International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research

Study of polyculture fish farming in Kanchanpur district of Nepal

Janak Pant — 2025-01-20

This research examines the study of polyculture fish farming in the Kanchanpur district of Nepal. Fish polyculture has been profitably adopted as a business enterprise in the western part of Nepal, particularly in the Kanchanpur district. Though the number of farmers actively involved in polyculture seems to be increasing, the production trend, productivity, and profitability are not satisfactory. Thus, polyculture study of fish farming was necessary. The research was conducted in various fish farm sites in Kanchanpur district of Nepal. 35 fish farms with a total of 103 ponds were selected for the research. Farm owners were interviewed with pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaires to assess production scale, cost, benefit, production-associated problems, and recommendations. Different fish species, particularly common carp, bighead carp, silver carp, grass carp, rohu, Nile tilapia, and bhakur, were present on the surveyed site. The average area for fish rearing ponds per household was 0.71 ha. The average number of fingerlings per hectare was 22,859. The cost of production includes feed, fertilizer, fingerlings, labor, liming, tools and machinery, investment, construction, and other costs contributing 36%, 3%, 3%, 6%, 0.4%, 2%, 39%, and 9%, respectively, of the total cost of production. The polyculture of carps, tilapia, and bhakur fish species in different polyculture systems was as profitable business enterprises with the productivity of 38.8 quintals/hectare and a benefit-cost ratio of 1.40. Polyculture fish farming was considered a profitable business enterprise in Kanchanpur district with highest B/C ratio, productivity, and benefit per person in carps (Indian and exotic), amongst others.

Innovative Egyptian style sweet and sour table olives

Mounir M Eid — 2025-02-10

Egypt and the EU are the main producers and consumer countries of table olives in the world. The effect of using sugar (3%) in two different treatments (olives treated with NaOH and natural olives) in brine and packaging solutions on the fermentation process was studied. Physical–chemical parameters, including pH, acidity, NaCl content, reducing sugar, and phenol content, were determined for 12 months of storage time, as well as sensory analysis. Results revealed that pH limits were ≤4.0 for treated olives and ≤4.3 for natural olives after 8 months of storage. Moreover, acidity increased with increasing storage time, irrespective of the treatment used. Regarding salt content, values in all treatments were higher than the established limit of the IOC. In addition, data illustrated that treated olives had a lower content of reducing sugars than those of natural table olives. Results also revealed that the phenol content of treated and natural table olives decreased continuously during the fermentation process. The sensory profile regarding hardness, fibrousness, crunchiness, saltiness, acidity, and bitterness was evaluated after 12 months. All treatments were free from abnormal fermentation and defects. The organoleptic analysis of table olives with added sugars showed a unique profile with an increase in acidity and sweetness.

Effects of basal fertilizer type and application rates on growth and yield of grain amaranth in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe

Mhuru Emmanuel Wilson — 2025-02-14

This research examines the effects of basal fertilizer type and application rates on the growth and yield of grain amaranth in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. Grain amaranth is a neglected crop of tremendous nutritional and agronomic qualities. However, knowledge on basal fertilizer rates and types to use in grain amaranth production is limited in Zimbabwe; therefore, this experiment was carried out to investigate this limitation at Midlands State University (MSU), Kwekwe farm, from December 2022 to April 2023 using a 3x5 factorial design, consisting of 3 basal fertilizer types and 5 application rates. The basal fertilizer types were compound C (6:24:20), compound D (7:14:7) and compound L (6:15:12). The application rates were 0 (control), 90 kg/ha, 180 kg/ha, 270 kg/ha, and 360 kg/ha. Data was collected on plant height, stem girth, Leaf Area Index (LAI), biomass yield, grain yield from the main head (panicle weight), grain yield produced by side suckers, 1000 seed weight, and overall grain yield. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in amaranth biomass, plant height, and stem girth due to the effects of basal fertilizer type. Compound C at a rate 360 kg/ha, produced the highest grain yield of 2.671 tons /ha, while the 0 kg/ha control produced the lowest grain yield of 0.659 t/ha. Treatment interaction effects were significant only for total grain yield, grain yield of the main panicle, suckers, and 1000 seed weight. Compound C produced the highest results on most parameters, significantly outperforming compounds D and L. However, at higher rates of basal fertilizer application, all 3 compound fertilizers turned out to be equally good. In conclusion, we recommended that, for efficient production of grain amaranth, compound C should be used at 270 kg/ha.

Integrated fertilizer management impact on soil chemical properties, growth and yield of orange-fleshed sweet potato (ipomoea batatas (l) lam) at Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Iroegbu Chidinma Susan — 2025-03-07

A field experiment was conducted at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching and Research Farm, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, in the 2022 planting season to evaluate the impact of integrated fertilizer on soil chemical characteristics, growth, and yield of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP). The treatments comprised Rice Mill Waste (RMW) applied at 0, 2, 4, and 6 tons/ha and Nitrogen 27: Phosphorus 13: Potassium 13 (NPK 27:13:13) fertilizer applied at 0, 200, 400, and 600 kg/ha, which were combined to produce 16 treatment combinations with three replicates in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). All the data collected were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the GENSTAT software package, and the treatment means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD) at a 5% level of probability. The findings of the study demonstrated that the amended plots showed improvements in soil chemical characteristics as well as the growth and yield parameters of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) over the control. The application of amendment at the rate of 6t/ha RMW + 600kg/ha NPK produced the best results. The combination of RMW and NPK fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) improved soil chemical properties like pH, available phosphorus, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil exchangeable properties, and increased OFSP growth and yield components like the number of branches, vine length, number of leaves, and yield of OFSP. The integration of both organic and inorganic fertilizer materials could enhance the growth and yield of OFSP as well as the nutrient level of the soil.

The interplay between sugarcane (saccharum officinarum l.) production and climate change in Fiji islands: Challenges and adaptation strategies

Shifadjzic Khan — 2025-03-07

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) has been a fundamental component of Fiji's economy; however, climate change presents considerable challenges, such as increasing temperatures, unpredictable precipitation, and severe weather occurrences. This research examines the effects of global warming on sugarcane yields in Fiji, identifies the primary factors contributing to decreased productivity, and explores adaptive strategies for sustainable cultivation. A systematic review of relevant literature was conducted utilizing academic databases, concentrating on climate-induced challenges and mitigation strategies. This analysis examines the environmental, agronomic, and economic implications, highlighting emissions from fertilizers, machinery, and vehicles as factors contributing to land degradation, human health risks, and resource depletion. Possible solutions encompass the development of climate-resilient cultivars, the adoption of eco-friendly farming practices, and the implementation of robust policy frameworks. The findings indicate that climate change has significantly diminished sugarcane yields in Fiji, while emissions from agricultural practices have intensified ecosystem degradation. Adaptive measures, including enhanced agronomic practices and resilient crop varieties, demonstrate potential in addressing these challenges. Collaborative policymaking and active stakeholder engagement are critical for enhancing resilience and ensuring long-term sustainability. In summary, Fiji's sugarcane industry necessitates immediate interventions via sustainable agricultural practices, strategic planning, and policy integration to adapt to climate changes and maintain its economic importance.