On farms situated on slopes, such as those in the Western Highlands of Cameroon, the implementation of soil and water conservation techniques remains a major concern. The land preparation methods commonly practiced in the Western Highlands agro-ecological zone of Cameroon are ridging along the steepest slopes (RASS) and the flatbed (FB). Field observations showed FB and RASS promote erosion by runoff, thereby compromising some agriculture functions (environmental function, production function and even social function). In order to ensure soil stability and maintain good water quality for rivers, a new land preparation method, tied ridging (TR), was tested. Erosion by runoff tests were conducted with four blocks of three plots on each of the most commonly exploited slopes, namely 11% and 29% gradient. With the main crop in the area (potato, Solanum tuberosum L.), the performance of RASS, FB, and TR were compared during crop years 2013 and 2014. The water runoff and sediments were collected per plot and per block after every rainfall. The results showed a significant difference between the FB or RASS and TR in terms of soil loss (Fmin(2, 2) = 322.7, p = 0.003), yields (F(2, 2) = 287.7, p = 0.003), and runoff water (Fmin(2, 12) = 2.4x106, p < 0.001). The TR technique generated a 7% increase in seedlings density, a 41% increase in the workforce, and an 81% and 100% increase in yields compared to FB in 11% and 29% slopes, respectively. The TR increased farmer’s profitability by 686 US$.ha and 1420 US$.ha over RASS in 11% and 29% slopes, respectively. The TR showed undeniable advantages: for the producer, the stress of additional work was offset by the gain in yields while creating additional job opportunities and improving the conservation of soil and water. Although the technique has several advantages, the provision of financial means for its implementation could be a negative point. Twelve farmers were involved in the experiment. The test results convinced the participants and other curious farmers who adopted the technology during the
Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the insecticidal actions of three solanaceous plants, viz. Nicotiana tabacum (leaves), Solanum dubium (fruits) and Solanum incanum (fruits), compared with that of the commonly known neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extract. Two concentrations (2.5% and 5% w/v) of aqueous extracts from the four plant species were screened in separate bioassay tests against adults and nymphs of the eggplant tingid bug (Urentius hystricellus), a major pest of eggplant in Sudan. All botanical treatments revealed potent insecticidal activities in combating the pest. Significant knockdown effects were achieved by almost all treatments 24 h post exposure, with activities increases progressively with concentration and exposure time. Such treatments gave higher mortality results on nymphs than on adults. Although, superior effects were manifested by N. tabacum and A. indica during early counts (24 and 48 h), comparable results were achieved by the two Solanum spp. during the third check (72 h). However, the better results obtained by N. tabacum against the nymphs, as compared with neem extract, needs further investigations. The latter two plants should be stressed for practical exploitation in management of the tingid bugs on eggplant. However, the promising insecticidal potentialities of the tested plants also encourage more research on indigenous solanaceous species as rich sources of active compounds that need to be checked on various biological aspects (repellent, antifeedant, hormonal etc.) of this pest and others.
ABSTRUCT-The present study was to assess the behavior and productive performance of 144 V-line White growing rabbits, reared from 5 to 11 weeks of age under different stocking densities: (12, 16, 20 and 24 rabbits/m2). 24-hrs video recordings were made every week on the same day. The actual behavioral form of each rabbit was recorded using scan sampling method. Based on the results it was found out, that the frequency of Feeding, drinking, body care, movement activities were significantly higher in rabbits stocked at 20 and 24 rabbits/ m2 however the resting frequencies % were lower. Higher biting and aggression frequencies % were recorded in rabbit's stocked at 20 rabbits/ m2. Productive traits as body weight and daily weight gain and relative growth rate showed a random fluctuation. Body weight, daily weight
Chenopodium album (Bathua Chenopodiaceae is an underutilized crop having high nutritive value especially protein (12 amount of lysine which is generally deficient in grains. Beside this it also have medicinal value however the studies on crop are very limited especially on biological quality so the present study was planned to assess the biological quality of two Chenopodium album cultivars i.e. IC 107299 (Ic) and EC 507733 (Ec). The diets were isoprotenious containing 10% protein whereas C album cultivars were fed at 10 and 20% levels to 5 groups of male albino Wistar rats (10 each group) for 28 days and biologically evaluated by rat growth and nitrogen balance studies. The results of present investigation revealed that feeding of exotic cultivar resulted in marked increase in food intake, protein intake and body weight gain as compared to indigenous cultivar. The PER of indigenous cultivar fed group was 3.49 and 3.43 whereas exotic cultivar fed group was 3.46 and 3.27 at 10 and 20% le nitrogen balance studies also revealed better intake and retention in exotic cultivar fed group. The APD, TPD and biological value are also higher in exotic cultivar fed groups as compared in indigenous cultivar fed group. It was found that although both the diets showed good growth response but still exotic cultivar showed superior growth as compared to indigenous cultivar.
