European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Productivity and Profitability Assessment of Stem Amaranth and Changes in Soil Chemical Properties under Aonla-Based Multistoried Agroforestry

Tanjina Yasmin Rita — 2024-11-19

Aonla based multistoried agroforestry system could be a suitable model in improving agricultural productivity and profitability, particularly for the resource-poor country like Bangladesh. However, the adoption of multistoried agroforestry is still limited and most of the fruit orchards remain underutilized throughout the year. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of stem amaranth as a lower storey crop and assess the changes in soil chemical properties under aonla based multistoried agroforestry system (MAFs). The experiment was performed at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh throughout the time from April 2021 to June 2021, following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. There were four treatments as follows: T₁ = Aonla + carambola + lemon + stem amaranth, T₂ = Aonla + lemon + stem amaranth, T₃ = Aonla + stem amaranth, and T₄ = Sole stem amaranth. Results demonstrated that agroforestry systems have a significant effect on the yield of stem amaranth, where sole cropping of stem amaranth (T₄) and aonla + stem amaranth (T₃) provided the maximum yields. In spite of yield reduction in stem amaranth by 6.8%, 31.2%, and 41.1% under T₃, T₂, and T₁ systems, respectively, compared to the sole cropping; agroforestry systems have proven their superiority in terms of net return and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) over the sole cropping of stem amaranth. Moreover, soil fertility parameters like organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium were changed in a positive direction under agroforestry practices. The aforementioned findings indicate that stem amaranth cultivation with aonla based MAFs is a promising approach to enhance system’s productivity, profitability and soil fertility.

The Supply and Quality of Feeds used by Small-to-Medium Scale Broiler Farmers in Tanzania

Edwin Peter Chang'a — 2024-11-18

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the supply and quality of feeds to small-to-medium (SM)-scale broiler farmers in the Morogoro, Pwani, and Dar es Salaam regions of Tanzania. A total of 108 SM-scale farmers from the three regions were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results indicated that broiler chicken farming is dominated by women (>58.3%) in that age-bracket 40 to 59 years. Most were involved in other income generating activities, including mixed farming and formal employment. The most common challenges to SM-scale broiler production were listed as the high feed costs, diseases and marketing the birds. The average flock size per batch was largest in Dar es Salaam (551.1±70.4) and smallest in Pwani (430.5±3.2), with the number of batches per producer per annum ranging between 6.6±3.2 (Morogoro) and 9.8±6.5 (Dar es Salaam). Feeds were mainly bought from retail shops. The most commonly used feed ingredients by farmers were soybean, maize bran, rice, cotton, fish, di-calcium phosphate (DCP), and premixes and were mainly brought from retail shops. Approximately half of the respondents were satisfied with feed quality, a few (<5.7%) were very satisfied with the remainder either dissatisfied or undecided. Birds were sold as live or dressed carcasses, with major outlets reported to be farm gates, restaurants, and supermarkets. Most farmers sold their chickens between 5±0.6 and 6±0.8 weeks of age, weighed between 1.4±0.3 and 1.6±0.3 kg. The profit margin per bird was about TZS 1,089.9±493 in Morogoro, TZS 780±267 in Pwani and TZS 849.7±358 (US$ 1=TZS 2,298.20) in Dar es Salaam. The study findings reveal that poor broiler performance of broiler chickens in the SM-scale sector is mainly attributable to feed costs, price fluctuations and feed quality, among others.

Analysis of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Flows in a Rice-Growing Basin: The Case of the Maga Production Basin (Cameroon)

Emmanuel Aguiza Abaï — 2024-11-07

The availability of irrigation water has favored the development of agriculture in the Maga area, located in the Far North of Cameroon, with rice growing as the dominant agricultural activity. This activity is, however, known as a source of groundwater pollution through the infiltration of substances contained in inputs used for soil fertilization. The present study is a contribution to the analysis of the sources of contamination of the waters of the Maga rice basin by nitrogen and phosphate mineral compounds as well as the spatial distribution of these compounds. The monitoring of a network of fifteen wells and boreholes covering the rice-growing area during six campaigns made it possible to carry out the physicochemical characterization of subsurface and groundwater. The results obtained reveal that nitrates (NO₃⁻) are present in water in low quantities, with averages per campaign ranging from 9.01 mg/L to 20.31 mg/L. On the other hand, ammonium (NH₄⁺) and phosphates (PO₄³⁻) are in significant concentration. Their averages are of the order of 2.62 mg/L to 4.51 mg/L and then 0.65 mg/L to 5.58 mg/L for ammonium and phosphates, respectively. Mineral fertilizers used for soil amendment and degradation of organic matter, as well as the hydrolysis of minerals contained in the soil, contribute to the mineralization of water in the study area.

Research on Deposition Characteristics of a New Air-Assisted Electrostatic Sprayer

Liangfu Zhou — 2024-10-22

This study evaluated the properties of a new double air-assisted electrostatic orchard sprayer, focusing particularly on the impact of its electrostatic system on droplet deposition. The sprayer featured 10 nozzles, a centrifugal fan, and an axial fan, with an overall flow rate of 3.5 L/min and nozzle air velocities of 25 m/s (interior) and 12.5 m/s (exterior). Droplet sampling was conducted using paper cards and ponceau solution as a tracer. Field measurements in a Y-tree trained pear orchard assessed the effects of tractor speeds (0.34, 0.52, 0.84, and 1.05 m/s) and sampling positions (exposed and hidden faces). Tractor speed did not significantly affect overall droplet density, but the normalized droplet density on the exposed face increased with speed, while it decreased on the hidden face. The average normalized droplet density at all speeds was approximately 114.6 dot/cm². The electrostatic system improved droplet deposition on the hidden face of leaves, particularly on the side of the tree near the sprayer. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the exposed face increased with tractor speed, while tractor speed had no impact on the CV of the hidden face. Overall, the electrostatic system reduced the CV. This research offers valuable insights into the use of electrostatic sprayers.

Analysis of Leading Commodities of Plantation Sub-Sectors in Tanah Laut District, South Kalimantan Province

Dina Ismenika Putri — 2024-10-25

Leading commodities are crucial for understanding the potential of commodities in both national and international markets. Exceptional products can serve as distinct catalysts for regional growth. This study aims to investigate potential alternative plantation commodities, assess the development of production growth rates, analyze regional market share growth, proportional growth of net commodity growth in the plantation sub-sector, and identify the position of plantation sub-sector commodities in Tanah Laut District. Time series data from 2013 to 2021 were utilized, employing Shift Share Analysis, Location Quotient (LQ) Analysis, Dynamic Location Quotient (DLQ) Analysis, and Klassen Typology. The analysis revealed that although palm oil and cloves are basic commodities, they are experiencing a decline in perspective, whereas rubber, coconut, sugar palm, coffee, and pepper are prospective commodities for future development. Shift Share Analysis concluded that the regional market share growth of palm oil has good competitiveness and a positive Proportional Growth value, with coffee and sugar palm exhibiting rapid growth. Klassen Typology Analysis indicated that coconut, coffee, pepper, and sugar palm fall within the category of advanced but pressured sectors, while palm oil is categorized as a potential sector.