Journal of Agricultural Science最新文献

{"title":"Effects of Supplementary Pollination on Macadamia Nut Set, Retention and Yield in Murang’a County, Kenya","authors":"Nicholas I. Njue, J. Muthomi, G. Chemining’wa, J. Nderitu, James J. Odanga","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p63","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p63","url":null,"abstract":"Macadamia is a promising prime dessert nut with the potential of alleviating poverty and enhancing food security in Kenya. Nut set and subsequent development of nuts to maturity is dependent on pollination which is mediated by animals, and honey bees are the dominant macadamia flower visitors. However, macadamia is pollen deficit as not all flowers set develop to mature nuts, thus supplemental pollination results to better nut yields. There is limited information in Kenya among the smallholder macadamia growers on the importance of supplementing pollination to enhance nut yields. This study was conducted at Kandara Macadamia Research Centre and in a smallholder macadamia farm located 15 km from the research centre, which was purposively selected from July 2021 to May 2023. Assessment of the influence of pollinators and supplementing pollination to nut set, retention and final yields was done. Honey bee, (Apis mellifera L.) colonies were also introduced at the Macadamia Research Centre to enhance pollination and mitigate deficits. Racemes were bagged to exclude pollinators, others left open to unlimited pollinator access while others received supplemental hand pollination. The results demonstrate that macadamia is pollen limited and pollination is highly reliant on insect pollinators. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) among the bagged (pollinator exclusion), open and hand pollinated racemes in both farms. The initial nut set and retention was increased significantly (21.54%) in hand pollinated racemes compared to those that were left to open pollination (unlimited pollinator visits) depicting pollination deficit in farm B. Introduction of supplementary honey bee colonies at the Kandara Macadamia Research Centre, resulted to higher nut set, retention, nut-in-shell and kernels. Macadamia growers are encouraged to introduce honey bee colonies in their farms to improve yields and also address pollination deficits.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"193 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138998187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research on the Factors Influencing the Security of Grain Supply Capacity in Sichuan Province Based on PLS Structural Equation Modelling","authors":"Qian Liu, Yingying Dai, Jiahui Tang, Haoyue Gan, Yinzhou Zhao","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p22","url":null,"abstract":"Sichuan Province, distinguished as one of the top performers among China’s 13 main grain-producing provinces, holds unique advantages in the western region. The continuous increase in grain production lays a solid groundwork for upholding the country’s food security. Grounded in five dimensions—social, economic, technological, resource, and environmental—this article establishes a security evaluation system for the grain supply capacity of Sichuan Province, incorporating 14 specific indicators, and utilizes a PLS structural equation model to investigate the diverse factors influencing the security of Sichuan Province’s grain supply capacity. Findings reveal that social and technological advancements directly negatively affect the security of the grain supply capacity, while economic growth, environmental progress, and resource enhancement directly positively influence grain supply capacity security. It also corroborates that a sustainable grain supply capacity necessitates the harmonious development of these five facets, each being essential. As a result, strategies to safeguard the security of Sichuan Province’s grain supply capacity are put forward, aiming to offer decision-making references for strengthening and elevating Sichuan’s grain supply capability and constructing an advanced “Heavenly Granary”.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"87 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138996100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Intercropping on Maize and Soybean Yield Performance, Land Equivalent Ratio, and Maize Leaf Area in Conservation Agriculture","authors":"Otim Godfrey Anyoni, Tumwebaze Susan, Ekwangu Joseph, Mudde Barnabas, Obia Alfred","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p37","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p37","url":null,"abstract":"Maize-soybean intercropping systems as a conservation farming practice are receiving increased focus from the scientific community. This is because of the advantages of intercropping, especially nutrient benefits through cereal-legume interactions, alternative sustainable methods to manage biotic stress (pests, diseases, weeds), and crop failure risk management due to erratic weather. In addition, smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops. In Uganda, 40% of smallholder farmers are practicing intercropping yet no adequate location-specific information is available to inform their practice. Farmers who adopted conservation farming practices did not mulch their maize due to drudgery associated with collecting mulch. This study evaluated the effect of two tillage methods (T1 = Conventional tillage using ox drawn mould board plough, T2 = Minimum tillage using ox drawn ripper) and five soil cover practices (SC1 = Mulched Maize, SC2 = Control no mulch, SC3 = Two rows of soybean in between one row of maize, SC4 = One row of soybean in between one row of maize, SC5 = Sole soybean) on maize and soybean yield performance. The trials were established for 4 rainy seasons on a sandy loam ferrosol at National Agricultural Research Organization Institute in Lira, Uganda. Soil cover practice had a significant effect on maize and soybean crop Yield. Mulching significantly increased maize yield and LAI. The LER for both intercropping partterns were above 1.2. Tillage methods were not significantly different in determining crop performance. The practice of minimum tillage should also be adopted because it enhances the positive effects of soil cover (intercropping). We recommend farmers to adopt the intercropping pattern of one row of soybean in between maize row spaced at 75 × 30 cm for better LER, and crop performance. This intercropping pattern maximizes on available resources to deliver better output in conservation farming. Maize crop generally performed better during first season as compared to second season. We recommend farmers to utilize the first rains as the main maize production season.