Glutathione S-transferase enzymes (GSTs) play central roles in phase II detoxification of both xenobiotics and endogenous compounds in almost all living organisms. The enzyme was extracted and partially purified from wheat leaves through a procedure including ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by dialysis and gel filtration chromatography. These procedures yielded a 7.14-fold purification with 71% recovery. Optimum activity conditions-pH, temperature and ionic strength-of the enzyme were determined. Its some kinetic properties such as Vmax, KM, and kcat were calculated for GSH and CDNB substrates. The kcat/KM values of the enzyme were 603.5 for GSH and 385.3 for CDNB. The native molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 52 kDa based on its mobility in gel filtration column.

A total of 59 converted sorghum lines and 6 checks were evaluated for resistance to two foliar fungal diseases, anthracnose and downy mildew (SDM) in 2008 and 2009 growing seasons at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Farm, College Station, Texas. In 2008, 23 lines exhibited resistance (35%), 29 susceptible (45%) and 13 variable responses (20%) while 15 lines showed resistance (28%), 31 susceptible (57%), and 8 variable responses to anthracnose in 2009. Nine lines SC748, PI534101, PI534073, PI533950, PI534155, PI533802, PI533776, PI533911 and PI533759 exhibited anthracnose resistance response in both years. Significantly a wide range of 8 to 89% SDM incidence was observed in the study. None of the lines recorded SDM resistance reaction in both years. However, 15 lines PI534119, PI533983, PI597970, PI534160, PI570726, PI534161, PI534112, PI576374, PI533753, SC748, PI533991, PI569998, PI534050, PI534155 and PI533898 recorded moderate resistance to SDM incidence and recommended for use in further breeding programs. There was a positive significant correlation (P = 0.0392) between anthracnose and SDM, indicating that the lines showing higher SDM incidence favors higher anthracnose infection. Significant correlation between precipitation and SDM was also noted. SC748 and PI534155 exhibited resistance to anthracnose and downy mildew diseases and hold promise for utilization in breeding programs as potential checks.

Hydroponic greenhouses consume large amounts of energy in order to cultivate the desired crops. Usually they consume fossil fuels for heat production and grid electricity for the operation of various electric devices. The aim of the current work is the investigation of the possibility of using renewable energy sources for covering all the energy needs of a hydroponic greenhouse in Crete, Greece. This could be achieved with the combined use of solid biomass and solar electricity. Solid biomass and solar-PV technology are mature, reliable, well-proven and cost-effective technologies. Solar irradiance and solid biomass, in the form of olive kernel wood, are abundant in Crete and they are extensively used for energy generation. For a hydroponic greenhouse in Crete, Greece with a covered area of 1,000 m2 and annual energy consumption of 245.5 KWh/m2, the installation cost of the abovementioned renewable energy systems has been estimated at 42,380€ and the CO2 emissions savings due to the use of solar energy and solid biomass at 104,725 kg CO2 /year. The size of the solar-PV system has been calculated at 17 KWp and the annual consumption of olive kernel wood at 66.87 tons/year. Therefore the use of renewable energies instead of fossil fuels in hydroponic greenhouses results in economic and environmental benefits and it should be promoted in order to increase sustainability in agriculture.

Nine groundnut varieties were tested across six environments in western Oromia, Ethiopia during 2013 main cropping season to evaluate the performance of groundnut varieties for kernel yield and their stability across environments. The varieties were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Pooled analysis of variance for kernel yield showed significant (p=0.01) differences among the varieties, environments and the genotype by environment interaction (GxE). Additive main effect and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) analysis showed highly significant (p=0.01) differences for varieties, environments and their interaction on kernel yield. Similarly, the first and the second interaction principal component axis (IPCA1 and IPCA 2) were highly significant (p=0.01) and explained 41.32 and 7.2% of the total GxE sum of squares, respectively. The environment, genotype and genotype by environment interaction accounted 14.7, 24.1 and 53.3% variations, respectively. This indicated the existence of considerable amounts of deferential response among the varieties to changes in growing environments and the deferential discriminating ability of the test environments. Shulamith and Bulki varieties showed the smallest genotype selection index (GSI) values and had the highest kernel yield and stability showing that these varieties had general adaptation in the tested environments. In the genotype and genotype by environment (GGE) biplot analysis, IPCA1 and IPCA 2 explained 63.5% and 22.4%, respectively, of genotype by environment interaction and made a total of 85.9%. GGE biplot analysis also confirmed Bulki and Shulamith varieties showed better stability and thus ideal varieties recommended for production in the test environments and similar agro-ecologies.

