International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

The study aims to investigate the influence of biological (Seedspor S) and chemical seed protectants (Piligrim, s.c.) on seed pathogens under different lentil cultivation technologies. The research gives evidence of the high efficiency of a comprehensive application of seed protectants, with the degree of seed infestation decreased by two or three times compared to the control variant. The integrated treatment demonstrates the lowest degree of seed infestation and the highest laboratory germination rate, vigor and field germination rate. In inhibiting and suppressing the spread and development of Fusarium ssp. root rot, the biological seed protectant Seedspor S is less effective than the chemical seed protectant Piligrim, s.c. The no-till cultivation technology provides greater intensiveness of inhibition and suppression, while the traditional technology shows lower intensiveness. Over the years of cultivation, the highest yield was obtained with the comprehensive application of the seed protectants (Piligrim, s.c. + Seedspor S).

Keywords: Lentils, Lentil diseases, Seed protectants, Crop yield

The article evaluates the impact of mineralized groundwater on reservoirs and agricultural soils in the Novoanninsky district of the Volgograd region. The article presents the results of a chemical analysis of groundwater, surface water and soil samples. A solution to the identified problem is proposed by creating a biogeochemical barrier in combination with agroforestry techniques. The research was conducted in the spring of 2024 within the Amovsky rural settlement of the Novoanninsky district, Volgograd region. To assess their quality, groundwater, surface water, and soil samples were collected from the upper and lower soil layers. The quantification of water-soluble cations and anions in surface water and soil samples was performed using capillary electrophoresis on a Drops-105 M instrument, following the protocols outlined in HDPE F 16.1:2:2.3:2.2.69-10 and HDPE F 16.1:2:2.2:2.3.74. Based on the results of chemical analysis, groundwater in the studied area has a high mineralization (13-16.9g/L) and significantly affects the soil quality and accordingly, the yield of cultivated crops. The maximum concentration of calcium, chlorine, sulfates, sodium, and magnesium ions in the upper and lower soil layers has been exceeded. Creating a biogeochemical barrier, combined with the use of agroforestry techniques, will reduce mineralization, change the quality and type of groundwater and surface waters, and increase the ecological (species) diversity of the landscape and its stability. Based on the data obtained, it is possible to select materials, calculate their quantity and volume, application methods, design features of the barrier, etc. In the future, it is necessary to conduct pilot field tests to correct the technology and develop a barrier design.

Keywords: Water resources, Land reclamation, Water availability, Agroforestry, Groundwater, Soil degradation, Biogeochemical barrier

Kazakhstan is a leading exporter of leguminous crops, which play a vital role in sustainable agriculture due to their nitrogen-fixing capabilities and low environmental impact. However, climate change poses significant challenges, including droughts and extreme weather, affecting crop yields and production sustainability. This study aims to evaluate the environmental attitudes and behaviors of Kazakh farmers growing leguminous crops, using the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale. The study data were collected from 115 farmers in Kazakhstan, a leading exporter of legumes. The results showed that views on climate change as well as all aspects of NEP influence farmers’ environmental attitudes. In addition, green identity plays a moderating role in the influence of ecocentric and anthropocentric subdimensions on attitudes towards ecological farming practices. Factor analysis of the new environmental paradigm variables were used to determine the ecological attitudes of farmers in the groups divided by the size of their production. Study demonstrates that Kazakh farmers have a moderate attitude towards the environment; with an average score of 3.27 out of a maximum of 5. Four different groups of environmental attitudes were identified: progress towards ecological balance, environment and living things, natural resources, and nature. The cluster analysis helped to identify that 50% of the farmers are sensitive towards climate changes and and its adverse effects, 22% of the farmers have a moderate attitude, and 28% classify less sensitive. Educated farmers and owners of large-scale production turn out to be more sensitive towards the environment and human-made implications. The results can be used in several theoretical and practical implications for sustainable management of crop production.

Keywords: Climate change, Leguminous crops production, NEP analysis, Farmers opinion, Attitude, Strategy

