Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 015-020, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Effect of mineral and biofertilization of phosphorus and foliar spraying with potassium on yield, its attributes and seed quality of new sesame variety 

Sabbour Aziz*, Qandil Darrag and Ouda Khalil 

Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 07 October, 2015

Abstract

Three field experiments were conducted during 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University at Ismailia to study the effect of mineral and biofertilization of phosphorus and foliar with potassium on yield, its attributes and seed quality of new sesame variety (Taka 2 cv.) in newly reclaimed sandy soils of Ismailia, Egypt. The experimental design was split plots with five replications. Four levels of mineral and bio phosphorus fertilizer (57, 76, 95 and 76 kg P₂O₅/ha plus Phosphorin biofertilizer containing phosphate dissolving bacteria) were arranged randomly in the main plots and three concentrations of potassium sulphate as foliar spraying namely water (control), 1% and 2% were distributed at random in the sub plots. Increasing phosphorus fertilizer rate up to 95 kg P₂O₅/ha significantly increased plant height, fruiting zone length, number of branches and capsules/plant, 1000-seed weight, seed yield/plant, seed oil content (%) and seed and oil yields/ha of sesame. Appling biofertilizer (Phosphorin) plus 76 kg P₂O₅/ha exceeded significantly all mineral phosphorus levels (57, 76 and 95 kg P₂O₅/ha) in the aforementioned characters except number of branches/plant. Increasing potassium concentration as foliar spraying up to 2% induced significant increases in all the studied characters.

Key words: Biofertilization, phosphorus, potassium, sesame, yield, yield attributes.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 021-027, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Propagation of ficus benjamina and bougainvillea  spectabilis using different media

Okunlola, A. Ibironke. and Akinpetide, Enitan O.

Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, the Federal University of Technology P.M.B 704 Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] 

Received 23 January, 2016; Accepted 14 February, 2016

Abstract

The growth media and propagule type that would facilitate root development of Ficus benjamina and Bougainvillea spectabilis using stem cuttings were assessed at the Ornamental Horticulture Nursery Section of the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure from May to July, 2011. The experiments were laid out in a 7 x 2 factorial in Complete Randomised design (CRB) and replicated three times. The different media served as the first factor with 7 levels and the propagule types served as the second factor with 2 levels. The results from the experiment revealed that for Bougainvillea spp. the cuttings types had no adventitious root formation in all the media. The rooting of F. benjamina was higher in the hardwood compared to the semi-hardwood cuttings; with respect to media types, the longer root length was recorded in media with rice-husk mix, and cuttings in 100% topsoil produced more leaves while number of rooted cuttings were significantly higher in 50% topsoil + 50% river-sand and Topsoil+Riversand+Ricehusk. The most appropriate propagule type for Ficus is hardwood cutting and topsoil + Riversand+ Ricehusk was revealed to be the most appropriate media in terms of physical and chemical properties. There was no rooting observed in the cuttings of Bougainvillea for all the media types hence, the need for further research on the most appropriate media that would facilitate rooting of Bougainvillea spectabilis.

Key words: Ornamental plants, root development, stem cuttings, media, propagule types.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-009, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The challenges of development agents in technology dissemination for extension purposes in the Southern region of Ethiopia 

Zenawi Teshome, Atomsa Shigute and Arkebe Seyoum

School of Environment, Gender and Development Studies, Awassa College of Agriculture,

Hawassa University, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: zenawi_teshome @gmail.com. 

Accepted 12 October, 2015

Abstract

Agricultural extension service is the cornerstone for any meaningful development in agricultural sector in agricultural countries. Hence, development agents are the critical actors in serving the community and expected to change farmers’ knowledge, skill and attitude through dissemination of up-to-date information necessary in taking informed decisions towards improving their livelihood. This paper aims to identify the challenges of development agents in disseminating agricultural technologies and to assess the frequently used extension methods, approaches and media in disseminating improved technologies to farmers. A survey of 108 development agents in 12 administrative districts and informal discussion with key informants were used to collect data. The result of the survey revealed that effectiveness of development agents is challenged by job dissatisfaction; existence of poor communication, very poor formal linkage among farmers, development agents and researchers; and lack of motivation for development agents to fully serve community. Poor knowledge and skill of development agents in what, how, when and why to use and select combined extension methods, approaches, media and lack of infrastructural facilities are the main impeding factors while communicating with farmers. So on-the-job training is pertinent to up-grade the knowledge, skill and attitude of development agents in disseminating technology to farmers.

Key words: Ethiopia, challenges, job satisfaction, motivation, development agents.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 010-014, December, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

A study of the susceptibility of five field populations of the DBM to two insecticides

James Wampah Nyantakyi*¹, Kwesi Lamptey² and Ayisi Otchere Kwabena³

^1*African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) University of Ghana, Legon, P. O. Box LG 59, Ghana.

²Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon, P. O. Box LG 25, Legon, Ghana.

³Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana, Legon, P. O. Box LG 25, Legon, Ghana.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 22 August, 2015

Abstract

Plutella xylostella is a serious pest of brassicae and a threat to cabbage production in Ghana. Following complaints of farmers about the failure of insecticides to control the diamondback moth, we investigated the susceptibility of the diamondback moth to emamectin benzoate and lambda-cyhalothrin insecticides which are commonly used in the diamondback moth control in the greater region of Accra, Ghana. We also investigated the carboxylesterases levels in these populations of the Diamondback moth. Five populations of P. xylostella were collected from greenhouses and outdoor crops at Haatso farm, University of Ghana farm, Korle-Bu farm, Dzorwulu farm, Opeibea farm and bred in the laboratory for two generations and the progeny used for laboratory bioassay using topical application and compared with a reference susceptible strain. Protein levels of the individual strains were determined and carboxylesterase activities were measured using a spectrophotometer at 600 nm. P. xylostella collected in Opeibea farm exhibited the highest level of resistance of 62.4-fold and 10.5-fold for lambda-cyhalothrin and Emamectin benzoate respectively while the carboxylesterase activity levels ranged from 7.8 to 79.2 nmol/ 10 min/ μg protein in the various populations with Dzorwulu population exhibiting the highest level of activity. The current findings have serious implications for brassica production in Ghana considering the fact that farmers rely mainly on insecticides for diamondback moth control. A coordinated resistance management program needs to be implemented with the involvement of pesticide industry, local pesticide regulatory authorities, scientists and farmers.

Key words: Plutella xylostella, Emamectin benzoate, lambda-cyhalothrin, insecticide resistance, brassica, diamondback moth.