Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment (ALSE) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal on Agricultural, Horticultural and Animal Sciences, Food Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and Environmental Management in the field of Applied Life Sciences, published quarterly online and in print by “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS).
Latest Articles
Effect of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Feed Supplementation on Haematology and Reproductive Parameters for Algerian Rabbits
Omar Besseboua, Abdelhanine Ayad
ABSTRACT. This study aims at investigating the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) supplementation on reproductive performance, haematological parameters and fertility of rabbits under Algerian conditions. The animals were divided into three groups and received the same feed ration during the experimental period. The control group received a basal diet without feed additives (Group#0) and the two yeast SC groups received 0.3 and 0.6 g/day per head (Group#1 and Group#2, respectively). Semen and blood samples were collected for determination of semen parameters and haematology. The weights of rabbits treated with SC 0.3 g/day were statistically significantly different (P< 0.05) from the control groups and group treated with SC 0.6 g/day. There were significant differences between the treatment groups for (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values, with higher values in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day, compared to those in the control group. The scrotal diameter did not differ between the dietary treatments. When compared with the control group, feeding rabbits graded levels of SC resulted in an increase in the average semen volume, mass motility and individual motility at day 51 of the experiment. On the other hand, the sperm concentration was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day during the two months compared to that in the control group. The spermatozoa mortality rate was lower for the rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day (15.7% and 11.4%, respectively), compared to that in the control group (24%). In conclusion, this study has shown that inclusion of SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day in the diets of rabbit has positive effects on body weight and sperm analysis. Moreover, it increases the level (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH).
Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; feed; haematological parameters; sperm; rabbits.
Managing Yield and Yield Attributes of Triticale in a Deficit Irrigation System with Methanol Foliar Application
Mehdi Khoshkharam, Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian
ABSTRACT. Triticale is mainly grown for feed grain and biomass production for thatching straw and general human use. A combined analysis with a factorial layout in the two years of 2016 and 2017 with five replications was used to evaluate the yield and yield components of triticale under different methanol concentrations and irrigation managements in Isfahan, Iran. Irrigation treatments consisted of irrigation on the basis of 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% crop water requirements, and methanol treatments as foliar application on the basis of 15% methanol concentration, 30% methanol concentration and control treatment (0%). Methanol application influence on one hundred grain weight was significant. The maximum plant height, number of tillers, Leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), one hundred grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and protein content were achieved in irrigation on the basis of 100% crop water requirement. The maximum plant height, number of tillers, LAI, LAD, one hundred grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and protein were obtained in 2017. Foliar methanol application with 15% concentration obtained the maximum plant height, LAI, LAD, one hundred grain weight, biological yield, soil plant analytical development (SPAD) and protein percentage. The results of this experiment suggest that methanol can aid in alleviating the effects of drought stress on triticale in the climatic condition of Isfahan. It is concluded that triticale cultivars performed better in 2017, with 15% concentration of methanol application and irrigation on the basis of 100% crop water requirement.
Keywords: drought; agronomic traits; grain yield; LAI; LAD; SPAD.
Determination of the Factors Limiting Cotton Fiber Quality in Turkey
Seyhan Yasar, Emine Karademir
ABSTRACT. This study aims to determine the variation of fiber quality in cotton varieties produced in the Southeastern Anatolia Region and Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakir provinces. 1090 fiber samples were obtained from six cotton varieties (Lima, Stoneville 468, Candia and Babylon for Sanliurfa, Lima, Stoneville 468, Lodos and Gloria for Diyarbakir) collected from ginning factories in Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakir. Statistical analyzes were done with HVI device and obtained data were analyzed by using Excel and TOTEMSTAT programs. In the frequency distribution, cotton varieties of the region are in the medium and long fiber group in terms of fiber length. They were in the medium (only two samples), strong and very strong group in terms of fiber strength. They were generally in the medium and thick group in terms of fiber fineness (micronaire). In terms of fiber uniformity index, the majority of the fibers were in the middle group. In terms of short fiber index, most of the fibers were in the very low and low groups. The majority of the samples were in the high and medium group in terms of fiber elongation, in the mature and very mature group in terms of fiber maturity. In terms of spinning consistency index (SCI) 59,2% of the fibers were between 119,41 and 135,83; 31,3% of them were between 135,83 and 152,24, 58,2% of the material has a reflectance value of 74 and above. All materials were in white and light-yellow groups in terms of yellowness. It has been observed that the majority of the fibers (66%) are in the low group in terms of trash count. The results obtained from the study of cotton produce of Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey has shown that good fiber quality and to meet the demand of textile industry.
Keywords: analysis; cotton; fiber; quality; variation.
Adapting the Treatment of Ovarian Cysts According to Their Type in Dairy Cattle
Silviu-Ionuț Borș, Alina Borș
ABSTRACT. Ovarian cysts, estimated as the most frequent ovarian disorder in dairy cattle, can impact the economic aspect and trigger serious loss by affecting the reproductive performance. However, treatment strategies for ovarian cysts in dairy cattle are disputed, as some researchers favour the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for all cysts, whereas others recommend this treatment only for follicular cysts, with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) for luteal cysts, but not all of the dairy cattle responded to these regimes. Other studies mention a spontaneous recovery for some of the dairy cattle that present this disorder. However, the Ovsynch protocol appears to be the most used for treating ovarian follicular cysts, despite low pregnancy rates. Thus, this study’s main purpose is to assess by analogy the reproductive efficiency of multiparous dairy cattle with follicular cysts after treatment with a recommended dose of GnRH or a further Ovsynch protocol, and of cattle with luteal cysts after PGF2α or a further 12-day Presynch protocol, by comparing the reproductive responses between treated and non-treated cattle. It is remarkable that ten of the dairy cattle diagnosed with ovarian cysts recovered spontaneously without any hormonal intervention, but the reproductive performance indicates that treatment should be started as soon as the condition is diagnosed. Compared with other studies, our approach improved the conception (82.4% and 64.3%, respectively) and pregnancy rates (53.8% and 50%, respectively) in both follicular and luteal cysts.
Keywords: anovulation; treatment; estrus; reproduction.
Asymmetric Cellulose Acetate Membranes Used in Separation Applications
Gabriela Ciobanu, Lidia Favier, Maria Harja
ABSTRACT. This work focused on the use of cellulose acetate polymer for the preparation of porous asymmetric membranes using a phase inversion process. These membranes were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, a bubble-point method and sorption measurements. The preparation method used induced membrane anisotropy. The capacity of the membranes in the removal of electrolyte (NaCl) from aqueous solution was investigated. A good retention of 58.6% and a high flux rate of 8.9 × 10–4 m/s using NaCl solution of 200 mg/L concentration were obtained by cellulose acetate membranes prepared with water as non-solvent. The results showed that the membrane performance was affected by the membrane structure, which was determined by the conditions of membrane preparation.
Keywords: cellulose acetate polymer; porous membrane; asymmetric structure; salt rejection.
Seed Dormancy Breaking of an Endangered Medicinal Tree Species (Taxus Baccata L.) Using Embryo Culture
Mohamed Bekhouche, Abdelkader Morsli, Majda Khelifi-Slaoui, Roukia Benyammi, Hayette Zaout, Lakhdar Khelifi
ABSTRACT. Natural regeneration of Taxus baccata L. is constrained due to the depth of seed dormancy requirements (often taking two or more years) and low seed germination. Further, the conventional method of vegetative propagation by cuttings is associated with difficulties in rooting. Hence, for the first time, this study describes an efficient and reproducible in vitro protocol for breaking the dormancy of seeds from the endangered forest tree T. baccata L. via zygotic embryo culture. Embryos isolated from 100% sterile seeds were cultured on DCR medium that contains sucrose (30 g/l), agar (8 g/l), and activated charcoal (5 g/l), fortified with different concentrations of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs), and held at a temperature of 25 ± 2ºC in a growth room. The results revealed that the in vitro embryo germination percentage was mostly affected by gibberellic acid (GA3) and thidiazuron (TDZ). Among the nine treatments, the treatments with 0.5 mg/l TDZ and 1 mg/l GA3 showed the highest germination (100%), while the other treatments all increased the germination percentages significantly, compared to the control (37.5%). The 1/2 DCR medium with the addition of 0.1 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) resulted in the highest rooting ratio (94%). However, the greatest root and hypocotyl elongation (59.37 ± 3.77 and 62.75 ± 4.43 mm, respectively) occurred when seedlings were cultured on 1/2 DCR medium containing 0.5 mg/l BA. Plantlets were transplanted into plastic pots containing an autoclaved garden soil, sand, and vermiculite mixture (1:1:1) and held at a temperature of 25 ± 2 ºC in a growth room for 4 weeks before being transplanted into the greenhouse. These results indicated that the protocol developed during the current study will be useful to overcome seed dormancy and for multiplication and conservation of the species T. baccata L.
