Proceedings of the International Conference on Agriculture

MATHEMATICAL MODELS TO PREDICT EVAPOTRANSPIRATION OF SELECTED PLANT SPECIES FOR PHYTOREMEDIATION

2024-07-25T19:37:07+0530

Phytoremediation is effective and sustainable for treating agricultural wastewater. Constructed wetlands use phytoremediation plant species to absorb and break down water pollutants and remediate wastewater. The growth rate and evaporation of suitable plant species are not widely reported to permit their use in constructed wetlands. This study aimed to measure the growth rate and predict the evapotranspiration rate of Typha latifolia, Phragmites mauritianus and Chrysopogon zizaniodes using the rhizobox technique. Nine rhizoboxes were constructed to establish seedlings of T. latifolia, P. mauritianus and C. zizaniodes. Evapotranspiration, root depth and leaf area were measured daily for 67 days. Multiple linear regression models (MLRMs) were derived for each plant species, where the evapotranspiration rate (ET) was expressed as a function of the following variables: leaf area (LA), root depth (RD), sunshine hours (SH), relative humidity (RH), wind run (WR), and temperature (T). T. latifolia consumed 16.70 L of water, which is approximately the total volume of water used by P. mauritianus (6.40 L) and 0 (10.51 L). The daily leaf area increases were 2.8±1.4, 11.3±7.4 and 29.2±15.0 cm2.day-1 for P. mauritianus, C. zizanioides, and T. latifolia, respectively. The daily root growth was 1.2±0.5, 1.0±0.3 and 0.6±0.2 cm.day-1 for T. latifolia, C. zizanioides, and P. mauritianus, respectively. The MLRM differed among species, and the R2 values were greater than 0.89. The regression equations obtained were as follows: T. latifolia, ET= 78+5.46*RD–0.0191*LA + 0.153*WR-2.42*RH + 2.45*T+3.74*SH; P. mauritianus, ET= 172+1.31*RD+0.552*LA + 0.170*WR–1.65*RH – 3.40*T+2.11*SH; and C. zizanioides, ET = 140+3.61*RD+0.0320*LA + 0.195*WR–1.91*RH – 0.78*T+2.83*SH. A comprehensive understanding of the determinants of evapotranspiration, vegetation growth rates and regression models is fundamental for design optimisation, successful operation and maintenance of constructed wetlands.

ENHANCING WORK-READINESS AND EMPLOYABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES THROUGH A WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAM

2024-10-18T21:21:43+0530

Amidst a rapidly changing global agricultural landscape, a different set of knowledge, skills and attitudes is demanded by new entrants into the agricultural value chain. Such a changing landscape presents opportunities for universities to innovatively improve their products, processes, and systems. In this context, this paper presents one such innovation and focuses on the structure and content of a work-integrated experiential learning (WIL) component in the Agricultural Management curriculum offered by the Nelson Mandela University. Quality assessment feedback of students who completed a WIL program were analysed. The objective was to assess the program at two levels:1) the process level (the program design and delivery), as well as 2) the content level (improvement in managerial skills of graduates and the extent to which the Critical Cross-field outcomes (CCFOs) of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) were addressed). Quality assessment questionnaires containing both structured and open-ended questions from different student year-groups over four consecutive years were analysed. The analysis dealt with responses (n=65) to structured Likert-type questions, supported with narratives from open-ended questions. At the process level the design and delivery of the program was rated fairly high (mean scores > scale mid-point). At the content level, the top four management skills that students perceived as having improved were teamwork, information management, decision making and cross-functional integration (> 95% rated sufficiently and above). All of the CCFOs can be achieved through the WIL program (> 78% rated sufficiently and above). The study makes a unique contribution towards emphasising how the elements of adequate design, content and execution of a WIL program can be integrated purposefully to enhance work-readiness and employability of agricultural graduates.

