Asian Research Journal of Agriculture

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) presents a great nutritional and economic importance in the tropical regions. It is a source of income for producers and an important food especially in period of welding. In spite of these importances, sweet potato belongs of the underused and neglected species as regards research in Benin. Sampling was carried out at Dangbo, Adjohoun and Bonou in department of Ouémé (south Benin), from August 2016 to May 2017. This study evaluated varietal diversity based on vernacular nominations and production constraints of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) in South Benin. Producers are identified using the snowball sampling method. In the first instance, a random draw was carried out among the producers targeted by the head of each of the six villages. Then, each of the selected producers is asked to identify other sweet potato producers. Statistical methods used to measure the varietal diversity include Shannon diversity indice, varietal richness and equitability (abundance). 23 local cultivars were listed including ten (10) regularly cultivated subject to synonymies. Adjohoun has cumulated average richness, index of Shannon and number equivalent most elevated (RC = 38; H = 2.49; Eq.E = 12.10). However, the most elevated equitability and more nearer to 1 (E= 0.71) is obtained at Dangbo. The main constraints enumerated by the producers are absence of flow market, attacks of the devastating and illnesses and the non availability of the quality seeds. For people in the study area, there are several sweet potato cultivars, but are subject to several constraints, in particular those related to pests and diseases, which have a serious impact on the productivity of cultivars, even those be more productive.

The study was conducted in the experimental area of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh, during the period from July to October 2016 to find out the effect of different levels of NPK on insect pests in transplant aman rice. BRRI dhan33 was used as the test crop in this experiment. The experiment comprised of different NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) fertilizers doses as treatment where, T₀ = absolute control, no NPK fertilizers, T₁ = NPK @ 45, 50, 40 kg/ha, T₂ = NPK @ 70, 25, 40 kg/ha, T₃ = NPK @ 70, 50, 20 kg/ha, T₄ = NPK @ 70, 50, 40 kg/ha, T₅ = NPK @ 70, 50, 60 kg/ha, T₆ = NPK @ 70, 75, 40 kg/ha and T₇ = NPK @ 95, 50, 40 kg/ha. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) plot with three replications. Data were recorded on different types of insect pests that were identified for the entire growing period with their number and incidence on rice plants. During the entire growing period 5 selected hills/plot were monitored with clear observation on yellow stem borer, leaf folder, rice hispa, grasshopper, brown planthopper, green leafhopper and rice bug insects and pests. The lowest number of infestation of insects and pests was observed from T₅, whereas the highest number was found in T₇ treatment. In case of incidence percent of dead heart, data were observed at 25^th, 45^th and 65^th days after transplanting (DAT), respectively. Data recorded from each plot revealed that the lowest incidence of dead heart was observed in T₅ (3.64%, 4.23% and 4.47% at NPK 70, 50, 60 kg/ha), while the highest incidence of dead heart was found in T₇ (10.37%, 13.56% and 14.73%, respectively) treatment. In terms of white head incidence, at 60, 70 and 80 DAT, data recorded from each plot revealed that the lowest incidence of white head was found in T₅ (2.35%, 2.66% and 3.12%, respectively), whereas the highest incidence of white head was observed in T₇ (7.57%, 8.26% and 8.64% at NPK @ 95, 50, 40 kg/ha).

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from November 2015 to February 2016 to evaluate the growth and yield responses of cabbage cultivars as influenced by organic and inorganic fertilizers. The experiment comprised of two different factors such as (1) three varieties viz. V_1­ (Atlas 70), V₂ (Keifu 65) and V₃ (Autumn 60) and (2) Four different fertilizers viz. F₀ (Control), F₁ (Cow dung), F₂ (Poultry manure), and F₃ (Inorganic fertilizer). The experiment was set up in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The experimental plot was fertilized as per treatment with organic and inorganic fertilizers. Among the varieties, Atlas 70 (V₁) achieved the highest results of Plant height (31.94 cm), Leaf length with petiole (32.00 cm), Stem length (4.194 cm), Diameter of head (20.24 cm), Weight of whole plant (2.23 kg/plant), gross yield (46.67 t/ha), marketable yield (45.29 t/ha) and Economic production (1.576 kg/plant) at the time of harvest . With the interaction effect of variety and fertilizer; V₁F₂ (Atlas 70 × Poultry manure) represented the highest Weight of whole plant (2.56 kg/plant), gross yield (62.14 t/ha), marketable yield (61.52 t/ha) and Economic production (1.85 kg/plant).Therefore, Atlas 70 coupled with poultry manure can be the most suitable for enhanced yield and economic production of cabbage.

This study assessed the extent to which values are added to rice and how profitable rice becomes when value is added to it through processing in Anambra-East Agricultural zone of Anambra State Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to sample 90 respondents. Results showed that majority of the farmers were males, aged 41-50 years engaged fully in value addition in rice production and processing. This indicated that the younger youths were rarely found in the business, majority of the farmers stopped at primary level of Education and their mean years of experience was 20. The gross margin for paddy production was N175, 000, while the gross margin for milled rice is N290, 000 and the benefit cost ratio for paddy production is 2.4 while that of milled rice is 2.2. The most serious problems confronting rice farmers in the zone were disease and pest infestation, lack of access to land, inadequate irrigation, inadequate extension agents, poor access to institutional credits.Bad rural road network, the inadequacy of modern storage and processing facilities and poor/low level of education. It is therefore recommended that farmers should be encouraged to participate actively in farmers/social organizations and cooperative societies in order to strengthen their group action. Efforts should be made to provide adequate input to the farmers to eschew competitiveness among inputs used. Government should therefore put effort towards establishing microfinance and agricultural banks in some of the rice producing areas. This institutions should have low interest rate and low collateral.

The study focused on establishing Growth Response of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L.) on Plant Population and Phosphorous levels due to various recommendations are given on spacing for the same crop by various extension service providers that have made farmers plant the crop using broadcasting, 30 cm x 10 cm, 30 cm x 15 cm and 50 cm x 15 cm, which have not facilitated adequate productivity. The experimental design used was randomised complete block design with three replicates. Three plant spacing of 45x15 cm, 30x15 cm and broadcasting were subjected to five different levels of  (0, 20 kg/ha, 30 kg/ha, 40 Kg/ha, 50 Kg/ha). Ten plants per plot were randomly selected and tagged for data collection. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests using SPSS software. Means were compared using the least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% level of significance. Results indicated that plant height; the number of branches, number of pods and seed yield were significantly affected by spacing and phosphorus levels. The wider spacing and highest level of P had significant effects on the growth of plants and seed yield. The spacing 45× 15 cm had a more positive effect on growth parameters and seeds weight as compared to other spacing(S₁ = broadcasting, S₂ = 30 x 15 cm). The phosphorus levels of F₅ = 50 kgs/ha, F₄ = 40 kgs/ha, F₃ = 30 kgs/ha and F₂ = 20 kg/ha had higher effect on growth and seed yield than the control (F₁) by F₅ registering much effects than the rest. Accordingly, the spacing of 45x 15 cm with phosphorous level 50 kg/ha is recommended for optimal results in spider plant seed production.