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Effects of Lime-Aluminium-Phosphate Interactions on Maize Growth and Yields in Acid Soils of the Kenya Highlands
Esther Mwende Muindi,
Jerome Mrema,
Ernest Semu,
Peter Mtakwa,
Charles Gachene
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2015
Pages:
244-252
Received:
16 October 2015
Accepted:
24 October 2015
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: Soil acidity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are some of the major causes of low maize yields in Kenya. Although considerable work has been done to establish liming rates for acid soils in many parts of the world, information on the effects of the lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield is limiting. A green house pot experiment was conducted at Waruhiu Farmers Training Centre, Githunguri to evaluate the effects of lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield in acid soils of the Kenya highlands. Extremely acidic (pH 4.48) and strongly acidic (pH 4.59) soils were used for the study. Four lime (CaO) rates and phosphorus (Ca (H2PO4)2 rates were used. The liming rates were: 0, 2.2, 5.2 and 7.4 tonnes ha-1 for extremely acidic soil and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 for the strongly acidic soil. Phosphorus applications rates were: 0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.59 mg P kg-1 soil for the extremely acidic soil and 0, 0.13, 0.26, and 0.51 mg P kg-1 for strongly acidic soil. The experiments were a 42 factorial laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected included: plant height, number of leaves, P-uptake and maize dry matter yield. Lime-Al-P interaction significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased P concentrations in maize tissues, maize height, dry matter yields. Use of 7.4 tonnes ha-1 in extremely acidic soils and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 in strongly acidic soils significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased maize height compared to lower lime rates. Phosphorus uptake and dry matter yields did not however, vary when 7.4 tonnes ha-1 lime was combined with either 0.59 mg P kg-1 or 0.3 mg P kg-1 in extremely acidic soils, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 was combined with either 0.51 mg P kg-1 or 0.26 mg P kg-1 in strongly acidic soils. It was, therefore, concluded that lime and P positively interact to reduce Aluminium toxicity in the soils and improve maize growth, P uptake and yields in acid soils in the Kenya highlands. However, further research is required to evaluate long term effects of the interactions on crop yields, uptake of plant nutrients under field conditions.
Abstract: Soil acidity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are some of the major causes of low maize yields in Kenya. Although considerable work has been done to establish liming rates for acid soils in many parts of the world, information on the effects of the lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield is limiting. A green house pot experiment was conducted...
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Ecotourism Potential in Gilgit-Baltistan (A Case Study of Khunjerab National Park)
Syed Naeem Abbas,
Mujeeb Sardar,
Mamoona Wali Muhammad,
Yawar Abbas,
Rizwan Karim,
Nawazish Ali,
Saeed Abbas,
Syed Ali Haider
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2015
Pages:
253-259
Received:
28 October 2015
Accepted:
4 November 2015
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: The Khunjerab National Park (KNP) which is one of the highest Parks in the world existing above 4000 meters. A random sampling technique was applied to select respondents. The total sample drawn was 28. A structured questionnaire was used in face to face interviews to collect data. Basically, interviewees included three different groups of stakeholders: KNP management, village committee members, and tourists. Different tourism- related questions were designed for different types of targeted groups, but they generally revolved around ecotourism planning, management issues, and the impacts of the ecotourism project. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 18. The results showed male respondent were dominated i.e. 86% and female were 14%. The majority of the respondents were having diverse occupation categories as 25% of them were each government/semi government and private sectors followed by 21% each from student and business category, and finally 4% each from house wife and retired persons from government and private. 100% of the respondents were literate. Most respondent were well awared about the eco tourism and minimal impacts on the environment. Majority of the tourist confirmed that they like ecotourism, only 5% were not sure. The ecotourism may be enhanced in KNP by importance were destination and facilities (32% each) popularity (18%), price (11%) and referrals 7% respectively. Ecotourism is greatly affected by its destination and facilities. An average of about Rs 2000 per day is spent to visit KNP. This will provide an opportunity of employment for local people
Abstract: The Khunjerab National Park (KNP) which is one of the highest Parks in the world existing above 4000 meters. A random sampling technique was applied to select respondents. The total sample drawn was 28. A structured questionnaire was used in face to face interviews to collect data. Basically, interviewees included three different groups of stakehol...
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Economics of Rural Livelihoods: A Case Study of Bitter Kola Marketing in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Asa Ubong Andem,
Daniel Enwongo Aniedi,
Ebong Effiong Okon
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2015
Pages:
260-263
Received:
8 November 2015
Accepted:
18 November 2015
Published:
7 December 2015
Abstract: The study examined the economics of bitter kola marketing in rural areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A sample size of 120 bitter kola marketers was selected for the study using a two-stage sampling procedure. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. Findings reveal that 61.7% of the respondents were females with an average age of 37 years; 58.3% were married and 85% had formal education. The average household size of the respondents comprised of six persons and their average years of bitter kola marketing experience was also six years. Budgetary analysis indicated the bitter kola marketing in the study area is profitable with a marketing efficiency of 135.2%. Transportation costs, poor marketing channels, price fluctuation, perishability and seasonality of the product were the most severe constraints to bitter kola marketing faced by the respondents. -Findings recommend, among others, that the Government (State and Local Government) endeavour to provide basic infrastructure such as good road networks in the rural areas of the state since high cost of transportation was the most severe constraint to bitter kola marketing in the study area.
