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Application of Aspergillus sydowii NRRL250 to Degrade Caffeine in Pu-erh Tea
Binxing Zhou,
Cunqiang Ma,
Hongzhen Wang,
Tao Xia,
Xiaohong Li,
Yang Wu
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
162-168
Received:
30 August 2018
Accepted:
17 September 2018
Published:
15 October 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.11
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Abstract: Pu-erh tea is produced by a solid-state fermentation. The natural microbiota presented in pu-erh tea influence caffeine level. In previous study, one effective fungi was selected from pu-erh tea and identified as Aspergillus sydowii NRRL250, which could lead caffeine degradation. In this paper, A. sydowii NRRL250 was inoculated into a liquid medium with different initial caffeine concentrations (600, 1200 and 1800 mg/L of caffeine, respectively) to explore caffeine degradation products. The solid-state fermentation of sun-dried tea leaves and submerged fermentation of tea infusion were carried out to investigate the application of A. sydowii NRRL250 through an inoculation. Samples were collected periodically, and the contents of caffeine, theophylline, 3-methylxanthine and theobromine were determined by HPLC. In the substrate tests, caffeine degraded drastically, theophylline and 3-methylxanthine were detected and increased obviously with the degradation of caffeine, and theobromine was not detected. In the solid-state and submerged fermentation, caffeine decreased radically (p<0.05), only about 4.14±0.771 mg/g and 157.8±10.21 mg/L of caffeine were remained, respectively. And theophylline had a dramatic increase (p<0.05), 28.29±2.463 mg/g and 501.2±13.55 mg/L of theophylline were produced in the end of the fermentation. 3-Methylxanthine also increased significantly (p<0.05) in the fermentation. Theobromine remained stable without significant change (p>0.05). Compared with the submerged fermentation without caffeine addition, the extra addition of caffeine could enhance the productions of theophylline and 3-methylxanthine significantly (p<0.05). Therefore, theophylline and 3-methylxanthine were the main degradation products from caffeine, caffeine concentration had a significant (p<0.05) effect on the productions of theophylline and 3-methylxanthine. And A. sydowii NRRL250 had great application potential to produce decaffeinated and high-theophylline tea through an inoculation.
Abstract: Pu-erh tea is produced by a solid-state fermentation. The natural microbiota presented in pu-erh tea influence caffeine level. In previous study, one effective fungi was selected from pu-erh tea and identified as Aspergillus sydowii NRRL250, which could lead caffeine degradation. In this paper, A. sydowii NRRL250 was inoculated into a liquid medium...
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FISH Analysis of Oryza latifolia and Oryza alta Genomes with 45S rDNA Probes
Zhou Hui,
Lan Weizhen,
Qin Rui,
Liu Hong,
Li Gang
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
169-175
Received:
4 September 2018
Accepted:
4 October 2018
Published:
26 October 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.12
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Abstract: Using Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization with 45S rDNA probes, we analyzed two wild rice species, Oryza alta and Oryza latifolia, both having CCDD genomes. The results showed that the hybridization signals of 45S rDNA in O.latifolia chromosome preparations were distributed on different chromosomes with the number of 10~16. The same signals in O.alta chromosome preparations were 6 and distributed on three pairs of homologous chromosomes: with two pairs in short chromosome arms and the other one pair in long chromosome arms. The number and positions of 45S rDNA signals are stable in O.alta genome, but there are some dynamic changes of signals in O.latifolia genome. Our observations indicated that there are distinct differences between the two CCDD genomes. Comparative analysis of the karyotype of O.alta and O.latifolia chromosomes based on the Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization pictures showed vast differences. We propose that the genome of O.alta may be differentiated earlier in evolution and tend to be stable, while O.latifolia may still be in its evolutionary process. Based on the imbalance of evolution and differences of genomic structure, we propose that O.alta and O.latifolia can be divided into two wild rice species, which may be better conforming with their evolution characteristics. The mechanism and characteristics of 45s rDNA’s distribution in the chromosomes are discussed.
Abstract: Using Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization with 45S rDNA probes, we analyzed two wild rice species, Oryza alta and Oryza latifolia, both having CCDD genomes. The results showed that the hybridization signals of 45S rDNA in O.latifolia chromosome preparations were distributed on different chromosomes with the number of 10~16. The same signals in O.alt...
