International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 15 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of Rhizobium etli Inoculation on Organic Acid Release in Phaseolus vulgaris L. under Phosphorus Stress

Maureen Fonji Atemkeng1,2*, Roseline Remans2, Jans Michiels2, Appolinaire Tagne1 and Eddy Leonard Mangaptche Ngonkeu1

1Annual Crop, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Yaoundé, Cameroon. 2Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark, Arenberg, Heverlee, Belgium.

Accepted 14 January, 2025

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production is severely limited by phosphorus (P) deficiency in tropical and subtropical regions. Plants are known to exudate organic acids in order to survive in low nutrient environment. However, little is documented on the effect of inoculation on organic acids exudation by plants as a strategy to adapt to low P stress. In this study, the organic acids exuded by two bean genotypes (known to have contrasting symbiotic nitrogen fixation capacities) inoculated with Rhizobium etli and subjected to P deficiency were compared. The results showed that, under P deficiency, the P efficient genotype (BAT477) secretes higher amounts of organic acids serving as nutrient for Rhizobacteria or involved in P solubilisation. Furthermore, inoculation with R. etli under P deficiency strongly enhanced the exudation of oxalate and citrate by the P-efficient genotype. These effects of P-level and inoculation on root exudation were much less observed for the P-inefficient genotype (DOR364). This study indicated the difference in organic acid exudation between the two bean genotypes, especially in combination with Rhizobium inoculation which may contribute to the contrast in performance under P deficiency.

Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, Rhizobia, root exudation, genotypic performance, phosphorus efficiency.
 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 15 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of Technical, Cost and Allocative Efficiency of Crop Enterprises in Southwest, Nigeria

Odewale, Tajudeen Opeyemi, A. B. Sekumade and R. S.  Owoeye

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

Received 25 March, 2025; Revised 27 April, 2025; Accepted 28 April, 2025 and Published 07 May, 2025

Abstract

In recent years, agro-preneurship has gained attention as a promising solution for addressing youth unemployment, food security, and sustainable economic development. The study investigated the Efficiency of Crop Based Agro- Enterprises in the Southwest region of Nigeria. The study aims at determining the technical, cost and allocative efficiency f crop-based agro-enterprise in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select participants through the Ministry of Agriculture. Two States; Ekiti and Oyo, were purposively chosen for their similar level of involvement in crop production in the geopolitical zone. The second stage of involved the selection of nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) each from Ekiti and Oyo States, making 18 LGAs. From each of LGAs, three communities were randomly selected, resulting to 54 communities in all. At the community level, 10 respondents were randomly selected, making the total respondents to be 540. Data collected through structured questionnaire were analyzed using stochastic frontier production function. The findings assessed technical efficiency in crop based agro-enterprises, revealing gamma (γ) parameter of the Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production function to be 0.686. This value was statistically significant at a 1% level of probability. This suggests that technical inefficiency was highly significant in agro-preneurship activities, indicating variations in the effectiveness of farm operations. Arising from the above, government should consider increasing its allocation for agriculture in each of the states within the Southwest region. This boost in funding will serve as a strong incentive for farmers to engage in large-scale production, ultimately fostering the development of agro-enterprises in the area. It is equally essential for the government to prioritize the development of agro-enterprises by integrating it into the educational curriculum at all levels of the educational sector. This approach will make agro-enterprises more appealing and accessible to the general population. Extension Officers should be more aggressive in fulfill their responsibilities by not only delivering technical assistance to farmers but also by maintaining consistent monitoring efforts. This proactive approach will contribute to enhancing the overall efficiency of farmers.

Keywords: Crop enterprise, technical, cost, allocative efficiency
 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 15 (4), pp. 001-013, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Forest Structure and Species Diversity in a Ghanaian Semi-Deciduous Tropical Forest

A.N.M.  Pappoe¹, F.A. Armah1, E.C.Quaye¹, P.K.Kwakye² and G.N.T Buxton¹

¹Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
²Soil Science Department, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Accepted 11 October 2024

Abstract

The species composition of trees and the structure of plant flora of the Kakum National Park (KNP) were studied. A total of 73 species belonging to 63 genera and 28 families were identified in a 2.25 ha of the forest. The most significant families, in terms of the numbers of genera and species, were the Meliaceae, Sterculiaceae, Mimosaceae, Moraceae and Annonaceae. The importance value indices (IVIs) of the species were very low, ranging from 0.39 to 23.17. The Shannon-Weaver and Simpson diversity indices were high (averaging 3.43 and 0.95 respectively) and so was the average equitability (0.80). Most of the species (approximately 93%) were rare. The mean densities of trees and saplings were low with respective values of 257 and 15,043 individuals/ha. The mean density of seedling (50,250 individuals/ha) was high. The mean basal area of the trees was high, 33.76 m2/ha. The high basal area was mainly due to the contributions of six families: Sterculiaceae, Meliaceae, Lecythidaceae, Sapindaceae, Ulmaceae and Mimosaceae in ascending order of importance. Estimated rates of recruitment and mortality of trees in the various size-classes were high.

