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Articles of Volume : 5 Issue : 2, February, 2021 | |
| Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture | Author : Archana Chougule | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Artificial intelligence (AI) has wide application in all sectors including agriculture. There are many challenges with traditional methods of agricultural tasks. Due to climate changes and defor-estation, agricultural production has had an adverse impact and farming has become more challenging. Artificial intelligence is a promising technique which can help farmers to overcome such challenges and increase gross production. |
| | Back to Past; Organic Agriculture | Author : Muhammad Adnan and Muhammad Zohaib Anjum | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :National economy significantly depended on agriculture sector [1]. Organic farming is a crop production system in which farmer avoided all synthetic farm inputs but depends on biological, agro-nomic and mechanical methods like the utilization of crop resi-dues, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives, animal manures, biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection; which enhance and promote biological cycles, biodi-versity, and agro-ecosystem health [2]. Organic agriculture evolves thousand years ago. The ancient farmer’s starts their crop culti-vation along the belts of rivers by using many natural resources [3]. Furthermore, modern era of organic agriculture emerged in 1924 in Germany. |
| | Evaluation of the Phytoremediation Ability of Amaranthus cruentus, Brassica oleracea var. capitata and Helianthus annus in Metal Contaminated Soil | Author : I. R. Hassan, AA Manga and R Abdullahi | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Artisanal mining for Gold in Zamfara state of Nigeria led to massive contamination of the environment with lead (Pb) leading to poisoning and death. The approach for the clean-up involves excavation of the soil and dumping it somewhere which is a temporary solution that is equal to postponement of the reckoning day. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of some plants as a cheaper solution to this problem. The treatments consisted of three plant species (Amaranthus cruentus, Brassica oleracea var. capitata and Helianthus annus) factorially combined with four soils (the top soils of Regular Agricultural soil from BUK, Lead (Pb) contaminated soil from Zamfara, Soil from Sheka area peri-urban garden along the banks of Salanta stream contaminated with tannery effluents from Sharada Industrial Estate and BUK soil artificially polluted with a standard addition of Nitrate salts of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni at the rate of 200 mg/kg for Pb and Cr, and 40 mg/kg for Ni and Cd), all laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated three times. Results have shown that Amaranth emerged as the plant with the highest accumulation of metal in its tissue. Across the three plant species, Pb is the most highly accumulated metal and Ni is the least concentrated. The Bioconcentra-tion Factor (BCF) index >2 was recorded for Cr, Mn, and Cd in the tissue of Amaranth. The Translocation Factor index >1 was recorded for Mn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Zn. Cabbage had relatively high BCF index for some metals, meaning it can sequester Cd, Cr, Mn and Pb. The TF index >1was recorded for all of the metals. The implication of this is that Cabbage had the ability to translocate all the tested met-als. Sunflower has also accumulated a good amount of the various heavy metals. BCF index >2 was recorded with Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn and Pb. But the TF index >1 was seen across all the metals. Soil from Zamfara was observed to produce plants with significantly higher Pb in the shoot, while differences in metal content in the shoot tissue among plant species was not significant. |
| | Effect of Tillage Methods on Soil Properties and the Yield of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) | Author : Suleiman AA, Yit Arn Teh, Ella FA and Ejeanobi IF | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Tillage methods as a soil management practice improves crop quality and yield. An experiment was conducted in the 2019 dry season-farming, to evaluate the effect of tillage methods on soil properties and the yield of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in the department of Agricultural science education, student demonstration farm; of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State. Nigeria. The experiment consisted of three tillage methods (Ridge, Flat and Bed) with three replicates in a (3 × 1) fac-torial experiment. Tillage effects of plots under the flat (F) method performed significantly (p < 0.05), with a total number of 40friuts. The Flat (F) tillage method equally produced the highest mean fruit size of (18cm) as compared to bed (B) and the ridge (R) tillage method. Consequently, watermelon fruits under the bed (B) method of tillage had the highest mean fruit weight of (6.2kg), which was significantly different from mean weight obtained under the flat (F) and the ridge (R) methods of tillage. Planting on the flat (F) produced significantly higher number of fruits and size compared to planting on the bed and ridge. Therefore, both the flat and the bed methods of tillage has the potential for watermelon production in terms of number of fruits, fruit size and weight respectively in the study area. |
| | Entrepreneurship Possibility on Goat Farming in India | Author : Subhranil Mustafi, Pritam Ghosh, Sanket Dan, Kaushik Mukherjee, Kunal Roy and Satyendra Nath Mandal | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The aim of this study is to focus on the entrepreneurship possibilities in the livestock sector (particularly Goat) in India. After studying the market, the authors discovered that there is a lack of a unique, tamper-proof and reliable identification system. Due to this, the animal insurance has drastically reduced to around 25-30% of the original claimed value. As a result, the authors have developed an image-based identification system based on iris pattern of goats to generate a unique biometric tag to each individual without hurting it. After the invention of unique trait of the species, the authors moved on to commercialise it. The Primary Market Research has been conducted and market segments have been identified. The goat breeding farms, processors and animal husband-ries are the systematic market segments identified respectively. Eventually, the authors calculated the total addressable market and predicted that on charging Rs 100 per biometric tag, a total of 1.16Billion INR can be generated by selecting Goat population in west Bengal as beachhead market i.e., 11.6 million. The quantification can be visualized as, the average cost of each goat would be: Rs 10000-12000, where 2-3 out of 10 goats distributed, are stolen and misinterpreted during verification. Thus, out of 11.6 million goats, more than 2.5-3million goats get misinterpreted resulting in loss of Rs 12000*2.5m = 30 Billion INR pan India. Our technology shall help to curb the loss completely. Low insurance claim, poaching, un-accounted international transfers of goats can easily be eradicated using this biometric technology |