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Issues and Recommendations on Supply-Side Structural Reform of Maize in China
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
176-181
Received:
22 August 2018
Accepted:
4 October 2018
Published:
29 October 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.13
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Abstract: The background of supply-side structural reform of maize in China to solve the problems caused by the temporary purchase and storage policy of maize. The eight years of the policy’s implementation leads to issues related to maize’s excessively temporary inventory, manifested as the significant increasement in numbers of its planting area, its output, it and its substitutes’ import have. The key concept of maize’s supply-side structural reform is to replace the previous policy with the “marketized acquisition with subsidy” in order to allow the market to be a more important role in the determination of maize’s producing, consuming and purchasing, which contributes to solve current issues. In the practice of the reform from 2016 to 2017, the influence is notable that the number of the planting area and output have decreased to a certain extent, and the government’s inventory has decreased accordingly. But there are still some concerns in the maize industry to be addressed, including balancing the interests in the short term and long term, reducing the effect of auction on inventory, balancing the relationship between the product price and planting income, reducing the potential negative effect of new processing capacity on the whole industry, taking other unfavorable factors into account, and considering the related enterprises’ lack of risk awareness. Given the above analysis, six suggestions are put forward by the author, including to design the policy on the basis of breaking the contradiction cycle, to ensure the market’s effective operation, to promote the marketization of maize price with full use of the tool of insurances and futures, to prudently implement maize processing projects, to improve farmer’s management ability, and to improve the enterprises’ risk management ability by perfecting market system.
Abstract: The background of supply-side structural reform of maize in China to solve the problems caused by the temporary purchase and storage policy of maize. The eight years of the policy’s implementation leads to issues related to maize’s excessively temporary inventory, manifested as the significant increasement in numbers of its planting area, its outpu...
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Applied Research of Water and Fertilizer Integration Technology on Garlic
Wang Fei,
Li Ning,
Yin Yanxu,
Gao Shenghua,
Yu Chuying,
Yao Minghua
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
182-185
Received:
10 August 2018
Accepted:
30 September 2018
Published:
29 October 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.14
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Abstract: Garlic (Allium Sativum L.) is a favorite vegetable that is widely cultivated around the world. Traditional ditch irrigation and ground fertilization have many drawbacks, but the advantages of water and fertilizer integration are obvious. In order to study the effect of different irrigation and fertilizer treatments on the yield in a garlic field, the main garlic variety “er shui zao”in Dangyang city was used to be observed and compared the yield of garlic sprout and garlic bolt with different water and fertilizer integrated equipment and different fertilizer structures. Compared with the ditch irrigation treatment, irrigation water and fertilizer applications were reduced by 51.56% and 38.00% respectively both in the semi-fixed micro sprinkler irrigation treatment and mobile micro spray irrigation treatment throughout the growth cycle, but evident increase of the yields were found. The yields of garlic sprout and garlic bolt could reach 3845.56 kg/667m2 and 1010.45 kg/667m2 respectively in the treatment of semi-fixed micro-sprinkler irrigation combined with the leaf-specific water-soluble fertilizer. It could increase production and efficiency, and improve the water-fertilizer utilization ratio and mitigate the environmental contamination, achieving the production goal of saving costs and increasing profits.
Abstract: Garlic (Allium Sativum L.) is a favorite vegetable that is widely cultivated around the world. Traditional ditch irrigation and ground fertilization have many drawbacks, but the advantages of water and fertilizer integration are obvious. In order to study the effect of different irrigation and fertilizer treatments on the yield in a garlic field, t...
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Small–Scale Farmers Perception on Organic Farming Status in Ondo State, Nigeria
Oyedele G. T.,
Wole-Alo F. I.,
Owolabi K. E.,
Okunlola J. O.
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
186-190
Received:
1 September 2016
Accepted:
12 October 2016
Published:
12 November 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.15
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Abstract: The study examined farmers’ perception about organic farming status in Ondo State, Nigeria with a view of expanding their knowledge on organic practices. This study adopted a random sampling technique to select one hundred and twelve respondents. Descriptive statistic like frequencies, percentage and mean were used to present study findings. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (PPMC) was used to analyse the hypothesis where p<05 determined significance. Data indicated that out of the four communities visited Ipinsa community responded very with 37.0 percent above others. Also findings revealed that majority of the respondents were male (71.4 percent) with mean age of 41 years while majority of the respondents were primary school certificate holder. Majority of the farmers had favourable perception towards organic farming in the study area only that most farmers were yet to adopt the organic system of farming. Majority of the respondents (60.7 percent) were of the opinion that organic farming was not of benefit to them. Findings the study showed that majority of the respondents practiced integrated organic farming with 76.7 percent while only 23.3 percent of the farmers practiced pure organic farming. The study recommended that women and youths should be encouraged to be actively involved when providing training on organic farming in the study area.
