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Effects of Biochar, Plant Density and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Rice in a Tropical Inland Valley Swamp
Hindolo Andrew Bebeley,
Prince Tongor Mabey,
Prince Emmanuel Norman
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
77-83
Received:
13 February 2021
Accepted:
23 February 2021
Published:
10 March 2021
Abstract: Biochar has been confirmed to boost soil fertility and crop efficiency. The study aimed to examine the impacts of different combinations of biochar, plant hill and spacing on the growth and yield parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L.) var NERICA L 19 in an inland valley swamp in Sierra Leone. The experiment was performed in a Randomized Complete Block Design using eight treatment combinations including: two levels of Biochar-soil mixtures (10 t ha-1 and 0 t ha-1), two levels of plant density per hill (1 seedling per hill and 2 seedlings per hill), and two levels of plant spacing (25 cm and 20 cm). Growth parameters were conducted at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after transplanting (WAT), while yield parameters were measured at harvest. Biochar hill and spacing had no significant effect on plant height, leaf area, grain yield, straw yield, and harvest index, but biochar plant spacing had a significant effect on tiller number. Biochar significantly enhanced plant growth (tiller number) and yield attribute traits such as panicle number and straw yield. The potential of gliricidia biochar in supporting increased growth and yield suggest its exploitation for both straw and grain yield productivity of rice in the IVS. Residual gliricidia biochar could be also exploited in future studies to determine their benefit in enhancing grain yield in IVS rice.
Abstract: Biochar has been confirmed to boost soil fertility and crop efficiency. The study aimed to examine the impacts of different combinations of biochar, plant hill and spacing on the growth and yield parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L.) var NERICA L 19 in an inland valley swamp in Sierra Leone. The experiment was performed in a Randomized Complete Bloc...
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Socio-economic Evaluation of Women Homestead Farmers in Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Ango Adamu Kamba,
Ebenihi Ojomugbokenyode,
Tambari Ismaila Waziri,
Ahmad Nabila
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
84-88
Received:
12 October 2020
Accepted:
23 October 2020
Published:
12 March 2021
Abstract: Homestead farming system is a well-established land use systems where different crops, including trees, are grown in combination with livestock. For most people, the main aspects of homestead farming include owning a land and the buildings on it, and doing small-scale farming with the goal of being self-sufficient in food supply and an act of reducing poverty. This study evaluated the socio-economic characteristics of the homestead farmers in Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to arrive at the sample size of 120 women homestead farmers in the study area. Data for the study were collected through the use of structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. Findings of the study revealed that the homestead farmers had a mean age of 38 years, with majority (74.2%) of them being married and with appreciable farming experience. More than half (57.9%) of the women homestead farmers were into crop gardening as primary occupation; selling of agricultural products as secondary occupation (53.3%) with 6-10 family members in the household (62.5%). The study also revealed a significant relationship between the extent of engagement in homestead farming and the secondary occupation of the homestead farmers (P<0.05). The study therefore, concluded that homestead farming was not influenced by all the socio-economic characteristics of women homestead farmers and hence recommended the provision of adequate women extension workers for training of the farmers.
Abstract: Homestead farming system is a well-established land use systems where different crops, including trees, are grown in combination with livestock. For most people, the main aspects of homestead farming include owning a land and the buildings on it, and doing small-scale farming with the goal of being self-sufficient in food supply and an act of reduc...
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Children Involvement in Rice Cultivation: Assessment of Their Role and Impact in Sokoto State, Nigeria
Ango Adamu Kamba,
Mamman Muntaka,
Muhammad Ahmad,
Ndubueze Precious
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
89-97
Received:
22 October 2020
Accepted:
7 February 2021
Published:
22 March 2021
Abstract: This study assessed the role of children in rice cultivation in Sokoto state. Two Local Government areas were purposely selected from the two Agricultural Development Programme zones of the state. Data were obtained through the administration of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings of the study revealed that majority (74.99%) of the children actively participated in rice cultivation and were between the ages of 9-16 years with mean age of about 12 year and 8 months, 55% of them were males with majority enrolled in to Qur’anic schools only. Majority (84.16%) of the children spent 4-7 hours working per day with an average of 4.55days working per week with a mean income of N18,175/year. The common rice cultivation activities engaged by the children included transplanting, weeding, fertilizer application, birds scaring, harvesting and processing. All the children were motivated in to rice production business by provision of incentives (food, clothing and money). The study concludes that majority of the children were under age and engaged in to rice cultivation purposely for some life necessities and recommends that government should come up with better incentives that could attract the attention of the children towards pursuance of education and acquirance of other technical skills.
