Comparative evaluation of organic and inorganic fertilizers on total phenolic, total flavonoid, antioxidant activity and cyanogenic glycosides in cassava (Manihot esculenta)

The study evaluated the effects of fertilizer sources and varieties on total phenolic, total flavonoid, antioxidant activities and cyanogenic glycosides of cassava leaves and tuber. The main factor was fertilizer sources (vermicompost, empty fruit bunch compost, NPK 15:15:15) and sub-factor was based on cassava varieties (Medan and Sri Pontian). Treatments were arranged in a split plot design with three replications. Phytochemical compounds and the antioxidant activities in young leaves and tuber were carried out after harvesting. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu assay and aluminium chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The fertilizer sources and varieties were found to have significant effect on phytochemical compounds. Fertilizer and variety interaction was significant in total phenolics, total flavonoid, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DDPH) scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) scavenging assay for tuber and leaves. The phenolic and flavonoid content was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the vermicompost treatments compared to mineral fertilizer and EFB compost. Medan had higher antioxidant activities as well as total content of phenolics and flavonoid in comparison with Sri Pontian. Organic fertilizer application resulted in significantly lower cyanide content compared to inorganic fertilizer. The results indicate that the fertilizer sources change phytochemical compounds of cassava tuber and leaves.Keywords: Manihot esculenta, cassava tuber, cassava leaves, fertilizer sources, phytochemical compounds, antioxidant activityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(18), pp. 2414-242

Requirements for inserting intercropping in aquaponics system for sustainability in agricultural production system

ArticleIn recent years, the recirculating aquaponics system has gained high attention and significant popularity for organic vegetables and fruits production which contributes to the sustainable aquaculture for tropical regions. This review aims to summarize the possibility for practicing intercropping in aquaponics to produce high-quality fruits, vegetables and fish without any chemical fertilizer and minimum ecological impact for a sustainable agriculture. Although many studies have addressed about aquaponics for producing high-value crops such as tomato, cucumber, and lettuce, there is still a lack of complete information to support the development of intercropping in aquaponics and limited focus on its commercial implementation. Moreover, this study will focus first on the requirements for inserting intercropping in aquaponics and technical improvements needed to adapt as potential for sustainable food production system to increase productivity around the world, especially in countries have deficiency in water and land resources as well as soil problem like salinity and reduce environmental emissions. Secondly, the insertion of intercropping in aquaponics must be for crops with high value and for crops that can complement together such as tomato with basil and tomato with lettuce. Thirdly, in technical improvement in this study will summarize the strategies and factors that affect the intercropping in aquaponics system such as the nutrients needed for crops under intercropping aquaponics, stocking density and feeding rate which are important to know the concentration of ammonia that is produced and converted to nitrate so that the plants can uptake it. Studying the requirements for inserting and improving intercropping in aquaponics will increase our understanding of needed for new agriculture technique that contributes to the sustainable aquaponics for tropical regions

Morphological responses of forage sorghums to salinity and irrigation frequency

Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality water restricts its use. In particular, water stress is associated with low availability of water, as well as osmotic effects associated with salinity. The response of forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties to salinity and irrigation frequency were studied from December 2007 to December 2009. Two forage sorghum varieties (Speedfeed and KFS4) were grown under salinity levels of 0, 5, 10 and 15 dS m-1 and irrigated when the leaf water potential reached -1.0 (control), -1.5 and -2.0 MPa. Irrigation frequency and salinity were found to affect the morphology and growth of the forage sorghum. Maximum number of leaves was produced in non-saline soil (13.5 leaves plant-1) with normal irrigation (12.4 leaves plant-1). Low soil water and high salinity reduced the number of leaves as well as the number of tillers produced. Leaf area of plants were also reduced in response to salinity and decreasing soil water availability, while the suppressive effect was magnified under the combined effect of the two factors. Significant differences in stem diameter were found between the frequently and the least frequently watered plants, and stem diameter decreased with increasing salinity. Leaf firing increased with increasing salinity reaching 59.9% in the extreme salinity treatment of 15 dS m-1, and it increased with increasing water stress reaching 48.6% in the extreme water stress treatment of -2 MPa. Under stress condition, the KFS4 variety had a better performance in terms of morphological and growth parameters compared to Speedfeed variety. The threshold concentration was found to vary with variety. However, in control treatment, Speedfeed variety had greater leaf area, plant heights, number of leaf and number of tiller.Key words: Salinity, irrigation frequency, morphologic parameters, forage sorghum

