Journal of Agricultural Science最新文献

{"title":"Diversity and Genetic Structure of a Natural Population of Mauritia flexuosa L. f. in APA-Pandeiros, Using Microsatellite Markers","authors":"B. R. R. M. Nassau, Márcia Regina da Costa, E. Menezes, D. Sanglard, Tiago Vieira Sousa, M. A. Pimenta","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p28","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p28","url":null,"abstract":"Genetic diversity is essential to ensure that species maintain high adaptive evolutionary potential to resist environmental stochasticity. Thus, this research aimed to estimate the genetic diversity and structure of a natural population of Mauritia flexuosa and its stages, using five microsatellite primers. DNA was extracted from leaves collected from individuals of the three classes (G1-adult, G2-juvenile and G3-regenerant). Genetic diversity estimates indicated an average of 7.8 alleles/locus and lower observed heterozygosity (Ho) than expected heterozygosity (He) in the population (0.272-0.395 and 0.275-0.401, respectively). The Shannon Index (I) indicated moderate genotypic diversity and richness in the analyzed population, and exclusive alleles were found at the different stages. Also found were a lower population index (FST = 0.019) and a higher individual fixation index (FIS = 0.169). Classes G1 and G2 exhibited greater genetic similarity to each other than to G3, which had more distant genetic characteristics. These results revealed lower genetic diversity among regenerating (G3) individuals and greater genetic diversity among adults (G1). Immediate strategies for in situ and ex situ genetic conservation of M. flexuosa are essential to preserve its genetic variability and assist future programs for the improvement.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"78 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Women-Led Pulse Agriculture for Enhanced Household Nutrition Security in East African Countries","authors":"N. Geda, Matthew G. Nosworthy, Robert Tyler, Carol J. Henry","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p10","url":null,"abstract":"Pulse crops are significant sources of starch, fiber, protein and micronutrients for the human population. Four East African countries (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda) have huge potential of pulse production but are constrained by several challenges in the production-consumption chain. This scoping review has assessed the challenges and opportunities related to women-led, nutrition-sensitive pulse agriculture in the four East African countries. This scoping review is based on data from major scientific databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, which are commonly used for research purposes, as well as grey literature. The criteria used were studies conducted in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, or Rwanda; grey literature which includes reports, theses, and other unpublished materials that may be relevant to a particular topic (years 2010 to 2023); observational studies, including case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies that assessed pulse crop production and consumption; and those published in English. Evidence from these countries shows that the historical gender gap and low level of participation by women in the sector have had adverse effects on the production of pulses. There are also social and cultural barriers that severely constrain women’s role in pulse agriculture, such as poor knowledge of the benefits of pulses, constraining cultural practice and gender-based norms in the pulse sector, limited access to market, land and finance, underdeveloped delivery/supply chain and extension services, less developed value addition culture, and the stigma of pulse consumption. This study identifies multiple avenues to ameliorate the identified socioeconomic, cultural and policy constraints, including promoting women-led pulse production through increasing access to financing for small-scale pulse crop farmers, improving market access through better marketing and distribution networks, and investing in infrastructure to support pulse production and consumption.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"79 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sweet Potato Virus Disease and Its Associated Vectors: Farmers’ Knowledge and Management Practices in Uganda","authors":"Joanne Adero, G. O. Akongo, B. Yada, D. K. Byarugaba, Mercy Kitavi, B. Bua, G. C. Yencho, M. A. Otema","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p83","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p83","url":null,"abstract":"Effective management of sweet potato diseases such as sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) depends to a large extent on farmers’ knowledge of the disease as well as on the integration of recommended management methods in their farming practices. SPVD has continued to be the most important disease constraining sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Inadequate information about farmers’ perception, knowledge and practices are the major impediments in developing countries and has hindered development of effective management of SPVD. This paper addresses the gap by (i) Understanding the socioeconomic characteristics of sweet potato farmers. (ii) Assessing knowledge level of the farmers about SPVD, SPVD vectors and management methods. (iii) Examining the relationship between farmers’ coping strategies to control SPVD and knowledge. To achieve the study objectives, a cross sectional survey was carried out among 95 sweet potato growing households in central, eastern and western regions of Uganda during 2017. Results showed that sweet potato is valued as the second most important subsistence crop among smallholder farmers. The female farmers (54.7%) were more involved in production than their male counterpart. SPVD was perceived by the majority of farmers (63.6%) as the most important disease and a total of 70.5% of these farmers had experienced the disease in their fields. Despite of SPVD prevalence as perceived by the farmers, close to half (48.4%) of these farmers did not have good knowledge of the SPVD, 67.4% were ignorant about SPVD vectors, 85.8% did not know management methods and hence 68.4% did not use any management method. These knowledge gaps down play stability of the farmers to effectively manage the disease. Nevertheless, it was revealed that the ability to identify SPVD, month of occurrence and education level improves its management. This paper recommends gender tailed support to sweet potato farming, increased awareness and training of farmers to improve their knowledge of SPVD, and development of effective control strategies for SPVD.