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"126 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138999523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 16, No. 1","authors":"A. Brown","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p90","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p90","url":null,"abstract":"Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2024.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"203 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138997134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physico-chemical and Nutritional Composition of Ten Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Grain Varieties as Potential Feed for Livestock","authors":"A. Yousuf, David Brown, Muzi Ginnidza, Abraha-Eyob Zaid, Edward Sismour","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p1","url":null,"abstract":"Sorghum grain (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is gaining importance amongst livestock producers and animal nutritionists. Newly developed sorghum varieties should be evaluated for their suitability in small ruminant ration. The aim of this research was to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of ten sorghum varieties as potential feed for small ruminants. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in DM, CP and CF contents of the ten sorghum varieties. The sorghum black had higher GE, NDF and ADF contents and ATxArg had higher oil and mineral contents. Similarly, sorghum varieties labelled black, red, R17049 and FZ2CND were characterized by high tannins, phenolic and redness contents. Marcia, R17231, RTx436 contained high levels of yellowness and lightness. Fatty acid profile also varies amongst the ten varieties. The results of this study demonstrated that physiochemical and nutritional properties of sorghum varied by varieties.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139001171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Camel Herd Structure and Performance in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, Kenya","authors":"Florence K. Thiakunu, B. Njehia, P. Nguhiu, J. Arimi","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p75","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p75","url":null,"abstract":"Urbanization and improved middle-level class income have caused an increase in demand for animal products and allowed economic growth in developing countries. Arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which support high livestock populations have an opportunity to contribute to the economy. However, their potential may not be realized fully due to the effects of climate change. This study aimed to establish camel herd structure and performance in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, Kenya. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and a cross-sectional study were conducted from July to August 2022 in each County. Data on the herd size and composition (the number of age and sex categories) was collected from 388 households through structured questionnaires. The pregnancy test was done on seventeen camels four months after the mating season by tail cocking and progesterone assay method. Analysis was done using descriptive, correlations, and linear regression statistics at a 0.05 significance level. There were more female camels over 4 years in Isiolo (above 12%) than in Marsabit (below 10%). In Isiolo, milk yield was above 20 and 10 liters per day in wet and dry seasons respectively, while Marsabit production was below 10 liters in both seasons. Milk production coefficients were significant for the females above four years (p < 0.05). There were more households in Marsabit (63%) having a calving interval of 24 months and below than in Isiolo (50%). The tail cocking method did not correlate with the progesterone assay method in pregnancy diagnosis. The study concludes that, in Isiolo County, pastoralists are doing camel rearing with the objective of milk production unlike in Marsabit County. The recommendation is that pastoralists should be encouraged to adjust age and sex categories to increase milk production. Further, they need to apply an accurate cost-effective pregnancy testing method.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"6 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139000175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterisation and Mapping of Soils in Major Coffee Growing Regions of Uganda","authors":"Gerald Kyalo, P.C. Apunyo, M. Mwanjalolo, Charles Kizza Luswata, Ronald Kawooya, E. I. Niyibigira","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p49","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p49","url":null,"abstract":"There is limited information on the soil nutrient status, site specific fertilizer and agronomic recommendations for coffee in Uganda hence limiting its production and productivity. Therefore, this study was undertaken to characterize the soils under coffee farms and provide fertilizer and land management recommendations for coffee farming in selected districts in Uganda. 717 soil samples were collected from 45 coffee growing districts that were purposively selected to represent the major coffee growing regions of Eastern, Northern, Western, Mid-west and West Nile. 35 districts were sampled from Robusta coffee growing areas and 10 districts from Arabica coffee growing areas. Parameters considered in the laboratory analysis included; pH, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available P, exchangeable Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), and Potassium (K) and micro elements: Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn) and Boron, soil texture, bulk density and hydraulic conductivity. Soil nutrient levels distribution maps for Robusta and Arabica coffee growing regions were generated in ArcGIS for the entire country. The soil chemical and physical properties were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat 14th edition. The soil mapping results showed that, the overall average soil macro-nutrients concentrations were significantly different across regions (p < 0.05) with Eastern having the highest levels of macro elements (CEC of 19.28 meq/100 g, Base Saturation (BS) of 43.40%, pH of 5.78, N of 0.20%, K of 1.64 meq/100 g, P of 107.68 mg/kg and OM of 3.31%) followed by Western region. