rroij-blog

[rroij-blog]

Environmental Land Use Aspects in Indian Context

Not only the modern conventional resource extractive professions like mining but also the conventionally or inefficiently run traditional professions like agriculture might give rise to excessive bare soil conditions, leading to soil degradation or soil fertility reduction and posing a serious threat to environment. Nowadays term sustainable conservation agriculture is much more in use particularly in India where cropland on around 55% land exists while the world average is 12.5% only. Further, the issue of realistic approach versus academic interests has been perhaps dominant in deciding degraded lands estimation methodology to practically reclaim, ameliorate and manage resources for sustainable conservation agriculture in India. In this context, in this paper, an attempt is made to express the academic concerns regarding land use aspects on the basis of derivation of Bare Soil Risk Cover - Ground Cover regression line equations, also called forestation lines, from Bare Soil Area - Bare Subfactor relationship with view point of canopy covering of soil for environment protection.

[rroij-blog]

Trends of Changes in Weather and Crop Yields in Nigeria between 1960 and 2013:Implications for Food Security

Climate change or climate variability has been predicted to have significant impacts on global and regional productivity of agricultural crops, food and nutrition security and livelihoods. In Sub Saharan Africa in particular, the performance of agricultural crops is predicted as highly susceptible to variabilities in climate and weather.

[rroij-blog]

Analysis of Physico-Chemical and Biological Characteristics of River Ramganga at Bareilly

ABSTRACT:

Water is a unique natural liquid which is quite essential for all kinds of life. Rivers are the best examples of fresh water. River Ramganga is a major tributary of Ganga River that flows to the south-west from Kumaun Himalayan. Domestic water, solid wastes, industrial and agricultural effluent from various areas is dumped into the river Ramganga through different drains. Water samples from five different sites of river Ramganga were collected and analyzed for physicochemical and biological parameters such as Temperature, transparency, pH, Total Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, BOD, COD, Electrical Conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, calcium, nitrate, and total biomass during the rainy season, to assess the quality of the river. The study revealed that as per physicochemical and biological parameters which exceed the permissible limits render the water of the river Ramganga to be unfit for drinking purposes and it is unhealthy for the aquatic life too.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/analysis-of-physicochemical-and-biological-characteristics-of-river-ramganga-at-bareilly.php?aid=87356

[rroij-blog]

Ecophysiological Effects of Nickel on Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) under Hydroponic Conditions

Rapid urbanization in recent times has led to increase in heavy metal pollution. Human exposure to various environmental contaminants has increased tremendously over the years. This study investigated the effects of trace concentration of nickel on Nephrolepis exaltata and also determined its suitability as a bio-indicator of Ni in water body.

[rroij-blog]

Influence of Global Economic Arrangements on the Environment: The Need for Eco-Capitalism

While the nations of the world are experiencing unprecedented and rapid environmental changes, human economies and civilisations are at the same time undergoing robust transformations. The environment-development debate has centred on the relations between economic arrangements and environmental change at different levels and scales.

[rroij-blog]

Power Generation through Double Chamber MFC Operation Using Various Depths of Mud Sediment of River Ogbese

ABSTRACT:

Due to the rapid exhaustion of fossil fuel based energy sources which is continuously increasing in cost, there has been a significant shift of focus towards renewable technologies for many decades. Ability to generated power using double chamber microbial fuel cell of mud sediments from River Ogbese at various depths was investigated for 12 days. The depths were surface water, depth 0 cm, depth 50 cm, depth 100 cm, and depth 150 cm. Microbial population and identification were determined using standard microbiological techniques and physiochemical parameters of the sediments were also determined. 

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/power-generation-through-double-chamber-mfc-operationusing-various-depths-of-mud-sediment-of-river-ogbese.php?aid=87487

[rroij-blog]

Impact of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) on Rural Women Contact Farmers' Poverty Levels in Aguata Agricultural Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT:

This study determined the impact of agricultural development programmes (ADP) on rural women contact farmers” poverty levels in Aguata, agricultural zone of Abia State, Nigeria. A-multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 180 rural women farmers (90 a piece for rural women contact and non contact farmers). Instrument for data collection was two sets of pre-tested and structured questionnaires. The poverty line was N5037.79 and N5027.91 per month for rural women contact and non contact farmers respectively. Poverty incidence was 0.444 and 0.5222 for rural women contact and non contact farmers respectively. The result of the paired t-test showed that the ADP impacted positively and significantly on rural women contact farmers” farm income, farm size and fertilizer use levels at 5.0% risk level. The multiple regression analysis with double log as the lead equation showed that the critical determinants of gross expenditure of the rural women contact farmers include household size, farm size, labour use levels and farm incomes at given levels of significance. It was recommended the women farmers should be given increased access to agricultural lands to help boost agricultural output and reduce endemic poverty.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/impact-of-agricultural-development-programme-adp-on-rural-women-contact-farmers8223-poverty-levels-in-aguata-agricultural-zone-of-anambra-state-nigeria.php?aid=33765

