Comparative effect of fertilization on cocoyam and component crops on Cocoyam-based intercropping systems in Uyo, Southeastern Nigeria

Field experiment was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching, research farm during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to assess the effect of fertilization on cocoyam-based intercropping systems. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were six fertilizers rates - 0kg/ha, NPK200kg/ha, NPK400kg/ha, PM2.5t/ha, PM5.0t/ha, Mixture (NPK200kg/ha + PM2.5t/ha) and six crop mixtures - Sole Cocoyam, Sole Melon, Sole Maize, Cocoyam + Maize, Cocoyam + Melon and Cocoyam + Melon + Maize). Result analysed with analysis of variance revealed PM2.5t/ha, NPK400kg/ha and Mixture (NPK200kg/ha + PM2.5t/ha) gave higher plant height, leaf area, stem girth in sole cocoyam, maize and melon respectively. PM2.5t/ha favoured leaf area, stem girths of cocoyam, maize with cocoyam + maize, cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + melon + maize crop mixtures. PM5.0t/ha gave higher values of corm, cormels, cormels weight, cormels number and cormels length in both sole cocoyam and mixtures (cocoyam + melon, cocoyam + maize, cocoyam + melon + maize) in both seasons respectively. PM2.5t/ha gave higher values of maize grain yield with cocoyam + maize, cocoyam + melon + maize crop mixtures. PM5.0t/ha and NPK400kg/ha gave higher melon seed values with cocoyam + melon and cocoyam + Melon + maize. Conclusively, it is recommended that application of organic fertilizer promotes higher yields and yield components in both sole and crop mixtures of cocoyam and maize respectively.

Soil supplementation with Si, B and Zn and their synergetic effects in reducing severity of wheat blast (Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum)

Wheat blast (Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum) in Bangladesh and South America is recognized as one major limiting factor of wheat production. Its control using chemical pesticides raises concerns about food safety and pesticide resistance, which have dictated the need for alternative blast management approach, nutrient supplementation could be an ecofriendly alternative. Experiments were carried out under confined net house condition for two consecutive cropping seasons. Single doses of the nutrients (Si, B and Zn) were incorporated during soil preparation. Plants of the wheat blast susceptible variety BARI Gom-26 were inoculated with spores (1 x 107 spores ml-1) of Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum at blast vulnerable pre-heading stage of 52 days age. Typical wheat blast symptoms of spike bleaching from top to downward appeared on sight 14 days after inoculation i.e., 66 days age of the crop. Incidence and severity of blast bleaching of spike were scored for four times starting from 68 days age @ three day’s interval. None of the nutrients could stop the incidence of blast on wheat; however, some nutrients reduced the blast incidence significantly. Solo application of Si, B and Zn or combination of two caused significant reduction of spike bleaching. With the mixed application of Si, B and Zn, > 47% reduction of wheat blast severity was obtained. The results revealed that the soil application of silicon, zinc and boron had a synergistic effect on the intensity of blast disease of wheat. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 76-84, Dec 2021

Improved representation of agricultural land use and crop management for large-scale hydrological impact simulation in Africa using SWAT+

To date, most regional and global hydrological models either ignore the representation of cropland or consider crop cultivation in a simplistic way or in abstract terms without any management practices. Yet, the water balance of cultivated areas is strongly influenced by applied management practices (e.g. planting, irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting). The SWAT+ (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model represents agricultural land by default in a generic way, where the start of the cropping season is driven by accumulated heat units. However, this approach does not work for tropical and subtropical regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, where crop growth dynamics are mainly controlled by rainfall rather than temperature. In this study, we present an approach on how to incorporate crop phenology using decision tables and global datasets of rainfed and irrigated croplands with the associated cropping calendar and fertilizer applications in a regional SWAT+ model for northeastern Africa. We evaluate the influence of the crop phenology representation on simulations of leaf area index (LAI) and evapotranspiration (ET) using LAI remote sensing data from Copernicus Global Land Service (CGLS) and WaPOR (Water Productivity through Open access of Remotely sensed derived data) ET data, respectively. Results show that a representation of crop phenology using global datasets leads to improved temporal patterns of LAI and ET simulations, especially for regions with a single cropping cycle. However, for regions with multiple cropping seasons, global phenology datasets need to be complemented with local data or remote sensing data to capture additional cropping seasons. In addition, the improvement of the cropping season also helps to improve soil erosion estimates, as the timing of crop cover controls erosion rates in the model. With more realistic growing seasons, soil erosion is largely reduced for most agricultural hydrologic response units (HRUs), which can be considered as a move towards substantial improvements over previous estimates. We conclude that regional and global hydrological models can benefit from improved representations of crop phenology and the associated management practices. Future work regarding the incorporation of multiple cropping seasons in global phenology data is needed to better represent cropping cycles in areas where they occur using regional to global hydrological models.

