International Journal of Agricultural Science Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems
Volume:2 Issue: 2, Jul 2012

The study evaluated the major constraints hampering the effective functioning of the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) in Kogi State, Nigeria. Using the food crop farmers as a case study, a multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select three agricultural zone in Kogi State ( zone A, B, and C).Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire which were administered to farmers who are clients of NACRDB. The major tool of analysis is the Likert scale of analysis. The study find out that, while unfavourable organization policy, insufficient funding, poor group cohesiveness, poor spread of network of branches, politics in allocation of credit, inadequate competent staff and lack of information are seen as major constraints hampering the effective functioning of NACRDB in Kogi State, high interest rate, misappropriation of fund and inadequate personnel training and development is not a major constraint hampering the effective functioning of NACRDB in Kogi State. [Adofu et al. An Evaluation of The Major Constraints Hampering the Effective Functioning of the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank in Kogi State, Nigeria. A Case Study of Food Crop Farmers Loan Beneficiaries. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):49-53].

Soil detachment is known as an important process in soil erosion and its quantification is necessary to establish a basic understanding of erosion. This study was carried out to find the best flow erosivity indicator(s) for predicting detachment rate at low slopes. For this purpose, 12 experiments including 6 flow discharges (75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 ml/s) and 2 slope gradients (1.5 and 2%) were performed. Accordingly, different stream powers less than 0.175 W m-2 were simulated. Soil detachment rate was related to flow depth, flow velocity, unit flow discharge, shear stress, unit stream power and stream power as erosivity indicators. The results showed that the relationship was more significant at slope 2% (R2>0.94) than slope 1.5% (R2>0.84). Among different indicators, flow velocity and unit stream power exhibited unlinear relationships as exponential, while the others showed linear ones. Considering flow depth, unit flow discharge and unit stream power a range of critical values were obtained at different slopes. It was found that for shallow surface flows, measurement of flow depth is difficult while, unit flow discharge can be measured, accurately. Finally, the finding of this research reveals that stream power is the best indicator for predicting soil detachment rate. [Sirjani and Mahmoodabadi. Study On Flow Erosivity Indicators for Predicting Soil Detachment Rate at Low Slopes. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):55-61].

The purpose of the research was determine the effects of gamma ray on seed germination, seedling height and root length of Rice (Oryza sativa L. spp. Indica cv. MR219) to identify the Lethal Dosage of the radiation. Paddy seeds of MR219 were exposed to different doses of gamma radiations viz 50,100,150,200,250,300,350,400,450,500,600,700,800,900 and 1000 Gy using 60Co as the radiation source. The effect of radiation was determined by measuring the Seed germination, seedling height, root length and emergence under the conditions of the M1 generation. The research results showed that the differences among radiation treatments significantly affect (p<0.01) seedling height and root length. In part of seed germination percentage, insignificant differences were observed. Also the LD25 and LD50 values observed based on the growth reduction of seedlings after treatments occurred during 250 and 450GY of exposure for the variety Oryza sativa L. spp. Indica cv. MR219. [Talebi and Talebi. Radiosensitivity Study for Identifying the Lethal Dose in MR219 (Oryza sativa L. spp. Indica cv. MR219). International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):63-67].

Trinidad is a small island developing state caught between the need to engage rapid development while respecting and preserving the environment. This study assessed citizens' education needs related to the environmental laws of Trinidad and Tobago. It focused on a densely populated, at- risk area of the country referred to as the East-West (E-W) corridor. Two hundred (200) persons living along the E-W corridor were randomly selected and surveyed using a structured interview schedule to determine their knowledge of three environmental areas: the Litter Act, the Water Pollution Rules and the Public Health Ordinances. It was determined that overall total knowledge of the environmental laws was moderate. The overall knowledge of environmental laws correlated significantly with sex, location of residence and community type. Knowledge regarding the Water Pollution Rules correlated significantly with sex, religion and economic status and knowledge regarding the Litter Act correlated significantly with sex, location and education level and the knowledge regarding the Public Health Ordinances correlated with religion and education level (all at P≤ .05level of significance). Recommendations are for increased education programmes specifically designed to target the intensive residential communities and schools along the corridor. The internet should be the main education tool. [Oliver et al. Citizens’ educational needs in an at-risk environment in Trinidad, West Indies. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):69-75].

