February 2015
Effect of sowing dates, varieties and weather factors on the occurrence and severity of Alternaria leaf blight and yield of Indian mustard
Field experiments were undertaken to determine the effect of sowing dates and weather parameters on the disease progression or severity of Alternaria blight of rapeseed mustard and their impact on yield for the two consecutive years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Disease severity gradually increased with delay in sowing irrespective of three different varieties (Binoy, Seeta and Bhagirathi). The crop sowing from 20th October...
February 2015
Combination of resistant cultivars, botanical insecticides, and biological control for Plutella xylostella management on cabbage
Novel strategies for Plutella xylostella management in cabbage need to be evaluated in order to increase its control and reduce adverse impacts on the environment. Thus, we evaluated the combined effects of the cabbage cultivars Ruby Ball, Matsukase Sakata, and Sessenta Dias, the aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica, Aspidosperma pyrifolium, and Melia azedarach, and the parasitoid Oomyzus sokolowskii on P. xylostella...
February 2015
Compost of garbage and tree pruning used as substrates for production of irrigated wild poinsettia seedling
The high nutrient content in organic composted waste is an alternative source of fertilizer for use in agriculture and for re-establishment of native forests. This work had as an objective is aimed to evaluate the growth of Pterogyne nitens (wild poinsettia) seedlings, a rainforest native species, on substrates containing composts of organic garbage and tree pruning. A greenhouse experiment was conducted, in which...
February 2015
Practical tool in classification of animals for slaughter by fuzzy logic
This paper treats of the classification of animals for slaughter, using concepts of fuzzy logic as a tool to assist in decision making. The entries (inputs) were made by measurements of body length and weight of animals. The output values corresponded to the classification as ideal weight for slaughtering. In this paper were developed three simulations involving three lambs from a group to be sent to slaughter. The two...
February 2015
Enzymes activities, hydroxymethylfurfural content and pollen spectrum of some Algerian honey
Forty honey samples from Apis mellifera were collected in different parts of Algeria during 2007 to 2010 and were analysed for parameters including hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), invertase and diastase activities. The spectra of pollen of the honeys collected in those areas were also studied. The results show that the amylase activity ranged from 4.40 to 30.15 DN, with only one sample having a low diastase number than 8...
February 2015
Operation, facilities and management in public and private abattoirs in Ethiopia
This study was conducted to evaluate the operation, facilities and management of public (Adama, Hawassa and Mekelle) and private (Elfora Kombolcha) abattoirs in Ethiopia. Direct observation, photograph and discussion with the workers were used to collect information. The results of this study revealed that lairage was not divided into compartments to accommodate different classes and types of slaughter cattle in two of...
February 2015
Biotechnology in agriculture: The perception of farmers on the inclusion of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agricultural production
The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions and attitudes towards biotechnology in the insertion of genetically modified (GM) crop production. The data analyzed in this article were obtained through qualitative research, via a semi-structured questionnaire administered in June 2014, with 20 associated cooperatives of farmers at Campos Gerais region. It was found, from the speech of farmers, there are...
February 2015
Technical efficiency of wheat and paddy farms in irrigated saline environment in Haryana State, India: An assessment
The farmers in certain areas of Western Yamuna Canal Command in Haryana State, India, face problems of water logging and salinity in the absence of adequate drainage; and sustainability of their farm operations is highly vulnerable due to fluctuations in rainfall. A study was undertaken to analyse the farm specific production processes and productivity in paddy and wheat farms and find out effect of socio-economic...
February 2015
Factors influencing agricultural credit demand in Northern Ghana
The greatest challenge to food security is low productivity emanating from slow growth in the agricultural sector and one of the reasons for this is little or no access to financial resources by producers. Credit is one of the empowerment tools that have the potential to boost the productivity, increase food security and change the life of farmers from a situation of abject poverty to a more dignified life in the long...
February 2015
Climate change impacts on South African hop producer prices
Climate change impacts caused South Africa to breed unique hop cultivars which are adapted to shorter and warmer winters and shorter day length in summer. However, climate change impacts in South African include further increases in temperature along with noticeable inter-seasonal variation in rainfall patterns. These changes have demanded a re-evaluation of the ability of South African hop farmers to adapt to climate...
