A rice waxy mutant M6 was generated from a japonica rice cultivar Kitaake through gamma irradiation. In this study, we characterized the mutant and analyzed its starch properties. The M6 with milky opaque kernels had lower seed length, width, and weight than wild type. The cavity in the center of starch granule might be responsible for waxy appearance of M6 mature kernels. Sequence analysis of granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) gene showed that there was a 23 bp duplication inserted into the exon 2, generating one stop codon. No GBSSI protein was detected in the endosperm of M6. The isolated starch showed similar ratio of short and long branch-chains of amylopectin between M6 and wild type, but the M6 starch had no amylose. Both the M6 and wild type had A-type starch, but the M6 starch exhibited higher relative crystallinity than wild type starch. Compared with wild type starch, the M6 starch had significantly high swelling power, gelatinization enthalpy and breakdown viscosity and low water solubility, gelatinization peak temperature, peak viscosity, hot viscosity, final viscosity and setback viscosity. The M6 starch had significantly lower resistance to amylase hydrolysis than wild type starch.

A field experiment was conducted during 2013-14 and 2014-15 to study the effect of planting methods, intercropping and integrated weed management practices on yield of turmeric. Two planting methods of turmeric viz., paired row of 80/20 cm and paired row 70/30 cm; two intercrops viz., baby corn and greengram and three weed management practices viz., non-chemical i.e. mulching followed by four hand weeding at 35, 65, 95 and 140 days after planting (DAP), pre-emergence application of metribuzin @ 500 g ha-1 followed by five hand weeding at 35, 65, 95, 140 and 185 DAP and pre-emergence application of oxadiargyl @ 90 g ha-1 followed by five hand weeding at 35, 65, 95, 140 and 185 DAP along with one weedy check (control) were evaluated. Turmeric planting in paired row 70/30 cm and intercropping greengram in between paired rows with non-chemical weed management practice by mulching followed by four hand weeding at 35, 65, 95 and 140 DAP (M2I2W2) proved superior in most of the attributes studied, followed by paired row 70/30 cm and intercropping baby corn with non-chemical weed management practice by mulching followed by four hand weeding at 35, 65, 95 and 140 DAP (M2I1W2).

The Senegalese grasshopper Oedaleus senegalensis (Krauss, 1877) is a serious agricultural pest in Senegal. The use of chemical pesticides on a large scale has raised concerns because of side effects on health and the environment. As an alternative to chemical control, a fungal strain of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff, Sorokin) was isolated from the Senegalese grasshopper, and grown in agar culture medium. The effect on O. senegalensis was studied with an oil fungus formulation of 340 × 105 conidia/ml. Spraying took place in the field, and both nymphs and adults were infected with the fungus oil formulation. A total of 1.5 liter oil formulation of fungus was used for 1500 m2. Two methods were used to assess effectiveness: 1) we captured infected insects and fed them fresh grass daily in the laboratory and recorded time to death; 2) we counted insects in the field before and after application. In the field, the number of insects decreased significantly after the fungus treatment. In the laboratory, the lethal time at which 50% of the insects died varied between 8 to 9 days. The effectiveness of M. anisopliae in natural environment decreased with time.

Agriculture is one of those activities of man that is greatly affected by climate. Therefore, a change in climate would in no small measure impact on agriculture, location notwithstanding. This work as a result examined the impact of climate change on maize and cassava yields in Southeastern Nigeria. Expost-facto research method in the context of quasi experimental research design was adopted for the study. Data for rainfall and temperature were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET); and those for crop yields came from Federal Ministry of Agriculture of Nigeria and Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) of selected states. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regressions and analysis of variance. Results showed that, there are evidences of climate change in Southeastern Nigeria, with notable fluctuations in the identified trends. Employing the trend analysis represented by the least square line, Abia State rainfall is increasing at 0.1026mm per annum, while Imo State is decreasing at -1.1255 mm per annum. All the states recorded positive slopes in mean temperature which shows an increase in their trends. The multiple regression model showed R2 values that ranged between 0.25 – 0.29 revealing that only 25 %- 29 % of cassava and maize yields could be explained by rainfall and temperature across the states and the result was significant at p<0.05 revealing that cassava and maize yields significantly depended on rainfall and temperature. Crop yields were also significantly different spatially. As a result of the findings the study strongly advocates, development of better and sustained environmental policies that will be beneficial to climate systems while creating sustainable food security.