Keywords: common yew; germination; seedlings; zygotic embryo culture.
Morphological and Physicochemical Characterization of Date Palm Cultivars from Ghardaïa (Southeast Algeria)
Abdelkader Allam, Kaouthar Djafri, Meriem Bergouia, El-Haîfa Khemissat, Mohamed Tama, Brahim Taleb
ABSTRACT. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an economically important species vital for food security in Algeria, especially for the southern population. There are an estimated 18 million palm trees in Algeria with more than 1000 cultivars. This poorly known resource is unfortunately threatened with extinction. This work was carried out on 24 date palm cultivars, studying their morphological and physicochemical characteristics, such as the weight, length and diameter of the date and the seed, and the consistency, moisture, pH and sugar content of the dates. Ten homogeneous palm trees were selected for each cultivar. From each tree, we collected 40 fruits devoid of their calices (4-5 fruits per bunch), at different heights and orientations in each bunch. The results show that the morphological and physicochemical characteristics vary from one cultivar to another. The dates of most cultivars have a combination of good and bad characteristics. The cultivar Tmar-Bousbaa has very high values for the characteristics weight, length, and diameter of the date and seed (23.16 g, 4.90 cm, 2.85 cm, and 1.53 g, 2.74 cm, 0.94 cm, respectively). The cultivars Takarnait and Halwa have high acidity, varying between 1.08 and 1.92 g/kg of fresh material and a pH of less than 5.46. The cultivar Bouarous has a low sugar content: less than 63%. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the whole dataset, revealing high variability among the cultivars. Thus, out of 14 characteristics investigated, ten have been shown to be strong discriminating factors.
Keywords: characterization; cultivars; date palm; genetic diversity; oasis.
Assessment of Variety Preference Among Tomato Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria
Adebola Adegboye, Kemi Omotesho, Adeniyi Akinrinde
ABSTRACT. Despite the great potential for the production of tomatoes in south-west Nigeria, the region still depends largely on the north for the supply of tomatoes. This is in spite of the introduction of varieties that adapt well to different environmental conditions. The study examined the knowledge level on tomato varieties, assessed the importance and satisfaction attached to each varietal attribute and identified the most preferred cultivar. Purposive and random sampling techniques produced 205 respondents on whom an interview schedule was administered. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data. The majority of the respondents were males with a formal education, according to the study’s findings. The mean age, years of farming experience, farm sizes and number of extension contacts were 47 years, 17 years, 3.24 acres and three times, respectively. The farmers’ most preferred tomato varieties were Plum (Roma VF) and Grape. The result also shows that attributes that increase the yield and income of the farmers were accorded higher priority. The result further revealed that, at p<0.05, the number of years spent in school, number of extension contacts, farm size, years of experience in tomato farming, years of membership in tomato farmers’ associations and annual income had significant relationships with the farmers’ variety preference. The study concluded that the most preferred tomato varieties in Oyo State, Nigeria, were Plum and Grape. It is therefore recommended that plant breeders and other researchers involved in tomato growing should work to enhance the least preferred varieties. Also, tomato breeders should take note of the varietal attributes that farmers considered most important for their production. Keywords: importance; cultivar; satisfaction; variety attribute.
Fly Ash Magnetic Adsorbent for Cadmium Ion Removal from an Aqueous Solution
Gabriela Buema, Nicoleta Lupu, Horia Chiriac, Dumitru Daniel Herea, Lidia Favier, Gabriela Ciobanu, Loredana Forminte (Litu), Maria Harja
ABSTRACT. The fly ash generated from a Romanian power plant was used as a starting material in this study. The aim of the study was to obtain a low cost material based on the treatment of fly ash with Fe3O4 for utilization as an adsorbent for cadmium ion removal. The adsorbent that was synthesized was characterized using different techniques. The adsorption process was investigated by the batch technique at room temperature. The quantity of cadmium ion adsorbed was measured spectrophotometrically. The experimental data showed that the material can remove cadmium ions at all three working concentrations. The adsorption capacity increased with an increase in concentration, respectively contact time. The results were analyzed through two kinetic models: pseudo first order and pseudo second order. The kinetics results of cadmium adsorption onto a magnetic material are in good agreement with a pseudo second order model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.03 mg/g, 6.73 mg/g, and 9.65 mg/g. Additionally, the pseudo second order model was linearized into its four types. The results indicated that the material obtained show the ability to remove cadmium ions from an aqueous solution.
Keywords: magnetic adsorbent; adsorption; cadmium ions; kinetic study.
The Chemical Composition and Polluants Content of Some Ecological and Conventional Green Forage Sources for Dairy Cow Feed
Gherasim Nacu, Mircea Pop, Daniel Simeanu, Cristina Radu-Rusu, Roxana Zaharia, Vasile Vintilǎ
ABSTRACT. The quality of feed is very important in dairy milk production. The aim of the current paper was a comparative characterisation in terms of crude chemical composition, Ca and P, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), nitrates, nitrites and pesticides, for the natural meadow and green alfalfa, cultivated in ecological and conventional systems, utilised for feeding dairy cows. Sampling and analysis were performed according to established standards and working methods: drying for dry matter (DM); calcination for crude ash (C Ash); Kjeldahl method for crude protein (CP); Soxhlet method for crude fat or ether extract (EE), spectrophotometry for P, nitrates and nitrites; atomic absorption spectrometry for Ca, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn; gas-chromatography for pesticides. For alfalfa, the highest values in the ecological system were for C Ash (12.68%), EE (2.50%), NFE (35.78%) and Ca (1.79%). For the natural meadow, the highest values in the ecological system were for DM (25.72%), OS (89.32%), EE (2.76%), NFE (45.27%) and Ca (0.70%). The toxic heavy metal content was below the limits allowed (1 mg/kg Cd and 30 mg/kg Pb). For Pb, the values determined from the two feeds were between 0.06 mg/kg and 0.16 mg/kg and for Cd between 0.007 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg. The pesticides residuum was under the detection limit of 0.05 mg/kg DM for organo-chlorinated pesticides and 0.001 mg/kg for organo-phosphoric pesticides. All the studied forages were safe regarding pollutants (heavy metals, nitrites, nitrates and pesticides), but statistical differences existed between the production systems, such that the ecological system seems to be better.
Keywords: chemical composition; ecological system forages; heavy metals; pollutants.
The Effect of Different Techniques of Maceration-Fermentation on the Phenolic Composition of Red Wines
Maria Iulia Cerbu, Valeriu V. Cotea, Cătălin-Ioan Zamfir, Marius Niculaua, Ioana Călin, Andreea Popîrdă, Cintia Lucia Colibaba, Ștefan Tudose Sandu-Ville
ABSTRACT. Grapes, the quintessential quality factor in winemaking, are found in certain areas of the globe where viticulture thrives. The quality of wine products is directly influenced by the quality of the grapes, their process technology, the care and the quality of the premises and equipment used, as well as the conditions for the storage and use of the wines. In most red wine-making processes, it is preferred that the maceration process is accompanied by the fermentation process, as increase in the alcohol content favours the intensification of the extraction process. For this reason, both processes are combined in a single technological operation known as maceration-fermentation. The largest amount of polyphenolic compounds of wine, anthocyanins and tannins comes from the solid parts of the grapes ‒ the skins and seeds, and these have a decisive influence on the phenolic character of wines. Maceration is a fractional extraction which leads to the dissolution of the useful components of the grapes, which give the flavour, colour and taste typical of red wine. The aim of this research was to analyse the effect of different techniques of maceration-fermentation on the phenolic composition of red wines obtained from Merlot, Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties in Copou-Iasi vineyard compared to red wines obtained from the same varieties in Murfaltar vineyard, located in the northeast and south of Romania, respectively. Wines obtained by maceration-fermentation in rotating tanks have higher values of the Folin-Ciocâlteu index (wines obtained from Pinot noir) in contrast to those obtained by the classical maceration-fermentation technique (wines obtained from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon).
