Agriculture

Phenotypic and genotypic variability, heritability and correlation among growth parameters were examined in Dura x Pisifera (DxP) oil palm seedlings at the Oil Palm Research Institute Kade between July 2008-Feb 2010. All the characters studied were significantly and positively correlated with each other except leaf area ratio (LAR) in which the correlations were negative with 7 other traits. The highest correlations were between total plant dry weight and crop growth rate (CGR) and between leaf area and plant height. Net assimilation rate (NAR) and (CGR) had the highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation. For plant biomass the highest variation was observed in total plant dry weight. Broad sense heritability estimates (for growth parameters) were highest for LAR, NAR, LAI and CGR while for plant biomass the highest was for total plant dry weight. The implications of these findings in oil palm nursery management and seedlings selection are discussed.

Studies on levels of micronutrients and heavy metal concentration in soils provide vital information for best management options at all times. The study investigated levels of concentration of some heavy metals (Lead-Pb, Iron-Fe, Copper-Cu, Zinc-Zn and Manganese-Mn) on soils along Enugu-Abakaliki major express way in southeastern Nigeria in relation to the environmental and agronomic implication. Forty soil samples were collected at 0-40 cm depth from two environments (A and B). Results showed highly significant (P<0.01) mean lead (Pb) (16.37 mgkg-1) on the soils of Environment A than B (9.5 mgkg-1). Mean Pb in Ishieke I soil was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of Boundary point II, Ezzamgbo II, and Ezzamgbo. Except Zn that was statistically similar, other metal mean values varied in concentration. Deficiency symptoms of macro- and micro-nutrients were observed on maize and tomato crops. Lime fertilizer was recommended. Continuous evaluation of soils for heavy metals should be an integral part of land use planning for long-term sustainability of farming systems and environmental stability.

Front line demonstrations on rain-fed direct seeded upland rice were carried out by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Simdega, Jharkhand. To demonstrate the improved technologies, frontline demonstrations were conducted in farmers fields. The objective was to show the potentiality of technologies along with package of practices analyse the constraints to provide feedback to the research system. The demonstration were conducted by selecting technologies on the basis of agro-ecosystem analysis through using PRA tools.. Intervention points were identified by consultation with farmers from problem- cause diagram. The deciding factors for selecting technologies under demonstrations were yield gap and percentage of farmers not following the recommended improved practices. Based on the finding it may be concluded that the top-down approach should be avoided and scientist- farmer interaction should be operationalised for programme formulation, implantation and assessment. This approach led to selection of right interventions for convincing the farmers in a better way about the production potentials of selected technologies. Due to selection of better technologies yield advantage was received to an extent of 58.9 %.

The present study discusses the growth performance of major agricultural crops in Maharashtra state, India. Important variables like area, production and yield were compiled for the period 1992-93 to 2011-12 from various published sources. There is a marked shift from the cultivation of food grains to commercial crops. Among food grains, the yield under coarse wheat declined 1.34 per cent between 1992-93 to 2011-12. Similarly, the performance of cotton, soybean, maize and gram in terms of area, production and yield was impressive during the study period. The use of modern varieties, irrigation and fertilizers were important factors that ensured higher growth in crop production. The results of crop growth indicate that the enhanced capital formation, better irrigation facilities, normal rainfall and improved fertilizer consumption helped to improve crop output in the state.

Field trials were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2005, 2006 and 2007 at the Research Farm of Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru  (11⁰ 11^/ N, 07⁰ 38^/E, and 686m above sea level) to study the yield and economic returns of sesame as influenced by poultry manure, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The experiment consisted of four rates of poultry manure (0, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 t ha^-1), three levels of nitrogen in the form of urea (0, 60, and 120 kg N ha^-1) and three levels of phosphorus in the form of single super phosphate (0, 13.2 and 26.4 kg P ha^-1). The thirty six treatment combinations were laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. The factorial combinations of N and P were assigned to the main plot while poultry manure was assigned to the sub-plot. Yield of sesame per unit area and economic returns were better at 5 t ha^-1, 60 kg N ha^-1 and 13.2 kg P ha^-1 of poultry manure, nitrogen and phosphorus respectively. Applications of 5 t ha^-1 of poultry manure, 60 kg ha^-1 of nitrogen and 13.2 kg ha^-1 of phosphorus seems to be the ideal rates for sesame production in this agro ecology and is therefore recommended.

This project has been conducted in New Zealand in 1999, as a requirement for feed production companies to control salmonella in feed by Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF). Feed is the most important factor in poultry production enterprises because of its impact on cost and health. Many chicken producing companies realize that, reducing salmonella in poultry meat is one of the difficult tasks, because there are several factors affecting this process. Producing Salmonella negative birds is the aim of many countries, because of the government regulations, public health concern, and competition between companies. It is impossible to reduce or eliminate salmonella in bird’s guts if the litter is used more than one time, especially if the litter is salmonella positive. It takes the feed about two minutes to reach the 80 ºC. The feed could be recycled if didn’t reach the 82-83 ºC planned. Steam temperature was stable and around 130ºC. This temperature could be optimized to reduce energy cost without affecting the pelleting process through tracing the feed in temperature (ingredients) one can say, that some of the steam is entering to the feed in tube and raising the feed-in temperature. The incoming feed temperature is between 46-50 ºC.