If adaptability is defined as the ability of a crop (or variety) to respond positively to changes in agricultural conditions, the purpose of this study was to explore the adaptability and relative influence of environmental factors on Cucumber Sativus L. to a specific Mediterranean environmental and agroecological site: Huete (Cuenca, Central Spain). Cucumber requires high temperatures and soil moisture for a satisfactory yield and maintaining an optimum level of humidity is very favorable, which is easy to achieve for farmers in Huete. Abundant sunshine is needed and this is another reason to cultivate during the summer period; it is estimated that there were between 2700 and 2800 hours of sunshine in the Huete area. The study described here revealed that the soils are poorly developed and evolved, with a simple Ap-C or Ap-Bw-C morphology. The soils are friable, slightly adherent and somewhat dry and hard. A significant feature is the presence of good drainage and appreciable effective depth. Like other crops, cucumber plants are preferably grown on loose, well-drained soils, such as the soils studied here. Huete cucumber seems able to tolerate certain levels of soil salinity when compared to other species. The cucumbers are irrigated with water with moderate electrical conductivity without an appreciable decrease in yield. Small doses of salinity may be one of the factors that leads to the characteristics associated with Huete cucumber, an aspect that would need to be investigated more deeply. Substrate nutrients and moisture management are two major concerns regarding Cucumber Sativus L. crops in Huete. Elemental chemical analysis revealed that strontium abounds and this is attributed to the presence of this element in the gypsums. The results of this study open a new horizon in the study of the aptitude of the land and represent a useful step towards the specific site and, consequently, the sustainable management of land under cucumber cultivation. Further research into a wider range of soils, fertilizer compositions and release rates is required.

This paper analyzes the availability of water, irrigation and water sharing practices as options of climate change adaptation by rice farmers in rural Nepal. By applying multi-stage sampling techniques, in order to select the sample district to households, 28 wards from 14 VDC of 7 Districts of Nepal have been selected. 773 rice farmers from both rural Terai and rural Hills have been enquired based on the structured questionnaire at the month of December and January 2017. Further, logistic regression has been applied to analyze the data. Our result revealed that, rice farmers have different opinions regarding adaptation options as out of 773 rice farmers only 73.7% farmers are adopting available adaptation options. Such adaptations practiced measured 55% on hilly district and 94% in Terai, which show Hilly farmers still have less adaptation practice than in Terai. Alternative irrigation as an adoption option is sixth in ranking due to its adaptation cost - it is the most costly adaptation option that takes NRs. 7914. Logistic result shows that there are several factors like gender (0.726***), total farmland (0.391***), income (7.380*), credit and (1.756***) increase the probability use of alternative water resources while irrigation facilities (-2.693***) and trainings (-1.064*) decrease such probability. Similarly, water sharing practice is found common in Hilly belt where in Terai it is comparatively less. Such water sharing featured communal in all respect and helps to share water among the farmers as per their need basis.

The aims of the paper are to present a Japanese agricultural phenomenon and to describe the effect that perceptions of agricultural policy have had on agricultural phenomena. The methodology comprises a survey of famers’ agricultural practices (interviews with 40 key informants conducted from 8–18 May 2016 in Tokyo). The patterns of agriculture are 1) agricultural treatment, and 2) small farms that almost use Kasetpranit (elaborate agriculture). Moreover, Japan’s many policies and strategies regarding agriculture are focused on using partner countries and joint ventures to make products to support the Japanese people. However, Japan has a zone for agricultural production in which it is able to control the quality of agricultural production; in this good environment, Japan produces high-quality products. By applying Japanese agricultural concepts, other countries can improve their situations.

