Life Sciences Commons^™

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic problems of our time. Desertification describes circumstances of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from the climatic variation and human activities. The fundamental goal of this thesis was to assess the effects of desertification in Yobe State, Nigeria. The present threat of desertification in the sahel has reached an alarming stage where crops cultivation and animal rearing/grazing are no more productive, soil has lost its nutrient/fertility, various infrastructure had given way because of windstorm from the neighbouring Niger Republic and sand dunes had taken over. The …

Buried Clay Pipe Irrigation, David A. Bainbridge

David A Bainbridge

The buried clay pipe method of irrigation is one of the most efficient systems known and is ideal for gardeners and small farmers. Buried clay pipe irrigation uses a buried, unglazed clay pipe filled with water to provide controlled irrigation to plants as the water seeps out through the clay wall at a rate that is influenced by the plant's water use. It has been used for more than one hundred years.This auto-regulation leads to very high efficiency--considerably better than drip irrigation and many times better than conventional surface irrigation. This also reduces weeds, increases yields, and can speed maturity …

Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This research work looked in the used of Remote Sensing to improve Agricultural production in Kutigi, Niger State. The aim of the study is to use remote sensing to improve rice farming activities in Kutigi, Niger State. It is very important to identify such methods to improve Agricultural production because experts are always interested in new researches and findings to better the standard of living in any environment. In view of this, Remotely-sensed data could be used or employed to elevate most of these agricultural problems in Kutigi through the following objectives: Using Landsat imagery to assess the present landuse …

Sprinklers, Crop Water Use, And Irrigation Time: Beaver County, Robert Hill, Mark Nelson

Associate Professor Mark Nelson

No abstract provided.

Fertilizer Management For Grass And Grass-Legume Mixtures, Richard Koenig, Mark Nelson, James Barnhill, Dean Miner

Associate Professor Mark Nelson

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Potassium Fertilizer And Different Fertilization Methods On The Growth Of Tuberose, A Mohammadi Torkashvand, Yaser Shariati, R Onsinejad

y shariati

An appropriate fertilization method is an important topic in nutrition of ornamental plants for obtaining suitable quality and quantity yield. This study was conducted in Farvardin greenhouse of Mashhad Township, Khorasan province, Iran, in summer and autumn 2011 to find appropriate fertilization method on the growth of tuberose as the test plant. The experiment was performed by 21 treatments and 3 replications in a randomized completely design. Different methods of fertilization by different fertilizers in three levels of basic potassium were evaluated. The treatment containing 100 kg potassium as base + one-third N and P as base and two-third N …

Effect Of Weaning Age On Nursery Pig Performance, Alison Smith, Kenneth J. Stalder, Timo Serenius, Thomas J. Baas, John W. Mabry

Dr Alison Smith

Weaning age is an extremely important management decision in commercial pork production. The decision is based upon many factors which include sow performance, herd health, pig performance and costs and revenues associated with these factors such as lactation space utilization, and weaned pig value. The industry shifted to weaning litters at earlier ages in order to improve piglet health throughout the nursery and grow finish phases of production. In order to avoid transmission of pathogens from sow to piglet, the Segregated Early Weaning (SEW) concept was developed. This process consists of farrowing sows on the same site as the rest …

Interactions Between Pieris Oleracea And Pieris Rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) Butterflies, And The Biological Control Agents Cotesia Glomerata And Cotesia Rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)., Megan V. Herlihy

Megan V Herlihy

Pieris oleracea, formerly Pieris napi, was once a widespread pierid butterfly in New England until the introduction of a biological control agent, Cotesia glomerata. It has been suggested that C. glomerata is responsible for the range reduction of P. oleracea. There are been several introductions of a second more specialized biological control agent, Cotesia rubecula, to the United States since the 1960’s. My first goal was to determine the current distribution and status of P. rapae parasitoids and the effectiveness of C. rubecula as a biological control agent since its release. The findings of a survey I conducted of the …

Constraints In Adoption Of Moongbean Production Technology In Sundarban, West Bengal, Ganesh Chandra

Ganesh Chandra

The new agricultural technologies are considered to be the prime mover to the process of agricultural development in India. Understanding farmers’ perceptions of a given technology is crucial in the generation and diffusion of new technologies and farm household information dissemination. Pulses in India have long been considered as the poor man’s only source of protein. Moongbean (green gram) is one of the important pulse crop in India, plays a major role in augmenting the income of small and marginal farmers of Sundarban. Constraints are the circumstances or causes, which prohibit farmer to adopt improved farm technology. This constraint study …

