International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology

1-8

Authors: M Moniruzzaman, MS Islam, JA Rashid, SN Begum, MM Islam

SSR or microsatellite markers are proved to be ideal for making genetic maps, assisting selection and studying genetic diversity in germplasm. SSR markers are playing important role to identify gene for salt tolerance that can be helpful for plant breeders to develop new cultivars. The experiment was conducted during the period from July 2009 to November 2010 in the experimental field and Biotechnology Laboratory of Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh to identify salt tolerant rice line of BC1F1 progenies of Binadhan-5 x FL-478 using SSR markers. Salt tolerant genotype, FL-478 was crossed with high yielding variety, Binadhan-5. Randomly selected 40 BC1F1 progenies along with their two parents (Binadhan-5, FL-478 and F1) were genotyped with microsatellite or SSR markers for identification of salt tolerant rice lines. Parental polymorphism survey was assayed by 10 SSR markers and three polymorphic SSR markers viz., RM 336, RM 510, and RM 585 were selected to evaluate BC1F1 rice lines for salt tolerance. In respect of Primer RM 336, 11 lines were found as salt tolerant and 25 lines were heterozygous and 3 lines were susceptible. Primer RM 510 identified two tolerant, 14 heterozygous and 22 susceptible lines. And primer RM 585 identified 4 lines as tolerant and 35 lines as susceptible. Thus, these markers could be efficiently used in tagging salt tolerant genes, in marker-assisted selection and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. The selected BC1F1 could be used for developing BC2F1 and BC2F2 and mapping genes for salinity tolerance.

15-24

Authors: BK Chakraborty, NN Nur

Production potential of shingi, Heteropneustes fossilis and koi, Anabas testudineus in polyculture were assessed at a stocking density of 2, 47,000 and 3, 70,500 ha-1, respectively in treatment T1 and T2. Monoculture of H. fossilis and A. testudineus was designed at a stocking density of 2, 47,000 ha-1 in treatment T3 and T4, respectively. Culture period of shingi was 120 days and koi was 100 days in all treatments. All fingerlings were of the same age at stocking, with a mean weight of 2.54±0.08 g for shingi and 0.50±0.01 g for koi, respectively. Commercial fish feeds (30.0% crude protein) supplied at the rate of 100 to 5% of total biomass twice daily. Fish production in treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 18,803±111, 12,388±115, 10,042±5 kg ha-1 day-120 and 22,176±7 kg ha-1 day-100, respectively. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T4 than that of the other three treatments. The net financial benefits incurred from treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Bangladeshi Taka 17,65,769; 6,691; 15,83,990 and 16,29,409 BDT ha-1, respectively. The mean differences of gross yields and net benefits among different treatments were significant (P<0.05). The polyculture technology of shingi and koi, and monoculture technology of koi may help to meet the dietary needs and improve the socio-economic status of the people of Bangladesh.

36-43

Authors: CO Farayola, V Okpodu, OO Oni

This study was designed to estimate the economic analysis of locust bean processing and marketing in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data was used and purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the respondents used for the study. A total number of 60 respondents were interviewed. The data collected were analyzed using inferential statistical tool such as regression analysis. Budgetary analysis technique was also used to analyze the profitability of locust bean processing and marketing in the study area. Majority of the processors and marketers are making profits; 68.3% operate above breakeven point while 26.7% operate at breakeven point and the rest 5% was below the breakeven point, this indicates that they neither profit nor lost. The regression analysis result shows that quantity processed, family size and years of experience in processing are significant at 1%, 5% and 10% respectively while education level and stall rent is negative and significant at 1% and 5% respectively. F- Test also explained that independent variables are jointly significant at 1% probability level with an adjusted R2 of 78.9%. The overall rate of return on investment indicates that average rate of return is 0.5 (50%), which is positive. It is therefore concluded that profit made by the processors and marketers can be improved on by increasing the quantity of locust bean being processed through adoption of newly discovered method of processing and improved method of preservation, packaging and marketing of the product to international standard by reducing the odour of the product without the loss of essential nutrients and palability in order to generate foreign exchange. Also, rules and regulations against cutting of economic trees for alternative uses should be enforced to maximize their values.

48-53

Authors: EN Ajani, EA Onwubuya

The study assessed the use of indigenous maize storage practices among farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Data for the study was collected by the use of interview schedule from a sample of 60 respondents. Percentage, mean score and standard deviation were used for analyzing data collected for the study. Results revealed that the farmers were using indigenous technologies such as baskets, aerial (over fire) in the kitchen, bare floors, among others in storing maize. The respondents indicated that they stored maize cobs undehusked in order to overcome wastage and obtained information about indigenous storage of maize from parents and fellow farmers. Major problems militating against effective storage of maize include: attack of pests such as rodents and weevils, diseases, termite attack and use of poor quality storage materials. The respondents indicated that use of materials free from termite, clearing of surroundings against fire disaster; use of durable materials treated with insecticides will help to solve the problems. The study recommends that provision of appropriate and affordable storage structures should be made available to the maize farmers in order to avoid wasting of the produce under storage. This will help to ensure food security among rural farm households.