Abstract: The study examined the economics of bitter kola marketing in rural areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A sample size of 120 bitter kola marketers was selected for the study using a two-stage sampling procedure. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and budgeting technique. Findings reveal that 61.7% of the respondents were females...
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Morphological and Molecular Analysis Using RAPD in Biofield Treated Sponge and Bitter Gourd
Mahendra Kumar Trivedi,
Alice Branton,
Dahryn Trivedi,
Gopal Nayak,
Mayank Gangwar,
Snehasis Jana
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2015
Pages:
264-270
Received:
24 October 2015
Accepted:
6 November 2015
Published:
21 December 2015
Abstract: Plants are known to have sense and can respond to touch, electric and magnetic field. The present study was designed on the sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrical) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) seeds with respect to biofield energy treatment. The seeds of each crop were divided into two groups, one was kept control, while the other group was subjected to Mr. Trivedi’ biofield energy treatment. The variabilities in growth contributing parameters were studied and compared with their control. To study the genetic variability after biofield energy treatment, both the seeds were analyzed for DNA fingerprinting using RAPD method. After germination, the plants of sponge gourd were reported to have uniform colored leaves and strong stem. The leaves and fruits of sponge gourd showed no infection, with anti-gravity properties during early stage of fruiting as compared with the control group. Similarly, treated bitter gourd showed uniform color of leaves, strong stem, with disease free fruits in biofield treated seeds as compared with the control. The true polymorphism (%) observed between control and treated samples of sponge and bottle gourd seed sample was an average value of 7.8% and 66% respectively. In conclusion, Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment has the ability to alter the plant growth rate that may by interacting with plant genome, which resulted in high yield of crops.
Abstract: Plants are known to have sense and can respond to touch, electric and magnetic field. The present study was designed on the sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrical) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) seeds with respect to biofield energy treatment. The seeds of each crop were divided into two groups, one was kept control, while the other group was subj...
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Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Yield and Yield Components of Barley (Hordeum Vugarae L.) Varieties at Damot Gale District, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia
Mesfin Kassa,
Zemach Sorsa
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2015
Pages:
271-275
Received:
23 April 2015
Accepted:
10 December 2015
Published:
22 December 2015
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Damot Gale District, Wolaita Zone, SNNPRS to evaluate the response of barely varieties to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application since the response varies from location to location due to several factors. Thus, there is a need to determine specific nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requirement of specific variety. The barley varieties (HB1370 and Shage) were used as test crop and the experiment contained factorial combination of four levels of N/P (0/0, 23/10, 46/20, 69/30 kg ha-1) and was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results from this study indicated that nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer showed no significant effect on number of days to heading while number of fertile tillers, total biomass and yield were significantly increased by application of nitrogen and phosphorus. However, the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus were significant (P < 0.05) on plant height, spike length, number of seeds per spike and grain yield. In general, grain yield tended to be higher under NP 69/30 kg ha-1 treatment (2.02t/ha). In contrast, the lowest grain yield (0.86t/ha) was obtained from 0/0 NP treatment, although the interaction effects of nitrogen and phosphorus were significant on treatments with varieties and balanced amount of nitrogen and phosphorus. The future studies should articulate towards the studies involving more varieties, multi-location and additional rates of nitrogen and phosphorus applications, under diverse management practices such as research and farmer’s field’s conditions, which may facilitate fine-tuning of fertilizer recommendations.
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Damot Gale District, Wolaita Zone, SNNPRS to evaluate the response of barely varieties to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application since the response varies from location to location due to several factors. Thus, there is a need to determine specific nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requirement of specifi...
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Technological Gaps in Adoption of Improved Soybean Production Technology by Soybean Growers in Dahod District, Gujarat
R. G. Machhar,
S. K. Patel,
H. L. Kacha,
U. M. Patel,
G. D. Patel,
R. Radha Rani
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2015
Pages:
276-279
Received:
26 November 2014
Accepted:
17 August 2015
Published:
25 December 2015
Abstract: The present study was conducted in Dahod district of Gujarat State, India. Fifteen villages of Dahod district and ten farmers from each village were selected randomly for the study. Thus, in all, 150 soybean growers constituted the sample for this investigation. The data for this study was collected by arranging personal interview and filling up of the survey performa. The results of the study revealed that the technological gap of all categories of respondents was found to be negatively and significantly related with the independent variables viz. level of knowledge, education, social participation, source of information utilized and cropping intensity. Further, it was found that technological gap among the marginal farmers’ was negatively and significantly related with one independent variable i.e. farm implements. Age was positively and significantly related with the technological gap in recommended soybean production technology.
Abstract: The present study was conducted in Dahod district of Gujarat State, India. Fifteen villages of Dahod district and ten farmers from each village were selected randomly for the study. Thus, in all, 150 soybean growers constituted the sample for this investigation. The data for this study was collected by arranging personal interview and filling up of...
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