[rroij-blog]

Crop Growth Modeling: A Review

ABSTRACT:

Crop/soil simulation models basically applied in three sections (1) tools for research, (2) tools for decision-making, and (3) tools for education, training and technology-transfer. The greatest use of crop/soil models so far has been by the research community, as models are primarily tools for organizing knowledge gained in experimentation. However, there is an urgent need to make the use of models in research more relevant to problems in the real world, and find effective means of dissemination of results from work using models to potential beneficiaries. Nevertheless, crop models can be used for a wide range of applications. As research tools, model development and application can contribute to identify gaps in our knowledge, thus enabling more efficient and targeted research planning. Models that are based on sound physiological data are capable of supporting extrapolation to alternative cropping cycles and locations, thus permitting the quantification of temporal and spatial variability.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/crop-growth-modeling-a-review.php?aid=33776

[rroij-blog]

Fertigation for Crops and Nitrogen Fertigation for Sugarcane: A Review

ABSTRACT:

As water becoming the scarce resource, micro irrigation is gaining momentum. Drip fertigation ensures required quantity, proper place, proper time, and regular supply of water fertilizer. Fertigation enhances the utilization of fertilizers and crop yield. So, Drip fertigation not only ensures proper utilization of irrigation water, but also is an effective way to improve the yield quality of crops. Nitrogen is the very important nutrient and the N fertilisers are being the costly input, necessary measures are to be taken to minimise the usage of the fertilisers. Hence the drip fertigation is one of the technologies which is to be addressed off. Also Sugarcane, being the high value crop in India, N management in sugarcane also discussed hereunder.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/fertigation-for-crops-and-nitrogen-fertigation-for-sugarcane-a-review.php?aid=33783

[rroij-blog]

Factors affecting the quality of Vanilla-A Review

ABSTRACT:

Vanilla (Vanilla sp) is a high value spice crop known for its aroma and flavour in food industry. Quality of cured vanilla beans depends on different parameters like geographical origin, maturity at harvest, curing conditions, curing methods etc. The present study aims at optimizing the bean conditioning parameters namely moisture level, temperature and duration of conditioning for obtaining the maximum quality in terms of odour and vanillin content. Besides, two different species of vanilla namely, Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla tahitensis from different geographical locations of the world were also analyzed for their intact aroma and flavour.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/factors-affecting-the-quality-of-vanilla--a-review.php?aid=33808

[rroij-blog]

The Cotton Bollworms: Their Survey, Detection and Management through Pheromones: A Review

ABSTRACT:

Cotton is the backbone of agrarian economy and the textile industry throughout the world. There are many reasons for low yield of cotton crop- high price of agriculture inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides), higher intensity of insects and pests attack, shortage of good quality and varieties of seeds, deficiency of water for irrigation, lack of advance technologies, its awareness and agro-professionalism, and adulterations in pesticides, fertilizers and seeds. Among other constrains, one important cause is the attack of insect pests, therefore, it has become vital for Pakistan and other countries to increase cotton yield per acre against pest ravages. Pheromone traps are used to monitor the presence of pests, as control tools to capture insects, as confusants to disrupt insect mating and as lures to attract insects to insecticidal baits. Present article describes alternative control strategies of cotton bollworms such as mating disruption with synthetic pheromone for its potential role in integrated pest management.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/the-cotton-bollworms-their-survey-detection-and-management-through-pheromones-a-review.php?aid=33796

[rroij-blog]

Development and Boosting of Integrated Insect Pests Management in Stored Grains

ABSTRACT:

Stored grain insect pests normally cause as much loss of grains in storage after harvest as crop pests cause damage during the growing season. The adults and larvae of these insects damage and contaminate grains or their products by burrowing into grain and eat out the starchy portion in the interior. This article summaries integrated pest management (IPM) in stored grains including cereals, oilseeds and pulses, which is complex operation due to diversity of grains and pests requirements. The management of stored grains necessitates the utilization of different methods to guarantee that the attributes of the grains incoming to the storehouse environment do not degenerate during storage time period. These activities involve; regular sampling, sanitation measures, storing sound and dry grains, bringing of proper temperature and aeration, and exploitation of chemical protectants and fumigants. However, the prevention against pests is the only satisfactory means to hold up the good grain quality. Bin installations play a crucial part in deciding whether grain quality is maintained and the stock is inspected regularly. A powerful linkage of researchers and food industry can expedite the acceptation of IPM exercises, and improvement and publicity of fresh and reinforced control operations for forthcoming pest situations.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/development-and-boosting-of-integrated-insect-pests-management-in-stored-grains.php?aid=33819

