Current Topics in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 8

For effective selection of a crop species studying the genetic variability parameters plays a key role. Primary requirement of any breeding program for the crop improvement is the presence of desirable variation and the amount of that variation which is heritable. As a result, any breeding effort for crop development is heavily reliant on genetic variability, heritability, and genetic progress. During rabi 2019, the genetic variability study for yield and yield contributing variables in 37 genotypes of rabi sorghum with three checks, M 35-1, Phule Suchitra, and CSV-22-R, was carried out at Sorghum Research Station, V.N.M.K.V., Parbhani. The treatments were reviewed and data for 11 traits were recorded using a randomised block design with three replications, with the goal of estimating the genetic variability for quantitative traits. The presence of highly significant differences among genotypes was discovered, demonstrating a great level of variability in all 11 features tested. When phenotypic coefficients of variation are compared to genotypic coefficients of variation, greater estimates of phenotypic coefficients of variation are found, and these estimates are of smaller magnitude. VJV 107, VJV 106, PEC 30, RSV 1921, RSV 1945, and RSV 1984 were regarded the superior genotypes among the forty genotypes studied because they performed better. The present study was undertaken with objective to estimate the genetic variability for the quantitative traits.

The use of natural zeolite can contribute to the improvement of soil quality. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of zeolite and its combination with organic fertilizers on soil quality and crop yield. This chapter analyzes the effects of the use of natural zeolite and its combinations with organic matter in two degraded soils whose location and edaphoclimatic conditions are described below: Soil I. The study was undertaken in the sugarcane growing areas of the northern coast of Villa Clara province in the municipality of Sagua La Grande, the Experimental Station of Sugarcane "Jesus Menendez" is localised at  22⁰81'19" N latitude and 80⁰ 03'74" W longitudes. The soil under study was Vertisols (Soil Survey Staff, 1999). Vertisols are very clayey, but plastic under intense water regime. The local climate is clasisified as Aw according to  Köppen. Annual rainfall in the study area is 1150 mm and average temperature is 25°C. Soil II. The study was carried out at Copiapo Province, Atacama Desert (Chile), located at 27⁰31'46" south and 70⁰16'00" west. Climate in the region is classified as “cold desert” (BWk) according to the Köppen–Geiger classification (Peel, Finlayson, and McMahon 2007). Mean annual precipitation is 18 mm, with an average temperature of 16.1°C, and 74% relative humidity. Agroecosystems here are highly degraded, comprising recently cultivated saline and non-saline-sodic soils in pre-cordillera topographic   conditions   at   an   altitude of 1300m.a.s.l. The soils are classified as Typic Haplocambids Haplocambids – Sodic Xeric Haplocambids (Aridisols), Soil Taxonomy; Haplic Solonchaks-Haplic Solonetz, FAO UNESCO; Haplic Solonchaks-Haplic Solonetz, WRB. In the Soil I the best results on cane yield were obtained with the treatment Z 7.5 t ha-1 + SFC 22.5 t ha-1, which represent a relative increase of 200% vs control wihout fertilization. Relations between soil properties and principal component analysis confirm the good response of zeolite application on soil quality and sugarcane yield. In the Soil II The alfalfa/organic matter/zeolite combinations, in a short period of time (3 years), produced changes in the soil from slightly sodic (ESP = 14.62%) to non-sodic (ESP = 5.32%). The best plant growth responses under semi-controlled conditions were obtained with 8t ha-1 zeolite + 4t ha-1compost. The integrated use of agroecological management considering organic fertilizers, natural minerals and alfalfa leads to mineralogical transformations of the saline and sodic soils under study. This results in the release of assimilable nutrients and the decrease in pH and the ESP.