The use of pesticides enhances crop productivity and quality by controlling insect pests. Still, their excessive use negatively affects the environment, human health, groundwater quality, and reduces biodiversity. Pesticides, including imidacloprid can persist in the environment for a long time, affecting air, water, and soil, consequently negatively impacting human health. This study evaluated imidacloprid residues in 390 samples of 13 types of fruits and vegetables, sourced from 30 prominent wholesalers across southern Jordanian wholesale markets. Imidacloprid was selected due to its frequent use as a systemic insecticide in agricultural production, which increases the risks associated with residue accumulation. Residues were detected in 77.7% of samples, with concentrations ranging from below the detection threshold to 1.30mg.kg-1. The highest mean concentrations were observed in eggplant, apple, cauliflower, and cabbage (0.45, 0.41, 0.35, 0.30mg.kg-1, respectively), while apricots, potatoes, and grapes had the lowest concentrations. Imidacloprid was not detected in 32.3% of samples. Overall, 14.4% of samples exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by Codex, and 5.9% exceeded the Canadian PMRA standards. Furthermore, the results showed that eggplant and apple samples recorded for pesticide residues significantly exceeded Codex and PMRA MRLs. Despite some samples exceeding MRLs, the hazard index (HI) values for all samples were below unity (<1), indicating low immediate risk to consumer’s health. These findings underscore the need for enhanced regulatory measures to mitigate potential health risks posed by pesticide residues in fresh produce.

Keywords: Imidacloprid, Insecticide residues, Maximum residue limit, Hazard index

The study aimed to identify and characterize the presence of molecular markers associated with potato virus X resistance genes (Rx1, Rx2, and Nb) in the gene pool of Kazakhstan. During the study, 71 potato varieties and breeding lines were analyzed using the SCAR molecular markers and markers GM 637 and GM 339 for the Nb gene. DNA was extracted from leaf tissues and analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction to identify the presence of these markers. Artificial potato virus X inoculation was performed under controlled conditions in a phytotron followed by ELISA tests to confirm the infection status. The study identified SCAR markers for the Rx1 gene in 25% of the samples and for the Rx2 gene, in 77%. Markers of the Nb gene were found in 68% of the samples. 15 varieties showed extreme resistance to potato virus X, as evidenced by the absence of symptoms and negative ELISA results, while three varieties showed resistance similar to tolerance, where potato virus X was detected in leaf tissue without symptoms. The characterized varieties and breeding lines of the potato gene pool of Kazakhstan, which have an extreme type of resistance to potato virus X, can be included in breeding programs to create new virus-resistant potato varieties in the future.

Keywords: Potato virus X; Breeding line; Molecular marker; Infection; Resistance

Environmental changes resulting from climatic change, freshwater scarcity, and soil-water salinization necessitate an in-depth investigation and assessment of their impacts. The impact of soil and water salinization in a hot and hyper-arid region such as Oman is more obvious in the agriculture sector, especially in the Al-Batinah coastal region of the country. This study aimed to assess, map, and track soil in the study area using remote sensing techniques. Landsat images covering 36 years were acquired along with Cartosat and WorldView-2 satellite images for accuracy assessment and validation. A satellite image-based salinity detection and delineation model was developed for the study area. The imagery was successfully classified with an overall accuracy of 80%, with supervised and unsupervised classification accuracy ranging from 76 to 84%, respectively. Spatiotemporal change detection identified that agricultural activity decreased by 30% (4.46km2) between 1985 and 2007 compared to 17.1% (2.53km2) between 2007 and 2021. Moreover, soil salinity has extended farther inward from the shoreline as the salinity intensity increased from 36 to 60%. These findings can be attributed to the severe effects of saltwater intrusion, which led to the abandonment/shifting of farms from the shoreline to the land/mountains, resulting in urbanization. This study calls for urgent attention and decisive action to improve area management and optimize freshwater resources in hot and hyper-arid environments.

Keywords: Change Detection, Remote Sensing, Salinization, Soil and Water, Vegetation

Caulerpa (C.) cylindracea is a species of green seaweed known for its antibacterial bioactivity. Crude extracts of weeds are promising to way to check their antimirobiolal potential against various pathogens. Alongwith other factors, the bioactivity of weed extracts also greatly dependent upon method of its extraction. Consequently, this study aimed to identify the bioactive constituents and antibacterial bioactivity of crude extracts of C. cylindracea obtained through the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method against Morganella morganii bacteria. The C. cylindracea was extracted using UAE with different methanol and acetone ratio and various time. Best extract against M. morganii would be further identified its bioactives using LC-HMRS. A15-minute extraction time, a maximum temperature of 40°C, a frequency of 50 Hz, an amplitude of 50%, and a solvent ratio of methanol to acetone (2.5:7.5) in the stolon, showed best antibacterial activity. A total of 24 bioactive compounds is identified, among which three exhibit antibacterial activity: betaine, 5-Fluoro-2-hydroxybenzoic acid, and Isoamylamine. Their inhibitory mechanisms involve the disruption of bacterial membranes and metabolic processes, ultimately leading to cell death.