Finding a sustainable solution to the problem of climate change is the first step to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition in developing countries. In Côte d’Ivoire the oilseed Citrullus lanatus constitutes a source of income for farmers. The lack of knowledge on the suitable sowing dates of this plant engenders it low production. Thus to resolve this problem, some field trial were carried out in Gbokora (Daloa). An experimental design with three blocs randomized was set up. Experimentation consisted to realize a sowing during two growing seasons: season 1 (S1) and season (S2). For each season five sowing dates separated with two weeks were realized: Early 1 (E1), Early 2 (E2), Middle (M), Later 1 (L1) and Later 2 (L2). It emerges from this study that to improve the yield of this plant, the crop should be grown during the first season. In addition, planting must be done between mid-March and the beginning of April. This period corresponds to the beginning of the rainy season in the study area. However, if the farmers wish to produce the plant in the second growing season, they will have to wait until the beginning of August, which corresponds to the short rainy season.

This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of sorghum production by smallholder farmers in Konso district, Southern Ethiopia using cross sectional data collected from a sample of 124 sorghum producing households. Individual levels of technical efficiency scores were estimated using the Cobb-Douglas functional form, which was specified to estimate the stochastic production frontier. The estimated stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land size, fertilizer (Urea and DAP), human labour, oxen power and chemicals (herbicides or pesticides) found to be important factors in increasing the level of sorghum output in the study area. The result further revealed significant differences in technical efficiency among sorghum producers in the study area. The discrepancy ratio, which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency, was about 90%. The estimated mean levels of technical efficiency of the sample households was about 69%, which shows existence of a possibility to increase the level of sorghum output by about 31% by efficient use of the existing resources. Among the household specific socio-economic and institutional factors hypothesized to affect the level of technical inefficiency, age, education level, family size, off/non-farm activities, extension contact, livestock holding, plots distance and soil fertility status were found to be significant in determining the level of technical inefficiency of sorghum production in the study area. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient households by adopting the practices of relatively efficient households in the study area. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants.

Attitudes can be strong predictors of behaviours or the acceptance of ideas. The study therefore investigated the attitude of small scale farmers towards the use of Agricultural Indigenous knowledge in their farming activities. Using multistage sampling techniques involving simple random and snow sampling techniques 185 respondents were selected from eight communities in the district. Data was collected using questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results show that farmers have positive attitude towards the use of Agricultural Indigenous Knowledge (AIK) in their farming. The study also indicated that gender and age have significant effect on the attitude of farmers towards the use AIK however education has no significant effect.

The authors investigated the allocative and technical efficiencies of resources used in cocoyam production among small scale farmers in Central Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: determine the allocative efficiency of resources used in cocoyam production in the area and determine also the technical efficiency of resources used in cocoyam production in the area. Primary data were used to conduct the study. Statistical tools employed were allocative efficiency index (AEI) and stochastic frontier production function (SFPF). Results of the allocative efficiency index showed that farm size (x1), fertilizer (x3) and herbicide (x5) were all found to be grossly underutilized since their allocative efficiency index were greater than one (1) and their marginal value product (MVP) were greater than their marginal factor cost (MFC). However, Labour (x2) alone was over-utilized. The following were recommended cocoyam farmers are advised to improve on their use of farm resources like land, fertilizer, herbicide and seeds as they were found to be under-utilized and labour should be controlled in such a way that it can be used in other farm enterprises.

A rice waxy mutant M6 was generated from a japonica rice cultivar Kitaake through gamma irradiation. In this study, we characterized the mutant and analyzed its starch properties. The M6 with milky opaque kernels had lower seed length, width, and weight than wild type. The cavity in the center of starch granule might be responsible for waxy appearance of M6 mature kernels. Sequence analysis of granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) gene showed that there was a 23 bp duplication inserted into the exon 2, generating one stop codon. No GBSSI protein was detected in the endosperm of M6. The isolated starch showed similar ratio of short and long branch-chains of amylopectin between M6 and wild type, but the M6 starch had no amylose. Both the M6 and wild type had A-type starch, but the M6 starch exhibited higher relative crystallinity than wild type starch. Compared with wild type starch, the M6 starch had significantly high swelling power, gelatinization enthalpy and breakdown viscosity and low water solubility, gelatinization peak temperature, peak viscosity, hot viscosity, final viscosity and setback viscosity. The M6 starch had significantly lower resistance to amylase hydrolysis than wild type starch.