Uses Of Wild Plants In Ndumba, Eastern Highlands Province, Terence Hays

Terence Hays

For Papua New Guineans,l as well as for those who wish to understand them better, traiditional knowledge of the local natural environment is a priceless resource. In the face of increasing commitments to a cash economy, however, many communities are rapidly losing their awareness and appreciation of the rich animal and plant worlds which are immediately available to them. As Powell has recently observed (1976), the recorded information regarding traditional plant knowledge and uses has tended to be widely-scattered in the literature and relatively difficult to access, especially for those who stand to benefit the most from it. A recent …

Some Cultivated Plants In Ndumba, Eastern Highlands Province, Terence E. Hays

Terence Hays

This paper reports on the cultivation and uses of 47 species of minor food crops and other useful plants in Habi'ina village, a Tairora speaking community in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.

Cambodia: The Challenge Of Adding Value To Agriculture After Conflict, Sophal Ear

Sophal Ear

Do We Really Need New Policies? A Study On Soil Sealing In Egypt, Ahmed Harb Rabia

Ahmed Harb Rabia A.H. Rabia

Egypt has the lowest area of agricultural land per individual in Africa. The agricultural land stands for a total of approximately 3.5 million ha which characterized about 3.5% of the total area of Egypt in 2007. The urban encroachment over arable productive agricultural land in Egypt is common and is called (urban desertification). Therefore, the annual loss of arable land to urbanization is 1.2%. This indicates a serious situation to the agricultural area. the Academy of Scientific Research & Technology (1994) has reported that during the period from 1978 to 1984, the annual expansion rates of the dwelling area ranged …

Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Agricultural production in Nigeria like in other developing countries is highly vulnerable to variations in climatic parameters which may have inverse or direct effect on the performance of food crops. This paper examines the patterns and trends of the variations in the climatic parameters and the implications of such variations on efficient yield rates of some food crops in Benue State using data on climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, sunshine) and the yield of some crops per hectare for 25 years (1986-2010). Data on the climatic variables were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, AirForce Base, Makurdi while the data on …

Purification And Characterization Of Novel Nucleases From A Thermophilic Fungus, Kyle Landry

Kyle S Landry

A thermophilic fungus was isolated from composted horse manure. The organism was as a Chaetomium sp. by sequencing the highly conserved ITS region of the fungus and comparing to known regions in a genomic database and was referred to as TM-417. TM-417 was found to have an optimal growth temperature of 45 ^oC and an optimal pH of 7.0. An extracellular DNase and RNase was found to be produced by the isolate and were purified 145.58-fold and 127.6-fold respectively using a combination of size exclusion chromatography and a novel affinity membrane purification system. The extent of purification was determined …

G73-73 Sweet Potatoes (Revised June 1992), R.E. Neild, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Varieties, requirements and culture, harvesting and storage of sweet potatoes. The sweet potato, a member of the morning glory plant family, is native to tropical America. It is an important food plant in warmer regions of the world and is adapted to southeastern Nebraska. Sweet potatoes may be boiled, baked, fried, or candied. They have high food value. Varieties with deeply yellow colored roots are a good source of vitamin A.

G1425 Garlic Production In The Home Garden, Laurie Hodges, Susan D. Schoneweis

Laurie Hodges

Garlic provides flavor to many favorite recipes, is relatively easy to grow and offers plenty of varieties from which to choose. Garlic, Allium sativum L., is used as a seasoning in many foods worldwide. It isn't considered a major vegetable because consumption is generally small due to its strong flavor. But without garlic, many of our popular dishes would lack the flavor and character that make them favorites. Fortunately, garlic is relatively easy to grow in the home garden. The most difficult decision may be deciding what kind of garlic to plant since there are over 100 cultivars available from …

Nf97-344 Weights And Measures Guidelines For Sales At Farmers' Markets, Roadside Stands And Other Commercial Outlets, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact focuses on the sale of fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and other seasonal outlets.

Bindweed Identification And Control Options For Organic Production, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Two species of bindweed are commonly found in the Great Plains and one unrelated weed is often confused with bindweed.

