Agriculture Journal: Volume-9, Issue-12, December, 2023

Abstract- Because of significant increase of temperature, decrease in seasonal precipitations and hard and frequent droughts on the background of climate global change the attenuation of the yield of many agricultural crops is expected. Different approaches are used to raise plant’s drought resistance. Applying plants endophytes is one of the modern ways of problem solwing. The purpose of the presented work was to study the effect of spraying the pepper plant (Capsicum annum L.) with consortia of endophytic microscopic fungi of wild xerophytes on experimental plant’s drought resistance and productivity. Ten different species of xerophytes served as a source of endophytic fungi: Artemisia lerchiana Weber ex Stechm., Artemisia scoparia Waldst. &Kit., Erigeron canadensis L. (Conyza canadensis), Lactuca serriola L., Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv., Ballota nigra L., Polygonum aviculare L., Tribulus terrestris L., Zygophillum fabago L., and Chenopodium album L. Isolation of microscopic fungi was performed following the standard scheme, i.e. the primary sowings and later – the pure cultures were obtained. The efficiency of the fungal biopreparation was evaluated by the biometrical and biochemical indices of plants. For this purpose the habitus of both control and sptayed plants was observed and the height was measured; as well as the content of plastid pigments and ascorbic acid in leaves was studied. According to experimental results is clear that microscopic fungi alleviated the stress effect on experimental plants and enhanced the drought resistance of photosynthetic apparatus. Biopreparations stimulated the growth and development of test-plants as well, and accelerated the flowering onset.

Abstract- Transportation challenges facing upland rice production in Ojjor community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State of Nigeria is studied. Rice is the most populous cereal and a major staple food in Nigeria whose demand is constantly on the increase owing to the growing demand by the increasing population. Upland rice refers to rice grown under dry condition which depends on rainfall for growth. Agricultural products are biological materials which often are vulnerable to external influences such as environment and handling techniques. It depends heavily on elaborate bulk handling system for bringing inputs to farm, evacuation of farm produce from the farm storage centers or to market, delivering the products to processors and finally to ultimate consumers. Survey trips were made to the study area during which primary data was collected from 100 respondents who were randomly chosen. These respondents were administered with structured questionnaires designed to assist in obtaining information that were analyzed to reach to the results, conclusion and recommendations made in the study. Result show that about 77% of the respondents are engaged in agricultural production, 12% are in petty trading, while the rest (1%) is engaged in one form of business or another. The prevailing mode of transportation in the study area is head portage (71%), other modes of transportation are: wheel barrow (13%), bicycle and motorcycle (11%) and public transport using motor vehicle (5%). The predominant types of access roads in the area are bush paths (79%), followed by earthen roads (13%). The study revealed that the inadequate transportation system in the area is adversely affecting upland rice cultivation in the study area.

Abstract- Bambara groundnut is an underutilize legume with poor yield because of inadequate knowledge about high yielding varieties and soil amendment rates. This experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, to determine the growth and yield potentials of five varieties and different poultry manure rates of Bambara groundnut. The five varieties used were TVSU 1482, TVSU 688, TVSU 921, Black local and White local, while the soil amendment rates were 0kg/ha, 4000kg/ha, 6000kg/ha, and 8000kg/ha of poultry manure. The experiment was set up in a split block using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data collected include plant height, 50% flowering, days to 50 % maturity, pod per ha and Seed yield per hectare. The data collected were analyzed using the GLM SAS software while the means were separated using the Duncan’s multiple range test as described. Result showed that variety TVSU 688 had higher performance than other varieties but not significantly better (P<0.05). The manure rates were also significantly better than control (0kg/ha) in growth and yield parameters. The experiment revealed that TVSU 688 has the highest growth and yield traits in Owerri, while poultry manure applied at 4000 kg/ha is also the most effective poultry manure rate to be considered in Bambara groundnut cultivation.

Abstract- This paper focused on the impact of climate change on human population and environmental health in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa is among the most vulnerable continents to climate change has a result of human’s explorative activities. Throughout this region there are spatial and temporal discrepancies in temperature and precipitation trends; with dread impacts on human population, its sustainability and environmental health. The effects of climate change are warming temperatures, fluctuations in precipitation, harsh weather events, rising sea levels, population migration and displacement of coastal communities. These impacts threaten human population, population distribution and settlement, health, water quality and supply, agriculture and our ecosystems. Climate change impacts our health in a number of ways by: reducing the availability of safe food and drinking water; damaging roads and bridges, disrupting access to communication, utility, and health care services; increasing emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) for energy and transportation; risk of respiratory, cardiovascular and vector borne disease; and increasing mental health problems like as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For effective management of this risk, it requires the integration of mitigation and adaptation strategies in the management of ecosystem, agriculture and human health population in Africa.

Abstract- A field experiment entitled “Effect of Vermicompost and Fertility Levels on Productivity and Quality of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)” was conducted at Research Farm, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur during Rabi season of 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications and consisting three vermicompost levels (control, vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha-1) and three fertility levels (75% RDF, 100% RDF and 125% RDF). The barley var. RD - 2035 was used for experimentation. Results showed the interaction effect of vermicompost and fertility levels on yield and net returns of barley was found significant, therefore, application of vermicompost at 2.5t ha-1 with 125% RDF, closely followed by application of vermicompost at 5.0 t ha-1 with 100% RDF may be recommended for higher productivity and profitability of barley as it gave highest net returns of 66602 ha-1 with highest B: C ratio of 2.87.