Chilling-Requirement Release of Seed and Bud Dormancy in Apricot

Dormancy shows common physiological features in buds and seeds. Specific period of chilling is usually required to release dormancy. Reproductive meristems and embryos display dormancy mechanisms in specialized structures named respectively buds and seeds that arrest the growth of perennial plants until environmental conditions are optimal for survival. Chilling requirements for breaking dormancy were studied for 3 successive years in 20 seedling apricot trees which spanned the range of flowering times in these trees. Different methods for estimating chilling requirements were evaluated and compared, and correlations between chilling requirements and flowering date were established. The trees examined showed a range of chilling requirements, chill hours (CH) between 199 CH and 274 CH, and chill units, (CU), between 612CU and 873CU. The results obtained in different years by the Utah and Dynamic models were more homogeneous with respect to the hours below 7 °C model. The apricot trees showed important differences concerning flowering date, and the results indicate a high positive correlation between chilling requirements and flowering date.Moreover, a specific low-temperature stratification treatment was required to overcome seed dormancy. 5°C cold stratification was found to be the best for breaking seed dormancy and germination. Increased seed germination percentage was recorded when the period of stratification prolonged. Apricot seeds required a cold stratification of about 12-15 days to reach maximum germination.

Impact of Foliar-Applied Dormancy-Breaking Chemicals on Budburst and Metabolic Changes in Chemical Constituents of Leaves and Fruits of Malus sylvestris "Ein Shamer"

This study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2016 and 2017 to investigate the impact of dormex, dormex plus mineral oil, dormex plus potassium nitrate, dormex plus calcium nitrate and dormex plus thiourea on bud break, growth, yield and some chemical constituents of Malus sylvestris "Ein Shamer". The trees were grown in loamy sand soil, and sprayed with six treatments (dormex (4%), (dormex (2%) plus mineral oil (2.5%),(dormex (2%) plus potassium nitrate (4%),(dormex (2%) plus calcium nitrate (4%) and (dormex (2%) plus thiourea (1%) and control. Generally, it was found that all studied growth parameters , date of flower bud break, percentage of bud break, fruit-setting ,fruit weight, fruit size, fruit number/tree, yield/tree (kg) and some chemical constituents of leaves (total chlorophyll ,total carbohydrates, total protein, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents) and some chemical constituents of fruits (total soluble solids(T.S.S.), T.S.S/ acid ratio, vitamin C, water content %, total free amino acids, total carbohydrates, total sugars and reducing sugars) were increased with the application of the different treatments. The best results were obtained from the treatments of dormex at 4% followed by (dormex (2%) plus mineral oil (2.5%). On the contrary, the same treatments decreased total acidity and total phenols in fruits as compared to the control. It could be recommended to use dormex at 4% and (dormex (2%) plus mineral oil (2.5%) for improving bud break, growth, yield and chemical constituents of apple trees or fruits.

Field Performance of False Horn Plantain (Musa AAB) Corms Treated Mechanically and with Hormone Solutions

The growth and yield performance of macropropagated plantlets of the False Horn plantain cultivar ‘Apantu’ was evaluated due to the lack of reliable data on the effectiveness of that planting material under typical farming conditions in West Africa, Ghana. Corms were either mechanically treated by the Plants Issus de Fragments de tige (PIF) technique to destroy the apical meristem or remained intact as untreated controls. Subsequently, PIF-treated corms were vacuum infiltrated with either natural or synthetic plant hormone solutions. Emerging plantlets were harvested, acclimatized for three months and planted in a freshly prepared field. Vegetative growth characteristics of each mother (main) plant were taken at 6 and 9 months after planting and for the main and first sucker crop along with yield parameters at harvest, respectively. The results indicated that treatment induced growth differences at 6 and 9 months after planting and were no longer significant at harvest. Consequently, final growth performance was quite homogenous across all treatments for the main and sucker crop, respectively. In contrast, fruit yield parameters of the main and sucker crops were to some extent affected by treatment; however, hormone infiltration tended to have little additional effect over the PIF-treatment. Nevertheless, treating corms with hormonal solutions enhanced the production of rooted plantlets at the nursery stage and ensured improved field performance.