Nine groundnut varieties were tested across six environments in western Oromia, Ethiopia during 2013 main cropping season to evaluate the performance of groundnut varieties for kernel yield and their stability across environments. The varieties were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Pooled analysis of variance for kernel yield showed significant (p=0.01) differences among the varieties, environments and the genotype by environment interaction (GxE). Additive main effect and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) analysis showed highly significant (p=0.01) differences for varieties, environments and their interaction on kernel yield. Similarly, the first and the second interaction principal component axis (IPCA1 and IPCA 2) were highly significant (p=0.01) and explained 41.32 and 7.2% of the total GxE sum of squares, respectively. The environment, genotype and genotype by environment interaction accounted 14.7, 24.1 and 53.3% variations, respectively. This indicated the existence of considerable amounts of deferential response among the varieties to changes in growing environments and the deferential discriminating ability of the test environments. Shulamith and Bulki varieties showed the smallest genotype selection index (GSI) values and had the highest kernel yield and stability showing that these varieties had general adaptation in the tested environments. In the genotype and genotype by environment (GGE) biplot analysis, IPCA1 and IPCA 2 explained 63.5% and 22.4%, respectively, of genotype by environment interaction and made a total of 85.9%. GGE biplot analysis also confirmed Bulki and Shulamith varieties showed better stability and thus ideal varieties recommended for production in the test environments and similar agro-ecologies.

An experiment using three different soil-based media on seedling emergence and growth of African oil bean seed (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) was carried out at the screen house of School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri to determine the best soil-based media for mass production of oil bean seedlings. The top soil served as the control while the other three soil-based media; top soil+cow dung (TS+CD), top soil+rice hull (TS+RH), and top soil+saw dust (TS+SD) were prepared in 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 volume by volume (v/v). The treatments were laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated six times, giving a total of 72 observation units. Data were collected on days to emergence, plant height, number of root hairs and root length at 50 days after planting (DAP).The combination of top soil+saw dust at 1:3 v/v performed better than the other media combination in all the parameters studied; had least mean value of approximately 18 days to emergence, highest mean value of 23.50cm for plant height, and highest mean value of 119.30 and 26.60cm for number of root hairs and root length at 50 DAP.

A field experiment was conducted on at M.lekhe district (Ethiopia) during 2002 and 2003 years to investigate the response of tomato to rates of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) fertilizers. The treatment consisted of factorial combination of four Nitrogen fertilizers rates (50 kg, 100 and 150 urea/ha) and four P rates (100,150 and 200 DAP/ha) arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Statistically significant and highest yield per plant was recorded at the highest rate of DAP (200 kg/ha). The significantly lowest yield was found at the zero level (with out DAP applied). The marketable yield in Q/ha of the rates is 939.96, 822.44, 731.1067 and 421.44 for 200, 150, 100 and 0 rates respectively. As the partiual budget analisis showed increasing rate of phosphorus and urea fertilizers increased profitability until 200 kg/ha and 150 kg/ha respectively.

Stenocarpella maydis and Fusarium graminearum maize cob rots are two most devastating cob rots in maize which causes yield losses and reduce grain quality as a result of mycotoxins which is produced from this fungus. Developing varieties resistant to cob rots is a practical and economic strategy that provides cheaper protection against yield loss and poor grain quality. There is still low adoption of improved varieties partly because of limited incorporation of farmer preferred standards. Therefore farmers’ preferences and perceptions should be captured early in a breeding program to enhance the adoption of released varieties. A focus group discussion (FGD) participatory approach was used in four districts of Uganda to assess farmers’ perceptions on maize cob rots and to investigate the possibilities of breeding for farmer-preferred cob rot resistant varieties. Semi- structured questionnaires were administered to selected seed merchants to consolidate and verify farmers’ reporting on seed varieties. Results ofinvestigationsuggested that absolute cob rot resistance was associated with undesirable traits such as small seededness, late maturing and low yields. Yield and earliness were the most preferred farmer agronomic traits, with a farmer-preference mean derived score of 4.5 and 3.75 respectively from the total of 5. In this regard, selection for farmer-preferred cob rot resistance varieties should strike a balance between yield and or earliness with cob rot resistance.

