Maize

Effect of Municipal Solid Wastes On Grain Yield of Three Maize Cultivars (Published)

The growth and yield of three maize cultivars were examined in relation to the impact of Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) enriched soil. According to the results, plants grown on soil treated with MSW and inorganic fertilizer (NPK) produced significantly (P≤0.05) taller plants, larger leaves and higher number of leaves than plants grown on the control soil. On the other hand, plants grown on soils fertilized with MSW 1 showed significantly (P≤0.05) greater values of these indicators. The study also demonstrated that maize cultivar TZE yellow, EVDT 99 and Comp-1-synthetic showed no significant variation at the later growth stage but TZE yellow significantly (P≤0.05) had taller plants, larger leaves, and higher number of leaves at the early stage of crop growth. Comp-1-synthetic produced more grain and more grains per cob which was statistically at par with TZE yellow but differ significantly (P≤0.05) from EVDT 99. Crops grown on MSW and NPK treated soils had significantly (P≤0.05) higher grain yields and more grains per cob than those grown on the control soil. However, compared to NPK treated soils, MSW treated soils significantly (P≤0.05) produced better grain yield and number of grains per cob. The maize cultivars’ differences in crude protein content were significant at P≤0.05. The crude protein content of TZE yellow was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than that of EVDT 99 and Comp-1-synthetic. Additionally, plants cultivated on MSW 1 treated soil had considerably higher crude protein content than plants grown on other soil types. Therefore, if municipal solid wastes are sorted and handled, MSW enriched soils could be employed to boost maize production.

Keywords: Cultivars, Grain Yield, Maize, municipal solid waste (MSW)

Farmers’ indigenous knowledge, perception and management practices of American fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) in maize crop productions in West Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia (Published)

The study was carried out to determine the farmers’ indigenous knowledge, perceptions on the infestation and damage level of American Fall Army Worm (AFAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) in maize cultivated fields at Chiro and Darolebu districts of West Hararghe zone, Ethiopia  during the main cropping season of 20l8 to 2019 and also to assesses the indigenous knowledge and how the farmers manage AFAW in maize crop fields to further design and improve appropriate control mechanisms for the study areas. Sampling technique was purposive for identifying districts that had high maize crop production potential from both districts. From each district, three localities were selected purposively. A total of 207 respondents (51 Key Informants (KI) and 26 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) per each locality from both study districts were interviewed and generated both qualitative and quantitative data on AFAW  insect pest and its local management practices and losses in maize crops. All the respondents were reported that AFAW was caused damage and yield losses on maize fields at both study districts. They also reported that AFAW was in general feeders which attack many crop species. In the farmers‘ opinion, maize (76% and 72.88%), sorghum (13% and 18.56%), and millet (11% and 8.56%) were  considered as the most susceptible at Chiro and Darolebu districts, respectively. On average, more than 25.90 % of the controls against this pest in all the study areas were often done through chemical and cultural control methods. The main control methods were used both insecticides and cultural at Darolebu (55.6%) and insecticides only at Chiro (20.8%) districts, respectively. From traditional management options, most of the discussants reported and used various particles like ash, urea, soils and botanical extracts such as tobacco, garlic, datura (banji), green pepper and also soap particles (66.6% and 18.5% from Darolebu and 29.7% and 4.7% Chiro districts, respectively. From all the study areas, 26.40% respondents reported that the mechanical methods were used by the removal of infested plants in the fields. But 14.35 % of respondents said did not use any traditional methods in the study areas. The FGD respondents suggested that it is better to have resistance and adaptable varieties that released for such agro-ecologies the same to our area. Also, they have emphasized that the government should be supplied fertilizers and different effective insecticides timely by affordable prices.

Keywords: American fall army worm, Farmers’ Perception, Maize, Management practices, yield losses.

Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Clarias Gariepinus Fed Graded Levels of Melon Shell as Replacement for Maize (Published)

This study to evaluate effect of replacing maize with graded levels of melon shell on growth of Clarias gariepinus fingerling was conducted for 16 weeks in the teaching and research farm of department of Fisheries, faculty of Agriculture Delta state university_.  Pearson square formula was used to formulate five different Diet with crude protein value of 40%. The Diets had 0%, 25%, 50%75% and 100% melon shell inclusion respectively. Four hundred and fifty fingerlings were randomly distributed into fifteen tanks (1mx1mx1m) and grouped in threes to form five treatments (D1a-c – D5a-c). Fishes in each tank was fed 3% body weight of diet corresponding to tank number twice daily. Weight of fish were taken fortnightly. Data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Result obtained showed significant difference (P<0.05) in Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). However there was no significant different (P>0.05) in Specific Growth Rate (SGR). Fish fed diet two with 25% melon shell inclusion had the best FCR and highest Mean weight gain among treatments.

Keywords: Clarias Gariepinus Fed Graded Levels, Growth Performance, Maize, Melon Shell, Nutrient Utilization

Screening Of Maize Cultivars Grown In Lesotho for Drought Tolerance -2 (Published)

Drought is increasingly becoming a common natural phenomenon that adversely affects maize productivity in Lesotho necessitating mitigation strategies. Irrigation may be a viable option but water is becoming scarce, hence choice of drought tolerant cultivars maybe the best alternative. The study was conducted in Lesotho with the aim of (1) verifying the differences among maize cultivars in response to induced water deficit stress, (2) evaluating maize cultivars against different concentration levels of Polyethylene glycol which induces drought stress in germinating seed and seedling growth and (3) identifying cultivars of maize tolerant to drought stress. Complete Randomized Design with three replications and 22 treatments were employed in the laboratory experiment. Twenty-two different accessions of maize were collected from Department of Agricultural Research in Maseru, Lesotho, were evaluated for their genetic potential to drought tolerance at seedling stage. Water stress was induced by non-ionic water soluble polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight 6000 using the procedure which was described by Michel and Kaufiman (1973). After ten days, data were collected on plumule length, radicle length, coleoptile length, radicle fresh weight, plumule fresh weight, coleoptile fresh weight, radicle dry weight, plumule dry weight and coleoptile dry weight. Analysis of variance was performed using Genstat recovery Version 14 to establish the difference among treatments. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05 and P<0.01) among the accessions, PEG-6000 concentrations and their interactions for evaluated seedling traits suggesting a great amount of variability for drought tolerance in maize cultivars. It was further revealed that as concentration of PEG is increased, values of the parameters measured decreased. The maize cultivars which outperformed the others in terms of drought tolerance were CAP 9019, SNK 2778, DKC 78-27, PAN3MO1 and Natal.

Keywords: Cluster analysis, Drought Tolerance, Maize, Peg

EVALUATION OF SIX CHINESE MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) VARIETIES IN THE HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT OF CALABAR, SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA. (Published)

Six hybrid Chinese maize varieties with a local best were evaluated for their growth and yield performance with a view to adoption in South east agroecological zone of Nigeria. A Randomised Complete Block (RCBD) Design was used. The cultivars did not differ (p ≤0.05) significantly in some growth parameters, this included emergence percentage at 5DAP (days after planting), plant height at both 4WAP and 6WAP (weeks after planting). Tasseling and silking differed significantly, the exotic varieties tassled and silked better than the control at 8WAP and 10WAP respectively. The only significantly different yield parameters were the length and weight of undehusked cobs, circumference of dehusked cobs. The exotic varieties matured earlier than the control between 11 to 14WAP and 16WAP respectively. There was no significant difference in the grain yield between the maize varieties. The Chinese varieties did not show a marked difference in grain yield compared to the local

Keywords: Environment, Evaluation, Growth, Humid Tropics, Maize, Variety Trial, Yield