EFFECTS OF TILLAGE AND COMPOST APPLICATION ON SOIL ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT AND TEFF GROWTH AND YIELD IN SOUTH AFRICA

2024-06-13T03:01:55+0530

Intensive farming negatively affects soil quality, by reducing the soil organic matter and increasing acidification, nitrification, desertification, contamination by agrochemicals, compaction, and erosion. The use of appropriate tillage systems (TS) and fertilizer rates is of importance to reduce these negative impacts on the environment. The integrated effect of TS and compost application on crop performance and soil quality is not often studied and requires more exploration. A factorial experiment was set-up to investigate the interaction effect of compost rate (CR) and TS on soil organic carbon (SOC), teff growth and yield during the 2021-2022 summer cropping season. Treatments consisted of two TS (minimum [MT] and conventional [CT] TS) and three rates of chicken manure co-composted with cattle manure (0, 20 and 40 t ha^-1). MT involved chisel-ploughing, whereas CT involved the use of chisel-plough, mould-board plough, and disc-harrow. Grain yield (GY) and SOC from the MT were significantly higher (35% and 69%, respectively) than those recorded from the CT. The 20 t ha^-1 rate under MT gave the highest SY (2511 kg ha^-1), while the control under CT gave the lowest SY (1223 kg ha^-1). Generally, compost application increased SOC, plant height, panicle length, GY and SY by up to 30%, 8%, 15%, 24% and 44% (20 t ha^-1), respectively, compared to control. In conclusion, this study revealed that reducing tillage activities leads to more SOC and that it is important to consider the CR and TS interaction when selecting the agronomic practices for optimizing straw production.

MICROPROPAGATION OF Dendrocalamus sericeus

2024-09-28T23:19:09+0530

Micropropagation of Sang Mon bamboo tissue culture using bamboo node explant can increase the number of plants for rapid utilization. Therefore, this experiment aimed to study the sterilization of node explant and suitable medium for shoot induction and shoot multiplication. The method suitable for disinfecting node explant for bamboo was established. First, the node explant was washed and thoroughly rinsed with soap, then immersed in 70% alcohol for 2 min, in 10% Clorox^® for 15 min, in 5% Clorox^® for 10 min, (Add 1-2 drops of Tween20 to Clorox^®) and in fungicide (Fosetyl-aluminium) at a concentration of 1.5 g L^-1 for 1 hr. The bamboo node was washed three times of autoclaved distilled water. It was found that the leas microbial contamination was 25.89±6.22% and the number of shoots was 1.35±0.24 shoots/node. This disinfection method was applied before shoot induction and shoot multiplication. For shoot induction, nodes were cultured on solid MS medium supplemented with 0, 2, 4 and 6 mg L^-1 BA, with 2, 4 and 6 mg L^-1 BA and 1 mg L^-1 KIN and with 2, 4 and 6 mg L^-1 BA and 1 mg L^-1 NAA for 4 weeks. The results showed that the explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 4 mg L^-1 BA had a maximum induced shoot at 67.53±7.80%, an average of shoot numbers at 4.03±0.23 shoots/node and shoot length of 3.52±0.44 cm. Then, three shoots per clump were sub-cultured onto solid medium or liquid MS medium supplemented with 0, 2, 3 and 4 mg L^-1 BA for shoot multiplication. After cultured for two weeks the results showed that medium-stage and BA concentrations were not significantly different on shoot multiplications and shoot length. Hence, this protocol can be used for micropropagation of D. sericeus and a database for the tissue culture of other bamboo species.

THE INFLUENCE OF CALCIUM NITRATE AT DIFFERENT CONCENRATIONS ON PLANT GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIT STORABILITY OF CUCUMBER “Cucumis sativus L.” VAR. PIPINITO

2024-09-26T07:33:58+0530

Cucumber plants var. pipinito (Cucumis sativus L.) were grown in an open field and treated with different levels of calcium nitrate (75g, 150g, and 225g) to assess its performance with different characters for pre-harvest study. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of calcium nitrate at different concentrations on plant growth, yield and fruit storability at room temperature storage. The fruits from the same grown plants were then used for the postharvest losses assessment using different level of calcium nitrate (9.36g/2L, 18.75g/2L, 28.125g/2L) by dipping the fruits for 20 minutes on the prepared solution. Calcium nitrate application at 150g (T3) resulted to higher yield and has positive effect in most of characters studied. Also, treatment of calcium nitrate on fruits after harvest was beneficial in controlling fruit weight loss and maintaining TSS at higher level during storage. Postharvest application of calcium nitrate to cucumber fruits in this study extend storage shelf life, decrease fresh weight loss, decrease leakage of electrolytes and ascorbic acid content and ethylene production. Moreover, the storability and quality of cucumber fruits was prolonged due to the positive effect of calcium nitrate application.