Keywords: Antibacterial, Caulerpa cylindracea, Morganella morganii, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

Struvite containing compost produced from layer litter is a rich source of nitrogen, phosphorus and other micronutrients. The performance of Pakchong fodder was studied by utilizing struvite containing compost to identify its application rate on fodder growth. For this purpose, a field study of Pakchong fodder growth was undertaken in the fodder production area at goat, sheep and horse farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). A total five treatments such as T0 (no compost and no chemical fertilizer at all), T1 (2-ton struvite containing compost/ha), T2 (4-ton struvite containing compost/ha), T3 (6-tons struvite containing compost/ha) and T4 (150kg urea/ha and other macro- and micro- nutrients) with three replications were studied. Parameters studied were yield, height and circumference of Pakchong fodder along with its nutrient content such as dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, pH, phosphorus and potassium content. The result showed that T2 produced significantly higher yield (96.67 tons/ha), plant height (257.67cm) and stem circumference (6.63cm) compared to other treatments. In case of nutrient content, a significantly higher crude protein (15.07%), ether extract (6.78%), ash (1.77%), phosphorus (0.28%) and potassium (0.98%) contents were found in T2 treatment also, compared to other treatments. Higher CP and P content in the produced Pakchong fodder might be due to nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation from struvite. Therefore, it might be concluded from the experiment that 4-ton/ha (T2) struvite containing compost will be the suitable application rate for Pakchong fodder growth.

Keywords: Struvite, Pakchong fodder, Fodder yield, Nutrient content

This study was carried out to characterize the consortium of Bacillus (B.) subtilis and B. licheniformis as potential probiotic supplements for late-phase laying hens by characteristics of their antimicrobial, protease, and lipase activities. Both bacteria were tested for their resistance to acidic conditions and bile salts to ensure the suitability of both bacteria as probiotics. The results of resistance tests to acid pH and bile salt indicate that B. subtilis and B. licheniformis are suitable as probiotics for laying hens. A Complete Randomized Design experimental design having three treatments and six replications was used during current study. The treatments included T1=1 B. subtilis : 1 B. licheniformis; T2=1 B. subtilis: 2 B. licheniformis; T3=2 B. subtilis : 1 B. licheniformis. The study used the agar well diffusion method to assess antimicrobial activity, lipase activity using the titrimetric method, and protease activity using the enzymatic method. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the inhibition zones against E. coli, S. aureus, and S. typhimurium, as well as in protease and lipase activities. The results showed that the T1 consortium have excellent antimicrobial activity. Although the enzyme activity in T1 was not the highest, the difference was minimal compared to the other treatments. This study found the optimal ratio of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (1:1) as a potential probiotic for late-phase laying hens, contributing to improved digestive health and function.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacterial resistance, Enzyme activity.

Utilizing entomopathogenic microorganisms as a means of management is a compelling technique to control Spodoptera frugiperda. This polyphagous insect poses a significant threat to maize growing given the limits of chemical pesticides control. Surveys were carried out in maize fields to collect dead larvae, live larvae and chrysalids of Spodotera frugiperda. Dead larvae were utilized to isolate bacteria, whereas live larvae were cultivated in order to carry out pathogenicity assessments of the isolated bacteria. The pathogenicity tests involved introducing the bacterial strains into the larvae’s diet, which consisted of maize leaves, to observe and evaluate the larvae’s growth and developmental stages across different phases. A total of 240 live and 10 dead larvae were collected from maize fields, and 259 strains were isolated. Comparative analysis of the 24 representative strains, 16 gram-positive and 8 gram-negative, revealed that gram-positive strain 5 and gram-negative strain 20 induced 100% and 56% mortality, respectively, in the larvicidal test. Gram-positive strains 1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, and 15 and gram-negative strains 18, 19, 23, and 24 completely inhibited the laying of eggs. In addition, gram-positive strains 5 and 11 produced 100% and 90% rate of organic essences that are out of harm’s way insect limits. For gram-negative strains 18 and 20, these rates were 80% and 88% respectively. Thus, gram-positive strains 5, 11, and 20 and gram-negative strains 18 and 20 can be considered entomopathogenic bacteria of Spodoptera frugiperda. In addition, it is important to carry out molecular identification of these strains to facilitate testing under real-life conditions.

