International Journal of Agricultural Research, Innovation and Technology

1-5

Authors: Fikadu Kumsa

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is globally cultivated as commercial fruit crop usually used for fruit purpose or industrial product. The objective of the current review is to review and identify the research gap on the effect of different growth media and vitrification on shooting and rooting performance of grape. Factors affecting rooting of grape cuttings can be internal or external factors. Currently, grapevines are very sensitive to disease in the conventional method of propagation. Even if tissue culture is recommended for healthy propagation of the grape varieties, still factors affecting the growth of the plant verifications were reported. This, review paper progressively revised for the existing factors and possible solutions during in vitro propagation of grapevines.

13-21

Authors: L Mekonnen

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of two chickpea varieties to water stress at the College of Agriculture campus, Hawassa University under greenhouse from January to June 2017. Three water stress levels i.e. without stress (control), vegetative water stress and seed filling water stress were assigned as main plot, chickpea varieties Habru (Kabuli type) and Mastewal (Desi type). The treatments were laid in split plot design with four replications. The results showed that water stress significantly affected all parameters studied in this experiment. The seed filling water stress resulted greater reductions in the value of all tested parameters studied compared to optimum watering and vegetative stress except number of primary branches and harvesting index, which were significantly lower under vegetative water stress. As well, the two varieties significantly differed for all observed parameters except number of nodules per plant and nodule dry weight. Days to flowering, pod maturity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and harvest index were significantly higher for Mastewal variety while, plant height, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, dry biomass, seed yield per plant, hundred seed weight and root dry weight were greater for Habru variety. Days to flowering, plant height, seed yield per plant, hundred seed weight, number of pods per plant and harvest index were significantly affected (p<0.05) due to all two way interactions. Water management schemes that ensure to avoid especially terminal water stress could help to maintain chickpea production, which is usually grown with residual moisture by the majority of Ethiopian farmers. Given the fact that the results are obtained from a pot experiment there is a need to substantiate the findings with field experiments conducted under contrasting moisture environments.

28-34

Authors: MA Hossain, S Dev, I Jahan, MM Hossain

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic on growth performance, gut health, viability, carcass yield traits and cost benefit analyses etc., of broiler chicken from d1-28 days. A total of 192 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) was assigned into four dietary treatment groups, i.e. D1 (Control), D2 (Poultry Starsol), D3 (Avilac plus) and D4 (Avibac), and each treatment replicated six times with eight birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The chicks were raised in battery cages all the trial period. Ready-made starter diet (crumble) was fed the chicks up to 14 days, after that, grower (pellet) diet fed the broiler from d15 to 28 days. The water treated with probiotics at the rate of 1.0 g L-1 (Poultry Starsol), 1.0 ml L-1 (Avilac plus) and 1.0 g L-1 (Avibac) in D2, D3 and D4 treatment groups, respectively, and supplied the birds ad libitum entire the trial period. Data on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and livability (%) were collected. Apart from this, caecal digesta sample was taken on 28 days to determine the gut microflora population, i.e. total viable count (TVC) and total lactobacilli count (TLC) of broilers. Carcass characteristics (dressing %, blood weight, drumstick weight, thigh weight, breast weight %) and cost benefit were also calculated on the last day of trial period to assess the different meat cuts and the profitability of broiler. The data revealed that FI, viability (%), TVC and TLC of broilers had no difference (P>0.05) between treatment on 28d. Except for first week, BWG was improved significantly (P<0.05) in the birds fed probiotics during d1-21 and d1-28, respectively. Superior FCR values (1.30, 1.34) were observed in the broilers of probiotics supplemented groups from d1-28 days of age. The results of carcass traits were influenced significantly (P<0.05) by dietary treatment. The percentage of breast weight, thigh weight, dressing yield, drumstick weight and blood weight was increased (P<0.05) in the supplemental group compared to control. Higher (P<0.01) net profit was observed in the birds of probiotics supplemented group than that of control group. It can be concluded that broiler responded positively as a result of probiotics supplementation in water, and can be raised profitably under farming condition with low cost.

