bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced root traits and productivity of maize (Zea mays) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) in maize - wheat cropping system through integrated potassium management
Authors: KUMAR SANJEEV , DHAR SHIVA , OM HARI , MEENA RANG LAL
Published: September 2023

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif and rabi seasons of 2010-11 and 2011-12 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to find out the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) - wheat (Triticum aestvum L.) cropping system with potassium (K) fertilization through muriate of potash and farmyard manure. Ten treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. All the treatment with potassium irrespective of sources showed significant increase in grain yield. Application of 60 kg K through muriate of potash + 30 kg K through farmyard manure produced highest grain yield of maize (4.44 and 5.42 tonnes/ha) and wheat (5.39 and 5.49 tonnes/ha), which was significantly superior over grain yield of maize (2.21 and 2.72 tonnes/ha) and wheat (3.80 and 3.89 tonnes/ha) as obtained from control during both the years. Application of K showed better root growth over no K application. In maize, application of 90 kg K/ha, supplemented 60 kg K/ha through MOP and 30 kg K/ha through farmyard manure (FYM) recorded highest root length density (4.51 and 4.33 cm/cm3), surface area density (1.31 and 1.11 cm2/ cm3) root volume density (30.5 and 28.6 cm3/cm3) and dry weight (9.0 and 10.1 g/plant). Similarly, in wheat the same treatment also recorded highest root length density (2.7 and 3.03 cm/cm3), surface area density (0.60 and 0.64 cm2/ cm3), root volume density (12.52 and 16.9 cm3/cm3) and dry weight (2.43 and 2.84 g /plant) during both the years.
Variability in fruit physico-chemical characteristics of litchi (Litchi chinensis) in Tripura and Asom
Authors: SINGH AWTAR , NATH VISHAL
Published: September 2023

Litchi (Litchi chinensis) improvement has been sought mainly through the selection of improved clones and very little work has been done in planned breeding programmes. The economic importance of litchi has led to the selection and breeding over thousands of years, which resulted in relatively few genotypes because of narrow genetic base and restricted germplasm variability. The present day need in litchi is to have cultivars with high fruit weight, high pulp content and small/chicken-tongued seeds coupled with prolonged shelf-life. Therefore, surveys to select the desirable clones of litchi were conducted in the litchi growing areas of Asom and Tripura during the fruiting season of 2007-08 to 2011-12. The superior clones differing in fruit maturity period, with heavy bearing were selected and characterized. The fruit characteristics were studied in the selected clones, which have exhibited a wide range of variation. Based on the characterization of various physico-chemical parameters in fruits, thirty-nine clones were identified. The important clones identified for different characteristics having (i) higher fruit weight A26 (22.29g/fruit), A1l (21.75g/fruit) and A15 (21.21g/fruit), (ii) high TSS (T9 (20.88°Brix), A23 (20.16°Brix) and T5 (19.88°Brix), (iii) small seeds (A26 (1.18g/seed), A25 (1.37g/seed) and A27 (1.95g/seed) and (iv) high pulp percentage/edible portion A26 (72.96%), T15 (69.83%) and T14 (68.63%) were identified. Two clones, viz. A10-1 and A25, having five or more of the desirable fruit quality attributes and fourteen clones having four desirable fruit quality characteristics were propagated vegetatively for detailed evaluation. It was concluded from the present study that there is ample scope for selection of the desirable clones from the existing variability in the litchi orchards of Tripura and Asom.
Role of physico-morphic and biochemical characters of different okra genotypes in relation to population of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)
Authors: HALDER JAYDEEP , SANWAL S K , RAI AJEET KUMAR , RAI A B , SINGH B , SINGH B K
Published: September 2023

Ten promising genotypes of okra were field screened under natural infestation of shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella Fabricius to assess its reaction. Ten biophysical parameters, viz. trichomes, fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, fruit angle, total number of fruits and branches, leaf length, plant height, stem diameter and biochemical parameters like total phenol and anthocyanin content of fruits were studied in relation to the expression of varietal reaction towards shoot and fruit borer. It was observed that highly susceptible genotype SB 8 had relatively lower number of trichomes (24) as compared to tolerant genotype SB 6 which had 51.8 trichomes/cm2. Fruit length, width and fruit weight showed a positive correlation (r value = 0.376, 0.034, 0.026, respectively) with borer incidence. Susceptible genotype SB 8 possessed lower fruit angle (23.4°) and stem thickness (1.17 cm) as compared to tolerant genotype SB 6 (26.4° and 1.28 cm, respectively). Similarly, higher number of total leaves (38.8), fruits (15.75) and branches (3.6) per plant were also recorded from SB 8 as compared to other tolerant lines (SB 6, VROR 160, SB 10). Amongst the biochemical parameters, total phenol and anthocyanin showed negative correlation with the borer incidence. Free-choice arena and ovipostional tests also confirmed that highest larval orientation and egg laying were in susceptible genotype SB 8 (53.3 and 19.7%, respectively) than the other tolerant genotypes.
Oil Price-Exchange Rate Interdependence: Relevance of Theory of Exchange Rate Overshooting in Nigeria
Authors: EFUNTADE Olubunmi Omotayo , EFUNTADE Alani Olusegun
Published: September 2023

