scholarly journals EVALUATION OF COFFEE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY UNDER COFFEE SHADE TREES AT MECHARA ON STATION, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Author(s):  
Alemayehu Diriba Roba ◽  
Shimelis Dekeba ◽  
Wasihun Gizaw ◽  
Mosisa Mezigebu

Abstract: Coffee production with shade trees is important to improve growth and quality of coffee, sustain and restore agroecology and nature based agroforestry practices. The trial was conducted at Mechara Agricultural Research Center (on station) in DaroLebu District of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The study was intended to evaluate the influence of coffee shade trees on growth performance, yield and quality of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under the canopy of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana and Acacia sieberiana. The design was Randomized complete block design with three replications. The outcome had been observed a significant value at (p<0.05) probability level, non- significant value at (p>0.05) probability level and highly significance value at (p<0.01) probability level between treatments. Statistically significant and non- significant differences were observed between shaded and unshaded as well as within shaded effect based on the given parameters. Integration of shade in coffee farming system created creditable promising in producing organic coffee. Shade utility could be confirmed as to be ecologically sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable practice. In so doing that, the effect of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana shade trees illustrated the highest mean value in most parameters, while the least one is under the Acacia sieberiana shade tree. So the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the highest value on total bearing plants 60%, thousand seed weight 59% and yield in Quintal per hectare 47.4% greater than the least treatments’ mean value based on growth parameters. On the other hand, the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the higher value on aromatic intensity 46.4%, aromatic quality 87.2%, acidity 92.4%, body 93.5%, flavors 88.6% and overall quality 88.6% than the least treatments’ mean value, and also the effect of un-shade mean observed with the higher value on astringency 68.8% and bitterness 93.5% than the least treatments’ mean value based on organoleptic parameters. The highest mean value of Erytherina absinica observed on total bearing plants 12.1, thousand seed weight 130 gram and yield in Quintal per hectare 5.7 based on growth parameters, while based on organoleptic parameters, the highest mean value observed under the effect of Erytherina absinica shade tree on aromatic intensity 4.5, aromatic quality 3.9, acidity 7.9, body 7.7, flavors 7.9 and overall quality 7.9. Therefore, based on the most treatments’ parameters, to be the best shade tree was Erythrina abyssinica followed by cordia africana. Commonly, the dynamic indication of the treatment’s means difference were indicated between shaded and unshaded rather than within shaded means variation at most treatments’ parameters.

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuncay TURSUN ◽  
Sener AKINCI ◽  
Esin BOZKURT

Boron is an important micronutrient, required for all plant growth, and critical for high yield and quality of crops. The aim of the present research was to determine the effects of boron on pot-grown parsley (Petroselinum sativum Hoffm.). The experimental design consisted of four treatments using Hoagland-Arnon (1950) nutrient solutions with two different boron concentrations (B1 - 15 ppm and B2 - 150 ppm), each with and without 10 ml humic acid addition (HB1 and HB2), and controls with full strength Hoagland-Arnon solutions. Growth analyses of the parsley revealed that 15 ppm boron application caused an increase in root length leaf fresh and dry weight root fresh and dry weight and leaf area compared to control values. 150 ppm B (B2) concentration decreased all growth parameters compared to controls. The two humic acid treatments (HB1 and HB2) did not increase any of those growth parameters either in controls (C) or in the two boron (B1 and B2) concentrations. Analysis by (ICP-MS) revealed that B content in the leaves increased gradually in B1 and B2, as well as in both humic treatments where in HB2 it increased to 99.38% compared to B1. In the leaves, Mn, Zn and Fe contents behaved the same as B, increasing in all treatments, with the amounts in HB2 being significantly greater than in C, B1 and B2 leaves.


