by Akilimali Itongwa Justin, Hyangya Lwikitcha Béni and Masilya Mulungula Pascal
Original Research
This study aims to identify the current state of fish farming in two rural agroecological zones in the South-Kivu province (Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC): one of Low Altitude (L.A.) and another of High Altitude (H.A) different by their fish farming histories. It was carried out from January to June 2017 using a participatory survey coupled with individual interviews with 263 fish farmers distributed in these two rural agroecological zones. In addition to these interviews, field observations have also been focused on 576 fish ponds. The results obtained revealed that the fish farming is mainly practiced by men (L.A.: 72.0%, H.A.: 84.1%) for subsistence and business (L.A.: 57.0 %, H.A.: 67.5%) in both zones of study, that the fish ponds of these two zones are of the same average length (L.A.: 25.9 m and 25.06 m, H.A.: 25.17 m), have almost all the wooden monk (L.A.: 73.17% and 82.53%, H.A.: 72.64%) and composters (L.A.: 73.17 % and 73.53%, H.A.: 96.96%) where is made fertilization with local ingredients (L.A.: 69.0%, H.A.: 90.8%). However, beyond these similarities, the results reveal several differences between the socioeconomic and zootechnic characteristics of the fish farming of these two zones. These differences can be correlated with the different fish farming histories of the two zones; aspects which are widely discussed in the article.
World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2020, 8(1), 16-22. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-8-1-4
Pub. Date: March 26, 2020
3930 Views793 Downloads
by Montasir O. Mahgoub, Wei H. Lau, Dzolkhifli Bin Omar and Ahmed M. El Naim
Original Research
Life table is one of the useful procedures to understand the population dynamic of a specie. The population growth of the insect can be studied by using the demographic studies of insect species and summarize the data collected from the population as well as understanding the dynamics. This study was carried out to track the demographic processes, such as birth, death, and fecundity, as these affect the size and composition of the population of A. grisella in laboratory conditions. In addition, a life table on honey bee wax is constructed to estimate the rate of population growth and survival of this pest. A stock culture was started by 30 pairs of adult moths to lay eggs. The newly hatched larvae were raised on sanitized combs, and the culture was placed and allowed to reproduce at a room temperature of 31±1°C and 66.28±3% RH with 12L: 12D photoperiod in a closed aquarium tank (9.2×16×9.2 cm). The aquarium was covered with muslin cloth for good aeration in the laboratory. The results show that, the net reproductive rate (Ro) was 29.81 females per female cohort per day. This indicates that within two months (Ro > 1), the population will increase and multiply by this value in the next generation. The infinite rate of natural increase (λ) value was 2.55 female per female per day. This study shows that the estimated intrinsic rate of increase equals to the positive value of 0.94 females per female per day, which indicates that the population of A. grisella will increase under laboratory conditions and could be successfully cultured in mass production.
World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2020, 8(1), 12-15. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-8-1-3
Pub. Date: March 23, 2020
1504 Views716 Downloads
by Dufera Tejjeba Kebede and Desa Daba Fufa
Original Research
Food commodities prices have increased over the recent decade attracting the attention of market participants and policy makers. The short period between the recent price surges has therefore drawn concerns and raised questions on the causes and future prospects of commodity markets. Instability and variation in food production over years contribute immensely to food insecurity. This study focuses on the objectives include: to explore the trends of prices of selected agricultural food commodities and to examine the short run and long run relationship between the prices of the selected agricultural food commodities. In order to examine the series, the unit root tests (ADF and Phillips-Perron tests), identification of the number of lags and co-integration analyses were conducted. Unit root tests indicate that all series are non-stationary at level and are stationary (first difference) at 5 percent significant level. The Johansen co-integration test suggests that there is at least one co-integration vector, which describes the long run relationship between prices of Rice, white Teff, Maize and Sorghum. The appropriate number of lag identified was two. The VECM analysis findings showed the existence of integration between the prices and revealed that increase in prices of maize and sorghum in the past will decrease price of Rice in the long run. Similarly, the result of VECM showed as prices of white Teff and Rice have positive relationship.
World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2020, 8(1), 6-11. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-8-1-2
Pub. Date: January 08, 2020
2688 Views1227 Downloads
by De Silva G.B.V.U., Dharmadasa R.M., Senanayake R.A.S.P., Lintha A. and Sewwandi S.K.U.
Original Research
The Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, is an important species of Poaceae family commonly used in the cosmetic, food and in folk medicines in many countries. The aim of this study was to compare the variation of essential oil content and composition of different parts of the plant with the maturity of lemongrass. The Essential oil content and composition of different parts of lemongrass were determined using Clevenger type apparatus and GC-MS respectively. Essential oil content was significantly higher in leaves (0.91%) followed by sheath (0.7%) and roots (0.2%) respectively. Leaf essential oil content was increased with the maturity of the plant. The number of constituent’ presence in leaf, sheath and root of C. citratus were 9, 14 and 17 respectively. Moreover, out of 20 constituents identified from all 3 parts of lemongrass, only 6 constituents were common for all three parts, while the composition of root essential oil was significantly different from leaf and sheath essential oil. The major compounds found in leaf and sheath essential oil of C. citratus were geranial, neral, β- myrcene and geraniol while root essential oil contained mainly Selina-6- en-4-ol (28.08%) followed by geraniol (10.70%), t-muurolol (9.61%), neral and longifolene respectively. Based on results, it could be concluded that in addition to the lemongrass leaf, sheath and root also equally important for use in multipurpose industries.
World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2020, 8(1), 1-5. DOI: 10.12691/wjar-8-1-1
Pub. Date: December 09, 2019
7234 Views1480 Downloads1 Likes