This article investigated the interdependence between crude oil variability and foreign exchange rate changes in Nigeria. Oil price variability is decomposed into fluctuation on Brent Oil, West Texas Intermediate, OPEC Basket Reference Crude Oils and Bonny Light Crude Oil Price Variability. All the data that used in this research come from secondary sources. Annual time series data for Nigeria are used from 1993 to 2022. The research design for the study is ex post facto research analysis of annual multivariate time series data. The study examined the historical data in order to understand the current state of foreign exchange rate in Nigeria and causal connections crude oil price variability using ARDL Bound test, Johansen approach and Error-Correction Mechanism (ECM) models. In the long run, the coefficient of oil price volatility shows a positive and significant relation with the f o r e i g n e x c h a n g e r a t e at 10 percent level of significance. This implies that a 10 percent, increase in oil price volatility induces foreign exchange rate by 0.61 percent. The positive coefficient of oil price volatility tends to reveal that Dornbusch (1976) Overshooting hypothesis of foreign exchange rate holds for Nigeria. This finding is in conformity with previous studies like (Driskill & McCafferty, 1982); Turnovsky & Bhandari, 1982; Driskill & McCafferty, 1982). Furthermore, the coefficient of BOP and OPEC show a negative and insignificant relationship with the foreign exchange rate in the long run. This implies that BOP and OPEC hav e no impact on foreign exchange rate. This is in contrast with economic theory particularly Dutch diseases proposition and in conformity with foreign exchange rate overshooting theory. The negative nexus can be blamed on the inability of government to manage the foreign exchange supply and demand effectively in the country. Diversifying away from oil to other non-oil activities that would generate foreign exchange sh
External Debt Burden and Economic Growth in Nigeria
Authors: Odey Ferdinand Ite , Owan John Odey , Owan Julia Njarani
Published: September 2023

This study examined external debt burden and economic growth in Nigeria. Accordingly, the main objective of the study is to investigate the impact of external debt burden on economic growth in Nigeria, using the econometric analytical technique. Annual time series data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. Economic growth was measured by gross domestic product (GDP) while external debt burden was represented by external debt stock and debt service payment. The bound testing and Autoregressive Distributed Lag model estimation techniques were employed for the analysis. The study found that external debt and debt service payment have significant and negative effect on economic growth in Nigeria. The study recommends that; government should restructure her external debt management by increasing the debt expenditure to capital project that can easily translate to economic growth and development. Debt management office should put up strategies like debt renegotiation, avoid increase in borrowing, offset debt just to address debt servicing and reduce pressure on economic operations. The government should diversify the economy so as to increase internally generated revenue to finance government expenditures, which will help reduce government borrowing.
Adoption of Green, Carbon and Environmental Taxation in Nigeria: Revenue Generation and Economic Benefits Perspectives
Authors: EFUNTADE Olubunmi Omotayo , EFUNTADE Alani Olusegun , OLUGBAMIYE Dominic Olorunleke
Published: September 2023

Tax revenue is one of the essential means through which the government controls the macroeconomy and plays a vital role in promoting environmental protection and sustainable development. This paper explores the adoption of green, carbon and environmental taxation in Nigeria: revenue generation and economic benefits perspectives. There is an uncertainty about the public acceptance of these taxes and subsequent difficulty in predicting the rate at which the pollution will fall if environmental taxes are implemented, it becomes expensive for governments to pursue environmental targets and thereby makes it difficult for firms and households to plan investment, production, and consumption activities. Regardless of this, it can be seen that environmental taxes are slowly gaining momentum in Nigeria. The main challenge is to design policy objectives and their instruments in such a way that the social costs of any inefficiency are minimized and a fair distribution of the burden are ensured. It is pointed out that Nigeria should introduce and develop the scope of taxation and adopt the method of "green tax" to cultivate taxpayers' green awareness. Thus, the policy framework needs to be systematically analysed for the successful design and implementation of environmental taxes. In conclusion, what can be said is that though the system of environmental taxation has turned quite a few heads in the direction of sustainable development in Nigeria, it is high time that a system of Green Tax is popularized in order to keep up with the global standards of environment protection.
An Investigation of the Impact of Financial Liberalization Reforms on Credit to the Private Sector in Nigeria
Authors: Emmanuel Benson , Emmanuel Adah John
Published: September 2023

This study examines the effects of financial liberalization on credit to the private sector in the Nigerian economy from 2000 to 2021. This was aimed at ascertaining how DEP representing banking sector deposits, IRS representing interest rate spread and MPR representing monetary policy rates has stimulated the credit to the private sector in Nigeria. Historical data was collated and estimated employing the ARDL form of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique. The empirical results indicate that bank deposits was positively significant to private sector credits while monetary policy rates were negatively significant. On the contrary, interest rate spread had negative impact but not statistically significant. On the basis of the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made.The monetary authorities have to regularly review their monetary policy direction to bring monetary policy rates lower than it is. Policies that reduce interest rate spread be pursued to enhance the performance of the credit to the private sector.
Impact of an intervention on the surface of cellular telephones in a hospital in Salta
Authors: Carrizo Paula Carolina
Published: September 2023

