bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a Uniformity Trial on Cassava
Authors: Afonja Biyi 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe analysis of a uniformity trial on cassava is briefly discussed, mentioning possible effects of plant losses on the methods of analysis. Two methods of calculating comparable variances, on a per plant and per unit area basis, gave very high values for the index of heterogeneity, with a mean of 0·94. When the ratio of overall cost per plot to cost per unit area lies between one and two, an optimum plot size of between 16 and 32 plants is obtained. The comparable plot sizes would range from 192 to 385 sq. ft and give a coefficient of variation less than twenty.
Experiments on Mulching Sisal with Black Polythene in Tanganyika
Authors: Hopkinson D. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryExperiments in bulbil nurseries and field sisal were carried out in N.E. Tanganyika, 5°S, 39°E, 200 m. above sea level, at a mean annual rainfall of 1160 mm., on deep red loam. The discussion covers the establishment of sisal through a polythene mulch, the control of weed growth, the persistence of polythene of different thicknesses and from different sources, and some effects on growth of the sisal and on soil properties. A mulch of black polythene improved the growth of bulbil nurseries by 30 per cent or more, due to conservation of soil moisture and elimination of weed competition and disturbance associated with the removal of weeds by hoeing. For nurseries 150-gauge material was preferred, but there were important differences in the persistence of material purchased from two sources. Where black polythene is used in a nursery the density can be increased from 80,000 to 110,000 plants per hectare, to help offset the high cost of the material. A mulch of 250-g. black polythene controlled weeds in field sisal but did not improve growth.
Estimation of Changes in the Water Status of Soils under Field Conditions from the Attenuation of β-Radiation by Water held in Absorbent Nylon Pads
Authors: Newbould P. , Mercer E. R. , Lay P. M. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryA procedure is described in which variation in the attenuation of β-radiation by water held in nylon pads is used to show changes in the water content of soil. The method enables sequential measurements to be made in narrow zones of soil under field conditions; the results are not influenced by the presence of soluble salts.
The Component Analysis Approach to the Interpretation of Plant Analysis Data from Groundnuts and Sugar Cane
Authors: Holland D. A. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryComponent analysis was applied to the interpretation of (a) leaf analyses from six similar groundnut fertilizer trials, and (b) the chemical composition of different parts (root, stem and successive leaves) of the sugar cane plant. For each of the groundnut trials it was found that approximately 60 per cent of the total variation in N, P, K, and Ca could be accounted for by two independent linear functions of the elements, representing the balance of N and K with Ca and the balance of N with P and K. The second of these functions was consistently affected by phosphorus applications. Yield was related to one or other function, according to trial, but never to them both. Throughout the sugar cane plant the elements N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were found to be distributed between the roots and the aerial parts, and between active photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic tissues. In both cases the result was a reasonable and consistent simplification of a considerable body of data, such as had not resulted from a series of univariate analyses of variance.
A Rapid Fluorescent-dye Technique for Measuring Root Length
Authors: McGowan M. , Armstrong M. J. , Corrie J. A. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryA fluorescent-dye technique has been developed to measure root length of field crops. Roots are washed from soil samples, stained for about 30 min in a solution of fluorescein diacetate in acetone, washed, spread out on a tension table and photographed under UV light. Lengths of fluorescent roots recorded on the photograph are estimated by line intersection. The method is quick, simple, inexpensive and largely eliminates the usual time-consuming, tedious process of hand-sorting live roots from organic debris. Whereas all the roots of young laboratory-grown plants take up the dye, some older roots of field-grown crops do not fluoresce. Data indicate that the method may also give information on root diameter.