Soil erosion is one of the major challenges of Ethiopia deteriorating the productivity of land. Soil and water conservation (SWC) is the only practice to reverse the threat and protect the land. Over the last three decades, different soil and water conservation activities have been undertaken. However, soil erosion still persists and become major threats of Ethiopian farmers. Despite the massive mobilization of resources for SWC, only very few farmers have been practicing integrated soil and water conservation measures for restoration of degraded agricultural land. In addition, there is lack of information among farmers on the impact of SWC on soil fertility improvement and soil nutrient content dynamics. This study was conducted in Kofele district, which is one of AGP district, in West Arsi Zones of Oromia. The study was aimed to demonstrate the impact of integrated Soil and water conservation measures in restoring degraded agricultural land. Dasho and Elephant grasses were planted on graded soil bund as an integration measures at four farmers field. Farmer’s field visit was arranged two times in two years to share practical experiences among the farmers and DA. It was also identified that soil nutrient contents in terms of total nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium and soil organic carbon content showed an increasing trend since establishment (2016). On the other hand, this kind of soil and water conservation practices on agricultural land showed promising way of carbon sequestration as the climate change mitigation strategy. The study recommended the use of integrated soil and water conservation measures as strategy of rehabilitating degraded agricultural land as apart of integrated water shed management.

The present study has been conducted in Hada El Sham area, Western K.S. A. The study is mainly taxonomic that included collection, preparation, identification and classification of plant species in the study area. A total of 108 plant species were identified belonging to 32 families, and 74 genera, represent the flora of the study area. The study also included a survey of the uses of plant species of the area, where (89) species out of identified species were found to have economic importance. These represent (84%), of the total plant species of the study area. The study reviewed the names of families and species according to recently published corrections, and found some were altered, so they were changed to recent names. It is recommended to conserve the plant species of the study area so as to reduce the encroachment of desertification and preserve the plant species of economic, and medicinal importance.

Winter rye and Lolium mix are the most commonly used green manure crops that can withstand the low temperature. Its growth is influenced by light interception and different cultural practices such as sowing density and addition of nitrogen fertilizer. The objective of study was to determine the effect of sowing density on tiller number, fresh biomass and ground cover by green leaf blades of two green manure crops for consecutive two years. Split plot design was used with two green manure crop as main factor and sowing density as sub-plot factors as three levels with six blocks. Analysis of variance showed significant (P <0.05) interaction between sowing density and two green manure crops in two years for tiller number, fresh biomass and ground cover (%) by green leaf blades. High number of tiller, biomass production and ground cover was observed for winter rye than Lolium in both years. Winter rye was more likely preformed for tiller number, fresh biomass and ground cover at 100- 200% sowing density. Therefore, further investigation is required for winter rye at 100 % and 200 % sowing density at different locations and economic visibility in order to recommend the optimum sowing density for farming community.

Molecular markers (DNA markers) have entered the scene of genetic improvement in a wide range of horticultural crops. Among the major traits targeted for improvement in horticultural breeding programmes are disease and pest resistance, fruit yield and quality, tree shape, floral morphology, drought tolerance and dormancy. The development of molecular techniques for genetic analysis has led to a great increase in the knowledge of horticultural genetics and understanding and behavior of their genomes. These molecular techniques in particular, molecular markers, have been used to monitor DNA sequence variation in and among the species and create new sources of genetic variation by introducing new and favorable traits from landraces, wild relatives and related species and to fasten the time taken in conventional breeding. Today, markers are also being used for, genetic mapping, gene tagging and gene introgression from exotic and wild species.

