International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 251-255, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Varietal response of selected orange-fleshed sweetpotato cultivars to yield and the sweetpotato weevil, Cylas puncticollis (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Brentidae) at Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

C. N. Ehisianya*, S. O Afuape and T. N. C. Echendu

Sweetptoato Research Programme, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, P. M. B. 7006, Umuahia,

Abia State, Nigeria.

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

Received 20 July 2012; Accepted 16 September, 2012

Abstract

Eight orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) cultivars namely: NRSP/05/022, centennial, CIP440293, CIP199034.1, CIP199004.2, shaba, ex-oyinga, SPK004 and one high yielding white-fleshed cultivar TIS87/0087 (check) were evaluated for yield and susceptibility to Cylas puncticollis at the research farm of National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria between June to October 2010 and 2011. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The result identified that the newly introduced OFSP cultivars did not differ (P>0.05) significantly from the check plant stand at harvest. The foliage weight of Centennial was however significantly (P≤0.05) higher than the check. NRSP/05/022 had comparable root yield (total and marketable root numbers and weights), but a lower C. puncticollis attributes when compared with the check cultivar. Furthermore, the higher C. puncticollis total progeny number in the roots of CIP440293, centennial, CIP199004.2 and CIP199003.1 compared with the check is an indication of their higher susceptibility.

Key words: Cylas puncticollis, damage, infestation, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP).

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 256-262, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Soil and nutrient losses in banana-based cropping systems of the Mount Elgon hillsides of Uganda: economic implications

¹Semalulu Onesimus*, Didas Kimaro², Valentine Kasenge³, Moses Isabirye⁴ and Patrick Makhosi¹

¹National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)-Kawanda. P.O. Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda.

²Department of Agricultural Engineering and Land Planning, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3003, Morogoro, Tanzania.

³College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

⁴Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment Busitema University, P. O. Box 236 Tororo, Uganda.

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

Received 09 July, 2012; Accepted 13 September, 2012

 Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different farmer cropping and soil conservation practices on runoff, soil and nutrient loss in Bududa district, Uganda. Gerlach troughs measuring 0.6m length, 0.4 m width and 0.5 m high were installed on runoff plots (15 m x 2 m) on farmer’s fields under banana sole, banana-arabica coffee or annual crops, with or without soil conservation structures. Soil loss was significantly (P<0.05) higher on annuals than on banana or banana-coffee (38.5 vs 6.6 vs 0.87 t ha^-1yr^-1), with values much higher for fields without conservation structures compared to those where there were structures. The total monetary value for NPK lost through erosion was US $ 16,663, 4,404 and 442 ha^-1yr^-1 for annuals, banana and banana-coffee fields respectively; with values much higher for fields without conservation structures compared to those with structures (US $ 15,451 vs 6,058). Soil loss values were much higher than the tolerable limit for Uganda which is 5 t ha^-1yr^-1 and calls for immediate action to scale up sustainable land management practices.

Key words: Land degradation, management practices, monetary value, soil erosion, valuation.

Full Length Research Paper

The use of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, as bio-pesticides for tick control

Godwin P. Kaaya¹ and Marius Hedimbi^2* 

¹School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

²University of Namibia, School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia.

*corresponding authors’ Email: [email protected]/[email protected]

Received May 22, 20123; Accepted August 06, 2012

Abstract

This paper reports promising results on the use of entomopathogenic fungi for tick control. The aqueous formulations of the entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae isolate RS2 and Beauveria bassiana isolate NM2 induced mortalities ranging from 36-64% in adult Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) appendiculatus and 40-50% in Boophilus decoloratus in the laboratory. In Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, mortality increased with conidial concentration in all tick stages and oil formulation outperformed (p<0.05) the aqueous formulation in all experiments. In the field potted grass experiment, both aqueous and oil formulations of M. anisopliae and B. bassiana induced high mortalities in R (B). appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum, especially in larvae, where mortality reached 100% in both tick species. In nymphs of both R (B). appendiculatus and A. variegatum, mortality was about 100% with oil and 80% with aqueous formulations (p<0.05), whereas in adults, mortality was 20-40% (aqueous) and 65-100% (oil), respectively. In the semi-field experiment, ticks (R (B). appendiculatus) feeding on cattle were sprayed with fungi (aqueous formulation) and allowed to continue feeding until they drop off. Half of the dropped off ticks were maintained in the field and the rest in the laboratory and the fungi induced significant mortalities and reduced fecundity and egg hatchability in both categories but the results were not significantly different from each other (p>0.05). In the field paddocks sprayed with B. bassiana and M. anisopliae tick counts were much lower than those in the control paddock (p<0.05). After monthly spraying for 6 months, the mean numbers of adult R (B). appendiculatus on cattle were reduced by 80% in B. bassiana and 92% in M. anisopliae sprayed paddocks compared to control paddock. These observations show that M. anisopliae and B. bassiana, have potential as tick mycopesticides.