Green entrepreneurship in India

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the adaptability of newly released papaya varieties at Chano Mille research site of Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center during 2019-2020 cropping seasons. The three hermaphrodite papaya varieties namely; Braz-HS1, Koka-HM1 and Meki-HL1 were used for the study and laid-out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications. Data on yield and yield components were collected and analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) through Statistical Analytics System software. The ANOVA results revealed that there were significant variations among papaya varieties for the studied parameters. Significantly, the highest number of fruits plant-1, number of leaves and fruit yield were obtained from Braz-HS1 papaya variety. The fruit yield of Braz-HS1 variety was 46% higher than that of Koka-HM1. In general, Braz-HS1 papaya variety performed (in terms of number of fruits and fruit yield) better than the rest two varieties. Thus, Braz-HS1 papaya variety could be recommended for the papaya growers in the study area and vicinity with similar agro-ecology. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 72-75, Dec 2021

Evaluation of improved hermaphrodite papaya (Carica papaya L.) varieties at Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the adaptability of newly released papaya varieties at Chano Mille research site of Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center during 2019-2020 cropping seasons. The three hermaphrodite papaya varieties namely; Braz-HS1, Koka-HM1 and Meki-HL1 were used for the study and laid-out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications. Data on yield and yield components were collected and analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) through Statistical Analytics System software. The ANOVA results revealed that there were significant variations among papaya varieties for the studied parameters. Significantly, the highest number of fruits plant-1, number of leaves and fruit yield were obtained from Braz-HS1 papaya variety. The fruit yield of Braz-HS1 variety was 46% higher than that of Koka-HM1. In general, Braz-HS1 papaya variety performed (in terms of number of fruits and fruit yield) better than the rest two varieties. Thus, Braz-HS1 papaya variety could be recommended for the papaya growers in the study area and vicinity with similar agro-ecology. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 69-71, Dec 2021

Monitoring and Modeling of Saline-Sodic Vertisol Reclamation by Echinochloa stagnina

Soil salinity due to irrigation is a major constraint to agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones, due to water scarcity and high evaporation rates. Reducing salinity is a fundamental objective for protecting the soil and supporting agricultural production. The present study aimed to empirically measure and simulate with a model, the reduction in soil salinity in a Vertisol by the cultivation and irrigation of Echinochloa stagnina. Laboratory soil column experiments were conducted to test three treatments: (i) ponded bare soil without crops, (ii) ponded soil cultivated with E. stagnina in two successive cropping seasons and (iii) ponded soil permanently cultivated with E. stagnina with a staggered harvest. After 11 months of E. stagnina growth, the electrical conductivity of soil saturated paste (ECe) decreased by 79–88% in the topsoil layer (0–8 cm) in both soils cultivated with E. stagnina and in bare soil. In contrast, in the deepest soil layer (18–25 cm), the ECe decreased more in soil cultivated with E. stagnina (41–83%) than in bare soil (32–58%). Salt stocks, which were initially similar in the columns, decreased more in soil cultivated with E. stagnina (65–87%) than in bare soil (34–45%). The simulation model Hydrus-1D was used to predict the general trends in soil salinity and compare them to measurements. Both the measurements and model predictions highlighted the contrast between the two cropping seasons: soil salinity decreased slowly during the first cropping season and rapidly during the second cropping season following the intercropping season. Our results also suggested that planting E. stagnina was a promising option for controlling the salinity of saline-sodic Vertisols.

Comparative study on the phenology, gender and yield components of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties

The intensity of sex expression is important in crops, including cucumber, since sex form and flowering have direct effects on date of harvesting and yield. Two groups of cucumber comprising a native variety (Odukpani) and elite varieties (Griffaton, Poinsett, Ashley, Marketmore and Monarch) were evaluated in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Garkawa, Plateau State; to assess flowering, sex expression and some yield traits. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with the 6 cucumber varieties as the treatments, replicated five times. The two groups differed significantly (p < 0.05) in phonological, flowering and yield traits assessed. The elite varieties were superior with respect to flowering traits, as they flowered early. The intra-population hierarchical cluster analysis of quantitative traits grouped the elite varieties in one main cluster and the native variety (Odukpani) alienated as an outlier. The cluster plots showed that Odukpani was robust in vegetative growth, produced few but larger fruit size and flowering was delayed for over two weeks. Conversely, the elite varieties flowered early, produced more flowers and recorded superior number of fruits per plant. The profuse production of pistillate flowers by the elite varieties had pronounced yield advantage over the local variety. Hybridization between the two groups of cucumber would make a mark in the drive for sustainable cucumber fruit yield.