The leaf miner, Coelaenomenodera elaeidis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a high priority insect pest of the oil palm. The study examined the influence of temperature and rainfall on C. elaeidis abundance in the Okomu oil palm plantation between 2007 and 2009. Climatological data were obtained from the Okomu meteorological station. Pest and weather data were analyzed using multiple linear regressions. Highest mean temperature (33.13 0C ± 1.29) and rainfall (233.73mm ± 176.01) were recorded in 2007. There were significant relationships between adult (0.045) and pupa (0.02). C. elaeidis stages with rainfall and minimum temperature in 2007. Leaf miner predictions were evaluated for the different leaf miner stages using their corresponding model equations. The mathematical relationship between the insect stages (larva, pupa and adult) and weather factors (rainfall and temperature) implies that pest prediction can be made for the different leaf miner stages using their corresponding model equations giving specific values for rainfall and temperature. The variations in the seasonal patterns of temperature and rainfall are of major significance as a cue to timing leaf miner abundance and ensuring effective control. This study recommends control of the C. elaeidis before the onset of the dry season and temperature build up. This improves management of the leaf miner by controlling it more effectively.

The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing postharvest losses in the Esikuma Odoben Brakwa District of the Central Region in Ghana. Simple random procedure was used to select the operational areas and accidental sampling procedure was used to select sixty tomato growers. Results on socio-economic characteristics of farmers revealed that, majority of the farmers, 61.7% were males, 48.4% were in the active workforce of 25-40, 60.0% married and 71.7% had farm sizes ranging from 1-3 hectares.51.7% of the farmers had education up to the primary level, 71.7% had household size between 2-8 and 86.7% of the farmers had less than 15 years’ experience in the crop production. Consequently, The major causes of postharvest losses in the crop indicated by farmers include lack of storage facilities with 86.0%, followed by bad road networks with 76.0%, lack of processing facilities with 64.0% and lack of ready market with 62.0%.It was also revealed that almost all farmers in the study area preserve the produce by pouring on bare cemented floor covered with grasses and also store in shallow baskets. In summary, all the identified factors have proved to have significant impact on post harvest losses and that when managed well, food security would be ensured without necessarily cultivating an additional hectare of land.

Bean anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum causes severe common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yield losses of up to 100% worldwide. Breeding for resistance is the best method to mitigate this problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the appropriateness of C. lindemuthianum multiple race inoculation in breeding for resistance to C. lindemuthianum in common bean. Seven parents with varying reactions to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum were mated in all possible combinations to generate fourty-two progeny crosses. These crosses together with their parents were evaluated in the green house for their reaction to C. lindemuthianum. The experiment was laid out following a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with four replications. The treatments used were: (1) inoculation with race 54; (2) inoculation with race 311 and (3) multiple inoculation of race 54 X race 311. The mean genotypic score among treatments were found to be 1.76, 2.62 and 3.06 for treatments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. There were significant differences (P < 0.01) among genotypic responses to C. lindemuthianum with respect to race 311. The t-test analysis revealed that multiple race inoculation (Treatment 3) had a higher mean disease severity expression than those of singly race inoculations (Treatment 1 and Treatment 2) (P< 0.01). The results suggest that multiple infection had a synergistic effect, indicating its suitability for screening resistant genotypes in the breeding program.

The pattern of field infestation by the flea beetles, Podagrica spp., was assessed in okra-kenaf intercrop system with a view to determining a cropping pattern that would assist in controlling the pest problem. Okra and kenaf were intercropped in row combinations of 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 2:2 while sole-cropped okra and kenaf served for comparison. Field sampling for flea beetles commenced three weeks after planting and it lasted till the 12th week, a period that extended to the postharvest stage of okra. There was a significant difference (P Ë‚ 0.01) between the population of the two Podagrica spp. (with P. uniforma being more abundant than P. sjostedti) and among the six planting patterns. The pest population also differed (P Ë‚ 0.05) between the two crops and among (P Ë‚ 0.001) the vegetative, reproductive and postharvest stages of okra. Sole kenaf had a significantly higher level of infestation by the flea beetles followed by sole okra and two rows of okra intercropped with one row of kenaf in descending order. All the other three intercrop patterns had a significantly lower infestation level. Kenaf attracted more flea beetles than okra at the vegetative stage while stumps of okra left in the field after harvesting was over sustained a significantly higher population of flea beetles. Obtained results showed that intercropping could be used, especially by poor rural farmers, as a pest control strategy against Podagrica spp. Due to the considerable population of flea beetles sustained by okra stumps, farmers should be encouraged to get rid of leftovers after harvesting as a way of further controlling Podagrica spp. The combination of intercropping and farm sanitation would assist in reducing reliance on synthetic chemical insecticides.

