scholarly journals Effect of Fertilizer Application on Soil Properties and Yield of Sesame (sesamum indicum l.) Varieties in Southern Guinea and Sudan Savanna Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

Author(s):  
Usman M. ◽  
Ali A. ◽  
Olatunji O.

Field experiments were carried out in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to determine the effect of fertilizer application on soil properties and yield of sesame varieties in Southern Guinea and Sudan Savanna Agro-ecological Zones of Nigeria. Treatments consisted of three varieties of sesame (Jigida, NCRIBEN-01M and NCRIBEN-032) and four levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (0, 50,100 and 150 kg ha-1). Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated thrice. Prior to planting, surface (0-15 cm) soil samples were collected from eight points and bulked; post-harvest composite soil samples were also collected on the basis of treatments. All soil samples were analyzed using standard analytical procedures. Data on yield parameters collected include number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, length of capsule (cm), 1000 capsule weight (g), 1000 seeds weight (g) and seed yield (t ha-1). The crop data generated from the study were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Genstat Release 10.3 DE after which significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5 % level of probability. Results indicated that the soils of both locations were inherently poor in essential plant nutrients. The improved varieties (NCRIBEN-01M and NCRIBEN-032) performed better than the local variety in terms of yields in both cropping seasons. Sesame yield increased with increase in fertilizer application rates up to 150 kg ha-1. The effect of varieties on soil properties did not differ significantly however, the improved varieties left lower essential nutrients in soil when compared with the local variety. Fertilizer application at 150 kg ha-1 favoured the retention of organic matter as well as other essential nutrient elements in soil. Location effect showed that the Potiskum soil had more nutrients than that of Makurdi. For sustainable sesame production and maintenance of soil fertility in both locations, application of 150 kg ha-1 of NPK 15:15:15 to sesame fields is recommended.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-393
Author(s):  
Patient Farsia Djidjonri ◽  
Nukenine Elias Nchiwan ◽  
Hartmut Koehler

The present study investigates the effect of intercropping (maize-cowpea, maize-okra, maize-okra-cowpea, okra-cowpea) compared to insecticide application on the level of infestation of insect pests and the final yield of maize, cowpea and okra. Field experiments were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the Guinean Savannah (Dang-Ngaoundere) and Sudano Sahelian (Gouna-Garoua) agro-ecological zones in Cameroon. Our experimental design was a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block with four replications. The main factor was assigned to the use of insecticide (Cypermethrin) and sub plots were devoted for cropping systems. We compared the efficiency of intercropping to that of Cypermethrin application on the Yield of maize, cowpea and okra as influenced by insect pest damages. The comparison of monocropped sprayed by Cypermethrin to unsprayed showed that, in Dang, insect pests reduced maize yield by 37% and 24% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was lower than 8% during the both years. Reduction in seed yield by insect pests on cowpea in Dang represented 47% and 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was 55% and 63% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. For okra, insect pests reduced okra fruit yield by 25% and 44% in Dang and 23% and 28% in Gouna, respectively, in 2016 and 2017. Crop yield was lower in intercropping compared to monoculture due to competition of plants in association on different resources. Considering the total yields obtained from each intercropping, intercropping trials resulted generally in higher yields compared to mono-culture (LER > 1) in both sites and years but the respective yields were quite different. On the basis of the results obtained, we recommend maize-cowpea intercropping as a sustainable solution to reduce the infestation level of their pest insects.


Author(s):  
Bersissa Kumsa ◽  
Kebede Beyecha ◽  
Mesula Geloye

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for ectoparasites infestation in sheep in three agro-ecological zones in central Oromia, Ethiopia, from October 2009 to April 2010. The study revealed that 637 (48.1%) of the 1325 sheep examined were infested with one or more ectoparasites. The ectoparasites identified were Bovicola ovis (27.2%), Melophagus ovinus (16.4%), Ctenocephalides sp. (2.3%), Linognathus africanus (1.2%), Linognathus ovillus (0.3%), Sarcoptes sp. (1.2%), Amblyomma variegatum (4.4%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (1.9%), Rhipicephalus pravus (1.9%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (1.1%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.9%), Rhipicephalus praetextatus (1.1%) and Hyalomma truncatum (1.6%). Statistically significant difference was observed in prevalence of B. ovis amongst study agroecological zones: highland 36.6%, midland 20.9% and lowland 14.0%. Significantly higher prevalence was recorded in highland agroecological zone. A significantly (OR = 0.041, p < 0.001) higher prevalence of M. ovinus in the highland (31.7%) than in both the lowland (0%) and midland (1.9%) was observed. The risk of tick infestation in the lowland and midland was 9.883 times and 13.988 times higher than the risk in the highland, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of Ctenocephalides species was encountered in both the lowland (OR = 4.738, p = 0.011) and midland (OR = 8.078, p = 0.000) than in the highland agro-ecological zone. However, a significant difference (p = 0.191) amongst agro-ecological zones was not found for the prevalence of Linognathus and Sarcoptes species. Statistically significant variation (p > 0.05) was never recorded in the prevalence of all the identified species of ectoparasites between male and female sheep hosts. However, a significantly (p = 0.006) higher prevalence of B. ovis was recorded between young and adult sheep. The risk of B. ovis infestation was 1.45 times higher in young than the adult sheep. Furthermore, a significantly (p < 0.001) higher prevalence of M. ovinus, B. ovis and Sarcoptes sp. was found between sheep with poor and a good body condition. The ever increasing threat of ectoparasites on overall sheep productivity and tanning industry in Ethiopia warrants urgent control intervention. Further studies on the role of ectoparasites in transmission of diseases to sheep, zoonotic importance, comparative prevalence and load, and the importance of sheep as alternative hosts in different agroecological zones, breeds and management systems in Ethiopia are recommended so as to design applicable control programme in the country.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0252305
Author(s):  
Leta Hailu ◽  
Gizaw Tesfaye ◽  
Kalkidan Fikirie ◽  
Yalemtsehay Debebe

