Volume 11 (2023), Issue 1

Expensive feed prices for ruminants farming is one of the main factors that slash the farmers’ profit margin. The main reason is due to most pallets are imported from abroad. However, many local ingredients can also be used to produce cheaper pallets complete with the required nutrients, simultaneously the ability to use the sources of local plants. Hence, this study proposes a diet mix for ruminants that consists of the best combination of ingredients with specific quantities that fulfil nutritional needs using the mathematical modeling approach known as Linear Programming (LP). The ruminant that is the focus of this study is goat since this type of ruminant has a high market demand in Malaysia. As a result, the LP model generated an optimal solution at a minimum cost compared to the existing feed in the market. Only two ingredients have been chosen by the LP model which fulfils all nutritional needs at a very low-cost. This solution may be used by practitioners to assist in generating low-cost quality ruminant diets which able to increase profit margins among local farmers. Keywords: Goat, feed mix, nutrients, optimization, cost minimization, Linear Programming.

Sugar beet is a crop of huge national economic importance. The beetroot plant shows great sensitivity to the abiotic factors especially to fertility of the soil. The lack of nutrients in the soil where this plant is grown weakens its normal development and significantly reduces its yield. Therefore, the present research work was planned to assess the impact of planting schemes and mineral fertilizer norms on the quality production of sugar beet. Research works were carried out in 2021-2022 with Caucasian variety of sugar beet on irrigated gray-brown soils. The field experiments were laid out under different plnating schemes and fertilizer application rates. In case of 50x20 cm planting scheme without fertilizer (control); dry matter 21.4%, sugar 15.6%, protein 5.38%, fat 0.61%, cellulose 5.69%, ash 4, 46% and nitrate nitrogen 147.5 mg/kg in wet mass, respectively were recorded in background (P120K90) variant; 15.9%; 5.85%; 0.65%; 5.77%; 4.53% and 163.8 mg/kg.The quality indicators of sugar beet, as well as root and fruit crops, increased significantly compared to the control and background (P120K90) variants in the increased rates of nitrogen fertilizer along with the background. The highest quality indicators were observed in the background+N90 variant, respectively 24.9%; 17.9%; 6.21%; 0.76%; 6.05%; 4.71% and 183.0 mg/kg. In the 50x20 cm planting scheme, which has more food space, the quality indicators were higher in each of the studied options than in the 50x10 cm and 50x15 cm planting schemes, depending on the mineral fertilizer norms. 0.8-3.5% dry matter, 0.3-2.3% sugar, 0.47-0.83% protein, 0.04-0.15% fat, cellulose 0.08-0.36%, ash by 0.07-0.25% and nitrate nitrogen increased by 16.3-45.7 mg/kg in wet weight. The amount of nitrates in the root fruits of sugar beet was much less than the permissible limit (250 mg/kg in wet weight). It is concluded that the highest indicators were obtained in the background+N90 and 50x20 cm planting scheme. Keywords: Sugar beet, environmental factors, planting scheme, mineral fertilizer, quality indicators

This study was conducted during the year 2018 and 2019 in the Oilseeds Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan, to assess trait association among 30 sesame genotypes. Analysis of variance, correlation analysis and path coefficient analysis were deduced from the acquired data. Analysis of variance presented that all characters were very different from each other. The detail examination of two years combined data showed that at genotypic as well as phenotypic level (PH) height of plant, (NCP) No. of capsule per plant, (NBP) No. of branches per plant and (1000SW) 1000 seed weight illustrated substantial positive correlation with SY. DF50 and days to maturity showed negative and substantial contribution to Seed Yield (SY). Furthermore, path analysis, utilizing grain yield as a reliant variable disclosed that PH imparts positive direct effect on SY, followed by 1000SW, NBP and NCP but these characters (1000SW, NBP and NCP) had a lower direct impact on seed yield (SY). DF50 had the maximum negative direct effect on seed yield and DM also indicated negative direct effect on SY. In path analysis, similar effective indirect effect was detected for (PH) height of plant via (NBP) No. of branches per plant and (NCP) No. of capsule/plant. (NCP) No. of capsule/plant with (NBP) No. of branches/plant displayed the greatest indirect effect on SY. Similarly, for (NBP) No. of branches/plant, (NCP) No. of capsule /plant showed significant positive indirect effect on (SY) Seed yield. (1000SW) thousand seed weight had high indirect effect of (NCP) No. of capsules/plant on (SY) seed yield plant. Keywords: Correlation, yield attributes, genetic variability, oilseed crop.

