International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Agronomic Performance of Banana under NPK Fertilization in Northern Oman

Khalid Al-Harthi1 and Rashid Al-Yahyai2*

1Directorate General of Agriculture and Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Sultanate of Oman.
2Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University. P. O. Box 34,

Al-Khoud 123, Oman, Sultanate of Oman.

Accepted 1 September, 2024

Banana is the leading fruit crop in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It represents the second most important fruit crop after date palm in the Sultanate of Oman, a subtropical arid country in the Middle East. Banana is grown as an intercrop throughout Oman but it is commercially cultivated on a large scale in the Dhofar (southern) region of and in Al-Batinah (coastal) region in the North. A field experiment was carried out in the traditional banana growing district, Al-Suwaiq, in Al-Batinah Region, during 2005-2006. The objective of the study was to determine the proper rate of NPK fertilizers that would maximize the potential yield of commercially-grown banana ( Musa acuminata Colla, Cavendish cv. 'Williams'). Three levels of chemical fertilizers were applied, viz. N (300, 600 and 900 g/ mat/yr), P (50, 100 and150 g/mat/yr) and K (250, 500 and 750 g/mat/yr) in addition to non- fertilized control (no NPK applied) treatment. The results indicated that vegetative growth parameters (that is, leaf number, leaf area, stem height, and stem circumference) of non- fertilized control plants were neither significantly different nor produced better vegetative growth when compared to fertilized plants. The fertilizer treatment T3 consisting of N (600 g/mat /yr), P (100 g/mat /yr) and K (500 g/mat /yr) numerically influenced the yield and fruit characteristics like total bunch weight, middle-hand weight and number of fingers per middle-hand, of ‘Williams’ banana as compared to other treatments. Hence, this fertilizer dose of NPK was recommended for cultivation of ‘Williams’ banana in northern coastal region of Oman.

Key words: Bunch weight, fingers, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, Musa spp. arid-region, Oman
 

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Application of Mathematical Models in Forestry: Assessing the ProFor Model Across Three Major Forestry Regions in South Africa

D. J. Kachamba¹*, A. Rozanov¹, P. A. Ackerman¹ and D. Matthies²

¹Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
²Technical University Munich, Am Hochanger 13, 85354, Freising. Germany.

Accepted 18 October, 2024

Abstract

Timber harvesting operations in plantation forestry in South Africa are rapidly being mechanised. However, machine movement in forest plantations may negatively affect soil quality. The forestry industry is introducing mathematical models to enable it address, limit or at least predict soil damage. One of these mathematical models is the “ProFor” model. The study was conducted in four harvesting sites namely KwaZulu Natal; Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. The impact of mechanised harvesting equipment on soil quality was assessed by observing changes in soil bulk density and critical soil water content. The changes in soil physical properties were then compared with ProFor’s predictions. The results indicated that ProFor gave valid predictions for critical soil moisture content in most of the study sites. However, for observed increases in bulk density, ProFor predictions of soil damage were invalid (r2 = - 0.1). The model can be adopted by the South African forestry industry for tactical planning of forest harvesting operations. Additionally, ProFor can be of even more use if a separate algorithm is developed to be used for the prediction of soil compaction which is a common hazard in South African forestry.

Keywords: Bulk density, forest harvesting, ProFor, soil compaction.
 

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of Organic and Inorganic Soils on Root Emergence Success in Spring Rings

Hani A AL-Zalzaleh

Arid land Agriculture and Greenery Department, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait. E mail: [email protected].