Keywords: Entomopathogenic bacteria, Spodoptera frugiperda, Pathogenicity, Characterization, Biological control, Burkina Faso

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a serious problem capable of causing significant economic losses to farmers. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of smallholder farmers regarding FMD in Punaga Village, Takalar Regency, as well as assess the awareness about the etiology, treatment, and control measures. Data were collected from 48 farmers through a questionnaire covering KAPs related to FMD and analyzed descriptively. The results showed the overall score for Knowledge was 5.7±0.16, Attitude and Practice was 2.02±0.29 and there was a significant association between knowledge level and education level of the respondents (P<0.05). Furthermore, respondents with low education were approximately 70% less likely to have high knowledge compared to those with medium education. Although most respondents had experience on FMD and were aware of the potential of FMD to cause livestock death and agreed with the necessary control measures such as self-quarantine and the necessity of routine veterinary visit, all farmers still had a high interest in obtaining further information about this disease, particularly regarding the treatment and prevention. The results are expected to provide valuable insights for designing more effective FMD intervention programs in the region, considering the importance of improving knowledge as well as changing the attitudes and practices of farmers.

Keywords: Foot and Mouth Disease, Knowledge, Smallholder Farms, South Sulawesi

This investigation aimed to assess the effects of microencapsulated-Marijuana leaf extracts (MMALE) supplementation on gas production kinetics, rumen fermentation, microbial populations, and methane production. A Completely randomized design (CRD) was used to randomly assign respective treatments. Results showed that in vitro dry matter degradability was improved with MMALE supplement at 6% total DM substate. The ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were significantly different among the four groups. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and propionate production were increased, while acetate to propionate ratio, butyrate, and methane production were reduced when compared to the control group. Inclusion with MMALE significantly enhanced the cellulolytic bacteria, while Methanobacteriales was decreased. Therefore, MMALE is a promising plant-based bioactive substrate that could be utilized to modulate rumen fermentation in the diet.

Keywords: Marijuana, Medicinal plant, Rumen fermentation, Bioactive compounds, Microencapsulation

Wild yeasts, as part of the natural microbiome of fruits and vegetables, are promising candidates for applications as biocontrol agents due to their biological activities, low demand for nutrient sources, and broad spectrum of antifungal activity. In the present research, 27 yeast strains were isolated from the carposphere of apples and pears stored in a private gardening farm in Southeastern Kazakhstan at the end of the cold storage period. Various in-vitro plate tests showed high inhibitory activity against Penicillium expansum, Alternaria alternata and Acremonium alternatum in eight strains, defined by ITS region sequence as Metschnikowia pulcherrima. Experiments with inoculation of two apple varieties identified the strain MP-03 as the most effective. Spraying the local apple tree varieties “Aport”, “Voskhod” and “Talgarskoe” with a lyophilisate solution of the MP-03 strain during flowering and fruiting periods reduced the incidence and severity of scab (Venturia inaequalis) in fruit compared to the control. Postharvest treatment of apples of three cultivars resulted in an increase in the yield of healthy fruits at the end of the 120-day storage period in comparison to the control groups. In addition, the firmness and weight retention indices also showed better results in treated fruits.

Keywords: Post-harvest spoilage; Fungicidal activity; Microbiome; Storage

The olive (Olea europaea L.) is Jordan’s most important fruit crop. Among the most serious insect pests is the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae (Rossi). Two experiments were conducted to address this issue: a field experiment to determine the period of adult fly activity and its numerical fluctuations, and another experiment was performed in the laboratory to determine the duration of fly generation at two constant temperatures, as well as to calculate the critical limit for growth and the thermal constant. The fly’s epidemiology was predicted during its activity period across different seasons using data from the experiments, average daily temperature data from the Meteorological Department, and observations of the phenological development of olive fruits. Results revealed two activity peaks: a summer peak in July and a fall peak in October, with the activity period lasting 242 days. The generation time was 28 days at 20±2°C and 18 days at 30±2°C. The pest grows at temperatures above 2°C and requires 504°C/day, with 9–10 generations per year. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor average temperatures in olive fields to predict the possible outbreaks of this pest and develop appropriate management practices.

Keywords: Bactrocera oleae, Critical growth limit, Jordan, Olive, Thermal constant

Citrus diseases present significant challenges to global agricultural productivity and economic stability, with pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and phytoplasmas causing severe crop losses. Among these, thrips, California red scale, and sooty mold are particularly destructive, highlighting the need for early detection and precise identification to manage these threats effectively. This article proposes a machine vision and deep learning approach for rapidly classifying citrus diseases. A dataset comprising 900 images of three different citrus diseases was captured from Sai Nam Phueng orange orchards in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, and separated into training and validation sets at a ratio of 80:20. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) were constructed using MobileNetV2 for pre-training and achieved 97.22% accuracy in disease classification, demonstrating its potential to enhance disease prediction and prevention within the citrus industry. The model’s performance was assessed through confusion matrices, revealing robust classification results consistent with existing studies.