Stem portion and number of stakes influence on growth and yield of cassava variety in the South East, Nigeria

Investigations were conducted to study the effect of stem portion and number of stakes per stand on crop establishment, growth and yield of cassava variety NR 8082 in Umudike Southeastern Nigeria during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 cropping seasons. In each year, the experiment was laid out as a 3 × 3 factorial, in randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of three stem portions of different physiological ages (top, middle and basal) and three numbers of stakes per stand (1, 2 and 3). The middle and basal stem portions significantly increased percent establishment, plant height and leaf area index at 3 months after planting (MAP) but had no effect on number of storage roots per plant. The best stem portion for storage root yield was, however, the top portion which produced the highest yield on average. Number of stakes per stand did not significantly affect stem girth, number of nodes per plant and leaf area index, but the use of 1 stake per stand increased number of storage roots per plant, root weight and storage oot yield in 2017/2018 cropping season. Number of stakes per stand did not significantly influence storage root yield across the two seasons of evaluation. Interactions between stem portion and number of stakes per stand did not significantly affect storage root yield of NR 8082 high cassava variety in both cropping seasons. Based on the findings, the use of 1 stake per stand is recommended for high root yields of NR 8082 cassava variety under conditions of low soil fertility in Umudike, South East Nigeria. Although the top portion enhanced root yield, farmers could use any of the stem portions, since the middle and basal parts gave satisfactory yields and had better establishment than the former.

Planting date and fertilizer type influenced soil quality indices and soybean (Glycine max L.) yields in derived savannah of Nigeria

Soybean is grown in many parts of Northern Nigeria, with little climatic challenges and soil organic matter. There is need to investigate possible influence of planting date of the crop in Southeastern Nigeria, an environment that is rather foreign to the crop. A study was carried out in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons at Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, to evaluate the influence of different planting dates and fertilizer types on selected soil physical and chemical properties, growth and yield of soybean. A split plot in a randomized complete block design was used with planting date (May and June) as the main plots, while six fertilizer types (poultry-droppings manure 5 t ha–1, swine-droppings manure 5 t ha–1, rice-husk dust 5 t ha–1, NPK 15:15:15 at 150 kg ha–1, urea at 100 kg ha–1 and the control) constituted the sub-plots. At crop maturity, some soil quality indices and pod and grain yields (t ha–1) of soybean were assessed. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen contents were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by both planting date and fertilizer type in 2018 and 2019, while soil pH was improved significantly (p < 0.05) only by fertilizer type in these two cropping seasons. Mean-weight diameter of aggregates, soil bulk density and SOC stock as well as soybean yields were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by both planting date and fertilizer type in the two seasons. Generally, planting in May improved soil total nitrogen and soybean pod yield whereas planting in June improved the other soil quality indices and soybean grain yield, the best soil amendment in either case being poultry-droppings manure but sometimes parameter-specific. The choice of planting date (May or June) in soybean production in the derived savannah and the soil amendment to use in the enterprise thus has both agronomic and environmental implications. Such a choice would depend on the indices of soil quality and/or the aspects of soybean yields (pod or grain) whose improvements the farmer intends to achieve at crop maturity.

Growth and Yield Components of Some Turmeric Varieties (Curcuma Longa L.) As Affected by Inorganic Fertilizer Levels in Umudike, South-Eastern, Nigeria

A research on growth and yield components of some turmeric varieties (Curcuma longa L.) as affected by inorganic fertilizer levels in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria was carried out at the teaching and research farm of the University, during 2018/2019 cropping seasons. It was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Results, showed that plant height and number of tillers for both varieties and fertilizers levels increased at 2, 4, and 6 months after planting (MAP) during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Variety 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) Kg-1 produced tallest plants and highest number of tillers over other varieties and fertilizer levels. Crop growth rate was positive at 2 – 4 MAP and negative at 4 – 6 MAP, with 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 producing higher growth rate. Heaviest rhizomes fresh weight (kg plot-1) of 3.74 and 3.75, rhizome dry matter content of 14.49 and 16.8%, rhizome dry weight of 23.57 and 23.90g and harvest index of 2.60 and 2.70% was yielded by UMT 021 variety over other varieties. The level of 400 NPK (15:15:15) kg ha-1 produced heaviest rhizome fresh weight of 4.47 and 4.57 kg plot-1; rhizome dry matter content of 19.42 and 25.8%; rhizome dry weight of 27.54 and 27.8g and harvest index of 2.81 and 3.20%, over other levels. Consequently, variety 021 and 400 NPK (15:15:15) kgha-1 are recommended for sole production of turmeric in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria.