October 2011
Agrarian and life style change in Zimbabwe: From colonization to the formation of government of national unity
In a predominantly agricultural country like Zimbabwe, the problem of land reform has naturally been one of the most important subjects of political campaigning and economic turmoil. Zimbabwe’s land distribution was racially highly skewed towards whites before land reform and the status quo was not politically, socially or economically sustainable. This has been the state of affairs since the...
October 2011
Post–harvest food losses reduction in maize production in Nigeria
Maize grains constitute the primary sources of food for mankind and a considerable waste of these valuable foods during pre and post-harvest constitute such a major agricultural bottleneck that the reduction of pre and post-harvest losses is now a common food strategy throughout the world. This study was focused on post-harvest food losses reduction in maize production in Nigeria. The study was aimed at identifying the...
October 2011
Challenges encountered in conducting farmer-oriented livestock research among resource-limited farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa: A review
Improvement of livestock productivity through on-farm research leads to the availability of animal protein and hence improved food security. On-farm research is associated with several challenges; chief of which is lack of initiative from the farmers participation. The objective of the review was to outline challenges faced by researchers as they conduct research on livestock in communal areas of Sub-Saharan...
October 2011
Evaluation of agronomic performance of two landraces of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) in woodland savannahs of Cote d’Ivoire
Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) is one of the most promising legume foods in Africa, due to its agronomic and nutritional potentials. To take advantage of these attributes, several research programs gathering agronomic and genetic data throughout Africa are being implemented. In this framework, we tested yield and yield components response to sowing density during 3 years (2005, 2006...
October 2011
Integrated application of fertilizers and biocane (organic fertilizers) to enhance the productivity and juice quality of autumn planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)
An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of fertilizers and biocane on the growth, yield and juice quality of sugar cane Var. SPSG-26 at Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan during the year 2007 to 2009. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was applied having four replications with a net plot size of 7.5 × 7 m. The study...
October 2011
Supplemental irrigation effects on yield of two watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) cultivars under semi-arid climate in Kenya
The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of the supplemental irrigation using drip, sprinkler and furrow methods on two watermelon cultivars (Charleston grey, and Sugar baby) by studying their growth, yield and quality (Brix index) and economic feasibility under semi-arid climate in Kenya. Cultivars irrigated with drip produced significantly more fruits than those under either sprinkler or...
October 2011
Effects of night break on accumulation of HD6 mRNA in tropical photoperiod-sensitive maize
To increase the genetic diversity of maize grown in temperate zones, it is essential that tropical germplasm be integrated, but a major limiting factor is photoperiod sensitivity. To address the molecular basis of this sensitivity, a tropical maize inbred line CML288 was grown under inductive short-day (SD) and non-inductive night break (NB) conditions in which the inductive dark period was broken by a brief...
October 2011
Study of effect of planting date on vegetative traits, reproductive traits and grain yield of soybean cultivars in cold region of Ardabil (Iran)
In order to study the effects of different planting dates on the grain yield of soybean cultivars, an experiment was conducted as factorial in the form of randomized complete blocks design with three replications at the research farm of Ardabil (Iran) in 2009. In this experiment, the first factor of sowing date included four levels (27 May, 5, 15 and 26 June) and the second factor included cultivar Williams...
October 2011
Application of integrated pest management (IPM) practices by paddy farmers in Sari county of Mazandaran province, Iran
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the application of integrated pest management (IPM) practices by paddy farmers. The statistical population consisted of paddy farmers in Sari county of Mazandaran province, Iran. A sample of 260 farmers was selected by using proportional random sampling method. Data were collected by use of a questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was established by...
October 2011
Determination of mechanical performances of the portable fasteners used on case furniture joints
In this study, it has been searched that the strength performances of montable fastenersh, which are made up from particleboard, fiberboard and particleboard surfaced with synthetic resin sheet were used for case furniture joints. 10 specimens were prepared for each material, load type and fasteners, and a total of 300 specimens were tested under withdrawal, diagonal tensile and diagonal compression loads. As a result,...
