A review of ecological agricultural practices as an important component of climate resilient management

The pressing need to systematically redirect agricultural practices, towards sustainable, biodiversity based eco-agriculture and the basic agro-ecological principles cannot be overemphasized, especially in this era of threat to food and livelihood security caused by climate change in several developing countries of the world is evident. This is on account that the ecological aspect of agricultural production, which is resilient to climate and productive is based on principles that create biological diversity and build healthy soils, which also prioritizes indigenous and farmers’ knowledge. Ecological agricultural techniques are the foundations for the adaptation strategies needed urgently by the farmers in various developing countries, who will suffer greater from the climate change effects. Many answers lie in farmers’ farms and knowledge. Thus, this review is focused on how to improve the biodiversity of the agricultural system, build better healthy soils that will be drought tolerant and also to add social resilience required to face the increased uncertainty in weather patterns

Effect of Staking and Pruning on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.)

A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of pruning and staking on the vegetative growth and yield of cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.). The experiment was a 3 x 2 factorial laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. The results showed that vine length, number of flowers, total number of fruits and the number of non-marketable fruits were higher on the nonstaked treatment while staking resulted in a higher number of marketable fruits, weight, length and diameter of fruits. The unpruned plants produced the highest total number of fruits, marketable andnon-marketable fruits while the weight, length and diameter of fruits were highest on one stem pruning. Staking, pruning and their interaction had no significant effect on the number of days to 50% anthesis. In Abakaliki agro-ecological zone, non-staking and non-pruning treatments producedoptimum marketable yield of cucumber

Fungi in Soils Cultivated with Rice( Oryza sativa Linn) in Rotation with Tuber Crops

No Abstract

Effect of Mulching and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

A field experiment was carried out in 2008 cropping season at the experimental farm of the faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management to evaluate effect of different rates of nitrogen (0,70, 140, 210 kg N/ ha) and mulching (grass mulch) on the vegetative growth and green pod yield of okra. The experiment was conducted as a 4 x 2 factorial laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The results showed that nitrogen rate of 140kgN/ha producedthe highest number of branches and leaves. Days to 50% anthesis (flowering) was longest at 140 kg N/ha and shortest where nitrogen was omitted. Mulched plots, which received 140 kg N/ha produced the highest number of fruits. The weight and length of fruits was higher on the mulched plots. Non– mulched plots consistently produced least values in all the parameters that were measured

Adapting Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Production to the Environment of Abakaliki Agro Ecological Zone, South East Nigeria

Abstract: A Study was conducted between 2005 and 2006 rainy seasons at four different locations (Abakaliki, Ezzamgbo, Ikwo and Okposi) within Abakaliki agro-ecological zone of Southeastern Nigeria, to determine the suitability or otherwise of producing Carrot in the study area. The design of the experiment was a simple Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times at each location. The measurement included weather parameters, soil physical and chemical characteristics and crop and yield attributes. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis. The result of the study showed that the yield range of 11.01 -33.48 t/ha obtained in the study area compared favourably with the yield from other African countries that produce Carrot, but is below the world average potential yield, specifically Carrot root yield at Ezzamgbo was 5.91 and 5.58 t/ha significantly (p<0.05) higher than at Okposi and Ikwo, whereas the Carrot root yield at Abakaliki was also 5.75 and 5.42 t/ha significantly (p<0.05) higher than at Okposi and Ikwo. The significantly higher Carrot root yield at Ezzamgbo and Abakaliki was ascribed to superior growth performance of the crop at the two locations, and also the ability of the plants at the two locations to adapt to the inherent adverse soil physical and chemical properties of the study area. It was concluded that it is possible to produce Carrot in the Abakaliki agro-ecological zone, specifically best at Ezzamgbo and Abakaliki