40-55

Authors: M.S. Islam, M.R. Jamil, M.N. Chowdhury, M.H. Kabir and R.H. Rimi

This study assessed the impact of climate change induced disaster on crops and fisheries production at Bhola Sadar and Monpura upazila of Bhola district, Bangladesh during January to June 2018. The study was gathered primary data from primary observation (PO), questionnaire survey (QS), focus group discussion (FGD), and key informant interview (KII). Secondary data were collected from Upazila Agricultural Office and Upazila Fisheries Office of Bhola Sadar and Manpura upazila and moreover, climatic data were collected from Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Results of the study found that trend analysis indicates overall annual maximum temperature increased for Kharif-I, Kharif-II and Rabi season. Average annual minimum temperature also increased for Kharif-I season but decreased for Kharif-II and Rabi season. Study also found that for all cropping season average relative humidity was increased. Annual average rainfall exhibited decreasing trend for Kharif-I and Rabi season but increased for Kharif-II season in (1990-2019) time period. The Aus, T. Aman, Boro and Mung bean was dominant cropping pattern in Kharif-I, Kharif-II and Rabi season in Bhola district. Overall, Aus rice production in Kharif-I season increased but in 2009, 2013 production was decreased because of cyclone Aila (2009) and Cyclone Mahasen (2013). T. Aman production hampered due to Cyclone Sidr (2007) and flood (2014) in Kharif-II season. In Rabi season Boro rice production lessen because of low rainfall and salinity intrusion. Overall, Mung bean production increase but in 2008 and 2009 production become hampered due to late cultivation because of Cyclone Sidr (2007). Fish production rate increase in Bhola specially Hilsha fish because of non-climatic factor like raid in non-fishing time, banned current net but fish production in pond become diminished due to infrequent natural disaster. Practicing of salt and flood tolerant varieties, floating bed vegetable cultivation, and mixed cropping system (mainly for Rabi season), enhanced expedition activities against catching mother Ilish in prohibition period, dredging in the heart of the river which can eventually reduce vulnerabilities and increase crop and fish production in the Bhola region.

64-70

Authors: B. Lemage and M. Tsegaye

The experiment was conducted on abandoned agricultural land at Bena-Tsemay District, Southern Ethiopia. It was designed to evaluate legume shrubs growth performance, and its potential for soil fertility enhancement through improved fallow practice. The results of the current study showed that the growth performance of legume species reveals variation in different growth parameters. The mean height of Sesbania sesban was significantly higher than the other species except for Senna siamea. Senna siamea recorded the highest mean stem diameter followed by Sesbania sesban, 3.47 cm, and 2.86 cm, respectively. Legume shrub species for soil fertility enhancement under improved fallow showed an increase in soil pH, organic carbon, organic matter, phosphorus level, available potassium, and total nitrogen during the growth period. Sesbania provides a large amount of nitrogen (2.91 t ha- 1) within two years fallow period, linked with the carbon to nitrogen ratio (11.22) having better mineralization potential. The growing of promising legume shrub species as an improved fallow practice has an important contribution in the restoration process of abandoned agricultural land and used as an option to grow crops in a rotational cropping system.

80-86

Authors: H.M. Ayele

Usually crop failure due to moisture shortage in soils is very much common due to high evaporation. Sometimes famers try to combat this problem by using mulches of crop residues in the study area. However, this is also highly challenged shortage because the crop residues used as feed for animals. Therefore, using the advantage and opportunity of cover legumes as an intercrop is the solution of the problems simultaneously in addition to their contribution improving soil nutrient balance and other many fold benefits. Therefore, this study aimed for evaluating the effect of maize-legume covers intercropping on soil moisture improvement and crop yield in moisture stress areas of the study area. The entire grain yield of maize and legumes, as well as soil moisture data were collected. The result on soil moisture revealed that intercropping of maize with cowpea had better soil moisture contents during active crop development (15.98%) and after harvest (16.70%) in average as compared to the others. The current finding also showed that adopting intercropping of maize with cowpea-boosted yield by 5256.24 kg ha-1 maize and 977.45 kg ha-1 cowpea in average with higher moisture improvement as compare to the other treatments. Therefore, intercropping of maize with cowpea is important to farmers since it would provide additional crop yield with the same piece of land. However, to get considerable changes on soil and water balances, other soil physic-chemical properties and crop yields, conducting similar studies in more than two years period at permanent field plots is paramount in the future.

94-96

Authors: H. Garcia and R. Palacio

It has been rumored that soils around schools in the US are contaminated with lead, which is known to be harmful to children, and is known to inhibit plant growth. The purpose of this study is to investigate the growth of plants in soil sampled from US schools to see if decreased plant growth can indicate lead contamination before testing is done. After comparing the time until germination, height, and root length of radishes grown in soil from the surrounding area of the school to that of those grown in uncontaminated soil, we found that radishes grown in soil from schools germinated at a rate 38% slower than radishes grown in uncontaminated soil (HR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.33-1.2, Ptrend = 0.13). The mean radish heights between the two groups were also found to be significantly different (p = 0.12). Decreased plant growth may serve as an indicator for soil contamination before other laboratory tests are done. It is recommended that further testing for lead and other toxins should be conducted on the soil of the surrounding area, and larger studies with multiple species of plants should be conducted to see if these trends could be applied to the general plant population around schools.

