Asian Research Journal of Agriculture

Soil Solarization an Effective Method for Disinfection of Soil: A Review

Ravindra Jadhav, Anurag Kumar Singh, Prasad Margal — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plastic sheets are placed over wet soil during times of high ambient temperature to manage soil-borne pests without using pesticides. The top layers are heated by the plastic sheets ability to trap solar radiation in the soil. During the sweltering summer months, Solarization may raise the temperature of the soil to such an extent that it kills nematodes, weed seed, and seedlings, as well as several disease-causing organisms (pathogens). It is simple to utilize on a little or large scale and doesn't leave any harmful residues. In addition to improving soil structure, soil Solarization raises the availability of nitrogen (N) and other vital nutrients for plants. Field, vegetable and flower crops, as well as orchards, vineyards, greenhouses and gardens have all benefited from the straightforward, secure, and efficient process of Solarization. For increased efficacy, it can be used in conjunction with organic soil amendments or at lower pesticide treatment rates. Solarized soil frequently results in significant improvements in plant growth, harvestable output and crop quality, which can last for several growing seasons. In the warmer regions, there is great potential for employing soil Solarization to manage pests and diseases.

Water Stress Tolerance at Different Growth Stages in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in the Far North Region of Cameroon

Linda Charlotte Kewang Akiki, Philippe Kosma, Liliane Iyalé — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Cowpea is a protein-rich legume essential for food security in sub-Saharan Africa, but its productivity is increasingly constrained by drought and irregular rainfall patterns.

Objective: To address intra-seasonal drought episodes when they occur at critical stages of the crop and to mitigate the resulting decline in yield in Cameroon, it is necessary to identify and understand the mechanisms of water-stress tolerance in accessions at different stages of their growth cycle.

Methodology: One hundred and seventy-three cowpea accessions and one control variety were evaluated under two factors (genotype and developmental stage) for their response to different water conditions. The agro-morphological and physiological parameters of the plants were assessed per bag in a randomized complete block design with three replications. An intermittent water-deficit treatment covering both the vegetative and reproductive stages was studied.

Results and Discussion: The results show that water stress negatively affects agro-morphological and physiological variables, considerably reducing their performance, and that its effect is more noticeable during the second water stress. Nevertheless, water stress caused a greater increase in chlorophyll content in the majority of accessions during the second water stress (SH2), from the vegetative stage to flowering, which led to a decrease in final productivity because of their inability to manage light energy (photoinhibition). Accessions A161, A108, A106, A1 and A151 proved to be accessions of choice in terms of pod production, seed production, root size per plant and water-stress tolerance. Accessions A12, A45, A93, A105, A146 and A167 also proved to be accessions of choice in terms of greenness, recovery rate, chlorophyll content and water-stress tolerance, outperforming the control variety A140 in performance. The identification of these accessions could be used in breeding programs to improve cowpea tolerance at the vegetative and/or reproductive stages and could help increase yield.

Conclusion: Based on yield-related traits, root length and responses to water deficit, the study revealed that accessions A161, A108, A106, A1 and A151 were identified as promising drought-tolerant accessions.

A Study of the Institutional and Economic Performance of Farmer-producer Organizations in Hisar District of Haryana, India

Jyoti Jangra, Manak Chand Soni, Vinita Rajput, Sunil Kumar — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs) are increasingly recognized as key institutional mechanisms for enhancing smallholder competitiveness, market integration, and income security in India. This study assesses the institutional performance, governance practices, diversification strategies, technology adoption, marketing structure, and economic viability of eight selected FPOs in Hisar district, Haryana. Primary data were collected from 200 member farmers and FPO officials during 2022-24 and analyzed using descriptive and comparative methods. The findings reveal significant heterogeneity across FPOs. Organizations with higher active membership, regular board meetings, and wider geographic outreach demonstrated stronger institutional foundations. Diversification into high-value horticulture, processing, and allied activities, along with moderate digital adoption, contributed to improved operational efficiency and market access. Institutional sales constituted a substantial share of total transactions, and annual sales revenues ranged between ₹25-30 lakhs with modest but stable profitability. However, financial gains were not uniformly distributed among members, indicating the need for more inclusive governance and benefit-sharing mechanisms. The study concludes that strengthening social capital, professional management, digital capacity, and value addition infrastructure is critical for enhancing the long-term sustainability of FPOs in semi-arid agricultural regions.

