Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies of physiochemical and microbial properties of soils from rainforest and plantation in Ondo state, Nigeria

Oseni, O. A.*, Ekperigin, M. M., Akindahunsi, A. A. and Oboh, G.

Department Of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Accepted25 November, 2016

Abstract

Microbial population, and biomass as well as hydrolytic enzymes of soil that are responsible for biodegradation of various structural complexes of plant litters and dead organic compounds from Ondo State Aforestation project at Lisagbede (Oluwa forest reserve) were studied. Soil fungi and bacteria were isolated and identified from two sources namely Gmelina aborea plantation (planted for over 15 years) and an adjacent natural forest at different depth levels (0 - 10, 10 - 20 and 20 - 30 cm) by weighing 1.0 g of soil into 9.0 ml of sterilized water, shaken and diluted 1 in 1000, 0.5 ml each of this was poured onto separate sterilized Petri dish and overlaid with potato dextrose agar and nutrient agar, allowed to incubate at 27 and 32^oC for five and one day respectively. The results of the study revealed that all the parameters showed slight increase in natural forest soil as compared to the G. aborea plantation soil. Substantive differences were obtained in soil microbial biomass for each sampling depth in the natural forest compared to the G. aborea plantation. While there were no much differences in the soil physicochemical properties of the forest and plantation. Bacteria and fungi isolates of the two locations and their enzymes activities were similar. Two fungi Aspegillus niger and Penicillium italicum isolated from the two locations produced hydrolytic enzyme activities of cellulase, -amylase, - amylase and protease which are degrading enzymes.

Keywords: Natural forest, Gmelina aborea plantation, physicochemical parameters, enzyme activities, soil microbial biomass.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative evaluation of vertebrate pest damage on some newly developed quality protein maize (QPM) varieties in south-western Nigeria

J. O. Fayenuwo¹, S. A. Olakojo¹, M. Akande¹, N. A. Amusa² and O. A. Olujimi¹

¹Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of plant Science and applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University PMB 2002 Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 February, 2017

Abstract

Six newly developed Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties were subjected to natural vertebrate pest infestation in Ibadan South-Western Nigeria. Data taken were statistically analyzed while probably level was set at p<0.05. Results of the experiment revealed that ILE-1-OB maize variety with the mean yield of 1.3 t/ha recorded the highest rodent damage of 2.77% while ART 98 SW4-OB with 0.74 t/ha recorded a bird damage of 10.73%. OBATAMPA which was the second highest yielding (1.19 t/ha) also recorded the highest bird pest damage of 26.03%. Variety TZPB-OB with mean yield of 1.18t/ha recorded the lowest damage of 5.92%. Maize varieties ART98SW5-OB and ART98SW6-OB with means yield of 0.85 and 0.98 t/ha recorded 17.2 and 10.3% bird damages respectively. Effects of rodent and bird pests were not significantly different from one variety and another among the identified 6QPM lines. Replicate was however significantly different (P < 0.05, 0.01) from one another for bird pest damage. Similarly, the effect of bird and rodent pests was not significantly different on seed and grain yield. The percentage damage were generally more from birds harvoc that from rodents. The vertebrate pests found associated with QPM include bird species such as Francolinus bicalcaratus (bush fowl), Ploceus cucullatus (weaver birds) and Lonchura spp (Bronze marikins), while the rodents include species such as Xerus enrythropus (Red legged ground Squirrel), Mastomys natalensis (Multimammate rat), Arvicanthis niloticus (Nile harsh-furred Rat) Rattus rattus (Black grey Rat) and Mus spp (Pigmy Mice). Successful QPM production in this region will therefore require effective bird pest control.

Key words: Quality protein maize, vertebrate pest damage, and grain yield.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Light-induced transient dormancy in Cleome gynandra L. seeds

Julius O. Ochuodho^1* and Albert T. Modi²

¹Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P.O Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya.

²School of Agricultural sciences and Agribusiness (Crop Science) University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg.

Accepted 26 January, 2017

Abstract

Events associated with dormancy release during seed germination still require explanation. The objective of this study was to examine seed responses during germination of Cleome gynandra in the presence or absence of light and at constant or alternating temperatures. Germination of C. gynandra seeds at 20^oC was inhibited by light, but it was improved at 20^oC in darkness. There was no photoinhibition when seeds were germinated at alternating temperature 20/30^oC (16 h night and 8 h day). Photoinhibition was expressed more in seeds that were harvested late, after the pods had turned brown than in mature seeds at physiological maturity. It was more pronounced in seeds grown in extreme temperatures of 21/17 and 33/28^oC, compared to those grown at 27/22^oC. More than 5d photoinhibition reduced the germination of late harvested seeds such that the seeds did not completely recover their germination capacity. Photoinhibition is negative sensitivity to white light during seed germination in C. gynandra, likely controlled by the phytochrome system.

Keywords: Seed germination, photoinhibition, phytochromes, Cleome gynandra.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Remote real-time monitoring soil water potential system based on GSM

Yongming Zhao, Xin Lu* and Haijiang Wang

Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology Agriculture of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China.

Accepted 12 January, 2017

Abstract

Aiming at the limitation of traditional measuring soil water potential, the paper presents an information system based GSM to real-time monitor data coming from multiple data sources. The monitoring system, which consisted of monitoring center, GSM transmission channel and data detection terminal, was given. The detection terminal included the measuring station and TS-2 negative pressure meter, which was applied to measure soil water potential. Nowadays the system has been successfully applied to drip irrigation in the cotton field on farm in Xinjiang region. The system provides a feasible technology frame-work for collecting and processing wide geographical distribution data in farmland.

Key words: Soil water potential, real-time monitoring, negative pressure meter.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Management of chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. ciceri

Nikam P. S., Jagtap G. P. and Sontakke P. L.

Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani 431 402 [M.S.] India.

Accepted 22 January, 2017

Abstract

Chemical seed treatment with Thiram (0.15%) + Carbendazim (0.1%) is proved to be the most effective against Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. ciceri. In vitro evaluation of Trichoderma sp. against F. oxysporium f. sp. ciceri revealed the positive cumulative effect of Trichoderma viride + Trichoderma harzianum + Trichoderma hamatum in respect to the percent inhibition of the test fungus. Pot culture studies revealed that the soil application of T. viride (@ 25 kg/ha) as the most effective in reducing the incidence of chickpea wilt. Soil amendment with groundnut cake is proved to be effective against F. oxysporium f. sp. ciceri followed by neem cake. Genetic diversity already existing in pigeon pea germplasm lines can be exploited for breeding wilt resistant chickpea varieties. Thus, chickpea wilt incited by F. oxysporium f. sp. ciceri being soil borne disease could be managed by the integration of various practices like using resistant varieties, seed treatment with chemicals, seed and soil application of bioagents and amendment of soils with oilseeds cakes.

Key words: Chickpea wilt Fusarium oxysporium f.sp. ciceri, disease management.