Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 6 (11), pp. 001-008, November, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Calibration of time domain reflectometry (TDR) on the basis of torf sand and its optimisation for irrigation automations

Ferhat Kup*, Ramazan Saglam, Ibrahim Tobi, Hasan Sahin and Cevdet Saglam

Department of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agriculture, Osmanbey Campus, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.

Accepted 28 November, 2020

Abstract

In this study, requirement calibrations performed for irrigation automation at the agricultural irrigation, particularly by means of taking as a base the torf sand, from the greenhouse, garden and flowerpot soil, were carried out. In order to make the TDR (time domain reflectometry) device suitable for watering automation, the water pump was automatically used to perform drip irrigation according to the humidity values provided via integrated adjusted resistances and the relay system to the device. Compatibility was determined between the values obtained from automation. As a result, TDR humidity sensors, used for soil water content measurement, are both easier and cheaper than other systems. It has been seen that this examined system can be applied for different types of soils too.

Key words: Time domain reflectometry (TDR), soil water content, torf, irrigation, automation.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 6 (11), pp. 001-007, November, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of growth stage and variety on the pigment levels in Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) leaves

Seow-Mun Hue*, Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce and Chandran Somasundram

Institute of  Biological Sciences and Centre For Research in Biotechnology For Agriculture (CEBAR), Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Accepted 09 October, 2020

Abstract

The study of pigments and nutritional composition in Ipomoea batatas has been intensive, yet little studies have been conducted on their leaves. I. batatas (sweet potato) leaves which are discarded after the harvesting period can be used as a potential source of natural dye extraction due to their high level of carotenoids (particularly lutein). Selection of leaves material is dependable on factors such as leaves varieties and stages of growth developments. Variations in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total carotenoids and lutein level were determined spectrophotometrically at different stages of leaves development in 6 different varieties of I. batatas leaves. Result showed that chlorophyll a, b, total carotenoids and lutein pigments increased rapidly when measured from day 1 to 7 and remained stagnant or decreased at older stages (day 15 to 18). Both the I. batatas var Oren and Biru Putih contained the highest amount of carotenoids and lutein from day 7 onwards compared to the other varieties and thus can be used as a suitable source of natural yellow dye.

Key words: Ipomoea batatas, pigments, developmental stage, spectrophotometric, lutein.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 6 (10), pp. 001-008, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of pellet fertilizer application on corn yield and its components

Reza-Bagheri¹, Gholam Ali-Akbari²*, Mohammad Hossein-Kianmehr³, Zinol Abadin-Tahmasbi Sarvastani⁴ and Mehdi-Younessi Hamzekhanlu⁵

¹College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran, P. O. Box 3391653775, Tehran, Iran.

²Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran, P. O. Box 3391653775, Tehran, Iran.

³Mechanic of Agricultural Machinery, Aboureihan Campus, University of Tehran, P. O. Box 3391653775, Tehran, Iran.

⁴Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, University of Tarbiat Modares, P. O. Box 31485- 498, Karaj, Iran.

⁵Deparment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding science, College of Aburaihan,University of Tehran, P. O. Box 3391653775, Tehran, Iran.

Accepted 22 March, 2020

Abstract

Increased use of chemical nitrogen fertilizers (N) in agricultural production continues to raise concerns, because of the risk of surplus N leaving the plant-soil system and thereby causing environmental contamination. Therefore, decreasing nitrate leaching from crop production fields, such as in corn fields, is of considerable importance. Against this backdrop, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of pelleted fertilizer, produced by mixing urea and dry cow dung manure, on corn yield and its components. The study was carried out, during the 2009 corn-growing season, at the experimental farm of College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran in Iran. The factorial design of the study comprised of randomized complete block with three replications. Factors this experiment involved: first factor was two levels of fertilizer application method which include pellet and mixed with soil, and second factor was four levels of nitrogen fertilizer pulse dry cow dung (46+600, 92+600, 138+600 and 184+600 kg/ha). The biological yield, grain yield, number of grains per ear, grain weight, harvest index, and grain protein content was calculated. Treatment T8 (184+600 kg/ha pelleted fertilizer) significantly produced better harvest index, highest 1000 grain weight, the maximum biological yield, the maximum grain yield and highest grain protein content per hectare. The use of pelleted fertilizer is therefore a better alternative to uncoated nitrogen fertilizer due to its slow and continuous nutrient release for plant uptake at different stages of its growth.