This study was conducted at Thi-Qar Governorate, Al-Shatrah district, Al-Bidaah region, in Iraq during two seasons winter (from Dec-Feb, 01.12.2021 to 01.03.2022), and summer (Jun-Aug from 01.06 to 01.09. 2022). The quantity and composition of milk of water buffaloes for Fat, Solid-Not-Fat (SNF) Protein and Lactose) were studies. Seventy (70) dairy buffaloes of different ages, in second parity among two seasons were used, and their productivity was monitored for a full lactation (from birth to dryness). Milk samples were taken periodically, once every two weeks, at a rate of 100 ml for each sample. The results of the study showed a significant (P<0.05) superiority for the winter season in the amount of milk produced daily and monthly compared to the summer season, and the average daily and monthly milk quantity for winter and summer seasons were as 0.26±8.03, 7.75±240.36, 0.18±4.60, 5.44±137.5, respectively. As for the main components of milk (fat, SNF protein and lactose, a significant effect of the season appeared on the main components of milk, where the winter season was significantly superior (P < 0.05) in all studied traits compared to the summer season, and the average percentages of fat reached the SNF, protein and lactose in the winter and summer seasons were as follows: (0.47±5.92, 0.45±8.77, 0.013±3.21, 0.25±4.93) (0.49±4.31, 0.46±7.30, 0.017±2.70, 0.72±4.17), respectively. it can be concluded that season strongly affects milk yield, fat and also protein of water buffaloes in Iraqi climatic conditions. Keywords: Water buffalo, winter and summer; the quantity and quality of f milk.

Potassium deficiency is well known worldwide. Potassium deficiency causes many types of abnormalities in both humans and plants. Potassium is an important nutrient for plants. Its deficiency reduces chlorophyll formation, growth, yield and tillering capacity in plants. To evaluate the growth and yield of wheat to various potassium levels under different planting geometry. A field study was managed at Postgraduate Agriculture Research Station Faisalabad during the year 2018-2019. Experiment was comprised of four levels of potassium control, water foliar application, potassium foliar application @ 0.25 g and potassium foliar application @ 0.5 g with three panting geometries (bed sowing, line sowing at 22.50 cm and broadcast). Muriate of potash (25 % K2O) was applied as a potassium source. In all treatments, nitrogen and phosphorus were used @ 150 and 100 kg ha-1 respectively. The experiment was replicated 3 times and was carried out in split plot arrangement, randomizing the potassium levels were in sub plots and planting geometry in main plots. Net plot size was maintained as 6 ft x 6 ft. Potassium was applied at different levels in the different treatments at the time of sowing. All of the potassium (K) phosphorous (P) with half of nitrogen (N) was applied at the time of sowing while remaining amount of N was given with first irrigation. First irrigation was done after 23 days of sowing. Growth and yield data were recorded and analyzed statistically using Fisher analysis of variance techniques and differences among the treatment means were compared using Tuckey’s test at 5% probability level. Results showed that yield-related characteristics such as productive tillers, spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, significant and maximum grain weight more emergence count (m-2), 1000-grain weight (g), biological yield and grain yield (t ha-l) was recorded where potassium levels were applied at the rate 0.25% and 0.5% as compare to control and water foliar application, that means foliar application of potassium significantly increase the per acre yield of wheat crop. Planting geometry has also shown a substantial response to growth, yield characteristics and the concentration of grain potassium. Keywords: Wheat, foliar application, response, planting geometry and potassium.