Introduction: cell phones, especially those used by healthcare personnel, have high levels of bacterial contamination, including multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens, posing a significant risk of disease transmission in hospital and community settings. Studies reveal that these often uncleaned and widely used devices can be a major source of cross-infection. Methods: in this observational, quasi-experimental epidemiological study, we analyzed bacterial contamination on cell phones of healthcare personnel (N=80) in three stages: pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention. An educational strategy, monitoring of cleanliness, hand hygiene and use of glass bottles was implemented, and the results of the swabs before and after the intervention, carried out between March and April 2022, were compared. Results: the study analyzed the presence of germs in cell phones of health personnel in two phases, obtaining a total of 240 samples. A high prevalence of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed in the screens and cases, and cleaning and disinfection strategies were implemented that achieved an improvement of more than 90 % in the reduction of germs, demonstrating that cell phones can be controllable sources of infection with appropriate measures. Conclusion: the intervention was successful, highlighting the importance of improving hygiene, cleanliness and safety culture in the use of cell phones by healthcare personnel
Chemical Control of Baeckea frutescens (L) in Oil Palm Plantations
Authors:   PT Agro Harapan Lestari, Balasubramaniam R
Published: September 2023

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the bio-efficacy of several herbicide treatments and a manual slashing treatment to control the shrub plant Baeckea frutescens in oil palm plantation. The present trial comprised of two rates of paraquat, one rate of paraquat + metsulfuron-methyl mixture, two rates of glyphosate, one rate of glyphosate + metsulfuron-methyl mixture, and one rate each for both metsulfuron-methyl and triclopyr. Fast control was observed in paraquat and paraquat+ metsulfuron-methyl mixture treatments. However, the control was not long due to weed regeneration. Both the metsulfuron-methyl and triclopyr treatments were observed to give similar good control. In general, glyphosate at the lower and higher rates as well as its mixture with metsulfuron-methyl gave effective control. The final results at 12 weeks after spraying showed that the most cost effective treatment is the mixture of 1.5 L glyphosate + 75 g metsulfuron-methyl per hectare. Keywords: Baeckea frutescens, weed control, herbicides.
Performance and Economic Comparisons of Manual and Mechanised Fertiliser Applications for Mature Oil Palm
Authors:   Universiti Putra Malaysia, Yahya Azmi , Vui Heong Su , Pebrian Darius El , Ishola and Tajudeen Abiodun
Published: September 2023

The problem of labour shortage in addition to environmental hazard due to improper fertiliser application method calls for efficient and effective method of fertiliser application. This study compares the productivity of workers, human energy expenditure and operational cost between manual and mechanised method of fertiliser application operation for matured oil palm in Malaysia. Results indicate that workers' productivity increased by 3.74 times with mechanised method compared to the manual method based on the measured field capacities of 4.64 ha per hour and 1.24 ha per hour for the mechanised and manual methods, respectively. In addition, mechanised fertiliser application was 4.53 times less labour intensive than manual application based on the measured human energy expenditure of 2.03 kcal per min and 9.19 kcal per min for mechanised and manual methods, respectively. However, the estimated total cost for the mechanised method is 1.6 times more than the manual method which amounted to an additional cost of RM4.l8 per hectare based on the estimated total cost of RM11.10 per hectare and RM6.92 per hectare for mechanised and manual methods, respectively. The high estimated total cost of the mechanised method is due to the low annual usage of the tractor considered in the economic analysis for this study. Keywords: Workers’ productivity, human energy expenditure, fertiliser application, mechanisation, oil palm
Omics: Mesocarp Biochemistry Provides Insight into Increased Oil Palm Yield
Authors:   Sime Darby Research Sdn Bhd, Appleton D R , Teh H F , Neoh B K , Ooi E K , Wong Y C , Kwong Q B , Yusof H M , Chew F T , Harikrishna K
Published: September 2023

Research into the identification of genetic markers for yield and other traits in oil palm has attracted significant effort in recent years and is now reaching maturity. However, associations between yield and genetic markers can be complicated by epistasis, environmental effects, or not hold true across pedigrees. In addition, development of higher throughput marker platforms such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) can yield a larger number of potential markers than can be reasonably screened. Biochemical "omics" technologies can provide a complementary approach to identify important gene regions and variants for traits such as oil yield - bridging the gap between genome sequence information and traits. In many cases the biochemical information obtained also provides insights into the regulation of key biological processes involved in fruit lipid biosynthesis. Using multi-platform omics, oil palm mesocarp was studied during six critical stages of fruit development in comparatively high and low yielding oil palm trees. The results led to the identification of gene regions that are associated with higher oil yield and thereafter were prioritised for genetic marker discovery and screening. More than 100 specific genes were identified as being important to increased oil biosynthesis in mesocarp and may explain higher oil/dry mesocarp ratios. In addition, significant differences in several important biochemical processes that may be related to mesocarp development were also identified. In future, focused biochemical studies will be able to probe the many other physiological processes contributing to yield and increase our understanding of how these can be optimised to increase productivity of oil palm through marker assisted breeding. Keywords: Oil palm, oil yield, lipid biosynthesis, metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics.
Sequencing for Super Seeds
Authors: Lee Weng Wah , Kwan Bih Hua , Boon Soo Heong , Chua Kia Ling , Lee Chong Hee , Cheah Suan Choo
Published: September 2023