Accepted 9 September, 2024

Abstract

A glasshouse experiment was conducted to determine the effect of soil types on the emergence of Eucalyptus viminalis in spring ring containers. Five inorganic soils such as 100% clay, 100% sand, 85% sand and 5% clay, 70% sand and 30% clay, and 55% sand and 45% clay and, three organic soils like medium nutrient and medium texture compost, medium nutrient and coarse texture compost, medium nutrient and fine texture compost were used for the study. Characters observed were the total numbers of roots (TR) and the number of roots emerging through the spring rings (ER) after destructive harvest. The ratio for the weight of emerged roots to the weight of total number of root (ER : TR) was calculated. Morphological observations reveal that air pruning in spring ring containers seemed to be encouraging the formation of new roots. The results showed that that there was no significant difference between the soil types on the total number of roots as well as the number of roots emerged through the holes of the spring rings. The weight ratio of emergent roots to the total number of roots also did not vary significantly. Despite the differences in the soil type similarity was observed in root performance in the E. viminalis seedlings. Overall, the soils used did influence neither the total number of roots nor the emergence of roots through the container openings.

Keywords: organic soils, root growth, inorganic soils, root growth, spring rings, soil types.
 

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of dry matter yield and nutritional content of stylosanthes guianensis in the Sambisa Game Reserve, Borno State, Nigeria

Y. P. Mbaya, A. Usman* and N. Yekini

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri P. M. B 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Accepted 7 September, 2023

Abstract

The study is on the introduction of perennial pasture crop Stylosanthes guianensis (Stylo) into the Sambisa Game Reserve in Borno State, Nigeria. Stylo is a tropical herbaceous legume primarily used as a pasture crop for humid tropical regions. The objectives were to observe the growth and establishment of stylo in the game reserve of Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria; examining the emergence rates using some pre germination treatments, determine the yield and the nutritive value of herbage. Viability of 65% was obtained although the emergence was highest when sulphuric acid was used as pre germination treatment. There was no significant difference between the treatments (P > 0.05). A yield of 308 kg DM/ha was obtained. The sample herbage for determination of yield and chemical composition were determined to be 93.0% DM; 5.95% CP; 3.0% EE; 38.0% CF and 5.0% ash. The cultivation of stylo is therefore, recommended in game reserves for increased forage quality and quantity to herbivorous game animals as a conservation strategy.

Key words: Sudan savanna, stylo, germination, dry matter yield and nutritive value.
 

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Dobera glabra Forssk. in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: An ecological analysis

I. M. Aref, H. A. El Atta* and A. A. Al Ghtani

Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 8 October, 2023

Abstract

Research on Dobera glabra Forssk is very little. A study was carried out in Jazan (south western Saudi Arabia) on the ecology of D. glabra. The species was distributed over a large area, but with decreasing density towards the Red Sea coast. Generally, the density of the species is very little. This is combined with 0% survival of seedlings and samplings after 8 months made the species existence endangered and urgent intervention is required to conserve it. Although the frequency of flowering was normal, nevertheless fruiting is extremely little (0.29%) . The species regenerates well with seeds without any pretreatment, however, the seedlings require immediate protection from grazing and other human activities. Seedling growth is extremely slow. All attempts of vegetative propagation of D. glabra from cuttings, failed despite the use of suitable rooting media and growth hormones. Due to the importance of the species as a fodder during the dry season where most other resources are unavailable and as famine food for humans, further research is needed on how to conserve D. glabra.

Key words: Dobera glabra, germination, vegetative propagation, grazing, famine, foods, fodder.
 

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2756-3790 Vol. 12 (3), pp. 001-011, March, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the culinary and commercial value of indigenous fruits in Meghalaya: A horticultural perspective among the Khasi Tribe

S. Jeeva

Department of Botany, Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam - 629 165, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 6 August, 2023

Abstract

Plants provide most of the food products consumed by indigenous people in tropical countries. A study of wild edible fruits in the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya was carried out to assess their horticultural importance. One hundred fifty-one species belonging to 49 families were encountered, which include folk name, habit and the season of availability. Among them 100 were trees, 34 shrubs, 12 climbers and 5 herbs. Some edible plants have great economic value and are highly linked with socio-economic development of tribal communities of the state. The importance of documenting the use of wild edible species in this hotspot region is especially important because of rapid loss of biodiversity due to anthropogenic disturbance. The outcome of the present study may be helpful to have an understanding and thus make a conservation strategy of the wild edible species.

Key words: Ethnobotany, indigenous community, Khasi tribe, Meghalaya, wild edibles.