Research Highlights in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1

The objective of the study is to assess the growth and yield of pepper varieties under different application rates of poultry manure and storage qualities of pepper under different storage structures. The production of pepper is low due to decrease in fertility of soil and inadequate storage structures. Pepper contributes substantially to the Nigerian diet. It is a main constituent of soups and stews. Tatase was reported to contain more minerals than others common peppers in Nigeria. A field experiment was carried out at Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan between November, 2017 and April, 2018 growing season. Two pepper types (Capsicum annum and Capsicum frutescens) were employed in this study, with four different treatments consisting of various quantities of poultry manure. In a totally randomised design, controls of 0 g of poultry manure (T1), 12.5 g (T2), 25 g (T3), and 37.5 g (T4) were spread out and reproduced four times. In June 2018, a storage experiment was conducted in the Department and at the Nigeria Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in Ibadan. The storage experiment comprised of four treatments with ambient condition (open shelf), wet basket, Evaporative Coolant Structure (ECS/Pot-in-pot), and plastic crates used as storage structures, laid out in a completely randomised design and replicated three times. The physical parameters obtained in days in storage (DIS) included weight loss (%), firmness, freshness, among others. Data observed were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated using least significant difference (LSD) at p>0.05. The result obtained showed that pepper growth was enhanced using Capsicum frutescens under 25 g poultry manure application rate which resulted to superior pepper yield. Increase in the amount of PM applied significantly improved the crude protein, crude fibre and ash content, but did not influence the dry matter. Poultry Manure did not influence dry matter of pepper for the different levels applied. Within two weeks of storage, the combination of pot-in-pot and sawdust as storage structures improved the storage properties of pepper fruits. Although the various manure treatments had no significant effect on pepper postharvest quality, the ECS can be effectively used in the storage of pepper fruits to improve postharvest quality, lengthen shelf life, and increase the commodity's affordability in all seasons.

The study focused on women participation in piggery production in Rivers State. The purpose was to: describe the social-economic characteristics of women participating in piggery production; establish the level at which women participate in piggery production; and scrutinize the constraints to women participation in piggery production in the study area. Descriptive survey design was adopted to observe a cross section of women in piggery production in Rivers State. Both simple random and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 3 LGAs, 18 communities and 72 women for the study. Interview schedules and questionnaire instrument designed in Likert type rating scales were used to source information from the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, arithmetic mean and weighted mean scores were used to analyze the data. Simple Regression and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were the inferential statistics used to test the stated hypotheses of the study at 0.05% significant level. The result showed 36 years old as the mean age of the women in piggery production in the study area and that majority of them were married (68%) and with a mean household size of six (6) persons per family. It showed a mean annual income of (N232,291.00) only from piggery production. Regression result showed that nature of farming, annual income and household size with t-values of (1.430*), (1.254*) and (1.233*) respectively, had positive effect on women participation in piggery production at 5% significant level. It also indicates that women participation in piggery production in the area were very low (CM = 2.11) but differed significantly among the three LGAs in favour of Oyigbo LGA (CM = 2.56). Finally, the result showed that: insecurity challenges (GM = 3.30), price fluctuations of pig products (GM = 3.24), inadequate credit (GM = 3.17), land ownership issues (GM = 3.16), poor storage facilities (GM = 3.09), pest and disease problems (GM = 3.06) among other challenges, posed very serious constraints to women participation in piggery production in the study area. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that: Rivers women should be encouraged by government and non-governmental organizations to actively participate in piggery production through grants and subsidies; Extension agencies in the State should register more women and develop special extension package for piggery production in all the LGAs of Rivers State; and Agricultural credits institutions in the State should give priority attention to women in livestock and pig production in particular in Rivers State.

The attacks and losses of hevea trees on the plot investigated were caused by two species of fungus-growing and subterranean termites Ancistrotermes guineensis (Sjöstedt) and Microtermes subhyalinus (Smeathman). The objective of this study is measure the attacks and the losses they cause according to the age of the rubber tree and evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two insecticide treatments. The attack techniques are unique to these two kinds of termites, and they only impact plants that are deficient. The attacks begin 10 days after the stumps are planted and are not aggregated. During the first year, losses are higher (96 percent).  Paradichlorobenzene and chlopyrifos-ethyl were the two insecticide treatments tested, and chlopyrifos-ethyl proved to be the more effective. Paradichlorobenzene, the treatment most commonly used by low-income farmers, is ineffective in termite control due to its high cost.

The study aims to examine the trend and pattern of cashew area, production, and productivity in Kerala, given the cashew market's bright future. Secondary data was acquired for the study from reputable sources such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the period 2000–2020 (20 years). Kerala provided only 8.5 percent area and 12.37 percent output in India's total area (1125'000 ha) and production (703'000 MT) in the previous year (2020). During the study period, the trend in area, production, and productivity showed a negative compound annual growth rate. This is primarily due to the fact that many farmers have switched to more lucrative crops such as rubber and other plantations. They discovered that these crops are more profitable than cashew, and that, when compared to plantation crops, cashew is still confined to marginal and poor fertile areas, and that it is seen as a wasteland crop, with the suggested package of practises not being followed. As a result, production and productivity declined. Farmers will benefit if they tap the opportunities of increasing demand of cashew in India and at the world level with the government support. The government may pay farmers with subsidies to transplant old plants with high-yielding cultivars, resulting in increased output.