October 2011
Determinatıon of seed yield and some yield components through path and correlation analyses in many six-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare conv. hexastichon)
This study was carried out to determine the selection criteria suitable for higher yield of barley in breeding studies. For this purpose, methods of path and correlation analyses were performed on 10 barley cultivars and 43 lines. Depending on the findings of this study, no statistically significant relation was observed between seed yield and plant height. It can be inferred from the...
October 2011
In vitro embryo rescue culture of F1 progenies from crosses between tetraploid grape and Vitis amurensis Rupr.
Using three tetraploid table grape varieties as the female parents and Vitis amurensis Rupr. as the male parent, the effects of inoculation time and medium state on embryo rescue were studied. The results showed that: inoculation time had a great effect on ovule germination percentage. 60 to 70 days after pollination was the best inoculation time, which resulted in the highest ovule germination...
October 2011
Effects of different nutrient solution formulations on yield and cut flower quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) grown in soilless culture system
This research was conducted to determine the effects of different nutrient solution formulations on the yield and quality of cut flowers and growth of gerbera plants in substrate culture system. Five different nutrient solution formulations were used. The gerbera plantlets were planted into pots filled with perlite and peat mixture, and values of flower yield and cut flower quality criteria, and several...
October 2011
The effect of salt stress on growth, chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzymes of pumpkin seedling
Salinity is a major abiotic stress reducing the yield of a wide variety of crops all over the world. In order to investigate the antioxidant enzymes activity of four pumpkin genotypes (Iskenderun-4, AB-44, CU-7 and A-24) in response to salinity grown in hydroponic culture, 4 to 5 true leaf stages of pumpkin seedlings were subjected to 100 mM NaCl for 7 days. Salt stress induced changes in antioxidant enzymes,...
October 2011
Resistance of eight Iranian onion cultivars to onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman) in the Markazi Province of Iran
Thrips tabaci L. is one of the most important pests of onion in Iran. In this research, eight Iranian onion cultivars (Ghermez-e-Azarshar, Sefid-e-Kashan, Sefid-e-Native Khomein, Sefid-e-Improved Khomein, Sefid-e-Qom, Sefid-e-Kordestan, Sefid and Ghermez-e-Shahroud) were cultivated in a RCB design with four replications in Arak, between 2001 and 2003. The number of thrips on five plants was recorded...
October 2011
The effects of pine processionary moth (PPM) defoliation degree on radial growth of brutian pine (Pinus brutia)
A severe outbreak of the pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni, began in 1998 vegetation period and lasted to the end of 2002 vegetation period in a brutian pine (Pinus brutia) stand in Isparta region of Turkey. In this study, the effect of PPM defoliation degree (control, moderate and high) was investigated on radial growth of individual trees in a pure and young brutian...
October 2011
Molecular analysis of genetic diversity in olive cultivars
The present study was conducted to study the genetic diversity in the available cultivars of olive flora in Pakistan. On an average, 15.5 alleles were amplified using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular primers. Mean genetic distance estimates ranged from 0.158 to 0.512 (G.D = 15.8 to 51.2%). Size of scorable fragments ranged from approximately 250 to >2000 bp. A high level of genetic...
October 2011
Isolation and sequencing of ribosome inactivating protein gene from Iranian rice (Oryza sativa)
The ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a group of proteins that are able to inactivate eukaryotic protein synthesis by attacking the 28S ribosomal RNA. Recent studies have shown that some RIPs possess strong anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anti-tumor activity. A cDNA encoding type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) from the leaves of Iranian rice (Oryza sativa) cultivar Kazemi was...
October 2011
Development of a remote sensing and control system for greenhouse applications
Real-time monitoring provides reliable, timely information of crop and soil status, important in taking decisions for crop production improvement. This work presents a real-time monitoring and control system for climatological variables in greenhouse. The system has wireless communication capabilities, which allow it to cover extensive surfaces in real-time, without extra resources. The system implementation...