Effect of NPK Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield of Field and Greenhouse Grown Pepino Melon (Solanum muricatum Aiton)

Pepino melon (Solanum muricatum Ait.) is an exotic vegetable whose consumption is on the increase in Kenya due to its health and nutritional benefits. A study was conducted at Egerton University, Kenya in 2018-2019 to investigate the effect of NPK fertilizer rates (0, 100, 200. 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on growth and yield of field and greenhouse grown pepino melons. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was recorded on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per bush, number of branches, days to 50% flowering, fruit weight and total yield. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with the SAS statistical package. Significant means were separated using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference at p ≤ 0.05. Results indicated that NPK fertilizer rates and growing environment influenced growth and yield of pepino melon. At 100 DAP plants grown in the greenhouse and supplied with 200 kg NPK ha-1 had a stem diameter of 14.01 mm which was significantly bigger p ≤ 0.05 compared to those grown in the field and supplied with 300 kg NPK ha-1 with a stem diameter of 11.71 mm in trial two. Application of 300 kg NPK ha-1 for field grown pepino melons gave the highest yield of 1102.48 kg ha-1 and 1060.55 kg ha-1 in trial one and two respectively. In conclusion, application of 300 kg ha-1 of NPK fertilizer for field grown pepino melon is recommended.

Diversity and Abundance of Bee Flower Visitors of Beans in Borabu Sub-County, Western Kenya

Globally bees form the main animal pollinators of most crops. Most agricultural crops rely on pollinators, particularly bees for pollination services. Smallholder farmers in Africa commonly use maize/bean intercropping in order to achieve the optimum yields hence providing them with significant food security and economic impacts. Declining of bee colonies due to anthropogenic factors has led to declines in food production in the world. Yet little is known about crop pollination in African countries. In Kenya pollination studies are still scanty, lack harmonisation and only a few crops have been studied. It is against this background that the study was chosen. One administrative sub location was purposively selected. Three plots were selected at equal 1km distance along atransect laid in that sub location. Sampling of 3 plots each of 100m x 100 m was established along transects. Bee sampling was done for 3 months using a sweep net and a bowl trap to collect bees. Diversity was computed using Shannon’s diversity index while abundance was recorded using abundance curves. A total of 992 bee visitors from 2 families and 9 species were collected from the three study farms. High diversity and abundance of bees was recorded. Therefore, farmers, extension workers and other stakeholders should be sensitized and trained on the importance of bee pollination and its contribution to their welfare and on utilization of cost-effective strategies for bee conservation. Key words: Diversity, Abundance, Pollination, Apis, Nyansiongo

Assessing Ethanol Yield from Fermented Juice of Local and Exotic Sweet Sorghum Varieties Grown in Sudan

An experiment was conducted in 2017 at Alwaha Project, Khartoum State to study the potential of ethanol yield from fermented juice of local and exotic sweet sorghums. 40 genotypes were arranged in RCB design. Juice yield, ethanol yield as percentage of fermented juice, actual and theoretical ethanol yields were studied. The Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was used in the fermentation process. ANOVA tests, correlation and regression analysis of actual vs theoretical ethanol yield were performed. Significant differences were detected among genotypes for ethanol yields. High ethanol yields as percentage from fermented juice were obtained, but ethanol yield per hectare was relatively low due to low juice yields. The genotypes BlueRibbon and KensasCollies from exotic materials; 5AbjSG51 and S.154 Ab70 from local materials were identified as promising for ethanol production. Correlation between actual ethanol yield and Juice yield was positive and highly significant. Regression analysis indicated that theoretical ethanol yield was little bit overestimated. It was concluded that juice yield is more crucial than ethanol concentration in maximizing ethanol yield of sweet sorghum. More efforts are needed to develop high juice-yielding genotypes. Juice maximization can also be achieved by using efficient milling devices and optimizing cultural practices.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Production, Consumption and Utilization of Indigenous Vegetables in Kabuoch Location, Homa Bay County

Indigenous vegetables are important sources of both macro and micronutrients which are important for a healthy body. In addition, they also play a role in food security because most are fast maturing therefore being a valuable source of vitamins all the year round and are mostly used as an accompaniment with a staple cereals-based diet such as ugali. Therefore, they encourage the consumption and cultivation of indigenous leafy vegetables. This study sought to carry out an assessment of indigenous vegetables produced, utilization and factors influencing their production and consumption among residents of Kabuoch location, Homa bay County. A household survey was carried out to collect primary data. Five administrative sub-locations were randomly sampled for the study. Twenty households were purposively sampled from each sub-location to make a sample size of 120 households. Questionnaires were used in data collection. The questionnaire contained both open ended and closed ended questions. Questionnaires were administered to 120 households to collect data on production, knowledge on utilization of indigenous vegetables and factors influencing their cultivation. Data collected was subjected to both descriptive and inferential analysis. Only 10 indigenous vegetables were found to be cultivated. Black night shade (Solanum nigrum) and Cowpea leaves (Vigna unguiculata) being greatly preferred by most households. However, most households regarded indigenous vegetables as food meant expectant and lactating mothers. Attitude and wrong perceptions were found to be primary factors influencing production and consumption of indigenous vegetables in Kabuoch location, Homa bay County. There is need to create awareness on the value of indigenous vegetables, intensification of conservation and introduction of more indigenous vegetables to the community in order to enhance food security.

