Effect of Different Source and Rates of Biochar Application on the Reclamation of Acidic Soil in Western Ethiopia

Talila Garamu and Hirpa Legesse

Page No: 1-6

Soil acidity is the serious problem in the western Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to study the effect of different source and rates of biochar application on the selected physic chemical properties of acidic soil. The treatments consist of three sources of biochar (maize, sesame and soybean) and five rates of biochar (0, 2,4,6,8 and 10 t ha−1) lay out as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–15 cm and the selected physic chemical properties of acidic soil were analyzed by standard laboratory procedure.

The result showed that the maximum mean of soil moisture (4.3) was recorded at 8 t ha−1 of soybean biochar and all soil treated biochar were sandy clay except at sesame source at 10 t ha-1results in sandy loam. They also showed maximum electrical conductivity(0.087), soil pH(H2O)(6.81), organic carbon (2.96%), organic matter(5.10), total nitrogen(0.25%), available K+(23.17) available P(13.96), calcium (8.19) and base saturation percentage (79.53) recorded from sesame source with 10 tha-1 rates but the maximum cation exchange capacity (27.18) and potassium(2.38) were recorded at from maize source at 6 t ha-1 rates of biochar while the maximum magnesium and sodium were recorded from the sesame source at 8t ha-1 rates. The result indicates that the sesame source at 10 t ha-1 significantly improved the physical and chemical properties of acidic soil. Therefore, further studies on effect of different source and rates biochar and their specific role are suggested to neutralize the acidic soil.

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Agronomic performance of wheat genotypes in response to nitrogen levels under Bhairahawa Condition of Nepal

Khatri Narayan, Rawal Nabin, Pandey Bisheshwor Prasad and Bista Mamata

Page No: 7-12

Field experiments were conducted at Research Block of National Wheat Research Program, Bhairahawa with the objective to study the response of the most promising wheat genotypes to different nitrogen levels during winter seasons of 2014/15 and 2015/16. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1) as a main plot and six wheat genotypes (BL 4316, BL 4341, BL 4347, NL 1172, NL 1177 and Vijay) as sub-plot with three replication. The results showed that nitrogen levels had significant effect on thousand grain weight, grain yield and biological yield in both years. Two years data indicated that highest grain yield of 3102 kg/ha was obtained from the application of nitrogen @ 200 kg/ha, followed by 3065 kg/ha in 150 kg N/ha. Genotype BL 4341 and BL 4347 were found superior in terms of grain yield (2692 and 2679 kg/ha respectively) than released variety Vijay (2327 kg/ha). The interaction effect of wheat genotypes and nitrogen levels was not found significant in both the years. The optimum dose of nitrogen fertilizer was 150 kg/ha under Bhairahawa condition and genotypes BL 4341 and BL 4347 performed better in terms of grain yield as compared to other tested genotypes.

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Study of Soil Properties with Special Reference to Microbial Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen from Mirzapur Forest Division, Uttar Pradesh

Anis Naushi and Arya Ajay Kumar

Page No: 13-20

The study was carried out in East Mirzapur forest division of Uttar Pradesh where area has a seasonally dry tropical climate dominated by a typical monsoon season. Three dry tropical forest soils along a topographic sequence were examined to determine the seasonal dynamics of microbial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Soil microbial biomass (MB) carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and soil temperature were analyzed at upper layer (0-10 cm) during rainy, winter and summer seasons. The lowest microbial biomass was found in forest soils at the foot of the hill followed by mid-slope forest soils. The hilltop soil, which had the finest particles, water-holding capacity, organic carbon and total nitrogen (TN), reflected the presence of greater concentrations of microbial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Mean annual microbial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus ranges were 360-720, 38-90 to 18 - 40 µg/g respectively.

The seasonal pattern of microbial biomass, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus was similar at all sites. The highest value of soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen was observed during summer, decreasing through winter to the minimum during rainy season. Soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen decreased with increasing soil depth for all seasons. The seasonal values for microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus were positively correlated with each other.

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Assessing the effect of cattle manure and reduced rates of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K2O) as integrated nutrient management options on growth and yield of potatoes

Kugedera Andrew Tapiwa

Page No: 21-27

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of different rates of organic manure and reduced fertiliser on yields of potato growth and yield. The experiment was carried out at a farm in Mashava, Masvingo Province. The experiment was laid out as a completely randomised block design (CRBD). Each plot was replicated three times and assigned randomly to each plot. The plot size used was 4.5 m long and 3.5 m wide and consisted of 7 rows with each containing 10 plants with a total of 70 plants per plot. Blocks were separated by a distance of 1.5 m whereas plots were separated by 1 m to avoid interaction effects of plots.

