4 thousands ha^-1) than CT (NPRs 105.8 thousands ha^-1). Intercropping of maize and soybean at 2:2 ratio recorded maximum benefit (NPRs 132.7 thousands ha^-¹), maize grain yield equivalent (8.74 Mg ha^-1) and land equivalent ratio (1.47) than sole and intercropping treatments. It was found that paired rows of soybean between two rows of maize under ZT system could achieve higher productivity and profitability.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 74-77. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-7
Pub. Date: April 09, 2015

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Assessment of Soil Phosphorus and Phosphorus Fixing Capacity of Three Vegetable Farms at Cabintan, Ormoc City, Leyte

by Mary Chris P. Nierves and Felix M. Salas

Original Research

Three vegetable farms in Cabintan, Ormoc City – a primary source of vegetables in Leyte Province, Philippines were carefully and randomly selected for the principal concern of this study. It aimed to determine and investigate the Available Soil Phosphorus and Soil Phosphorus Fixing Capacity in vegetable farms located in a mountainous area which soil mainly developed from volcanic tuff, basaltic and andesite materials. Five hundred grams (500g) of aggregate soil sample were collected from each farm. Result revealed that soil samples had low pH values ranged from 5.24 to 5.79 and high organic matter (OM) content which ranged from 10.852% to 22.502%. The available soil phosphorus is low but the Phosphorus fixing capacity of the soil is very high (92.46%-99.15%).

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 70-73. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-6
Pub. Date: April 03, 2015

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Evaluating Grain Protectant Efficacy of Some Botanicals against Maize Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais M

by Gebeyaw Tilahun Yeshaneh

Original Research

The production of sorghum is threatened by a wide range of pre-and post harvest pests like stalk borer, sorghum chafer, and Sitophilus spp. Three botanical plants (Tagitus minuta, Datura stramonium and Carissa schimperi) with five concentrations were tested for efficacy to control maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Mostch) on stored sorghum seeds under laboratory conditions. The objective was to study the efficacy of some locally available botanicals to control Sitophilus zeamais Mostch and to determine the length of period the grain could be protected by the different treatments. For comparison, two more treatments-standard check Malathion 5% dust plus control (untreated check) were included; and the experiment was replicated three times. The experiment was conducted under room temperature at 25-28C and relative humidity at 70±5% in Kombolcha Plant Health Clinic Laboratory. Powders of each plant component were then mixed thoroughly with 500 gram grains in plastic jars roofed with muslin cloth and tightened with rubber band. Thirty adult weevils were released in each plastic jars. Number of dead weevils was recorded every 21, 42 and 84 days after the treatments were applied. The data was transformed to arcsine scale prior to analysis. Corrected observations were subjected to statistical analysis, factorial ANOVA. All botanicals significantly affected weevil mortality compared to untreated check, but not as effective as synthetic insecticides (Malathion 5% dust). Carissa schimperi (merez) 5% was significantly more effective than the rest botanical rates and the control (P <0.05). In general the result shows that treatment Carissa schimperi (merez) 5% and Tagitus minuta (gimi) 5% can solve poor resources farmers’ problems by integrating them with other cultural measures. However further research are needed to fix the rate graph and the long term effect in large stores of farmers conditions.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 66-69. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-5
Pub. Date: April 03, 2015

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Expression Analysis of the ADH Genes in Arabidopsis Plants Exposed to PEG-induced Water Stress

by Thawda Myint, Sigit Ismawanto, Parameswari Namasivayam, Suhaimi Napis and Mohd Puad Abdulla

Original Research

In plants, ethanolic fermentation occurs during limited oxygen condition and under certain environmental stresses. Many of the observations reported on the ADH1 gene during environmental stress conditions were obtained from studies that used single isoforms of the gene ADH1 even though many isoforms of the genes are known to be operational in plants based the complete genome sequence of more than 20 different plant species. Here, the Arabidopsis plants were exposed to polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress and the whole set of ADH (EC.1.1.1.1) genes as well as the enzyme activity of ADH in response to PEG-induced water stress condition was presented and discussed. At enzyme levels, both the root and leaf NADH-ADH activities were increased 5.9 and 4.4 folds when treated with 5% (w/v) PEG-20,000. At gene level, the majority of the ADH1 gene AT1G77120 and two of the ADH-like genes (AT1G64710 and AT5G24760) were up-regulated in the leaf and root. The result suggests that ADH1 together with other two more ADH-likes genes were responsive in the leaf and root operating along side during the PEG-induced water stress and these evidences support the conclusion that the capacity of ethanolic fermentation was enhanced in response to drought.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 57-65. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-4
Pub. Date: March 27, 2015