An article published by International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research Volume 3, Issue 4, 2015
The analysis of the suitability of climatic resources in the winter-spring period at the South of Russia territories for the placement of fruit trees (an apricot, a peach) the most vulnerable to the analyzed period was carried out. The correlation between the geographical coordinates of the area and regularity of fructification of fruit crops were established. Landscape maps of the optimum placement of an apricot and a peach under the conditions of the overwintering of their floral buds in the territory of the South of Russia are submitted. In this article the analysis of the suitability of natural climatic resources of the winter-spring period of the territory of the North Caucasus for the placement of fruit species (valuable and at the same time the most vulnerable during the analyzed period) depending on geographical coordinates of the area is offered. Long-term data (for the last 15-30 years) about the death of floral buds during the winter-spring period in various regions of the South of Russia and the actual materials of scientific research institute of the North Caucasus and State varietal plots (on 15 geographical points, table 1) were used. Work methods - mathematical and geo informational modeling, the eco-genetic analysis of the experimental data.
A study was conducte in five different locations in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria between the months of April-June 2013 prevalence of Ticks of veterinary importance. The study area included Katarko, Goniri, Gujba, College of Agriculture farm and BuniYadi. A total of 561 heads of cattle comprising of 289 Females, 272 Males, 248 White Fulani Breeds and 313 Bororo were involved. The study revealed the existence of five different genera of ticks vizAmblomma, Hyalomma, Booplilus, Ornithodus and Rhipicephalus with prevalence rates of 39.63%, 10%, 6.39%, 6.62% and 1.25% respectively. Beside, some significant findings were also discovered by the study. These included a considerably higher prevalence rate and site of collection (location) as well cattle sex, an association between prevalence rate and cattle age, breed and months of collection.
Sugarcane smut is disease importance in the Kenya Sugar Industry. On a contributes up to 38% loss to sugarcane smut spore is spread particularly by aerial dispersal; some of which is contributed by human practices. This paper therefore seeks to identify the determinants of in the Kenya Sugar Industry and recommend control measures. A multistage sampling was used where the sugar Industry was clustered into 13 sugar zone, a further clustering into administrative locations was done and then a proportional random sample of 413 farmers was selected from the locations for interview and their plots/farms surveyed for the existence of smut. mapper GPS (global positioning system) was used to encode the position for each smut spotted farm at 1 Analysis of Variance to determine the effect on prevalence of sugarcane smut as well as effect of source of seed cane and training was used to identify the significant determinants. Multiple linear regression models was used to determine the relationship between prevalence and sugar zones, varieties, row spacing, age of the crop, crop cycle, experience of the farmer and also training. The results indicated that prevalence was high (0.93%) whose farmers used self grown seed cane and sourced seedcane from the neighbors(0.72%) those who obtained seed cane from the factory from Sugar Research Institute (SRI) (0.42%) also high among the old varieties compared to the new improved resistant varieties. We therefore recommend the adoption of the improved resistant varieties, with clean health history and planted in standard spacing also apply in reducing prevalence of other sugarcane diseases because the improved varieties are more resistant to most of the diseases.
According to the scenarios estimating climate change, the annual mean air temperatures could rise from the current by 3°C to 4°C in the Helsinki area, and the growing season will become 30 to 40 days longer by the year 2100. The purpose of this study was to establish how much the annual mean air temperature between the years 2 2014 have risen in the Helsinki area and how much the growing season has been extended in comparison to the mean in the years from 1971 to 2000. The results indicate that in the Helsinki region, the annual mean air temperature has risen by 1.1°C, and growing season has extended by 27 days between the years 2005 and 2014, as compared to the 1971 to 2000 levels. Over the past ten-year period, the climatic temperature and the length of the growing season during the summer months in the southernmost Fin closer to the climate and growing season of Central Europe, and thanks to this, it is possible to grow a harvestable grapevine in the southernmost regions of Finland
Over the last few decades’ Indian agriculture, farmers followed many indigenous technologies in the integrated management of crop production. These integrated farming systems were not only economically, socially and environmentally feasible but also sustainable. Moreover, indigenous technologies existing knowledge are declining fast due to the modernization of agriculture and lack of interest of young people to learn the traditional knowledge from the old agriculture practitioner. So the documentation and conservation of the knowledge is essential. In order to retain these technologies among farming communities, the government of Karnataka conducted Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS) through the Community Based Tank Management Consultancy Project from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore in four taluks of Chikkaballapura District, Karnataka in selected tank commands renovated by Jala Samvardhane Yojana Sangha (JSYS, a World Bank sponsored project).The study was conducted with the objective of identifying and analyzing the cost and returns of FFS demonstrated crops and studying the impact of FFS on the socio-economic condition of farmers and its sustainability of practice. The different random sampling technique was used to select 60 farmers from four selected tank commands and due care was taken so that the majority were interviewed. Primary data were collected through the questionnaires consisting of both personal and closed interview method types are used, well designed annexure schedules tables designed for the study purpose. Partial budgeting techniques and tables were making used for the computation of means and percentages to present the data regarding the costs and returns and to study the impact of FFS on the income of sample farmers in the study area. In first stage, four taluks i.e. Chintamani, Shidlagatta, Bagepalli and Gudibande of Chikkaballapure Districts were selected for FFS and selected tank commands were chosen. FFS showed how rational use of inputs and recommended cultivation practices in the same farmers’ fields could enhance farmers’ incomes. To educate farmers regarding modern production technologies, efforts were made through FFS by adopting IPM and INM techniques. These technologies not only enhanced resource productivity but also conserved natural resources. Based on this lesson, extension agencies should make necessary arrangements to provide technical guidance for agricultural enterprise as a whole to increase productivity in the tank commands. Thus FFS has emerged as a new channel for communicating information to the agriculture community.