Potassium plays a vital in the plant metabolism and has a major plant nutrient but its role has been neglected in Indian agriculture. During plant growth potassium is need to plant in large quantities so it is classified as macronutrient. In last few decades main focus is only on nitrogen and phosphoric fertilizer application resulting in lowering the level of potassium in soil. Thoroughly investigation on the optimization of nitrogen and phosphoric fertilizer is important to know the interaction between the N, P, and K fertilizers. Now a day’s potassium deficiency is a major concern because it plays a major role to strengthen the plant defense system. Rather than the fertilizers potassium can be applied in soil by application of effluents like waste water of olive oil mill and they have direct effect of increasing exchangeable K in soil, but this increases smaller than that of produced by K fertilizers. Reason behind the decrease in the level of potassium in soil as well as sub soil is might be due to the leaching losses and higher uptake by the crop plant and lost from soil in the form of crop harvest. The current practice of application of potassium fertilizer is without taking into consideration of soil K status as well as plant demand is either limiting the crop yield resulting in K mining by the crop plants. Lower level of potassium in intensive agriculture leads to gradual decrease in the yield. Therefore if we want the steady state of yield and increased level of yield than we have to maintain the level of potassium in soil at optimum by fertilizer application after knowing the present level potassium in soil by soil analysis for available potassium.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Rhizobium and rock phosphate fertilizer application on soil chemical properties in green-gram varieties. The study was carried out at Chuka university horticultural research farm in two seasons (November 2019 - January 2020 and February - April 2020). A factorial experiment of 2 x 2 x 2 was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were three factors; varieties (N26 and KS20), rock phosphate (0 and 30 kg P ha^-1) and Rhizobium inoculation (0 and 100 g ha^-1) making a total of eight treatments which were replicated three times. Before planting and after harvesting of green-grams, soil pH, fixed-N, total nitrogen (TN), exchangeable cations (EC), available phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC), and exchangeable potassium (K) were sampled and analyzed. Data was analysed using GENSTAT 15^th edition (P\(\leq\)0.05). Results from both seasons indicated that combined application of rock phosphate at 30 kg P ha^-1 and Rhizobium inoculation at 100 kg ha^-1 showed significant (P\(\leq\)0.05) higher increase in soil chemical properties over other treatments. However, treatment R1P1KS20 recorded significantly higher results in soil pH (7.54), TN (0.58%), TOC (3.45%), P (68.20 ppm) and EC (0.95 CmolKg^-1), fixed-N (0.50%) and K (1.75 CmolKg^-1). On the other hand treatment R0P0N26 recorded significant (P\(\leq\)0.05) lower results in soil pH (5.23), TN (0.04%), TOC (1.86%), P (8.76 ppm), EC (0.21 CmolKg^-1) and K (0.58 CmolKg^-1). As a result, Rhizobium inoculation in green-grams with rock phosphate is an essential legume nitrogen fixation enhancement strategy. Farmers can use this technology to supplement nitrogen and phosphorus in their crops in a cost-effective way for enhanced soil fertility management. Based on the findings, a sustainable soil fertility management strategy in Tharaka Nithi County should include Rhizobium 100g ha-1 and rock phosphate 30 kg P ha^-1, as well as the variety KS20.

Vegetables are sensitive to climate change. Therefore, cultivars that are resistant to climate change are an alternative. This study aims to examine the adaptability of selected lines and varieties of tomatoes and chilies in farmers' fields. Five lines and superior varieties of chili and tomato were selected. The trial was conducted using a randomized block design in the highlands and lowlands to determine the response of the selected cultivars to the new agroecosystem. There were three replicates at each site. The results showed significant differences at each site. Some of the improved chili lines performed better than others in the highlands. However, its performance depends on the altitude and the season.  In the two research locations (highlands and lowlands), the Permata variety was the best because it could produce the highest production; production rate below CLN2026 and CLN3024. CLN2026 shows good performance when cultivated in mild rainy conditions. For tomato lines, the performance was better in the highlands than in the lowlands. For chili, the Kencana variety produces the most fruit, but it is small and short, the production is lower. High production lines are AVPP0514 and 0513AVPP at two heights. Based on these findings, it is suggested to farmers to choose the best line according to the location where they will cultivate tomatoes and chilies.

The materials of European-style wine created from Georgian native Rkatsiteli varieties have been investigated. The addition of nitrogenous compounds, such as diammonium phosphate (DAP) and alternative nitrogen substance (ANS), causes alcoholic fermentation of grape juice. Higher alcohols are identified by a strong, pungent smell and taste and can have a significant effect on the sensorial quality and character of wine and brandy  Higher alcohol and residual sugar concentrations in produced wine materials have been researched in response to the following factors: The concentration of alternative nitrogen substance, temperature of alcoholic fermentation and titratable acidity, for the experiment have been used wine materials fermented by the natural microflora, strains of cultural yeast Sacch. Vini - kakhuri 42, Sacch. Vini - Rkatsiteli 61 and dry yeast B 2000. Significantly lower concentrations of higher alcohols (fusel oils) produced in the fermentation of grape juice by natural microflora, pure yeast cultures, and dry yeast have been discovered as significant favorable impacts of alternative nitrogenous substance (ANS).