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Climate Change Impacts on Net Revenues of Sorghum and Millet in North Kordofan Environment

by Mahmoud A. Amassaib, Ahmed M. El Naim and Mariam N. Adam

Original Research

Climate change (global warming) is often influence temperature and rainfall, which will directly have effects on the productivity and hence the net revenues of crops. This study was carried out to assess the impacts of climate changes (rainfall and temperature) on the net revenue for sorghum and millet crops in North Kordofan state environment, Sudan, during the period 1990-2012 using the Ricardian model. The results revealed that the elasticities to change in maximum temperature, minimum temperature and standardized rainfall for sorghum net revenue are: -1349.37, -598.098, -60.8788 respectively and for millet net revenue are: 2602.7, 258.1875 and 207.0783 respectively. The net revenues for both crops decreasing at increasing rate when there are increasing in maximum temperature. In case of minimum temperature, millet net revenue increase at increasing rate where sorghum net revenue increase at decreasing rate.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 52-56. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-3
Pub. Date: March 13, 2015

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Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Goats in Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria

by Adejinmi Olufunmilayo Olanike, Adejinmi Johnson Olayide, Falohun Olufarati Oludunsin, Aderoju Opeyemi Racheal and Dauda Wale Japhet

Original Research

A prevalence study on the gastro intestinal parasites of goats was carried out for six months from May to October, 2014 in Ibadan, South Western, Nigeria. Four hundred (400) goats’ faecal samples comprising of 103 West African Dwarf and 297 Red sokoto breeds were collected from goats in households, market places and abattoir. They were examined for intestinal helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts using direct microscopic examination and sodium chloride floatation technique. Out of the 400 faecal samples examined, 303(75.75%) were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The Red sokoto breed had a higher prevalence of 217(54.25%) while West African dwarf breed had the lower prevalence of 86(21.5%). Male goat had a prevalence of 163(40.85%) while female had a prevalence of 140(35%). The gastro intestinal parasites observed were Strongyloides papiillosus, Monieza spp, Coccidia spp and Strongyle spp. Strongyle spp had the highest prevalence while Monieza spp had the lowest prevalence. Of the total 217(54.3%) Red sokoto breeds positive for helminths, 120(30%) had mixed parasitic gastro-intestinal infection while 74(18.5%) of the total 86 (21.5%) WAD goats positive for helminth also had mixed infection. We suggest good management practices, prompt diagnosis and treatment with anthelmintic and antiprotozoa drugs and education of animal owners on bio-security as panacea to reduce the risk of infection and increase productivity of the animals.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 49-51. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-2
Pub. Date: March 12, 2015

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Palm Oil Production as a Poverty Alleviation Strategy among Small-scale Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

by Adebo. G.M., Ayodele. O.J. and Olowokere. K.

Original Research

Palm oil is one of the commodities produced in rural Nigeria whose consumption daily in the human diet and use as an industrial raw material have increased its potentials for income generation and poverty alleviation. This study examined the contribution of palm oil production to income generation among 120 small-scale farmers selected from the farming communities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Responses to a structured interview schedule were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages while profitability was determined with data provided on costs and revenue. Palm oil producers were mainly middle-aged married females with low literacy level and operated on small-scale farms (< 2 ha) grown mainly to Dura variety of oil palm. Most farmers used modern processing methods (motorized hydraulic pressers and combined hydraulic pressers and nut crackers) and incurred ₦3,000 transportation cost and ₦5,000-10,000 labour cost per processing session. The Gross Margin averaged ₦69,600 between 2008 and 2012 while processing cost was ₦0.57 for every ₦1.00 return. The major challenges are labour shortage and yield variation due to climate change while high costs of labour and processing equipment affected profitability. Farmers should form cooperatives to: pool resources and acquire modern equipment so as to increase scale of operations, reduce extraction cost and enhance revenue; access credit; benefit from training on the use of modern processing machines and education on adaptation to climate change.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(2), 43-48. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-2-1
Pub. Date: March 05, 2015

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