The results show that growth rate increased at all stages until 90 days after planting with highest height reaching at 25.48 cm at 30 days after planting from treatments with sole application of cattle manure at 10 t CM ha-1 followed by 23.98 cm from 100kgN ha-1 and lastly by 16.82 cm from control of potash fertiliser. The results show that there were significant (P<0.05) difference between height on 30 days after planting between cattle manure, N fertiliser and potash fertiliser. Control treatments recorded the highest days to maturity and an increase in cattle, N and K2O fertiliser reduced days to maturity significantly (P<0.001). Control treatments recorded the lowest yield of 0.92 t ha-1 and highest yield of 2.34 t ha-1 was recorded from treatments applied. There was a significant (P< 0.05) effect of cattle manure and reduced rate of inorganic fertiliser on potato yield. The use of cattle manure and inorganic fertiliser at maximum reduced levels increases plant growth rate, decreases days to maturity and increases total tuber yield.

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Molecular identification of naturally isolated Candida tropicalis AUN-H100 and optimization of their extracellular amylase production

Hesham Abd El-Latif, Gheit Heba, Abd El-Fatah Bahaa E.S., Saleh Fathy and Al-Bedak Osama A.

Page No: 28-34

A total of 12 yeast isolates recovered from rice were screened for their amylase activity. All isolates showed positive results and according to clear zone measurements and Enzyme Activity Index (EAI), 4 isolates were recorded as high amylase producers, 3 moderate and 5 low. Amylase activity for all isolates was estimated using the DNS method. A potent strain AUN-H100 was recorded and identified by sequencing the variable D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (26S) rDNA region as Candida tropicalis AUN-H100.

The strain exhibited an enzyme index of 5.1 on the solid medium and showed amylase activity of 6.050 IU/ml/min in submerged fermentation. Amylase activity was also optimized at different pH values ranging from 3 to 10 and different nitrogen sources namely yeast extract peptone, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite and ammonium chloride at five temperatures of 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 °C respectively. C. tropicalis AUN-H100 showed its maximum enzyme activity of 21.123 ± 2.060 IU/ml/min at pH 5 and 30 °C using ammonium chloride as nitrogen source in submerged fermentation.

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Economics of rooftop vegetable gardening in Kathmandu valley, Nepal

Wasti Dreesti and Bhusal Keshav

Page No: 35-42

This study aimed to assess the economics of roof top gardening and the major factors affecting the adoption of technology. The study was conducted in Kathmandu District, Nepal from November 2014 to January 2015. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16, Stata and Microsoft Excel and the descriptive statistics was used to interpret the result. The sample represents 120 respondents with proportionate male and female share of mean age 41.27 years. Majority of indigenous (55%) followed by Bramhin, Chhetri and Dalits reflected the social background. Own off farm business was the major occupation among 23% respondents. The highest education attended was intermediate.

The study revealed total operational cost of rooftop vegetable gardening per household to be NRs. 35519 and the total income being NRs. 44032. The total profit and B: C ratios were NRs. 8513 and 1.24 respectively indicating roof top vegetable gardening as economically profitable, healthy, environmentally suitable and socially acceptable practice. The major problems regarding roof top vegetable gardening were lack of irrigation facilities, lack of technician and lack of suitable seeds/varieties. Thus, it is suggested that all the farmers especially in urban areas should adapt this profitable business of rooftop vegetable gardening.

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Seed germination and seedling morphology as a tool for taxonomic study on Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H. Hurter and Mabb. (Synonym: Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile) in the Sudan

Haytham Hashim Gibreel, Reem Rabie Mohammed Salih and Yousif Elnour Yagoub

Page No: 43-56

Variation in seed germination behavior and early growth morphology of seedlings was studied durng 2018-2019 among the subspecies nilotica, tomentosa, adstringens and the new group of Vachellianilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter and Mabb. (Synonym: Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile) in the Sudan. Materials (pods and seeds) were collected from 13 variable sites. The experiment was laid in completely randomized design under nursery condition. In total, 1500 pure seeds were used for each sub-taxonomy and subjected to three treatments (soaking in H2SO4 60 min, soaking in boiling water and no treatment as control) 500 seeds each. The treated seeds were sown in rate of 10 seeds in 50 polythene tube filled with clay and sand (2:1) clay (3 treatments x 4 subtaxa x50 replicates x 10 seeds per replicate) and kept under controlled nursey condition. The greminated seeds were recorded on the day 7th, 14th, 21th and 28th after sowing. Morphological measurements of seedlings were made in early germination, after two months up to one year old.

Data subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test. Significant variation (P < 0.0001) was recorded among subtaxa in germination behavior (germination rate, germination rate index and mean germination time) as affected by treatments and high germination characteristics were obtained with sulphuric acid followed by boiled water and less in the control. Variation in seedling morphology among the studied subtaxa was significant (P < 0.0001) in early germination and late (two-one year old) growth development. The new group showed among the other studied subtaxa of Acacia nilotica the best germination behavior in all treatments as well as seedling growth development. The study concluded that seedling characters are as important and reliable as that of floral one in the delimitation of Acacia nilotica subspecies and the new group. Further studies in seedling anatomy, cytology and molecular are needed to confirm the taxonomic status of the new group within Acacia nilotica population in the Sudan.

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