Evaluation of Seedling Establishment Palatability and Acceptability Tests of Groundnut Seeds as Influenced by Levels of Whole Powder of Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit and Climatic Conditions

Oaya C S,Omar K B,Hammangabdo I

doi:10.32861/jac.71.1.6

Abstract

The tests for the evaluation of seedling establishment, palatability and acceptability were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Technology and the Food Laboratory of the Department of Home and Rural Economics, Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Ganye, Adamawa State. The experimental designs used were Randomized Complete Block Design and the Completely Randomized Design. Some of the parameters measured were percentage seedling establishment, palatability, and acceptability tests. The highest mean percentage seedling establishment was observed in 12.00g levels of H. suaveolens whole powder treated shelled groundnut seeds (97.67, 97.00, and 94.00) at the three periods of storage. Percentage seedling establishment decreased with a decrease in levels of H. suaveolens whole powder. One of the major constraints to the use of plant materials as an alternative to synthetic insecticides is the issue of standardization in dosage of application. This work has suggested that, if groundnut seeds are to be used for sowing, they should be stored with a 12.00g level of H. suaveolens whole powder for every 300.00g for three months. However, if they are to be used for consumption, they could be stored with a 6.00g level of H. suaveolens whole powder for every 300.00g for at most three months. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated shelled groundnut seeds at the three periods of storage on the acceptability and palatability score of cooked groundnut at all dosages of application. All treatments were within the acceptable score rates even though the two rates of the synthetic insecticides, actellic dust were at the lowest acceptable score rate. The finding also showed that acceptability and palatability decreased with an increase in dosage of application. The periods of storage also had a significant impact on the mean percentage seedling establishment. It was observed that there was a higher percentage of seedling establishment when shelled groundnut seeds were stored from November- January. At this period of the year, the temperature and humidity are usually low and this might have necessitated the high state of inactivity and low performance of the bruchids compared to other periods of storage within the year.

Highlights

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops commercially grown in the world
Arsi Zone is one of the potential areas in Oromia regional state [4] and in addition to bulb production; the area is suitable for onion seed production
The study was conducted at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center (KARC) which is located at 8°00‟ to 8o02‟N and 39°07‟ to 39°10‟E and an altitude of 2210 m a.s.l. in Oromia

Summary

Introduction

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops commercially grown in the world. In Ethiopia, onion is one of the most important cash crops, which contributes to commercialization of the rural economy and creates many off-farm jobs [1, 2]. Onion seeds are well known to be highly perishable and poor in keeping quality and lose viability within a year, it is essential to produce fresh seed every year and use the same for bulb production. Onion is produced in many of the regions of Ethiopia. Arsi Zone is one of the potential areas in Oromia regional state [4] and in addition to bulb production; the area is suitable for onion seed production

Methods

Results

Conclusion