AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING


Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from juvenile leaf explants of two cassava cultivars (TME 419 & TMS 98/0505)


Alfred O. Ubalua, Gladys C. Nsofor, Doris O. Onyegbula, Ezenwanyi Uba, Uchenna E. Okoroafor, Linda A. Ezeji

National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, PMB. 7006 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 N, Watson Road, St. Louis, MO. 63132, USA


Abstract
In vitro regenerated juvenile plantlets from two cassava cultivars (TME 419 and TMS 98/0505) leaf lobes were used to induce organized embryogenic structures (OES) on DKW2 50P medium for 3 weeks under dimmed light conditions at 26±20C. Maximum stable frequencies of OES for the two cultivars were obtained with 5mg/L picloram. Friable embryogenic calluses (FEC) were further produced on GD2 50P medium supplemented with 500 µM tyrosine. The percentage plantlets recovered on hormone free MS2 agar medium of the two cassava cultivars were 85 and 80% respectively with more than 90% post acclimatization survivals.

Pages 1-5 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajae.18.12.01.p1
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Pressure drop and airflow resistance of African yam beans (Sphenostylis Stenocarpa)

J. Audu*, S. P. Anyebe

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Nassarawa, Nigeria


Abstract
Pressure drop and airflow resistance of African Yam Beans (Sphenostylis Stenocarpa) were determined at moisture levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20% ; five bed depth levels of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 cm; three packing types (methods) of loose, dense type 1 and dense type 2 and four airflow rate (0.025, 0.035, 0.045 and 0.055m3/s). This is to provide data for designing drying and handling machines of this seed. The aerodynamic equipment used for measuring pressure drop, was developed by the Department of Environmental and Agricultural Engineering Laboratory University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria The pressure drop data measured was used to calculate the airflow resistance. Values of pressure drop and air flow resistance measured ranges from 14 to 20 Pa and 16 to 93 Pa/m, respectively. ANOVA and mean separation (Duncan multiple range test) shows that moisture content, packing types and bed depth had significant effect (p < 0.05) on the different airflow rate for both pressure drop and air flow resistance. This study recommend that to either dry or aerate a dry bed of yam beans a fan should be selected to overcome a resistive air force of 93 Pa/m.

Pages 6-10 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajae.18.12.01.p1
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Determining doses of application of fermented cattle urine and indigenous plant extracts against scale insects and mealybugs of sugarcane

Md. Nur Alam Miah*, Md. Ramiz Uddin Miah, Md. Zinnatul Alam, M. Mofazzal Hossain, Md. Enamul Haque

Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishurdi-6620, Pabna, Bangladesh
Department of Entomology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh
Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh

Abstract
An experiment was set up in 2013-14 cropping season at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh to find out the efficacy of fermented cattle urine and three indigenous plant extracts i.e., neem, mahagoni and allamanda against scale insects and mealybugs of sugarcane. Cattle urine (10, 20, and 30%), plants extracts (5, 10, and 15%) and one recommended insecticides were applied at fortnight interval starting from the first initiation of the pest attack as foliar and stem spray. Germination percent, tiller number, millable cane, yield, incidence of scale insects and mealybugs and marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) were measured. Yield parameters were increased by 30% fermented cattle urine and 15% neem seed kernel and mahagoni seed extracts. Performance of 30% fermented cattle urine (T3 treatment) resulted 48.66 – 62.37% control of scale insects and 52.40 – 67.15% suppression of mealybugs, T6 treatment consisting of 15% neem seed kernel extracts reduced 38.27 – 53.62% scale insects and 40.12 – 57.07% mealybugs and T9 treatment using mahagoni seed extracts decreased 35.32 – 46.47% scale insects and 37.35 – 49.37% mealybugs in different months of the cropping seasons were the best. MBCR of those treatments was 6.25, 6.00 and 5.02. Considering performance of pest control, yield and MBCR, the treatments T3, T6 and T9 may be advocated for the management of scale insects and mealybugs as alternative to chemical insecticides in the sense of economic and safe environment.

Pages 11-17 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data| doi: 10.21475/ajae.18.12.01.p1260