Abstract: This study assessed the role of children in rice cultivation in Sokoto state. Two Local Government areas were purposely selected from the two Agricultural Development Programme zones of the state. Data were obtained through the administration of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings of the stud...
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Seed Productivity of Various Alfalfa Varieties for the Foothill Zone of the North Caucasus
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
98-101
Received:
25 February 2021
Accepted:
12 March 2021
Published:
22 March 2021
Abstract: The purpose of the research is to evaluate different varieties of alfalfa according to a complex of economically valuable characteristics. The study was carried out in the conditions of a foothill zone of the Central Caucasus in the fields SKNIIGPSH VNC RAN. The object of the study is 8 varieties of alfalfa Sarga (control), Manycheskaya, Kizlyarskaya, Sinegibridnaya, Vega 87, Lada, Nakhodka, Mira. The tab of experiments, observations and records were carried out according to generally accepted methods. Results and practical significance. The article presents a comparative characteristic of four varieties of alfalfa according to the main economically valuable characteristics and seed productivity. As a result of the research, it was found that in terms of the yield of green mass and leafiness, the varieties of alfalfa Sinegibridnaya and Kizlyarskaya surpassed other varieties by 5-7%. High seed productivity among the tested varieties of alfalfa was possessed by the variety – Kizlyarsky. The Kizlyarsky variety combines high yield indicators of green mass, dry matter and weight of 1000 seeds. Scientific novelty. Improvement of existing and creation of new varieties of alfalfa with high seed productivity for the conditions of the foothill zone of the Central Caucasus. Methods. Records and observations were carried out according to the method of VIR and the V. R. Williams Feed Research Institute.
Abstract: The purpose of the research is to evaluate different varieties of alfalfa according to a complex of economically valuable characteristics. The study was carried out in the conditions of a foothill zone of the Central Caucasus in the fields SKNIIGPSH VNC RAN. The object of the study is 8 varieties of alfalfa Sarga (control), Manycheskaya, Kizlyarska...
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Identification and Agronomic Performance of Species of the Genus Amaranthus Grown in Burkina Faso
Ouedraogo Jacques,
Kiebre Mariam,
Kabore Boukare,
Sawadogo Boureima,
Kiebre Zakaria,
Bationo Kando Pauline
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
102-109
Received:
22 March 2021
Accepted:
12 April 2021
Published:
30 April 2021
Abstract: The present study was carried out on eighty (80) accessions from Burkina Faso. It has a double objective: to identify the different species of amaranths cultivated and to estimate their agronomic performances. To this end, twenty-four (24) descriptors were used to characterize the collection, according to a Fisher block design with three replications. The survey was conducted at the IDR experimental site in Gampèla. The study revealed a great phenotypic diversity characterized by the existence of qualitative discriminating characters of which the color of the stem and the leaves, the shape and the size of the leaves as well as the color of the inflorescence. These observations allowed us to identify seven morphotypes belonging to three species: Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Amaranthus dubius. The analysis of variance showed several discriminating quantitative characters including height, stem diameter, number of branches and number of days to flowering. The green-leaved Amaranthus cruentus species showed the highest yields of leaf biomass (283.57 g) with a long flowering cycle (72.5 days) and a high number of branching (45.6). Oval-leaved accessions with broad, long blades and early flowering were identified belonging to the species Amaranthus dubius. The light green morphotype of Amaranthus hypochondriacus species and accessions of Amaranthus dubius species yielded low foliar biomass.
Abstract: The present study was carried out on eighty (80) accessions from Burkina Faso. It has a double objective: to identify the different species of amaranths cultivated and to estimate their agronomic performances. To this end, twenty-four (24) descriptors were used to characterize the collection, according to a Fisher block design with three replicatio...
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