sorghum,
Sorghum bicolar (L) Moench, is the major food crop grown by millions of people
in Ethiopia. It grows in a wide range of environments although it is dominant
in low land regions where drought and poor harvest are common occurrence
(Birhane, 1977). Sorghum bicolor is an important crop in the North eastern part
of Amhara National Regional State. Sorghum is grown particularly in areas with
low rainfall. In most sorghum growing areas the farmers consume bread or
‘Injera’ made of sorghum flour alone or mixed with Teff.
Website: http://www.arjonline.org/agricultural-sciences/american-research-journal-of-agriculture/
Not
all plant problems are caused by insects or diseases. Sometimes an unhealthy
plant is suffering from a nutrient deficiency or even too much of any one
nutrient. Plants require a mix of nutrients to remain healthy. Nutrients that
are needed in relatively large amounts are called the macronutrients and
phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macronutrients required by plants [4].
It plays a role in photosynthesis, respiration, seed and fruit production,
energy production, storage, transfer, cell division and enlargement. Adequate
supply of P promotes or enhances early root formation and better growth of
plants, water use efficiency, while early maturation of fruit and grain has
been observed in cold temperate regions [4]. The biological function of P in
living organisms is most notable in the ubiquitous ATP/ADP energy transport and
storage compounds [2]. It is obvious that without DNA plants cannot reproduce,
which means that they cannot produce the seed and fruit that people harvest
from many crops.
Website: http://www.arjonline.org/agricultural-sciences/american-research-journal-of-agriculture/
Agriculture
is the mainstay of Nepalese people. About 65.6% of total population of the
country is engaged in agriculture. Nepal has 3,091,000 ha of total cultivated
agriculture land [1]. Agriculture sector shares 35.11% of gross domestic
product (GDP) [1]. Maize (Zea mays) is the second most important staple food
crop both in terms of area and production, after rice in Nepal. It is grown in
0.871 million hectares of land with a total production of 2,179,414 Mg and
productivity of 2.501 Mg ha-1 [1]. It occupies about 28.19% of the total
cultivated agricultural land. It shares about 23.04% of the total cereal
production in Nepal, and therefore plays an important role in national food
security. Soybean (Glycin max L. Merrill) is a rich source of protein (40%) and
essential amino acids, vitamins (B and D) and the important minerals. In Nepal,
it is grown in an area of 29,282 ha (8.76% of total area under legume
cultivation) with production of 28,270 Mg and productivity 0.97 Mg ha-1.
Website: http://www.arjonline.org/agricultural-sciences/american-research-journal-of-agriculture/
The
crop biological yield refers to the total dry matter accumulation of a plant
system. Improved harvest index of the represents increased physiological
capacity to mobilize photosynthates and translocate them into organs having
economic yield. The economic yield is a fraction of dry matter produced; the
harvest index forms a useful measure of crop yield potential. Accordingly,
multi agro-ecological field experiments were conducted for three consecutive
seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08), to investigate the effect of five
agro-ecological environments on the biological yield and harvest index of Faba
bean (Vicia faba L.). The selection based on different soil types and different
climatic growing conditions. Six Faba bean lines were used; namely: H.72/7/1,
Daba.1/1, Z B F.1/1, C.86, Triple White and Turki. The treatments were arranged
in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The
results showed that the environments had significant effect on the biological
yield. The highest biological yield of faba bean crop was obtained from the
lower terrace soil, Riverian (Al Salama location). However, the high terrace
soils in Almatara location attained the lowest biological yield compared to
other environments. The highest harvest index of faba bean crop was observed in
the middle and lower terrace soils in Hudeiba and Al Salama environment. In all
production environments tested in this study the line C.86 scored the highest
biological yield and harvest index.
Website: http://www.arjonline.org/agricultural-sciences/american-research-journal-of-agriculture/
Turkish
forests cover about 21.7 million ha, of which about 11.6 million ha (%53.3) are
considered to be productive forests [1]. Brutian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) has
the largest natural distribution in Turkish forestry by 5.8 million ha of which
45.2% to be unproductive. The natural range of the species is low and mid
altitude of Mediterranean countries such as Greeks, Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia,
Iran, Russia and Ukraine. Outside of the natural range it has been used for
afforestation in countries of western and central areas of the Mediterranean
Sea, Australia, Pakistan and Tajikistan [2] because of its adaptability to dry
or unirrigated areas.
Website: http://www.arjonline.org/agricultural-sciences/american-research-journal-of-agriculture/
