Agriculture Journal: Volume-8, Issue-5, May, 2022

Abstract— The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of storage duration and temperature on β-carotene contents of egg yolk. Also, correlation between β-carotene contents of the eggs and some egg quality traits were examined. Both the storage duration and temperature were tested at three levels using a total of two hundred and seventy eggs laid by Isa Brown at fifty one week. The storage duration studied were 1 day, 7 days and 14 days, while the temperature regimes studied were 4 0C, 10 0C and 23 0C. Standard methods were used to determine the width, weight, length and shape index prior to storage. Spectrophotometer was used to determine the β-carotene contents of the eggs. Progressive decline in β-carotene contents of eggs was observed as the storage duration prolonged. Decline in β-carotene as temperature increased was negligible, which implies that storing eggs between 4 0C and 23 0C for a period of 14 days will not adversely affect the β-carotene content of the eggs. Slight negative correlation exists between β-carotene and egg weight, while strong negative correlations were observed between β-carotene and egg length, and β-carotene and egg width. Consequently, selecting for egg weight, egg length and egg weight entails regressive selection against β-carotene value of the egg.

Abstract— The present investigation entitled ““Effect of intrgrated nutrient management on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)” was conducted during 2016-17 at the experimental farm Department of Agriculture, Mata Gujri College, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications and ten treatments. The treatments consisted of T0: Control, T1: RDF, T2: 100% RDF + FYM @10 t ha-1, T3: 100% RDF + FYM @20 t ha-1, T4: 100% RDF + Vermicompost @10 t ha-1, T5: 100% RDF + Azotobacter @ 6 kg ha-1 T6: 100% RDF + FYM @10 t ha-1 + Azotobacter @ 6 kg ha-1, T7: 100% RDF + FYM @10 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @10 t ha-1 T8:100% RDF + FYM @20 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @10 t ha-1 T9: 100% RDF + FYM @20 t ha-1 + Azotobacter @ 6 kg ha-1Application of different levels of fertilizers in combination with organic manures and biofertilizers significantly increased the growth, yield and quality of potato. The maximum plant height (62.04 cm), number of compound leaves (56.97), fresh weight of haulm (161.27 g), dry weight of haulm (20.36 g), moisture content(13.00%), number of tubers/plant(10.20), tuber length (85.01 mm), average weight of tubers (61.13g) tuber yield/plant (609.70g), tuber yield/plot (13.92 g), tuber yield/ha (348.10 q), stubble yield/ha (98.7 q) and biological yield/ha (446.80 q) were recorded with the combined application of 100% RDF + FYM @20 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @10 t ha-1. Whereas, benefit: cost ratio (1.28:1) were recorded with the conjoint application of 100 per cent RDF + FYM @20 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @10 t ha-1. Therefore, application of 100 per cent RDF + FYM @20 t ha-1 + Vermicompost @10 t ha-1 may be suggested after on-farm testing in trail for commercial cultivation of potato for getting higher tuber yield with maximum net returns per unit area in potato.

Abstract— The cost components of the transmission unit of locally-fabricated oil palm fruit digester were studied for the economic management of our local small-scale oil mills. 5 major oil mills in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State Nigeria were studied and a representative company whose operational activities and available records were most amenable to the analytical models selected. Descriptive survey was adopted for this research. The records were painstakingly collated and processed, and the costs modeled using regression methods. The purchase price, maintenance cost and scrap value were each predicted with time as exponential models with R² values of 0.9833, 0.9572 and 0.9641 respectively. The scrap value and maintenance cost were each predicted as a 2nd order polynomial function of the new unit's purchase price; with R² values of 0.9719 and 0.9351 respectively. The accumulated annual maintenance cost was predicted as a 2nd order polynomial function of the annual digested nut output with R² values of 0.8963. The annual depreciation increased with successive units change, reflecting the dependence of depreciation on purchase price. It also decreased for each successive year of use for any particular unit. The results of the study did not corroborate the general approach of estimating machinery salvage value as 10% of the purchase price, or the practice in some quarters of budgeting 10% of the machine price for its maintenance cost. Understanding these costs dynamics will facilitate our locally-fabricated oil palm fruit digester's competitiveness via economic management of the transmission units.