Minor crops are not available in all the time. These crops are less in number. Minor crops are basically cultivated in fewer amounts and it is cultivated in certain period of time. The study was conducted in two villages, one was from Tarash Upazila under Sirajgonj District and another was from Rajbari Sadar Upazila under Rajbari District. This study was conducted on the period of two month staring from June to July, 2013.The sample size was 30 (15 from each area).There are some minor crops in those two areas. Those minor crops are Barly, Jab, motor, Cheena, kaon, khesari, Til, Groundnut, Mashkalai, Soyabean. In the past those minor crops were cultivate in large amount. At present the numbers of minor crops are decreasing. There are some reasons of decreasing minor crops at present. The demands of minor crops are decreasing. The seeds are not available. These minor crops are not profitable. There are some special used of minor crops. For example; Oil can be made from Soyabean and it is used to cook food. Kaon can be used to make one kind of Bengali sweet which is called khir or payes. The traditional cultivation tools are used to cultivate minor crops. For example; cow is used to plow the land. There is less use of modern cultivation tools. There are some problems of minor crops. It takes long time to cultivate minor crops. There are some diseases of minor crops which can destroy the production of minor crops. These minor crops are not profitable. From our study we got that people should be aware to avoid the problems of minor crops.

Red palm weevils Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is becoming a serious insect pest on date palm in the Mediterranean region and in Palestinian territories. Naturally occurring enemies collected from several localities could have a great potential in controlling invasive insect species. An indigenous strain of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) isolated from naturally infected Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae, pupae and adults were collected from several sites from the northern part of the West Bank. Identification and pathogenicity test were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions on module insect pests reared in the laboratories of Kadoorie Agriculture Research Center (KARC)/ PTUK, West-bank/ Palestinian territories. Laboratory results showed that indigenous strains of B. bassiana can infect target insect pest tested (LC50 was 120-132 conidia per ml). Field preventive bioassays on apple trees infected with aphid, confirmed the potential of this strain as a biological control agent under certain environmental conditions.

Food safety and food security is a determinant of the well-being of the citizens of a country and how it translates to the development and transformation of the economy in a country specifically Nigeria was critically examined. Recent FAO figures indicate that over 60% of the world undernourished people live in Asia, and a quarter in Africa. Also there are 22 countries, 16 of which are in Africa, in which the undernourishment prevalence rate is over 35%. Hunger, food insecurity (chronic or transitory), malnutrition involving micronutrient malnutrition (MNM) and protein energy malnutrition (PEM) are some of the issues arising from food insecurity. Lack or absence of minerals and vitamins like Iodine, Iron and Vitamin A affects the growth and development of humans. The study revealed that several factors contributing to food insecurity includes wars, natural disasters, unemployment inadequate technological deployment and high post-harvest losses. Steps were taken to examine how agriculture contributes to food security, effects of various policies by past and present government on the food security and food safety situation in Nigeria. Also the emerging issue in combating food insecurity especially the use of biotechnology was further explained. Useful recommendations for enhancement of food security and safety includes: reduction of post-harvest losses through proper utilisation, processing and packaging of agricultural products, food fortification and supplementation to combat micronutrient and protein energy malnutrition, increased use of biotechnology; formulation of good agricultural policies including creation of agric cooperatives and the new Nigerian Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) that can lead to transformation of the economy.

Hydroponic greenhouses consume large amounts of energy in order to cultivate the desired crops. Usually they consume fossil fuels for heat production and grid electricity for the operation of various electric devices. The aim of the current work is the investigation of the possibility of using renewable energy sources for covering all the energy needs of a hydroponic greenhouse in Crete, Greece. This could be achieved with the combined use of solid biomass and solar electricity. Solid biomass and solar-PV technology are mature, reliable, well-proven and cost-effective technologies. Solar irradiance and solid biomass, in the form of olive kernel wood, are abundant in Crete and they are extensively used for energy generation. For a hydroponic greenhouse in Crete, Greece with a covered area of 1,000 m2 and annual energy consumption of 245.5 KWh/m2, the installation cost of the abovementioned renewable energy systems has been estimated at 42,380€ and the CO2 emissions savings due to the use of solar energy and solid biomass at 104,725 kg CO2 /year. The size of the solar-PV system has been calculated at 17 KWp and the annual consumption of olive kernel wood at 66.87 tons/year. Therefore the use of renewable energies instead of fossil fuels in hydroponic greenhouses results in economic and environmental benefits and it should be promoted in order to increase sustainability in agriculture.