Appropriate management of soil phosphorus (P) fertility in highly calcareous soils of Iran as around the world should rely upon sound knowledge about the phosphorus reserve and its bioavailability. Despite numerous reports on the positive effects of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) fungi on phosphorus uptake which is associated to Ectomycorrhiza as a branch of two major branches of group of fungis from mycorrhizal association, surprisingly little data exist on impact of VAM fungi on distribution of soil phosphorus forms in soils. A greenhouse-based study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi application on phosphorus inorganic forms of soil rhizosphere in sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus L.). Results indicated that there is a significant increase in Fe-P fractions (P<0.001) in the rhizospher of the treated sunflowers with AM inoculums compared with untreated sunflowers. It could be potentially attributed to increases in secretion of specific–iron chelates such as hydroxamate siderophore from sunflower roots in +AM sunflowers treatments. [Morovvat et al. Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi application on distribution of phosphorus forms in rhizosphere soils of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):77-82].

The use of plants to remediate contaminated soil has been the most rapidly developing component in environmental cleansing. Although total concentration of heavy metals in soil is used for regulatory review, it also is beneficial to assess the potential for ecosystem impact through a series of bioassays. One commonly used bioassay is seed germination. In current research study effect of contaminated soil with heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe) on germination and growth of Puccinellia distans were evaluated. Shoot and root concentrations of metals were also measured. Data obtained from the experiment indicated that the plant perform dose-dependent responses to the contaminated soils. Reduction in germination, root and shoot height and biomass were significantly (P<0.05) different when compared to the control. Analysis of tissue concentrations in the plant showed that heavy metals were mainly accumulated in the roots and also plant tissues demonstrated different affinity to take up heavy metals. In all the plant organs, the concentrations of heavy metals increased as the metals contents in the soil increased. [Ebrahimi. Seed Growth and Heavy Metals Uptake of Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):83-88].

An erosion hazard index methodology (EHIM) was developed for assessing stream erosion. The index of stream erosion is designed as a management tool. Assessing stream erosion involves consideration of a range of aspects of streams and a value judgment about a desirable state. The assessment of the erosion indicators of streams was based on a state-wide assessment of physical stream condition. A scale from 0 to 100 was chosen as a basis for ranking where an erosion hazard index (EHI) of 100 indicates the very extensive possible erosion state and one of zero the stable or no erosion possible erosion state. In the EHIM five steps are necessary for calculation: to measure and select of basic and additional indicators, to calculate sub-EHIi for all selected indicators, to determine weighting factors for all selected indicators, to calculate a synthetic EHI using the sub-EHIi and weighting factors for all selected indicators and final step: to assess stream erosion based on synthetic EHI values. The EHIM was applied to a 378 number of Ardabil Province (NW of IRAN) for assessment and comparison purposes. Length of stream erosion (LE) was selected to serve as a basic indicator, while erosion susceptibility of lithology (LESi), length of streams with lateral erosion (LLAE), length of streams with bed erosion (LB), the plant cover and human impacts (LAHE), pasture lands (LPE) and their relationships and discharge of floods (Q2.33) were used as additional indicators. The results suggest that the EHIM is a valuable relatively uncomplicated methodology with simple principles, ease of calculation, reliable and intuitive results. As a practical planning tool, it can be widely used for the quantitative assessment and comparison of stream erosion states for a series of different streams or more complicated stream systems .However, planning for river management systems is complicated by a variety of uncertainties but this paper presents the development of a simple assessment model for river management under uncertainty. [Talaei et al. Erosion Hazard Index Methodology (EHIM) for Streams Erodibility Assessment (Ardabil-Province). International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):89-97].

The study was conducted among the two farmer groups in Bhaktapur and Kavre districts of Nepal. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of IPM FFS on creating awareness and disseminating the knowledge on sustainable pest management to the farmers and to assess the relationships between enhanced IPM knowledge and adoption of IPM strategies by the farmers. The study has been based on data collected through personal interview with the farmers, focus group discussion, personal observation in the farmers field, discussions with the leader farmers, agro-vet owners, farmer facilitators of the FFS and also on secondary data collected from related publications of various organizations. The study has revealed that FFS is being an effective tool in increasing IPM knowledge and techniques of ecological pest management among the farmers. Farmers after participation in the IPM FFS were more confident in managing their fields and taking pest control decisions and have been reducing the use of hazardous chemical pesticides and adoption of eco-friendly pest control measures was on the move. This justifies the potential of IPM FFS as an effective mechanism for increasing both knowledge of IPM and the adoption of IPM strategies. [Pawan Singh Bhandari. Integrated Pest Management Farmer Field School for Sustainable Agriculture. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology, 2012; 2(2):99-103].