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was recorded for the micronutrients across the different regions, except Zn (p < 0.05). This study showed that Phosphorus and Potassium were generally moderate to high levels in most of the regions sampled while Nitrogen and organic matter were moderate to low. Results from this study provide a general picture of the nutrient status across all coffee growing regions in Uganda and highlight the required modifications for increased production and productivity.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"23 29","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139000879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sensitivity of Azuki Bean and Control of Multiple Herbicide-Resistant Canada Fleabane With Saflufenacil Herbicide Mixtures","authors":"N. Soltani, C. Shropshire, P. Sikkema","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n1p13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n1p13","url":null,"abstract":"During 2021 and 2022, four experiments were conducted to ascertain the sensitivity of azuki bean to saflufenacil herbicide mixtures, and five experiments were conducted to determine the control of multiple herbicide-resistant (MHR) Canada fleabane with various saflufenacil herbicide mixtures applied preplant (PP) in soybean at various locations in southwestern Ontario, Canada. At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after emergence (WAE), glyphosate + saflufenacil caused 2-5% azuki bean injury. The addition of metribuzin, bromoxynil, halauxifen-methyl, or 2,4-D ester caused 2-7%, 2-4%, 4-9%, and 2-4% azuki bean injury, respectively. Glyphosate + saflufenacil + bromoxynil plus either metribuzin, halauxifen-methyl, or 2,4-D ester caused 3-7%, 5-11%, and 3-6% azuki bean injury, respectively. Saflufenacil mixtures evaluated had no adverse effect on azuki bean stand, biomass m-1, biomass plant-1, height, seed moisture content, or yield. At 4 and 8 weeks after application (WAA), glyphosate + saflufenacil control MHR Canada fleabane 93 and 87%, respectively; there was no improvement in MHR Canada fleabane control with the glyphosate + saflufenacil mixtures evaluated. At 8 WAA, saflufenacil herbicide mixtures evaluated reduced MHR Canada fleabane density 43-95% and biomass 47-96%; differences were not statistically significant. MHR Canada fleabane interference reduced soybean yield 50%; however, reduced MHR Canada fleabane interference with all glyphosate + saflufenacil mixtures evaluated resulted in soybean yield that was similar to the weed-free control. This study concludes that saflufenacil herbicide mixtures evaluated have the potential to be used for the control MHR Canada fleabane in azuki bean.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"25 49","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139000714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial Biotransformation of Agro-waste Into Biovanillin as Flavor: A Process Optimization by Response Surface Methodology","authors":"M. Sujatha, R. Jaya Madhuri, K. Thagaraju","doi":"10.5539/jas.v15n12p74","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v15n12p74","url":null,"abstract":"Vanillin is a flavour that is commonly employed in the food industry, but plant sources can yield a small amount of this molecule. Fermentative production of biovanillin by optimizing different process parameters such as specific pH, temperature, incubation time, carbon source, nitrogen source, ferulic acid substrate, and by agro wastes are beneficial in terms of fermentation economics and scale up of the process response surface methodology for an ideal production of biovanillin yield. Hence the present research emphasizes on optimization of fermentation conditions for employing Bacillus licheniformis MSJM5 isolate. As per the experimental results biovanillin production yield was enhanced at neutral pH, mesophilic temperature, in an incubation of 48 hrs, under revolving conditions, in the presence of glucose as carbon source soya bean as nitrogen source ferulic acid 0.3 mg concentration and ground nut oil cake, an agro waste material has stimulated the formation of biovanillin, 326-834 mg/ml. Further stastical analysis by RSM the yield of biovanillin was 1.89 mg/ml. Based on the morphological cultural and biochemical the positive strain MSJM5 is identified as Bacillus licheniformis with 98% homology and accession number ON413745. Strain improvement studies have reveated that UV light and Et Br use reduce the survival capacity of Bacillus licheniformis.","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"6 5","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136229353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Temporary Immersion Bioreactor (SETISTM) and Classical Solid Culture in Micropropagation of ‘Grand Naine’ (Musa spp.) Banana Cultivar","authors":"Taner Bozkurt, Sezen İnan, İjlal Dündar","doi":"10.5539/jas.v15n12p51","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v15n12p51","url":null,"abstract":"Banana is an important nutritional source for millions of people because it contains protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the need for banana production is increasing day by day. Various methods are being developed to meet this need. Among these methods, biotechnological applications are becoming more prevalent over time. In micropropagation of in vitro plantlets, which forms the basis of banana production and is one of the most important stages, the methods used and banana varieties must be selected correctly. Therefore, it is very important to decide which protocol is suitable for which variety. In TIBs, in vitro micropropagation and rooting were compared with solid culture by adjusting the frequency of immersion of in vitro plantlets into the nutrient medium and the contact time of nutrients to the plantlets in the immersion medium. It was determined that the TIB application was more successful than the solid medium experiment in many aspects, especially the micropropagation rate (4.20) and rooting rate (84%).","PeriodicalId":14884,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"4 5","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136229362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}