October 2017

Rice false smut and its management in major rice growing areas in Ashanti region of Ghana

Ustilaginoidea virens, the pathogen that causes rice false smut (RFS) disease induces infertility in infected spikelets, reduces grain weight and caused up to 75% yield loss. Surveys on RFS disease were conducted from September to December, 2015 in 60 rice farms within three districts: Ejisu-Juaben, Ejura-Sekyedumase and Asante Akim-North, in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Incidence and severity, as well as farmers’...

Author(s): Daniel Dokie Tokpah, Charles Kwoseh, Eric Saye Tokpah and David Kolleh

October 2017

Performance of the Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulatto II’ under different doses and forms of limestone application in the Amazon

Acid soils have been responsible for the poor performance of most plant species, and liming is an efficient way of correcting the pH of such soils. The aim of this study was to assess the performance and establishment of the Brachiaria hybrid ‘Mulatto II’ under different doses and forms of limestone application. The experimental design was of five doses of limestone (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 t ha-1) and two forms...

Author(s): Ana Caroline Messias de Magalhães, Luís Henrique Ebling Farinatti, Maurifran Oliveira Lima, Edson Alves de Araújo and Fernando Bezerra Lopes

October 2017

Relative competitiveness of Phaseolus vulgaris with Bidens pilosa

In agriculture, weeds tend to compete with the crop for scarce resources like water, light and nutrients, which incurs losses to farmers. Consequently, farmers must deal with weeds to derive maximum benefits for their crops and the environment. The aim of this paper was to assess the competitiveness of common bean crops in the presence of hairy beggarsticks (Bidens pilosa) at different population densities. The...

Author(s): Pedro Valério Dutra Moraes, Andressa Camana, Jhessica Bortolotti, Maira Cristina Schuster, Cristiana Bernardi Rankrape, Lucas da Silva Domingues and Paulo Fernando Adami

October 2017

Influence of pre-germination treatments on germination seed in Melanoxylon brauna Schott

This study evaluated the presence of integument dormancy in Melanoxylon brauna seeds by testing the influence of nine pre-germination treatments on seed germination compared to a control (no pre-germination) treatment. Pre-germination treatments include; immersion in sulfuric acid for 5 min, 10 min, 15 min and 30 min, hot water at 80°C without soaking, hot water at 80°C with soaking for 30 min, 90 min, 24 h, and...

Author(s): Juliana Müller Freire, Thasso José Silva e Sousa, Glauciana da Mata Ataíde, Tiago Böer Breier and Janaína Ribeiro Costa Rouws

October 2017

The effect of vegetation covers on the physical properties of a red latosol

In this study, the physical properties of a red latosol were assessed under Cerrado (a Savannah like vegetation type) and under of Eucalyptus grandis cultivation. Two contiguous sites of 14 ha each showing similar original vegetation cover, slope, topographic position, soil type, and sun exposure (aspect) were selected. Systematically, 20 sampling points were distributed in each site, from which soil deformed samples...

Author(s): Mauro Eloi Nappo, Reginaldo Sérgio Pereira, Eder Pereira Miguel, Ricardo de Oliveira Gaspar, Eraldo Aparecido Trondoli Matricardi, Humberto Angelo, Milton Serpa de Meira Junior, Ailton Teixeira do Vale and Ildeu Soares Martins

October 2017

The effects of interest rates on access to agro-credit by farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of interest rates on access to agro-credit by farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study employed survey research methodology which covered the three agricultural zones in the study area. The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and 4-point likert scale rating. It was shown that, majority (40%) were aged between 31 and 40 years and about 41.20%...

Author(s): B. M. Ali, F. U. Agbo, I. C. Ukwuaba and C. J. Chiemela