102-107

Authors: M.S.I. Afrad and M.R. Akter

The main objective guided the present study was to evaluate the knowledge of the growers on spices cultivation practice in Shibganj upazila under Bogura district. Three unions of the upazila were purposively selected based on the vicinity to the Spices Research Center, Bogura. Data were collected from selected growers using predesigned structured interview schedule. Eleven selected characteristics of the growers were considered as independent variables. As dependent variable, knowledge on spices cultivation practice was calculated by construction of a scale containing thirteen relevant questions. Coefficient of correlation was employed to determine the relationship between the selected characteristics of the growers and their knowledge on spices cultivation practice. Majority (67.8%) of the growers were middle aged, the highest portion (61.1%) of them belonged to primary level education. Major proportion (60.0%) of them had small family size, almost all of them (98.9%) possessed small to medium farm size, and huge majority (87.8%) of them earned up to BDT 240000 annually. About three-fourth (73.3%) of the farmers had medium extension contact, half of them (50.0%) had poor training experience while 40.0 percent of them had medium innovativeness. Great majority (85.5%) of the farmers had small to medium spices cultivation area (up to 0.6 ha) while almost three-fourth (72.2%) of them had medium to long durational (11 to above 20 years) practice of spices cultivation. Majority (65.6%) of them had moderate knowledge on spices cultivation technology compared to more than onefourth (26.7%) having high knowledge and only 7.7 percent had low knowledge on the same. None of the selected characteristics showed significant relationship with the knowledge on spices cultivation practice.

117-122

Authors: K.M.S. Rana, P. Biswas and M.A. Salam

The study was conducted to identify jute leaf powder as an alternate to fish meal in diets of juvenile mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) for 60 days. Tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius) leaf was selected to utilize this unexplored nutritious resource rather leaving under water for potential pollution. Three isonitrogenous test diets were prepared and applied as treatments (T) in triplicates (R). In control (T0) dietary inclusion rate of fish meal was 30%, of which 10% was substituted with jute leaf powder in T10 and in T20 replacement was 20%. Mrigal fingerlings (9.38±0.13 cm and 7.94 ±0.26 g) were stocked in nine plastic half drums (0.26 m2 each) at 10 fish per drum and fed test diets. Although, growth parameters among the treatments were statistically similar, the highest mean length gain, weight gain, SGR and production were 1.51 (±0.18) cm, 2.96 (±0.13) g, 0.53 (±0.03) %/day and 4084.00 (±50.67) kg ha-1, respectively in T10. However, significantly higher (P<0.05) survival was found in T10 (93.33%) and T20 (90.00%) compared to T0 (83.33%). Juveniles in T10 and T20 showed better tolerance to low pH stress than T0. Water quality parameters were within acceptable range in all the treatments. Moreover, carcass composition of fish was statistically similar among the treatments. Importantly, feed formulation cost was reduced by 3.7% and 20.4% in T10 and T20, respectively compared to T0. Therefore, the results signify that jute leaf powder could be a promising substitute of fishmeal in mrigal diet without hampering growth along with improved survival and low feed cost.

129-134

Authors: R. Mwesigwa, P.K. Migwi, A.M. King’ori and P.A. Onjoro

In this study, we investigated the various ways slaughter wastes are utilized, problems encountered in order to give insights in future prospects of abattoir wastes as livestock feeds. A total of 100 abattoir workers were interviewed through semi-structured questionnaires covering Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts in Uganda. Results revealed that majority of abattoir work force were middle-aged adults between 30-45 years contributing 37% of total workers. There was a significant association between abattoir workers responses in relation to the proportion of livestock slaughtered (Chi square 147.55; df =2; p<0.0001) in the abattoirs. With reference to cattle, 1.06 and 1.01 more sheep and goats were slaughtered respectively in the dry season in comparison to the wet season. Blood was mostly disposed as animal feed ingredient (blood meal) by 40% of the respondents while rumen contents were mostly sold as manure by 59% of the respondents. Only 16% of the respondents processed rumen contents for livestock feeding. 92.3% of bones were sold for dog feeding while 7.7% of bones were processed for livestock feed ingredients. Polythene bags were reported the biggest contaminants found in slaughter wastes. Stench from slaughter wastes contents was the biggest problem encountered with handling of waste products by (62%) of the respondents. The handling of abattoir wastes was still rudimental at most abattoirs as envisaged by lack of proper handling facilities at the abattoirs. There is need for regular enforcements to ensure proper abattoir waste disposal mechanisms for enhanced livestock use.