Guava is one of the most important fruit crops being cultivated throughout the world. Guava is generally propagated through seeds which result in heterozygosity and the desirable characters are not often transferred from parent plant to offspring. In order to get true to type plants, several asexual techniques such as T-grafting, T-budding, cleft grafting, aerial layering or inarching are locally adapted. In order to assess the effectiveness of T-grafting, T-budding, cleft grafting, present research was carried out on guava cv. Surahi, in different months i.e., February, March, September and October. Parameters included success percentage (%), days taken to sprout shoot length (cm) and number of leaves. The results showed that maximum success percentage was found in T-grafted plants carried out in the months of September and October, whereas, minimum days taken to sprout were observed in T-budded plants in February. Maximum shoot length and number of leaves were observed in T-budded and T-grafted plants in the months of February and October, respectively. Keywords: Budding; grafting; vegetative growth; plant propagation; tropical fruit.

Agriculture experiencing a continuous pressure of food in order to meet the necessities of rising population. The cottonseed used as oilseed as well as a major source of edible oil in Pakistan. Cotton production affected by biotic and abiotic factors. Experiment was done at Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan in 2019 to study the effect of foliar application of gibberellic acid (GA), ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA) and a control group in which no antioxidant was used against heat stress. Design used for experiment was randomized complete block design (RCBD). In trial cultivar of cotton CIM-610 was used. Experiment was replicated four times. Plot size was 9m (length) x 6m (width) with net plot size of 54 m2. Statistically significant results among the morphological plus physiological attributes were observed. Almost yield parameters as plant height, nodes per plant buds per plant and bolls per plant have maximum values every month from May to October, sympodial branches (39), boll weight (2.97g), seed cotton yield (3097 kg), ginning out turn (39.133), fiber length (27.33 mm), fiber strength (28.8g tex), 100 seed weight (8.363g), fiber brightness (68.97Rd), micronaire (5.5) and uniformity index (83.48%) were leading in exogenous application of GA then AA, thirdly application of CA. In GA treatment maximum of plant height, bolls per plant, boll weight, monopodial branches and seed cotton yield were seemed. Seed cotton and lint quality yield reduced greatly due to heat stress. Antioxidants application of exogenous can sustain cotton yield and quality against heat stress conditions. Antioxidants of plants gave best results than where no treatment was applied. Keywords: Cotton, gibberellic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, anti-oxidant, exogenous.

Production risk and marketing risks are considered as critical factors in shaping farm decisions. This study is concerned with assessing crop risk rating by farmers and its impact on their crop portfolio choice. 392 farmers who were selected using “Multi-stage Random Sampling” technique and qualitative data from focus group discussions were employed in the analysis. The risk rating was done using a three-stage rank and Ordinary Least Square econometric regression was applied to identify the determinant factors. The study found sorghum, teff, onion and mung bean as major crops covering 95% of the total cultivated land. Results from descriptive statistics revealed that 73% of the respondents prioritize marketing over consumption in their crop choice decisions. Mung bean was identified as a riskier crop while onion risk rating showed higher variation among respondents. Findings on determinants of riskiness of the farmers’ crop portfolio choice showed that livestock ownership, education and number of crop types found positively associated with riskier crop portfolio while irrigation use and gender of the household head associate with portfolio riskiness negatively. The major contribution of this study is its explicit treatment of farmers own risk rating and farmers also rated crops not grown by them. The key policy implication is that to manage marketing issue better and achieve optimal crop choice, there is a need to develop marketing insurance and promote pre-contract for riskier crops. Keywords: Risk variation, consumption decision, contract, farm household, insurance.

