Agriculture

Agriculture provides a variety of societal functions. Intensive and expanded using of farming land in recent decades has negative effects on ecological factions and stability of their production. Mechanization is one of the main factors of modern agriculture and directly and indirectly is related to sustainable agriculture. In this study, the relationship between mechanization and sustainability of dry farming wheat and dry chickpea farms in the Kuhdasht county of Iran were investigated. Indicators in two categories: direct (energy consumption, soil compaction and air pollution) and indirect (risk of contamination with chemicals) were evaluated. The impact of mechanization indicators on social- economic (employment, job damage and economic performance) were investigated. Although these indicators do not show a complete overview of sustainability farm, for comparison, farm stability and improvement farm sustainability are effective. The results show strong communication between mechanization and the sustainability in dry farming of wheat and chickpea and although mechanization has the positive effects on sustainability but it has negative effects as well. With determining of type and scale of local mechanization, sustainability of production will increase.

Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis were done for yield and its component characters in twenty two diverse genotypes of rape seed. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was recorded for seed yield per plant (31.33%) followed by siliqua per plant (20.07%). Heritability estimates in broad sense were higher for the characters days to maturity (83.92%), days to flowering (72.49%) and thousand seed weight (68.13%). Days to maturity, days to flowering, thousand seed weight and length of siliqua had high heritability along with low genetic advance suggests non-additive gene action was observed controlling these characters. Correlation coefficient of days to flowering (0.406*), primary branches per plant (0.514**), length of siliqua (0.548**), siliqua per plant (0.864**), seeds per siliqua (0.335*) was positive and significantly associated with seed yield per plant at genotypic level. Primary branches per plant (1.588), days to maturity (0.185), length of siliqua (0.740), siliqua per plant (0.569) and thousand seed weight (0.590) showed positive direct effect on seed yield. Selection based on these traits would give better response for the improvement of seed yield in rapes. The results of this study are expected as the basic information on genetic variation and relationship of component traits which can be used in rape seed breeding.

A system was designed and fabricated to grade apples automatically based on their size using machine vision, in this study. The device included unites to single out, orient and grade apples. A cylinder container with circular hole in bottom which was equipped with agitator was built to single out the apples. This mechanism delivered apples to orientation unit, one by one. Two wooden rails with a specific form which was located on the ramp via adequate slope was used to orient the apples during rolling. After the orientation, apples were placed below the camera to take its photo. The photos were transferred to computer for image processing to determine the grade of apples based on their size. A belt conveyor carries the apples and set them in appropriate place regards to their grade. As a final point, the wind spray valve is opened and the apple is pushed to the marked box. In order to evaluate the constructed system, 10 red and golden delicious apples of each grade were chosen and the completely randomized design test was conducted. The results demonstrated that the most time consumed related to image processing. Almost%85 of apples were properly oriented in the orientation unit and graded correctly. The overall system performance was appropriate, thus the system can be used to grade apples automatically.

This study examined the economic analysis of modern beekeeping in Kogi State, Nigeria. The socio-economic characteristics, level of profitability, the factors affecting bee-keeping production and problems of modern bee keeping in the study area were analyzed. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 70 bee farmers selected randomly in fifteen villages across the State. Analytical tools employed include Descriptive statistics; Net farm income Analysis and Production Function. Results of the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers reveals that majority (97.14%) of the farmers were males with a mean age of 43 years. And have an average family size of 8 persons. More than half (57.14%) of the farmers has been into beekeeping for more than 16 years and have a mean bee – keeping experience of 14 years. On the average the farmers employed 5 persons and have an average of 7 hives. Results revealed a net farm income of ?21, 000 per hives and profitability index of 0.76 indicating that modern bee keeping is profitable in the study area. Production function analysis showed that size of the bee hives, number of harvest, numbers of employee and capital have positive and significant effects (p<0.01) on bee keeping. The major constraints associated with beekeeping are inadequate capital, high cost of equipment, illiteracy, inadequate of extension visit, bororo invasion (Fulani), and inadequate management/managerial skills or knowledge. It is therefore recommended that youth ,women, retiree’s should be encouraged to venture into bee-keeping as a means of reducing unemployment and farmers should be ready to adopt modern bee-keeping techniques in the study area.