The year 2000 marked two important milestones in the science of whole genome sequencing (WGS): completion of the draft human genome and that of Arabidopsis, a model plant commonly used for research. Since then WGS has gained prominence as a foundation for plant improvement. Much of this is due to rapid advances in the development in DNA sequencing technology. ACGT Sdn Bhd, is the first in the world to announce the completion of the sequencing of the oil palm genome in May 2008. ACGT's goal in this endeavour is to use the knowledge embedded in the genome to improve oil palm yield. Towards this end, we have applied the data from WGS to the development of markers for oil palm improvement. In-house sequencing facilities comprising both Sanger and the Next Generation sequencing technology and bioinformatics pipelines have been established at ACGT's Next Generation Laboratory, fondly called ANGeL, to enable high throughput end-to-end marker applications from sequencing to marker mining and genotyping. The markers mined from the genome have been tagged to traits of interest and applied to our oil palm breeding programme. As this process of marker-assisted selection is both precise and efficient, the company envisages creating improved materials or "super seeds" in a shorter time frame. Keywords: Whole genome sequencing, plant genome, DNA marker, genotyping-by-sequencing, trait gene association, marker-assisted selection, marker-assisted breeding and high yielding oil palm seeds.
Palm Oil at the Crossroads: The Role of Plantation Intelligence to Support Change, Profit and Sustainability
Authors: Cook S , Lim C H , Mohanaraj S N , Samosir Y M S , Donough C , Oberthür T , Lim Y L , Cock J , Kam S P
Published: September 2023

This paper describes a process of Plantation Intelligence-the generation and use of analysis of commercial data held by oil palm companies. Plantation Intelligence consists of a series of insights, developed with partners, which describe the status and trends of key performance indicators. Analysis also describes the productivity of key inputs such as fertiliser and labour. Such insights can be used to guide decisions and to avoid some of the common biases that managers make, especially when under pressure. It is anticipated that Plantation Intelligence will provide greatest value to companies who recognise the need for change and who are able to embed the process in 'normal' management. Keywords: Plantation intelligence, big data, statistical process control, fertiliser return on investment.
Evaluation of Organic Matter as Potting Media
Authors:   Felda Global Ventures Research & Development Sdn Bhd, Norizan Mohd Shahkhirat , Mohamad Mohd Khairil , Kamaruzaman Alangseri Ayu Bayu , Arifin Izwanizam
Published: September 2023

For raising palms in the nursery for field planting in situ soil is widely used as the potting media. In addition to obtaining suitable soil for potting media the heavy nature of soil creates a problem when transferring potted palms for field planting. Thus eight different potting media were tested i.e. soil (S), compost of EFB and palm oil mill effluents (POME) (C), compost of EFB/POME + soil (C + S), sawdust (SD), sawdust+ soil (SD+ S), coconut coir (CC), coconut coir + soil (CC+ S) and sphagnum peat (SP). For the combination treatments, the organic and sphagnum peat media were mixed with soil at the ratio of 1: 1 by volume. Results of eight months of growth revealed that CC and SP based media produced better vegetative growth of seedling than others in terms of girth size, height and frond length. The compost media gave moderate growth performance but with regard to weight of the final "potted plant" for field planting, it was the lightest. The SD potting media, whether mixed with soil or not, produced inferior results. The results indicate that soil can be substituted by alternative potting media, but further assessment of varying inputs needed, oil palm growth and cost effectiveness need to be further evaluated. Keywords: Potting media, compost, sawdust, coconut coir, sphagnum peat.
Control of Alocasia sp. and Etlingera brevilabrum in Oil Palm Plantations in the Kinabatangan Region
Authors:   Genting Plantations Research Centre, Salleh Haniff , Nallan Ganesan , Zainal Muhamad Faiz , Aban Alexander , Lee Teck Fah
Published: September 2023

Weed management is one of the most important operations in oil palm plantations. It is the second most costly operation after fertiliser application. Hence, it is important that noxious weeds in oil palm plantations are managed with the best chemical solution to control them. In Genting Plantations Berhad (GENP) estates in the Kinabatangan region, the main noxious weeds present are Alocasia sp. and Etlingera brevilabrum. Trials have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of some selected herbicides on these weeds. All trials were conducted on undulating to hilly terrain with annual rainfall of more than 3000 mm. Equipment used in the trials was the knapsack sprayer which was calibrated to 450 L of blanket spraying using solid cone adjustable nozzle (1.30-1.45 L/min). All spraying was completed within a day. Post treatment assessments was based on visual observation of the symptoms on the weeds and photo collection after spraying. Results on Alocasia sp. show that the standard estate practice of manual slashing provided only temporary control with new shoots regenerating two days after treatment (DAT). Spraying single herbicide using 2,4-D dimethylamine and also metsulfuron-methyl provided the best control, where even three months after treatment (MAT), there is still no sign of regeneration of Alocasia sp .. In terms of cost, the use of 2,4-D dimethylamine is cheaper than metsulfuron-methyl. Metsulfuron-methyl costs 12 per cent more compared to 2,4-D dimethylamine. When 2,4-D dimethylamine is combined with other herbicides such as paraquat and glyphosate, the control is more effective whereby the Alocasia sp. is killed much faster but the cost is more expensive at 31 per cent more when combined with paraquat and 73 per cent more when combined with glyphosate. Results on control of Etlingera brevilabrum also show that the standard operation practice of manual slashing provides temporary control whereby regeneration occurs at 22 DAT. The best control is using 2,4-D dimethylamine where after 3 MAT, there is no regeneration of new shoots of E. brevilabrum. Metsulfuron-methyl however shows no effect on E. brevilabrum even when higher dosage is applied. The use of 2,4-D dimethylamine costs RM 10.28 per hectare (under assumptions E. brevilabrum covers 50% per hectare). It can be concluded that the best control both on bio-efficiency and costing for Alocasia sp. and Etlingera brevilabrum is 2,4-D dimethylamine. Keywords: Etlingera brevilabrum, Alocasia sp., weed, oil palm.
Prediction of Fuel Costs of Various Farm Machinery in Oil Palm Plantation Operations
Authors:   Universiti Teknologi MARA Melaka, Wan Ajeng Jok , Pebrian Darius El
Published: September 2023

