International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 38

Abstract: The present study was undertaken to identify the superior cabbage genotype and to examine their physical yield performance among the four cultivated genotypes namely Namdhari Seeds 183, Namdhari Seeds 160, Namdhari Seeds 35 and Tropical Sun Plus, grown in plains and higher altitude of Kerala. Study revealed that significant differences were observed in yield levels of cabbage and it was ranged from 22.6 – 29.3 kg /16m² in hills and 1.27 – 22.06 kg /16m² in plains. Among the cabbage genotypes, NS 183 was found to be the best for hilly region in terms of higher head yield (22.06 Kg /16m²), head weight (729.6 g), head height (11.1 cm) and early maturity. Similarly, Tropical Sun Plus exhibited better performance in plains in terms of higher head yield (22.06 Kg /16m2), head weight (729.6 g) and head height (11.1 cm). The individual genotype which exhibited the superior performance in hills and plains were selected and compared for the general biochemical characters like Moisture content, acidity, ascorbic acid, protein, phosphorus, calcium and potassium. Finally, the study found that, the genotype grown at hill (Tropical Sun Plus) was recorded a higher biochemical characters than genotype grown in plains (Tropical Sun plus). Similarly, hill grown genotype (NS 183) recorded a higher biochemical characters than the plains grown genotype (NS 183).

Abstract: Biotechnology is fast emerging globally as a very dominant economic sector. And any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives there to make or modify products or processes for specific importance. The present study of investigation is based on application of biotechnology may help full to develop biodiversity level or it give adverse impacts of biotechnology application of biodiversity loss.

Abstract: Mycorrhizal fungi greatly enhanced the ability of plants to take up phosphorus and other nutrients those are relatively immobile and exist in low concentration in the soil solution. Fungi can be important in the uptake of other nutrients by the host plant. Mycorrhizae establish symbiotic relationships with plants and play an essential role in plant growth, disease protection, and overall soil quality. Of the seven types of mycorrhizae described in current scientific literature (arbuscular, ecto, ectendo, arbutoid, monotropoid, ericoid and orchidaceous mycorrhizae), the arbuscular and ectomycorrhizae are the most abundant and widespread. This chapter presents an overview of current knowledge of mycorrhizal interactions, processes, and potential benefits to society. The molecular basis of nutrient exchange between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and host plants is presented; the role of AM fungi in disease protection, alleviation of heavy metal stress and increasing grain production. Most land plants form associations with mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizas are mutualistic associations between fungi and plant roots. They are described as symbiotic because the fungus receives photo synthetically derived carbon compounds and the plant has increased access to mineral nutrients and sometimes water.

Abstract: Field experiments were conducted from July to October, during 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons, at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of intra-row spacing of sesame and frequency of weeding on yields of maize-sesame intercrop. The trial was a 3 x 3 factorial experiment fitted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Nine of the treatments consisted of intercropped maize with sesame sown at the intra-row spacing of 10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm, and at the varied weeding frequencies: maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots weeded once (1x) at 3 weeks after planting (WAP); maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots weeded twice (2x) at 3 and 6 WAP; maize-sesame intercrop sown on plots not weeded (NW). Sole sesame and sole maize respectively sown at their recommended intra-row spacing of 10 cm and 30 cm and at their recommended frequency of weeding (2x at 3 and 6 WAP) constituted the tenth and eleventh treatments, which also served as control plots. The results obtained showed that in a maize-sesame intercrop, increasing intra-row spacing of sesame up to 20 cm, on plots weeded 2x at 3 and 6 WAP, significantly (P≤0.05) produced the highest intercrop yields of maize and sesame. This level of treatment not only recorded the lowest competitive pressure, but gave the highest total intercrop yields, highest land equivalent coefficient values (1.01 and 1.13 respectively, in years 2012 and 2013), indicating the highest yield advantage, and highest land equivalent ratio (LER) values of 2.11 and 2.25 respectively recorded for years 2012 and 2013. With these LER values, 52.6 % and 55.6 % of land were respectively saved in years 2012 and 2013, which could be used for other agricultural purposes. The implication of study showed that, to maximize intercrop yields of maize and sesame in a maize-sesame intercrop, the appropriate intra-row spacing for sesame is 20 cm, while the optimal frequency of weeding is 2x at 3 and 6 WAP. This should therefore, be recommended for Makurdi location, Nigeria.

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted from August to November, during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to evaluate the yield effects of egusi melon-okra intercrop as influenced by the interaction of time of introducing okra x cropping systems, and to assess the yield advantages of the intercropping system. The experiment was a 3x3 split plot arrangement of treatments, fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated four times. The cropping systems (sole egusi melon, sole okra and egusi melon-okra mixture) constituted the main plots, while the time of introducing okra (mid August, late August and early September) into egusi melon were allocated to the subplots. Results of study showed that to obtain optimal intercrop yield of okra in an egusi melon-okra intercrop, it is appropriate planting okra at the same time with egusi melon in mid August, while introducing okra into egusi melon in late August is appropriate to obtain optimal intercrop yield of egusi melon. Intercropping egusi melon and okra significantly (P≤0.05) reduced yields of egusi melon (37.5 % and 40.5 % respectively, in years 2012 and 2013) and that of okra (9.7 % and 16.9 % respectively, in years 2012 and 2013). The highest mean land equivalent ratio value of 1.57 and highest land equivalent coefficient values of 0.53 and 0.70 were respectively recorded, in years 2012 and 2013, for okra introduced into egusi melon in early September. These recommendations are appropriate for Makurdi location, Nigeria