Data transformation is the most appropriate remedial measure in the situation where the variances are heterogeneous and are some functions of means. With this technique, the original data are converted to a new scale resulting into a new data set that is expected to satisfy the homogeneity of variances. Because a common transformation scale is applied to all observations, the comparative values between treatments are not altered and comparison between them remains valid. Error partitioning is the remedial measure of heterogeneity that usually occurs in experiments, where, due to the nature of treatments tested some treatments have errors that are substantially higher (lower) than others. In the present chapter, we discussed the most commonly used data transformation techniques with real world examples.

The primary goal of this research is to employ field corn genes to improve the overall quality of sweet corn, particularly the \(\beta\)-carotene levels. Biofortification, which involves producing plants with greater nutrient composition, is one of the most significant methods for eliminating or minimizing nutrient shortages. Kernels and flour-Hunter b*values varied significantly among genotypes of 7 sweet corn, 8 field corn, and 3 F₁ field-sweet corn crosses studied. In the cross between inbred 2605-1288Y (yellow field corn "P₁₆") and Country Gentleman cv. (white sweet corn "P₁₉"), the flour yellowness index of the F₁ crosses was between the mid-parent and the lower parent, but larger than the better-parent throughout the cross between Inbred 82 (white field corn “P₁₂”) and Golden Bantam cv. (yellow sweet corn "P₂₀"). HPLC analysis of zeaxanthin,  \(\beta\)-cryptoxanthin, \(\alpha\) -carotene, and \(\beta\)-carotene quantities reported a significant heterogeneity in carotenoid content among genotypes and crosses. According to HPLC results, F₁ field-sweet corn crosses differed significantly in \(\alpha\) - and \(\beta\)-carotene. F₁ of P₁₂ x P₂₀ cross gathered the most zeaxanthin and \(\beta\)-cryptoxanthin, but F₁ of P₁₆ x P₁₉ cross and P₁₂ x P₉ cross accumulated much more \(\alpha\) - and \(\beta\)-carotene. The yellowness index was calculated using data from parents, F₁, F₂, and backcross populations in P₁₆ x P₁₉ cross and P₁₂ x P₂₀ cross. Both non-additive and additive gene effects had a considerable influence on the yellowness index, with the non-additive gene having a stronger dominant influence. This trait was inherited with a partial dominance towards the lower parent, and heritability estimates were relatively high in both wide and narrow senses. There was no evident correlation between grain colour and \(\beta\)-carotene, although polymorphisms in lycopene epsilon cyclase (lcyE), which is thought to govern the percentage of carotenes, revealed substantial changes in either \(\alpha\) - or \(\beta\)-branch carotenoids among genotypes and crosses. lcyE amplification was seen in two F₁ field-sweet corn crosses,P₁₂ x P₉ and P₁₆ x P₁₉ with high \(\beta\)-carotene content. The flavour of sweet corn can be enhanced by breeding with field corn. Along with \(\beta\)-carotene content, functional variation of LcyE among genotypes yielded significant results. Sweet corn genotypes that were tested were unable to amplify LcyE and had low levels of \(\beta\)-carotene, whereas field corn inbreds that were able to amplify LcyE had high levels of \(\beta\)-carotene. The results obtained constitute a vital breakthrough toward breeding more adaptive and nutritious sweet corn.

This study aimed to obtain a potato farming conservation technology package that can increase the productivity and income of potato farming and reduce the soil erosion rate. With the soil erosion problem in potato cultivation especially on sloping land, there is some cultivation technique to manage that problem which can also increase the potato yield and decrease the loss of plant nutrients. The comparison of farmer patterns, improved patterns, and the integrated patterns will provide a view of the best pattern of potato cultivation. Each pattern gives an overview of different plant performance, pest and disease attack, potato yield, and reduction of soil erosion that has been seen from soil structure and nutrients in soil and plants. Besides that, the integrated pattern is a very suitable pattern to use to reduce erosion and deal with sloping land farming problems.