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"92 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Soil Chemical Properties and Production of Physic Nut Intercropped With Forage Plants and Grain Crops","authors":"Joao Nunes Vieira da Silva, Cristiano Márcio Alves de Souza, S. Arcoverde, C. H. Kurihara, C. J. D. Silva","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p57","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p57","url":null,"abstract":"Intercropping cover plants with physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) may be a viable strategy for improving soil quality and sustaining the yield of this oilseed crop. However, one of the main challenges facing prolonged cropping of physic nut is the lack of information regarding the agronomic practices of the crop in intercropping systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cropping systems with cover plants and grain crops on the soil chemical properties and cumulative production of physic nut grain and oil. Eleven cropping systems and two evaluations were conducted in a split-plot arrangement on a dystrophic red latosol (Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico) in the municipality of Dourados. Growing cover plants or grain crops between the rows of physic nut did not provide significant increases in the cumulative production of grain and of oil over growing physic nut alone. There was reduction in the availability of nutrients, especially P and K, through growing Campo Grande Stylosanthes, U. humidicola, and Crotalaria. However, the beneficial effects of intercropping related to maintaining soil cover and the possibility of increasing the profitability of cropping physic nut from the production of forage crops and grains should be considered. Although the results did not show a significant increase in physic nut production in intercropping systems, the approach still offers opportunities to improve agricultural sustainability, crop diversification, and long-term profitability.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"4 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contribution of Agroecological Practices to Household Food Availability: A Case Study of Singida District","authors":"Sauda M. Kanjanja, D. Mosha, Sylvester C. Haule","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p72","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p72","url":null,"abstract":"Globally, there are urgent calls for transformation of agriculture and food systems to address food unavailability, food insecurity and environmental challenges. Agroecological practices have been promoted as one of the solutions, which have potential to address these challenges. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence regarding the question whether agroecology can indeed enhance food availability among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, Tanzania inclusive. Thus, the study was conducted to examines how the implementation of agroecological practices contribute to achieving food availability at household level by comparing between farmers who are members of Farmer Research Network (FRN) (implementers) and non-FRN farmers (non-implementers) using a case of Singida district. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, and an integration of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods. Interviews involved a total of 160 respondents who were randomly selected from household sampling frameworks. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews were conducted to gather complementary data. On one hand, quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software whereby descriptive statistics and an inferential statistic (multiple linear regression) were determined. On the other hand, qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings revealed, more than half (68%) and 15% of FRN farmers were in the medium and high categories of implementation of agroecological practices, contrary to non-FRN farmers, the majority (76%) were in low and none in high categories respectively. Based on alaysed data, the most common applied practices by both FRN and non-FRN farmers were: (i) the use of organic fertilizers (farm yard manure and compost manure (96%); (ii) intercropping (88%); (iii) crop rotation (82%); and integration of crop and livestock (79%). In addition, results indicate a significant association between the level of implementation of agroecological practices and food availability (p-value = 0.000). FRNs’ farmers were food secure as compared to non-FRN farmers just due to campaign and capacity building training offered to them. There is a need for a capacity development program to speed up agroecological intensification for sustainable food systems. Thus, it is very essential for public and private organizations to develop capacity building strategies or programmes to impart farmers with knowledge and skills on agroecological revolution.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"7 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New Leafy Greens—Plant Age Effects on Perilla Leaves","authors":"Ramesh Dhakal, Harbans Bhardwaj","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p40","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p40","url":null,"abstract":"Given that, not much is known about potential yields and nutritional quality of perilla [Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, Lamiaceae] for production in eastern USA as food, we evaluated fresh leaves of five accessions during 2021. The seeds were germinated in a greenhouse and about 15-day old seedlings were transplanted to the field on black-plastic covered raised beds. Leaves were harvested for analyses at 69 and 85 days after transplanting. Four accessions with green-colored leaves performed better than one with purple leaves. Leaf fresh weights varied from 105 to 279 g per plant whereas number of leaves per plant varied from 368 to 465. Concentrations (g/100 g) of protein, fat, fiber, Ca, P, K, Mg, and S in fresh perilla leaves produced in Virginia contained 17.9, 4.2, 7.3, 1.3, 0.39, 2.0, 0.40, and 0.17, respectively whereas mean values (mg kg-1) for Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn were 291, 19.9, 40.5, and 56.2. Leaves of perilla produced in Virginia contained considerable more protein (about 4 times more), fiber and fat than literature values demonstrating location differences. Effects of plant age were significant on all plant and leaf physical traits—values from 85 day old plants were significantly higher than those from 69 day old plants. Based on our preliminary results, we have identified PI481701 as the optimal accession. We concluded that perilla is a potential niche crop for Virginia farmers.