| | Effect of Foliar Application of Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) on Growth and Yield of Gossypium hirsutum | Author : Madiha Nisar, Muhammad Nasir, Shahid Saleem, Muhammad Umar Iqbal and Tabinda Athar | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) is rich in nutrients having ascorbate, amino acids, minerals, zeatin, antioxidants, vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, and numerous other compounds that have the potential of growth enhancement. An experiment was con-ducted in Rahim Yar Khan in 2019 during the cotton cropping season to study the effects of MLE on cotton crop. The growing site was properly prepared by using appropriate cultivation practices. A recommended dose of chemical fertilizers NPK 150:50:50 was applied with an interval of 15 days. Moringa leaf extract was made by using 3 kg healthy moringa leaves and was sprayed on the crop in 3 replications and 3 treatments i.e., MLE + NPK (T1), NPK (T2) and Control (T3) where no MLE and NPK was applied. The experi-ment was conducted by following Randomized Complete Block Design and separate blocks were used for each treatment. The data was collected before each application of (MLE) and maximum yield was observed in the treatment having MLE extract and NPK. The results showed that application of MLE significantly increased the yield of cotton and therefore, it can be used as an organic fertilizer for maximizing cotton yield. |
| | Towards Greater Sustainability in The Sundarbans | Author : Gargi De | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The remote geographical location of the Sundarbans with its proximity to the sea, complex river system - crisscrossing of tidal streams, channels and creeks, renders it extremely vulnerable to natural calamities like sporadic floods and cyclonic storms. This results in intrusion of saline water causing frequent damage to crops; insufficient sweet water resources necessary for drinking pur-pose, pisciculture, fisheries; occasional floods and cyclonic hazards causing loss of life and property – habitats of people are washed away by floods every year. Added to this is the highly onerous task of monitoring the huge length of embankments, lack of proper drainage facilities, inadequate electricity supply and lack of adequate communication facilities. |
| | Mechanism of Sugar Signaling in Plants | Author : Stephen K, Beena R, Manju RV, Viji MM and Roy Stepehn | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Plants produce a wide range of sugars that are involved in growth and developmental processes. To coordinate and integrate all these processes plants have developed specific mechanisms. A complex network of metabolic and hormone signaling pathways is present in plants that are intimately linked to diverse sugar responses. One of the mechanisms that has been found to modulate actively with other systems is the ‘sugar signaling mechanism’. In order to integrate these changes in the different processes and en-vironmental conditions, plants have developed a mechanism to sense these ‘sugar signals’. While hormonal signals are generated at micro-molar concentrations, sugar signals are generated at milli-molar concentrations. The sugar signals modulate gene expression by acting on various kinases and phosphatases. Sugar signals are generated through metabolic processes such as relative concen-trations of carbohydrates and other nutrients, through the action of specific enzymes or through various sensors and transporters that are present in the nucleus, cytosol or on the surface of certain organelles.After detection of sugars by sensors, the information is passed on through signal transduction and amplifying cascades, resulting in appropriate responses. Signaling cascades ultimately lead to gene regulation. Sugars regulate gene expression by translating nutrient status to modulate growth and development with available carbohydrate content. |
| | Characterization of Bacillus weihenstephanensis AGII: A Psychrotolerant Bacteria Isolated from Rhizosphere of Medicinal Plant Gentiana kurroo Royle | Author : Neha Gautam, Pankaj Sharma, JC Rana and Mohar Singh | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The beneficial bacteria present in the area around the plant roots. These are termed as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). These bacteria are useful to enhance plant growth and curb plant diseases. The objectives of the present study were to iso-late, identify and characterize PGPR traits in psychrotolerant bacteria native to rhizosphere of a threatened high valued medicinal plant Gentiana kurroo Royle. In total 10 bacterial isolates were isolated, out of which isolate AGII showed maximum antagonism against tested phytopathogens. Therefore, isolate AGII was selected further to study in vitro growth promoting attributes and for phylogenetic identification. Bacterial isolate AGII was identified as Bacillus weihenstephanensis by 16SrRNA gene sequence and has been registered in NCBI under the accession number MF593886. Plant growth promoting traits of this isolate were studied by per-forming following assays viz., Phosphate solubilization, Ammonia Production, HCN production, Protease production. The isolated bacterial strain was studied for its inhibitory potential against deadly plant pathogens by using a dual culture in vitro assay. In the present investigation, Bacillus weihenstephanensis MF593886 was tested against deadly plant pathogens viz., Alternaria solani MTCC 2101, Botrytis cinerea MTCC 2350, Fusarium oxysporum MTCC 7677, Rhizoctonia solani MTCC 4633, Colletotrichum gloeosporioidesMTCC 9664 and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum MTCC 8785. It is capable to produce siderophore, HCN, ammonia, proteases and has a po-tential to solubilize phosphates. The present study proposes the potential of Bacillus weihenstephanensis as a PGPR in the context of cold agro-ecosystems |
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