Keywords: Biological control, Beauveria bassiana, formulations, Metarhizium anisopliae, Ticks.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 235- 239, August, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Mycorrhization effect on biomass of four rare millets of North Karnataka (INDIA)

*¹Channabasava A. and ²H. C. Lakshman

Microbiology Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Studies in Botany, Karnatak University, Pavate Nagar Dharwad-580 003, Karnataka, India.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

Received March 05, 2012; Accepted April 20, 2012

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of different Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, biomass and phosphorus uptake by rare millets. Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus macrocarpum Glomus bagyarajii and Sclerocystis dussii were used as AM fungal inocula. The millets inoculated with AM fungus Glomus fasciculatum showed increased value for growth, biomass and phosphorus uptake over the remaining treatments, but all the AM fungi inoculated rare millets had shown significantly greater values for the biomass growth over the non-inoculated ones. Mycorrhizal inoculation helped in enhancing the biomass of plant, per cent mycorrhizal colonization and spore number due to increased uptake of mineral nutrients. Throughout the present study, beneficial effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on four rare millets had been assessed.

Key Words: Rare millets, Glomus fasciculatum, Growth, Phosphorous, Beneficial effect.  

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 240- 244, May, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Combining ability for fruit worm resistance in some commercially grown tomatoes in parts of north eastern Nigeria

A.U. Izge*¹ and Y. M. Garba²

¹ Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

² Department of Agricultural Education, School of Vocational and Technical Education, College of Education Hong, P. M. B. 2237, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

Received February 22, 2012; Accepted July 09, 2012

Abstract 

Combining ability studies for yield and yield components of tomato under artificial and deliberate infestation by tomato fruit worm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) were made over two environments at Lake Alau near Maiduguri (11^◦ 6′ N; 13^◦ 17′ E) and at Hong (10^◦ 15′ N; 13^◦ 20′ E) in north eastern Nigeria in a set of 6 lines and 2 testers during the 2009 and 2010 dry season under irrigation. The pooled results showed that both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were influenced by the environment implying that the parents and hybrids must be evaluated over a wide range of environments to have unbiased estimate. The tester Cherry and the lines UC and Roma VF indicated great promise for the production of increased number of fruits per plant and incidentally the fruit yield in tomato under infestation by fruit worm insect. Out of the 12 hybrids studied, 4 each were found to be good specific combiners for number of flower clusters and plant height, and 5 for number of fruits per plant over both the environment combined. Cherry × Hong Large and Cherry × Roma VF were the best specific combiners for number of fruits per plant and incidentally having high number of trichome count. These hybrids could be resistant to this insect. Additive gene action were preponderant for number of flower clusters, number of fruits per plant and days to final harvest, while non – additive action were preponderant for number of leaves per plant, plant heights, weight of fruits and the percentage damaged fruits.

Key words: combining ability, tomato, line × tester, preponderant, additive gene action, non–additive gene action.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (6), pp.198-203, June, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
 

Full Length Research Paper

Variation in resistance to coffee berry disease (colletotrichum kahawae) among germplasm progenitors at Tanzania coffee research institute (tacri)

D.J.I. Mtenga^1* and S.O.W.M. Reuben²

¹Tanzania Coffee Research Institute, P.O. Box 3004, Moshi, Tanzania.

²Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Crop Science and Production, P.O. Box 3005, Morogoro, Tanzania.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected]

Received February 23, 2012; Accepted June 03, 2012        

Abstract

Four trials were executed at the Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) from September 2006 to April 2007 and at the Coffee Rust Research Center (CIFC), Portugal from March 2007 to June 2007 to evaluate variation in resistance to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) caused by Colletotrichum kahawae within and among four Coffea arabica varieties. The varieties tested were Bourbon, Compacts (Catimor), Rume sudan and Hybrid de Timor obtained from TaCRI germplasm. Local CBD isolate was used in the trials at TaCRI while at CIFC Portugal, four CBD isolates T3, Ca1, Z9 and Q2 were used in the resistance evaluation. There was significant (P ≤ 0.05) variation against CBD within and among varieties against most isolates. Accessions PNI086, VCE1589 and VC299 in varieties Compacts, Hybrid de Timor and Rume sudan respectively showed high resistance while variety Bourbon a control, showed high levels of susceptibility. It is therefore necessary in breeding programmes to select the best accessions within varieties for development of superior coffee varieties with resistance to CBD.

Key words:    Coffee berry disease; breeding; Coffea arabica; resistance sources