Key words: Species composition, moist semi-deciduous, forest, diversity, Kakum.
 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 15 (4), pp. 001-011, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biosorption by Fomes fasciatus: Diffusion-Chemisorption Kinetic Modeling

Clint Sutherland¹*, Chintanapalli Venkobachar²

¹*Project Management and Civil Infrastructure Systems, University of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad (WI)
²Formerly with Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad (WI).

Accepted 12 March, 2025

Abstract

Research into the development of cheaper technologies for the interception and treatment of heavy-metal-laden waste streams continues unabated. Biosorption using low-cost media provides an attractive alternative. The kinetic manner of a forest product, macro-fungus FOMES FASCIATUS, was analysed for the selection of an appropriate kinetic model. All experiments were conducted using Cu(II) as a model cation. The kinetic effect of initial Cu(II) concentration and sorbent size was studied in a batch laboratory-scale reactor. FOMES FASCIATUS exhibited an affinity to Cu(II) ions and approached maximum sorption efficiency as initial concentrations increased beyond 100 mg/l. The sorption process was more complex than that to be scripted by pseudo-first-order kinetics. Pseudo-second-order modelling produced a more defined simulation, however, the precision diminished as sorbent size increased. Intraparticle diffusion modelling showed an increasing conformity to increased sorbent size. The mechanisms of biosorption were found to be controlled by film diffusion or combined with surface adsorption during the initial stages. This was followed by a tangled combination of diffusion and chemisorption for the subsequent 98% of the reaction period. A diffusion-chemisorption model was successfully used to simulate the entire period of biosorption kinetics. Additionally, the model produced a good correlation to the reaction variables which not only advanced the development of predictive models involving FOMES FASCIATUS but can also improve the development of full-scale batch sorption systems.

Keywords: Biosorption; kinetics; macro-fungus; heavy metal; chemisorption; copper (II); intraparticle diffusion.
 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 15 (4), pp. 001-004, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic Compatibility Assessment of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Cultivars with Wild Relative var. pubescens TVNu110-3A

Mohammed¹, M.S., Z. Russom² and S.D. Abdul³

¹Present address : Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria
²Crop Production Programme, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University,
Bauchi
³Biological Science Programme, School of Science and Science Education, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi

Accepted 15 November, 2024

Abstract

Crosses were made between five cultivated cowpea varieties (Dandunga, IT89KD-288, IT93K-452-1, IT97K-499-38 and IT81D-994) and their wild relative, var. pubescens (TVNu 110-3A) to investigate their cross-compatibility as well as reproductive potential of the respective F1 hybrid plants. The wild relative, which was used as pollen parent, crossed well with the cultivated cowpea varieties with pod set ranging from 54 – 63.9%. F1 hybrid plants grew vigorously and produced viable seeds. The result showed high level of cross-compatibility between the cultivated cowpea varieties and the wild relative. Seeds of the F1 hybrid plants, which were advanced to F2, indicated sufficient reproductive potential of the hybrids.

Keywords:  Crossability, cowpea, var. pubescens, F1 hybrid, reproductive potential.
 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 15 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

A Novel Approach to Creating a Herbal Radioprotector Against Lethal Radiation Exposure

Sandeep Kumar Shukla and Manju Lata Gupta

¹Radioprotective Drug Development Group, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), DRDO, SK Mazumdar Marg, Delhi-110054, India

Accept 9 October, 2024

Abstract

Ionizing radiation transfuses deleterious effects in biological systems. Radiation exposures could be accidental or intended. Efforts for the development of a safe radioprotector have been going over many decades. Several chemical and synthetic compounds have been evaluated to meet the need, however, associated toxicity with useful doses has precluded their use from bench to bed. Presence of number of secondary metabolites, working in synergism with minimum toxicity, besides, the potential remedial source used against illness during ancient days, has compelled scientific community to exploit herbal resource for the development of a radioprotector. Published literature conveys that plants are under extensive screening for their radioprotective potentials. However, lack of a systematic approach has confined this endeavor to books and journals only. Sincere efforts have been put in the current review to explain a methodical approach for development of radioprotector from herbs. Based on thorough study, all possible steps i.e. understanding the concept of radioprotection, selection of plant species, taxonomical identification, extraction and fractionation, preservation, chemical characterization, efficacy using various model systems, toxicity and finally care to meet all regulatory requirement for development of a safe radioprotector are discussed here.

Keywords: Biological radioprotection, Radiation  damage,  Free  radicals,    toxicity,  antioxidants, secondary.

metabolites.