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"10 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Extract in Managing Fall Armyworm on Maize","authors":"Tom Richard Okello, Cosmas Wacal, Wadria Denis Peter, Allan Obonyom Tekkara, Costa Gumisiriya, John Patrick Kanahe Kagorora","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p114","url":null,"abstract":"This research assessed the effect of neem leaf extract on the larval population of the fall armyworm and the level of damage, growth, and yield of maize. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments (Control, 50 g per L, 100 g per L and 200 g per L of neem leaf extract) applied within the two seasons of 2022A and 2022B. The findings showed that a higher concentration (200 g per L) of neem leaf extract-treated maize plants registered the least leaf damage (0.15), severity (0.15), and larvae population (0.1). This effect was most attained during the 1st season of maize production and at the earliest vegetative weeks of maize growth (3 WAP to 5 WAP, i.e., weeks after planting). The higher neem leaf extract concentration of 200 g per L produced the most significant (p < 0.001) effect on maize growth traits. A higher plant height (162.51 cm), longer leaf length (112.5 cm), wider leaf width (11.7 cm), and broader stem girth (11.91 cm) were attained under 200 g per L of neem leaf extract treated plots during the 1st season of maize production and 11 WAP. The findings of this showed that a relatively high concentration of neem leaf extract produced a higher cob weight (200 g per L = 180.1 g) followed by 100 g per L (174.1 g), 50 g per L (140.9 g) and control (139 g). The weight was optimised during the 1st season of maize production (163.8 g). The grain yield was higher under 200 g per L (153.7 g) of neem extract. The above findings demonstrated that a high concentration of neem leaf extract reduced fall armyworm infestation and increased maize plant growth and yield. Farmers should, therefore, be encouraged to apply 200 g per L of neem leaf extract in the management of fall armyworms and improve plant growth and yield because it contains antifeedant and insecticidal properties against the fall armyworm.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"4 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","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. 7","authors":"Anne Brown","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p152","url":null,"abstract":"Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 16, No. 6, 2024.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"2 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Asystasia spp. Management on the O×G Hybrid (Elaeis oleifera × Elaeis guineensis) of Oil Palm at the Adult Stage","authors":"Juan Camilo Rey Sandoval, Nolver Atanacio Arias Arias","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p45","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p45","url":null,"abstract":"The proper management of weeds plays an important role in nutrition and health and, therefore, in the yield and sustainability of the oil palm crop. To evaluate the effect of Asystasia spp. management as a cover species in the interspecific hybrid O×G oil palm at the adult stage, a trial was established in the Luker Agrícola plantation (Casanare, Colombia). The treatments evaluated corresponded to four types of management of Asystasia spp. with different control radii concerning the stipe (drip line) (1, 3, and 4.5 m on three occasions during the year) on an O×G Coari × La Mé cultivar at the adult stage (2011 planting). The treatments were established under a randomized complete block design with four replications. The analysis of the results obtained after four years of evaluation indicated that there are no significant differences between the treatments evaluated in terms of soil chemistry, nutrition, growth, and crop yield by analysis of variance. Nonetheless, significant differences were observed in soil cover variables and biomass and nutrient accumulation according to Tukey’s test at 5%. According to the results obtained, the management of Asystasia spp. should be focused on the conservation and efficient use of resources. It should be adapted according to the most appropriate management conditions in each case (age of the crop, weeds desired by the plantation, pests, nutrient recycling, soil moisture conservation, among others).","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"84 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using PCR and RCA Techniques to Investigate the Variants of Cassava Mosaic Virus and Their Distribution in Ghana","authors":"E. Annang, A. Oppong, R. Prempeh, E. A. Marfo, Linda A. Abrokwah, Rachel Agyemang, Joseph N. L. Lamptey, Justin S. Pita, Lord J. J. Gowans","doi":"10.5539/jas.v16n7p98","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v16n7p98","url":null,"abstract":"Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava begomoviruses is the major constraint to cassava production in Ghana. The disease is known to cause reduction in root yield. To ascertain the distribution of viruses causing CMD, 95 diseased cassava samples were collected in two agroecological zones of Ghana-Deciduous Forest zone and the Transitional zone. On a scale of 1-5, CMD severity was scored. Mean CMD severity score was 2.9, however there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the zones. Averagely, CMD score of > 2.8 in 71% of farms visited was recorded. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rolling circle amplification (RCA) were employed for virus identification. PCR revealed that African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) and mixed infections were prevalent in both zones. EACMV-Cameroon strain was also identified to be common within these zones. The transitional zone had the highest percentage of CMD infection. Unamplified samples from PCR were amplified using rolling circle amplification (RCA) technique. Amplification and characterisation of complete genome sequences of two isolates were carried out. The complete genome of 2780 nucleotides from samples showed a high similarity to African cassava mosaic virus-Ghana (ACMV-GH). Sequences clustered with ACMV-Ivory Coast, ACMV Nigeria-Ogo, ACMV-BF, ACMV-UG having > 96% identity. This shows the close relation that exists amongst the ACMV strains in Africa. These findings highlight the need for a continuous survey of CMD to help manage the disease in the country.","PeriodicalId":503786,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural Science","volume":"5 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}