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted from August to November, during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to identify the optimum plant density of okra and intercropping effects on yields of egusi melon-okra mixture and to assess the yield advantages of the intercropping system. The experiment was a 3x3 split plot arrangement of treatments, fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated four times. The intercropping (sole egusi melon, sole okra and egusi melon-okra mixture) constituted the main plots, while the population densities of okra (33,000, 40,000 and 50,000 plants ha^-1 equivalent) into egusi melon were allocated to the subplots. Results of study showed that to maximize intercrop yield of okra in an egusi melon-okra intercrop, the optimal population density of okra is 33,000 plants ha^-1, while that of 40,000 plants ha^-1 is optimal to maximize intercrop yield of egusi melon. Intercropping egusi melon and okra significantly (P≤0.05) reduced yields of egusi melon (37.5 % and 40.5 % respectively, in years 2012 and 2013) and that of okra (9.7 % and 16.9 % respectively, in years 2012 and 2013). The highest mean land equivalent ratio value of 1.57 and highest land equivalent coefficient values of 0.60 and 0.63 respectively, in years 2012 and 2013, were recorded for okra sown into egusi melon at the population density of 40,000 plants ha^-1. It is most advantageous having both crops in intercrop when okra is sown into egusi melon at the population density of 40,000 plants ha^-1. This should therefore be recommended for Makurdi location, Nigeria.

Abstract: Sub-basins prioritization is one of the most important resolutions of development sustainability and natural resources comprehended management. In this study, 11 sub-basins of Lohender in east Golstan province about 272/63cm Prioritized using computation and morphometric analysis and using GIS and RS techniques. Erosion mode in each sub-basin specified through Sediment Yield Index approximation. In morphometric analysis, parameters like canal length, bifurcation ratio, discharge density, sub-basins shape coefficient, round coefficient, stretch coefficient and compressive coefficients were computed thus these parameters divided to two classifications: linear coefficients and figurative coefficient. In order to study annual sediment index, from fields applied maps, land coverage, slope, soil type and topographic map scale 1:50000 were used. Finally, each sub-basin Priority determined due to Sediment Yield Index (SYI) and total average of morphometric parameters. According to morphometric parameters, the BS sub-basin and according to SYI parameter, A5 sub-basin showed more critical mode and combination of both showed that B2 sub-basin showed the worst situation.

Abstract: Dombivli city is one of the most industrialized cities situated near Mumbai. The increase in industries, has led to increase in the discharge of industrial waste effluents from the industrial belt into the Ulhas River, due to improper environmental planning. This day by day increasing tremendous pollution load has prompted us to carry the systematic and detailed study on the heavy metal content in water of Ulhas River. The study was conducted over a period of two years i.e. in 2012 and 2013. The study was carried out along the banks of Ulhas River, near the discharge of effluents from Dombivli Industrial belt Phase I and Phase II. The sampling points were identified accordingly. The analysis for the majority of the toxic heavy metals like Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) in water samples was done. The results of our study indicated that there is a need to conduct systematic and regular monitoring of pollution level along the Ulhas River with an intention to obtain the scientific data on heavy metal content in the river water. Such data will be useful to improve the industrial waste treatment technology adopted along the Dombivli industrial belt.

Abstract: Limestone and sandstone beds deposited by storms are called tempestites, and exhibit much variation in thickness, grain size and internal structures, depending on the proximity and on the intensity of the storm waves. In this paper, diagnostic features of storm beds observed in thin sections, was presented.Characteristic features are investigated on the basis of detailed study in the Upper Devonian carbonates in the western part of the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland).

Abstract: Ago-Iwoye –Ilisan road is the major road that links Abeokuta the state capital of Ogun –state to Ijebu towns. The road has always been experiencing pavement failure, which occurs inform of cracks and potholes. Being the major road, the effect of the failure has negative impact on the soico-economic growth of Ijebu –areas. The primary objective of the study was to determine the influence of the geotechnical properties of the sub-grade materials on the pavement performance of Ago-Iwoye – Ilishan Road. Eleven (11) soil samples were collected at eight (8) different locations with the aid of hand auger and were air-dried before taken to the laboratory for determination of engineering properties. The Liquid limit and the Plastic limits ranged from 13.9 – 46.2% and 8.1 – 32.7%, with the Plasticity index from 10.6 – 15.9% and Shrinkage limit from 6.2 – 27.7% respectively. The soaked CBR values of the subgrade materials is between 67% and 75% compared with 30% minimum specified by FMWH, 1997.The soils were classified by ASSHTO under the A-6 and A-7 category which shows that the soils are fair to poor as a sub-grade material and USCS classification shows that the soil falls into the SM and SC group.The comparison of all the results with the Nigeria specification (Federal Ministry of Works and Housing general guidelines) for the sub grade materials along the Ago-Iwoye-Ilisian road show that the materials underlain the pavement do satisfy the Nigeria standard. Therefore, the perennial failure frequently experience along the road route is not significantly influenced by subgrade materials. Hence, influence of other factors such as poor drainage courses, level of groundwater table, variation of geologic materials along the road route and poor construction materials should be thoroughly addressed before embarking on future rehabilitation of the highway.