International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

In order to survey the effect of osmotic stress on features of germination of 4 cotton cultivars, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted in physiological lab of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2013. In this experiment the effect of 4 levels of osmotic stress including (S0), (S1) -0.4, (S2) -0.8, and (S3) -1.6 MPa mannitol was surveyed on 4 cotton cultivars with names of Golestan (V1), Siokra (V2), Sahel (V3) and Armaghan (V4). Variance analysis results showed that the effect of osmotic stress treatment, surveyed cultivars and their mutual effect on all features was significant. Mean comparison results showed that the highest and lowest amount of germination was in 4th day, percentage and speed of germination was respectively from treatment zero and -1.6 MPa. In mean comparison between the surveyed cultivars, the highest amount of germination was in 4th day, percentage and speed of germination was for Golestan cultivar. This shows that Golestan cultivar has an active mechanism for water absorption and water maintenance. The mutual effect of osmotic stress and cultivar on percentage and speed of germination showed that different cultivars showed a relatively similar reaction in the absence of stress.

Keywords: Drought stress, Germination, Germination Speed, Mannitol

In order to evaluate the effects of moisture stress on seedling growth characteristics of cotton cultivars, a factorial green-house experiment with two factors in a completely randomized design with four replications was conducted during 2013-2014. In this project, the factors include cultivar with four cultivars of Siokra, Golestan, Armaghan and Sahel and factor of drought stress in three levels of no-drought stress, moderate drought stress and severe drought stress (with 75, 15 and 5% of field capacity). Studied characteristics were root length, dry and wet root weight, dry and wet stem weight, dry and wet leaf weight, dry and wet seedling total weight, plant height, total chlorophyll, leaf area index (LAI), catalase, superoxide dismutase, APX, Fv/Fm, stomatal conductance, and net photosynthesis. Results showed that the effect of drought stress was significant on total characteristics except for Fv/Fm and wet stem weight. The effect of treatment on surveyed cultivars was significant on total characteristics except for wet stem weight and activity of superoxide dismutase. The mutual effect of irrigation and cultivar was significant on dry and wet leaf weight, dry root weight, and dry seedling total weight, total chlorophyll, LAI, catalase, APX, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis. Results showed that maximum dry root weight, dry and wet leaf weight, dry total weight and leaf area index was obtained from Sahel cultivar in no-stress; and maximum activity of catalase was obtained from Golestan cultivar in severe stress and maximum activity of APX was obtained from Siokra and Golestan cultivars in severe drought stress condition.

Keywords: Catalase, Drought stress, Fv/Fm, Siokra Cultivar, Superoxide Dismutase

The study analyzed the influence of personal and socio-economic characteristics of small scale farmers on sweet potato production in south east agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Specifically the study identified the personal and socio-economic characteristics of sweet potato farmers in south east agro-ecological zone of Nigeria and also determined the influence of these personal and socio-economic characteristics of farmers on sweet potato production in the zone and its implications for extension and food security. A structured interview guide was used to source relevant information from one hundred and forty-four (144) sweet potato farmers in the study area. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The result revealed that age of the farmers, number of people in the house that formed the labour force , number of hectares of land available to the farmer for cultivation of sweet potato, number of years of experience in sweet potato production and high revenue derived from sale of sweet potato positively and significantly influenced sweet potato production in the study area. It was also discovered that sweet potato is not a gender specific crop in the area. It was then recommended that full mechanization of the production of sweet potato be vigorously pursued and more land made available to farmers by government for increased productivity, food security and poverty alleviation.

Keywords: Nigeria, Personal and socio-economic characteristics, South east agro-ecological zone, Sweet potato production

This study analyzed the level of contributions of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to agricultural development and transformation in rivers state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; determine the level of contributions of SPDC to agricultural development and transformation in the study area, and assess the level of farmers’ benefits from SPDC agricultural programmes. Structured and interview schedule questionnaire were used to source relevant information from ninety-seven respondents. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study revealed that the SPDC contributions to agricultural development in the study areas were high, but the farmers claimed that they have benefited little or nothing from the agricultural programmes the SPDC claimed to have carried out in their host communities. The recommendations are that SPDC should base their agricultural programmes on the felt needs of the farmers and make the programmes people oriented by using bottom-top approach from planning to share programme benefits.

Keywords: Agriculture and transformation, Company, Development, Nigeria, Petroleum, Rivers State, Shell

Assessment of productivity of sandy loam was carried out at Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki for three cropping seasons. Core and auger samples were collected at seven designated points each year in the experimental plot. These soil samples were used to determine physicochemical properties for assessment of soil productivity. Maize variety (Oba super 11) hybrid was used as a test crop. Data obtained from both soil and grain yield of maize were subjected to correlation and regression analysis to determine relationship between soil properties and grain yield of maize. The result showed highly significant (P<0.01) relationships between bulk density (r=0.95), total porosity (r=0.90), available water capacity (r=0.75) and grain yield of maize. Significant (P<0.05) relationships were obtained between organic carbon (r=0.57), available phosphorus(r=0.63), exchangeable magnesium (r=0.59) and pH (r=0.76) and grain yield of maize. Regression analysis indicated highly significant (r2 = 0.89 and 0.82) relationships between bulk density and total porosity but significant (r2 = 0.57 and 0.58) relationships between available water capacity and soil pH with grain yield of maize, respectively. Other soil parameters showed positive relationships with grain yield of maize indicating that they influenced soil productivity. Texture remained sandy loam for the three cropping seasons. Soil physico chemical properties could be used to assess soil productivity in order to determine its continuing ability to support and provide food and fibre to mankind.