EFFECT OF SORGHUM FLOUR-CORN GRITS RATIO AND MOISTURE CONTENT ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF EXTRUDATES USING TWIN-SCREW EXTRUDER

2024-11-20T08:21:34+0530

Sorghum has been widely developed in the last decade, but the current utilization of sorghum is still limited. For this reason, innovation in food products that can utilize this material is needed. The extrusion process can turn certain food products into snacks with minimal processing. In addition, this snack can directly impact for food industry because is such a product innovation for health-conscious consumers. This study also aimed to determine the effect of sorghum-corn blend ratio and initial moisture content on the physical properties of extrudates. The material used was sorghum flour mixed with corn grits. The equipment used was a lab-scale twin screw extruder (Shandong, SYSLG-IV) with a capacity of 5 - 10 kg. This research design used two treatments, namely the ratio (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) and the initial moisture content of the material (12%, 14%, 16%, and 18%). Furthermore, the physical properties of the extrudate were analyzed, including final moisture content, expansion ratio, particle density, density, water solubility index, water absorption index, color, and hardness. The results showed that increasing the sorghum ratio up to 40% decreased the expansion ratio and lightness and increased particle density, bulk density, hardness, WAI, WSI, and final water content. Blending sorghum with corn grits up to 20% still showed consumable physical properties of the extrudate, while the highest moisture content still allowed as food was 14%.

IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORECASTING IMPACTS ON HABITAT CONSERVATION UNDER SDGS IN YUNNAN PROVINCE, CHINA

2024-10-26T19:16:07+0530

The projected gradual loss of biodiversity due to rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation poses a serious threat to biodiversity hotspots, such as Yunnan Province in China. These areas are rich in unique species and ecosystems, and their conservation has become a pressing global issue. As climate change continues to intensify, the challenge of conserving these vulnerable areas has become a focal point for environmental research and policy. The aim of this study was to assess and classify habitat fragmentation in core habitat areas of the province, and to model the specific values of temperature increase and precipitation sharp decrease predicted over the next 20 years in these areas. The systematic approach in this study places a strategic emphasis on identifying and establishing ideal routes that seamlessly connect high-quality habitats, ultimately enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts. Habitat quality was assessed and classified using the INVEST model combined with mean standard deviation analysis. Subsequently, core habitat areas were identified and classified by using the Morphospatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) model. The Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model was used to construct 302 ecological corridors with a total length of more than 6,000 km to mitigate habitat fragmentation and to classify their importance in order to mitigate habitat loss of flagship species such as the Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) and the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) in the region. The findings of this study are contextualized within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), which focus on biodiversity conservation and climate action. We discussed the implications of the study’s findings for the future of the region, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and the need to conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem stability, and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILISERS ON VEGETABLE GROWTH AND YIELD IN SOUTH AFRICA

2024-10-02T12:20:42+0530

This study investigates environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional inorganic fertilisers in South African agriculture. Inorganic fertilisers are known to pose risks to human health, environment, and groundwater. It assesses the efficacy of organic alternatives such as vermicompost, bokashi compost, and cow manure, when compared to inorganic fertilisers concerning the growth and yield of spinach, carrots, and peas. The experiment, conducted in a 10.08 m² rural garden plot in Bhongweni, assessed plant height, leaf length, number of leaves, branches, stipules, and pods monthly. Vegetable yields were measured during harvest, focusing on the number of leaves in spinach and carrots and the number of pea pods. Statistical analyses using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test were employed to determined significant differences in the growth and yield of the pre-selected vegetables based on fertiliser type. Results indicated significant effects of different fertilisers on spinach height and leaf length. For carrots and peas, organic fertilisers significantly affected growth and yield by the third month. The findings suggest that organic fertilisers, specifically vermicompost, bokashi compost, and cow manure, are promising alternatives for sustainable vegetable production compared to inorganic fertilisers. This study recommends further research to optimise application rates and understand the mechanisms behind improved plant performance with organic fertilisers.