In the 2020/2021 agricultural season, a farmer's field in Al-Rumytha, 25 km north of Almuthanna governorate, was used to test the effects of spraying Nano-iron at three concentrations (0, 100, 200) mg Fe l-1 on three faba bean cultivars (Equadelji, Luz De otono, Equadules) on growth and productivity. The split-plot experiment used three replications of the Randomized Complete Block Design. The mai (Gutierrez) plots had cultivars, and the sub-plots had Nano-iron fertilizer. Spraying Nano-iron at 200 mg Fe l-1 significantly increased the average number of pods per plant, weight of 100 seeds, and total seed yield, with the highest averages of 18.10 pods per plant-1, 113.10 g, and 3420 kg ha-1, respectively. Nano-iron spraying does not affect pod length or seed count. The cultivars studied varied greatly. Equadules outperformed the other two cultivars in pod length, pod count per plant, and seed yield with 3795 kg ha-1. The cultivars had similar seeds per pod and 100 seed weights. The interaction significantly affected pod number and seed yield. Spraying Equadules cultivar with 200 mg Fe l-1 yielded 22.00 pods plant-1 and 4280 kg ha-1 of seed. The genetic correlation study found a positive correlation (0.308, 0.745**, 0.098, and 0.165) between total seed yield, pod length, pod number per plant, seeds per pod, and 100 seed weight. 100 seeds' weight, pod length, and pod number per plant were (0.439* and 0.139). Pod number and pod length were also strongly correlated (0.673**). Path Coefficient analysis showed a positive and significant effect of pod quantity per plant on seed yield (1.062 and 0.370). Seed yield was directly affected by pod length and seeds per pod (0.254 and 0.109). Based on the above, subsequent breeding programs can use pod numbers per plant and weight per 100 seeds as selection guides to select seed yield. Keywords: Path coefficient analysis; faba bean cultivar; nano-iron; spray fertilizer; sprayed by Nano-iron.

Present study was designed to determine the progressive alterations in the leaves of chilli after the application of plant activators to pave the way towards fruitful management of bacterial leaf spots of chilli. Different plant defense activators such as KH2PO4, K2HPO4 and salicylic acid were used and alterations in the biochemicals of chilli were quantified by following standard protocols. In the first experiment, KH2PO4, K2HPO4 and salicylic acid were evaluated at a different concentration under field conditions. Application of salicylic acid expressed less disease incidence (21.111), followed by K2HPO4 (25.167) and KH2PO4 (28.889) as compared to the control. Alterations in biomolecules (SOD, POD, CAT, H2O2, TSS and TSP) were quantified with the application of salicylic acid (0.9285, 0.9297, 0.9347, 1.2278, 0.6663, 0.6804 and 0.6723) followed by K2HPO4 (0.6502, 0.6605, 0.6544, 0.7689, 0.5122, 0.5322 and 0.5222) and KH2PO4 (0.4729, 0.4713, 0.4778, 0.4522, 0.3544, 0.3744 and 0.3644) µg/g. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used for the field experiments. Keywords: Salicylic acid, KH2PO4, K2HPO4, Peroxidase, Total soluble phenols, Total soluble sugars

The knowledge level of nutrition-sensitive extension services to rural people remains unknown in Kwara State, Nigeria while hunger and malnutrition are still major problems affecting developing countries; hence, the need for a holistic appraisal that can alleviate the nutrition anomaly. Extension agents play an important role in rural dwellers' lives by disseminating valuable information that can improve their production and enhance their livelihoods. This study selected 120 extension agents and collected data with a questionnaire which was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that 66.7% of the extension agents were males and 92.5% were married, with average farming families of 6,096 covered by each agent. Results also showed that 48.3% of the agents have 6-10 years of working experience and their major sources of nutrition information were personal experience, agricultural extension institutes, friends and colleagues, fortnight training meetings, and seminars/workshops. They have more knowledge of protein foods, calcium foods, cassava processing and vitamin supplements but little understanding of preparation of nutritious dishes, sources of iodine, and cheap protein and vitamin D sources. Insufficient EAs, inadequate staff mobility, poor EA-nutrition expert linkage, poor access to information on nutrition and lack of training incentives highly constrained them. At P=0.05, age was a basic determinant of respondents' knowledge on nutrition-sensitive extension. Though the EAs knew protein foods, but they still need information on iodine, vitamin D and cheap protein sources. The study recommended provision of training incentives and adequate access to information to boost their knowledge on nutrition-sensitive extension. Keywords: Hunger and malnutrition, vitamin supplements, iodine deficiency, minerals, rural livelihoods, poverty and hunger

