International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Legume Screening Strategies for Combatting Witchweed Species in Malawi: Insights into Alectra vogelii and Striga asiatica Management

V. Kabambe1, 2*, L. Katunga 2, T. Kapewa1 A.R. Ngwira1

1Chitedze Research Station, P. O. Box 158, Lilongwe, Malawi
2Bunda College of Agriculture, P. O. Box 219, Lilongwe.

Accepted 16 September, 2024

In Malawi the parasitic weeds (witchweeds) for cereals and legumes exist simultaneously. The predominant species for cereals is Striga asiatica, while for legumes it is Alectra vogelii, which causes damage in groundnuts (Arachis hypogea L.), cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) and soybeans (Glycine max.). Growing legumes is a control measure for S. asiatica in cereal crops. Studies were initiated in 2000/2001 at Chitedze Research Station to screen amongst several entries of groundnuts, pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), sunhemp (Crotalaria spp.), soybeans, velvet beans (Mucuna spp) for resistance to A. vogelii. In 2002/2003 a similar experiment was repeated, utilizing the promising entries. In 2003/2004 a screen house pot study was conducted at Bunda College to evaluate soybean lines with and without A. vogelii infection. Results from the 2000/2001 screening study indicated that amongst the crops soybean are the most susceptible to Alectra. Within soybeans, Bossier, Ocepara-4 and 501/6/12 were the least susceptible, with < 1.0 plant m -2, compared to 5.0 plants m-2 with 427/5/7. All pigeon peas and green manure entries had no Alectra emerging on them. Similar results were obtained when the study was repeated with a few entries in 2002/2003. In a screen house study of 2003/2004, soybean varieties Bossier and Ocepara-4 had the least Alectra on them (<0.33 plants pot-1), while other entries such as Kudu had 7.0 plants pot-1. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in plant dry mass, grain weight, and pod number due to Alectra infection). The following conclusions were drawn from these studies:- 1). A. vogelii significantly affects crop growth, 2). Pigeon peas and green manure crops of mucuna and crotalaria are immune to Alectra, 3). Farmers with S. asiatica and A. vogelii infestation in their fields should therefore use resistant soybean types (Bossier, Ocepara-4), pigeon peas or green manures as trap crops for S. asiatica, while avoiding damage or build of Alectra on their farms, 4). As is always the case, an integrated management approach should be advocated in management of the parasitic weeds.

Key words: integrated witchweed management, legumes rotations, Alectra resistance.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Electroplating Waste Contribution to Soil Phosphorus Dynamics and Its Interaction with Physico-Chemical Properties

Sudarshana Sharma1, Poonam Mehrotra2 and A.K. Bhattacharyya3

1Department of Biochemistry, Bundelkahnd University Jhansi, India.
2Department of Botany, Bundelkahnd University Jhansi, India.
3School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.

Accepted 15 September, 2024

Unorganized land disposal of industrial wastes contaminates land and ground water. The Wazirpur Industrial area of Delhi, a metropolitan city, generates highly acidic (pH 2 - 3.8) and toxic waste, and disposal remains a perpetual problem. This waste contains a high quantity of macronutrients as well as heavy metals because major industries are involved in metals finishing. Wastes of these industries were mixed with municipal waste at roads. Hence a study was undertaken to verify the suitability of land disposal of this toxic waste. The waste was first treated with three doses of lime (0, 0.5 and 1%) and then mixed with two types of soils from two different locations in three different proportions viz. 10, 20 and 30%, maintaining soil moisture level at 50% of water holding capacity. These samples were incubated for 120 days. All three waste amendments resulted in an increase in available phosphorus (AP) in both waste-amended soils as compared to the control soils. It is statistically significant at p = 0.05 level. During the 120 days of incubation highest value (36.41 ± 0.01 ppm for site 1 soil and 30.40 ± 0.03 ppm for site 2 soil) of available phosphorus had been found at 20th day of incubation for both the soils. Lime treatment at the rate of 0.5% gave in 10 and 20% treatments significantly positive result as compared to 0 and 1% treatment. Only in 30% waste amendment 1% lime treatment gave better amount of available phosphorus (27.77 ± 0.01 ppm and 24.84 ± 0.03 ppm for site 1 and site 2 soils respectively). The finding of the study evident that 0.5% lime treated 10% industrial waste can be used as manure for soil. The result is of further interest from a plant nutrition standpoint since the amount of potentially mobile-P measured in this study could be related to the amount of available phosphorous required for crop growth.

Key words: Industrial waste, land disposal, incubation study, available phosphorus.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Poultry Manure as an Organic Amendment: Effects on Soil Characteristics and Tomato Production

Ewulo, B. S.1*, Ojeniyi.S. O.1 and Akanni, D. A.2

1Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University
of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Agronomy, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 17 January, 2025

In order to study the effect of poultry manure additions on nutrient availability, soil physical and chemical properties and yield of tomato, five levels of the manure, namely 0, 10, 25, 40 and 50 t ha-1 were applied at Akure, Southwest Nigeria. The soil at the two experimental sites were slightly acidic, low in organic matter, N, P, and Ca. Poultry manure increased soil organic matter, N and P. Soil bulk density were reduced and moisture content increased with levels of manure. Manure applications increased leaf N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations of tomato, plant height, number of branches, root length, number and weight of fruits. The 25 t ha-1 poultry manure gave highest leaf P, K, Ca and Mg and yield relative to control. The 10, 25, 40 and 50 t ha-1 manure levels increased average fruit weight by 58, 102, 37 and 31% respectively.

