Agriculture

Field Studies were conducted in order to determine the component of yield and response of soybean to soil applied Zinc and phosphorus in the Charnockitic soil of Ekiti State Nigeria. Three ZnSO₄ treatments 0,2 and 4kg/ha were applied to soybean in2006-2007 and grain yield was consistently and significantly increased by the 2kg/ha ZnSO₄ treatment. Three phosphorus treatments 0, 30 and 60kg/ha were applied to soybean in 2006-2007, but only 30kg/ha P treatment increased grain yield significantly in 2006-2007. 30kg P/ha applied increased leaf P in the charnockitic soil.

Vegetation and soil management needs a holistic approach which is already devised into the state and transition model and other ecological, while abolished, models. But these models have some disadvantages and limitations that disable them for managerial purposes. Here in this paper, using a case study to prove the idea, another complementary state and transition model is introduced. This model is more comprehensive and gives managers a more wide view into ecological processes undergoing in a site.

Some physical chemical characteristics and heavy metal levels in soil samples (Top and Sub) around dumpsites at Obantoko, Lafenwa, and Olomore vicinities of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, were analysed in order to assess the effects of the dumps on the soils. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of these physicochemical parameters while heavy metals in the soil samples where analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the pH values in all the sites ranged from 8.21 to 8.61 indicating alkalinity of the soils. The Total Organic Carbon values ranged from 1.06 to 2.76 indicating presence of some organic matter and some microbiological activities in the soil samples. Conductivity values ranges from 875 to 1119?s/cm indicated significant presence of some soluble inorganic salts in soils studied. For all the physical chemical values recorded, the soil samples at Lafenwa had slightly higher values than those of Olomore, and Obantoko. The mean concentration level of the three locations for Pb for the top and subsoils in Obantoko, Lafenwa, and Olomore were 13.50 and 11.31, 7.64 and 12.44, 9.90 and 11.06 (mgkg-1) respectively and that of for top and subsoil for same locations were Cr 5.76 and 7.01, 7.64 and 12.44, and 4.65 and 6.86 (mgkg-1) while Pb were not detected at all locations except at Lafenwa L2 where 2.24 mgkg-1 was detected in the subsoil. The levels of the metals at the sub-soil were all higher than the top soil at all the locations, except for Obantoko were the value of Pb at the top soil was greater than the value at the subsoil. A consistent trend showing a decrease in the concentration of heavy metals at the topsoil was observed for soil samples. The results from the study show that leaching occurs at dumpsites from the top to the subsoil which could cause a degree of contamination to ground water and living organims. These soils may therefore constitute a major health risk to the local population, and therefore, need be stringent measures to curtail the adverse effect it may pose to human health and the environment.

The story of agricultural revolution in developed world is incomplete without farm mechanisation. The giant of the world – the United States agricultural success story is also incomplete without farm mechanisation. Feeding a hungry world will be incomplete without farm mechanisation. Nevertheless, farm mechanisation, just like farm pesticides have challenged sustainable agriculture; especially in fragile tropical ecosystem. No matter the level United States has attained in agriculture, it is very difficult for them to fend solely for a world of over 6 billion people, targeted to hit 10 billion by 2050. It calls for collective action of all nations of the world. Farm mechanisation that is tailored to local, regional and national requirements are very crucial to solving world food problems. Farm mechanisation: ecological paradise or disaster ? Is a mind rubbing question that keeps us conscious of limitations and needs in our agricultural systems. An attempt have been made to answer the question in this review.

A study was conducted to determine the content and distribution of total 0.1M HCl and diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) extractable zinc (Zn) in the genetic horizons of six (6) profiles formed from Chanockite parent rock in Ekiti State. The content of Total Zn for all the soils varied from 28 to 84mg/kg. Most of the soils had the highest concentration of total Zn in the surface horizons. There was a strong association between total Zn and organic carbon. Available Zn determined with 0.1M HCL extractable was higher than DTPA-extractable Zn. The values from the two extractants show that available Zn is clearly deficient. There would be need for Zn application to the soils for successful and profitable crop production.

