World Journal of Agricultural Research

To evaluate the effect of feeding longan residue (longan fruit; grade C) before estrus synchronization on reproductive performance in sheep, sixteen ewes observed in estrus were selected and randomly assigned to 2 groups: control group (n=8) received the maintenance diet whiles the longan-supplemented group (n=8) received the maintenance diet plus 300 g DM/head/day of longan fruit for 17 days. Blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, progesterone (P₄), and estradiol (E₂), and follicular population were recorded. After the nutritional treatments, all ewes were synchronized for estrus with controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) devices and 400 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. Ewes exhibiting estrus were subjected to assisted natural mating by rams. Ewes fed longan-supplemented diet had greater feed intake than ewes fed the control diet. Glucose concentrations were higher in longan-supplemented than those in control ewes on days 7, 14, and 17. Insulin concentrations were only higher in longan-supplemented group than those in control group on day 17. The longan-supplemented ewes had higher E₂concentrations than non-supplemented ewes on days 14 and 17. On days 14 and 17, numbers of total follicles had significantly greater in longan-supplemented ewes compared with control ewes. Estrous response and conception rate were not different between control and treatment ewes. It was concluded that the 17 days of dietary supplementation stimulate ovary (total follicles) ready to respond to the synchronization of estrus. However, dietary supplementation with longan fruit in ewes prior to the start of the estrus synchronization did not enhance reproductive performance.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(3), 113-118. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-3-4
Pub. Date: July 10, 2015

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Mutagenic Effects of Sodium Azide and Fast Neutron Irradiation on the Cytological Parameters of M₂ Lagos Spinach (Celosia argentea var cristata L.)

by Abubakar A., Falusi A. O., Daudu O. A. Y., Oluwajobi A. O., Dangana M. C. and Abejide D. R.

Original Research

The effects of fast neutron irradiation (FNI) and sodium azide (SA) on the pollen and cytological parameters of Celosia argentea was carried out. M₁ seeds of treated C. argentea plant with fast neutron and sodium azide were collected from the seed bank of Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria and raised on the field to maturity stage. Young flower buds were collected from the plants for cytological studies. Cytological analysis of the plants revealed heterogeneous size of pollen grains, with three distinct variant of 29.12, 34.31 and 39.21 µm. The least average pollen diameters (32.66 µm) was recorded in 6.00 mM SA and the highest (37.58 µm) in 4.00 µS FNI. Significant variation (p≥0.05) in the numbers of pollen production per flower and anther were obtained. Lower percentage pollen fertilities were recorded in all the treated plants when compared with the control (94.15 %). However, these values were insignificance (p≤0.05), except for 8.00 mM which had the least of percentage pollen fertility of 71.62 %. The phenomenon of pollen restitution caused by abnormal meiotic division resulted in the formation of dyad, triad and tetrad in higher irradiated doses plants. Cytological analysis of the plant indicated that 8.00 µS had the highest mitotic index with metaphase (56.56) being the most frequent stage followed by telophase (28.40). Meiotic chromosomal counts revealed n = 18 at metaphase, with the formation of dyad and tetrad in most of the treated plants and the control. Abnormal meiotic division in 4.00 mM and 12.00 µS resulted in triad division. Observation from this study therefore, revealed that pollen restitution coupled with high mitotic index in 8 µS confer greater reproductive advantages to the plant.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(3), 107-112. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-3-3
Pub. Date: May 28, 2015

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Reduction in Intergeneration Time Interval in Selection of Sugarcane Varieties through Population Testing

by M. Krishnamurthi, K. Shanmugha sundaram and S. Rajeswari

Original Research

Traditionally, the variety testing scheme spans over a period of 13 to 15 years. In most countries all releases are based on small plot (i.e. seven stage) trials and small mill analysis. Rarely field planting and large mill tests are carried out with a crush of an hour which is the minimum time required. The current selection programme suffers from old concepts with sample testing and extrapolation of the data, which does not withstand the rigours of field conditions. The gap between the trial plots and field is large on both counts namely Pol% cane and yield. This paper discusses the population-testing concept to facilitate large mill testing and cutting down intergeneration time interval for releasing varieties. In the current scheme, the intergeneration time interval for releasing varieties is reduced from 13 years to 6 to 8 years. This was possible with a change in the variety testing concept. It was a population testing concept which includes early selection based on heritable characters like brix, fibre, pest and disease resistance and later 2.0 ha and more under field conditions. The best clones are taken for multiplication at three locations using single eye buds. The principle is that instead of using small plots, larger populations at three locations are used. The three varieties viz., PI 96-0151, PI 97-0843 and PI 97-1946 were multiplied along with Co 86-032. These varieties were tested in the large mill for their performance and behaviour under field conditions and compared with the standard variety Co 86-032. All the three varieties recorded higher yield and POCS% when compared with Co 86-032. The early and advance yield trial results are discussed and confirmed. We can release the varieties through large population test, much earlier as the system provides conclusive information on varietal performance under field conditions thus reducing the intergeneration time interval in selection of varieties for commercialization.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(3), 102-106. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-3-2
Pub. Date: May 06, 2015

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Evaluation of Permeability of Lake Mansar Waters for Irrigation Purposes

by S.M. Zuber

Original Research

Lake Mansar is a famous tourist destination in the suburbs of Jammu which is receiving on an average 5 lac tourists every year. Subsequently a number of structures like 11 Government offices, JKTDC Cafeteria, Tea Stalls, Dhabas, Grocery shops, Bathing ghats, boating points, cremation ground, wildlife park, Dak Bungalows etc have been erected in its catchment area which have exerted their deleterious effects on the ecology of the lake. The various parameters estimated for the present study revealed that conductivity values were below 250 µmhos, TDS values were less than 500mg/l, SAR values less than 10meq/l, RSC values between 1.159 meq/l to 2.379 meq/l, SSP values between 21.110meq/l to 44.877meq/l and DPI varying between 38.006 to 81.507 which indicates that the water of Lake Mansar is best suited for irrigation purposes as it belongs to Class II category as per DPI chart.

World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 3(3), 94-101. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-3-3-1
Pub. Date: April 27, 2015

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