The present investigation was conducted with the aim to determine effective application of natural antimicrobial compounds mungbean sprouts and to assess the microbial quality of treated sprouts in terms of total plate count (TPC). Mungbeans were treated right from the time of germination (pre-germination mode) or its sprouts were treated for 15 min (post-germination mode) with 0.1% sodium benzoate as chemical preservative (Control II) and with various bio-preservatives viz., 7.7% clove, 9.5% cinnamon, 7.9% garlic 7.9% ginger crude extracts. The un-treated mungbean served as control (Control-I). The sprouts were packed in plastic disposable cups and stored in dark at room temperature (20±3?C) conditions and low temperature (7±1?C) conditions. A significant decreased rate of growth in TPC of sprouts during storage was observed under various treatments, however, the effect was lesser in post-germination mode. In pre-germination mode, at both temperature regimes, the minimum total plate count was observed in clove, while all other treatments were showing equal effectiveness. In post-germination mode all the treatments were equally effective in reducing total plate count. In conclusion, 7.7% clove crude extract showed highest effectiveness in pre-germination mode while in post-germination all crude extracts of bio-preservatives showed equal effectiveness at both storage temperatures.

Background: Rice is the staple food of half the world’s population including Sri Lanka. Resistant starch (RS) is the starch and starch degradation products that escape digestion in the small intestine by human digestive enzymes and reported to have wide range of health benefits. Rice consists of varying amounts of RS depending on the rice variety. However, RS content of Sri Lankan rice varieties has very limited studied. Objective: To evaluate the RS content of thirty eight selected rice varieties of Sri Lanka. Methods: Twenty seven new improved (NI) [Bg: Bathalagoda and At: Ambalanthota], two old improved (OI) and nine traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka were used in this study. RS content of whole grain rice varieties were determined according to the Megazyme assay protocol with some modifications. Results: RS content varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the tested rice varieties and it ranged from 0.30 ± 0.02 to 4.65 ± 0.19%. RS content of NI, OI and traditional rice varieties ranged from 0.30 ± 0.02 to 3.11 ± 0.06, 0.55 ± 0.05 to 1.92 ± 0.40 and 0.44 ± 0.14 to 4.65 ± 0.19% respectively. Interestingly, mean RS content was significantly (P < 0.05) high in traditional rice varieties compared to NI and OI rice varieties. Further, rice varieties which showed > 3% RS contents were all traditional rices (except Bg 3-5, a new improved white rice variety). Among the rice varieties studied, a traditional white pericarp rice variety Suduru Samba (4.65 ± 0.19%) had the highest RS content, while NI white pericarp rice variety Bg 305 (0.30 ± 0.02%) had the lowest RS content. Conclusion: It is concluded that RS content varied among the tested rice varieties and especially Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties had the highest RS content. Thus, such rices may have the potential to utilize in developing value added novel functional foods and neutraceuticals for prevention and dietary management chronic diseases.

To evaluate the diversity and impact of insect pollinators on pod and seed yields of Phaseolus vulgaris (red bean with small seeds), its foraging and pollinating behavior were studied in Yaoundé, during the mild raining season (March-June) in 2016 and 2017. Treatments included unlimited floral access by all visitors and bagged flowers to avoid all insect pollinators. For each year of study, observations were made on 55 ± 38 flowers per treatment. The seasonal rhythm of insects activities, its foraging behavior, and its impact on pollination (fruiting rate, number of seeds/pod and percentage of normal seeds) were recorded. Fourteen insect species visited P. vulgaris flowers. Out of 667 visits, Xylocopa olivacea, Halictus sp., Chalicodoma sp. and Apis mellifera adansonii were the most frequent visitors with 21.43 %, 19.49 %, 12.44 % and 10.04 % visits respectively. These insects collected nectar and pollen intensely and regulatedly. The foraging activities of insect pollinators increased the fruiting rate by 23.56 %, the number of seeds/pod by 46.31 % and the normal seeds by 21.49 %. Therefore, conservation of nests and colonies of insect pollinators close to P. vulgaris crop fields should be recommended to improve pod and seed production in the region.

