This study evaluates the effectiveness of phosphate-mobilizing rhizobacterial consortium (Streptomyces sp. (LL1 and E5), Pantoea sp. (E1), and Pseudomonas sp. (LM3) strains) in improving the utilization of PolyP (potassium tripolyphosphate) compared to orthophosphate (K2HPO4) on maize grown in greenhouses on sandy and garden soils. Maize seeds were germinated on wet filter paper in Petri dishes and the seedlings were transferred into plastic pots containing either sandy or garden soil which were exposed to 5 different treatments: Negative control, Positive control (K2HPO4 only), Consortium Bacterial (Cs), Polyphosphate (PolyP) only, and PolyP + Cs. After six weeks, the samples stomatal conductance (gs), the chlorophyll content index (CCI), phosphatase-phytase activities, Shoot and root dry weight (SDW and RDW), and nutrient contents were determined. In the sandy soil, plant with PolyP+Cs treatment had dry weight of 2.98±0.16 g/plant, compared to the negative control (1.1±0.05 g/plant). In garden soil, the combined PolyP+Cs treatment demonstrated a dry weight increase of 22% compared to the control plants. The roots and rhizosphere soil of maize treated with PolyP+Cs show highest phosphatase activities. The maize plants treated with the PolyP+Cs exhibits statistically non-significant highest values in terms of the stomatal conductance (gs) (46.72 and 34.30 mmol m−2 s −1), total chlorophyll (1.39 and 1.24 mg g−1 FW) and chlorophyll content index (CCI) (2.38 and 20.00). In conclusion, despite soil type, PolyP fertilizer with PMB co-application improved growth and nutrient uptake, specifically macronutrients, as well as photosynthetic performance in both shoot and root parts of the maize.
This quantitative, cross-sectional study extends the existing literature by investigating the mediating roles of persistence and resilience in the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial intentions. A total of 300 agriculture students were selected using proportional stratified random sampling from two public universities in Afghanistan. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The results showed that entrepreneurial passion is directly and positively associated with entrepreneurial intentions. Furthermore, persistence and resilience partially mediated this relationship. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how entrepreneurial passion fosters entrepreneurial intentions among students in fragile and resource-constrained environments. The study offers implications for educators and policymakers to design entrepreneurship education programs that promote emotional and psychological readiness for entrepreneurial action.
The biological performance of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) as a selective generalist predator of spider mites was assessed up to 10 Generations (G1 and G10) fed on the saffron and cattail pollen grains, as well as the factitious prey Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Acari: Astigmatidae). All the experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions at 25 +/- 1 degrees C, 65 +/- 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) hour. The Total Pre-Oviposition Period (TPOP) was shorter in G10 than in G1 when the predator was fed with the factitious prey. Female longevity and the total lifespan of N. californicus were significantly reduced in G10 compared to G1 across all diets. The values of the Gross Reproductive Rate (GRR), Net Reproductive Rate (R-0), and intrinsic and finite rates of increase (r and lambda, respectively) had no significant difference between G1 and G10 when the predator was reared on the cattail pollen. In contrast, the values of these parameters were significantly lower in G10 on the prey and saffron pollen. After one generation of feeding on saffron pollen, GRR, R-0, r, and lambda showed no significant differences compared to the cattail pollen, prey, and mixed diet (prey+cattail pollen). While these values in G10 had no significant difference when the predator reared on the cattail pollen and factitious prey, they were higher than those fed on the saffron pollen. In conclusion, cattail pollen and T. putrescentiae are more suitable than saffron pollen for the rearing of the predatory mite N. californicus for up to 10 generations.
This study employs data envelopment analysis with Material Balance Principle Model to evaluate rice farmers' eco-efficiency. Additionally, it examines optimal input allocation with and without environmental consideration. The study focuses on rice farmers in the Gotvand Region of Khuzestan Province, Iran. The primary data were collected through 153 questionnaires administered to local rice farmers in 2022. The findings revealed that the average technical efficiency of rice farmers in Gotvand was 87% under conventional efficiency measures, but dropped to 73% when environmental pollution was factored in. To achieve optimal efficiency, inefficient Decision-Making Units must reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 8%. To improve eco-efficiency, the study identifies different optimization patterns: substantial reductions are needed for nitrogen fertilizer (41.1%), fuel (-38.5%), and machinery operation hours (-33.6%), while increases are recommended for animal manure (612%), potassium fertilizer (6.25%), and phosphate fertilizer (2.7%). Therefore, key contributors to the inefficiency among the studied use, diesel fuel consumption, and machine operation hours. Notably, electricity usage has a minimal impact on inefficiency, with no significant changes detected. These findings underscore the necessity of optimized input management, especially chemical fertilizer reduction, to enhance both economic and environmental sustainability in rice farming.
This study assessed the effects of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices on the household food security of smallholder rice farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Multistage sampling procedure involving three stages was used to select 424 samples from a population of 3,727 smallholder rice farmers across three rice production zones in Kwara State. The study raised and answered four research questions and tested one null hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), designed by the USAID, was adapted to measure household food security. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Also, regression analysis was employed to establish the effect of CSA practices on household food security and livelihood indices. The results indicated that CSA practices had a significant positive effect on the household food security of smallholder rice farmers. Specifically, integrated soil fertility management (P= 0.006) and integrated pest management (P= 0.002) practices were found to significantly improve the livelihoods of these farmers by enhancing their household food security. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the smallholder rice farmers maintained high adoption levels of CSA practices to mitigate the adverse effects of household food insecurity stemming from climate change.