The energy use and influences of energy inputs on output levels in corn grain production were investigated. For this purpose, the data on 100 corn grain production farms in the Khozestan province, Iran, were collected and analyzed. The output level was specified as a function inputs and output, and ordinary least squares were employed to estimate equation parameters. The results indicated that total energy input for corn grain production was about 392323 MJha–1; Chemical fertilizers (with 44 %) and electricity (with 27 %) were amongst the highest energy inputs for corn grain production. The energy ratio, energy productivity, specific energy and net energy were 2.6, 0.18 kgMJ–1, 5.66 MJkg–1 and 59248.58 MJha–1 respectively. The regression results indicated that the contribution of energy inputs on crop yield was significant. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the major MPP was drawn for seed and chemical fertilizers energy. Economic analysis indicated that the total cost of production for one hectare of corn grain production was around 1955 $. Accordingly, the benefit–cost ratio was 1.75. The total amounts of CO2 for corn grain production was calculated as 1.54 tonha-1, which indicated the high CO2 output in this cultivation. The use of diesel fuel and chemical fertilizer is in excess for corn grain production, causing an environmental risk problem in the region. The high rate of non-renewable energy utilization in this region can be controlled by using farmyard and green manure instead of chemical fertilizers.

Fruits and vegetables are high value commercial crops grown in an area of about 16.19 million hectares with a production of 243.47 million tones in India in 2012-13. Over the years (2001-02 to 2013-14), there is an increase in area, production and productivity of fruits with compound growth rate of 5.71, 6.31 and 1.08 percent respectively. In addition, there is an increase in area, production as well as productivity of vegetables with compound growth rate of 3.99, 6.20 and 2.13 percent respectively. Seasonal variability in fruits and vegetables has shown inverse relationship between arrivals and prices. At the time of harvesting, there is glut in market that adversely affects the prices because of which seasonal indices for arrivals are maximum and corresponding prices are relatively low. Pre-harvest losses occur due to attack of insect- pest, rodents, birds and infestation of weeds and diseases. Post harvest losses for fruits and vegetables occur in different stages of marketing viz. picking/ plucking, assembling, grading, packing, storage, loading/ unloading, transport etc. In India, the scientific storage capacity is only 30 percent of the required capacity. Cold storage facility is available for only 10 percent of fruits and vegetables. Only 2-3 per cent of the produce is processed in India. Due to lack of proper handling (cleaning, sorting, grading and packaging) facilities at the village level with about 30 percent of fruits and vegetables and 10 percent of spices are lost before reaching the market. There is a wide scope of increase in processing capacity for fruit and vegetable industry.

Stable isotopes of hydrogen (?²H) and oxygen (?¹⁸O) in groundwater, streams and Volta Lake collected in southwestern margin of the Volta Lake were investigated. While the spatial distribution of ?¹⁸O in groundwater (-3.61 to -2.17 ‰ vs VSMOW) showed that most of the heavy-isotope depleted samples were located in the higher portion of the study area (northeastern) on the Kwahu Plateau, more positive values (from -2.62 to -2.17‰ vs VSMOW) were found in areas in proximity of the Volta Lake. The isotope composition of streams (?¹⁸O) varied closely from -2.80 to -2.61‰ vs VSMOW with most depleted being the most forested stream. The Volta Lake showed relatively enriched and homogenous isotope composition (?¹⁸O between -0.66 and -0.43) reflecting high evaporation of the Lake. Stable isotope signature of the water samples point to meteoric origin of recharge to groundwater in the area also show possible intrusion of Volta Lake into the aquifers near the banks of the Volta Lake.

Fruits are important elements of a healthy, balanced diet, be it as part of a main meal or as a snack. The quest for ready-to-eat fruits has resulted in cut-fruits such as pawpaw, watermelon and pineapple in the Ghanaian fruit market. However, the safety and quality of these products cannot be guaranteed due to the mode of preparation and packaging. These products have longer shelf life when properly preserved and, therefore, assure all year round availability of fruits in different forms. The objective of this study was to assess consumer knowledge, perception and acceptance of fresh-cut fruits and irradiated fruits in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional study involving respondents in Accra (a cosmopolitan city). Information was collected by an open-ended questionnaires administration. The responses were coded and analyzed using SPSS Statistical Software Version 16. The results revealed that consumption of fruits and cut-fruits in Greater Accra is relatively high. It showed that 94.5 % of the respondents like fruits of all kinds. Mango was the most preferred (40.5 %) and 79 % of respondents preferred the seedling (local) mango to the grafted (exotic) variety. More tertiary educated people (48 %) consume fruits than others. More people (69 %) always buy cut-fruits and more males (63.5 %) patronize cut-fruits than females. People between the ages of 21 – 30 years patronize more cut-fruits and only 52 % of the respondents have heard about irradiated fruits, however, only 47 % would buy irradiated fruits because they are hygienic and safe. Others associated irradiation with radioactivity. The knowledge of fruits irradiation is very low in Ghana however; the consumption of fresh cut- fruits is high.