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the nematicidal efficacy of a biocontrol agent, Pseudomonas flourescens for the management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyneincognita on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cv.‘Avarodhi’ under glasshouse conditions. All the treatments were found to significantly improve the growth and physiological parameters of chickpea and reduction in pathological parameters as compare to untreated inoculated control. The highest improvement was observed in those plants treated with P. flourescens alone. Concomitant and sequential inoculation of P. flourescens with M.incognita also showed significant improvement in growth parameters of chickpea. Least enhancement in growth parameters was observed in those plants inoculated with nematode alone. It may be due to the nematcidal behaviour of P. flourescens against root-knot nematode, M. incognita. Hence, it may be concluded that P. flourescens as biocontrol agent is better substitute against chemical nematicides for the sustainable management of M. incognita and reduce environmental hazards.

Cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal, Solanaceae) is an attractive fruit due, in part, to its exuberant appearance (e.g., great freshness, vivid colors, and large size). Besides, cubiu fruits are highly valued for their nutritional richness (e.g., soluble fibers such as pectin, vitamin C, potassium, and carotenoids). The objective of this study was to evaluate sensory and physical changes of green cubiu fruits during the post-harvest period at ambient atmosphere. Green cubiu fruits were randomly harvested and immediately taken to the laboratory of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The perfect fruits were then selected (n = 20), stored at ambient atmosphere (mean temperature of 29.24°C), and daily evaluated for (i) loss of weight, (ii) longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) diameter modifications, (iii) loss of freshness, and (iv) color changes. The duration of the experiment was defined by the total loss of freshness of all investigated fruits; thus, making their appearance potentially unfit for human consumption. The predominant shape of cubiu fruits was cordiform (1.17) throughout the experiment, i.e., yet suitable to easily peel. The loss of freshness started on the sixth post-harvest day at ambient atmosphere, being apparent in 100% of the fruits 17 days later (end of the experiment). Of importance, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the temperature and the L/T ratio. The color changes started on the seventh post-harvest day at ambient atmosphere, but they were characteristically irregular, imperfect, and incompatible with three standard ripening stages of the fruit at the end of the experiment (i.e., eight fruits (40%) remained green, seven fruits (35%) reached the turning stage, and five fruits (25%) reached the ripe stage). No fruit reached the fully ripe stage. Harvested at the green stage, cubiu fruits remained attractive to consumers for five days at ambient atmosphere.

Mining and mineral processing in Nigeria provides economic benefits of wealth creation and employment opportunities. However the industry is associated with a number of negative challenges among which is the health impact on miners and surrounding communities arising from mining processes. The process produced large volumes of tailings and waste that may contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). Some of the NORMs are soluble in water and have the tendency to leach into water bodies and farm lands. This work measured the radiological hazard indices in cereals grown around Ririwai Tin Mine Kano State, North Western Nigeria using Direct Gamma Spectroscopy (NaI (Tl)), The results shows that the mean activity concentration in cereals samples were 59.99±2.76, 25.95±2.55 and 46.81±1.99 Bq/kg respectively for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th, the mean absorbed dose rate was 32.56±1.44nGyh, the mean committed effective dose for 40K is0.052±0.002 mSv/year, 226Ra has a mean committed effective dose of 0.980±0.100mSv/year while 232Th has a mean committed effective dose of is 1.508±0.064mSv/year The total committed effective dose in cereals is 2.540±0.150mSv/year. The risk estimated were Fatality cancer risk to population per year is 1.34?10-4, Lifetime fatality cancer risk to population is 9.38?10-3 , Severe Hereditary effect per year is 5.10?10-6 and Lifetime Hereditary effects is 3.40?10-4 . The values of all the radiological indices obtained in this study are relatively high due to high bioaccumulation of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th by the cereals, suggesting that their consumption could pose radiological health hazards.