Abstract: The study examined farmers’ perception about organic farming status in Ondo State, Nigeria with a view of expanding their knowledge on organic practices. This study adopted a random sampling technique to select one hundred and twelve respondents. Descriptive statistic like frequencies, percentage and mean were used to present study findings. Pearso...
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Effect of Irrigation Water Quality on the Microbial Contamination of Fresh Vegetables in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Amale Mcheik,
Ali Awad,
Ali Fadel,
Carine Mounzer,
Salam Nasreddine
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
191-197
Received:
7 October 2018
Accepted:
23 October 2018
Published:
15 November 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.16
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Abstract: Irrigation water is probably the leading source of contamination of fresh vegetables in the world. In agricultural intensive areas, surface and groundwater resources are more likely to be exposed to be contaminated with zoonotic bacteria, given their close proximity to sources of faeces from livestock, dairy farms and wildlife. The aim of this study was to determine the role of irrigation water as a vehicle for the transmission of zoonotic bacteria of faecal origin and its contribution to the bacterial contamination of fresh vegetables to conclude with a need of risk management in rural areas. First, to determine the magnitude and the frequency of faecal contamination and the pathogens in the water source, the microbiological quality of the water resources used in irrigation in the studied area, including the upper Litani and the private wells located near its basin was investigated. In a second step, an assessment of the microbiological quality of the fresh vegetables irrigated from these water resources was done. A total of twelve different vegetables comprising spinach, parsley, cabbage and lettuce and 38 water samples were collected from both the well waters and the Litani River from the 5 studied sites and analyzed for a period of 5 months, to assess the microbial contamination level. Samples were analyzed for aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, E.coli and S.aureus. All vegetables sampled during the study period recorded high level of coliforms, E.coli and S.aureus. The microbial load recorded in the water samples was generally higher than that recorded in the vegetables. Since most of these vegetables are eaten fresh or slightly cooked, there is a concern on the public health that will be affected. Education of farmers and consumers on food safety has to be intensified to avert a possible outbreak.
Abstract: Irrigation water is probably the leading source of contamination of fresh vegetables in the world. In agricultural intensive areas, surface and groundwater resources are more likely to be exposed to be contaminated with zoonotic bacteria, given their close proximity to sources of faeces from livestock, dairy farms and wildlife. The aim of this stud...
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The Physiological Status of Acclimatized Simmental Cattle of the Austrian Selection in the Biogeochemical Conditions of the Lower Volga Region
Vorobyov Vladimir,
Vorobyov Dmitry,
Polkovnichenko Andrey,
Safonov Vladimir
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
198-207
Received:
17 September 2018
Accepted:
29 October 2018
Published:
26 November 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.17
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Abstract: The Lower Volga region, including Astrakhan, Volgograd and Saratov regions of the Russian Federation, is characterized by a deficit of iodine, selenium and cobalt in the main components of biogeocenoses. In 2000-2016 in soil, plants, water, organs and tissues of ruminants (total 2911 samples), selected in the Astrakhan region, the atomic adsorption spectrophotometry (Hitachi 180-50, Japan) was used to determine the content of manganese, cobalt, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, calcium, phosphorus. In addition to iodine, selenium and cobalt deficiency, low copper (from 1.1 to 19.0 mg/kg of dry matter) and molybdenum (within 0.2±12.8 mg/kg of dry matter) were found in the plants of the region. In the hay of natural lands an increased content of calcium and phosphorus was found – 2.6 and 1.2 times higher compared to the recommended norms. In the studied water samples the excess of hydrochemical parameters on hardness – in 4.4 times, magnesium content – 2.4 times, chlorides – 1.4 times, and the presence of ammonia salt was established. The current biogeochemical situation in Astrakhan region is stressful for Simmental cattle imported from Austria, where the climate and composition of plant feed is different. To assess the physiological status of imported animals 5 different age groups of Simmentals were selected 10 heads in each: 1-4 months old calves, bulls on fattening, heifers and cows. The hematological parameters, alkaline reserve, total calcium content in the blood plasma (serum), inorganic phosphorus, vitamins A, E, ascorbic acid, total protein, total lipids, cholesterol, glucose, adrenocorticosterone, cortisol, thyroxine, diene conjugates, malonic dialdehyde, Schiff bases, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in blood, peroxide resistance of erythrocytes were determined in the animals. The number of erythrocytes in the blood of cows exceeded the upper limit of the physiological norm by 17.2%, the concentration of hemoglobin – by 42.1, in all observed animals there was a shift of leukoformula to the right. Biochemical parameters of blood in all age groups of cattle were on the lower limit of norm (vitamin A, total protein, alkaline reserve, and the antioxidant enzymes activity) or below norm (glucose, thyroxine, total calcium, inorganic phosphorus), that along with an imbalance in the system “lipid peroxidation-antioxidant protection” was the evidence of incomplete adaptation to new climatic and geochemical conditions of the environment. Changes in the endocrine and metabolic profile of animals are considered as the main reasons for reducing their milk production and incomplete use of genetic potential.
