International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Ecological investigation of the weed flora in arable and non arable lands of Al-kharj Area, Saudi Arabia

Full Length Research Paper

Hassan Sher* and Mohammed N. Al-Yemeny

Department of Botany and Microbiology, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455 Riyadh 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 12 January, 2020

Abstract

A radical change has been observed in various agronomic practices including increase in crop productivity which lead to changes in the composition, diversity and abundance of weed flora in arable as well as in non-arable lands. In this context, a survey was conducted both in agricultural and non-agricultural areas in different parts of Al-Kharj (Saudi Arabia). The aim of the study was to prepare an ecotaxonomical inventory of weed flora useful for ecological management in the survey area. The study documented 52 weed species belonging to 27 families including 25 dicots and two monocots families (Lilaceae and Poaceae). Poaceae (8 spp.) followed by Asteraceae (5 spp) and Solonaceae (4 spp.) are the largest families while the remaining are represented either by three or less than three species. They comprises of thirty five herbs, eight grasses, seven shrubs and each climber and parasite have one species in the area. The 52 weed species includes annual herb (28), annual grasses (5), perennial shrub (7) and perennial herb (6). Out of 52 weed species, Chaemophytes (5), therophytes (30), hemicryptophytes (12), geophytes (3), and one nanophaneorophytes. The results showed that the relative availability of common weed species has generally decreased during the last decena. According to their availability, they were classified dominant (5 spp.), rare (6 spp.), respectively occasionally available (18 spp.), and frequently available (23 spp.). Most of these weeds causes moderate to severe infestation to various agricultural crops. The study concluded that weed communities has significance value in agro-ecosystem function and, therefore, its ecological management for conservation of biodiversity is utmost important. This finding suggests that disturbed habitats may be important areas to search for novel compounds in drug discovery.

Key words: Weeds flora, arable and non arable land, agricultural practices, ecological availability, Biological Spectrum Al-kharj, Saudi Arabia.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of watering points on vegetation changes of a semi-arid natural pasture in Tekirdag Province, Turkey

Canan Tuna¹*, Ilker Nizam² and Murat Altin¹

¹Agricultural Faculty, Namik Kemal University, 59030 Tekirdag, Turkey.

²Sciences and Arts Faculty, Namik Kemal University, 59030 Tekirdag, Turkey.

Accepted 24 January, 2020

Abstract

The research was carried out on natural pastures of Buzagici village of Tekirdag province, Turkey in 2005. The objective of this study was to determine effects of watering points on canopy cover, botanical composition, and hay yields of pastures using transect method. Data were collected from 4 different sites of natural pasture, two of which had watering points (sites 1 and 2), and two that had no watering points (sites 3 and 4). In sites 1 and 2, which had watering points, the percentage of botanical composition and percentage of canopy cover by grasses were less than in sites 3 and 4, which did not have watering points. The percentage of grasses in total vegetation increased with increasing distance from watering points. The highest total hay yield was obtained from site 4 (615.90 kg ha^-1); the lowest yield of total hay was obtained from site 2 (450.00 kg ha^-1). The periphery of watering points is always overgrazed by animals since they often visit watering points to drink water; therefore, those areas are generally covered by other families which have low feeding value.

Key words: Botanical composition, canopy cover, hay yield, pasture, watering point.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A comparative study on fatty acid composition of black cumin obtained from different regions of Turkey, Iran and Syria

Eray Tulukcu

Technical Vocational School of Higher Education, Program of Medical Aromatic Plants, Selcuk University, 42500 Cumra /Konya, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +90.352.4475621-36. Fax: +90.3523425.

Accepted 16 December, 2019

Abstract

The present study was carried out to determine the fatty acid composition of the black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) samples obtained from total ten different regions of Turkey, Iran and Syria and the comparison of variations in species. The fatty acid compositions of black cumin samples were determined by gas chromatography (GC). The main fatty acids of the fixed oil were linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid. The lowest linoleic acid content (54.32%) is found to be in Kutahya Tavsanli. Additionally, the highest linoleic acid content (70.81%) is found to be in Iran. Palmitic acid is mostly found in samples obtained from Konya Karakaya and Konya Seydisehir and the palmitic acid, contributing approximately 8.23 to 13.34% to the total palmitic acid content. According to the results, fatty acid composition of the black cumin is significantly varied depending on each species. Black cumin oil or extract has protective and curative actions. Black cumin oil is considered as one among newer sources of edible oils, thanks to its important role in human nutrition and health. In this study, terms of fatty acids from some of the local varieties has come to the fore. For example, omega-6 Iran (70.81%), Omega-9 and palmitic acid Karakaya of Konya, saturated fatty acid ( SFA); 27.87% for Tavsanli of Kutahya local varieties can be considered. These results indicated that the black cumin oil is a functional food because of the high unsaturated fatty acid values and could be used as natural agents in animal and human nutrition.

Key words: Black cumin, fatty acid composition, gas chromatography.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of factors influencing farmers adoption of irrigated rice production in Fadama soil of North Eastern Nigeria

Gailyson Yelwa Jamala¹*, Haruna Ezekiel Shehu² and Apollos T. Garba²

¹Ministry of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2079 Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

²Adamawa State University, P. M. B 25 Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Accepted 17 October, 2019

Abstract

This study was conducted at Lake Gerio irrigation project situated at the north western part of Jimeta/Yola, North-Eastern Nigeria. It lies between longitude 12^◦ and 12^◦ 28’ east of Greenwich and Latitude 9^◦16’ and 9^◦19’ North of the equator. The objective of the study was to examine the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of irrigated rice production. The respondents interviewed were selected using a simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques proportional to the size of farm. The results obtained shows that five variables have significantly influenced adoption of rice production. These are farming experience, household size, gender, market availability and labour availability. The result of logit regression model shows a statistical significance (P<0.01) of the X_1. It indicates that holding other variables constant, if years of experience increase by a unit, on the average, the logit of the odds in favour of sole rice production increases by 5.33 units. Other variables such as level of education influence adoption as it eases understanding, interpretation and acceptance of the newly introduced techniques. These will enhance purchasing power of materials inputs, like fertilizer, pesticides, improve seeds. Gender also plays a significant role since male genders are more likely to adopt innovation than the female, probably due to the arduous nature of rice production in the project than the female counterparts.

Key words: Influence, rice, adoption, food security, farmers, factors

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determinants of loan acquisition from the financial institutions by small-scale farmers in Ohafia Agricultural zone of Abia State, South East Nigeria

Henri-Ukoha A.*, Orebiyi J. S., Obasi P. C., Oguoma N. N., Ohajianya D. O.,

Ibekwe U. C. and Ukoha I. I.

Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 September, 2019

Abstract

The study was designed to analyse the determinants of loan acquisition from financial institutions by small-scale farmers in Ohafia Agricultural zone of Abia state, South East Nigeria. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 100 randomly selected farmers. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and multiple regression models. Results show that, the farmers committed their loans to agricultural production and only a few divert their loans. Factors influencing the amount of loan disbursement by financial institutions are age of the farmers, level of education, farming experience and farm size. Financial institutions are encouraged to disburse more loans to farmers to improve their income and alleviate household poverty in the State.

Key words: Loan, disbursement, financial institution, acquisition, credit.