Twice repeated experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions to investigate the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus L. shoot (stem + branch) and leaf, at 0, 5, 10 and 15 g L-1 (w/v) concentrations on maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination, seedling growth (shoot and root length) and biomass production. The treatments were laid out in completely randomized design with the factorial arrangement in four replications. Result indicated that the highest germination percentage (98.75%) was recorded from control whereas the lowest (43.75 %) was from stem extract at15 g L-1 concentration level. Similar trend was also observed by leaf extract. Root and shoot length of maize crop was reduced by 91.4 % and 70.8% by 85.6 and 35.8% leaf extracts and stem extracts respectively hence the roots were more sensitive to allelopathic effect than shoot. Extract of both leaf and stem at 15 g L-1 strongly reduced fresh and dry biomass of the maize seedling. The highest (100,100 %) tolerance index was recorded from control whereas, the lowest (8.62, 14.74%) was recorded from leaf and stem extract at 15 g L-1 concentration level respectively. Leaf aqueous extract showed more phytotoxic effect (91.37 %) than stem extracts (85.25) at 15 g L-1 whereas was the minimum recorded in control (0.0%). 15 g L-1 minimum value of vigor index (200, 539.2) and higher inhibition potentials (62.5 and 55.78%) were recorded from leaf and stem respectively. therefore allelopathic effect by the parthenium extracts is concentration-dependent manner. Leaf extract had shown highest inhibition potential followed by the stem.

Cereal endosperm with inhibition of starch branching enzyme (SBE) increases resistant starch content and has health benefit. For plants, endosperm starch is degraded to provide energy for seedling growth. However, whether the inhibition of SBE influences in situ degradation of starch during seedling growth is seldom reported. In this study, a normal japonica rice cultivar Wu-xiang 9915 (WX) and its derived transgenic rice line (WTR) with inhibition of SBE were cultivated in the dark only in deionized H2O. The plant growth and starch property changes were investigated during seedling development. Compared with WX, WTR showed a significantly slow plant growth. The slow degradation of starch in seed restrained the plant growth. For WX, the amylopectin and amylose were simultaneously degraded, leading to that the endosperm residual starches had similar crystalline and short-range ordered structure during seedling development. However, for WTR, the amylopectin had higher resistance to in situ degradation than amylose, and endosperm residual starches changed from CA- to CB-type and its ordered structure increased during seedling development.

The study assessed factors limiting production of citrus among smallholder farmers in Benue state, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 120 respondents using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean score and factor analysis. Results revealed that 80% males and 20% females were involved in citrus production in the study area, 95% were married with 74.17% having citrus farm size of 1-3 hectares. Site selection (93.3%), variety and rootstock selection (91.7%), irrigation (91.7%), disease control (91.7%), pest management (88.3%), fertilizer application (86.7%), wind breaks (83.3%), grafting/budding (81.7%) were major citrus management practices used by the respondents. Respondents’ activities in citrus production were constrained by infrastructural, fund-related and institutional factors. The study concluded that more males than females were involved in citrus production. It is recommended that research and extension agencies should target appropriate technologies that will improve productivity of citrus and increase income of smallholder farmers for economic empowerment.

This study was initiated in order to understand the biochemical mechanisms involved in the resistance of J. curcas to Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Artificial inoculations were done on young seedlings leaves of 8 J. curcas local accessions from Burkina Faso including 4 resistant and 4 susceptible. Two extractions were made for the evaluation of each biochemical parameter: one on the 1st day before and the second on the 7th day after inoculation. The study revealed that the response of J curcas to L. threobromae infection is depending to the resistance or the susceptibility of accessions. It showed an increase in the content of biomolecules synthesis such as phenolic, flavonoids, proteins, photosynthetic pigments, salicylic acid and also an increase of catalase and trypsin inhibition activities. In susceptible accessions, the study revealed a decrease in the photosynthetic pigments and an increase in MDA content comparatively to resistant accessions. The ACP performed on the basis of the evaluated biochemical parameters showed that the axis F1 allows the separation of the resistant and the susceptible accessions, and indicated that the resistance of accessions result in the activation of biomolecules synthesis such as phenolic, flavonoids, proteins, photosynthetic pigments, salicylic acid and stimulation of catalase and trypsin inhibition activities. The F2 axis is associated with sugars content and, chymotrypsin inhibition and SOD activities. In susceptible accessions, an increase in MDA content and SOD activity were observed. This study represents an important step in combating leaf fungal diseases by opting to the green technology and by breeding for genotypes with inducing natural defense compounds.