Water is one of the important natural resource available to mankind. Proper utilization of this resource requires assessment and management of the quantity and quality both spatially and temporally. A mathematical model provides quantitative mathematical description of the processes which includes a collection of mathematical equations expressing relationships between input and output variables through establishing and estimating the relevant parameters. The ANN models have been used successfully to model the complex non-linear input-output relationship. An ANN can be defined as data processing system consisting of a large number of samples. Artificial neural networks (ANN) have found increasing applications in various aspects of hydrology. The study revealed that a feed-forward artificial neural network with back propagation algorithm having a single hidden layer with two neurons in the hidden layer was able to model the rainfall-runoff transformation quite accurately. The correlation coefficient during the training varies between 0.88 and 0.93 and during testing varies between 0.78 and 0.95 respectively whereas the model efficiency varies between 73.70% and 85.77% with an overall efficiency of 81.18% during training and between 52.62 % and 90.01 % with an overall efficiency of 66.71% during testing.

Termites are significant agents behind organic decomposition in or at the surface of the soil. They thrive in great abundance in terrestrial ecosystems and play important role in biorecycling of lignocellulose... Macrotermitinae are the dominant termite family which cultivate fungal combs within the mound chamber. The termites and fungi, form a agricultural beneficiary relationship which is one of the most spectacular example for mutualistic symbiosis The key activities attributed to the fungal partner in this mutualistic symbiosis are extensive delignification of the substrate and the conversion of plant fiber to fungal biomass .The fungal population aids in the decomposition of cellulose and supply other nutritional requirements for the termite.

Ozone(O3) is a beneficial gas which is used for elimination of microorganisms. This gas provided from O2 and it is very unstable and reactive. The Ozone can be used as a disinfectant, decolorizer, detoxifier, precipitant, coagulant and also for removing taste. In this paper, the ozone used to control root-knot nematode in potato greenhouse. Ozone generator that designed for this purpose, produced 36 mgO3/m3. Ozone is injected to water with venture and greenhouse irrigated with ozonated water. After 20 days it is shown that disease have been controlled and stoped, crop increased between 30% and 40%, weeds decreased and plant’s daily growth enhanced.

Worldwide, sugarcane is the major raw material used in the production of domestic sugar. It accounts for 80% of the sugar consumed. Kakamega and Bungoma Counties account for about 80% of the locally processed sugar. There is evidence of increased investment in the industry as characterized by growth in the number of millers across the country. Information about this growth and challenges on sugarcane transportation is scanty to enable policy makers in making informed decisions on improving efficiency in the sub sector. The study is guided by the objective to evaluate the characteristics of sugarcane transportation in western Kenya sugar belt region. Descriptive survey was carried out to achieve the study objective. The study tool was a pretested orally administered structured questionnaire with questions testing the following variables: characteristics of sugarcane transportation, prevalent livelihoods and strategies that can improve livelihoods. The study involved 384 respondents. Purposive, stratified and simple random sampling were used in determining respondents that were used in the study. Data was analysed using Excel and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (a computer programmes). Presentation was done in tables, graphs and pie charts. Research questions were subjected to Pearson Correlation and Regression coefficients to ascertain their significance. The study revealed that sugarcane transportation may have resulted in wide road network (32%) and improved access to the farms (68%). Tractors is the main means of transportation for sugarcane (67%) in the region. In conclusion, most of the cane growing farms are owned and operated by individual families. It was established that transportation cost was high in the region, which was attributed to poor road networks and frustration from millers. The study recommends improvements on the state of road network; there is need for creating right institutions and mechanisms to carry out road maintenance in the sugar belts of Kenya. The study recommends future research on poor road networks traversing western region sugar belts.

The study was to investigate the factors affecting the adoption of upland NERICA rice in the Ejura-Sekyeredumase District in the Ashanti Region. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 100 rice farmers in the district. About 20% of the farmers had fully adopted the upland NERICA rice. It was found that adoption of upland NERICA rice was dependent on NERICA farm size, accessibility and income level at 5% significant level. The main challenge associated with the production of upland NERICA rice is low rainfall causing total loss of yield. Farmers should form groups to make accessibility to incentives and other benefits easy. They should also cultivate the local rice alongside NERICA to supplement their income and finally, extension agents should increase their contacts with the low adopters of NERICA rice.