February 2015
Chemistry, nitrogen and carbon stocks in different land-use systems in a tropical environment
Considering the occurrence of land degradation and the need for sustainable practices, it is necessary to conduct studies that evaluate the content of organic carbon and nitrogen in the soil, as well as its chemical attributes. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the content and stock of carbon and nitrogen and the chemical attributes of soil in an area that was classified as a Typic Hapludox and was treated under...
February 2015
Engaging smallholder farmers with seasonal climate forecasts for sustainable crop production in semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe
Small holder farmers in the semi-arid areas have not been able to utilize seasonal climate forecasts in making crop management decisions due to limited exposure as well as failure to interpret it. Three participatory meetings were held with farmers in Lower Gweru and Lupane Districts of Zimbabwe soon after the release of the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasonal climate forecast in September of each season. This was done to...
February 2015
Conservation for livelihood improvement through cooperation of rural communities and the related externalities: A case of Moepel farms in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Optimal use of land in rural areas has the potential to reduce poverty and attain rural economic development. Conservation with tourism benefits could potentially reduce poverty in rural areas where agricultural potential is limited. However, land use conflicts exacerbated by multiple interests for land use are prevalent and can hinder rural development. This paper explored the potential for rural communities to...
February 2015
Crop water requirement determination of chickpea in the central vertisol areas of Ethiopia using FAO CROPWAT model
Chickpea (Cicer arntimum) is one of the major grain legumes with an inimitable sources of dietary protein in the developing world where there is very scarce animal protein or unaffordable expensive otherwise. Ethiopia is considered as one of the secondary centers of genetic diversity for chickpea. The crop has been grown for multiple purposes since antiquity in the country. Chickpea production under residual moisture is...
February 2015
Implication of Bakolori dam irrigation activities on its physical resources
Amidst positive effects of irrigation, there are some negative effects which potentially appear in irrigation areas. The most important are water erosion on sloping fields; caused by depreciating irrigation structures, resulting in siltation of water canals, growth of weeds, debris and other materials that has capacity to inhibit flow of water. This in turn affects surface and ground water quality. The soil...
February 2015
Economic threshold level (ETL) of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias spp. on okra
Shoot and fruit borer (SFB), Earias spp. is the second major pest on okra after cotton jassid under Punjab conditions. High incidence of this pest has been reported mainly in the pre- and post- rainy seasons. The farmers are using indiscriminate sprays of insecticide on this crop. Since crop is harvested on every alternate day, thus, insecticide residues on this crop are of great concern. Therefore to develop more safe...
February 2015
Towards understanding the diversity of banana bunchy top virus in the Great Lakes region of Africa
The genetic variability of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) isolates from the Great Lakes region of Africa (GLRA) spanning Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda was assessed to better understand BBTV diversity and its epidemiology for improved disease management. DNA-R and DNA-S fragments of the virus genome were amplified and sequenced in this study. These two BBTV fragments were previously used to...
February 2015
Extrusion cooking on pasting properties and relative viscosity of selected starch crops
Rheological properties of food are very important indicators of the quality and texture of food products. In this study, the relative viscosity and pasting characteristics (cold and hot paste viscosity) of extrudates from a locally developed extruder (L/D 12:1, CR 4.4:1, 4 KW) were determined. The extrudates were processed from the flour and starch of cassava and maize and wheat flour. Stepwise regression and other...
February 2015
Effect of recharge, irrigation and soil nature on the variation of nitrate in the groundwater of Wadi Nil (Jijel – North-East Algeria)
This paper presents the effect of recharge, irrigation and soil nature on the variation of nitrate in the groundwater of Wadi Nil (Jijel – North-East Algeria) where the intensive use of fertilizers and the recycling of irrigation water have resulted in an alarming increase in nitrate concentrations. In this plain, the groundwater is increasingly polluted by excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture. Indeed, in...
February 2015
Growth, yield and quality responses to plant spacing in Irish potato: A review
A review of literature was conducted on how growth, yield and quality respond to plant spacing in Irish potato. A number of parameters were considered: stem length, stem number, tuber numbers, tuber size categories, total yield, marketable yield, dry matter content and specific gravity. Some contradictions were exposed showing the need for further researches concerning how spacing interacts with the environment and...
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