Abstract: The Lower Volga region, including Astrakhan, Volgograd and Saratov regions of the Russian Federation, is characterized by a deficit of iodine, selenium and cobalt in the main components of biogeocenoses. In 2000-2016 in soil, plants, water, organs and tissues of ruminants (total 2911 samples), selected in the Astrakhan region, the atomic adsorption...
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Quantitative Study on the Moisture Properties of Japanese Cedar-Estimation of Moisture Permeability Using the Cup Method
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
208-214
Received:
17 September 2018
Accepted:
29 October 2018
Published:
14 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.18
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Abstract: Wood is a common porous material used in building interiors. It is therefore expected to adjust water vapor levels in indoor spaces. To examine humidity adjustment by wood, it is necessary to measure its moisture permeability, and to quantify humidity adjustment by wood, the accurate measurement of moisture properties is critical. This paper focuses on the measurement of the moisture permeability (λ’) of wood (Cryptomeria japonica). First, the measurement theory of the cup method and the error estimation method are described. Then, the moisture-permeability measurement results for the wood are presented. In the cup method, removal of the permeation resistance of the cup (R’cup) was important to estimate the λ’ of the materials. In particular, in the material with low moisture-permeation resistance (e.g. wood shaving), the effect of adding the R’cup was significant. The relationship between average relative humidity(H) and the moisture permeability was experimented. The results of the linear approximation are: Moisture permeability of board: λ’board = 10-6e0.0398H [kg/(msPa)], Moisture permeability of the wood shavings: λ’wood shavings = 9.8810-6H+1.2010-4 [kg/(msPa)]. The moisture permeability of wood shavings of cedar was about 10 times that of the cedar board. It is therefore confirmed that moisture permeability can be increased by changing the shape of a wooden material.
Abstract: Wood is a common porous material used in building interiors. It is therefore expected to adjust water vapor levels in indoor spaces. To examine humidity adjustment by wood, it is necessary to measure its moisture permeability, and to quantify humidity adjustment by wood, the accurate measurement of moisture properties is critical. This paper focuse...
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Strategies to Improve the Contributions of Agroforestry Research to the Adoption of Tree Planting Among Rural Farmers in Oyo State Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
215-225
Received:
9 October 2018
Accepted:
2 November 2018
Published:
18 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.19
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Abstract: Forestry research efforts meant to solve problems in the forestry sector are not meeting the targeted goals. This is due to some problems encountered by forestry research organizations in Nigeria. The situation in the rural communities in the country is such that most rural farmers are not planting trees as expected, resulting in increasing scarcity of wood products. This has resulted to increased call for tree planting. As such this study takes a look at the contributions of agroforestry research to the adoption of tree planting among rural farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. It examines the problems faced by research organizations in carrying out research and the problems faced by rural farmers that are planting trees. This is with a view to fashioning out strategies that will help to improve the contributions of forestry research organizations to the adoption of tree planting among rural famers in the study area. Two sets of questionnaires were used to collect data for this study. The first set was administered on forestry researchers at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Ibadan and at Oyo State Forestry Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (20 copies each). The second set of questionnaire was administered on rural farmers in the state. Five LGAs out of thirty-three LGAs (14%) were purposively selected. Three rural communities in each sampled LGA were randomly selected to make a total of 15 communities. Twenty local farmers were purposively selected in each sampled community to make a total of 300 respondents. The results of the study showed that the areas agroforestry research has influenced tree planting among rural farmers include tree breeding, forest economics and marketing and forestry extension. Forestry research organizations are however faced with some problems in the conduct of agroforestry research. The most prominent among these problems are lack of funds and poor power supply. Rural farmers are also faced with some problems which hinder them from planting trees. These problems include lack of land, non-availability of tree seedlings and long gestation period of trees. In view of these the following strategies can help to improve the contribution of agroforestry research to the adoption of tree planting among rural farmers in the study area. These include improved forestry extension, improved funding of forestry research, improved training for forestry research personnel and provision of land to rural farmers.