Morphological, chlorophyll and nutrient compositions of lettuces (Lactuca sativa l.) grown in cadmium polluted nutrient film technique culture

Hydroponic system using Nutrient Film Technique was employed to grow two varieties of lettuce (Bonbilasta-BBL and Italian 167) for eight (8) weeks. The plants were treated with cadmium concentrations of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mg/L given in a form of cadmium chloride after two (2) weeks of transplanting to study its toxicity effect on morphology and physiology of the lettuce. Plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry leaf weights and dry root weight in the varieties were significantly affected by cadmium. Regardless of the level of cadmium used, variety BBL was taller and recorded higher fresh and dry root weights than Italian 167. Higher fresh and dry leaf weights were recorded by Italian variety 167. Highest cadmium concentration significantly reduced all morphological characteristics measured with interaction in plant height. Different concentration levels of cadmium have significant effect on root length, root surface area and root volume of the two lettuce varieties (P < 0.001)

Requirements for inserting intercropping in aquaponics system for sustainability in agricultural production system

In recent years, the recirculating aquaponics system has gained high attention and significant popularity for organic vegetables and fruits production which contributes to the sustainable aquaculture for tropical regions. This review aims to summarize the possibility for practicing intercropping in aquaponics to produce high-quality fruits, vegetables and fish without any chemical fertilizer and minimum ecological impact for a sustainable agriculture. Although many studies have addressed about aquaponics for producing high-value crops such as tomato, cucumber, and lettuce, there is still a lack of complete information to support the development of intercropping in aquaponics and limited focus on its commercial implementation. Moreover, this study will focus first on the requirements for inserting intercropping in aquaponics and technical improvements needed to adapt as potential for sustainable food production system to increase productivity around the world, especially in countries have deficiency in water and land resources as well as soil problem like salinity and reduce environmental emissions. Secondly, the insertion of intercropping in aquaponics must be for crops with high value and for crops that can complement together such as tomato with basil and tomato with lettuce. Thirdly, in technical improvement in this study will summarize the strategies and factors that affect the intercropping in aquaponics system such as the nutrients needed for crops under intercropping aquaponics, stocking density and feeding rate which are important to know the concentration of ammonia that is produced and converted to nitrate so that the plants can uptake it. Studying the requirements for inserting and improving intercropping in aquaponics will increase our understanding of needed for new agriculture technique that contributes to the sustainable aquaponics for tropical regions

Waste management: a qualitative study exploring the perception of food waste management among the community of Pasir Mas

The purpose of this paper is to examine the 2014 post-flood waste management in affected area. For this purpose, Pasir Mas in Kelantan was chosen as the sample area and interviews were conducted with the residents. The interviews aim to gather information about post-flood waste produced,sources of the waste, actions taken by the residents and related authorities bodies to clear the waste, impact of the waste on their living surroundings and health, and assistance needed to manage the waste. A total of 39 respondents consisted of 20 men and 19 women were selected at random for focus group discussion. These respondents represent persons of age 25 years old and above, local and whose living quarters have been affected by the flood. The large volume of mud left by the flood has been identified by the participants as the main source of the post-flood waste. In addition, good cooperation between government agencies and the residents is important to speed up the waste clearing works.However, residents are in much needed support, awareness and education about the impact of long due waste clearing on their health and living environment

Waste management: a qualitative study exploring the perception of flood waste management among the community of Pasir Mas