Fuel is a key element to operate the farm machinery in oil palm plantations. Efficient fuel usage is an important aspect that needs attention in the effort to reduce production costs in oil palm plantations. Currently, estimation of fuel costs is made by using formulas that were developed based on the data of farm machinery operation in the USA farming system, which differs from the farming system in oil palm plantations in Malaysia. This study was conducted to develop a predictive fuel cost model for various operations in oil palm plantation. This study emphasises on the development of predictive fuel cost model for in-field fresh fruit bunch (FFB) evacuation, mainline transport, spraying and manuring operations. Factors which affect fuel cost directly were also mathematically determined to investigate their relationship. Sensitivity analysis of the predictive fuel cost model was also done. The data collection in this study was obtained through field observation, interviews and secondary data extraction from the oil palm estate’s management records. Pearson correlation analysis and multi-regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data. The Marginal Physical Product (MPP) method was used to determine the sensitivity of the models. This study has successfully developed useable predictive fuel cost models for in-field FFB evacuation, mainline transport, spraying and manuring with regression (R2) value of 0.945, 0.973, 0.676 and 0.870 respectively. The sensitivity analysis of each of the four predictive fuel cost models showed that all the variables correlated and were significant to the respective fuel cost will have positive impact on the fuel cost. Keywords: Farm machinery, mechanisation, fuel costs, oil palm plantation operations, mathematical modelling.
Herbicide Screening for the Control of Merremia peltate (L.) Merr. in Immature Oil Palm Plantings
Authors:   PT Agro Harapan Lestari, Balasubramaniam R , Wijayanto Beny
Published: September 2023

Merremia peltata is a native, invasive large-leaved creeping weed which is becoming serious in young oil palm areas located adjacent to jungle fringes and low land rain forests. Two field trials were conducted to evaluate several commercially available herbicides for controlling Merremia peltata in immature oil palm plantings. In the first trial, a range of herbicides and its mixtures were evaluated in comparison with an untreated control. The herbicide treatments were glyphosate (1.5 L, 2.0 L and 3.0 L/ha), glufosinate-ammonium (3.3 L/ha), triclopyr (1.5 L/ha), metsulfuron-methyl (150 g/ha), glyphosate + metsulfuron-methyl (1.5 L + 75 g/ha) and glyphosate + triclopyr ( 1.5 L + 0. 75 L/ha). The treatment effect was assessed visually at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after spraying. Six of the treatments recorded > 90 per cent kill at 12 weeks after spraying. However, triclopyr at 1.5 L per hectare was the most effective and recorded 100 per cent kill. Glufosinate-ammonium and metsulfuron-methyl treatments did not give adequate control. In the second trial, two of the most effective treatments from the first trial were selected and tested further. These treatments were glyphosate (2.0 L/ha) and triclopyr (1.5 L/ha). Both these treatments were tested in single large plots. At the end of the trial (12 WAS) glyphosate and triclopyr provided 90 per cent and 100 per cent kill respectively. The results of both trials showed that triclopyr at 1.5 L gave excellent control of Merremia peltata. Keywords: Merremia peltata, weed control, immature oil palm, glyphosate, triclopyr.
MINIMISING THE HAZE
Authors:   Param Agricultural Soil Surveys (M) Sdn Bhd, PARAMANANTHAN S
Published: September 2023

The haze is becoming an annual problem in Southeast Asia. The degree and intensity of the fires and the haze was exceptionally bad in 2015. The haze has affected the health of many people causing eye irritation and respiratory illnesses. It is reported that food and poultry production has been seriously affected in Malaysia -what more in Indonesia and Singapore? The blame of course goes to Indonesia where the slash and burn system practiced by the small farmers had caused the fires to spread to most parts of Indonesia. The blame game is in full swing with the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) mainly blaming the oil palm, rubber and acacia plantations on peat/ands for the haze. The Singapore Government is using its current laws to charge its plantation owners in Indonesia. Due to changes in wind directions, the haze has reached South Thailand and the Philippines. Offers of help to put out the blazing forests comes not only from Indonesia S Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbours but also from the United States and Russia. Current efforts to put out the fires centre around fire extinguishing using manpower, cloud-seeding and water-bombing, but with little effect. Current solutions being recently implemented include the construction of canals to bring water from the hills to extinguish the fires. Other solutions proposed include compaction of the peat and the collection of slashed wood to make wood chips or biochar for biofuels. A simple, cheap and workable system of tube-wells to tap underground aquifers below the organic soils and pumping the water into the canals seems to work to prevent the fires from surrounding smallholders spreading into two Malaysian plantations in Central Kalimantan. This proactive method can be used in subsequent years or even in the present situation together with water-bombing to minimise the fires and hence the haze. It is time for us to use science to solve the problem instead of being emotional and blaming each other. For areas that have already been degraded by the fires, a method of regeneration of the degraded peat forest is proposed. Keywords: Haze, tube-wells, peat fires, aquifers, regeneration.
NEW FRONTIERS FOR THE OIL PALM INDUSTRY THROUGH GENOME TECHNOLOGY
Authors: LOW E T L , SINGH R , RAJANAIDU N , ONG-ABDULLAH M , OOI L C L , LAKEY N D , SMITH S W , ORDWAY J M , SAMBANTHAMURTHI R
Published: September 2023