Keywords: maceration; phenolic compounds; red wines; tannins; anthocyanins.
Effect of Land Ownership on the Technical Efficiency of Crop Farmers
Adedeji Ogunwusi, Ivie Olaghere, Olubunmi Omotesho
ABSTRACT. The essence of this study was to examine the land ownership pattern in Osun State, Nigeria, with a view to assessing its effect on the technical efficiency of the farms. Precisely, the farm efficiency level was estimated; factors that determine farm efficiency were identified, and the impact of land ownership on-farm efficiency was also assessed. A three-stage random sampling was used to select 144 respondents. Data collected using a pretested interview schedule was subjected to descriptive statistics, stochastic production frontier function, and average treatment effect. The results show that land ownership by absolute interest accounted for about 65% of the farmers. The mean technical efficiency level of the farms was 47%. Farm size and labour are necessary factors to be increased to have increased output. The non-access to credit and land ownership by absolute interest constituted to technical inefficiency of the farms. Similarly, ownership of farmland by absolute interest reduced efficiency by 24% among sampled farmers and 25.5% among owners of farmland. The study, therefore, suggested that farm size should be increased, and credit facilities are made available to farmers to facilitate the acquisition of necessary inputs to increase output given the existing technology. This can be by way of making accessible to food crop farmers, lands belonging to the government, which are currently not in use.
Keywords: absolute interest; derivative interest; land acquisition; land use system; food crops.
Rice Farmers’ Perception and Knowledge of Integrated Rice and Fish Farming in Selected Local Government Areas of Kwara State
Deborah Olabode, Kemi Omotesho, Oluwafemi Olabanji, Israel Ogunlade, Oluwatosin Adebisi
ABSTRACT. In spite of the numerous advantages associated with integrated rice and fish farming, deliberate adoption of this technique is still insignificant. This study examined rice farmers’ perception and knowledge of integrated rice and fish farming practice in Kwara State. A three-stage sampling procedure was used to select 149 rice farmers, while data was obtained through the use of a well-structured structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results show that 81.9% of the respondents were male with mean age of 38 years and an average of 14 years farming experience. Given the average mean score of 3.04 respondents had a positive perception of integrated rice and fish farming, while 63.8% of the respondents had moderate knowledge. Farmers’ identified high cost of irrigation materials (M.S.=2.59), poaching (M.S.=2.59), flooding (M.S.= 2.55) as major constraints to the practice of integrated rice and fish farming. Farmers’ perception had a significant relationship with knowledge of integrated rice and fish farming at p<0.05 level. Also, farmers’ age (r=0.300, p<0.000), level of education (r=0.287, p<0.000), farming experience (r=0.220, p<0.007), membership of cooperative society (r=0.176, p<0.032) and extension contact (r=0.204, p<0.013) had significant relationship with the knowledge level. The study concluded that the rice farmers had moderate knowledge and positive perception of integrated rice and fish farming. There is a need to provide incentives, such as irrigation facilities to farmers and provision of adequate training on integrated rice and fish farming in order to fully maximize the potentials therein. Keywords: perception; knowledge; integrated farming; rice; fish.
Youths’ Involvement in Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Fruit Processing Activities
Julius Olatunde Ayinde, Michael Famakinwa, Babatunde Opeyemi Akeredolu
ABSTRACT. This study assessed the youths’ involvement in oil palm fruit processing activities in Ondo State, Nigeria. It described the socio-economic characteristics of youths involved in oil palm fruit processing activities, determined their level of involvement, examined their perception and identified constraints associated with their involvement. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents from the study area. Interview schedule was employed to collect relevant data, which was analysed with SPSS software package. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data while inferential statistics were used to draw inference on hypothesis. The results show that majority (63.3%) were male, 95.8% had formal education with a mean age of 27.2 ± 2.7 years. Picking of fresh fruit bunches ( = 2.71), packaging ( = 2.60) and gathering of bunches ( = 2.50) were the major activities youth involved in. Higher percentage (57.9%) of the youth had favourable perception towards involvement in oil palm fruit processing activities. Lack of modern processing facilities ( =3.65) and funds/inadequate credit facilities ( = 3.65) were the prime constraints to their involvement. Number of labour (r = 0.7460; p≤0.01) and income (r = 0.601; p≤0.01) of the respondents were significantly related to youth involvement. The study concluded that youth had moderate involvement in oil palm processing activities. However, agricultural development stakeholders like government should provide adequate and functional credits facilities to these youths to encourage their involvement.
Keywords: constraints; participation; processing; perception, socio-economic.
Rural Households’ Perception of Vitamin A Biofortified Cassava and Its Products: Implications for Food Security
Dorcas Lola Alabi, Damilola Leah Aribifo, Oluwatomiwo Elizabeth Oluyemi
ABSTRACT. The paper examined the perception of rural households about vitamin A biofortified cassava and its products in Osun State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 50 households’ members. Quantitative data were collected on the respondents’ personal and socio-economic characteristics, their awareness on vitamin A biofortified cassava, their perception about the crop and its products, as well as the constraints affecting its acceptability in the study area. Data were described using frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation and inferential statistics, like Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi-square analyses. Results showed that the respondents had a mean age of 52.62 ± 14.30, while 82% of them were married. 74% of the respondents had heard of Vitamin A bio fortified cassava, 64% had seen it while 44% had planted it with 54% having positive perception towards the crop and its products. Poor transport facilities (mean = 3.16) and difficulties in getting planting materials (mean = 2.36) ranked highest among the constraints affecting acceptability of the crop in the study area. There exist significant association between the respondents’ marital status and their perception about vitamin A biofortified cassava. It was concluded that majority of the respondents have positive perception towards vitamin A biofortified cassava and its products. It was recommended that extension personnel should create more awareness about the nutritional value of the crop and its products to enhance better food security status among rural households.
Keywords: socio-economic; acceptability; awareness; constraints.
Food Security Status: Its Drivers and Coping Strategies Among Vegetable Farming Households
Ridwan Mukaila, Abraham Falola, Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho
ABSTRACT. Food insecurity remains a major challenge worldwide, especially among the rural areas of developing nation. Women and children are most vulnerable to this phenomenon. However, while many studies have assessed farming households’ food security status in general, there is dearth of information on vegetable farmers’, who are mostly women, food security status in particular. This study, therefore, investigated the food security status of vegetable farming households, its drivers and coping strategies in Kwara State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, food insecurity index and logistic regression were used to analysed data collected from 180 respondents. The findings showed that food insecurity remains a major challenge in rural areas as only 45.55% were food secure. The food secure group surpassed the food security line by 17%. Food insecure group fell below the food security line by 36% with a daily average calorie intake of 1581.35 kcal. Annual income (p< 0.1), cooperative membership (p< 0.1), vegetable production (p< 0.05) and access to credit (p< 0.05) were the significant factors enhancing their food security status, while household size (p< 0.01) negatively influenced it. The widely used food insecurity coping mechanisms by the households were eating less expensive food, eating wild fruits, reducing rational consumption, allowing children to eat first, borrowing money to buy food, buying food on credit and skipping meal within a day. The study recommends encouragement of vegetable production through provision of credit facilities to the farmers as this would enhance their food security status. Keywords: food insecurity; calorie intake; rural women; coping strategies; vegetable production.
Economic Analysis of Contract Farming and Technical Efficiency of Broiler Farmers
Luke Adebisi, Oluwaremilekun Adebisi, Marvellous Owolabi, Edet Henshaw, Olaide Asiyanbi
ABSTRACT. The study assessed the effect of contract farming on broiler production in Osun State, Nigeria. 120 farmers comprising of broiler farmers participating and not participating in contract farming were selected using multistage sampling technique. Information was elicited from the farmers with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Stochastic Production Frontier and Ordinary least square regression model. The findings of this study revealed that majority (75%) of the farmers rated the activities of contracting farming to be good and favorable, as the contract farmers earn more from broiler production than their counterparts. Average technical efficiency of the contract and non contract farmers were 0.8209 and 0.6803, respectively. The results also revealed that years of experience in broiler production, education of farmer, off-farm income, membership in farmers association, access to credit, access to veterinary services and participation in contract farming significantly affected technical efficiency of broiler farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends that there should be increase in the awareness of the benefits associated with contract farming in agrarian communities, so that more farmers are encouraged to participate, as this will improve their production efficiency.
