Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 073-078, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilization and conservation of soil and water samples from Zian and Qalabshu in Egypt

Gamal Boutros Chahine

Toxicology Unit, Emergency Hospital, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.

E-mail: gamal2016@hotmail.com

Accepted 7 February, 2016

Abstract

The present work was carried out on fifty water samples collected from Zian and Qalabshu during May 2010. Analysis carried out on the selected ten drainage and four subsoil water samples represent the water resources of the study area. The aim of the present work is to suggest the best and scientific method of utilization and conservation of soil and water for the future development in the area. The results showed that samples of El-Nil canal fall in high saline water class. Though such water is permissible for irrigation, it may cause a harmful effect on crops. It may be suitable for plants of moderate tolerance. Samples of El-Sokar factory canal at the front of the factory gate, rejection area of drain-2-station and suction area of drain-2-station, El-Gamaiat canal and subsoil-1, fall in very high saline class which is of doubtful quality for irrigation. Samples of El-Sokar factory canal (1 km away from the factory gate), immersed area of water, El-Moheet drain and subsoil samples, fall in the excessive saline water class which is of unsuitable quality for irrigation. To avoid the serious problem of salinity, the subsoil water was lowered either horizontally by relatively deep surface drains or vertically dewatering from the wells.

 Key words: Drainage water samples, subsoil water samples, boron.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 067-072, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Hatchability of Clarias anguillaris eggs induced with frog pituitary gland and dosage recommended for breeding Clarias anguillaris

D. D. O Okoro, Atunisha Umukoro Micheal* and S. P. George

Department of Water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65 Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

E-mail: mc.umukoro@yahoo.com

Accepted 15 February, 2016

Abstract 

Ripe Clarias anguillaris, with a size ranging from 350 to 600 g total body weight (TBW) (mean weight of 434.44 ± 79.39 g), were treated with frog (Xenopus laevis) crude pituitary glands at three treatment levels of 1 pituitary, 2 pituitaries and 3 pituitaries per broodstock and the control treated with Ovaprim. Each treatment was replicated three times. The frogs’ weight ranged from 29.40 to 105.59 g. The latency period before successful stripping was observed to range from 9 to 14 h according to the hormone dosage. Eggs were incubated at a temperature range of 26 to 27°C. Hatching started after 24 h and was completed by 36 h of incubation. Egg yield or fecundity was observed to vary according to the dosage of pituitary glands administered. Two pituitary glands injection yielded the highest egg number with mean fecundity of 47081 ± 10516 followed by one pituitary gland treatment with mean fecundity of 34785 ± 7537. Three pituitary glands treatment gave the least fecundity of 26007 ± 4359. Percentage fertilization and hatching of the eggs were also higher in two pituitary glands treatment with 98% fertilization and hatching. This was followed by one pituitary (75%) and three pituitary glands with 62% fertilization and hatching. The fries were reared for 8 weeks. Mortality was observed to be highest during the second week in all the three treatments. Treatment two (2 pituitaries) still had the highest survival of 68.40% followed by treatment one (1 pituitary) with 29.60% survival and treatment three (3 pituitaries) with only 4.80% survival. The stock stabilized and no mortality (0%) was recorded from 3rd to 8th weeks of rearing. Results indicated that 2 pituitary glands treatment was most effective followed by 1 and 3 glands treatments respectively. Weight of frogs and their respective pituitaries and weight of fish appeared to have relative effects on their productivity. Three frogs (T₃) of mean weight 67.52 ± 33.70 were observed to be an over dose to a fish of 434.44 g mean weight.

Key words: Clarias anguillaris, breeding, frog pituitary.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 050-059, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Health benefits and risk factors involved in Genetic modification of food

Omojuwa H. Johnson¹* and Oboli R. David²  and Damilola O. Harriet²

¹Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

E-mail: omojuwa3@yahoo.com

Accepted 5 January, 2016

Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding (plant breeding and animal breeding), and somaclonal variation. Genetic modification involves the insertion or deletion of genes. In the process of cisgenesis, genes are artificially transferred between organisms that could be conventionally bred. In the process of transgenesis, genes from a different species are inserted, which is a form of horizontal gene transfer. In nature, this can occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the cell membrane for any reason. To do this artificially may require attaching genes to a virus or just physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host with a very small syringe, or with very small particles fired from a gene gun. However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the ability of Agrobacterium to transfer genetic material to plants, and the ability of lentiviruses to transfer genes to animal cells. The large scale growth of GM plants may have both positive and negative effects on the environment. These may be both, direct effects on organisms that feed on or interact with the crops, or wider effects on food chains produced by increases or decreases in the numbers of other organisms.

Key words: Benefits, food, genetically, modified.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 060-066, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Optimum concentration of boric acid and sodium molybdate for enhancing mungbean productivity in Nepal

Ahmad Ghasemi¹* Mostafa Rostam Ansari² and Ruhollah Omidyar²

¹Resource Identification and Management Society, Dhadging, Nepal.

²Professor, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science,  Department of Agronomy,  Rampur Nepal.

