International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 1436-1443, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the performance of a laboratory-scale passive solar grain dryer in a tropical environment

*Akanbi Alani, Ibrahim Kawu and Iya Adeleke

Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Taraba State University is located in Jalingo, Taraba State Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E -mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 September, 2017

Abstract

A laboratory-scale passive solar grain dryer was developed and its performance evaluated in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. The dryer consist of a solar collector panel, a thermal storage unit and a drying chamber. The top of the collector is made of one layer of 4 mm thickness of colourless glass sheet as glazing. The absorber material used was corrugated 0.5 mm thick zinc roofing sheet painted black. The thermal storage unit and the drying chamber were built of wood because of its good insulation properties. The dryer was evaluated using 10 kg of freshly harvested maize at 32.8%wb. The performance evaluation results obtained showed that the mean drying rate of the dryer was 0.7 kg/day per every 10 kg of corn whereas sun-drying rate was 0.3125 kg/day comparatively. The solar dryer has considerable advantages over the traditional sun drying method in terms of faster drying rate, less fear of spoilage by micro-organisms when crop is harvested at high moisture content and handling convenience. Savings in time was achieved by using the solar grain dryer as against the traditional sun drying. It took 4-days to dry the corn to moisture content of 13.1%wb using the passive solar dryer while it took 8-days to dry to 13.4%wb under sun drying. Commercial sizes of the solar dryer can be amplified and produced for community level cooperative use and for prospective investors to fast track agricultural development in the rural areas.

Key words: Passive, solar, grain dryer, development, performance, laboratory-scale.

¹Department of Agricultural Economics, Universiti Islam Malaysia, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

²Department of Rural Development, University of Selangor, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author. E -mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 July, 2017

Abstract

Previous studies revealed that the socio-demographic factors are vital and would sway the perception of rural community towards the leadership of their community leaders. Nevertheless, the outcome of these studies had shown inconsistent results. Hence, it is pertinent to investigate further on the socio-demographic factors that influence village development and security committee (VDSC) perception towards the VDSC leadership in Vision Village Movement. Data was gathered through a survey questionnaire and a total of 235 respondents from three states in Malaysia participated in this study. Interestingly, overall the members of VDSC had a high level of positive perception towards the VDSC leadership and the factors that had significant difference with perception towards VDSC leadership were age, zone and monthly income. The findings of this study would help to develop a better understanding on some of the pertinent socio-demographic factors that rural development leaders need to be aware of to become effective leaders in the future.

Key words: Village development and security committee (VDSC), leadership, rural community.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 1404-1427, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Study on ethnobotany and phenotypic diversity in anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn.) Landraces inWestern Ethiopia

Masarat Elias Duresso

Department of Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, School of Graduate Studies, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 18 December, 2018  

Abstract

Among the major root and tuber crops, anchote is a potential crop produced in Western parts of Ethiopia. In addition to food source, it takes wide portion in socio-economic, cultural and medicinal value for the farming communities. To study the indigenous knowledge on utilization and conservation of anchote, ethno-botanical survey was conducted in 2012 for continuous three months (February, March and April) in Western part of Ethiopia. The landraces were also collected during survey. Forty nine  anchote  landraces  were  tested  in  7x7  Simple  Lattice  Design at  Wayu Tuqa District of East Wollega in  2012/013. The survey results showed that most of the respondents had sufficient experiences of growing Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn. Socio-economic status of the households and ecological requirements was found to be an important factor affecting the use, management and conservation of the crop. The difference in level of education had no impact on conservation and use of Coccinia abyssinica. It was also observed that the older informants were more knowledgeable than the younger ones, as they knew much more about the different local cultivars and values of use. Data of the mean values of all experimental units were subjected to analysis of variance for RCBD. Flower width (61.22%) showed high heritability and medium heritability was recorded for flower length (52.24%), indicated that such characters were least affected by environmental modifications so that; selection based on phenotypic performance would be reliable. Low heritability were recorded for traits like root length (33.72%), Leaf width (21.53%), total root yield (20.6%), leaf length (17.19%), root diameter (8.33%) and low heritability were recorded for other to indicate environmental effect that constitutes a major portion of the total phenotypic variation signifying that management practice is better than selection to improve those traits. Genetic advance as percentage of the mean ranged from 2.45% for leaf length to 77.08% for flower width. Within these range a relatively high genetic advance as percent of the mean was observed for flower length (57.72%) and flower width (77.08 %). High  value for  heritability  and  genetic  advance  of  the characters  in current study  provide  information  for  the  existence  of  wider  genetic  diversity  among  anchote landraces which offers high chances for improving several traits of the crop through simple selection. Cluster analysis showed that four divergent groups were formed. Each cluster known by their highest and lowest mean value and it is helpful  for easy selection  of parents  with  the  desired  traits  for  hybridization  or  selection program. 