This study was conducted in Somodo Watershed to investigate the land-use practices and its effect on species diversity and selected soil properties. Field observation was carried out to identify existing land-use practices following a transect line. A total of 20 plots (10 × 10) m2 were sampled from plots exhibiting different land-use practices found in the watershed in order to evaluate species richness and diversity. Soil samples were also collected from each plot. The soil samples were analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. The result of the analysis showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in species diversity and richness among different land-use practices. Coffea arabica was dominant in homestead gardens and natural forests while Grevillea robusta showed had maximum richness in plantations and farm forests in the Watershed. Furthermore, home garden agroforestry practice was significantly (p<0.05) affected soil pH compared to other land-use systems (cultivated land, natural forest, and plantation forest. While Organic carbon (OC), Total nitrogen (TN), and Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C: N) did not show significance difference among land-use systems in the watershed. The study has concluded that different land-use practices had a positive impact on sustaining species diversity, richness, and improve soil properties. Therefore, the study suggests that improving and expanding home garden agroforestry practices in the area are indispensable for environmental protection and soil fertility enhancement.


HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 652b-652
Author(s):  
A.O. Olufolaji ◽  
Lanre A. Denton

The pale yellow-seeded Amaranth is virtually a new crop in Nigerian agriculture. Under the sponsorship of the National Agricultural Research Project (NARP), 12 accessions were evaluated for agronomic characters and yield attributes in three agro-ecological zones of the country. The results showed significant variation in the agronomic characters of the accessions. Top accessions recorded average grain yields of 4.5, 3.5, and 2.6 t·ha–1 in Sudan savanna, derived savanna, and guinea savanna zones of the country, respectively. Response of the accessions to qualitative and quantitative characters in the zones are discussed.


2010 ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Md Nurul Huda-Al Mamun

A research was carried out at the five different Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) of Bangladesh, viz. Tista Meander Floodplain (FP), High Ganges FP, Low Ganges FP, Active Ganges FP and Gopalganj-Khulna Bills during January 2001 to January 2002. The objectives were to assess the arsenic (As) concentration in the soil and water as well as to test tube well water samples and examines whether these exceed the acceptable limit of  As. Water of shallow tube wells (STW) and soil samples were collected from ten sites under five AEZs of Bangladesh. Considerable number of water samples showed high contents of arsenic, which ranged from 0.032 to 203.9 ?g/l. Out of 428 water samples, 155 were found unsafe (>10-<50 ?g/l) and 78 were toxic (>50 ?g/l) for drinking purpose. However, out of 2648 soil samples collected from different Upazilas, only 4 samples collected from Chargat showed toxic level (>20 ?g/kg).


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Eliakira Kisetu Nassary ◽  
Frederick Baijukya ◽  
Patrick Alois Ndakidemi

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important grain legume for food and cash of the smallholder farmers worldwide. However, the total potential benefits to be derived from the common bean as a source of food and income, its complementarities with non-legume food crops, and significance to the environment are underexploited. Intensification of common bean could provide approaches that offer new techniques to better manage and monitor globally complex systems of sustainable food production. Therefore, this study tried to assess the productivity of common bean bushy varieties when are involved as part of an intercrop with maize (Zea mays L.) in varying agro-ecological zones. The factors evaluated were the cropping seasons/years (S) (2015 and 2016), agro-ecological zones (A) above sea level (lower 843 m, middle 1051 m, upper 1743 m), and cropping systems (C) (sole, intercrop). The data collected were the total biomass, number of pods per plant and seeds per pod, 100-seed weight as yield components, and grain yield. Bean and maize grain yields were used to calculate the partial (P) and total land equivalent ratio (LER). Results indicated that the main effects of S, A, C, and the interaction effects of S × A, S × C, S × A × C were significant on bean grain yields. Interactions of S × A × C were also significant on all measured variables. Results also indicated that continuous intercropping of bean with maize over two cropping seasons resulted in the increase of bean grain yields from 1.5 to 2.3 t ha−1 in the lower altitude, 2.0 to 2.3 t ha−1 in the middle altitude, and 1.8 to 2.9 t ha−1 in the upper altitude. Land utilization advantage of intercrops over monocultures yielded a total LER of 1.58, whereas the average partial land equivalent ratio (PLER) of individual beans was 1.53.