Keywords: poultry; income; regression; household.
Does Credit Access Improve Adoption Intensity of Improved Maize Seed Varieties?
Ayodeji Damilola Kehinde
ABSTRACT. This study investigated the effect of credit access on the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties in Osun State. A number of 150 maize farmers were selected through a multistage sampling procedure from using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, adoption index, and Tobit regression model were used to analyse the data collected. The results showed that Majority of maize farmers were over 40 years (52.6%), male (87%), and married (87%). The result also showed that majority of the farmers did not adopt improved maize varieties (55%) in the state. Swan 1 improved variety was majorly adopted (87.1%), while DMR-ESR-W variety was less adopted (62.9%) in the State. Just a few of maize farmers had access to credit in the State (20%). The mean adoption intensity in the State was observed to 62%. Based on adoption intensity of improved maize varieties, adopters were classified as partial adopters (65%) and full adopters (35%). Tobit regression estimates showed that credit access, household size, secondary occupation, years of education and extension contact have significant effect on the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties. In accordance with the findings, we therefore recommend that microfinance institutions should look attentively at scaling up their credit services to enhancing adoption intensity of improved maize varieties.
Keywords: microfinance; Swan I; DMR-ESR-W; Tobit model; maize farmers, Osun State.
Effects of Different Stages of Maturity and Postharvest Treatments on the Extension of Shelf Life and Quality of Banana
Md. Abu Abdullah Al Muzahid, Most. Mahbuba Khanum, Md. Ferdous Mondal
ABSTRACT. An experiment was carried out in the Laboratories of the Departments of Horticulture and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from 23rd April to 10th May 2015. The two factors experiment was conducted for extension of shelf life and quality of banana under different postharvest treatments. The first factor was stages of maturity which had three maturity stages, viz.: 1) hard green (S1), 2) pale green (S2) and optimum maturity stage (S3). The second factor was postharvest treatments, which had five treatments, viz.: 1) control (room temperature), 2) keeping fruits in perforated plastic bag, 3) keeping fruits in perforated plastic bag containing KMnO4, 4) fruits treated with hot water for 5 min at 50°C and then kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4, and 5) fruits pre-cooling for 30 min at 5°C and then kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4. The pulp to peel ratio, total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar, titratable acidity, were greater when fruits were harvested at optimum maturity stage than hard green stage. Total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar were increased with storage duration, but increasing trend was slower when fruits were pre-cooling at 5°C for 30 min and kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4. The longest shelf life of banana fruits (19 days) was observed when hard green stages fruits pre-cooling at 5°C for 30 min and kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4 and the minimum shelf life (5.87 days) was observed in the combination of optimum maturity stage + control. So, it may be concluded that pre-cooling for 30 min at 5°C and then kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4 treatment should be used for extending shelf life and quality of banana.
Keywords: maturity; banana; KMnO4; postharvest; storage.
The Effect of Pangium SP. and Tithonia Diversifolia Leaves Extract as Vegetable Pesticides to Crocidolomia Pavonana (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) Larva Mortality
Eva Baideng, Ventje Memah, Hanny Pontororing, Hendronoto Lengkey
ABSTRACT. Pangium sp. and Tithonia diversifolia have the potential to become vegetable pesticides due to the content of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins in their leaves, which are plant protection agents. This study aims to determine the mortality of Crocidolomia pavonana larvae after application of Pangium sp. and Tithonia diversifolia. C. pavonana is one of the main pests affecting cabbage production in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Pangium sp. and T. diversifolia leaf extraction separately were carried out by immersion method using methanol (CH3OH) solvent and followed by current-current distribution method. The result of crude extract was partitioned in a 95% mixture of hexane methanol (C6H14 – CH3OH). Then, the 95% methanol fraction (CH3OH) was further partitioned with a mixture of ethyl acetate and water (EtOAc – H2O), and the extract from the ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc) was then used in testing as a vegetable pesticide. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments, namely 0% (control), 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% and carried out three replications, where each treatment used 10 larvae. Larval mortality observations were carried out at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 HAA (hours after application). The results indicated that there was a mortality rate of C. pavonana larvae, so that the Pangium sp. and T. diversifolia have the ability to act as botanical insecticides, although T. diversifolia extract treatment showed a higher mortality rate, compared to Pangium sp. Larval mortality above 50% (LC 50) was found in P3 (0.3%) treatment after 72 HAA, is of 53.33% (Pangium sp. extract) and 63.33% (T. diversifolia extract), successively. Then, at 120 HAA, the same larval mortality rate from both extractions in P3 treatment, increased to 76.67% using Pangium sp. extract, while the same mortality rate (76.67%) using T. diversifolia extract occurred in 96 HAA observations. ANOVA test showed significantly different results for the two extraction uses of Pangium sp. and T. diversifolia. LC 50 in Pangium sp. extract, at a concentration of 0.136% or 1360 ppm and in T. diversifolia extract of 0.1103% or 1103 ppm.
Keywords: extraction; vegetable pesticides; Pangium sp.; Tithonia diversifolia; Crocidolomia pavonana.
Sustainable Management of Mango Nutrition for Better Yield and Quality
Muhammad Khan, Niaz Ahmed
ABSTRACT. Optimum supply of macro and micronutrients is of critical importance in improving the yield and quality of horticultural crops. Alike, the quality and yield of mango plants significantly increase by balanced application and uptake of macro and micronutrients. However, soil type and characteristics are important factors that directly influence the bio-availability of these nutrients to the plants. In addition, variability in climate has an impact on mango yield in the current scenario. Many scientists have found that mango cultivation in saline soils is a major obstacle to achieving the desired yield and improving quality. Overdose of fertilization is the major factor for the development of saline soils, furthermore, rise in climate temperatures is also a major factor. Therefore, to overcome this problem, nutrient management and the use of balanced fertilizer are the important factors to be controlled. Thus, this review focuses on the performance and importance of essential macro and micronutrients to improve the yield and quality of mango fruits. To understand the effective use of macro and micronutrients, the positive and negative impacts of the nutrients are explained. It is suggested that analyzing the soil, mango fruits, and mango plant leaves for their nutrient status can be useful to formulate fertilization strategies for higher fruit production and quality. Research and development, along with agricultural extension, should focus more on introducing genetically effective mango varieties to improve nutrient and water utilization efficiency.
Keywords: nutrient management; fruit quality; mango production; yield.
Novel Application of Trichilia Heudelotii Planch: Effectiveness of Different Polarity of Organic Solvents of Leaf and Stem Bark Extracts on the Control of Cowpea Beetle
R.O. Uddin II, G.V. Awolola, S. Mustapha, O.H. Abdulazeez, O.T. Ilesanmi, S.A. Aliyu
ABSTRACT. Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea beetle) is a field-to-store pest causing over 90% losses of cowpea. The search for new plant-derived crop protectant that can be explored as alternative to synthetic pesticides is urgently needed. Thus, the phytochemical screening, as well as the bioactivity of different polarity of organic solvents of leaf and stembark extracts of Trichilia heudelotii (Meliaceae), was investigated against the field-to-store insect pest Callosobruchus maculatus in laboratory bioassay. The non-polar (hexane) and polar (ethanol) extracts [0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml] of the leaf and stem bark were added to 100 g of cowpea. The following parameters of the cowpea weevil life cycle were analysed at the various concentrations: adult mortality, oviposition rate, number of larvae and pupae, and emergence of first filial progeny. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins in both the non-polar and polar extracts. Furthermore, the various treatments used were significantly (p< 0.05) effective in controlling C. maculatus from 1 and also 30 days after treatment (DAT) for both the non-polar and polar extracts when compared to the control. However, the most effective treatment was observed with the polar (EtOH) stem bark extract at 1.5 ml, which caused more mortalities and fewer emergence of the insect. Our findings suggest that the non-polar and polar leaf and stem bark of T. heudelotii extracts could serve as a sustainable and potential alternative to synthetic chemicals in pest control. Keywords: Callosobruchus maculatus; Trichilia heudelotii extracts; bio-pesticide; insect pest control.
