Abstract: A Powered groundnut harvesting machine was designed and fabricated. The optimum machine diggers were selected using computer simulation method in ANSYS 11 program. The machine was tested in sandy and clayey sand soil. It was found that the effective time and total time recorded by the machine in sandy soil were lower than in clayey sand soil by 0.050 hr. Fuel consumption rate in sandy soil was lower than that in clayey sand soil by 0.7 L / ha. Machine field speed in sandy soil was higher than speed in clayey sand soil by 0.69 km / hr, it was also found that the values of machine theoretical field capacity, effective field capacity in sandy soil were higher than the values in clayey sand soil by 0.061 ha / h and 0.048 ha / h respectively while field efficiency in clayey sand soil was higher than that in sandy soil by 1.2 %. The differences were significant at 0.05 level and it can be concluded that the machine is efficient in harvesting the groundnut crop particularly in clayey sand soil. Hydraulic system and gear box were needed to enhance maneuverability and to control the digging speed of the machine.

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted from June to December during 2010/11 crop season at HARC to study the effect of herbicides rates on weed dynamics and yield of wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) variety “HAR 604” in randomized complete block design with three replications. the herbicides rates: clodinafop-propargyl(0.065,0.080, 0.105kgha^-1) and isoproturon (1.00, 1.25, 1.50kgha^-1), hand weeding at tillering and weedy checkwere used. The crop was infested with AvenafatuaL. and PhalarisparadoxaL. among grass weeds andCayluseaabyssinicaMeisn,C. trigynaL., Chenopodium album L., Corrigoialacapensis Wild, Guizotiascabra(Vis) Chiov, Oxalis latifoliaHBK, PolygonumnepalenseL., RaphanusraphanistrumL., SpergulaarvensisL. and Tagetesminuta L. among broadleaved weeds. Hand weeding followed isoproturon at 1.50 kg ha^-1 significantly reduced density and dry weight of weeds. Among herbicides, isoproturon provided better control of broadleaved and total weeds, whereas; clodinafop-propargyl proved better than isoproturon in controlling grass weeds. Hand weeding and hoeing at tillering resulted in lowest weed dry weight. Highest grain yield (2289.4 kg ha^-1) in was recorded in hand weeding followed by isoproturon at 1.5kg ha^-1 (2177.3 kg ha^-1). The highest straw yield was recorded in hand weeding followed by isoproturon 1.50 kg ha^-1, and harvest index was also maximum with hand weeding. Maximum N-uptake was also recorded in these treatments. Post emergence herbicides and /or hand weeding and hoeing at tillering can further enhance the weed suppressive effect of the crop.

Abstract: Onion varieties were evaluated for adaptability to the climatic conditions in Botswana. Six varieties of onion were planted under a complete randomized block design experiment with four replications at farmers’ field in Botswana (Southern Africa). The quantitative data on yield of onion varieties and, farmers perception on the varieties were collected. All the varieties were harvested at their maturity (80% tops down) and then graded and weighed into six categories of bulbs: small weight, double weight, thin weight, bolters weight, marketable weight and total weight. Inferential and descriptive statistical methods were used for data analysis where by two ways analysis of variance and ranking scales were applied. It was concluded that all the six varieties namely; Arad, Galil, Hanna, Shahar, Texas Grano 502 P.R.R. and Red Creole contributed differently to the total yield, marketable yield and percentage marketable yield. Onion variety Hanna followed by Shahar produced the highest marketable yield whereas Galil variety gave the lowest marketable yield. Despite the fact that Texas Grano variety produced the highest total yield and has been a common and popular onion variety in Botswana, it was recommended that farmers should not grown Texas Grano variety as it produced the lowest percentage (60%) of marketable yield. Based on the yield performance and the farmer’s perception, Hanna followed by Shahar varieties were found to be the best performing onion variety and therefore, government should promote these onion varieties for cultivation in Botswana. Government can import to ensure the availability of Hanna and Shahar varieties so that farmers can be motivated for adoption of these varieties for commercial production. The effects of different planting dates on the yield of onion varieties can be considered for future research.