The oil palm is the most productive oil bearing crop that is an important source of edible oil. As land resources become more limited, sustainable growth is needed to increase productivity on existing agricultural land to meet the needs of the growing populations. Nevertheless, genetic improvement of oil palm through conventional breeding is extremely slow and costly. Revolutionary approaches are needed to improve productivity and address the stagnating average yields observed over the last three decades. In 2013, the impetus to this "green " revolution came with the successful sequencing and annotation of the oil palm genome. The release of the genome data led to a myriad of discoveries that will eventually contribute to the development of disruptive technologies to assist the oil palm realise its real yield potential. Examples of these discoveries include the identification of the SHELL and fruit colour genes that have important implications in improving yield and harvesting standards. The SHELL gene discovery led to the development of the first oil palm molecular diagnostic assay that was made available to the industry. The assay will change the way the oil palm industry produces commercial planting materials and will especially prove invaluable in enhancing breeding efficiency. Keywords: Oil palm, genome, diagnostic assays, shell, virescens.
IMPACT OF EL Niño ON PALM OIL PRODUCTION
Authors: AZLAN AMIRUL HADI , LEE CHIN TUI , SOH KIM YAW , SELVARAJA SUDHARSAN , ROHAN ROSMAN , ARIFFIN IZWANIZAM , S PALANIAPPAN
Published: September 2023

Oil palm growth is significantly influenced by rainfall and for that reason, Crude Palm Oil (CPO) production is affected during El Niño events. The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) website provides comprehensive climate and weather information which can be related to El Niño events and ultimately fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yields or CPO production. NOAA commonly uses the Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) to determine the strength of El Niño events where records over the last 50 years revealed that the current El Niño (2015/16) has proven to be as severe (categorised as 'very strong') as the events in 1997/98 and 1982/83. Past records show that very strong El Niño events (1982/83 and 1997/98) have resulted in significant drops in FFB yield and CPO production of 10-16 per cent and 8-14 per cent respectively. This paper will attempt to explain the definition of El Niño and review its historical impact on FFB production and yield pattern under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions during two El Niño events: strong El Niño (1997/98) and weak El Niño 2005/06. Keywords: El Niño, yield, oil palm.
DETECTION OF THE GUAM BIOTYPE (CRB-G) ORYCTES RHINOCEROS LINNEAUS (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE) IN PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Authors: ERO M M , SAR S , KAWI A , TENAKANAI D , GENDE P , BONNEAU L J G
Published: September 2023

Oryctes rhinoceros L. is an important pest of coconuts and oil palm. The damage to palms is primarily caused by adult beetles. They either cut through the frond butts or bore through the palm bases with their forelegs and feed on the inner soft tissues. A strain of Oryctes NudiVirus (Rhabdionvirus oryctes) was identified from Malaysia in the 1960s and used effectively for classical biological control of the pest. However, in 2007 a more destructive population of the beetle was found in Guam. Molecular analysis confirmed its genotype to be different from that of the common population and also to be resistant against NudiVirus infection. The new population has subsequently been referred to as the Guam biotype (CRB-G) whilst the common type has been referred to as the Samoan/Pacific biotype (CRB-SIP). In 2010, similar damage was noted on coconuts in Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea. Sympatric occurrence of both CRB-G and CRB-S in National Capital District with no NudiVirus infection on CRB-G has been confirmed. CRB-G has been found to be less responsive to the aggregation pheromone (ethyl 4-methyloctanoate) used for monitoring and control of 0. rhinoceros. Only CRB-S is found in East New Britain, New Ireland and West New Britain with NudiVirus infection. Widespread severe damage was observed in National Capital District and Central Province, whilst severe damage in New Ireland, East New Britain and West New Britain were localised in areas with readily available breeding sites. Light damages were noted in some areas of Milne Bay, Northern and West New Britain Provinces, but most areas were free of damage. The results are discussed in relation to the impact CRB-G is likely to have on the palm industries in Papua New Guinea if no effective control options are put in place. Keywords: Coconut, oil palm, biological control, Rhabdionvirus oryctes, defoliation.
ERGONOMICS RISKS ASSESSMENT ON IN-FIELD COLLECTION MACHINERY
Authors:   Universiti Teknologi MARA Melaka, ANNUAR M SYAFIQ DESMAN , EL PEBRIAN DARIUS
Published: September 2023