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Effect of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Feed Supplementation on Haematology and Reproductive Parameters for Algerian Rabbits
Omar Besseboua, Abdelhanine Ayad
ABSTRACT. This study aims at investigating the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) supplementation on reproductive performance, haematological parameters and fertility of rabbits under Algerian conditions. The animals were divided into three groups and received the same feed ration during the experimental period. The control group received a basal diet without feed additives (Group#0) and the two yeast SC groups received 0.3 and 0.6 g/day per head (Group#1 and Group#2, respectively). Semen and blood samples were collected for determination of semen parameters and haematology. The weights of rabbits treated with SC 0.3 g/day were statistically significantly different (P< 0.05) from the control groups and group treated with SC 0.6 g/day. There were significant differences between the treatment groups for (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values, with higher values in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day, compared to those in the control group. The scrotal diameter did not differ between the dietary treatments. When compared with the control group, feeding rabbits graded levels of SC resulted in an increase in the average semen volume, mass motility and individual motility at day 51 of the experiment. On the other hand, the sperm concentration was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day during the two months compared to that in the control group. The spermatozoa mortality rate was lower for the rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day (15.7% and 11.4%, respectively), compared to that in the control group (24%). In conclusion, this study has shown that inclusion of SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day in the diets of rabbit has positive effects on body weight and sperm analysis. Moreover, it increases the level (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH).
Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; feed; haematological parameters; sperm; rabbits.
Managing Yield and Yield Attributes of Triticale in a Deficit Irrigation System with Methanol Foliar Application
Mehdi Khoshkharam, Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian
ABSTRACT. Triticale is mainly grown for feed grain and biomass production for thatching straw and general human use. A combined analysis with a factorial layout in the two years of 2016 and 2017 with five replications was used to evaluate the yield and yield components of triticale under different methanol concentrations and irrigation managements in Isfahan, Iran. Irrigation treatments consisted of irrigation on the basis of 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% crop water requirements, and methanol treatments as foliar application on the basis of 15% methanol concentration, 30% methanol concentration and control treatment (0%). Methanol application influence on one hundred grain weight was significant. The maximum plant height, number of tillers, Leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), one hundred grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and protein content were achieved in irrigation on the basis of 100% crop water requirement. The maximum plant height, number of tillers, LAI, LAD, one hundred grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and protein were obtained in 2017. Foliar methanol application with 15% concentration obtained the maximum plant height, LAI, LAD, one hundred grain weight, biological yield, soil plant analytical development (SPAD) and protein percentage. The results of this experiment suggest that methanol can aid in alleviating the effects of drought stress on triticale in the climatic condition of Isfahan. It is concluded that triticale cultivars performed better in 2017, with 15% concentration of methanol application and irrigation on the basis of 100% crop water requirement.
Keywords: drought; agronomic traits; grain yield; LAI; LAD; SPAD.
Determination of the Factors Limiting Cotton Fiber Quality in Turkey
Seyhan Yasar, Emine Karademir
ABSTRACT. This study aims to determine the variation of fiber quality in cotton varieties produced in the Southeastern Anatolia Region and Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakir provinces. 1090 fiber samples were obtained from six cotton varieties (Lima, Stoneville 468, Candia and Babylon for Sanliurfa, Lima, Stoneville 468, Lodos and Gloria for Diyarbakir) collected from ginning factories in Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakir. Statistical analyzes were done with HVI device and obtained data were analyzed by using Excel and TOTEMSTAT programs. In the frequency distribution, cotton varieties of the region are in the medium and long fiber group in terms of fiber length. They were in the medium (only two samples), strong and very strong group in terms of fiber strength. They were generally in the medium and thick group in terms of fiber fineness (micronaire). In terms of fiber uniformity index, the majority of the fibers were in the middle group. In terms of short fiber index, most of the fibers were in the very low and low groups. The majority of the samples were in the high and medium group in terms of fiber elongation, in the mature and very mature group in terms of fiber maturity. In terms of spinning consistency index (SCI) 59,2% of the fibers were between 119,41 and 135,83; 31,3% of them were between 135,83 and 152,24, 58,2% of the material has a reflectance value of 74 and above. All materials were in white and light-yellow groups in terms of yellowness. It has been observed that the majority of the fibers (66%) are in the low group in terms of trash count. The results obtained from the study of cotton produce of Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey has shown that good fiber quality and to meet the demand of textile industry.
Keywords: analysis; cotton; fiber; quality; variation.
Adapting the Treatment of Ovarian Cysts According to Their Type in Dairy Cattle
Silviu-Ionuț Borș, Alina Borș
ABSTRACT. Ovarian cysts, estimated as the most frequent ovarian disorder in dairy cattle, can impact the economic aspect and trigger serious loss by affecting the reproductive performance. However, treatment strategies for ovarian cysts in dairy cattle are disputed, as some researchers favour the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for all cysts, whereas others recommend this treatment only for follicular cysts, with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) for luteal cysts, but not all of the dairy cattle responded to these regimes. Other studies mention a spontaneous recovery for some of the dairy cattle that present this disorder. However, the Ovsynch protocol appears to be the most used for treating ovarian follicular cysts, despite low pregnancy rates. Thus, this study’s main purpose is to assess by analogy the reproductive efficiency of multiparous dairy cattle with follicular cysts after treatment with a recommended dose of GnRH or a further Ovsynch protocol, and of cattle with luteal cysts after PGF2α or a further 12-day Presynch protocol, by comparing the reproductive responses between treated and non-treated cattle. It is remarkable that ten of the dairy cattle diagnosed with ovarian cysts recovered spontaneously without any hormonal intervention, but the reproductive performance indicates that treatment should be started as soon as the condition is diagnosed. Compared with other studies, our approach improved the conception (82.4% and 64.3%, respectively) and pregnancy rates (53.8% and 50%, respectively) in both follicular and luteal cysts.
Keywords: anovulation; treatment; estrus; reproduction.
Asymmetric Cellulose Acetate Membranes Used in Separation Applications
Gabriela Ciobanu, Lidia Favier, Maria Harja
ABSTRACT. This work focused on the use of cellulose acetate polymer for the preparation of porous asymmetric membranes using a phase inversion process. These membranes were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, a bubble-point method and sorption measurements. The preparation method used induced membrane anisotropy. The capacity of the membranes in the removal of electrolyte (NaCl) from aqueous solution was investigated. A good retention of 58.6% and a high flux rate of 8.9 × 10–4 m/s using NaCl solution of 200 mg/L concentration were obtained by cellulose acetate membranes prepared with water as non-solvent. The results showed that the membrane performance was affected by the membrane structure, which was determined by the conditions of membrane preparation.
Keywords: cellulose acetate polymer; porous membrane; asymmetric structure; salt rejection.
Seed Dormancy Breaking of an Endangered Medicinal Tree Species (Taxus Baccata L.) Using Embryo Culture
Mohamed Bekhouche, Abdelkader Morsli, Majda Khelifi-Slaoui, Roukia Benyammi, Hayette Zaout, Lakhdar Khelifi
ABSTRACT. Natural regeneration of Taxus baccata L. is constrained due to the depth of seed dormancy requirements (often taking two or more years) and low seed germination. Further, the conventional method of vegetative propagation by cuttings is associated with difficulties in rooting. Hence, for the first time, this study describes an efficient and reproducible in vitro protocol for breaking the dormancy of seeds from the endangered forest tree T. baccata L. via zygotic embryo culture. Embryos isolated from 100% sterile seeds were cultured on DCR medium that contains sucrose (30 g/l), agar (8 g/l), and activated charcoal (5 g/l), fortified with different concentrations of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs), and held at a temperature of 25 ± 2ºC in a growth room. The results revealed that the in vitro embryo germination percentage was mostly affected by gibberellic acid (GA3) and thidiazuron (TDZ). Among the nine treatments, the treatments with 0.5 mg/l TDZ and 1 mg/l GA3 showed the highest germination (100%), while the other treatments all increased the germination percentages significantly, compared to the control (37.5%). The 1/2 DCR medium with the addition of 0.1 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) resulted in the highest rooting ratio (94%). However, the greatest root and hypocotyl elongation (59.37 ± 3.77 and 62.75 ± 4.43 mm, respectively) occurred when seedlings were cultured on 1/2 DCR medium containing 0.5 mg/l BA. Plantlets were transplanted into plastic pots containing an autoclaved garden soil, sand, and vermiculite mixture (1:1:1) and held at a temperature of 25 ± 2 ºC in a growth room for 4 weeks before being transplanted into the greenhouse. These results indicated that the protocol developed during the current study will be useful to overcome seed dormancy and for multiplication and conservation of the species T. baccata L.