Assessment of the Adoption of Organic and Conventional Farming Methods in Kisii Central Sub-County, Western Kenya

This study sought to determine the extent of adoption of various organic and conventional crop and soil management practices in the farms. Ten farms were sampled at an equidistance of one kilometre along a transect laid across each of the eight randomly selected sub-locations in the sub county. A sample size of 80 farms was randomly selected from the Sub-County. The eighty farms were regrouped into two; Organic and conventional farms. A survey of the crop management practises was carried out and the observed methods recorded down. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical paired t test and descriptive statistics. Use of pesticides recorded the highest percentages (60%) in conventional methods while mulching recorded relatively high percentage (42%) in organic methods. Use of plastic cover recorded the lowest percentage of 4% in conventional methods while vermin-compositing was not embraced in conventional methods. Conventional methods were 3.33 points higher than organic (95% CI [-9.37596, 16.04263]). Conventional and Organic farming methods were strongly and negatively correlated (r = -0.069, p > 0.05). However, there was no statistical significant difference between conventional and organic methods (t5 = 0.674, p > 0.05), [Appendix 1(iii)]. The knowledge obtained will be useful to the farmers and other participants globally to improve crop productivity. The information collected will also enable farmers seek for unconventional ways to alleviate the problem of heavy usage of agrochemicals in order to embrace organic farming for the long run sustainability of the agricultural sector.

Comparing Three Methods of Calculation Economic Threshold and Injury Levels for Land Snail Monacha cantiana (Montagu) on Sugarbeet in Nubaryia, Egypt

This investigation is the first to determine Monacha cantiana's EIL and ETL. This study was accomplished during two seasons to identify EIL and ETL of M. cantiana in West Nubaryia region in Egypt. Four infested techniques (SnP, SnM, ILnP and ILnP %) and three methods (i.e. 1WRB, Chi-square and the equation of Pedigo et al. 1986) were applied to calculate EIL and ETL. Generally, at SnP, SnM, ILnP and ILnP%, the EIL values for RWL and RYL ranged from 5.0 to 6.4, 35.1 to 44.7, 14.9 to 18.3 and 48.4 to 55.0, respectively. The EIT values for SYL at the techniques infested above ranged from 5.9 to 8.7 SnP, 41.4 to 58.7 SnM, 16.7 to 26.7 ILnP and 53.1 to 73.1 ILnP%. For RWL and RYL, range ETL values were 3.8 to 5.3, 22.4 to 38.4, 8 to 14.6 and 32.5 to 44.0 at SnP, SnM, ILnP and ILnP%, respectively. Nonetheless the corresponding values for RYL were 4.4-5.1, 22.4-35.8, 8-11.9 and 32.5-38.7. On the other hand, the aforementioned SYL treatment values were 4.0 to 7.0, 26.8 to 46.9, 10.3 to 21.4 and 37.0 to 58.0, respectively. Chi-square were only significant for root weight and their losses, therefore, it was neglected. The ranges in SnP expression were very closely. So, It could be inferred that SnP with Pedigo et al. 1986) or 1WRB is an effective technique for EIL or ETL determination.

Stalk-Juice Quality Traits of Sweet Sorghum as Affected by Season in Sudan

An experiment was conducted in Shambat (2012-2013) during the summer and winter seasons to study the stalk-juice quality parameters of 29 exotic and local sweet sorghum varieties as affected by season. The objectives were to provide basic data attributing to syrup and sugar (jaggery) production in the Sudan. The materials were arranged in RCB design. Data were collected on brix, pol (sucrose %), reducing sugars, total sugars, purity and pH. The single and combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among varieties for all traits studied. The variety x season interaction was significant for all traits other than total sugars %, implying the need for considering the variety choice in each season. The results of juice quality parameters were mostly within the range reported in the literature. The exotic materials excelled the local ones in brix, pol%, total sugars% and purity. The exotic varieties: N100, Red-X, Hastings and N110 as well as the local Ankolib selections: AnkNyala and Ank36 were identified as having juice quality traits suitable for syrup production. The exotic varieties: BlueRibbon, KansasCollies and Brawley were identified for sugar (jaggery) production. It was concluded that interaction of variety x season and yield parameters for juice, grain and stover should be considered when determining the choice of the variety. Future research should focus on developing multi-purpose varieties capable for concurrent production of syrup/sugar, grain and stover.