Effects of Spacing and Nitrogen Fertilizer on ‘Pusa Sawani’ Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha G. K. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryA two year study on ‘Pusa Sawani’ okra grown during the summer in Rampur, Nepal (228 m OD; 27° 37′ N) has shown that spacing did not affect days to first harvest or pod length but that pod number plant−1 was affected significantly. Although individual plant yields at each harvest were maximum viith plants spaced 45 cm apart (a population of about 50,000 plants ha−1) pod yields ha−1 were maximum with plants spaced only 15 cm apart (about 150,000 ha−1). Applications of nitrogen fertilizer hastened the first harvest by 4–6 days compared to the unfertilized control plots. The greatest pod yield (9.3 t ha−1) was obtained from plots given 60 kg N ha−1.
Intercropping of Sorghum or Maize with Cowpeas or Common Beans under Two Fertility Regimes in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Faris M. A. , Burity H. A. , Dos Reis O. V. , Mafra R. C. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryExperiments in Brazil have shown that a sorghum-pulse (cowpea or common bean) intercrop system yielded more grain than the monocrop system and produced a Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) greater than 1.00 even though rainfall was limited. Sorghum competed less than maize with the associated pulse when Competitive Ratios (CR) were considered. In cowpeas, CR values were correlated positively with the number of pods and seeds plant−1. The two crops in the intercrop systems were responsive to fertilizer application. Thus, improved management (i.e. fertilizer usage) was appropriate without the loss of the advantageous effects realized from intercropping.
Farming Systems Research in India: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Kanwar J. S. , Virmani S. M. , Das S. K. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThis review gives a historical perspective of the development of Farming Systems Research (FSR) in India over the past 60 years, as India changed from a traditional, subsistence oriented agriculture to one based on science and technology. The first period relates to the years 1930–50, when the Government of India created the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and initiated research on dryland agriculture.The second period relates to the development of coordinated agronomic trials and simple fertilizer experiments on farmers' fields during the years 1950–65. This development was a forerunner of networks of coordinated applied agronomic research relevant to farmers' cropping systems and adaptive research with farmers' participation. The development of a soil conservation research network in the same period strengthened research on the natural resource base countrywide. The third period started with the reorganization of ICAR, the establishment of State Agricultural Universities and the introduction of coordinated research programmes on high-yielding varieties (HYVs). At the same time the coordinated dryland agricultural research programmes, and subsequently the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), were established, leading to the development of a national system of FSR for rainfed agriculture.The fourth period of FSR started with the establishment in 1972 of ICRISAT, an international agricultural research centre that accepted FSR as its mandate and developed the concept of integrating the management technologies for various components of climate, soil, water and crops with a farmers' perspective. ICRISAT's work was complementary to that of CRIDA and helped to bring about conceptual changes in Indian FSR through research aimed at understanding principles and processes of semi-arid tropical (SAT) farming systems. Following this, mechanisms for strengthening on-farm research were emphasized so as to provide stronger linkages between researchers, extension workers and farmers.Today, FSR with a farmers' perspective occupies pride of place in India's agricultural research agenda. Yet it is a long way from bridging the gap between the generation of technology and its adoption by farmers, who have shown a preference for its components rather than for the full package of technology.
Farmer Experimentation as a Basis for Cropping Systems Research: A Case Study Involving True Potato Seed
Authors: Potts M. J. , Watson Greta A. , Sinung-Basuki R. , Gunadi N. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe radical concept of potato production from true potato seed (TPS) was adopted as a component of their farming system within three seasons by 23 farmers from Cibodas, West Java. The farmers showed an ability to conceptualize and experiment and desired concepts from which they could develop, through research, appropriate principles and field techniques. Information received solely as detailed practices or techniques hindered their progress, since they first needed to repeat the technique in order to understand the concepts and principles involved. Farmer experimentation resembled closely that of experimental station researchers, with the use of replication in space, often neighbouring farmers' plots, and time. Initial experiments covered a wide range of factors but within three seasons farmers had identified similar areas of concern which coincided with those of experiment station researchers worldwide. Farmer experimentation and the role of the researcher in this methodology for technology development are discussed.