Key words: Biological yield, dry cow dung, urea, grain protein content, corn, grain yield.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 6 (10), pp. 001-006, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Investigation of the effect of water deficit stress on yield and yield components in sunflower hybrids

Hussein Oraki*, Iraj Alahdadi and Fataneh Parhizkar khajani

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Abouraihan, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Accepted 18 July, 2020

Abstract

In order to study the effect of water deficit stress on seed yield, yield component and some quantitative characteristics of sunflower hybrids, under three irrigation regimes (irrigation after 50 [normal irrigation], 100 [mild stress] and 150 [intense stress] mm cumulative evaporation from evaporation pan class A) and four sunflower hybrids (Azargol, Alstar, Hysun 33 and Hysun 25), an experimental split plot design based on a RCB was conducted in 2009 in the research station of university of Tehran, college of Abouraihan in Pakdasht region, Iran. Water stress significantly decreased seed yield, yield components and seed oil content but increased seed protein content in all sunflower hybrids. The highest seed yield of 2591 kg/ha was obtained from normal irrigation. An increase of the seed protein content and a decrease of the seed oil content occurred when water input decreased, although at different level for each hybrid according to their genetic constitution. Allstar hybrid had highest amount of all characteristics, except of seed oil and protein content. Results indicated that under normal irrigation, mild and intense water deficit stress, maximum seed yield was obtained by Azargol (3448 kg/ha), Alstar (2121 kg/ha) and Alstar (829 kg/ha) respectively. Therefore, Alstar hybrid under both levels of water deficit stress conditions in aspect of seed yield and related traits such as seed number per head, 1000 seed weight and head diameter had the most tolerance to these conditions. However, with normal irrigation, Azargol hybrid had highest seed yield.

Key words: Seed oil content, seed yield, sunflower, water deficit stress, yield component.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 6 (10), pp. 001-012, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Persistent soil seed banks along altitudinal gradients in the Qilian Mountains in China and their significance for conservation management

Qiuyan Li¹, Haiyan Fang²*and Qiangguo Cai²

¹College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.

²Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.

Accepted 21 August, 2020

Abstract

The qualitative and quantitative parameters of persistent soil seed bank, including species composition, seed density, vertical distribution and the relationship of soil seed bank and vegetation, were assessed along an altitudinal gradient in seven communities in shady slope, sunny slope and summit plain of Qilian Mountains. The highest density of soil seed bank of 3946 seeds m^-2 was found in grassland in summit plain, and lowest of 225 seeds m^-2 in the dwarf scrub grassland in shady slope, while the highest numbers of species of 21 species in per sampled area of 962 cm² was found in grassland in sunny slope and lowest of 5 species in per sampled area of 962 cm² in scrub land in shady slope. Of the species 18% were annuals and 73% perennial herbs, only 1 shrub of Salix gilashanica was recorded. Considerably more seeds were concentrated in the upper layer (0 to 5 cm), and seed density declined by 71.10% in the lower layer (5 to 10 cm). There was a tendency for the soil seed bank to decrease in density with increasing elevation in both shady slope and sunny slope, although this pattern is complicated by the occurrence of different plant communities and species at different altitudes. Sorensen similarity index between soil seed bank and vegetation of the seven habitats was very low, and Picea crassifolia was absent in the soil seed bank despite being a prominent component of the surface vegetation at woodlands; thus, P. crassifolia has no persistent seed bank. It will be important to maintain the existing vegetation in the future management.

Key words: Soil seed bank, seed density, altitudinal gradients, slopes, conservation.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 6 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors defining the distribution limit of tsetse infestation and the implication for livestock sector in Tanzania

Imna Malele*, Hamisi Nyingilili and Atway Msangi

Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Research Institute, Majani Mapana, Off Korogwe Road, P. O. Box 1026 Tanga, Tanzania.

Accepted 05 September, 2020

Abstract 

Tsetse survey to re-define its distribution limit in Tanzania was conducted from 2005 to 2009. Based on the old tsetse infestation map, tsetse sampling using odour baited biconical traps were deployed and emptied after 24 h during the onset of dry season. The survey covered the southern, western, northern and north eastern regions of the country. Obtained results indicated that Glossina morsitans sl and G. pallidipes were the dominant and widely distributed tsetse species, although their boundaries had shrank. Changes in land use, which include human settlement and associated activities, infrastructure development and land reform policies, were the major reason for the new tsetse distribution limit. Movement and settlement of huge stocks of insecticide baited livestock in once tsetse infested areas significantly altered the ecology of favored tsetse habitats and their hosts leading to the disappearance of tsetse breeding sites and tsetse species. Human population increase in formally tsetse infested areas also contributed to the disappearance of tsetse. The most affected regions were found to be Rukwa and Mtwara. Chi square test indicated a significant difference on number of collected tsetse in different location; highest density observed in game reserve and the lower in areas near wild animal migratory corridor and protected forest areas. Tsetse flies were confined to protected areas, which include national parks, game and forest reserves. The new tsetse distribution limit is set to influence the epidemiology of African Trypanosomiasis, tsetse control initiatives and the future of livestock sector in Tanzania.

Key words: Tsetse ecology, African trypanosomiasis, land use, conserved areas, livestock.