Mini tractor-trailer with grabber has been commonly used for in-field collection of oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) in Malaysian oil palm plantations. The presence of this machinery system has contributed in lightening the in-field collection of FFB and increasing labour productivity in the operation. This paper examines ergonomic risks on the operator of mini tractor-trailer with grabber for in-field collection of FFB in oil palm plantations. Combinations of questionnaire survey technique and direct field observations were employed in collecting the data for this study. The Standard Nordic Questionnaire was used to obtain information about the prevalence of pain in ten different body regions of the operator while working. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was used to evaluate body postural musculoskeletal disorder and risks associated with the task. The findings of the study indicated that working period was the dominant factor that contributes to the number of musculoskeletal disorder complaints among the operators of mini tractor-trailers with grabber during in-field collection of FFB in Malaysian oil palm plantations. Keywords: In-field collection, oil palm, grabber, farm mechanisation, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorder.
INCREASING OIL PALM INDUSTRY PROFIT, MALAYSIAN GROSS NATIONAL INCOME AND GOVERNMENT TAX REVENUE WITH BREAKTHROUGH DNA TESTS
Authors: LAKEY N D , ORDWAY J M , JIANG N , SMITH S W , FAVELLO A , OOI L C L , SINGH R , NOOKIAH R , LOW E T L , ONG-ABDULLAH M , SAMBANTHAMURTHI R
Published: September 2023

The sequencing and assembly of the oil palm genome, by a team led by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), rapidly resulted in the discovery of the SHELL gene which controls the tenera, dura or pisifera fruit-form phenotype of oil palm, a major contributor to mesocarp oil yield. This milestone allowed development of genetic tests capable of predicting fruit-form phenotype at the prenursery stage. Here, we explain a proposed cost effective strategy for staged SHELL genetic testing and discuss the economic impacts of implementing SHELL testing for molecular precision agriculture in the oil palm industry. Keywords: SHELL test, non-tenera contamination, oil palm genome, economic impact.
PLANTATION INTELLIGENCE APPLIED OIL PALM OPERATIONS: UNLOCKING VALUE BY ANALYSING COMMERCIAL DATA
Authors:   International Plant Nutrition Institute, OBERTHUR T , DONOUGH C R , COOK S , SUGIANTO H , LIM YL , COCK J , KAM S P , FISHER M J
Published: September 2023

Plantation intelligence [PI] applies the concept of business intelligence, which is analysis of company data, to oil palm production. Plantations already have collected monthly data of block yield but do not use them to enhance financial performance. These data were analysed for a whole plantation to rank individual blocks according to their ability to respond to applied fertiliser. Blocks were classified according to their average fertiliser productivity (AFP), which was associated with the block's soil management group (SMG). AFP varied between years depending on rainfall and SMG. The ranking was used to guide fertiliser management by diverting fertiliser from unresponsive blocks to those that are more responsive. Although the inferences lack statistical validity they appear robust from a practical viewpoint. They are easy to evaluate in the field, since they require no upscaling from or interpretation of experimental data. They provide managers with a tool to evaluate the variable effect of fertiliser over the whole plantation in different years and to improve financial performance. Keywords: Plantation intelligence, fertiliser response, soil management group, financial performance.
Studies on New Emerging Insect-Pest, Burr – Knot Borer of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh) Under High Density Apple Plantation
Authors: Kumari Neelam , Kumari Mamta
Published: September 2023

Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh is an apple growing regions that always experiences attack of many insect pests which alter the quality and production of apples. The attack of these insect-pests generally recorded maximum in the apples grown under high density plantation in district Shimla. This study mainly reports on the relative abundance of burr knot borers under high density apple growing regions for two consecutive years (2021-2022). This survey was conducted from March to December during 2021-2022. During the study period emergence of burr-knot borers started in March coexisting with the pink bud stage of the apple. The mean per cent density i.e., 60.0% and relative density i.e., 10.5% in burr-knot borers were recorded maximum during the year 2021. Highest diversity was recorded during the period of August i.e., 0.85 and 0.84 during 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Inserción laboral de egresados con diferente especialidad en la carrera de Ingeniería Industrial del Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Loreto
Authors: Figueroa Guillén Carlos , De Lara González Norma , Castro Guijarro José Ignacio , Contreras Ibarra Carmen Judith , Hernández Rodríguez Pedro
Published: September 2023

La inserción laboral es un tema de gran importancia entre las instituciones de educación superior ya que están preocupadas en formar profesionistas con competencias acordes a las necesidades globales para contribuir en el desarrollo de los diferentes sectores. En este trabajo se realizó un estudio comparativo de inserción laboral entre egresados de la especialidad de calidad y productividad y de manufactura esbelta en el Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Loreto, ubicado en el estado de Zacatecas, México. La investigación fue de tipo campo, con un alcance descriptivo y un enfoque cuantitativo, con base en el análisis a través de la inclusión de diversos elementos, además se aplicó un cuestionario de 18 preguntas a una población de 637 egresados de la carrera de Ingeniería Industrial comprendiendo 16 generaciones desde el año 2007 al 2022, con un tamaño de muestra de 240 alumnos para ser representativa, logrando encuestar a 325 alumnos. Los resultados obtenidos de la encuesta muestran que el 44% de los egresados cuentan con la especialidad de Calidad y productividad y el 56 % restante cuentan con la especialidad de manufactura esbelta, además el 76% de los egresados actualmente se encuentran laborando en los sectores públicos y privados en México y en el extranjero. Estos resultados muestran que el cambio de especialidad no fue un factor en la inserción laboral de los egresados.
Estudio de mercado para la comercialización de barras nutricionales con la inclusión de maní (Arachis hypogaea) y conserva de pechiche (Vitex cymosa)
Authors: Zambrano María , Verduga Cristhian , Mera Manolo , Muñoz José
Published: September 2023