Keywords: Citrus diseases, Deep learning, Convolutional Neural Networks, MobileNetV2, Agricultural disease management

Bottom sediments play a crucial role in the environmental and agricultural management of freshwater reservoirs, acting as repositories for organic matter, chemical elements, and potential pollutants. This study investigates the chemical and granulometric composition of bottom sediments in the Verkhnetobolskoe and Karatomarskoe reservoirs in North Kazakhstan, focusing on the relationships between sediment particle sizes, organic matter, and heavy metal content. Sediment and water samples were collected during winter under ice-covered conditions using specialized sampling equipment and analyzed with advanced spectrometric and analytical methods. The study reveals significant correlations between fine- grained sediment fractions (<0.16mm) and the accumulation of organic matter and heavy metals, including cobalt, arsenic, and chromium, which exceeded permissible concentration limits. These findings underscore the ecological importance of fine sediment fractions as adsorptive sites for pollutants. The study concludes with methodological recommendations for sediment quality assessment and provides baseline data for environmental monitoring and agricultural planning in temperate freshwater ecosystems.

Keywords: Bottom sediments; Clay soils; Granulometric composition; Organic matter content; Heavy element

Rabies is a zoonotic and deadly disease transmitted through dog bite to humans. Among school children, dog bite cases mainly occurred due to a lack of knowledge of rabies, which poses a significant challenge to its effective control. Therefore, the present study is carried out in the Dompu district, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, with the aim to analyze the implementation of collaborative learning to increase the knowledge of elementary school students about rabies and its effectiveness as a learning delivery method. The design of this research used a quasi-experiment with pre-test and post-test. The intervention group used collaborative learning, while the control group followed the lecture method. The instrument was a structured questionnaire, validated by Pearson correlation and reliability tested with Alpha-Cronbach. Data was collected from interviewed elementary students in Dompu and Woja sub-district, Dompu District. The intervention group included 57 students, while the control group had 49. Pre-tests were conducted before the intervention, and post-tests were conducted three times: on the same day, one week, and one month after the intervention. The outcome data were analyzed using a chi-square test, independent sample t-test, and Hake’s formula. The result showed that the source of rabies information is significantly associated with knowledge of rabies among students (α=0.014). Student’s rabies knowledge score was significantly increased by both the collaborative learning and lecture methods (P<0.05). The n-gain score of collaborative learning was more than 0.7, categorized as effective, compared to the lecture method score of 0.3-0.7, categorized as moderately effective. It was concluded that the collaborative learning method effectively improved elementary school student’s knowledge about rabies.

Keywords: Collaborative learning, Elementary students, Indonesia, Knowledge, Rabies

This study investigated factors affecting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) adoption among date palm farmers in Al-Ahsa Governorate in Saudi Arabia, identifying challenges and opportunities towards sustainable agriculture. Approximately half of the farmers surveyed were adopting the IPM techniques. The key drivers for adopting the IPM comprised the tree inspection frequency, farm size, income, and education. However, experience alone does not guarantee openness to innovation, underscoring the need for tailored interventions. The research advocates for training workshops, financial incentives, and resource accessibility to enhance IPM adoption and foster sustainable practices. Moreover, fostering awareness of advanced monitoring technologies and addressing shortcomings in agricultural extension services could further enhance IPM uptake. These measures are essential for promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing pest losses, and improving the long-term productivity and profitability of date palm farming in the region.

Keywords: Integrated Pest Management, Date Palm, Logistic Regression, Sustainable Agriculture, Saudi Arabia

Accurate modelling of convective heat transfer processes is imperative for the assessment of the urban heat island effect and the development of measures to enhance the urban microclimate. Existing studies predominantly rely on field observations and wind tunnel experiments, while hydrodynamic modelling endeavors often fall short in providing an accurate representation of heat distribution. This paper proposes a solution grounded in the Navier-Stokes equation, employing a synthesis of an evolutionary approach and multi-variable optimization. The GAMS programming language was utilized to facilitate the calculation. The efficacy of the proposed approach was substantiated through the verification of its performance on a test problem pertaining to the occurrence of convective water motion. This demonstrated the approach’s capacity to accurately fulfil the water balance. Subsequent to this, the proposed approach was employed to address the convective heat transfer issue in an urban area, leading to the formulation of a model that delineated the temperature distribution around buildings. This model successfully ensured the precise compliance with the laws of conservation of mass and the absence of wave phenomena.

Keywords: Microclimate, Urban heat island, Convective heat transfer, Heat and mass retention, Navier-Stokes equations, Air flow motion