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Optimizing Seedling Age for the Production of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Varieties in Northeastern Ethiopia
Biruk Masrie Zewdie,
Worku Desale Yimer
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, July 2023
Pages:
92-99
Received:
10 January 2023
Accepted:
4 July 2023
Published:
13 July 2023
Abstract: Onion is commonly established in the field either by direct sowing, or by transplanting seedling from seedbed or from sets depending on the growing conditions of the specific region and grower interests. However, the optimum transplanting age in onion growing areas and Ethiopia is not well done. Field experiment was conducted at Alawuhakebele of North Wollo zone to optimize seedling age of onion varieties in 2021/2022 cropping season under irrigation. Adama Red, Bombay Red and Nafisand four seedling ages (30, 40, 50 and 60 days) were laid down in RCBD replicated three times. Phenology, growth and yield parameters were collected using standard procedures and analyzed using SAS software. Results revealed significant (P < 0.05) difference for plant height, leaf length, neck diameter and bulb length; while their interaction was not significant. Nafis gave significantly longer bulb (4.89 cm) than Adama Red (4.70 cm) and Bombay Red (4.45 cm). Nafisderived from 40 days old seedlings produced the highest average bulb weight (100.10 g), marketable (37.68 t ha-1) and total (37.96 t ha-1) bulb yield. The overall result indicated that onion establishment from 40 days old seedling may be good for yield of onion in northeastern Ethiopia.
Abstract: Onion is commonly established in the field either by direct sowing, or by transplanting seedling from seedbed or from sets depending on the growing conditions of the specific region and grower interests. However, the optimum transplanting age in onion growing areas and Ethiopia is not well done. Field experiment was conducted at Alawuhakebele of No...
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Deterioration of Soiled Eggs Stored at Room Temperature
Modupe Esther Adeolu,
Olayinka Hannah Asolo,
Olamide Tawa Owolabi
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, July 2023
Pages:
100-105
Received:
22 May 2023
Accepted:
6 July 2023
Published:
24 July 2023
Abstract: Poultry eggs serve as food and for reproduction, and their quality depends on their physical and chemical composition. Contamination can occur during egg development or after laying. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, play a role in spoiling the egg content due to their mobility, ability to penetrate the egg shell and membranes, resistance to growth inhibitors, and enzymatic activities that break down nutrients in the egg fluids. This research aimed to identify the specific microorganisms responsible for degrading dirty eggs stored at room temperature. Samples of recently laid eggs, clean and soiled, were obtained from a chicken farm and analyzed at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic's Science Laboratory Technology Department. The eggs were kept at room temperature in the laboratory for four weeks, with microbial deterioration monitored weekly. Nutrient agar (NA), salmonella-shigellosis agar, and potato dextrose agar (PDA) were used for culture. Eight isolates, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were found. The soiled egg samples had bacterial counts of 11.3x10^3cfu/g and fungal counts of 4.1x10^3cfu/g which increases as the week progresses. Moisture on the egg shell's surface promoted microbial growth, leading to egg contamination and degradation at room temperature. To prevent pathogenic spread, it is advised to use battery cages to prevent fresh droppings on litter and maintain regular cleaning and hygiene in the enclosures.
Abstract: Poultry eggs serve as food and for reproduction, and their quality depends on their physical and chemical composition. Contamination can occur during egg development or after laying. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, play a role in spoiling the egg content due to their mobility, ability to penetrate the egg shell and membranes, resistance...