Keywords: common yew; germination; seedlings; zygotic embryo culture.
Morphological and Physicochemical Characterization of Date Palm Cultivars from Ghardaïa (Southeast Algeria)
Abdelkader Allam, Kaouthar Djafri, Meriem Bergouia, El-Haîfa Khemissat, Mohamed Tama, Brahim Taleb
ABSTRACT. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an economically important species vital for food security in Algeria, especially for the southern population. There are an estimated 18 million palm trees in Algeria with more than 1000 cultivars. This poorly known resource is unfortunately threatened with extinction. This work was carried out on 24 date palm cultivars, studying their morphological and physicochemical characteristics, such as the weight, length and diameter of the date and the seed, and the consistency, moisture, pH and sugar content of the dates. Ten homogeneous palm trees were selected for each cultivar. From each tree, we collected 40 fruits devoid of their calices (4-5 fruits per bunch), at different heights and orientations in each bunch. The results show that the morphological and physicochemical characteristics vary from one cultivar to another. The dates of most cultivars have a combination of good and bad characteristics. The cultivar Tmar-Bousbaa has very high values for the characteristics weight, length, and diameter of the date and seed (23.16 g, 4.90 cm, 2.85 cm, and 1.53 g, 2.74 cm, 0.94 cm, respectively). The cultivars Takarnait and Halwa have high acidity, varying between 1.08 and 1.92 g/kg of fresh material and a pH of less than 5.46. The cultivar Bouarous has a low sugar content: less than 63%. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the whole dataset, revealing high variability among the cultivars. Thus, out of 14 characteristics investigated, ten have been shown to be strong discriminating factors.
Keywords: characterization; cultivars; date palm; genetic diversity; oasis.
Assessment of Variety Preference Among Tomato Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria
Adebola Adegboye, Kemi Omotesho, Adeniyi Akinrinde
ABSTRACT. Despite the great potential for the production of tomatoes in south-west Nigeria, the region still depends largely on the north for the supply of tomatoes. This is in spite of the introduction of varieties that adapt well to different environmental conditions. The study examined the knowledge level on tomato varieties, assessed the importance and satisfaction attached to each varietal attribute and identified the most preferred cultivar. Purposive and random sampling techniques produced 205 respondents on whom an interview schedule was administered. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data. The majority of the respondents were males with a formal education, according to the study’s findings. The mean age, years of farming experience, farm sizes and number of extension contacts were 47 years, 17 years, 3.24 acres and three times, respectively. The farmers’ most preferred tomato varieties were Plum (Roma VF) and Grape. The result also shows that attributes that increase the yield and income of the farmers were accorded higher priority. The result further revealed that, at p<0.05, the number of years spent in school, number of extension contacts, farm size, years of experience in tomato farming, years of membership in tomato farmers’ associations and annual income had significant relationships with the farmers’ variety preference. The study concluded that the most preferred tomato varieties in Oyo State, Nigeria, were Plum and Grape. It is therefore recommended that plant breeders and other researchers involved in tomato growing should work to enhance the least preferred varieties. Also, tomato breeders should take note of the varietal attributes that farmers considered most important for their production. Keywords: importance; cultivar; satisfaction; variety attribute.
Fly Ash Magnetic Adsorbent for Cadmium Ion Removal from an Aqueous Solution
Gabriela Buema, Nicoleta Lupu, Horia Chiriac, Dumitru Daniel Herea, Lidia Favier, Gabriela Ciobanu, Loredana Forminte (Litu), Maria Harja
ABSTRACT. The fly ash generated from a Romanian power plant was used as a starting material in this study. The aim of the study was to obtain a low cost material based on the treatment of fly ash with Fe3O4 for utilization as an adsorbent for cadmium ion removal. The adsorbent that was synthesized was characterized using different techniques. The adsorption process was investigated by the batch technique at room temperature. The quantity of cadmium ion adsorbed was measured spectrophotometrically. The experimental data showed that the material can remove cadmium ions at all three working concentrations. The adsorption capacity increased with an increase in concentration, respectively contact time. The results were analyzed through two kinetic models: pseudo first order and pseudo second order. The kinetics results of cadmium adsorption onto a magnetic material are in good agreement with a pseudo second order model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.03 mg/g, 6.73 mg/g, and 9.65 mg/g. Additionally, the pseudo second order model was linearized into its four types. The results indicated that the material obtained show the ability to remove cadmium ions from an aqueous solution.
Keywords: magnetic adsorbent; adsorption; cadmium ions; kinetic study.
The Chemical Composition and Polluants Content of Some Ecological and Conventional Green Forage Sources for Dairy Cow Feed
Gherasim Nacu, Mircea Pop, Daniel Simeanu, Cristina Radu-Rusu, Roxana Zaharia, Vasile Vintilǎ
ABSTRACT. The quality of feed is very important in dairy milk production. The aim of the current paper was a comparative characterisation in terms of crude chemical composition, Ca and P, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu), nitrates, nitrites and pesticides, for the natural meadow and green alfalfa, cultivated in ecological and conventional systems, utilised for feeding dairy cows. Sampling and analysis were performed according to established standards and working methods: drying for dry matter (DM); calcination for crude ash (C Ash); Kjeldahl method for crude protein (CP); Soxhlet method for crude fat or ether extract (EE), spectrophotometry for P, nitrates and nitrites; atomic absorption spectrometry for Ca, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn; gas-chromatography for pesticides. For alfalfa, the highest values in the ecological system were for C Ash (12.68%), EE (2.50%), NFE (35.78%) and Ca (1.79%). For the natural meadow, the highest values in the ecological system were for DM (25.72%), OS (89.32%), EE (2.76%), NFE (45.27%) and Ca (0.70%). The toxic heavy metal content was below the limits allowed (1 mg/kg Cd and 30 mg/kg Pb). For Pb, the values determined from the two feeds were between 0.06 mg/kg and 0.16 mg/kg and for Cd between 0.007 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg. The pesticides residuum was under the detection limit of 0.05 mg/kg DM for organo-chlorinated pesticides and 0.001 mg/kg for organo-phosphoric pesticides. All the studied forages were safe regarding pollutants (heavy metals, nitrites, nitrates and pesticides), but statistical differences existed between the production systems, such that the ecological system seems to be better.
Keywords: chemical composition; ecological system forages; heavy metals; pollutants.
The Effect of Different Techniques of Maceration-Fermentation on the Phenolic Composition of Red Wines
Maria Iulia Cerbu, Valeriu V. Cotea, Cătălin-Ioan Zamfir, Marius Niculaua, Ioana Călin, Andreea Popîrdă, Cintia Lucia Colibaba, Ștefan Tudose Sandu-Ville
ABSTRACT. Grapes, the quintessential quality factor in winemaking, are found in certain areas of the globe where viticulture thrives. The quality of wine products is directly influenced by the quality of the grapes, their process technology, the care and the quality of the premises and equipment used, as well as the conditions for the storage and use of the wines. In most red wine-making processes, it is preferred that the maceration process is accompanied by the fermentation process, as increase in the alcohol content favours the intensification of the extraction process. For this reason, both processes are combined in a single technological operation known as maceration-fermentation. The largest amount of polyphenolic compounds of wine, anthocyanins and tannins comes from the solid parts of the grapes ‒ the skins and seeds, and these have a decisive influence on the phenolic character of wines. Maceration is a fractional extraction which leads to the dissolution of the useful components of the grapes, which give the flavour, colour and taste typical of red wine. The aim of this research was to analyse the effect of different techniques of maceration-fermentation on the phenolic composition of red wines obtained from Merlot, Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties in Copou-Iasi vineyard compared to red wines obtained from the same varieties in Murfaltar vineyard, located in the northeast and south of Romania, respectively. Wines obtained by maceration-fermentation in rotating tanks have higher values of the Folin-Ciocâlteu index (wines obtained from Pinot noir) in contrast to those obtained by the classical maceration-fermentation technique (wines obtained from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon).