Nigeria’s Land Border Closure and Effects on Agripreneurship, Rural Livelihoods and Agricultural Markets in Southwest Border Communities

K. A. Abdu-Raheem, A. O. Adekunmi, A. O. Kolawole, I. P. Adebusuyi — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Nigeria’s land border closure policy was implemented to curb smuggling, promote domestic agricultural production, and enhance food security. However, evidence shows that its micro-level effects on agripreneurship and rural livelihoods in border communities are limited. This study examines the effects of Nigeria’s land border closure on agripreneurship and rural livelihoods in selected Nigeria–Benin border communities of Ogun and Oyo States, Southwest Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, using primary data collected from 140 agripreneurs engaged in agricultural production, trading, transportation, and processing. A multistage sampling technique was employed, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests. The results reveal significant variations in livelihood outcomes across actors in the agricultural value chain. While some local producers experienced temporary market protection and increased demand for domestically produced commodities, traders, transporters, and processors recorded significant declines in income, revenue, and working hours during the border closure period. Overall, the border communities experienced reduced employment opportunities due to increased transaction costs and disruptions in agricultural commodity markets. The findings reveal an uneven distribution of benefits from the border closure, with livelihood losses outweighing gains for most agripreneurs. The study concludes that although border closure policies may support short-term domestic production objectives, their implementation without adequate complementary measures can undermine agripreneurial sustainability and rural livelihoods in border communities. It recommends integrating targeted support mechanisms, improved rural infrastructure, value chain diversification, and flexible, evidence-based trade management strategies to mitigate adverse effects on livelihoods. The study contributes to agricultural trade policy discourse by providing micro-level evidence on the livelihood implications of protectionist trade measures in developing economies.

Marketing Practices of Commercial and Backyard Poultry Farmers in Lalitpur District of Bundelkhand Region, Uttar Pradesh, India

Majboot Singh, Deepak Singh, Ved Prakash, Arun Kumar, Priscilla Kerketta — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Poultry farming serves as a reliable source of income and employment, particularly for women and unemployed youth in rural areas. The present study was conducted in the Lalitpur district of the Bundelkhand region, Uttar Pradesh, during the year 2024-2025 to examine the marketing practices of commercial and backyard poultry farmers. A total of 100 respondents, comprising 50 commercial and 50 backyard poultry farmers, were selected randomly from 20 villages across four tehsils of the district. Primary data were collected through a pre-tested interview schedule and analysed using simple percentage analysis. The findings revealed that the majority of farmers (69.00%) preferred to sell poultry products in the evening, while backyard farmers showed a relatively balanced preference between morning (52.00%) and evening (48.00%). In terms of selling points, backyard farmers mainly sold their products at their own door (54.00%), whereas commercial farmers largely depended on middlemen (78.00%). Overall, middlemen were the most common marketing channel (46.00%). The study further indicated that financial need was the sole reason for selling poultry products among all respondents. Backyard farmers showed moderate levels of egg and bird sales, whereas commercial farmers operated on a much larger scale with higher sales volumes. Additionally, backyard farmers tended to sell birds at a younger age, while commercial farmers preferred selling at older ages. The study highlights clear differences in marketing practices between commercial and backyard poultry farmers and emphasises the need for improved market access and support systems to enhance farmers’ income and efficiency.