Owning the best productive animals is among of the production goals of cattle farmers. This study aimed at exploring the selection indicators used by farmers to identify best promising cattle. Data were collected through surveys from 105 cattle farmers identified as Borgou cattle farmers. The data collected enabled to determine the scores and indices of each criterion mentioned according to the performance sought by the farmers. In general, farmers mentioned several indicators (? 5) for each performance sought and considered that the first three of each list were the best. The results showed that for the selection of animals for the improvement of dairy performance, farmers considered long teat (index=0.28; rank=1), the presence of veins in the udder (index=0.18; rank=2) and well-shaped udder (index=0.17; rank=3) as the three main best of the nine indicators mentioned. For meat production, the best selection indicators mentioned were thoracic development (index=0.23), body length (index=0.19), and straight legs (index=0.17) among the seven indicators mentioned. For selecting breeding males, five major indicators were mentioned and indicators such as large scrotum, long tail, and large hump were ranked as the top (index=0.31; 0.22 and 0.19 respectively). As for the selection of breeding females, farmers mentioned the presence of large rump much more (rank=1); docility (rank=2), and straight legs of the animal (rank=3). This study enables to take into account cattle farmers’ knowledge for designing community-based conservation of the Borgou cattle in its native range. Keywords: Knowledge, communities, selection, performance, cattle, Benin

Drinking water is essential for life and survival, deterioration of its quality may affect human being at global level. There-fore, monitoring of water quality is essential component for life cycle. For this purpose, a study was carried out in Faisalabad tehsil to monitor the water quality aspects using Water Quality Index (WQI). Six parameters were selected like EC, Turbidity, TDS, Nitrates, Arsenic and Fluorides, their individual effect beyond threshold levels and combined effect on water rating scale was determined using GIS and statistical approach. Thirteen sampling locations were selected to determine the Water Quality Index. Statistical approach provided the maximum, minimum, mean and standard deviation of parameters among sampling locations. These parameters were spatially distributed using arc map to provide conversant approach at tehsil lev-el. Relative weights of influencing parameters (Wi), Water quality rating scale (Qi) which is ratio of concentration of parame-ters in the water sample to standard value of parameters. Combined effect of Wi and Qi provided WQI as rating scale value which was between 22 to 375. After analysis, it determined the water quality as excellent (7.5%), good (23.07%), poor 30.76%), very poor (15.38%) and unfit for drinking purpose (23.07%). It prevailed that water should be filtered or purify before use to avoid hazardous effect on human health. Keywords: Deterioration, water Quality Index (WQI), GIS, Water rating, relative weight, parameters.

Agripreneurship is an efficient tool to cope with food security issues worldwide. A questionnaire-based study was executed to analyze the trend in people regarding the role of Agripreneurship in minimizing food security issues. The statistics enclosed 499 scholars arbitrarily nominated from different institutions District of Bahawalnagar, Province Punjab. The selection of these areas is reasonable owing to a huge degree of youth joblessness, the eminence of smallholdings and a great numeral of private enterprises and non-government organization that hugely interfere in decreasing youth joblessness. A questionnaire-based study was carried out through an academic group comprising a lecturer and professor, besides student demonstrative assistance. Out of all listed participants, 499 of 18-35 years old were selected haphazardly for data acquisition. Principal statistics were obtained using smartphones furnished with the Open Data Kit (OKD) data gathering software. Participants were located at their institutions, workstations or homes. A question-based survey was executed to gather data that handled a board of specialists. The pairwise assessment established the rationality of the data, and a small scale verified its consistency. The collected data was analyzed and PLS (3.3.3) and SPSS (20.0) softwares, correspondingly. Keywords: Participants, questionnaire, smallholdings, youth joblessness, workstations.