International Journal of Scientific Research in Agricultural Sciences

Number 1, 2014

1-5
Effects of Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizer on Physical Properties of a Sandy Soil in Ghana

Authors: Abdul Aziz Khalid, Henry Oppong Tuffour, Mensah Bonsu, Bismark Quarku Parker

Abstract

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Field experiment was conducted during the rainy season at the experimental field of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Collage of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to test the effects of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer on the physical properties of a sandy soil. There were five treatments with five replications. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on the following soil physical properties: bulk density, total porosity, aeration porosity, volumetric water content, aggregate stability. The results suggest that the poultry manure decreased the dry bulk density, increased the total porosity and increased the moisture content. However, there were no significant improvement in aggregate stability and aeration porosity. The mineral fertilizer did not show any significant improvement in any of the parameters. In the short term Poultry manure was therefore found to improve some physical properties of the sandy soil.

6-15
Analysis of Biochemical Responses in Vigna Mungo Varieties Subjected to Drought Stress and Possible Amelioration

Authors: Sonali Pandey, Shivani Ror, Dipjyoti Chakraborty

Abstract

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A complex response (in terms of physiological, biochemical and molecular level) is shown by plants exposed to drought and depending on that, plants show differential adaptation and tolerance mechanisms. Drought stress effects on plants are generally evident in terms of reduced growth, loss of membrane stability and integrity, reduction in essential pigments like chlorophyll etc. The pulse crops black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is an important protein source that is grown in all over India. In addition, it also plays an important role in sustaining soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. However, productivity is adversely affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses necessitating screening of newer varieties for better adaptation to local conditions. In the present study, three varieties of Vigna mungo, viz., IPU 94-1, PU 40 and PU 19, widely grown in the northern India were evaluated for their response to short term drought stress at early growth stage. Drought stress had detrimental effect in several biochemical parameters like chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, generation of H2O2. Modulations of several metabolic components like phenolics, proline and antioxidant enzymatic responses of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase were observed in drought and recovery to combat the stress.