Nf04-607 Growing Scallions (Green Onions) For Market Gardeners, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Growing scallions (green onions) can provide market gardeners with early cash flow and customers with quality increases in storage life, freshness and flavor. Growing quality scallions is easier than growing quality bulb onions simply because they are in the field for a shorter time and bulb formation is not an issue when growing true scallions. This NebFact discusses choosing and growing scallions from seed, fertilizing, the use of pesticides and herbicides for controlling pests and weeds, and a listing of seeding companies.

Nf91-50 Bee Pollination Of Cucurbit Crops, Laurie Hodges, Fred Baxendale

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact discusses bee pollination of cucurbit crops.

Nf92-107 Resource List For Marketing Alternative Crops, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact is a resource list of companies, organizations, and government offices who offer and supply information for helping the small farmer/gardener market their alternative crops.

Ec00-1207 Growing Onions, Shallots, And Chives, Susan Schoneweis, Laurie Hodges, Loren J. Giesler

Laurie Hodges

The common onion (Allium cepa) is the most popular and widely grown Allium in Nebraska home gardens. Many members of the onion family (Alliaceae) are used in flower gardens because of their interesting flowers and foliage, but here we're going to focus on the onion as a vegetable crop. This publication will discuss the different types of onions and how to grow onions from onion sets, plants, transplants, and seed. It will cover the different cultivars found here in Nebraska, the nutrition, fertilizing, harvesting, curing and storing of onions.

G03-1522 Damping Off Of Seedlings And Transplants, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

The shift toward more ecological means of pest control is a driving force in research and in growers' fields. Growers need to understand how the various pathogens causing plant disease respond to environmental conditions and cultural practices — what keeps the level of disease below an economic threshold and how these conditions can be developed and maintained for more sustainable production. This NebGuide provides information on two common pathogens that cause seedling disease (damping off) in many crops. Although vegetable production is used in the examples, the principles apply to many cropping systems.

G00-1778 Field Windbreaks, James Brandle, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

gricultural producers face many challenges as they try to balance efficient production systems with increasing environmental demands. For these systems to be successful, they must optimize the balance between inputs and final production. Field windbreaks are one way to increase yields while at the same time reducing inputs and improving both environmental quality and production efficiency. Windbreaks reduce wind speed and alter the microclimate in sheltered areas. Field windbreaks reduce wind erosion and the damage to crops caused by wind-blown soil. They improve water use efficiency, reduce risks associated with drought, and manage blowing snow.

Field windbreaks provide positive economic …

Nf92-69 Selected Vegetable Cultivars For Nebraska, Susan Schoneweis, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact provides information about cultivars of garden vegetables available to grow in Nebraska.

Growing Scallions (Green Onions) For Market Gardeners, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

Growing scallions can provide market gardeners with early cash flow and is easier than growing bulb onions; they are different than young bulbing onions.

Nf92-108 Sources Of Information — Organic Or Sustainable Vegetable Production, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebFact is a list of companies, organizations and government offices that supply information for the gardener and small farmer who are looking at instituting organic or sustainable vegetable production.

G90-993 Basic Cultural Practices For Commercial Production Of Green (Snap) Beans, Laurie Hodges

Laurie Hodges

This NebGuide discusses cultivar selection, production, pest management and packing of commercial green beans. Cultivars Selection of cultivars depends on intended use or market. "Processor" cultivars are low in fiber and are best for home garden and roadside markets as well as processing. These include the various Bush Blue Lake selections (BBL 47, BBL 92, BBL 274) and others such as Early Gallatin, Eagle, Slenderwhite, Labrador, Flo, and Peak. The "fresh market" or "shipping" beans have high fiber to maintain quality during long distance shipping. These include Strike, Podsquad, Blazer, Triumph, Atlantic, Gatorgreen, Greencrop, Sprite, and many others. Cultivars with …

Ec92-1248 Growing Squash And Pumpkin For Food And Ornamentation, Laurie Hodges, Frederick P. Baxendale, David S. Wysong

Laurie Hodges

Pumpkin and squash are American members of the plant family Cucurbitaceae. Cucumbers, originally from India, muskmelons from the Middle East, and watermelons from Africa are other members of this important family of vine crops. Squash, like corn, was domesticated by Indians of Central America and spread to the 48 contiguous states of the United tates before the arrival of Columbus. Squash was among the first vegetables to be planted in Nebraska. These crops can be used in many ways. The quick-growing, tender-skinned summer squash, when harvested and used while still immature, are delicious either steamed and buttered or sliced and …