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Effects of Crop Diversification on Households’ Food Security Among Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Kirinyaga Central and East Sub-Counties, Kirinyaga County, Kenya
Micheni Pauline Kananu,
Gathungu Geofrey Kingori,
Dennis Kariuki Muriithi
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, July 2023
Pages:
106-119
Received:
26 June 2023
Accepted:
12 July 2023
Published:
24 July 2023
Abstract: Crop diversification strategies are one way for Kenyan households to improve their food security. In Kirinyaga Central and East Sub-Counties, the agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder coffee farmers who suffer seasonal hunger due to low food crop productivity. This has led to what has been labeled as ‘lean months’ by scientists. Several studies have shown that crop diversification provides smallholder farmers with food and nutrition security. However, smallholder coffee farmers in the study area have minimal information concerning potential and contribution of crop diversification to food security. The study aimed to establish the effects of crop diversification on food security in Kirinyaga Central and East Sub-Counties, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. The study was guided by modern portfolio theory. The study was carried out in three agro-ecological zones (UM1, UM2 and UM3) using descriptive research design to collect household data with structured questionnaires. A target population of 18420 smallholder coffee farmers was used, from which using multistage sampling techniques, a sample of 408 was selected. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were relied on for data analysis. The mean Crop Diversification Index (CDI) was 0.39. Cereals were the most consumed food crop with mean Food Consumption Score (FCS) of 7.50. The total mean FCS of households was 27.46, which may have implied that majority of them fall into borderline food consumption category (52.87%). Further, the findings show that farmers faced seasonal food insecurity with 54.36% of them reporting at least one month of food scarcity. Findings of multinomial logistic model revealed that the expected change in probability for a farmer to fall into borderline FCS level at p<0.05, was effected by landscape heterogeneity (33.2%), crop varietal diversity (8.8%), intercropping (13.6%) and crop species diversity (15.2%). For a farmer to fall in acceptable FCS level at p<0.05, it was contributed by 0.5% of landscape heterogeneity, crop rotation (0.4%), crop varietal diversity (0.4%), intercropping (2%) and crop species diversity (1.8%). Based on this study findings, we can conclude that crop diversification is one viable option in smallholder farming that can ensure establishment of resilient agricultural systems that can contribute significantly to household food security. There is need for government to support policies and programs that promote adoption of crop diversification strategies for realization of enhanced food and nutrition security.
Abstract: Crop diversification strategies are one way for Kenyan households to improve their food security. In Kirinyaga Central and East Sub-Counties, the agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder coffee farmers who suffer seasonal hunger due to low food crop productivity. This has led to what has been labeled as ‘lean months’ by scientists. Several s...
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Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen on the Yield, Efficiency and Nitrogen Harvest Index of Marigold and Vicia faba in Different Mixed Cropping Patterns
Jalal Torfi Alivi,
Mohammad Hossain Gharineh,
Abdul Mahdi Bakhshandeh,
Seyed Amir Mousavi,
Aydin Khodaei Joghan
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, July 2023
Pages:
120-127
Received:
26 June 2023
Accepted:
17 July 2023
Published:
27 July 2023
Abstract: In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on yield, nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen harvest index of perennial and bean plants in different patterns of mixed cropping, an experiment in the form of a split plot in the form of a randomized complete block design with four replications in two crop years (2020-2021) was implemented in the research farm of Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The main factor includes different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 75 and 150 kg per hectare of pure nitrogen from the source of urea fertilizer) and the secondary factor includes the patterns of mixed cultivation of broad Vicia faba L and spring flowers in 5 levels: 1- pure cultivation of spring flowers (8 rows in per plot), 2- planting 75% Calendula officinalis L + 25% broad Vicia faba L. (6 rows of Calendula officinalis L and 2 rows of broad Vicia faba L.), 3- planting 50% Calendula officinalis L + 50% broad Vicia faba L. (4 rows of Calendula officinalis L and 4 rows of broad Vicia faba L.)), 4- the cultivation of 25% of marigolds + 75% of broad Vicia faba L. (2 rows of marigolds and 6 rows of broad Vicia faba L.) and 5- pure cultivation of broad Vicia faba L. (8 rows per plot) were considered. The results showed that the effect of using different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer on yield, nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen harvesting index of perennial and bean plants was significant. In most of the analyzed traits, the treatment of 50% of broad Vicia faba L. and 50% of marigold at 75 kg/ha of nitrogen was superior to the other treatments.
Abstract: In order to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on yield, nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen harvest index of perennial and bean plants in different patterns of mixed cropping, an experiment in the form of a split plot in the form of a randomized complete block design with four replications in two crop years (2020-2021)...
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