Abstract: Musa spp are highly perishable crops with serious storage problems. Transformation to chips and flour has been identified as the only means of keeping them for a relatively longer period of time. This transformation, however, exposes them to attack by many storage pests including Tribolium castaneum Herbst. To get protection from these pests, in the past, synthetic pesticides were used with some measure of success. However, residue accumulation, toxicity to man and pest resistance caused by arbitrary use of synthetic pesticides have inspired this research into a healthy and less toxic alternative control measures for stored produce pests of chips. This experiment was conducted at the Department of Crop Science Research Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (06^o 52̍ N, 07^o 24̍ E; 447.26m a.s.l.), Nigeria from February to May, 2012 to compare the efficacy of powdered extracts of two botanical materials (Guinea pepper seeds (Piper giuneense Schum & Thonn) and Cloves flower buds (Eugenia aromatica Baill.) and a synthetic pesticide (Primiphos methyl 2% dust) against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst. (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae) on chips of three Musa spp (Agbagba, Obino’l ewai and Cooking banaana). The experiment was laid out as 8 × 3 factorial (8 levels of protectants by 3 levels of chips) in completely randomised design (CRD) with three replications. Results revealed that actellic (Primiphos methyl) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mortality effect on adult T. castaneum than the other protectants. Chips treated with 2g cloves had significantly (p < 0.05) lower percentage loss and lower rate of damage than all the protectants but its effects was similar to that of actellic. 2g cloves therefore compared favourably with the synthetic pesticides against T. castaneum in chips storage.

Abstract: Munronia pinnata (Wall) Theob. (Meliaceae) is a rare, therapeutically important medicinal plant widely used in traditional systems of medicine in Sri Lanka. Different populations of M. pinnata in Sri Lanka display an array of variable phenotypic characters. However, due to seasonal variations and rare flowering, study of reproductive characters in all populations is not possible. The present study emphasizes on the use of anatomical characters of leaf, stem and petiole of 13 populations of M. Pinnata as a systematic tool. Six monomorphic and 53 polymorphic quantitative and qualitative anatomical characters were scored. Cluster analysis was performed to derive the taxonomic relationship among the populations studied. A single access, indented key which could be used to identify anatomically different populations of M. pinnata was constructed using taxonomically stable anatomical characters. Populations collected from Ritigala reserve possessed distinguished characters such as presence of extra vascular bundles in outer part of the main vascular bundle in the midrib, higher number of epidermal cells in the upper epidermis, four separated parts in the stem vascular bundle and absence of secretory cells in the pith. Therefore, reconsideration of its taxonomic status is suggested. However, the level of taxon has to be decided after numerical analysis of combined taxonomic evidence of different disciplines. This study demonstrates that the importance of anatomical traits as an additional taxonomic tool for correct identification of M. pinnata.

Abstract: Psoralea corylifolia is a medically important plant and it used for large scale level in pharmaceutical industries to cure various skin diseases. This plant is facing difficulties in propagation because of poor seed germination and high mortality of seedlings. Therefore, an efficient and simple protocol developed for seed germination of Psoralea corylifolia via hot water treatment for in situ and ex situ plant propagation and conservation. Different treatments such as hot water heat treatment (10°C to 100°C) and sulfuric acid (H₂So₄) treatment (5 to 30 min) were used for seed germination. In which, hot water heat treatment with 70°C was produced the highest seed germination (70%) and survival rate. It is concluded that the hot water heat treatment favorably overcome the dormancy of seed. Developed protocol in this study will be helpful for mass propagation and in situ and ex situ conservations.

Abstract: White grubs Adoretus emarginatus Ohaus and Heteronychus licas Klug are beetles belonging to (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) sited among the serious subterranean pests of sugarcane Succharum officinarum L. (Graminae) in The Kenana Sugar Farm in Sudan. In this study, previous work on chemical control and population dynamic of the pest is reviewed. Field experiments and surveys were maintained for the two consecutive seasons ( ), in Kenana sugar farm targeting the white grubs as pests of the cane crop. Two concentrations from each of the three chemicals insecticides namely Dursban, Regent and Tafaban Chlorpyriphos, were tested for their efficacy against the white grubs. Tafaban 1L. /fed gave the best efficacy against the white grubs with average number of dead grubs (17.467± 1.4430).