Abstract: Forestry research efforts meant to solve problems in the forestry sector are not meeting the targeted goals. This is due to some problems encountered by forestry research organizations in Nigeria. The situation in the rural communities in the country is such that most rural farmers are not planting trees as expected, resulting in increasing scarcit...
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Geostatistical Analysis of Spatial Distribution of Endoclita signifer Larvae on Eucalyptus
Xiuhao Yang,
Jianglin Qin,
Youqing Luo,
Zhongwu Yang,
Jiguang Wei
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
226-236
Received:
14 October 2018
Accepted:
10 November 2018
Published:
24 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.20
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Abstract: Endoclita signifer is a native wood borer species adapted to infest Eucalyptus in Guangxi of China. To better understand its spatial distribution in Eucalyptus forests, geostatistical approach was employed to analyze survey data of small scale (plantation level) and large scale (provincial level). The small scale results showed that the spatial distribution pattern was clumped regardless of infestation level. But the distance of spatial dependence was different with different infestation levels. These distances were 20.0 m, 40.3 m and 69.4 m for light, moderate and severe infestation levels, respectively. This indicated that as infestation level increased, the spatial distribution was less clumped. At the large scale level, the spatial distribution pattern was random when infestation was light. At the moderate and severe infestation level, the distribution pattern was clumped. The distance of spatial dependence was 43.6 km, 15.5 km and 12.47 km for light, moderate and severe infestation, respectively. This trend was opposite to that of the small scale. The large scale survey results reflected the occurrence of E. signifer in Guangxi province. Eucalyptus trees are cultivated in every county of Guangxi. Plantations with light infestation were scattered in a random pattern across the province. Moderate and severe infested plantations were mainly distributed in the central and southern areas of the province where Eucalyptus cultivation has longer history compared to other areas. Furthermore, the distance of spatial dependence was 17.4 km and 21.3 km for the 2nd generation forests (ratoon) and the 1st generation forests (established via seedlings), respectively. The observed spatial distribution patterns of E. signifer larvae seemed closely related to its biology and its successful adaptation to attack exotic Eucalyptus. These results provide fundamental knowledge for forecasting and evaluating E. signifer infestation and damage of Eucalyptus forests.
Abstract: Endoclita signifer is a native wood borer species adapted to infest Eucalyptus in Guangxi of China. To better understand its spatial distribution in Eucalyptus forests, geostatistical approach was employed to analyze survey data of small scale (plantation level) and large scale (provincial level). The small scale results showed that the spatial dis...
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Growth and Yield Response of Maize (Zea mays L) Varieties with Varying Rates of Nitrogen Supply in Halalaba District South Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
237-245
Received:
16 October 2018
Accepted:
13 November 2018
Published:
24 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.21
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Abstract: A field experiment involving different N fertilizer rates (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha-1) was conducted to determine the effect of N on two varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) growth, and yield in Halaba district, Southern Ethiopia using a randomized complete block design with three replications of two varieties. The results of the study indicated that application of N fertilizer significantly increased the grain yield of maize mainly through its positive effects on the crop‘s growth and, yield and also the two tested maize varieties are significantly different under different rates of nitrogen by the different agronomic characteristics. In the study, application of 90 kg N ha-1 in pioneer shone variety significantly (P < 0.05) increased maize grain yield, number of ears, ear length, leaves per plant, seeds per ear, height of plant. At this N level grain yield increased by 4783.167 kg ha-1 (121.0673%) over its control plot. At the optimum application rate of 90 kg N ha-1, observed highest grain yield (8734kg ha-1), and other growth and yield related agronomic characteristics (number of ears, ear length, leaves per plant, seeds per ear, height of plant). This result implies that the pioneer variety at the application of 90KgN/ha can be recommended for the production of optimum maize yield in the study areas.