Key words: Poultry manure, nutrient availability, soil physical properties, soil chemical properties, tomato yield.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Soil Fertility and Nutrient Uptake Responses in Wheat-Rice System to Pea Compost/Green Manure and Combinations with Chicken Manure and Rapeseed Oil Residue Application

Amanullah Khan Eusuf Zai*, Takatsugu Horiuchi and Tsutomu Matsui

United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan.

Accepted 3 February, 2025

Farmers use huge chemical fertilizers for cereal production, which causes health and environmental hazards. Adoption of legumes in cereal based cropping systems and improvement of organic fertilizers are needed to reduce chemical fertilizer use. Pot experiments were carried out with compost and green manure of pea plant residue with dried chicken manure and/or rapeseed oil residue to find out effects of compost and green manure on soil fertility and nutrient uptake by wheat and rice. Pea residue was mixed with chicken manure or rapeseed oil residue or half of chicken manure plus rapeseed residue or nothing was mixed for composting and green manuring for wheat. We also examined the residual effects of the fertilizers on rice. Composts of pea residue with chicken manure and chicken manure plus rapeseed residue enriched soil with N, P, K and other nutrients, and increased nutrient accumulation. Higher values were found for compost than for green manure but green manure with rapeseed residue also supplied higher residual nutrients and improved uptake and yield components. Rapeseed residue released nutrients slowly but chicken manure was efficient and stimulated the former when they were mixed. Pea compost with chicken manure or chicken manure plus rapeseed oil residue is recommended to improve soil fertility for wheat and rice.

Key words: Chicken manure, compost, green manure, rapeseed oil residue, soil fertility improvement.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Phosphate Rock Enriched Cow Dung on Maize and Okra Growth in Cowpea Relay Intercropping

M. O. Akande1, F. I. Oluwatoyinbo2, C. O. Kayode2 and F. A. Olowokere3

1Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P. M. B 5029 Moor Plantation, Ibadan,
Nigeria.
2Federal College of Agriculture, P. M. B 5029 Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
3University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Accepted 24 January, 2025

Field trial was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria in 2002 and 2003 to assess the effect of Ogun rock phosphate (ORP) amended with cow dung (CD) manure on the growth and yields of maize and okra in intercrop relayed with cowpea on an Aquic Arenic Haplustalf. Significant treatment effects were observed in plant height and leaf area of maize and okra whereas stem girth was not significantly affected in either crop. The percentage leaf P concentration of maize, okra and cowpea were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by treatment application. The percentage ranged from 0.18 - 0.48 and 0.24 - 0.45 in maize, 0.20 - 0.39% and 0.21 - 0.40% in okra and 0.16 - 0.40 and 0.18 - 0.42% in cowpea in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Increase in available P in amended ORP over sole ORP ranged from 44 - 71%, 40 - 71%, and 50 - 67% in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th sampling period. The ORP + 4 t/ha CD gave the highest P content of leaf in all the crops and in both years. The complementary use of Ogun rock phosphate with 3 t ha-1 cow dung manure produced the highest yields of maize (3.2 and 2.3 t ha-1), okra (1.6 and 2.5 t ha-1), and cowpea (1.8 and 1.9 t ha-1) in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

Key words: Available phosphorus, cow dung, multiple cropping, Ogun rock phosphate.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating Nitrogen Dynamics in Andosols Amended with Poultry and Cattle Manure under Maize-Bean Cultivation in Nicaragua

Francisco Salmerón-Miranda1*, Henrik Eckersten2 and Maria Wivstad2

1Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad Nacional Agraria (UNA), Apartado 453, Managua,
Nicaragua.
2Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7043,SE-750 07

Uppsala, Sweden.

Accepted 24 January, 2025

An in situ nitrogen mineralization experiment was conducted to assess the response of chicken and cow manure application at two different rates (5 and 10 Mg DM ha-1) on net N mineralization in a maize-bean rotation experiment in Nicaragua. The field study was carried out over four consecutive growing seasons. Soil samples of the top soil (0-0.3 m) were taken every 30 days within the season in inserted plastic tubes. The samples were analysed for content of soil mineral N and total organic N. Net N mineralization was estimated as the difference in soil mineral N over time. The net N mineralization rate in the treatment with chicken manure applied at the high rate (CHH) was on average 24.5 g N m-2 season-1 and significantly higher than all the other treatments and the unfertilized control, except during the first season. From season two to season four, the net N mineralization of cow manure at both high and low application rates were similar to that of low application rate of chicken manure. In the control, the net N mineralization was significantly lower than in all fertilisation treatments and on average 9.9 g N m-2 season-1. It also decreased significantly over time and did not show any indication to increase in the season following the N2 fixating crop. Only the CHH treatment showed such a tendency. The soil total organic N did not show any clear pattern over neither time nor treatment. Consequently, the variation in specific net N mineralization per unit of total organic soil N was similar to that of net N mineralisation and ranged from 1.6 – 2.9 10-3 30d-1 in the control to 4.4 - 6.7 10-3 30 d-1 in CHH.

Key words: Soil organic matter, low input tropical agriculture, Zea mays L., Phaseolus vulgaris L.