Genetic Diversity of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Grown in Lesotho Using Morphological Makers (Published)
A large collection of maize germplasm is introduced annually to Lesotho from CYMMIT in Zimbabwe for evaluation of adaptability and yield performance. This collection is not characterized for degree of similarities and dissimilarities using morphological and other markers. The study was conducted with the objectives of (a) estimating genetic distance among maize cultivars using cluster analysis and (b) identifying morphological characters with high discriminatory power to segregate maize cultivars. The study was conducted at National University of Lesotho, Experimental farm. Randomized Complete Block Design was applied with ten treatments and three replications. Data collected using Descriptor compiled by International Board of Plant Genetic Resource Unit included number of leaves per plant, tassel colour, number of cobs, silk colour, stem colour, plant height, number of ears, ear length, cob diameter, number of kernels, kernel arrangement, kernel colour, shape of upper surface, kernel type, leaf length and tassel length. Data were subjected to GENSTAT software package to generate cluster analysis and perform principal component analysis. The results of cluster analysis revealed two big groups, of which one consisted of six cultivars and another consisted of four cultivars. Besides, there was one outlier. Two big groups were further divided into sub-groups, Three principal component analyses were used to analyze the results, which constituted 65.37% of the total variation. The first one showed variation of 26.93%, the second one showed 20.65% while the third one had 17.79%. The first principal component was constituted by ear length, tillering, maize height, total number of kernels, cross-section of cob and stem colour. The characters comprising second principal component were kernel type, kernel row arrangement, silk colour, number of ear and number of kernel row. Lastly, the character influencing separations along third principal component were number of kernel row, silk colour and number of leaves. The study was able to distinguish the cultivars.
Keywords: Cluster analysis, Lesotho, Maize, Principal Component Analysis
Effect of Maize/Bambara Groundnut Inter-Crop on Soil Properties, Growth and Yield Parameter of the Intercrop Species (Published)
The rationale behind the intercropping system is that it is an efficient utilization of land, and other natural resources and economic production system as it increased yield per unit area. Against this back drop, a field trial was carried out at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State to evaluate the effect of maize/Bambara groundnut intercropping on soil properties, growth and yield parameters of the intercrop species. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments consisting of sole maize (SM), sole bambara groundnut (SB), intercrop maize/bambara groundnut (IMB). The treatments were replicated four (4) times and data collected were subjected to an analysis of variance test and mean were separated using least significant difference. The result obtained from the study showed that among the soil parameters tested, avail. P, TN and exchangeable K showed statistically significant difference among the treatments. The value obtained for TN, OC, Mg, EA and ECEC showed 12.50%, 3.2%, 33.33%, 20% and 0.60% increase in IMB relative to SB. The data obtained from the agronomic parameters tested showed that intercropping system greatly influenced the plant height, grain yield, relative and equivalent yield of maize in the intercrop and not effective in the intercrop bambara groundnut. The result obtained also showed an intercrop advantage with land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.54. With these findings, the farmers in the locality are advised to include bambara groundnut or any other legumes in their crop production systems for efficient and adequate utilization of natural resources and land management
Keywords: Bambara groundnut, Intercropping, Maize, Soil Properties, land equivalent ratio
Serum Biochemical Composition of Laying Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Fed Diets Containing Sun-Dried Mango (Mangifera Spp) Kernel Meal (Smkm) (Published)
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sun-dried mango kernel meal on the serum biochemical parameters of laying Japanese quails. One hundred and forty four Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments (i –iii) of forty eight quails per treatment. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 16 quails per replicate. In each of the three diets, mqngo kernel meal (Mangifera indica) was used to replace maize at 0%, 25% and 50% respectively The result of serum biochemical composition showed that, ALT, serum sodium (Na+), serum bicarbonate (HCO3–) and creatinine were within normal range. However, AST, Total bilirubin and uric acid were below lower limit across the treatments. The Serum potassium (K+) of quails fed treatments. 1 and 111 were within normal range but Serum K+ of quails fed 25% SMKM was slightly above the upper limit. It was also observed that, serum chloride (CL–)was within normal range for quails fed 50% SMKM but was slightly above the upper limit for quails fed 0% and 25% SMKM. It is concluded that, SMKM did not influence the results of serum electrolytes as the deviations observed did not follow a regular pattern. More so, one of the determinant of liver function; ALT showed no significant (P>0.05) difference across treatments. Treatments could not have been responsible for the abnormalities observed in AST and Total bilirubin. SMKM can therefore replace maize in laying quails diets without adverse effect on the serum biochemical parameters.