The study aims to analyse the issues faced by cashew exporters in Kerala, given the prospective future of the cashew export market. In the Kollam district of Kerala, 65 cashew exporters (who have been continually exporting cashew for the last five years) were chosen at random for the primary survey, which was done using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. To analyse the problems faced by the cashew exporters in Kerala, Garrett’s ranking technique was used. High processing costs, the inability to achieve Standard Input-Output Norms (SION), threats of foreign entrants into the domestic market, a reduction in international share, the concentration of processing in large sectors, and the exploration of new markets are among the major issues that cashew exporters face, according to the study. As a result, protective policies such as increasing exportable grades at a ratio of 1:6, removing the basic customs duty imposed on imported cashew, and increasing the government's export incentives would help to alleviate the cashew industry's challenges.

Suidasia nesbitti is a stored grain pest that feeds on proteins, carbs, fats, and vitamins, with a preference for high protein and fat content. Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, the West Indies, and the United Kingdom have all reported it. It feeds on a variety of compounds found in grains, flour, straw, hay, brewer’s yeast, cheese, dried fish and fruit. They favour flour and broken form because it provides more surface area for the S. nesbitti population to flourish on. Under adverse conditions, mite undergo non feeding stage, deutonymph, also known as hypopus between protonymph and tritonymph. Mite infestation reduces protein, total soluble sugar, non-reducing sugar, and starch content while increasing reducing sugar content. Infestation of S. nesbitti causes germination losses in stored products due to its feeding on germinal portion of the grains. The purpose of this review is to collect all existing information on S. nesbitti, including its occurrence, food component preferences, biology, and function in generating post-harvest losses, and to present it systematically under various subheads.

Haden, Kent, Palmer, and Keitt mango varieties were studied to establish the relationship of harvest time to seasonal accumulated day-degrees or heat units (C), daily rainfall amount (mm), and physical fruit development attributes with the objective to fix maturity standards for export and local markets. Randomized Complete Block Design was used with four replications. Physical fruit development characteristics that are designated as standard harvest maturity values were found in each of the Haden, Kent, Palmer, and Keitt types : weight (640 g, 836 g, 837 g, and 1104 g, respectively), length (16.31 cm, 16.19 cm, 21.22 cm, and 19 cm, respectively), width (30.97 cm, 33.47 cm, 30.86 cm, and 35.91 cm, respectively), volume (598 cm³, 807 cm³, 772 cm³, and 959 cm³, respectively), density (1.147 g/cm³, 1.076 g/cm³, 1.084 g/cm³, and 1.189 g/cm³, respectively), and indentation (0.25 cm, 0.49 cm, and 0.50 cm, respectively). Palmer fruits' stylar-scar end groove intensity was investigated and utilised as a ripeness indicator. For the Haden, Kent, Palmer, and Keitt varieties, index values of 0.075 mls, 0.150 mls, 0.425 mls, and 0.116 mls, respectively, were recorded as latex exuded at harvest because these values agreed with the other physical harvest maturity index values as well as with those of rain fall and temperature. This makes temperature, rainfall, and physical attributes crucial non-destructive variables for determining mango fruit maturity index values.

One of the most significant and well-liked vegetables in the world is the tomato. India is the world's second-largest producer of tomatoes. Due to growing demand, rising consumption, and higher rates of return, tomato output has been steadily rising over the past 15 years. One of the most important commodities on the Indian market is the tomato, which is consumed both raw and processed. Therefore, this delicious produce is required throughout the nation. Huge quantities of tomatoes are moved yearly from the production area to various locations. Additionally, tomato is being carried from Anand to various regions of India. Therefore present study was taken up to assess the various post-harvest handling steps involved in tomato supply, its losses and economics of supply. Traders and persons involved are not trained, also not aware of physiology of tomato fruit, resulting in poor handling and loss. Losses during sorting observed to be 8-10%, whereas physical loss in weight observed 2-3% during transport. Lack of suitable handling, collection, and packing house facilities affects the tomato supply chain. Growers do not benefit; instead, middlemen and merchants get more. Merchants gets profit of Rs 4- 7 per kg of selling at end place. There is overall requirement of scientific intervention at each stage in the supply chain.