Although lot of information on life cycle of M. incognita is available on several hosts but there is hardly any report available in the literature on life cycle of M. incognita Race-3 on P. atropurpureum. The present study revealed that. M. incognita Race-3 took 30 days to complete its life cycle on P. atropurpureum in absence of R. solani. However, the life cycle of M. incognita Race-3 was adversely affected in presence of R. solani and took 44 days to complete the life cycle. M. incognita Race-3 second stage juvenile (J2) invaded the roots of P. atropurpureum within 12 hours after inoculation in absence of R. solani. However, after 12 hours no penetration of juvenile was recorded when both M. incognita Race-3 and R. solani were concomitantly inoculated. The rate of penetration gradually increased significantly, with the passage of time. The results revealed that presence of R. solani not only drastically reduced the percentage penetration of juveniles but also subsequently delayed the development of different stages of life cycle and decreased the fecundity of root-knot nematode in P. atropurpureum. Keeping in view the economic importance of P. atropurpureum as an ornamental as well as medicinal plant life cycle of M. incognita on P. atropurpureum was studied.

This research work examines the impact of technology adoption on agricultural productivity. It considers the south-west region of Bangladesh as the study area. Since most of the farmers in the study area are engaged in rice production, this study surveys randomly selected 60 rice farmers in the IRRI season of year 2015 through using a questionnaire. This study finds sufficient variation in frequency and degree of technology adoption in agricultural practices among the surveyed farmers. The analysis results indicate that farmers are adopting high level of technology in seed variety and irrigation phases, medium level of technology in land preparation, pest management and fertilizer application phases and low level of technology in weeding and harvesting phases. There is a statistically significant difference in productivity between high and low degree technology adopters. Education and land holdings are the statistically significant variables in determining technology adoption level. According to the study findings, a one percent increase in technology adoption leads to increase in productivity by 0.22 percent, holding other factors constant, and this influence is statistically significant at one percent level. Therefore, this study concludes that there is a scope for further increase in productivity through planned manipulation of technology adoption level in different phases of agricultural production.

An Agronomic field study was conducted at University of Limpopo Experimental farm, Syferkuil, over two summer growing seasons to determine the optimum phosphorus (P) rate and also assess the productivity of pigeonpea under intercrop with maize. Five P rates (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 kg P ha-1) were evaluated under sole and intercropped pigeonpea. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Results revealed that variable P fertilizer rates exerted significant effect on pigeonpea grain yield in both seasons. Highest grain yields of 922 and 1141.7 kg ha-1 under sole and intercrop plots, respectively, were achieved at 45 kg P ha-1 during first and second seasons, respectively. However, the predicted optimum grain yield of 734 and 1034 kg ha-1 based on the response model was achieved at 52.67 kg P ha-1 and 42.84 kg P ha-1, in the respective seasons. Intercropping achieved a significantly higher pigeonpea grain yield (+37%) during second year than sole cropping following P addition; with over 21% mean grain yield advantage across the two planting seasons. Hence, depending on the inherent soil-P level, application of 42-53 kg P ha-1 under pigeonpea/maize intercrop represents the range at which P is optimum for maximum pigeonpea grain yield and better returns for farmers.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important widely grown food crops worldwide. In Zambia, it is an important cereal crop, second after maize. However, its production amongst the small-scale farmers has declined over the years. To determine the causes of this decline, a participatory rural appraisal was conducted in Mpika district in Zambia as a case study to assess farmers’ perceived constraints and preferences of rain-fed wheat varieties. Focus group discussions, semi-structured questionnaires, scoring and ranking were used. The results showed that wheat is produced both for food and income generation. The average wheat fields were 0.48 ha, with yields averaging 1.5 t ha -1. The major production constraints are lack of improved seed, bird damage, termites, lack of markets and diseases with spot blotch being the most important. Farmers preferred a white coloured grain cultivar, high yielding, resistant to diseases, termite attack and bird damage.