The presence of heavy metal residues in food products is a potential hazard to humans and animals as these metals cannot be degraded and stay permanently in the environment hence there is a need to ascertain the safety of these products for human consumption. The concentration of heavy metal residues in meat, milk and cheese were assessed in three locations in Ondo State. A total number of 120 animals (comprising 30 cows and 90 bulls) and 30 cheese samples were sampled for the investigation. The samples were digested with concentrated nitric acid and the resulting solutions were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for lead, copper, zinc, cadmium and chromium. The result revealed that the concentration of each metal was significantly (P < 0.05) different due to the location. The results were compared with Maximum Recommended Limit (MRL) as set by FAO. The cadmium concentration in the kidney samples obtained from Owo has a mean concentration level of 1.23mg/kg, which is above those collected from Ondo (0.53mg/kg). However, Cadmium was not detected in kidney samples from Akure. Chromium concentration was high in kidney samples from Ondo and Owo with values of 1.11 and 1.21mg/kg respectively than those recorded in Akure (0.31mg/kg). The mean level of copper in skeletal muscle from Akure (3.17kg/kg) was higher when compared with the 2 other locations (Ondo 1.48mg/kg; Owo 1.82mg/kg). The mean concentration of lead in skeletal muscle (2.09mg/kg) and kidney samples (0.89mg/kg) were significantly higher than liver samples (0.78mg/kg). Of these skeletal muscle, kidney and liver samples, 100%, 46.7%, 73.3% exceeded the MRL by FAO respectively. For cadmium, the result showed that kidney samples of slaughtered cattle contained a mean value of 0.59mg/kg. Also, the concentration of zinc in skeletal muscle and liver of slaughtered cattle were 37.65and 50.55mg/kg out of which 36.7% and 43.3% exceeded the MRL by FAO for skeletal muscle and liver respectively. The mean concentration of chromium is higher in kidney samples (0.88mg/kg) than skeletal muscle (0.77mg/kg and liver (0.83mg/kg). Of these skeletal muscle, kidney and liver samples, 16.7%, 36.7%, 20% exceeded the MRL as set by FAO respectively. Copper mean concentration was higher in liver samples (20.57mg/kg) of which 100% of liver samples exceeded MRL by FAO. 

Rangeland ecosystems are dynamic and will change in the occurrence turbulences and will degrade if cross the threshold of rangeland health. We can judge on the effects of management activities by determination of rangeland health features. In this study using 17 ecological indicators, including rill, water flow pattern, Pedestal, bare ground, gully, wind-scoured, litter movement, soil surface resistance to erosion, soil surface loss or degradation, plant community composition and distribution relative to infiltration and runoff and, compaction layer, structural and functional groups, plant mortality, litter amount, annual production, invasive plants and reproductive capability of perennial plants for determination of three characteristics of rangeland ecosystems (soil and habitat stability, hydrological functions and health of living organisms). The main objective of this study is applying this concept in the area of Cheshme Anjir. Indicators were studied in three ecosystems characteristic expressed in five evaluation class and deviation degree of rangeland health features with reference area. The results showed that the key habitat in term of sustainability of soil and habitat in slight to moderate, hydrologic function slight to moderate, organisms’ health slight to moderate while critical habitat in term of soil sustainability and habitat in relatively extreme, hydrologic function in extreme and organism health located in extreme class.

Soils inherently low in nutrients may respond dramatically to conservation management, yet evaluation of soil nutrients on absolute basis may not detect change. This study was primarily aimed at investigating the depth distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), soil carbon: nitrogen ratio (C:N), soil dry bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and their stratification ratios as affected by conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) under cocoyam in a Typic paleudult in two agroenvironments in southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani Enugu (06?52' N, 07?15' E) and The Research and Experimental farm of Enugu State College of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship, Iwollo (06026'N; 07016'E), respectively during 2013 and 2014 planting season. The design of the experiment was Randomized Complete Block (RCBD) with five replications and four treatments which comprised of conventional tillage with 150 and 300 Kg/ha of NPK15:15:15 and No-Tillage with 150 and 300 Kg/ha of NPK15:15:15. Soil analysis was carried out at both pre- and post planting at two soil depths (0-20cm and 20-40cm) in both locations. The data collected was analyzed using Analysis of variance test (ANOVA). Result showed that Conventionally-tilled plots that received 300 Kg/ha NPK had 0.121percent N. This plot had between 7% - 30% lower N content when compared to No-till plots amended with both 300 and 150 Kg/ha for 2013 and 2014 planting season. The results showed that No-till plots had significantly higher (18-43%) post-harvest percent soil nitrogen, organic carbon and carbon: nitrogen content when compared to conventionally-tilled plots at both 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil depths. The stratification ratio of N (1.09-2.14 and 1.02-2.29 for CT and NT respectively), OC (CT, 1.10-3.07; NT, 1.01-2.42) and C:N ( CT, 0.79-3.02; NT, 0.74-1.99) whereas stratification ratio of bulk density (CT,0.72-0.98; NT, 0.74-0.99), total porosity (CT, 0.98-1.20; NT, 0.90-1.22) and hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)(CT,1.07-1.29; NT, 1.03-1.49) for both sites and years did not follow any particular trend. This implies that soils vary in inherent properties and that absolute values of soil properties at the surface can vary. However, a reference is needed to separate inherent from management-induced changes. Generally taller plants (P>0.05) were found in Conventionally-till plots when compared with No-till plots. At harvest (210 DAP), the highest corm yield was obtained in Conventionally-tilled with 300kg/ha N plots which gave 8.58 and 7.83t/ha in Iwollo site for 2013 and 2014 planting season respectively followed by no-till treated 300kg/ha of NPK which also had 6.58 and 6.00t/ha. Conventionally-tilled plots amended with 300kg/ha N had 35% and 36% higher yield when compared with No-till plots amended with 150kg/ha of NPK plots for 2013 and 2014 planting season. The high yield advantage of Conventionally-tilled with 300kg/ha N over the other treatments may be due to differences in tillage practices and N fertilization rates. Tillage and fertilization helped increase the rate of crop emergence, improved soil moisture status, soil air (aeration), and improved general edaphic conditions of plants resulting in better yields. The relatively high stratification ratio of soil organic C, and some other soil properties, implies that conservation tillage and fertilizer application can compensate to some degree for the removal of above-ground plant residues