October 2011
Disease index construction against prevalence of major diseases in fine rice
An experiment was carried out to study the covariance and co-heritability against prevalence of major diseases in 30 fine rice cultivars. The results revealed varying degrees of resistance against the major diseases. The cultivar, Ranjit was the top most yielder with 5.037 t/ha. Among the three major diseases, yield versus brown spot revealed the highest co-heritability (3.350) and yield versus disease index...
October 2011
Economics of sugarcane production on large scale farms in the Eshowe/Entumeni areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The recent surge in input markets has serious implications for the South African cane growers. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), have estimated that the aggregate South African farm input cost will rise by 53% in 2008. This situation is creating cash flow and solvency concerns for sugarcane growers. This study attempts to examine the factors influencing sugarcane production on large scale...
October 2011
Evaluation of growth and body traits of snailets obtained from the crossbreeding of black skinned × white skinned snails (Archachatina marginata (S)) in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria
This study evaluated the growth and body traits of snailets or juveniles obtained from the hatching of eggs resulting from the crossbreeding of black skinned × white skinned snails. The indices used were body weight, shell length, shell width, ‘mouth’ length and ‘mouth’ width. The results showed that all measured traits expressed progressive increase from hatch to week four....
October 2011
Detection of salt affected soil in rice-wheat area using satellite image
October 2011
Impact of pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams) on growth of Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.)
One of the most important damaging insects on Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) forests in the coastal Mediterranean Region of Turkey is pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. The larvae of PPM feed on needles of Turkish red pine and on some other Mediterranean conifers such as cedar. This study covers the impact of defoliation caused by PPM on...
October 2011
Root distributions and drought resistance of plantation tree species on the Weibei Loess Plateau in China
In this study, soil drilling and pot-culture methods were applied to study vertical root distributions and root drought resistance of plantation tree species on the Weibei Loess Plateau. Results indicated that site conditions had clear effects on vertical root distribution characteristics of Robinia pseudoacacia. Differences existed in vertical root distributions among the four study species, and R....
October 2011
Effects of excess copper on the oxidative stress in roots of maize seedlings
Though Cu is a necessary nutrient element for organism, it can cause damage to biota inhabited in Cu-contaminated regions. Zhendan958 is one of the dominant cultivar of maize (Zea mays L.) in China in the last five years due to its better traits in production. To assay the acute resistant response of Zhendan958 under Cu stress, the seedling was treated with 2 to 8 mM Cu for 96 h and many...
October 2011
Efficiency of amendments based on zeolite and bentonite in reducing the accumulation of heavy metals in tomato organs (Lycopersicum esculentum) grown in polluted soils
The aim of this study is to determine the way in which zeolite, zeolite modified with ammonium ions, zeolite modified with calcium ions and bentonite, influence the accumulation of copper, lead, iron, zinc and cadmium in different organs of tomatoes with each of the four tested at two different concentrations (5 and 10%). Moreover, the influence of the amendments on the content of chlorophyll and carotenoid...
October 2011
Proximate analysis and antimicrobial activities of Bambusa vulgaris L. leaves’ beverage
Nutrient analysis of aqueous extract (100 ml) of Bambusa vulgaris L. (Bambusoideae) leaves, (50 g) and the fortified extract of the leaves (fortified with orange and pineapple juices in varying proportion of 50 to 90%) together with their mineral and antimicrobial effect were carried out. The antimicrobial effect was determined with respect to their inhibitory effect on the growth of Bacillus...
October 2011
Apical meristem differentiation in reproductive and vegetative shoots in rhizomatous Leymus chinensis
To explore the difference in apical meristem (SAM) differentiation between reproductive shoots and vegetative shoots, as well as the effects of low winter temperature on spiking of Leymus chinensis (L. chinensis) using paraffin-embedded slices, we compared the changes in SAM differentiation of grasses after regreening but before spiking date, of vegetative shoots after...
October 2011
The effects of different protein sources on the growth of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus) reared under fresh water and brackish water
To evaluate the effects of different protein sources on the growth of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus), three growth trials were conducted. In the present study, four approximately isonitrogenous (24% crude protein) and isoenergetic diets were fed to triplicate groups of 9 fish with a mean initial body weight of 1.85 ± 0.02...
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