The purpose of this paper is to examine the 2014 post-flood waste management in affected area. For this purpose, Pasir Mas in Kelantan was chosen as the sample area and interviews were conducted with the residents. The interviews aim to gather information about post-flood waste produced, sources of the waste, actions taken by the residents and related authorities bodies to clear the waste, impact of the waste on their living surroundings and health, and assistance needed to manage the waste. A total of 39 respondents consisted of 20 men and 19 women were selected at random for focus group discussion. These respondents represent persons of age 25 years old and above, local and whose living quarters have been affected by the flood. The large volume of mud left by the flood has been identified by the participants as the main source of the post-flood waste. In addition, good cooperation between government agencies and the residents is important to speed up the waste clearing works. However, residents are in much needed support, awareness and education about the impact of long due waste clearing on their health and living environment

Application of jasmonic acid:effects on growth and phenolic constituents’ production of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa var. ukm-2)

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are widely reported to have key role related to plant growth and metabolite production. However, studies on the impact of PGRs especially jasmonic acid (JA) on phenolic constituents in Roselle has not been reported yet in any previous studies. The present study investigates the effect on plant growth and phenolic constituents’ production in response to JA application with different concentrations of H. sabdariffa var. UKMR-2. JA solution was applied at 65 days after transplanting (DAT) according to their treatment designated; 0.5 mM (JA1), 1 mM (JA2) and Control (untreated). The growth performance was recorded and the assessments of phenolic constituents in the calyx water extract followed Folin-Ciocalteu assay, pH differential method and DPPH assay. The results showed that application of JA has significant influences on phenolic constituent production and antioxidant activity (p 0.05). Therefore, the result suggested that exposure to JA decreased the UKMR-2 plant growth and calyx yields, phenolic constituents’ content and antioxidant activity compared to Control with the sequence: Control > JA1 > JA2

Islamic leadership and maqasid al-shari'ah: Reinvestigating the dimensions of Islamic leadership inventroy (ILI) via content analysis procedures

The purpose of this research is to investigate separate themes of Islamic Leadership based on analyses conducted on selected literature of conventional and Islamic Leadership.The themes of Islamic Leadership were identified for the purpose of developing a specific inventory to measure Islamic Leadership or the Islamic Leadership Inventory (ILI).In identifying the themes of Islamic Leadership, this research applied qualitative content analysis procedures on four categories of literature.The literature are (1) The Qur’an and Hadiths (2) Managerial Leadership and Servant Leadership literature (3) Contemporary Islamic Leadership literature (4) Classical texts of Islamic Leadership.This research used NVIVO to facilitate information processing.With respect to the underlying theory of research, this research is based on the principles of higher objectives of Shari’ah or the Maqasid al-Shari’ah to justify the importance of the identified Islamic Leadership behaviors from the lenses of Islam. Based on the content analysis, this research found 25 separate themes representing Islamic Leadership Behaviours.The 25 themes are (1) Trustworthiness and Integrity, (2) Employees Orientation, (3) Self-evaluation, (4) Patience, (5) Outcome Orientation, (6) Empowerment, (7) Social Responsibility (8) Flexibility (9) Non Calculative, (10) Spirituality, Religiousness and Piety, (11) Esprit De Corps, (12) Bravery, (13) Justice and Equity, (14) High Self-Reliance and High SelfEsteem, (15) Modesty and Shyness, (16) Impartially, (17) Moderation and Balance, (18) Good in Communication, (19) Free from environmental-constrains, (20) Earnest, (21) Cheerful, (22) Feared when angry, (23) Empowering Intelligent, Wisdom and Encourage Synergy, (24) Role Model, and (25) Avoid Conflict.The themes suggested could be used to measure Islamic Leadership in various perspectives.In general, this paper offers policymakers, organisations, and researchers in various avenues the important dimensions of Islamic Leadership.Specifically, the Islamic Leadership Inventory (ILI) could be utilised to measure the effectiveness of Muslims’ professionals based on the perspectives of Islam and the higher objectives of Shari’ah.In sum, this paper found that Islamic Leadership could be represented in several dimensions and could be adapted in the conventional measures of managerial leadership