Chemical Characteristics of Peat Soil on Oil Palm (Elaeis geuineensis Jacq.) Plantations in Puan Cepak Village, Muara Kaman District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency

Raden Mas Nurhartanto, Siti Aesyah, Zulkarnain, Abdul Rahmi — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The use of peat soil for agricultural development faces many obstacles related to the natural properties of peat, including its relatively high acidity. Peatland is a marginal land area targeted for agricultural use, including oil palm cultivation. This study aims to assess the chemical characteristics of peat soil in oil palm plantations. This research was conducted from June to August 2024. Sampling was conducted at a 15 year old oil palm plantation owned by PT. Prima Mitrajaya Mandiri in Puan Cepak Village, Muara Kaman District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency. Soil chemical analysis was conducted at the Soil Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mulawarman. Sampling was conducted using a purposive sampling method, where the points were deliberately determined based on certain criteria. Five observation locations were selected at two different depths: 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm, resulting in 10 peat soil samples. The results of the study showed that peat soil in oil palm plantations reacted very acidic to acidic (pH 3.11 – 4.54), organic C content was classified as very high (12.64 – 25.77%), available P was classified as very low to very high (2.38 – 21,92 ppm), total N was classified as low to moderate (0.16 – 0.44%), C/N ratio was classified as very high (38.30 - 135.63), total K was classified as moderate to very high (10.92 – 101.98 ppm), soil CEC was classified as moderate to very high (20.80 – 93.20 cmol kg^-1), and base saturation was classified as very low to low (8.07 – 48.67%).

Sectoral Shift of Agricultural Labours: An Evidence in U.T. of Puducherry, India

E. Thanu Vaishnubharathi, T. Sivasakthi Devi, N. Swaminathan, S. Saravanan — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Over the past decades the contribution of farm labour has been decreasing due to occupational change, low wages, irregular employment, government policies and reforms. The severe shortage of agricultural labourers in the state has compelled farmers to transition from agricultural practices to non-agricultural activities. Structural changes in the cropping pattern resulting from labour scarcity were analysed using the Markov chain approach over a ten-year period. The result indicated that mmong them paddy has the highest retention probability with 64 per cent followed by Sugarcane retained 54 per cent and other crops. The study revealed a discernible shift in the cropping pattern, with the transition predominantly favouring the cultivation of less labour-intensive crops. The analysis of the supply–demand gap in agricultural labour further indicated that labour demand exceeded labour supply during the months of November and December, thereby reflecting the severity of labour scarcity prevailing in the study area during this period. Paddy and sugarcane demanded maximum labour in the month of December and November which coincided with harvesting and sowing operation of groundnut crops. Spatio-temporal changes map shown in agricultural labour in the patterns of distribution of agricultural labourers in areas of high decrease (above 1 per cent) in the proportion of agricultural labour were comprised of five villages of the state. Similarly, area of low decrease (below 1 per cent) has occurred over three zones of the state and areas of increase (0.02 - 4 per cent) indicated that an increase in the proportion of agricultural labour has been witnessed in a nine zones in U.T of Puducherry. Finally, the study suggested that the farm mechanization has to be encouraged among the small and marginal farmers. Further, it suggested that the MGNREGA has be implemented during the lean season.

Design, Fabrication and Testing of a Sesame Drying Machine for Small-scale Farmers

K. S. Subha, S. Jenifer, P. M. Samanthana, A. Inbaelavarasi, M. Amirthaswarna — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sesame is an economically important oilseed crop, and its processing efficiency greatly depends on maintaining appropriate thermal conditions during post-harvest handling and value-addition operations. Traditional heating practices used for roasting, drying is often difficult to control, leading to variations in seed quality, nutrient degradation, and reduced oil recovery. To overcome the problem, our project focuses on the design and development of a sesame heater that provides controlled, uniform, and energy-efficient heating to the thermal sensitivity of sesamum indicum. The developed system consists of an insulated heating chamber, and a natural airflow system designed to distribute heat uniformly across the seed bed. Key design parameters considered include safety mechanisms, and use of durable, food-grade materials. Performance evaluation involved assessing heat distribution uniformity, energy consumption, and the impact on seed characteristics such as colour, aroma, oil content, and oxidative stability. Experimental trials demonstrated that the developed sesame heater significantly improved heating uniformity compared to conventional systems, achieving consistent temperature distribution with minimal fluctuations. Results indicated enhanced process efficiency, reduced energy loss, and improved control over processing conditions. Treated sesame seeds exhibited better sensory attributes, higher oil yield, and reduced risk of quality deterioration. Overall, the newly designed sesame heater provides a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solution for small- to medium-scale processors. Its controlled heating environment enhances product quality, improves operational efficiency, and contributes to greater value addition in the Sesamum indicum processing chain.