The present study was carried out to determine the growth stage at which the number of leaves and plant height best predict the grain and biomass production of DK8031 maize grown in Embu County, Kenya. The study was an RCBD laid out in a split plot arrangement in which irrigation levels and nitrogen rates were assigned the main and sub-plot treatments, respectively. The MLR models gave very good estimates of grain yield in Season II compared to Season I, with maize grain yield of 3,968 kg/ha that was only just above the observed yield of 3,966 kg/ha, making it promising for use in maize growing in Embu County, Kenya. At harvest, grain yields were measured and data was maintained using Microsoft Excel and the SAS computer program (V9.0). When using single factor regression, the correlation coefficient (r) and coefficient of determination (R²) for the best model fits were in the eighth week; when using multilinear regression functions, the correlation coefficient (r) and coefficient of determination (R²) for the best model fits were in the sixth week. For the latter crop, the coefficients were often substantially lower. The best fit for predicting yield is possible six weeks after sowing the crop, according to multifactor regression models employing the same agronomic characteristics. This is significant because it provides the maize grower with an early opportunity to determine whether to continue increasing, reducing, or stopping additional crop resource inputs. Such a decision helps in maize production for commercialization or domestic use with reasonable resource utilization.

In Tanzania and elsewhere in the region, the majority of resource-poor farmers use their own non-commercial quality farm-saved seeds of lesser-priority crops like pigeon pea. Such seed is always suspect in terms of quality. A survey was conducted in northern Tanzanian districts of Karatu and Babati with objectives: i) to establish quality status of the farm-saved seeds of the pigeon pea crop, ii) to determine the crop’s production characteristics in relation with seeds used. Farm-saved seeds from 80 farmers from the previous crop season were gathered for laboratory quality assessment. Only roughly 7.5 percent of the samples in both districts were of acceptable grade, based on three physical quality criteria of seed: germination capacity, purity, and moisture content. The majority of samples failed, particularly in terms of purity. Overall, 66.2 percent of the farmers employed local traditional kinds of the crop rather than improved versions, and the majority were sowing as many as four seeds per hill. Intercropping was employed by 88.7% of the farmers for the pigeon pea, 53.8 percent used store pest pesticides on their crop, and the vast majority did not sort the seeds they used for or prior to sowing. It is anticipated that production qualities are related to seed quality to some extent, although additional research is needed.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of feed restriction prior to slaughter on the carcass weight of male broiler chicks aged 32 to 40 days. 180 male broiler chicks (Pure line) were randomly selected, labeled, and separated into six groups. The experimental groups were started on the experimental feeding program when they were 32 days old. For eight days, group A was fed ad libitum (control), while groups B and C were fed 120 and 60 gm/bird/day, respectively. Groups D and E fed 120 and 60 grams each bird per day for four days, respectively, followed by four days of no feeding. Food was withheld from Group F for the duration of the experiment (8 days). The experimental diet, which included sorghum, groundnut cake, broiler concentrate, calcium, salt, lysine, methionine, and premix, was designed to be roughly iso caloric-iso nitrogenous. Live body weight, feed consumption, mortality, carcass, and non-carcass data were all measured. The effect of the feed restriction program on male broiler chicks was not significant from 32 to 34 days of age for parameters of final live body weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage. Still, net weight (gain or loss) was affected by the feed restriction program and showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) between experimental groups. Male broilers subjected to feed restriction exhibited the lowest readings for final live body weight, net weight (gain or loss), and carcass weight from 32 to 36 days of age, and the difference was significant (P< 0.01). During the time from 32 to 36 days of age, there has been no significant difference in dressing percentage between experimental groups (P> 0.05). During the period from 32 to 38 days and 32 to 40 days of age, all parameters were significantly affected by the feed restriction program. It was established that the carcass weight of broiler chickens may be regulated utilizing a variety of feed restriction strategies based on market demand and producer circumstances, with a particular focus on the economic return.   