Keywords: maceration; phenolic compounds; red wines; tannins; anthocyanins.
Effect of Land Ownership on the Technical Efficiency of Crop Farmers
Adedeji Ogunwusi, Ivie Olaghere, Olubunmi Omotesho
ABSTRACT. The essence of this study was to examine the land ownership pattern in Osun State, Nigeria, with a view to assessing its effect on the technical efficiency of the farms. Precisely, the farm efficiency level was estimated; factors that determine farm efficiency were identified, and the impact of land ownership on-farm efficiency was also assessed. A three-stage random sampling was used to select 144 respondents. Data collected using a pretested interview schedule was subjected to descriptive statistics, stochastic production frontier function, and average treatment effect. The results show that land ownership by absolute interest accounted for about 65% of the farmers. The mean technical efficiency level of the farms was 47%. Farm size and labour are necessary factors to be increased to have increased output. The non-access to credit and land ownership by absolute interest constituted to technical inefficiency of the farms. Similarly, ownership of farmland by absolute interest reduced efficiency by 24% among sampled farmers and 25.5% among owners of farmland. The study, therefore, suggested that farm size should be increased, and credit facilities are made available to farmers to facilitate the acquisition of necessary inputs to increase output given the existing technology. This can be by way of making accessible to food crop farmers, lands belonging to the government, which are currently not in use.
Keywords: absolute interest; derivative interest; land acquisition; land use system; food crops.
Rice Farmers’ Perception and Knowledge of Integrated Rice and Fish Farming in Selected Local Government Areas of Kwara State
Deborah Olabode, Kemi Omotesho, Oluwafemi Olabanji, Israel Ogunlade, Oluwatosin Adebisi
ABSTRACT. In spite of the numerous advantages associated with integrated rice and fish farming, deliberate adoption of this technique is still insignificant. This study examined rice farmers’ perception and knowledge of integrated rice and fish farming practice in Kwara State. A three-stage sampling procedure was used to select 149 rice farmers, while data was obtained through the use of a well-structured structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results show that 81.9% of the respondents were male with mean age of 38 years and an average of 14 years farming experience. Given the average mean score of 3.04 respondents had a positive perception of integrated rice and fish farming, while 63.8% of the respondents had moderate knowledge. Farmers’ identified high cost of irrigation materials (M.S.=2.59), poaching (M.S.=2.59), flooding (M.S.= 2.55) as major constraints to the practice of integrated rice and fish farming. Farmers’ perception had a significant relationship with knowledge of integrated rice and fish farming at p<0.05 level. Also, farmers’ age (r=0.300, p<0.000), level of education (r=0.287, p<0.000), farming experience (r=0.220, p<0.007), membership of cooperative society (r=0.176, p<0.032) and extension contact (r=0.204, p<0.013) had significant relationship with the knowledge level. The study concluded that the rice farmers had moderate knowledge and positive perception of integrated rice and fish farming. There is a need to provide incentives, such as irrigation facilities to farmers and provision of adequate training on integrated rice and fish farming in order to fully maximize the potentials therein. Keywords: perception; knowledge; integrated farming; rice; fish.
Youths’ Involvement in Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Fruit Processing Activities
Julius Olatunde Ayinde, Michael Famakinwa, Babatunde Opeyemi Akeredolu
ABSTRACT. This study assessed the youths’ involvement in oil palm fruit processing activities in Ondo State, Nigeria. It described the socio-economic characteristics of youths involved in oil palm fruit processing activities, determined their level of involvement, examined their perception and identified constraints associated with their involvement. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents from the study area. Interview schedule was employed to collect relevant data, which was analysed with SPSS software package. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data while inferential statistics were used to draw inference on hypothesis. The results show that majority (63.3%) were male, 95.8% had formal education with a mean age of 27.2 ± 2.7 years. Picking of fresh fruit bunches ( = 2.71), packaging ( = 2.60) and gathering of bunches ( = 2.50) were the major activities youth involved in. Higher percentage (57.9%) of the youth had favourable perception towards involvement in oil palm fruit processing activities. Lack of modern processing facilities ( =3.65) and funds/inadequate credit facilities ( = 3.65) were the prime constraints to their involvement. Number of labour (r = 0.7460; p≤0.01) and income (r = 0.601; p≤0.01) of the respondents were significantly related to youth involvement. The study concluded that youth had moderate involvement in oil palm processing activities. However, agricultural development stakeholders like government should provide adequate and functional credits facilities to these youths to encourage their involvement.
Keywords: constraints; participation; processing; perception, socio-economic.
Rural Households’ Perception of Vitamin A Biofortified Cassava and Its Products: Implications for Food Security
Dorcas Lola Alabi, Damilola Leah Aribifo, Oluwatomiwo Elizabeth Oluyemi
ABSTRACT. The paper examined the perception of rural households about vitamin A biofortified cassava and its products in Osun State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 50 households’ members. Quantitative data were collected on the respondents’ personal and socio-economic characteristics, their awareness on vitamin A biofortified cassava, their perception about the crop and its products, as well as the constraints affecting its acceptability in the study area. Data were described using frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation and inferential statistics, like Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi-square analyses. Results showed that the respondents had a mean age of 52.62 ± 14.30, while 82% of them were married. 74% of the respondents had heard of Vitamin A bio fortified cassava, 64% had seen it while 44% had planted it with 54% having positive perception towards the crop and its products. Poor transport facilities (mean = 3.16) and difficulties in getting planting materials (mean = 2.36) ranked highest among the constraints affecting acceptability of the crop in the study area. There exist significant association between the respondents’ marital status and their perception about vitamin A biofortified cassava. It was concluded that majority of the respondents have positive perception towards vitamin A biofortified cassava and its products. It was recommended that extension personnel should create more awareness about the nutritional value of the crop and its products to enhance better food security status among rural households.
Keywords: socio-economic; acceptability; awareness; constraints.
Food Security Status: Its Drivers and Coping Strategies Among Vegetable Farming Households
Ridwan Mukaila, Abraham Falola, Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho
ABSTRACT. Food insecurity remains a major challenge worldwide, especially among the rural areas of developing nation. Women and children are most vulnerable to this phenomenon. However, while many studies have assessed farming households’ food security status in general, there is dearth of information on vegetable farmers’, who are mostly women, food security status in particular. This study, therefore, investigated the food security status of vegetable farming households, its drivers and coping strategies in Kwara State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, food insecurity index and logistic regression were used to analysed data collected from 180 respondents. The findings showed that food insecurity remains a major challenge in rural areas as only 45.55% were food secure. The food secure group surpassed the food security line by 17%. Food insecure group fell below the food security line by 36% with a daily average calorie intake of 1581.35 kcal. Annual income (p< 0.1), cooperative membership (p< 0.1), vegetable production (p< 0.05) and access to credit (p< 0.05) were the significant factors enhancing their food security status, while household size (p< 0.01) negatively influenced it. The widely used food insecurity coping mechanisms by the households were eating less expensive food, eating wild fruits, reducing rational consumption, allowing children to eat first, borrowing money to buy food, buying food on credit and skipping meal within a day. The study recommends encouragement of vegetable production through provision of credit facilities to the farmers as this would enhance their food security status. Keywords: food insecurity; calorie intake; rural women; coping strategies; vegetable production.
Economic Analysis of Contract Farming and Technical Efficiency of Broiler Farmers
Luke Adebisi, Oluwaremilekun Adebisi, Marvellous Owolabi, Edet Henshaw, Olaide Asiyanbi
ABSTRACT. The study assessed the effect of contract farming on broiler production in Osun State, Nigeria. 120 farmers comprising of broiler farmers participating and not participating in contract farming were selected using multistage sampling technique. Information was elicited from the farmers with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Stochastic Production Frontier and Ordinary least square regression model. The findings of this study revealed that majority (75%) of the farmers rated the activities of contracting farming to be good and favorable, as the contract farmers earn more from broiler production than their counterparts. Average technical efficiency of the contract and non contract farmers were 0.8209 and 0.6803, respectively. The results also revealed that years of experience in broiler production, education of farmer, off-farm income, membership in farmers association, access to credit, access to veterinary services and participation in contract farming significantly affected technical efficiency of broiler farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends that there should be increase in the awareness of the benefits associated with contract farming in agrarian communities, so that more farmers are encouraged to participate, as this will improve their production efficiency.