Yams are herbaceous, climbing, twining, perennial monocots; they are the starchy, tuberous root of any of the various climbing vines of the genus Dioscorea cultivated or occurring naturally in warm regions. A survey was carried out in some selected major yam producing areas in the Nanumba North District of Ghana to investigate possible cause(s) of yam health disorders while in storage at farm gate. The objective was to obtain first hand information for further investigation(s) toward improving shelf life and quality of yam for export and local markets. Simple random sampling technique was used to select five communities and hundred respondents. A mixed method research design was used for data collection via the application of Participatory Research Appraisal tools and techniques. Personal communications and observations, and focus group discussions were also employed. Data was analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics via SAS software. Ages of respondents (all males) were in the range of 11 to over 60 years with illiterate majority. Twelve (12) cultivars {Laribako, Limo, Fuseini, Prinjo, Nawari (water yam), Alando, Akaba, Baatoo, Nyame-Nti, Afayili, Baffoo, and Pona} were discovered with Laribako, Fuseini, Alando, Prinjo, and Nawari being the most widely cultivated, either alone or in combination with other cultivars on the same plot. Respondents were inadequate in agronomic, harvest, and postharvest practices and technologies necessary prior to storage. Storage structures included “in situ”, barns, wooden platforms, shallow trenches, ashes in packages, and pyramidal piles. Incidences of pests and diseases occurrences on yam fields were reported. Causes of yam health concerns and associated problems in store were termites, rats, mealybugs, rodents, weed pests, tuber rot, yam beetles, snakes, scorpions, including poor state of storage structures. Research, government, and other stakeholder institutions should partner up and make improved and certified yam sets accessible and affordable. Intensified agriculture extension services’ interventions should be enforced to empower farmers on agronomic, harvest, and postharvest practices and technologies.

In this work, the images of the formation of proplastids of the apical meristem of wheat seedlings were obtained and described for the first time in the scientific literature. Proplastids—precursors of chloroplasts—are found in the apical meristem of the growth point of plants. Researchers focused their attention primarily on how proplastids become chloroplasts. In the current work, the apical meristem of wheat seedlings' proplastid production was examined and reported for the first time in the scientific literature. Ultrastructural images of apical meristem areas showed that the formation of the proplastide body includes several stages: localization of plastid DNA in the cytoplasmic matrix in close contact with cytoplasmic ribosomes, the formation of membrane vesicles containing plastid DNA, the step-by-step filling of these vesicles with dense contents, and the formation of mature proplastids.

The study sought to ascertain the efficacy of liquid NPK fertilizer on corn plant growth and yield. To improve nutrient balance in the soil, in addition to the application of N-inorganic fertilizers in recommended doses, P and K fertilizers are needed to increase corn crop production. The Experiment was conducted in lowland at Malang Regency on DS II the 2018 with research plots of 6 m x 4 m compiled with randomized block design, 4 times, namely, A: no fertilization, B: 300 kg Urea/ha + 50 kg SP-36/ha + 200 kg Ponska/ha (comparison), C: 300 kg Urea/ha + 50 kg SP-36/ha + 3 ml liquid NPK/l water, D: 300 kg Urea/ha + 50 kg SP-36/ha + 4 ml liquid NPK/l water, E: 300 kg Urea/ha + 50 kg SP-36/ha + 5 ml liquid NPK/l water, F: 300 kg Urea/ha + 50 kg SP-36/ha + 6 ml liquid NPK/l water, G: 300 kg Urea/ha + 50 kg SP-36/ha + 7 ml liquid NPK/l water, and H: 300 kg Urea/ha + 50 kg SP-36/ha + 8 ml liquid NPK/l water. The findings revealed that liquid NPK fertilizer by spray on plants is very effective in increasing the growth and yield of corn plants. Administration of liquid NPK fertilizer using a 4-ml-per-liter water rate (6 applications) Combining 300 kg of urea and 50 kg of SP-36 per hectare (D treatment) increases corn production by 9.10 t/ha dry grains and has an R/C ratio of 3.55, making it economically viable.

The Study was conducted during 2017-2019 at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, NU: SASRD, Nagaland to study the influence of different auxins in varied doses on in vitro root regeneration of Dendrobium cv. Sonia Earsakul and percentage of survival during hardening. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with thirteen different treatments with three replications and ten plant samples. The data collected were tested by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the difference among the treatment mean were tested by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The different treatments used are IBA, NAA and IAA in concentration level of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg L^-1 respectively. According to the study, IBA at 1 mg/l produced the longest roots (5.97 cm) and shoots (7.8 cm) among the various treatments, as well as the highest survival rates during primary hardening (34.30%) and secondary hardening (94.29%).

The study was conducted at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Integrated Farming System, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 to develop integrated farming system model for irrigated conditions of Western Maharashtra. The model was designed for 1 ha area with crop, horticulture, dairy, goat, poultry and vermicompost unit. The integrated farming system model generated sugarcane equivalent yield of 375 t ha^-1. The gross monetary returns from crop + horticulture + dairy + goat + poultry + vermicompost unit were  10,55,758 and net monetary returns of  4, 58, 943 with B:C ratio (1.77). Of this total net returns obtained from integrated farming system model per cent contribution of different components were crop (25%), horticulture (4%), dairy (24%), goat (18%), poultry (29%) and vermicompost (7%). Employment generation in integrated farming system model was 422 Man days year^-1.