Effect Heat Stress on Wheat Genotypes Productivity under Different Sowing Dates at Eastern Sudan

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Temperature plays a crucial role in determining the optimal sowing date. High temperatures during grain filling can lead to lower yields. While moisture levels also influence the optimal sowing date, with adequate moisture essential for healthy growth, wheat cultivars show significant variation in their response to sowing dates. The present investigation was carried out to determine superior cultivars under various sowing dates at the Eastern Sudan New Halfa conditions. A field experiment was carried out at New Halfa during the winter seasons 2017/018 and 2018/019 to study the effects of five sowing dates:20^th Oct (S1), 25^th Nov (S2), 30^th Nov (S3), 15^th Dec (S4) and 30^th Dec (S5) on productivity of The three wheat cultivars: Nebta (v1), Bohain (v2) and Debera (v3). The experiment was arranged in RCBD as split plot trail. All data were analyzing using Statistic (10). Means comparison was worked out using (DMRT) at 5% probability level. The results revealed that sowing dates and cultivars significantly affected phonological and yield attributes: number of spike/m², number of spikelets/spike, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield (kg/ha). Generally, Debera (V3) recorded the latest days to heading and maturity. But Nebta cultivar (V1) gave the highest numbers of spike /m2 and the heaviest 1000- grain weight, while Bohian (V2) gave the highest number of spikelets /spike. The heaviest 1000- grain weight was recorded in first sowing date (S1). The normal sowing date (S3) maximized grain yield (4277.3 kg/ha) for V3 cultivar, while the lower yield (1266.7 kg/ha) was recorded when sowing V1 at first sowing date in the first season. Sowing V3 at the normal sowing date S3 in the New Halfa area is the best choice for getting a higher grain yield. Further research is needed to identify the most suitable sowing dates for different wheat cultivars and to develop strategies for improving yields under varying environmental conditions.

Production Surplus, Marketing Behaviour and Problems of Pearl Millet Growers in Gird Region, Madhya Pradesh, India

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is a drought-tolerant cereal crop cultivated under arid and semi-arid conditions, particularly in rainfed and low-fertility areas. The present study examined production surplus, marketing behaviour and constraints faced by pearl millet growers in the Gird region of Madhya Pradesh, India, during the agricultural year 2019-20. Morena district was purposively selected because of its importance in pearl millet production. A total of 90 pearl millet growers were selected through stratified random sampling and classified into small-scale (<2 ha), medium-scale (2-4 ha) and large-scale (>4 ha) farm groups, with 30 respondents in each group. Primary data on production, consumption, marketable surplus, marketed surplus and marketing constraints were collected through personal interviews. The average production of pearl millet was 14.00 qtl, 13.00 qtl and 14.80 qtl per farm for small-, medium- and large-scale farmers, respectively. Marketable surplus was highest among small-scale farmers (10.15 qtl), followed by medium-scale (7.77 qtl) and large-scale farmers (6.54 qtl). In contrast, marketed surplus was lower across all categories, at 4.00 qtl, 3.00 qtl and 2.66 qtl, respectively. The findings indicate that immediate cash requirements, inadequate storage and limited holding capacity influenced marketing decisions. The most frequently reported constraint was lack of transportation facilities (92.22%), followed by adverse weather conditions (81.11%), malpractices by middlemen (77.77%), high price fluctuations (75.55%), lack of improved varieties (72.22%) and inadequate marketing intelligence (71.11%). The study suggests that improved transport, storage, market information, access to improved seeds and institutional marketing support may improve market participation and returns for pearl millet growers in the region.