E-mail: ahmed_ghmi@gmail.com

Accepted 28 January, 2016

Abstract 

An experiment was carried out at farmer’s field in Shivanagar VDC, Chitwan to evaluate the response of three level of microfertilizers both sodium molybdate and boric acid loading (250, 500 and 750 ppm), 500 ppm of sodium molybdate mixed with 500 ppm of boric acid, water priming and unprimed; and economics of mungbean production under the period of March to June, 2010. All treatments except control were primed either in nutrient solution or water for 6 h and shade dried for 30 min before sowing. Nine treatments and four replications were arranged in randomized complete block design. The research revealed significantly early seed emergence on priming and/or nutrient loading than unpriming (5.5 day), but flowering and maturity were not affected significantly. Higher grain yield (1583 kg ha^-1) was obtained under 250 ppm boric acid loading as compared to unprimed (1237 kg ha^-1) and priming (1318 kg ha^-1) but at par to 250 ppm sodium molybdate and 500 ppm boric acid loading. Grain yield increment was 28 and 17% in 250 ppm boric acid loading over the control unprimed and water priming, respectively. The higher grain yield was due to higher number of clusters per plant, grains per pod and hundred grain weights. Higher protein content (23.3%) was recorded in 750 ppm sodium molybdate and mixed nutrient loading. Fat and metabolic energy were significantly the highest and lowest total ash content in 500 ppm sodium molybdate loading. There was no significance on cost of production but Rs. 61 higher in mixed micronutrient loading than control or plain water priming (Rs. 48855 ha^-1). Higher protein content (23.3%) was recorded under 750 ppm sodium molybdate and mixed nutrient loading. Fat and metabolic energy were significantly higher where total ash content was significantly the lowest under 500 ppm sodium molybdate loading. Cost of production was the lowest under control and water priming (Rs. 48855 ha^-1). Benefit/cost ratio was significantly the highest under 250 ppm boric acid loading (2.75) being at par with 250 ppm sodium molybdate and 500 ppm boric acid loading. However, priming, that is, non monetary input and/or low concentration of micronutrients loading led to grow faster, flower earlier and yield higher as low cost technology. Finally, 250 ppm boric acid loading proved outstanding in all respects, that is, growth, development, yield attributes, yield and economics.

Key words: Micronfertilizer loading, mungbean phenology, productivity, nutrient content, yields.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 079-084, March, 2016.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation and other growth attributes in sesame genotype under rain-fed conditions.

Hamouda Fadlalla El Soury¹* and Galal El Bashir² and Magid K. Ginaro²

¹Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Gedarif, P. O Box 449, Gedarif, Sudan.

²Gedarif Agricultural Research Station, Gedarif, Sudan.

E. mail: soury_fadla7@yahoo.com

Accepted 9 February, 2016

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at Gedarif Agricultural Research Station, Sudan, for two consecutive rainy seasons (2009 and 2010) to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, heritability in broad sense, genetic advance and genetic advance as percentage of the mean for yield and other growth attributes in seven sesame genotypes. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used. The parameters were days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of capsules/plant, seed yield/plant (g) and seed yield (kg/ha). A wide range of variability was detected among the genotypes for all characters in both seasons. The earliest maturing genotype combined over two seasons (77.00 days) was SPS2003T10 whereas the latest one (87.10 days) was Gedarif -1. The lowest yielder genotype (361.00 Kg/ha) was Ziraa-9 whereas the highest yielder (591 Kg/ha) was Gedaref-1 which out-yielded the overall mean yield by 28.43% in the first season and by 23.88% in the second season. High heritability coupled with low genetic advance was recorded for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and plant height which indicate dominant and epistatic gene action while low to moderate heritability with high genetic advance was recorded for the yield and its components which indicate the additive nature of inheritance. Therefore, direct simple selection may improve the morphological traits of the crop, whereas, other mechanisms may be needed to improve the seed yield and its components. 

Key words: Sesame, genotypes, phenotypic, variability, heritability, genetic advance.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 092-098, March, 2016.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Declining population density of Silver Catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Cross River State, Nigeria

Dele Martins Momodu*, Alinko S. Ahmed and Ali Henry Gaye

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Cross River University of Technology, P.M.B. 102, Obubra Campus, Nigeria.

E-mail: dele.martins@gmail.com.

Accepted 12 February, 2016

Abstract

The study assessed quantitatively the threat status of Silver Catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacépède: 1803) in Cross River, Cross River State, Nigeria. C. nigrodigitatus is a highly valued food-fish in Cross River State and represents the dominant commercial landings exploited in Cross River, Nigeria. To provide useful biological data for management, samples were collected monthly from Cross River over a period of three years, from June 2009 to May 2012, in twelve sampling points along 200 km length of the Cross River. A total of 3351, 1409, and 319 C. nigrodigitatus were collected in 2009/2010, 2010/2011, and 2011/2012 respectively, amounting to a total sample size of 5079 for the sampling period. C. nigrodigitatus was caught in both dry season (October - March) and wet season (April - September) with the highest abundance in June 2009. The declining population density of the species was attributed to the interactions of many factors in the river such as habitat and breeding ground, low breeding rate, overexploitation of the species, and migration behavior of the species. To stop further decline of the species from Cross River, various conservation efforts are needed. The recommended conservation efforts include stocking of the species, habitat restoration, capture-release mechanism, control of invasive species, fishing legislations and regulations, and public awareness and education. These conservation efforts would enhance the fisheries of the River, improve aesthetical and economic values and preserve the genetic diversity of the species. The result of this work shows that Silver Catfish is endangered in Cross River, Nigeria. Therefore, for the fish to be protected there is a need to place it on the threatened and endangered species list of the Federal and State Endangered Species Acts (ESA).

Key words: Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, fishing, conservation, Cross River, overexploitation.