Keywords: poultry; income; regression; household.
Does Credit Access Improve Adoption Intensity of Improved Maize Seed Varieties?
Ayodeji Damilola Kehinde
ABSTRACT. This study investigated the effect of credit access on the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties in Osun State. A number of 150 maize farmers were selected through a multistage sampling procedure from using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, adoption index, and Tobit regression model were used to analyse the data collected. The results showed that Majority of maize farmers were over 40 years (52.6%), male (87%), and married (87%). The result also showed that majority of the farmers did not adopt improved maize varieties (55%) in the state. Swan 1 improved variety was majorly adopted (87.1%), while DMR-ESR-W variety was less adopted (62.9%) in the State. Just a few of maize farmers had access to credit in the State (20%). The mean adoption intensity in the State was observed to 62%. Based on adoption intensity of improved maize varieties, adopters were classified as partial adopters (65%) and full adopters (35%). Tobit regression estimates showed that credit access, household size, secondary occupation, years of education and extension contact have significant effect on the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties. In accordance with the findings, we therefore recommend that microfinance institutions should look attentively at scaling up their credit services to enhancing adoption intensity of improved maize varieties.
Keywords: microfinance; Swan I; DMR-ESR-W; Tobit model; maize farmers, Osun State.
Effects of Different Stages of Maturity and Postharvest Treatments on the Extension of Shelf Life and Quality of Banana
Md. Abu Abdullah Al Muzahid, Most. Mahbuba Khanum, Md. Ferdous Mondal
ABSTRACT. An experiment was carried out in the Laboratories of the Departments of Horticulture and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from 23rd April to 10th May 2015. The two factors experiment was conducted for extension of shelf life and quality of banana under different postharvest treatments. The first factor was stages of maturity which had three maturity stages, viz.: 1) hard green (S1), 2) pale green (S2) and optimum maturity stage (S3). The second factor was postharvest treatments, which had five treatments, viz.: 1) control (room temperature), 2) keeping fruits in perforated plastic bag, 3) keeping fruits in perforated plastic bag containing KMnO4, 4) fruits treated with hot water for 5 min at 50°C and then kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4, and 5) fruits pre-cooling for 30 min at 5°C and then kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4. The pulp to peel ratio, total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar, titratable acidity, were greater when fruits were harvested at optimum maturity stage than hard green stage. Total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar were increased with storage duration, but increasing trend was slower when fruits were pre-cooling at 5°C for 30 min and kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4. The longest shelf life of banana fruits (19 days) was observed when hard green stages fruits pre-cooling at 5°C for 30 min and kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4 and the minimum shelf life (5.87 days) was observed in the combination of optimum maturity stage + control. So, it may be concluded that pre-cooling for 30 min at 5°C and then kept in plastic bag containing KMnO4 treatment should be used for extending shelf life and quality of banana.
Keywords: maturity; banana; KMnO4; postharvest; storage.
The Effect of Pangium SP. and Tithonia Diversifolia Leaves Extract as Vegetable Pesticides to Crocidolomia Pavonana (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) Larva Mortality
Eva Baideng, Ventje Memah, Hanny Pontororing, Hendronoto Lengkey
ABSTRACT. Pangium sp. and Tithonia diversifolia have the potential to become vegetable pesticides due to the content of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins in their leaves, which are plant protection agents. This study aims to determine the mortality of Crocidolomia pavonana larvae after application of Pangium sp. and Tithonia diversifolia. C. pavonana is one of the main pests affecting cabbage production in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Pangium sp. and T. diversifolia leaf extraction separately were carried out by immersion method using methanol (CH3OH) solvent and followed by current-current distribution method. The result of crude extract was partitioned in a 95% mixture of hexane methanol (C6H14 – CH3OH). Then, the 95% methanol fraction (CH3OH) was further partitioned with a mixture of ethyl acetate and water (EtOAc – H2O), and the extract from the ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc) was then used in testing as a vegetable pesticide. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments, namely 0% (control), 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5% and carried out three replications, where each treatment used 10 larvae. Larval mortality observations were carried out at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 HAA (hours after application). The results indicated that there was a mortality rate of C. pavonana larvae, so that the Pangium sp. and T. diversifolia have the ability to act as botanical insecticides, although T. diversifolia extract treatment showed a higher mortality rate, compared to Pangium sp. Larval mortality above 50% (LC 50) was found in P3 (0.3%) treatment after 72 HAA, is of 53.33% (Pangium sp. extract) and 63.33% (T. diversifolia extract), successively. Then, at 120 HAA, the same larval mortality rate from both extractions in P3 treatment, increased to 76.67% using Pangium sp. extract, while the same mortality rate (76.67%) using T. diversifolia extract occurred in 96 HAA observations. ANOVA test showed significantly different results for the two extraction uses of Pangium sp. and T. diversifolia. LC 50 in Pangium sp. extract, at a concentration of 0.136% or 1360 ppm and in T. diversifolia extract of 0.1103% or 1103 ppm.
Keywords: extraction; vegetable pesticides; Pangium sp.; Tithonia diversifolia; Crocidolomia pavonana.
Sustainable Management of Mango Nutrition for Better Yield and Quality
Muhammad Khan, Niaz Ahmed
ABSTRACT. Optimum supply of macro and micronutrients is of critical importance in improving the yield and quality of horticultural crops. Alike, the quality and yield of mango plants significantly increase by balanced application and uptake of macro and micronutrients. However, soil type and characteristics are important factors that directly influence the bio-availability of these nutrients to the plants. In addition, variability in climate has an impact on mango yield in the current scenario. Many scientists have found that mango cultivation in saline soils is a major obstacle to achieving the desired yield and improving quality. Overdose of fertilization is the major factor for the development of saline soils, furthermore, rise in climate temperatures is also a major factor. Therefore, to overcome this problem, nutrient management and the use of balanced fertilizer are the important factors to be controlled. Thus, this review focuses on the performance and importance of essential macro and micronutrients to improve the yield and quality of mango fruits. To understand the effective use of macro and micronutrients, the positive and negative impacts of the nutrients are explained. It is suggested that analyzing the soil, mango fruits, and mango plant leaves for their nutrient status can be useful to formulate fertilization strategies for higher fruit production and quality. Research and development, along with agricultural extension, should focus more on introducing genetically effective mango varieties to improve nutrient and water utilization efficiency.
Keywords: nutrient management; fruit quality; mango production; yield.
Novel Application of Trichilia Heudelotii Planch: Effectiveness of Different Polarity of Organic Solvents of Leaf and Stem Bark Extracts on the Control of Cowpea Beetle
R.O. Uddin II, G.V. Awolola, S. Mustapha, O.H. Abdulazeez, O.T. Ilesanmi, S.A. Aliyu
ABSTRACT. Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea beetle) is a field-to-store pest causing over 90% losses of cowpea. The search for new plant-derived crop protectant that can be explored as alternative to synthetic pesticides is urgently needed. Thus, the phytochemical screening, as well as the bioactivity of different polarity of organic solvents of leaf and stembark extracts of Trichilia heudelotii (Meliaceae), was investigated against the field-to-store insect pest Callosobruchus maculatus in laboratory bioassay. The non-polar (hexane) and polar (ethanol) extracts [0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml] of the leaf and stem bark were added to 100 g of cowpea. The following parameters of the cowpea weevil life cycle were analysed at the various concentrations: adult mortality, oviposition rate, number of larvae and pupae, and emergence of first filial progeny. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins in both the non-polar and polar extracts. Furthermore, the various treatments used were significantly (p< 0.05) effective in controlling C. maculatus from 1 and also 30 days after treatment (DAT) for both the non-polar and polar extracts when compared to the control. However, the most effective treatment was observed with the polar (EtOH) stem bark extract at 1.5 ml, which caused more mortalities and fewer emergence of the insect. Our findings suggest that the non-polar and polar leaf and stem bark of T. heudelotii extracts could serve as a sustainable and potential alternative to synthetic chemicals in pest control. Keywords: Callosobruchus maculatus; Trichilia heudelotii extracts; bio-pesticide; insect pest control.