La presente investigación se desarrolló con el objetivo de evaluar las estrategias de marketing para la comercialización de barras nutricionales con la inclusión de maní y conserva de pechiche. Se realizó un estudio de mercado y financiera del proyecto. Para evaluar las características sensoriales del producto, se efectuó un análisis bromatológico y microbiológico al producto. Los resultados muestran que el 93% de las personas encuestadas son consumidoras de barras nutricionales. Los cálculos de los indicadores financieros muestran que se necesita una inversión de $79.369,91 con un flujo neto en el primer año de $14.151,21, el VAN dio como resultados $146.074,46 y un TIR de 43,70%. Se concluye que la ejecución de la planta presenta factibilidad.
A CONTRIBUIÇÃO NEFASTA DA REVISTA NATURE PARA O NEGACIONISMO
Authors: Thiago Lustosa Jucá  , Rérisson Máximo  , Muciana Aracely da Silva Cunha
Published: September 2023

Parte das concepções pseudocientíficas propagadas pela comunidade científica em seus principais periódicos, especialmente no início do século XX, tomaram alcance com os conceitos de Eugenia e Darwinismo Social, em que o cerne das discussões considerava as distinções de raça enquanto fenômeno biológico. O presente ensaio expõe a contribuição nefasta promovida pela renomada revista Nature, que, há até pouco tempo, indiretamente acabou por reforçar crenças e culturas racistas, como o apartheid, a colonização, o trabalho forçado e a escravidão, deixando uma marca indelével em sua trajetória histórica. As discussões sobre a inferioridade de raças, povos e indivíduos não somente fomentaram o negacionismo, uma vez que careciam de evidências, de consenso e de ceticismo científico adequados, como foram utilizadas como uma camada de verniz científico para legitimar projetos colonialistas e expandir os interesses do grande capital à época. Esse texto assinala ainda que as estratégias adotadas pelo capitalismo para alcançar seu patamar atual de forma hegemônica de sociabilidade somente tiveram êxito devido à apropriação do conhecimento científico que forneceu os aperfeiçoamentos tecnológicos para a conquista de novas terras e povos e, por fim, o acúmulo de capitais. Em conclusão, destacam-se autores que defendem uma perspectiva do negacionismo atual enquanto fenômeno social, o qual mais se liga às consequências da negação do fato do que propriamente ao fato em si. Essa perspectiva amplia o debate em torno do negacionismo para além das ideias difundidas nas mídias sociais, situando-o numa dimensão em que é necessário discutir o impacto das mudanças propostas pela ciência na hegemonia de determinados setores e de países dominantes da economia global.
DE MARTE PARA O CARIRI: A CIÊNCIA CIDADÃ NO PRIMEIRO PAU-DE-ARARA – RESENHA DO LIVRO O DIA EM QUE VOLTAMOS DE MARTE: UMA HISTÓRIA DA CIÊNCIA E DO PODER COM PISTAS PARA UM NOVO PRESENTE (EDITORA CRÍTICA, 2021), DE TATIANA ROQUE
Authors: Thiago Lustosa Jucá
Published: September 2023

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OS DESAFIOS PARA CONTRATAR E RETER PROFISSIONAIS DA GERAÇÃO Z
Authors: Silva Carlos Gustavo Lopes da , Laranjeira Cristina , Martins Geisse
Published: September 2023

É possível identificar profissionais de quatro gerações (baby boomers, X, millenials e a Z) completamente diferentes trabalhando em diversas áreas das organizações. São colaboradores com valores, posturas e estilos de comunicação e de liderança bem distintos, o que pode resultar em conflitos se não for bem administrado pelos gestores. A dedicação de tempo e o comprometimento às empresas pelas gerações veteranas era prioritária e irrestrita, enquanto que as mais jovens, tentam conciliar trabalho e qualidade de vida de forma saudável, o que pode ser percebido, pelas gerações antigas como falta de lealdade, de engajamento e de ética. Pesquisa realizada pelo Indeed com 840 profissionais revelou que 42% dos entrevistados consideram até cinco anos o período ideal de permanência em uma organização O alto índice de rotatividade pode estar atrelado a uma fraca gestão de retenção, que além da perda de talentos pode aumentar as despesas com impostos trabalhistas, prejudicar o clima organizacional e contribuir na queda da produtividade. Principalmente os profissionais da geração Z buscam trabalhar em empresas com propósitos e líderes transparentes, que garantam a importância do papel deles para compor um objetivo organizacional e que proporcione benefícios aos clientes, aos demais membros da equipe e a sociedade. A geração Z está forçando os executivos e os líderes de recursos humanos a saírem da zona de conforto e refletirem sobre os modelos de trabalho e compreenderem que, diferentemente, das gerações anteriores, os grandes jovens talentos estão em busca de novas experiências.