Keywords: Laying Japanese Quails., Maize, Serum Biochemistry, Sun-Dried Mango Kernel Meal
Carcass and Organ Characteristics of Growing Japanese Quails (Cotintestineurnix Coturnix Japonica) Fed Sun-Dried Mango (Mangifera Spp) Kernel Meal (Published)
A study using complete randomized design (CRD) was carried out to assess the effect of Sun-dried Mango Kernel Meal (SMKM) on the carcass and organs characteristics of growing Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). One hundred and forty four unsexed Japanese quails of about three weeks old were randomly selected and grouped into three treatments containing SMKM that replaced maize at 0%, 25% and 50% (TI, TII and TIII respectively) in properly compounded experimental diets. Each treatment was replicated thrice with sixteen (16) quails per replicate. The results of this study showed that SMKM did not influence the terminal live weights, carcass, dressed and neck weights of quails. In terms of organ weights, it was observed that SMKM affected the lungs, heart and kidney weights significantly (P<0.05) across treatments. The relative organs weights showed significant (P<0.05) differences in heart, intestine, lungs and kidney weights but the reverse was with the gizzard and liver weights. However, the relative weights of drum stick,back and breast muscles were significantly (P<0.05) different across treatments. It is concluded that sun-dried mango kernel meal could replace maize up to 50% in quails’ diets, however, choice cut-part of quails were compromised.!
Keywords: Carcass and organ characteristics, Maize, Quails, mango kernel
Detection and Identification of Major Storage Fungal Pathogens of Maize (Zea Mays L.) In Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia. (Published)
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important food crop in the world produced on nearly 100 million hectares. Maize is attacked by more than sixty diseases and a number of species of insect pests and microorganisms in the field as well as in the storage. Fungi are among the principal causes of deterioration and yield loss on farmers’ maize during the storage period. Among the storage fungal pathogens Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium are the most predominant species attacked maize grain and resulting in production of harmful products of Mycotoxins. The study was conducted at the Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in plant pathology laboratory. Three maize varieties and two levels of disinfection were used and arranged in complete block design with five replications. The highest frequency of Aspregilus spp. (40.4%) at farmer preserved seed with surfaclly disinfected kernels on agar plate were recorded. The highest relative density of Fusarium spp. (51%) was only recorded on agar plate test on the farmer preserved seed which was not surfaclly disinfected. The lowest germination percentage (62%) were recorded on the farmer preserved seed which was not surfacelly disinfected. The Aspregilus spp are the most dominant fungi followed by Fusarium spp. were isolated in this study as well as in Ethiopia. These fungi are important in producing secondary metabolites which are carcinogenic to both humans and animals.
Keywords: Aspergillus; Fusarium; Penicillium; Mycotoxins, Maize
Detection and Identification of Major Storage Fungal Pathogens of Maize (Zea Mays L.) In Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia (Published)
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important food crop in the world produced on nearly 100 million hectares. Maize is attacked by more than sixty diseases and a number of species of insect pests and microorganisms in the field as well as in the storage. Fungi are among the principal causes of deterioration and yield loss on farmers’ maize during the storage period. Among the storage fungal pathogens Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium are the most predominant species attacked maize grain and resulting in production of harmful products of Mycotoxins. The study was conducted at the Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in plant pathology laboratory. Three maize varieties and two levels of disinfection were used and arranged in complete block design with five replications. The highest frequency of Aspregilus spp. (40.4%) at farmer preserved seed with surfaclly disinfected kernels on agar plate were recorded. The highest relative density of Fusarium spp. (51%) was only recorded on agar plate test on the farmer preserved seed which was not surfaclly disinfected. The lowest germination percentage (62%) were recorded on the farmer preserved seed which was not surfacelly disinfected. The Aspregilus spp are the most dominant fungi followed by Fusarium spp. were isolated in this study as well as in Ethiopia. These fungi are important in producing secondary metabolites which are carcinogenic to both humans and animals.
Keywords: Aspergillus; Fusarium; Penicillium; Mycotoxins, Maize