[rroij-blog]

Evaluation of Efficacy of different Disease Management Practices against sorghum covered smut (Sphacelotheca sorghi) at Fedis and Babile, Eastern Ethiopia

An experiment was conducted at Fedis and Babile for two cropping seasons (2011 and 2012) with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of different seed treatment practices in controlling covered smut (Sphacelotheca sorghi) of sorghum. The materials tested were fermented cattle urine and botanical ‘‘Abeyi (Orm)’ (Maesa lanceolata). These materials were compared with fungicide Apron star as standard check and untreated seeds as control. Smut inoculated sorghum seed of variety Gubiye and Abshir were treated with aqueous extracts of the leaves of botanical ‘Abeyi (Orm)’at the rate of 20 ml extract diluted with the same amount of water; 200 g of the seeds were treated and then air dried before planting. The result showed that like the fungicides, both ‘Abeyi (Orm)’ and fermented cattle urine seed treatments significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the prevalence of disease more than the untreated checks for both varieties. Furthermore, statistically non-significant (P≤0.05) difference in grain yield was observed among the seed treatments. The grain yield for each treated varieties varied significantly (P≤0.05) as compared to the untreated controls. In general, the result clearly revealed that the use of M. lanceolata leaf extract and fermented cattle urine as a seed treatment against sorghum smut could be used as a substitute for fungicides and are potentially useful for resource poor farmers of lowlands of Eastern Hararghe Fedis, Babile and other areas with similar agro-ecology.

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/evaluation-of-efficacy-of-different-disease-management-practices-against-sorghum-covered-smut-sphacelotheca-sorghi-at-fedis-and-babile-eastern-ethiopia.php?aid=33843

[rroij-blog]

Proximate and Mineral Composition of Wild Corchorous olitorius Seed Flour

ABSTRACT:

Raw seed flour of wild Corchorous olitorius was evaluated for its proximate composition and mineral content using standard procedures.The mean values of parameters fro proximate composition (%) were: moisture, (5.32±0.3), crude fibre (6.60±0.1), carbohydrate (by difference) (21.99±0.1) and the calculated energy (kg/100g) (1892.3). Minerals (mg/100g) included ;Na (25.8±0.4),K (37.2±0.1), Ca (28.9±0.5), Fe (0.9±0.1), P (19.5±0.2) and Mn (1.4±0.2).The results from this study show that the seed flour of wild Corchorous olitorious is a good source of energy, protein and minerals which proved the flour to be used as food fortifier.

Introduction

Many plant protein usually in the form of protein extract or seed flours are being investigated and tested for new product such as low cost fabricated foods which are nutritious, attractive and acceptable to consumer just like conventional foods from meat, fish, and dairy products. Research attention that has been directed toward increasing utilization of plant protein sources for food use include pumpkin peanut pigeon pea African yam beanand Akee apple.Seeds have nutritive and calorific value which make them necessary in diets. They are good source of edible oils and fats.They also form an important part of the diet of human being and are usually regarded as good food. The significance of seeds especially in the diet of the Nigerian population is increasing for several reasons. First, seeds have nutrient and caloriful value which make them necessary in diets and secondly since 1980, Nigeria experienced decline in yield for cereals, tubers and root crops .This problem has been compounded by poor economic growth, reproduction of rural environment especially in crude oil rich communities, and insincere government. As a result, seeds can be described as a good source of famine food and also potential raw material for local industries.