Author(s):  
A. Vidya ◽  
B. G. Hanumantharayya ◽  
R. Vasantha Kumari

An experiment was conducted during 2012-2014 at Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, Gokak (Karnataka), India to study the effect of silicon on  yield and quality of mango cv. Kesar. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with nine treatments replicated five times. The results revealed that, the highest yield per tree (140.93 kg/tree) was recorded in the treatment supplemented in (T5) Half of RDF + DE 600 kg/ha which significantly more than the compared to control during 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and pooled data. It was noticed that the (T7) RDF + DE 300 kg per hectareas RDF + DE 300 kg/ha was best on the basis of physical characteristics like increased in length, diameter and volume of the fruit, and the treatment was significantly higher than the untreated control mango fruits. The treatment also helped in better chemical characteristics like increased TSS, total sugars, and reducing sugars and optimum physiological loss in weight, resulting in improved keeping quality at ambient conditions (25-350C, 50-60% RH). The T7 treatment was judged as the most effective soil application for the mango cv. Kesar that helped in increasing the quality of the mango fruits during storage even after 18 days of storage. The same treatment was also found to be more effective and significantly more than the compared to control during 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and pooled data with respect to organoleptic parameters for the mango cv. Kesar.


Afrika Focus ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-131
Author(s):  
Tadesse Chanie Sewnet ◽  
Fassil Assefa Tuju

In a first step to understand the interactions between Colfea arabica L. trees and mycorrhizae in Ethiopia, an investigation of the current mycorrhizal colonization status of roots was undertaken. We sampled 14 shade tree species occurring in coffee populations in Bonga forest, Ethiopia. Milletia ferruginea, Schefflera abyssinica, Croton macrostachyus, Ficus vasta, F. sur, Albizia gummifera, Olea capensis, Cordia africana, Ehretia abyssinica, Pouteria adolfi-friederici, Pavetta oliveriana, Prunus africana, Phoenix reclinata and Polyscias fulva. Coffee trees sampled under each shade tree were all shown to be colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi). Four genera and 9 different species of AM fungi were found in the soils. Glomus (Sp1, Sp2, & Sp3 & Sp4), Scutellospora (Sp1 & Sp2) and Gigaspora (Sp1 & Sp2) were found under all 14 shade tree species, whereas Acaulospora (Sp1) occurred only in slightly acidic soils, within a pH range of 4.93-5.75. Generally, roots of the coffee trees were colonized by arbuscules to a greater degree than those of their shade trees, the arbuscular colonization percentage (AC%) of the former being higher than the latter (significant difference at 0.05 level). Though differences were not statistically significant, the overall hyphal colonization percentage (HC%) and mycorrhizal hyphal colonization percentage (MHC%) were shown to be slightly higher under coffee trees than under their shade trees. However, the differences were statistically significant at 0.05 level in the case of HC% values of coffee trees under Pouteria adolf-friederici and MHC% under Cordia africana. Spore density and all types of proportional root colonization parameters (HC%, MHC%, AC% and vesicular colonization percentage, VC%) for both coffee and shade trees were negatively and significantly correlated with organic soil carbon, total N, available P, EC and Zn. Correlation between arbuscular colonization for coffee (AC%) and organic carbon was not significantly positive at a 0.05 level. Incidence of specific spore morphotypes was also correlated with physical and chemical soil properties. Results indicate that AM fungi could potentially be important in aforestation and help to promote coffee production activities in Ethiopia providing an alternative to expensive chemical fertilizer use, and would offer management methods that take advantage of natural systems dynamics that could potentially preserve and enhance coffee production.


Weed Science ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 738-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donn G. Shilling ◽  
A. Douglas Worsham ◽  
David A. Danehower

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various densities of four fall-seeded small grain mulches and diphenamid (N,N-dimethyl-α-phenyl benzeneacetamide) on weed control, yield, and quality in no-till flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacumL. ‘McNair 944’). A greenhouse study investigated the effects of non-soil-incorporated mulch from the same small grains plus alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) on various growth parameters of tobacco (‘Speight G-70’). None of the mulches used in the greenhouse study adversely affected growth of the tobacco. Mulch from rye (Secale cerealeL. ‘Abruzzi’) killed about 2 weeks before transplanting plus diphenamid provided better annual broadleaf weed control (85%) than wheat (Triticum aestivumL. ‘McNair’), barley (Hordeum vulgareL. ‘Keowee’), and no mulch. Oat (Avena sativaL. ‘Brooks’) mulch resulted in 80% broadleaf weed control. There were no differences in annual grass control (which was short lived) among mulches but control was lower in the no-mulch treatment. Rye mulch resulted in a 22% increase in the control of broadleaf weeds compared to no-mulch. Yield of the no-till tobacco did not differ among mulches and averaged 82% of that conventionally grown. The quality was not affected. The rye mulch did not affect the yield or quality of tobacco when compared to a nonmulch, noncultivated treatment. The 18% decrease in the no-till yield was apparently the result of the lack of tillage and increased weed interference and was not due to adverse effects from the rye.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1373
Author(s):  
Abir Mzibra ◽  
Abderrahim Aasfar ◽  
Mehdi Khouloud ◽  
Youssef Farrie ◽  
Rachid Boulif ◽  
...  

