International Journal of Scientific Research in Agricultural Sciences

Number 5, 2014

67-79
Impact of Irrigation Systems, Fertigation Rates and Using Drainage Water of Fish Farms in Irrigation of Potato under Arid Regions Conditions

Authors: Abdelraouf Ramadan Eid, Essam M. A. Hoballah

Abstract

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Two field experiments were carried out during growing seasons 2011 and 2012, it executed in research farm of National Research Center in Nubaryia region, Egypt to study the effect of irrigation systems, fertigation rates and using the wastewater of fish farms in irrigation of potato crop under sandy soil conditions. Study factors were irrigation systems (sprinkler irrigation system "SIS" and drip irrigation system "DIS), water quality (irrigation water "IW" and drainage water of fish farms "DWFF") and fertigation rates (FR1= 20%, FR2= 40%, FR3= 60%, FR4 = 80% and FR5= 100% from recommended dose from NPK).The following parameters were studied to evaluate the effect of study factors:(1) Chemical and biological description of drainage water of fish farms. (2) Clogging ratio of emitters (3) Yield of potato, (4) water use efficiency of potato. Statistical analysis of the effect of the interaction between study factors on yield, water use efficiency of potato indicated that, maximum values were obtained of yield of potato under SIS x FR5 x DWFF, also indicated that, there were no significant differences for yield values under the following conditions: SIS x FR5 x DWFF > SIS x FR4 x DWFF > SIS x FR3 x DWFF > DIS x FR5 x IW this means that ruse drainage water of fish farming as a new resource for irrigation and rich with organic matter and it can improve soil quality and crops productivity and reduce the total costs of fertilizers by adding minimum doses from minerals fertilizers and sprinkler irrigation system is the best irrigation system which can be used..

80-89
Impact of Aggregate Size on Soil Carbon Sequestration and Aggregate Stability

Authors: Henry Oppong Tuffour, Mensah Bonsu

Abstract

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Soil aggregation is an important process in carbon sequestration and therefore a useful strategy to mitigate the increase in the concentration of atmospheric CO2. The study was, carried out on an Acrisol at the KNUST Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) plantation. Samples, covered with deep litter, shallow litter and no litter were taken from the 0 – 15 cm depth from three different locations at the sampling site. The organic carbon content and aggregate stability were determined on air – dried samples sieved through graduated sieves into sizes of 0.5 – 1.0 mm, 1.0 – 2.0 mm, 2.0 – 4.0 mm and 4.0 – 6.0 mm using the loss- on- ignition method and modified wet-sieving method, respectively. The study showed that SOC sequestered was highest in the deep litter and the aggregate sizes of 4.0 – 6.0 mm at all sites. The weighted mean of organic carbon for all sizes were 3.02% for deep litter, 2.84% for shallow litter and 1.55% for no litter spots, respectively. The aggregate sizes of 4.0 – 6.0 mm also had the highest stability to external forces. There was also a positive correlation between SOC and aggregate stability. The study confirmed that mature cocoa farms have the potential to store more organic carbon and are relatively stable to reduce erosion and enhance root penetration.

90-96
Application of Morphometric Traits for Live Body Weight Estimation in Dhofari Calves

Authors: Salim Bahashwan

Abstract

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Morphometric traits measurements can be a vital tool for local farmers to make decisions of selection and breed improvement. Data of 108 records from 36 Dhofari calves aging from one month to 12 months old were used in this study. Morphometric traits of wither height (WH), body length (BL), heart girth circumference (HGC) and abdomen girth circumference (AGC) for the calves, males and females were determined to be significant (P<0.05) with age. Analysis showed significant (P<0.05) relationship between morphometric traits and LBW with highest correlation coefficient for HGC of 95.70%. Female claves LBW relationship with morphometric traits was highest for HGC with correlation coefficient of 97.00% and males for WH with correlation coefficient of 94.10%. Linear regression analysis of morphometric traits to estimate LBW found significant (P<0.05) differences between predicted equations with best derived equation was based on HGC to predict LBW with coefficient of determination R² =0.915. Analysis showed average actual weight (175.00 ±0.21 kg), derived equation predicted weight (175.59 ±0.44 kg) and Dalton tape weight (198.00 ±0.23 kg) no significance (P>0.05) between the actual and predicted weights but significant (P<0.05) difference with Dalton weighing method with best method for HGC based predicted equation. Analysis of 11 different types of regression derived equations for the prediction of LBW of Dhofari calves showed no significant (P>0.05) difference between their coefficient of determination R² which suggested the use of the proposed linear regression derived equation to be the best fit for that objective.