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/proximate-and-mineral-composition-of-wild-corchorous-olitorius-seed-flour.php?aid=33835

[rroij-blog]

Foliar Application of Plant Mineral Nutrients on Wheat: A Review

In agriculture practices fertilizer is an important source to increase wheat yield. Among fertilizer application methods, one of the most important methods of application is foliar nutrition because foliar nutrients facilitate easy and quick consumption of nutrients by penetrating the stomata or leaf cuticle and enters the cells. It is determined that during crop growth supplementary foliar fertilization increase plants mineral status and improve crop yields. Foliar feeding of mineral nutrients at tillering , jointing, booting and various stages of wheat crop in utilization of nutrients has been shown mucheffective and increase the yield. Keeping these facts in view, the literatures on foliar application of plant mineral nutrients on growth and yield of wheat are reviewed in this paper

[rroij-blog]

Citrus Scab (Elsinoe fawcettii): A Review

ABSTRACT:

Elsinoë fawcettii Bitancourt and Jenkins is the causal agent of citrus scab. It is widely distributed, occurring in many citrus growing areas in the world where rainfall conditions are conducive for infection. It affects all varieties of citrus, resulting in serious fruit blemishes and e conomic losses world - wide. Conidia are produced from the imperfect stage of the fungus, Sphaceloma fawcettii Jenkins, and serve as the primary source for inoculation in the field. E. australis causing sweet orange scab differs from E. fawcettii in host ran ge and is limited to southern areas in South America. E. fawcettii rarely causes lesions on sweet orange, whereas E. australis attacks all sweet oranges as well as some tangerines and their hybrids. Unlike E. fawcettii that induces lesions on all parts of citrus, E. australis appears to affect only fruit. In addition, E. australis can be distinguished from E. fawcettii based on the sizes of ascospores (12 - 20 x 15 - 30 μm in E. australis ). Furthermore, E. australis does no t produce spindle - shaped conidia in scab lesions that are often associated with E. fawcettii. Elsinoë spp. produces two kinds of conidia: hyaline conidia and spindle conidia. Hyaline conidia of Elsinoë spp. are one celled, elliptical, and 2 - 4 x 4 - 8 μm and are the primary source for inoculation. Spores are produced on diseased tissue after only one to two hours of wetting. Spores are then dispersed by water splash to healthy young leaves and twigs where the infection takes place. Three to four hours of wetne ss is required for infection. Citrus is most susceptible at fruit developing stage. Citrus scab affects a variety of citrus species while Sweet orange scab affects primarily orange and mandarines. The best management measure is avoiding entry of contaminat ed material. Once established, the disease can only be managed by two chemical sprays, the first one when 25 % of the flowers are open, followed by a second spray 7 - 10 days after. Copper - based fungicides, benomyl, thiram, captafol and chlorothalonil, carbe ndazim, thiophanate methyl, trifloxystrobin, ferbam, azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, pyraclostrobin plus oil are the best chemicals for scab control.

For more details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/citrus-scab-elsinoe-fawcettii-a-review.php?aid=33883

[rroij-blog]

Effect of Growth Regulators and Chemicals on Fruit Yield and Quality of Hasta Bahar Flowering in Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) cv. Balaj

ABSTRACT:

Acid lime ( Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) flowers and fruits almost all round the year. There are three important flushes, Ambia bahar (Jan - Feb), Mrig bahar (June - July ) and Hasta bahar (Sep - Oct). Among all these hasta bahar crop which comes to harvest during summer gets highest remunerative price. It is very difficult to impose bahar treatment during September - October months in Andhra Pradesh because of the north east monsoon rains. Hence, a field trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of different combinations plant growth regulators (GA 3 & Cycocel / Lihocin ) and chemicals (KNO 3 & Salicyclic acid) in inducing hasta bahar flowering on ten year old Acid lime Balaji plants during 2011 - 13 at AICRP on Tropical Fruits (Citrus), Dr.YSRHU, Citrus Research Station, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 11 different treatment combinations i.e., GA 3 (50 and 100ppm), Cycocel (1000 ppm), KNO 3 (1% and 2%) Salicyclic acid (100 and 200 ppm) along with control. The treatments were imposed four months before flowering (June) followed by September - October foliar sprays. Results have indicated that the foliar spray of GA 3 ( 50 ppm in June followed by Cycocel 1000 ppm in September and KNO 3 1% in October was found superior with respect to number of fruits per tree (529.34), fruit weight (41.12 g), yield (24.08 kg/ tree) and quality (juice content 34.34ml and TSS 6.92 0 Brix) during summer (2011 - 12 and 2012 - 13). However, the treatment with application of GA 3 100 ppm in June and Cycocel 1000 ppm in September recorded highest benefit cost ratio of 2.42 followed by foliar spray of GA 3 50 ppm in June and Cycocel 1000 ppm in Sept ember (2.19).

For more details visit @ http://www.rroij.com/

Further details @ http://www.rroij.com/open-access/effect-of-growth-regulators-and-chemicals-on-fruit-yield-and-quality-of-hasta-bahar-flowering-in-acid-lime-citrus-aurantifoliaswingle-cv-balaj-.php?aid=33871