Abstract: A field experiment involving different N fertilizer rates (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha-1) was conducted to determine the effect of N on two varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) growth, and yield in Halaba district, Southern Ethiopia using a randomized complete block design with three replications of two varieties. The results of the study indicated ...
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Efficacy of Three Insecticides in the Control Gall Wasp Leptocybe invasa in Eucalyptus urograndis Seedlings
Aires Mbanze,
Daniel Salvador Castilho,
Custódio Matavel,
Romana Bandeira,
Carlos Fernado Jairoce
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
246-252
Received:
21 October 2018
Accepted:
15 November 2018
Published:
24 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.22
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Abstract: Forestry expertise and plantations managers are struggling to find cheaper and sustainable solutions to contain the losses caused by Leptocybe invasa in the last nine years on the forest stands in Mozambique. Aiming to help find a solution in the control of L. invasa early in the nursery, we conducted an experimental trial at the Niassa Forestry company nursery, located in the Niassa province, northern Mozambique in February 2015. Three insecticides: Acetamiprid, Thiamethoxam, Imidacloprid, with and without adherent and pH regulator were tested. The experiment had seven treatments including the control. The number of seedlings infested by the gall wasp were assessed 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after the seeds were sown in the nursery. Data were analysed in R package. Normality and homogeneity of variances were tested through Shapiro-Wilk and Bartlett's tests respectively. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and parametric means test (Tukey-HSD), were used to assess whether there was difference among the treatments. Results showed difference between treatments at 0.01% of significance after 15, 30 and 45 days and at 5% in the 60 days after sowing. With less seedlings infested by the gall wasp, Imidacloprid with and without adherent was almost superior compared to all other pesticides in all assessment. The use of adherent and pH regulators negatively affected the performance of insecticides, except in the Imidacloprid. This study findings should not however, be overall generalized, instead, more research can be conducted to verify the consistency of these results before being widely implemented.
Abstract: Forestry expertise and plantations managers are struggling to find cheaper and sustainable solutions to contain the losses caused by Leptocybe invasa in the last nine years on the forest stands in Mozambique. Aiming to help find a solution in the control of L. invasa early in the nursery, we conducted an experimental trial at the Niassa Forestry co...
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Influence of Scattered Cordiaafricana and Crotonmacrostachyus Trees on Selected Soil Properties, Microclimate and Maize Yield in Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia
Muktar Mohammed,
Alemayehu Beyene,
Muktar Reshad
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
253-262
Received:
2 November 2018
Accepted:
30 November 2018
Published:
24 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20180606.23
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Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate the impact of scattered trees in farmland on selected soil physicochemical properties, microclimates, and maize grain yieldin Oda Bultum district, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia. For the experiment of soil physicochemical properties, three factors: distance from tree trunk with four levels (at 0.5m of crown, mid of crown, edge of crown radius and open field), soil depth with two levels (0-15cm and 15–30cm depth) and tree species with two levels with factorial arrangement in RCBD replicated four times were employed. For microclimates and maize yield only two factors; distance from tree trunk with two levels(at mid crown & open field) for microclimates and distance with four levels(at 0.5m of crown, mid of crown, edge of crown radius and open field) for maize yield and tree species (Cordiaafricana and Croton macrostachyus) with two levels in RCBD replicated four times were used. The result revealed soil texture was not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by tree species. Soil bulk density was significantly (p<0.05) lower under canopy of trees than open field, and in surface than in subsurface soils. Soil chemical properties (SOC, total N, available P, exchangeable K and CEC) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in canopy than open field and in surface than subsurface. Soil pH and EC were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by both tree species. Relative illumination, air temperature, soil temperature were significantly (p<0.05) higher at open field than canopy zone while soil moisture was significantly (p<0.05) higher under canopy of trees than open field. Though not significant, maize yield was slightly higher at open field than canopy zone. It can be concluded that these tree species have the potential to improve soil fertility and moisture beneath its canopy. Thus, integration of these trees on farmlands might require proper tree crown management to increase relative illumination under the canopy and increase grain yield of maize.
Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate the impact of scattered trees in farmland on selected soil physicochemical properties, microclimates, and maize grain yieldin Oda Bultum district, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia. For the experiment of soil physicochemical properties, three factors: distance from tree trunk with four levels (at 0.5m of crown, mid of ...
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