2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
S. Chughtai ◽  
J. Fateh ◽  
M. Munawwar ◽  
M. Hussain

A number of improved pipeline varieties of sorghum including PARC SS-1, PARC SS-2 and PARC Ss-15 were planted in various agro-ecological zones of Pakistan for 2 years (2004 and 2005). The participatory Mother-Baby Trial methodology was used for the first time in Pakistan for varietal evaluation and selection. Six varieties of sorghum were evaluated along with the local checks. In general, the pipeline varieties developed at the National Agricultural Research Centre had a yield advantage of 15 to 20% over the local checks and other improved varieties included in the trial. The farmers were involved in the varietal selection process. These varieties were selected by the farmers on the basis of maturity, higher yield, resistance to leaf blight and red rot diseases, drought tolerance, and the dual (grain cum fodder) nature of the varieties. Based on the evaluation and selection, these varieties are being released for general cultivation in various ecologies. The results from participatory trials on various agronomic aspects are presented and discussed in this paper.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1271
Author(s):  
Serapius Mwalongo ◽  
Essegbemon Akpo ◽  
Gerald Alex Lukurugu ◽  
Geoffrey Muricho ◽  
Ronnie Vernooy ◽  
...  

Access and use of seed of improved varieties of groundnut among farmers can improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to the potential of crop production in Tanzania. This paper analyzes factors underpinning the adoption of improved groundnut varieties among farmers to pave the way for upscaling quality seed used for increased production and commodity business in farming communities. A four-stage stratified sampling was used to collect data from 300 groundnut farmers in seven agro-ecological zones through individual interviews. Secondary data were collected from the literature and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute at Naliendele centre (TARI–Naliendele). Descriptive statistics and Probit regression model were used for data analysis. The empirical results showed that Johari 1985, Pendo 1998, Naliendele 2009, Mnanje 2009, Mangaka 2009 and Nachi 2015, are the main six improved groundnut varieties used by farmers, with Pendo 1998 having the highest adoption rate (17.1%). In the grain market, four varieties, namely Pendo 1998, Mnanje 2009, Nachi 2015 and Johari 1985, were observed to be highly preferred by grain off-takers. Furthermore, among the adopted improved varieties, Nachi 2015, is observed to be the most consistent high yielding variety, ranging from 1100 kg/ha to 1500 kg/ha in all agro-ecological zones. A farmer’s decision to adopt new varieties is affected by age and gender, farmer group membership, availability of improved seed and seed cost. Overall, male farmers are more likely to adopt improved varieties of groundnut than female farmers. The implications of these findings are also discussed, in particular in the area of policy support.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silas Lendzele Sevidzem ◽  
KOUMBA Aubin Armel ◽  
Geneviève Lydie L. Yao-Acapovi ◽  
Jacques François MAVOUNGOU

Abstract Background: Tabanid flies are a neglected group of haematophagous dipterans, yet contains 4400 species, regrouped under 144 genera. They are mechanical vectors of important pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and protozoa of humans, domesticated and wild animals. As it is over 50 years since publication of a preliminary nationwide record of tabanids of Cameroon identified 84 species, updated information is provided.Objective: To provide current data on the species composition, abundance and distribution of Tabanidae of Cameroon in the 5 main agro-ecological zones (AEZs).Methods: From 2015-2017, a systematic entomological prospection using Nzi, Vavoua, Biconical and Sevi traps (N=106) was conducted in 604 trap-points over 11,448 traps days, in the 5 main AEZs of Cameroon.Results: A total of 25,280 tabanid specimens were collected, identifying 25 species with 8 not previously documented in Cameroon, including: Tabanus Latipes Macquart, 1838 (1 ♀), Tabanus ricardae Surcouf, 1906 (1 ♀), Tabanus fasciatus Fabricus, 1775 (32 ♀♀, 6♂♂), Haematopota pluvialis Linnaeus, 1758 (18 ♀♀), Haematopota decora Walker, 1850 (19 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂), Haematopota nigripennis Austen, 1914 (18 ♀♀), C. distinctipennis Austen, 1906 (47 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂) and Ancala fasciata Fabricus, 1977 (34 ♀♀, 7 ♂♂). The distribution maps of the newly identified tabanids differed between AEZs, with most from the Guinean savanna. The highest Tabanidae apparent density (ADT) was recorded in the Sudan savanna region and the mean apparent densities of species with type-localities was statistically significantly different (Student t-test=2.519, df=24, P=0.019). The highest species diversity was found in the rain forest.Conclusions: This study increased the list of Tabanidae recorded in Cameroon from 84 species in the preliminary record to 92 species, with most of the newly identified species occurring in the Guinean savanna AEZ. The high diversity and abundance of Tabanidae in the livestock/wildlife interface areas of the rain forests and Sudan savanna AEZs respectively, suggests risk of mechanical transmission risk of pathogens. Investigations of the microbiota within the Tabanidae in the different AEZs to define their role as disease vectors are proposed.


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