Wastewater irrigation can pose a variety of potential health risks and also excessive and often imbalanced addition of nutrients to the soil to affect crop production. Thus, its use in agriculture without adequate safeguards has been noted to have serious drawbacks for human health and the environment. This study assessed micro nutrient concentration in wastewater used for peri-urban vegetable crop production in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana. Aside Fe which was insignificant in both seasons all the others recorded a significant difference in the two seasons. Al, Fe, Mn and Zn on the average recorded higher concentration values in the wet season than the dry season whilst Cu recorded a higher concentration in the dry season than the wet season. Concentrations of most of the micro nutrients were lower than the WHO (2006) recommended standards except Mn which had concentration levels exceeding the recommended standard in the wet season only.

Soil fertility depletion is a single most important constraint to food security in West Africa due to continuous cropping and increasing population pressure. Rising costs of commercial fertilizers and increasing emphasis on sound manure management to protect water quality, renewed interest has been focused on maximizing the fertility returns of organic manure. The study determined the effect of dynamic kraaling on soil nutrient status of soils of the middle voltain formation (sandstone, shale and siltstone) in Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region of Ghana. Six (6) soil samples each were collected at two depths (0-40 cm and 40-80 cm) from an active kraal (AK), an old kraal (OK) and non-kraal (NK) farmlands. Laboratory soil analysis indicated that N levels were higher at 0-40 cm depth compared to the depth of 40-80 cm for the AK and the OK but indifferent for the NK farmlands at the two depths. High level difference in the concentration of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) was observed between the two depths for AK and OK. The concentration of P and K was noted to have increased from the 0-40 cm depth to 40-80 cm depth. The results indicate that NPK was high in active kraals, old kraals and non-kraaled farmlands in decreasing order. Varying levels of organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were also observed for the different kraaling systems but these were observed to be much higher for the active kraals. The effect of dynamic kraaling in the improvement of soil nutrient levels was high.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect furrow opener (ridge), operation speed and samples depth from furrow on soil physical properties and maize yield during the summer growing season of 2013 in the experimental at fields of Faculty Agricultural University of Baghdad in silt clay soil. The experimental treatments were arranged in Randomize Complete Block Design with three replicates. The main plots were assigned to the machinery unit speeds (3.69, 4.23, 6.27 and11.17 km h-1), whereas sample depth of furrows was assigned to the sub plots included top of furrow (0.00-0.15 m) and bottom of furrow (0.00-0.25 m). Grains of corn (synthetic cv. Maize 5018) were sowing was done on August 18th; harvest was done on December 10th. Irrigation were scheduled when soil water content in the root zone was depleted by the crop to specific fraction of available water (irrigation was imposed at 55% depletion of available water). Soil samples from furrow were taken from each experimental unit of depth 0.0 -0.15 and 0.0 -0.25 m after month of planting, middle season and after harvest to determine soil bulk density and the same samples measured saturated hydraulic conductivity and calculated mean weight diameter (MWD), geo-metric diameter (GMD). At harvest time, two central rows in each plot were harvested to determining grain yield and then; grain yield per hectare was calculated. The results the operating speeds significantly affected the soil bulk density and hydraulic conductivity values. As the operating speed increased, soil bulk density increased and hydraulic conductivity decreased. An increase operating speeds from 3.69 t0 4.23 and 11.17 km.h-1 decreased hydraulic conductivity and increased soil bulk density values for all planting growth stages (after month of planting, middle season and after harvest) except the speed 6.27 km.h-1. Different operating speeds and depth were significantly for mean weight diameter (MWD) and geo metric diameter (GMD) for all planting growth stages.