Keywords: Abakaliki, Assessment, Nigeria, Productivity, Sandy loam

A survey of postharvest fungi associated with avocado fruits from markets of four divisions of the West region of Cameroon was carried out with samples collected between March and April 2013. Samples collected were brought to the laboratory for isolation in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Results obtained show some variation in isolation frequency of fungi from each division. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (23.70%), Botryosphaeria dothiorella (18.52%) and Cercospora purpurea (15.18%) were frequently isolated. Alternaria sp (2.78%), Sphaceloma persea (4.63%) and Pestalotiopsis guepinii (2.77%) were not isolated from fruits collected respectively from Noun and Mifi divisions. The least frequently occurring fungi included Aspergillus niger (5.92%), Colletotrichum acutatum (6.85%), Fusarium solani (5.74%), Phytophthora citricola (4.82%) and Rhizopus nigricans (8.89%). Although pathogenicity tests are still to be carried out to confirm the virulence of these phytopathogenic fungi on avocado fruits, there is a need of seeking appropriate management strategy to handle fungal pathogens of economic importance on avocado fruits in Cameroon.

Keywords: Avocado fruits, Cameroon, Isolation frequency, Post-harvest fungi, West region

This experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja to compare the efficacy of different rates of cow dung (CD) manure on production of Okra and its influence on the soil physicochemical properties. Five rates of manure (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 tons ha-1) were used for the trial and replicated thrice and applied 2 weeks prior to sowing for composting. Growth and yield parameters were assessed from 1 to 14 Weeks after Planting (WAP) on number of leaves per plant, plant height, leave area and number of fruits. All the data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS version 18. Means were separated using the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at P<0.05 and also, the soil physicochemical characteristics of the soil before and after the experiment were done. Results obtained from the soil analysis after cropping showed improvement in the soil physicochemical properties in terms of values of nutrients elements, increased soil pH and organic matter as influenced with the addition of CD. The growth response of Okra at the vegetative stage showed no significant difference (P>0.05) despite the addition of CD, but significantly different fruiting was established with the different doses of CD application. 0 ton ha-1 CD had the least number of fruits (11.87) while the 20 tons ha-1 CD recorded the best vegetative growth and fruit (25.37) production. The establishment of significantly higher growth and yield of Okra in the trial with 20 tons ha-1 CD can be associated with the efficacy and better nutrient recycling of CD and its long residual effect on soil in the FCT, Abuja and as well its low cost compared with the mineral fertilizers, make this rate of CD an option that can be adopted for commercial Okra production in the region.

Keywords: Abuja, Cow dung, Growth, Okra, Soil physicochemical properties, Yield

Isolation and screening for protease producing Bacillus species from distinct soils in Awka Anambra state were studied. Soil samples were collected from different locations and 1g of each of them was added to 9ml of sterile distilled water. Thereafter the sample was shaken and heated at 900C for 15min and then plated on nutrient agar medium. Bacillus species were isolated from all the soils sampled and were identified using standard methods. A total of 54 Bacillus species was isolated with the soil at Amaenyi having the highest of 15, while the soil at Ifite Awka recorded the lowest of 5. The Bacillus species identified included B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, B. stearothermophilus, B. macerans, B. coagulans, B. pumilus and atypical strains. B. licheniformis recorded the highest percentage occurrence of 24.1%, while atypical strains recorded the least percentage occurrence of 5.56%. Bacillus megaterium, B. macerans and B.coagulans had a percentage occurrence of 9.26%. Twenty three selected Bacillus species screened for protease production exhibited varying ability to produce protease. The highest zone of clearance was observed in Bacillus subtilis SE2 (12.3mm), B. subtilis SU8 (10.8mm) and B. licheniformis SE9 (10.2mm), while Bacillus macerans produced the lowest zone of clearance of 4.3mm.The highest protease production of 102 and 133 U/ml by Bacillus subtilis SE2 and B. subtilis SU8 was recorded after 48h, while B. licheniformis SE9 accumulated the highest protease yield of 148 U/ml after 72h of incubation. The result of the study showed that protease – producing Bacillus species was present in the soil.

Keywords: Isolation, Production, Protease, Screened Soil

In this study, capability of diversity indices were investigated at the alpha and beta levels in Saraliabad rangelands, Golestan province. The required vegetation and environmental data were gathered randomly in 1 square meter sampling units. Species diversity was calculated using two indices of Shannon Wiener and Simpson in PAST software. The results of the cluster analysis in PC-ORD 5 showed 5 distinct ecological groups at 37% dissimilarity level. The Shannon diversity index at beta level showed that the whole area is one cluster. Whereas, Shannon index at alpha level recognized three clusters according to the plant compositions. In this study, it is suggested to use beta diversity index for studying between plant communities in large scale.

Keywords: Alpha diversity, Beta diversity, Species diversity

Measurement of discharge in open channels has been a classical topic of interest to many engineers. Sharp crested weirs are among the oldest and most convenient hydraulic structures that have been used in this field. Also, nowadays with the development of computers; attentions to numerical models have been increased and we can simulate turbulent flow using advanced numerical methods. These methods are useful to water surface profile, flow rate and some other coefficients. Computational Fluid Dynamics commercial software such as FLUENT is applicable and strength tool to evaluate mentioned parameters. The aim of this research is three-dimensional simulation of flow on rectangular sharp crested weirs with side contraction and without side contraction, using FLUENT software. For multiphase flow simulation, VOF method is used and for simulation of turbulent flow, RNG k-ε turbulence model is used and the result of numerical model is compared with experimental data. The results of this study indicate that: FLUENT simulate flow on rectangular sharp crested weirs with high accuracy and for constant H/P ratio, by increasing the weir crest width; amount of discharge coefficient would increase.

Keywords: Cd coefficient, Numerical modeling, Rectangular sharp crest weir, RNG k-ε turbulence model, Three-dimensional simulation