Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Epidemiological studies of white rust, downy mildew and Alternaria blight of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (Linn.) Czern. and Coss.)

Sangeetha, C.G. and A. L. Siddaramaiah

Department of Plant Pathology, G.K.V.K, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore –560065.

Accepted 12 October, 2017

Abstract

White rust, downy mildew and Alternaria blight caused by Albugo candida (Pers.) Kuntze Peronospora parasitica (Pers.) (de Bary) and Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) Wiltshire respectively are important diseases on Indian mustard causing considerable loss. Maximum temperature positively correlated with disease index of all the three diseases. Maximum temperature from 26-29ºC and average relative humidity of more than 65% favoured the development of all the three disease.

Key words: Disease incidence, maximum, minimum temperature, relative humidity.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A weighted relative density model applied to loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands

John M. Lhotka¹ and Edward F. Loewenstein²

¹University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry, 105 T. P. Cooper Building, Lexington, KY 40546-0073.

²Auburn University, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building, Auburn University, Alabama 36849-5418.

Accepted 09 April, 2017

Abstract

We present a weighted, individual-tree relative density approach whose reference conditions have the same distribution of crown areas and species as a subject stand. An initial evaluation of the method’s efficacy was performed within an even-aged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation. Species-specific reference density equations were developed using plot data and existing crown width equations. Diameter growth prediction was evaluated using data from a thinned 20-year-old plantation. Regression analysis was used to related annual diameter increment and the approach’s density indices. The predictive ability of the presented method was compared to existing approaches such as Stand Density Index (SDI) and Crown Competition Factor (CCF). Results suggest the weighted, individual-tree approach predicts diameter increment as well as traditional indices. These findings suggest an individual tree approach may not be necessary within an even-aged loblolly pine plantation with a narrow diameter range.

Key words: relative density, size-density, Pinus taeda L., loblolly pine.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Esterase isoenzymes are linked to embryogenic structures induction in cotton cell suspension cultures

Kouakou Tanoh Hilaire¹, Kone Daouda², Zouzou Michel², Kouadio Yatty Justin¹

¹Université d’Abobo-Adjamé, UFR des Sciences de la Nature, Laboratoire de Biologie et Amélioration des Productions Végétales, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.

²Université de Cocody, UFR Biosciences, Laboratoire de Physiologie Végétale, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 03 April, 2017

Abstract

Esterase activity and isoenzymes pattern of two cultivars of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), Coker 312 an embryogenic cultivar and ISA 205N a non embryogenic cultivar, were studied and compared during cell suspension cultures. The use of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis allowed the identification of isoenzymes that number increased with the successive stages of cell culture of the two cultivars. At the stage of embryogenic structures induction which occurs only in Coker 312 cell suspension, we noted the presence of two isoenzymes (y and z) identified as aryl esterase, while one isoenzyme (x) identified as choline esterase was exclusively found in the cell suspensions of the non embryogenic cultivar ISA 205N. Esterase activity increased in cells of Coker 312 whereas it’s remained constant in ISA 205N. These results suggested a great implication of esterase enzyme in the induction of embryogenic structures during cotton cell suspension cultures.

Key words: Gossypium hirsutum L., cultivar, cell suspensions, embryogenic structures, Esterase; isoenzyme.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (12), pp. 001-006, December, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of furnace ash on crop yields and macroelement content in selected grass species

Jacek Antonkiewicz

Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural University in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Kraków, Poland. E-mail: rrantonk@cyf-kr.edu.pl

Accepted 14 April, 2017

Abstract

The research aimed at identification of furnace ash effect on crop yield and contents of Mg, Ca, K, Na and P in various grass species. Application of a dose of 0.533 kg pot^-1 affected a significant decline in grass species yield. From among the cultivated grass species perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue produced the greatest yield, whereas meadow-grass gave the smallest. Perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue, proved the most resistant grasses then timothy and red fescue, whereas the meadow-grass proved the most ‘sensitive’ to ash application. The investigations demonstrated a significant effect of 0.533 kg^.pot ^-1 furnace ash dose on the increase in Mg, Ca and Na contents in grass species, whereas phosphorus concentrations decreased. Furnace ash influenced also an increase in potassium content in timothy, red fescue and perennial ryegrass, while it decreased these element concentrations in meadow grass and to meadow fescue. Contents of magnesium, potassium and phosphorus in the studied grass species corresponded to the standards stated for good quality forage. The level of calcium and sodium in tested grasses was not within the optimal ranges. A decreased uptake of Ca, K, Na and P by grass species was registered under the influence of ash application to the soil.

Key words: Ash, reclamation, yield, macroelements, grass species.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (12), pp. 001-004, December, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studying microbial, physiochemical and sensory properties of directly concentrated probiotic yoghurt

Samira Yeganehzad, Mostafa Mazaheri-Tehrani and Fakhri Shahidi

Food Science and Technology Department, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.

Accepted 26 May, 2017

Abstract

Skim milk with 8.5% total solids was concentrated to 15 and 20% total solids by vacuum evaporation and inoculated with probiotic Lactobacillus. Yoghurts were incubated at 42^oC and stored at 4^oC. Survival of Lactobacillus, physiochemical (pH, acidity, synersis, and hardness) and sensory properties (taste and texture) of probiotic yoghurts were evaluated every 7 days to 21 days. Results showed that, increasing the total solid concentration of milk increased the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus, acidity and hardness of yoghurt and reduced the pH and synersis. However, the survival of probiotic Lactobacillus decreased throughout the storage period at 4^oC. This work shows the importance of total solid concentration of milk on survival probiotic strains, physiochemical and sensory properties of yoghurt.

Key words: probiotic yogurt, total solids, probiotic survival, physiochemical properties, sensory properties.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (11), pp. 001-004, November, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Field evaluation of soybean varieties at Ilorin in the southern guinea savanna ecology of Nigeria

Akande, S. R., Owolade, O.F. and Ayanwole J.A.

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029 Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 April, 2017

Abstract

Twenty six newly developed soybean varieties were evaluated for two years at Ilorin in a southern guinea savanna environment of Nigeria. The reaction of the varieties to rust infection was also assessed. Effects due to year, variety and year x variety interaction were significant for all the characters evaluated except for plant height where year x variety interaction had no significant effect. Number of days to 50% flowering ranged from 42 to 47.33. Early flowering varieties included TGX 1903-8F, TGX 1903-7F and TGX 1904-2F, while late flowering ones were TGX 1924 -1F and TGX 1925-1F. Plant height varied between 25.00 and 44.17 cm. Grain yield ranged from 1017.24 to 2133.01 kg/ha. The best yielding varieties were TGX 1921-23F and TGX 1922-1F. Significantly higher grain yields were obtained in 2005 with an average value of 1602.0 kg/ha compared with 1470.13 kg/ha recorded in 2006. There was no incidence of rust infection in 2005, but in 2006 however, six soybean varieties expressed mild symptoms of the disease.

Key words: Grain yield, varietal evaluation, rust infection, savanna agro-ecology, soybean.