This study was conducted to evaluate the proximate, mineral, anti-nutritional and amino acid compositions of Ficus glumosa leaves and stem bark. All investigations followed well-established analytical protocols. The Technicon Sequential Multisample (TSM) Amino Acid Analyzer was used to do amino acid analysis using ion exchange chromatography (IEC). The leaves and stem bark of Ficus glumosa had moisture values of 9.78 and 9.67 percent, respectively, according to the findings. The leaves had a crude protein content of 18.8 percent, whereas the stem bark had a crude protein content of 7.73 percent. The mineral content of the leaves was found to be higher than that of the stem bark. The Na/K ratios in the leaves and stem bark were 0.048 and 0.09, respectively. Tannins had the highest amounts of 5.42 and 12.5 (mgTAE/g) among the four anti-nutrients tested for the leaves and stem bark, respectively. The leaves and stem bark contained 95.2 and 83.4 g/100 g cp amino acids, respectively, according to amino acid compositions. Glu was the most concentrated amino acid, with values of 12.8 g/100g cp (leaves) and 16.2 g/100g cp (stem bark). The leaves had 44.9 g/100 g cp (47.2 percent) essential amino acid, while the stem bark had 37.2 g/100 g cp (44.6 percent). Ficus glumosa leaves and stem bark had a significant amount of crude protein, vital mineral elements, and essential amino acids, all of which could help to alleviate protein deficiency in underdeveloped nations. Both stem bark and leaves could be good sources of food for reducing high blood pressure because of the low Na/K ratio.   

This study documents and updates the flora information of Um Dom Island, Khartoum State, Sudan, as one of the partly stabilized islands. Collection, preparation and identification were made. Herbarium specimens were prepared and deposited in the Herbarium of the Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum. Identified species were compared with specimens from the same Herbarium. This study showed that the area is rich in flora. Seventy four flowering plant species were identified belonging to thirty three different families. Thirty families of which were Dicotyledons and three Monocotyledons. Sixty six species were weedy and native flora to Um Dom Island. Eight species were cultivated species. A total of 89.2% of plant are spontaneous species and 10.8% are cultivated e.g. Tamarix nilotica is an indigenous plant to the island while Calotropis procera has been introduced from the surrounding semi desert area. There were no non-floral varieties identified. In the studied region, three layers of flora have been found. The upper most, tree layer is dominated by Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus spina-christi, Faidherbia albida, and Prosopis juliflora. The second, shrub layer, is occupied mainly by Calotropis procera, Tamarix nilotica, and the third,  herb layer, is dominated by Cyperus sp. Cenchrus prieurii. Families with high diversity are Poaceae which is represented by (11 species), Cyperaceae represented by (6 species) and Amaranthaceae, represented by (4 species). Human interference by overgrazing and cultivation are the most important factors that affect the vegetation of the area. This research will serve as a starting point and reference for future research in order to help and demonstrate how changes in plant cover can contribute to land degradation and an arid environment.

An investigation was undertaken to estimate the correlation coefficients among thirteen quantitative traits and to study the direct and indirect effects of various yield contributing traits on grain yield in ten genetically diverse genotypes of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) and their 24 F₂ (segregating) populations. The outcomes of the association research indicate that grain yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation, at both genotypic and phenotypic levels, with number of days to flowering, number of pods per cluster, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant and biological yield per plant (g) indicating possibility of simultaneous improvement for these traits. At both genotypic and phenotypic levels, however, yield per plant for parents revealed a substantial negative connection with primary branches per plant and harvest index. At both the genotypic and phenotypic levels, the harvest index demonstrated a negative relationship with the majority of the attributes. Biological yield per plant, harvest index, and seeds per pod all had a high direct effect in the desired direction, according to path analysis. To increase seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index, seeds per pod, and clusters per plant can be enhanced, and hybridization followed by direct and indirect selection for these traits can be used to develop high yielding cultivars.

Pears (Pyrus spp.) are important fruit crop in the family Rosaceae. Two main species i.e. European pear (Pyrus communis L.) and Asian pear (P. pyrifolia L) have more commercial importance and widely cultivated in temperate and sub-temperate regions of the world. Pears are grown in India from the warm humid subtropical plains to the cold dry temperate areas and stand second most important temperate fruit crop after apples. The use of growth regulators has become a critical feature of horticultural production technology for the majority of fruit crops including pears. Salicylic acid is a naturally occurring phenolic molecule widely distributed in plant species and it is assumed as growth hormone due to its regulatory role in plant’s physiological processes and plant defense against microbial diseases. In pears, exogenous application of salicylic acid exhibits considerable role in plant’s physiological processes, response to biotic and abiotic stresses, and increasing the plant performance, fruit yield and postharvest management of fruits. Salicylic acid application reduces chilling injury and weight loss of the fruits, minimises postharvest disease and browning, retains fruit firmness and lower down the postharvest quality losses during storage of fruits.