Abstract: Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae) is therapeutically important medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine. Present study was undertaken to determine the optimum growth stage in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant capacity (TAC) of leaf and bark extracts of hydroponically and field grown plants of O. sanctum in three different maturity stages. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and steroid glycosides were qualitatively screened through established protocols. TPC, TFC and TAC were determined by colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminum nitrate method and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay respectively. Leaf and bark extracts of O. sanctum grown under both field and hydroponic conditions, at all three maturity stages exhibited the presence of all phytochemicals tested. TPC, TFC and TAC were increased with the maturity. Significantly higher TPC (8.34 ± 0.14 mg GAE /g DW), TFC (132.29 ± 1.45 mg RE /g DW) and TAC (120.02 ± 4.06 mg TE /g DW) were observed in leaf extracts taken from field grown plants at fully maturity stage. The order of increase was just before flowering< just after flowering< fully maturity stage. Presence of higher content of TPC, TFC and TAC in O. sanctum leaves at fully maturity stage, scientifically validate the traditional claims of harvesting of O. sanctum leaves at fully maturity stage for better therapeutic value. Moreover, presence of all tested phytochemicals in hydroponically grown plants is positive sign of use of hydroponic system as an alternative growing system for O. sanctum.

Abstract: Acmella oleraceae (L.) R.K. Jansen (Asteraceae) is a therapeutically important medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine. Present study was undertaken to compare the total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) profiles of areal parts and callus extracts of A. oleraceae grown under different growing systems (field grown, hydroponically grown and callus culture. Callus established in Murasige and Skoog (MS) medium, areal parts of field grown and hydroponically grown plants were extracted in 80% methanol. TPC, TFC and TAC were carried out by using colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminum nitrate method and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay respectively. TLC profiles were developed using established protocol. The best callus growth and the highest mean callus weight were observed in leaf explants established in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BA and 1 mg/L IBA. Comparatively higher TPC (11.45 ± 0.17), TFC (12.33 ± 0.92) and TAC (10.27 ± 0.28) were observed in hydroponically grown plants. Order of TPC, TFC and TAC were increased as callus<field grown plants< hydroponically grown plants. The presence of higher TPC, TFC and TAC in hydroponically grown plants opens a new window for use of hydroponic system for growing of A. oleraceae for better secondary metabolites content.

Abstract: In order to evaluate the performance of hybrid and open pollinated varieties of maize under various conservation agriculture based practices in terai, region of Nepal, a field experiment was conducted at the research farm of National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal from February, 2012 to June, 2012. Altogether 16 treatments consisting of four maize varieties namely; DMH-849, Rajkumar, Manakamana-3 and Rampur Composite, and two levels of tillage, (i.e., conventional and no tillage) and two levels of residues management (i.e. with or without residue) were tested in 3 replication under split-split plot design. The data was analyzed using MSTATC statistical package. The results revealed that higher number of ears/ha was found in Manakamana-3 (54013) followed by Rajkumar hybrid (53550). The number of grains per ear was higher for residue left plot (406.04). Rajkumar hybrid produced the highest grain and stover yields of 7182 and 9996 kg/ha followed by 6295.0 and 9825.62 kg/ha in Manakamana-3. Variation on leaf area index (LAI) was due to no tillage was found significant in 45 DAS. Where as, the effect of residues on LAI was found significant at 30, 45, 60 and 75 DAS. Genotypic effect on LAI was found significant only at 30 DAS, where Manakamana-3 had the highest LAI (0.066) followed by DMH849 (0.056) and Rampur Composite (0.055). The variation due to tillage, residue and variety was evident for plant height in all the time series. The effect of residue on dry matter at 45 DAS was highly significant, where higher amount of dry matter was recorded in residue removed plots than the residue left plots. However, the hybrids DMH-849 had more grain to stover ratio (0.75) followed by Rajkumar (0.74) as compare to Rampur Composite (0.69). The plot having residues took longer duration for silking compared to the plot having no residue. Among the genotypes, DMH-849 showed earlier in tasseling (76 days) and maturity (118 days) followed by Rampur Composite. Economic analysis depicted the highest net return in Rajkumar hybrid (Rs. 105617/ha) under no tilled with residue used condition followed by without residue condition (Rs. 92267/ha). Manakamana-3 produced the higher net return (Rs. 85349/ha) under no tillage with no residue used condition followed by conventional tillage with no residue (Rs.70766/ha). The high benefit cost ratio was found of 2.432 in plots having no tillage with residue followed by no tilled with no residue 2.382. Manakamana-3 had the highest benefit cost ratio of 2.351 in no residue plots followed by no tilled with no residue plots (2.072). Significant reduction of production cost due to conservation agriculture (CA) based practices over conventional agriculture was recorded. Therefore, the CA based crop management practices need to be further promoted in wider areas.