Abstract— The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of some cowpathy and vedic krishi input. Organic farming uses the following systems to safe guard soil health and enhance the biological performance of crop plants. These systems are Vrkshayurveda, Panchagavya, Kunapajala, Beejamrit, Jeevamirit, Compost tea, Matka khad, Vermiwash and Amrutpani. In vedic krishi and cowpathy, low input costs are complemented by ecological and socioeconomic conditions that suit the needs of vast segments of farming communities composed of small and marginal farmers. All of the Cowpathy and vedic krishi inputs have been shown to significantly boost the productivity of many crops and suppress a wide variety of plant pathogens. Plants that are grown with Panchagavya and the beneficial microorganisms it contains are better able to fight off pathogens and provide nutrients without chemical fertilizers / pesticides. Vermiwash, Beejamrit and Jeevamirit all proved effective as foliar treatments in enhancing the productivity and preventing the spread of disease.

Abstract— The Tunisian arid environment has been the scene of profound territorial transformations characterized by a speculative agricultural influence on fragile steppe ecosystems. The Skhira region is a typical example through which this work proposes to follow these transformations and analyze their socio-economic and environmental impacts. To do this, a GIS database was created on QGis software, using two satellite images (from 1996 and 2020). Land cover/Land use maps obtained were supplemented by forty farmers' field surveys and interviews with decision-makers involved in agricultural activity. The results showed an extension of irrigated crops by 14.4% to the detriment of steppes and rainfed cereal crops. This intensification was the result of an incentive policy undertaken in the region since 1993 and originally aimed at small farmers but which, after 2011, was taken over by a group of large farmers who intensified the exploitation of limited resources. This has resulted in a degradation of biodiversity with the disappearance of several vegetation species, overexploitation of water resources which reached 216% in 2020, groundwater and soils salinization and greater exposure of crops to the harmful effects of climate change and desertification. On the social level, and although several productions have declined following the degradation of resources, the profits have been mainly drawn by the large farmers. This agricultural extension, especially the irrigated one, has failed to limit inequalities between social categories. On the contrary, the economy of Skhira' peasants is increasingly precarious and the social situation risks breaking out for this marginalized rural population.

Abstract— The high cost of feed ingredients is one of the most significant hurdles to livestock production in underdeveloped countries. This study examined the effect of untreated and alkaline treated melon husk diets on the hematological indices and blood chemistry, metabolic trial, and muscle pH of broilers. The five diets contained a control diet of 0% level of inclusion of melon husk, 10% and 20% of untreated melon husk; 10% and 20% level of inclusion of Alkaline treated melon husk as a replacement for maize. The value obtained for the single effect of level of inclusion for ether extract and the nitrogen-free extract was significantly affected (P < 0.05). However, the highest value of the interaction for feed intake was recorded in the treated diet while the control diet recorded the highest value. The pH values obtained two hours after slaughtering for control, untreated, and treated diets were found to be significantly affected (P < 0.05), and the pH value obtained four hours after slaughtering was not significantly affected. Therefore, blood parameters were found to be superior in the diet containing melon husk to control diet while the muscle pH is not adversely affected.

Abstract— This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vermicompost on the growth of Brassica integrifolia. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with hydroponic solutions supplemented with inorganic nutrients and vermicompost with the ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100, respectively. The agronomic, microbiological criteria and the change of the hydroponic solution were collected and processed to evaluate the effectiveness. The results showed that the treatment with 100% vermicompost solution gave the best agronomic criteria in the studied treatments and was equivalent to the control treatment. Microbiological density conformed to quality standards TCVN 6505-2:1999 on food hygiene and safety. After 30 days to stabilize the nutrient solution, the stability indicators of the hydroponic solution showed that the vermicompost solution (100%) could be used as a substitute for the inorganic nutrient solution.