Key words: Coccinia abyssinica, anchote, ethno-botany, heritability, landraces.

‎‎International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 1358-1363, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper
 
A comparative study of CMC polymer complexes and aluminum ions water retaining aid in irrigation
 
*Carl B. Nelson, Marco J. Frank and Jeb N. Hiaasen
 
Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando 32816, Florida.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 March, 2017

Abstract

Polymer complexes of crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and starch were synthesized to form superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and their performances as a water retaining aid for irrigation were assessed. The SAP was crosslinked with aluminum sulfate octadecahydrate for optimum water retention. Starch from vegetables and chemically modified cellulose fibers were used as the basis for the polymer structure because of their biodegradability and the sustainability of their sources. The starch vegetables include potatoes, yam, cassava, and corn. Radish seeds were planted in pots that contained soil amended with the SAPs (as well as soils control with no amendment). For the first two weeks the plants were given a healthy amount of water, then watering was reduced to observe how the plants responded to drought. The plants with no amendment to the soil stopped growing after the first two weeks and showed signs of dehydration. All the plants in the amended soil continued to grow after the first two weeks and they looked much healthier. Performance evaluation of the response to the four starch types suggests that potato based SAP performed the best with 73% water retention, while corn gave 56%. The study also suggests that lower dosage of 0.12% by weight of the potato based SAP performed better than 0.24% when used for soil amendment. 

Key words: Carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, superabsorbent polymer, water retention, biodegradable.Full Length Research Paper
 
 

‎‎‎‎International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 1382-1390, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

A study of maize water needs and water saving measures in the arid region of Northwestern China

*Shen Yu Chen, Laozi Xiannian and Wang Han Ming

Department of Environment Science, College of Earth and Environment Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 10 August, 2017

Abstract

Understanding crop water needs is essential for irrigation scheduling and water saving measures in an arid region because of its limited water supply. This study was performed using the dual crop coefficient method to predict seasonal changes in evapotranspiration (ETc) for maize fields in northwestern China in 2004. The reference crop evapotranspiration ET0, an important parameter in simulating the actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc), was estimated using FAO Penman–Monteith equation. The values suggested by FAO-56 were used for the basal crop coefficients (Kcb) after adjustment for the specific climatic condition in the study area. The soil evaporation coefficients (Ke) were determined for the climate, the soil, the maize growing stages, and the irrigation method. Some missing climatic parameters were calculated. The results showed that the ETc values were very low (average value of 1.09 mm day- 1) except during irrigation events in the initial stage of crop growth. The ETc value increased during the crop development stage (average value of 3.67 mm day- 1) and reached its peak during the mid- season stage (average value of 5.49 mm day-1), then the ETc value declined rapidly during the last crop growth stage (average value of 3.33 mm day-1). In general, the evapotranspiration (ETc) ranged from 0.54 to 7.69 mm day-1 and the total actual ETc was 611.5 mm at the experimental site in the growing season of 2004.

Key words: Evapotranspiration; dual crop coefficient; maize (Zea mays L.); FAO-Penman monteith equation; crop water requirement