‘B-M MODEL’ FOR FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN INCREASING RICE PRODUCTION

Quantifying knowledge on agriculture can have many benefits to stakeholders. While many knowledge-based systems exist in modern days for farmers’ decision support, specific models are lacking on how knowledge traits can impact on agricultural production systems. This study employed modelling technique, supported by field data, to provide a clear understanding and quantifying how knowledge management in production practices can contribute to rice productivity in the environmentally stressed southwest Bangladesh. This research accounted for ‘Boro’ rice as the target crop and ‘BRRI dhan28’ as the test variety. The ‘B-M Model’ was developed following the principle and procedure from published literature, ‘brainstorming’ and data from field surveys. Three knowledge management traits (KMT) were defined and quantified as the inputs of the model. Those are: self-experience and observation (SEO), extension advisory services (EAS) and accessed information sources (AIS). The yield influencing process (YIP), the intermediate state variable of the model, was deduced by accounting for the two dominant agronomic practices, seedling age for transplanting and triple superphosphate (TSP) application. ‘Knowledge drives farmers’ practice change which in turn influences yield’ was composed as the theoretical framework of the ‘B-M Model’. The model performed strongly against an independently collected field data set. Across the 180 farmers’ data, the average relative rice yield (RRY) predicted by the model (0.705) and observed in the field (0.716) was close (root mean squared deviation (RMSD) = 0.018). The difference between predicted and observed RRY was not statistically different (LSD = 0.03), indicating the model fully captured the field data. A regression of predicted and observed RRY explained 96% variance in observation, further proving the model’s strength in estimating RRY in a wider range of farmers’ rice yield. In a normative analysis, the practicality and usefulness of the model to stakeholders were simulated for the understanding of how much achievable yield could be expected by changing farmers’ knowledge pool (the sum of three KMT) on rice production practices, and at what combination(s) of KMT to be considered at strategic hierarchy to materialize a targeted achievable yield. To the best of the knowledge, a model quantifying rice yield in relation to knowledge management trait does not exist in literature. Upon successful testing under diverse yield scenarios using multiple and sophisticated statistical tools that enhanced the credibility of the model, it is concluded that the model has the potential to be used for identifying quantitative pathways of farmers’ knowledge acquisition for practice change leading to improved productivity of rice in the southwest region of Bangladesh.

EFFECTS OF CHITOSAN AND SALICYLIC ACID ON PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena)

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) falls under the fruit species under the family of Solanaceae. It is grown widely throughout tropical and subtropical Zones in the world. It is a good source of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins, calcium and protein. Due to its high nutritional properties, the demand for eggplant is increasing annually. However, due to limited planting space, it is difficult for the producers to increase the production in order to meet the demand. Thus, the objective of this study is to improve the growth and development of selected physiological characteristics of eggplant with chitosan and salicylic acid. The experiment was carried out in factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications. This experiment was conducted at Field 15, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The plants were treated with chitosan and salicylic acid at four different rates; 0, 2, 4 and 6 ml/L for chitosan and 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L for salicylic acid. The treatments were applied either alone or in combination. Results revealed that the application of chitosan combined with salicylic acid influenced the physiological characteristics of the eggplant compared to the control group. Combination of 4 ml/L chitosan with 150 mg/L salicylic acid gave the highest mean values of plant height (107.13 cm), number of branches (14.91), number of leaves (136.08), total number of flowers per plant (101.8), compared to other treatments. Therefore, due to cost effectiveness and better impact on physiological characteristics the combination of 4 ml/L chitosan and 150 mg/L salicylic acid as foliar fertilizer is recommended to improve the growth and development of eggplant. Keywords: Solanum melongena, chitosan, salicylic acid, physiology

EFFECTS OF PATHOGENIC FUNGAL INFECTION ON THE NUTRIENT AND ANTI-NUTRIENT CONSTITUENTS OF POST HARVEST Irvingia gabonensis (OGBONO) SEEDS

Effects of pathogenic fungal infection on the nutrient and anti-nutrient constituents of post-harvest Irvingia gabonensis seeds were evaluated. The fungi pathogens isolated from partially rotted seeds of I. gabonensis seeds include Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum. These fungi were used as test fungi to inoculate healthy I. gabonesis seeds aseptically. The results of the proximate analysis in (%w/w)/100g of seeds inoculated with test fungi and uninoculated (control) seeds carried out revealed that there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in Moisture, Ash and Lipid content of seeds inoculated with the test fungi, relative to uninoculated (control) seeds. While fiber carbohydrate and protein content decreased in fungi inoculated seeds relative to uninoculated seeds. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in mineral content evaluated. Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron increased in seeds inoculated with the test fungi relative to the uninoculated, while Potassium, Soduim and Magnesium decreased in seeds inoculated with the test fungi. Anti-nutrient (phytochemical) content; Tannin, Saponin, Total oxalate and Cynogenic glucoside increased in the fungi inoculated seeds relative to uninoculated seeds. Significant differences also existed among the test fungi. Apparently, Penicillium italicum induced more changes in the anti-nutrient (Phytochemical) content measured. Hence higher values were recorded by Penicillium italicum in Tannim, Saponin, Total oxalate and Cynogenic glucoside, Keywords: Irvingia gabonensis, Nutrient, Anti-nutrient, Fungi, Inoculated

IMPACTS OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS AND TIMES OF APPLICATION OF CHITOSAN ON SWEET BASIL (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Sweet basil is one of the popular herbs that contains various types of antioxidants and is widely used in pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Although sweet basil is considered as an easy and fast-growing herb, yet, the production is still insufficient to cater to the rising demand. Thus, the aim of this study is to increase biomass of sweet basil by the application of chitosan at different timing. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Plants were treated with different concentrations of chitosan (0, 2, 4 and 6 ml/L) at three different times of application (20, 40 and 20+40 days after transplanting), and kept for 60 days under open field. Data was analysed by using Statistical Analysis Software (version 9.4), Analysis of Variance was used and means were separated using Least Significant Differences. Based on the findings, all treated plants showed greater value compared to the control treatment. Among the treatments, it was found that plants treated with 4 ml/L at 20 days after transplanting performed the best where the plants reached highest stem fresh weight (44.59 g/plant), root dry weight (2.83 g/plant), leaf fresh weight (54.28 g/plant) and leaf dry weight (8.80 g/plant). The yield was higher than control treatment at 43.45% and 59.71% based on its leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended for sweet basil to be treated with 4 ml/L at 20 days after transplanting. Besides, more details study on compound profiling and its fraction from sweet basil leaf extract can be conducted in the future. Keywords: dry weight; fresh weight; physiology; sweet basil; yield