On-farm Development of Potato Production from True Seed in Indonesia
Authors: Gunadi N. , Potts M. J. , Sinung-Basuki R. , Watson Greta A. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThree seasons of on-farm experimentation to develop potato production from botanical or true potato seed (TPS) under cool fertile conditions in West Java, Indonesia, are described. Twenty-three farmers experimented with two production systems: use of transplants, and use of seedling tubers produced in nursery beds. There was little yield difference between the systems, but an apparent progeny × system × season interaction was observed. All progenies were more resistant to late blight than the present cultivars grown from tubers. Appropriate matching of progeny and system gave seed of comparable quality with, but total yields slightly less than, certified imported seed of cv. Granola. Ware quality was slightly better than that of cv. Granola. Production costs were markedly less than for a tuber crop, making TPS ideal for small, resource-poor farmers.
Response of Cowpea Cultivars to Planting Pattern and Date of Sowing in Intercrops with Pearl Millet in Niger
Authors: Ntare Bonny R. , Williams J. H. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryA two-year study was conducted at two locations in Niger to compare the response of five cowpea cultivars to two planting patterns and two sowing dates relative to the sowing date of pearl millet. All the cowpea cultivars took less time to mature when planted three weeks after millet than when sown one week after. Early-maturing cowpea cultivars had the smallest yield, whereas the yield of the local indeterminate cultivar was nearly double that of the other cultivars at both dates of sowing. Early planting of cowpea significantly depressed millet yield, but when cowpea was planted late millet yields approached those of the sole crop. The local cultivar depressed millet yields more than the other cowpea cultivars. Planting pattern had no significant effect on the yield of either cowpea or millet. Cowpea yield was reduced by more than 50% by two weeks delay in sowing, confirming that the sowing date of cowpea relative to millet is a critical factor in the Sahelian pearl millet/cowpea intercropping system. There were marked differences in the effect of cowpea cultivar on millet yield but these differences were consistent over sowing dates.
Conserving the Organic Matter Content of the Soil to Sustain Sugarcane Yield
Authors: Yadav R. L. , Prasad S. R. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryIn two field experiments conducted over five successive sugarcane crops (including four ratoon crops), yield decline was associated with a decrease in the organic carbon content of the soil. Reduction in cane yield was minimized by the combined application of farmyard manure and urea, which resulted in an increase in soil organic carbon of 0.023% over the initial status within five years. Incorporation of farm waste materials such as cane trash, rice straw and legume husk into the soil before cane planting also increased the soil organic carbon content. Maximum benefits, however, were produced by the incorporation of legume husk with 150 kg N ha−1. A judicious mixture of chemical fertilizer and organic manures is therefore suggested as a means of sustaining the productivity of sugarcane.
Fertilizer Trials with Sprayed and Unsprayed Cotton in Nigeria
Authors: Palmer J. L. , Goldsworthy P. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe responses of sprayed and unsprayed cotton to ammonium sulphate and single superphosphate at o, 125, and 250 kg./ha. were tested between 1959 and 1964, in three zones of Nigeria. Seed cotton yields of sprayed trials with both fertilizers at 0 and 250 kg./ha. averaged 534 and 768 kg. ha.−1 respectively with significant and positive linear response components in all zones, but significant negative quadratic responses to phosphate in the north and to nitrogen in the south, with a significant interaction in the south. Seed cotton yields of unsprayed trials with both fertilizers at 0 and 250 kg./ha. averaged 305 and 384 kg./ha. respectively with significant positive linear responses to phosphate in the north, to nitrogen in the south and to both in the east and no interactions.
Leaching Loss of Nitrogen in Submerged Rice Cultivation
Authors: Pande H. K. , Adak N. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYNitrogen was lost through leaching, both asand, even after application of the ammoniacal form in a reduced soil zone. Under saturation the loss was more through, and under submergence throughnitrogen. The loss was accelerated when all the nitrogen was applied at one time at the early stage of crop growth. Application at transplanting proved unproductive. Three split application at active vegetative, reproductive and ripening phases helped to give maximum responses in both alluvial clay and lateritic sandy clay loam soil.