Background: Seaweed-derived extracts have gained popularity in agriculture as bioproducts with phytostimulatory effects on plant growth and development. Methods: This study assessed the effect of polysaccharide-enriched extracts (PEEs) derived from six Moroccan seaweeds on tomato growth, yield, and fruit quality. PPEs were applied to tomato plants as soil drench in a greenhouse experiment. Growth parameters including plant height (cm) and number of leaves, flowers, and flower buds were recorded every 15 days. Yield and quality parameters of the harvested fruits were also recorded after each harvest. Results: The obtained results showed that all PEEs improved the growth, yield, and fruit quality of treated tomato plants. According to principal component analysis, the presence of SO4, galactose, glucose, and maltose in the characterized polysaccharides was closely associated with their effect on plant growth, yield, and fruit quality parameters. Conclusions: PEEs obtained from Gelidium crinale,Schizymenia dubyi, Fucus spiralis, and Bifurcaria bifurcata exhibited the highest biostimulant effects and could be used as bioproducts for improved tomato yield and fruit nutritional quality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1081-1084
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar ◽  
M. Martin Luther ◽  
Vikram Kumar ◽  
K. Hemalatha

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh), study the effect of different sowing dates on the yield and quality of different varieties of clusterbean. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design replicated thrice, six dates of sowing from 15th September to 1st December at fifteen days interval and two clusterbean varieties viz. RGC-936 and RGC-1003. Results revealed that growth parameters, yield attributes, yield (1568 kg ha-1) and quality parameters viz. gum content (31.6 %), protein content (30.1 %) and viscosity (3783 cP) were highest with RGC-1003 sown at 15thNovember, which was at par with 1st December sowing with same variety. The study results showed that the clusterbean crop can be grown successfully in non-traditional area as a rabi crop.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2481
Author(s):  
Eugenio Cozzolino ◽  
Ida Di Mola ◽  
Lucia Ottaiano ◽  
Sabrina Nocerino ◽  
Maria Isabella Sifola ◽  
...  

Barley is the primary matrix for malting process of beer production. Farmers count on increasing cultivation inputs, especially nitrogen fertilization, in order to reach a higher yield. Nevertheless, an overuse of nitrogen, besides causing environmental damages, can determine a deterioration of quality traits of malting barley, in particular an increase in grains protein content, which should range between 10 and 11% as required by the mating industry. Over two successive years, barley was grown under 4 different nitrogen (N) doses—0 kg N ha−1—N0; 20 kg N ha−1—N20; 40 kg N ha−1—N40 and 60 kg N ha−1—N60, and subject to a biostimulant treatment (Ecklonia maxima seaweed extract). Barley yield and growth parameters increased with nitrogen and seaweed application. N40 was already sufficient in the second year to reach the plateau of the highest production. Biostimulant application increased 17.9% the nitrogen use efficiency, 15.7% the biomass production, and 17.0% the yield with respect to untreated plants. Our results indicate that a significant reduction in nitrogen is possible and desirable, combined with the application of a plant-based biostimulant like seaweed extract, which determines an improvement in nitrogen use efficiency, assuring a higher production and lower fertilization inputs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4797
Author(s):  
Qudsia Nazir ◽  
Xiukang Wang ◽  
Azhar Hussain ◽  
Allah Ditta ◽  
Ayesha Aimen ◽  
...  