High Density planting (HDP) is one of the recent and novel concepts of increasing the productivity without affecting the quality of fruits. The HDP has been successfully implicated in many fruit crop including banana. This study was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat with an objective to determine the growth, yield and nutrient requirement of banana under high density planting system. The treatments comprised of T1, T2, T3: 2 suckers/hill at 2 m×3 m with 100 %, 75 %, 50 % RDF; T4, T5, T6: 3 suckers/hill at 2 m × 3 m with 100 %, 75 %, 50 % RDF; T7, T8, T9: 2 sucker at 1.8 m × 3.6 m with 100 %, 75 %, 50 % RDF; T10, T11, T12: 3 sucker at 1.8 m × 3.6 m with 100 %, 75 %, 50 % RDF and T13: 1sucker at 1.5 m × 1.5 m with 100 % RDF. All the High Density Planting registered more height than the control and was maximum at T4 (184.80 cm).The plant girth decreased with increase in number of sucker per hill. It was highest in T13 (74.10 cm) and lowest in T4 (53.30 cm). Total number of leaves increased in all the HDP treatments. It was found maximum in T4 (26.64 no). All the HDP treatment having 2 and 3 sucker per hill, recorded more number of functional leaves than the control. Treatment T6 recorded the lowest shooting harvest interval. All the HDP treatments recorded reduced bunch weight, number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per hands and finger length butt the weight of second hand (2.93 kg) and yield (80.23 t/ha) was found highest in T6. An overall assessment revealed that planting of 3 suckers per hill at 2 m × 3 m with 50 % RDF (T6) is the best treatment under agro-climatic condition of Assam.
Climate change is the most serious environmental threat to the national economy of Bangladesh, essentially because of its impact on agriculture. The objective of this paper was to identify the major problems to climate change adaptation among farmers of coastal Bangladesh. The paper was based on primary data collected from 124 farming households selected randomly from the coastal region of Bangladesh. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS [17]. Slightly more than two fifth (42.75 percent) of the farmers had medium problem compared to 34.65 percent of them having low and 22.60 percent high problem were found in this area. The correlation coefficients of 6 variables were significant named age, farm size, farming experience, annual family income, organizational participation and agricultural knowledge. The major problems faced by the farmers adapting to climate change effects were – (a) the unpredicted weather and high frequency of natural calamities , (b) Non-availability of improved variety seeds at local market, (c) lack of information about adaptation strategies, (d) poor fertile land, (e) poor access to market of agro-products, (f) lack of irrigation facilities and schemes, (g) conflicts between fish cultivar and farmers, (h) scarcity and untimely supply of farm input, (i) limited farm size, (j) lack of credit, (k) Low annual family income, (l) Poor agriculture extension services, (m) Unavailability and high cost of farm labor at peak season etc. The paper concluded with the recommendation that farmers’ adaptation capacities to climate change need to be strengthened by extension service so as to obtain sustainable agricultural production and food security even in the event of climate change. These supports could come from governments (GOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and even from farmers’ themselves.
Hedgerow intercropping or alley cropping is an agro forestry practice where perennial, preferably leguminous trees or shrubs are grown simultaneously with arable crops. Both crops and trees are continually changing due to environmental conditions and management techniques that affect both the trees and crops. The effectiveness of a such a system depends on the successful management of light competition, nutrients and water management between woody species and crops. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tree hedgerow pruning on maize yield. The trial was conducted in Santa, Cameroon in a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) having four replications of five treatments each. The treatments were a control(without trees) and four multipurpose tree species viz: Calliandra colothyrsus , Leucaena leucocephala , Acacia angustissima and Gliricidia sepum. The maize variety used was COCA due to its adaptability to the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Tree performance and maize grain yield data were recorded in each plot and analyzed using ANOVA. The trial was monitored for four years. The first year involved the installation of the tree hedges while the subsequent years involved maize intercropping. Results showed that there was a significant increase at 5% level of students t test in maize yield due to soil improvement with pruning of all tree species compared to the control. Overall results showed that Acacia angustissima and Calliandra callothyrsus are suitable tree species for alley cropping in the Western Highlands of Cameroon, owing to their excellent performance in growth and biomass production as compared to Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepum.