The Climatic Requirements of the Tea Plant: A Review
Authors: Carr M. K. V. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYResearch and observations on how climate effects the growth and yield of the tea plant are reviewed. Despite differences in the types of tea grown and the cultural techniques practiced in the different tea areas, an attempt is made to define quantitatively the climatic conditions needed to maintain growth rates at a high level. The need for critical work in the future is emphasized.
Growth and Productivity of Tapioca (Manihot utilissma) III. Crop Ratio, Spacing and Yield
Authors: Williams C. N. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYHigh yield in the tapioca varieties studied appears to be associated with sink activity of the tubers and consequently with crop index. Growth measurements indicate that assimilation is significantly affected by sink activity as well as by the functioning of the assimilation apparatus. The form of the crop growth curve, and the effect of spacing on yield and distribution of dry matter are also considered.
Effect of Varying Plant Density on a Tillering Variety of Maize
Authors: Downey Lloyd A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYResults from an experiment with maize (variety NEH 1151) at three plant densities indicated that normally favourable environmental conditions promoted tillering and it was difficult to maintain the desired tiller densities. The higher densities produced more vegetative dry matter but less grain than the lower densities. In a second experiment, where tillers were removed from the plants, there was no advantage because the remaining tillers grew larger to compensate for the removal. It is concluded that it is desirable to breed or select for non-tillering varieties where other management parameters can be controlled.
Natural Cross-Fertilization in Sesame Under Sudan Conditions
Authors: Khidir M. Osman 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe extent of natural cross-fertilization in sesame was studied in two varieties, with contrasting flower colour, planted at two locations; in alternate rows or alternate holes; in adjacent or non-contiguous plots; and at 6 different spacings. The average out-crossing for the different treatments ranged between 3.1 and 6.7 per cent. The non-contiguous plots showed a higher degree of out-crossing than adjacent plots, in which there was a decrease in the extent of cross-pollination with increase in the distance between the dominant and the recessive parents. Alternate holes gave a higher percentage than alternate rows.
Effect of Direction and Distance on Cross Pollination in Egyptian Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)
Authors: Galal Hassan E. , Abou-El-Fittouh H. A. , Morshed Gadd 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effect on cross pollination of four directions and six distances from the marker variety in Egyptian cotton was investigated. The percentage of cross pollination did not differ appreciably in the different directions but there were significant differences in cross fertilization among the six distances. A linear relation was observed between cross pollination per cent and distance up to 8.8 m. from the marker variety. Implications of these findings on various aspects of cotton breeding methodology are discussed.
Effect of Gamma BHC Against Capsids on Cocoa in Ghana
Authors: Ali Faisal M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYEffects of Gamma BHC in controlling capsids on cocoa in a large-scale experiment have been assessed at 10 and 12 sites, over seven seasons, in the Eastern and Ashanti regions of Ghana. The treatments effect was not significant for the whole Eastern region, whereas it was for the Ashanti region except in the first season. For the Ashanti region the overall treatment and seasons effects were very highly significant, whereas their interaction was not. There was an increase in response with time, though the rate of response was decreasing with time.
Effects of Pre-sowing High Temperature Stress on Seedling Emergence and Yield of Seed Cotton
Authors: Khan Riaz A. , Ahmad S. , Hussain S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe seed of American Cotton, Var. 134, was stressed at 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90°C for 24 or 48 hours before seeding. Stresses at 50 to 70°C had a stimulatory effect on seedling emergence and subsequent performance of the cotton plants, but higher temperatures caused thermal injury or killed the seed.