Zinc (Zn) is critical for the activity of many enzymes including involved photosynthetic CO2 fixation and indirectly involved in the production of growth hormones and internode elongation in crop plants. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effectiveness of the Zn blended, Zn coated and bio-activated Zn coated urea on the growth, physiological, yield, and quality of wheat. Three types of urea were prepared including bio-activated Zn coated, Zn coated and Zn blended urea. The bio-activated Zn coated urea was prepared by inoculating the powdered organic material with Zn solubilizing bacterium (Bacillus sp. AZ6) and then this material was mixed with ZnO. This bioactive Zn was coated on urea at the rate to formulate 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea. Moreover, Zn blended urea was prepared by mixing powder ZnO with urea while Zn coated urea with 1.5% Zn was prepared by mixing ZnO and urea under proper moisture conditions to ensure proper coating. In results, growth parameters were significantly increased with the application of bio-activated Zn coated urea as compared to other urea formulations and the control. The same treatment caused the maximum increase in quality parameters like oil contents (55%), protein (30%), and N concentration (30%) as compared to the control. In conclusion, the application of 1.5% bio-activated Zn coated urea was highly effective in enhancing the growth, physiological, yield, and quality parameters of wheat.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatimah Obaid Saeed Ali Kalbani ◽  
Mohammed A. Salem ◽  
Abdul J. Cheruth ◽  
Shyam S. Kurup ◽  
A. Senthilkumar

In the present study, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of some organic fertilizers on four varieties of tomato viz., Sadia F1, Isabella F1, Lelord and Sun cherry for its growth, yield and fruits sensory. A total of 64 plots were prepared with the dimension of 3 m2x 4 m2and each plot was applied with recommended doses of organic fertilizers. The results on the growth parameters of the studied tomato varieties showed that the chicken manure had the significant effect on plant height and root length of Isabella F1, leaf area of sun cherry, root fresh and dry weight and of Lelord, leaves fresh and dry weight of Sadia F1. Whereas, shoot fresh and dry weight of Isabella tomato variety was increased when treated with mixed manure. Agro fish pellet treatment had increased the stem diameter of Isabella F1 significantly. The number of flowers and fruits of sun cherry tomato variety were increased when treated with agro fish pellet. Agro fish also influenced the fruits number in Sadia F1 and fruit yield of lelord followed by Isabella F1 respectively. The sensory evaluation of the fruits of studied tomato varieties revealed that chicken manure had good result on the overall quality of the fruits of Sadia F1 and Sun cherry. Agro fish pellet and mixed manure has influenced the overall quality of Isabella F1 and Lelord variety tomato fruits.


Author(s):  
Gajjela Indira ◽  
R. B. Yadav ◽  
. Vivek ◽  
R. K. Naresh ◽  
M. Sharath Chandra ◽  
...  

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to assess the effect of different nutrients and their integration on growth, yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Indian mustard cultivar Pusa Mustard 31(PDZM -31) was grown during winter (rabi) season of 2020-21. The treatments comprised of Control (T1), 100% N (T2), 100% NP (T3), 100% NPK (T4), 125%NPK (T5), 100% NPK+ S@40kg ha-1 (T6), 100%NPK+ Zn @5kg ha-1 (T7), 100%NPK + B @1kg ha-1 (T8), 75% NPK+ Vermicompost @ 2t ha-1 (T9), 75%NPK+ Farm Yard Manure @ 6t ha-1 (T10), 75%NPK + VC @ 2t ha-1+ Azotobacter (T11) and 75% NPK + FYM @ 6t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T12). Results revealed that treatment T11 (75% NPK + VC@2t ha-1 + Azotobacter) and T12 (75% NPK + FYM@6t ha-1 + Azotobacter) exhibited significant influence on the growth, yield and quality of mustard as compared to the application of 100% NPK alone. Significant improvement in growth parameters viz. plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation as well as crop growth rate, relative growth rate and yield was recorded with the application of T11 and T12. Maximum oil content (40.67%) was obtained in T6 (100% NPK+ S@ 40kg ha-1) and maximum oil yield (796.76 kg ha-1) was obtained in T12, it remained at par with T5, T6, T10 and T11. Maximum protein content (21.75%) was found in T12 which was on par with T5, T9, T10 & T12. The maximum protein yield (492.88 kg ha-1) was obtained in treatment T12 which was statistically on par with T11, T5 and T6 respectively. T11 and T12 exhibited significant influence on the growth and yield of mustard as compared to other treatments respectivity. Integration of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients improved the growth parameters, yield and quality parameters of Indian mustard, whereas the use of chemical fertilizer alone showed a pronounced decline of these parameters.


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