Decline in Fertility Status of a Tropical Forest Ochrosol Under Continuous Cropping
Authors: Ofori C. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYCrop yield on continuously cultivated tropical forest soil was maintained at a fairly high level by the application of mineral fertilizer. Although the low rate of nitrogen applied as ammonium sulphate did not increase yield, there was a significant effect on pH of the soil resulting in a reduction of the divalent cations on the exchange complex. The effect of mulch was mainly chemical through the release of nutrients.
Heterosis in Crosses of Theobroma cacao
Authors: Atanda O. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThis paper reports the heterotic pod production of three different crosses between a Nigerian local selection (N38) and three Trinidad Introductions (CF47, CF56 and CF207). The hybrids consistently outyielded the inbreds throughout the first 19 years of pod production. N38 × CF56 hybrid produced the highest number of pods per tree, closely followed by N38 × CF47 hybrid; while N38 × CF47 hybrid showed the best heterotic response. Pod production figures of (CD207)2 and (CD302)2, both double inbreds of N38, support the hypothesis that N38 is a Trinitario × local selection hybrid which segregate for pod production.
Effects of Ghanaian Cocoa Swollen-shoot Virus on Young Bearing Trees of a Range of Varieties
Authors: Lockwood G. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYFour-year-old seedlings of twenty-eight hybrid progenies were infected with the Ghanaian swollen-shoot virus strain A, but all were too severely affected to be of practical value in combating the disease. Sensitivity was assessed by comparison with uninoculated controls; reduction in crop and in growth and deterioration of canopy were correlated. The Amelonado × Amazon crosses were no more sensitive than the better inter-Amazon progenies. The rapid decline of the infected trees may have been partly due to infection coinciding with the slowing down of vegetative growth as cropping commenced.
Water Requirements of Wheat and Cotton on a High Water-table Soil under Arid Conditions
Authors: Khan Riaz A. , Ahmad S. , Sharar M. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effects of irrigation on the yields of wheat and cotton were studied on a sandy clay loam soil, with a water-table at 7 ft below ground, under the arid conditions of Lyallpur. The conventional practice of providing 19-acre in. of water to Mexican wheat and 25-acre in. to American cotton proved to be a wasteful and unproductive practice on such soils. High yields of both these crops could be obtained without any subsequent watering after an initial 4-in. irrigation applied for seedbed preparation and sowing, while one 3-in. irrigation after sowing was needed to obtain maximum yields.
Cultivars, Fertilizers, Crop Protection and Economics of Carrot Production in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Green J. H. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYComparison of up to ten carrot cultivars at various sites in a three-year period did not show that any cultivar consistently outyielded the others. Investigations at Samaru between 1969 and 1971 indicated that application of 100 kg. of N was beneficial, response to P was not consistent and there was no response to K or trace elements. Economics of production by peasant farmers is discussed and conclusions drawn that irrigated carrots, grown in the dry season, could be very profitable. No successful control was found for blight (Alternaria dauci) which severely inhibits the production of a wet season crop.
Effect of Time and Rate of Application on Uptake of Fertilizer by Wheat
Authors: Hamid A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe efficiency of fertilizer N uptake by wheat, as affected by time and rate of application, was studied in the field using N15 labelled ammonium nitrate. Splitting the application was only beneficial at the maximum rate but two top dressings at tillering and boot stage were better for grain production than a basal dressing or single top dressing at stem extension stage, but uptake of fertilizer N was maximal from a single top dressing. The calculated effective rate of application (E.R.A.) was useful in evaluating the effect of time and rate of application and N availability to plants.
Size and Shape of Plots for Estimating Yield Losses from Cereal Foliage Diseases
Authors: James W. C. , Shih C. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYData from uniformity trials on healthy and diseased wheat and oat crops showed that the coefficient of variation for yield decreased as plot size increased and became nearer to square in shape. Infection with Septoria leaf blotch of oats and powdery mildew of wheat did not appear to affect yield variability. Plots larger than rod row size (where 16 ft of the centre row of 3 rows is harvested) are recommended to detect differences of 10 per cent in yield between two treatments.