Probability Level Research Articles

Factorial Mating system Analysis for Several Lines and Their Hybrids in Maize (Zea mays L.)

AbstractFor the factorial hybridization procedure, ten pure maize lines were used as parents: DR-F-53, MA-F-53, H-4, DKC-F-59, IK-58, and ZP-595 for the males, and POL-F-6, SYM-F-53, MY-F-53, and SYN-F-54 for the females. Using a randomized full block design with three replications, seeds of both pure lines and hybrids were planted in the fields of the College of Agriculture and Forestry throughout the fall season of 2022. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of general and particular combining ability, genetic factors, and heterosis. All attributes examined had a statistically significant mean square of male and female parents and their interaction at the 1% probability level. Number of days to tasseling and silking qualities had general to specific combining ability components larger than one, and all traits tested had additive and dominant genetic variances values that were significantly different from zero. The average degree of dominance was larger than one for all characteristics, and the broad sense heredity % was high across the board. On the other hand, the number of days tasseling and silking attributes had narrow sense heritability that was high. The specific combining effect results demonstrated that the hybrid MY-F-53 × H-4 had a significant desired effect for all traits, while the general combining ability effects demonstrated that the parental lines H-4, IK-58, and ZP-595, as well as the maternal line SYN-F-54, had desirable effects for all traits. The hybrid IK-58 x SYN-F-54 outperformed the other parents in terms of heterosis, which is defined as the departure of F1 from the better parent, in terms of number of days to tasseling and silking, number of grains per ear, and grain production per plant.

Socio-economic contributions and determinants of locals engagement with Boswellia papyrifera in lowland woodlands in Burie Zuria district, Ethiopia

Ethiopia's lowland woodlands are comprised of the major gum and resin-producing genera Acacia, Boswellia, and Commiphora. Boswellia papyrifera is primarily found in the degraded drylands, Burie Zuria district is the existence of the species; however, limited information is available on the woodland socio-economic contribution and determinants of locals' use of woodlands for their livelihoods, particularly Boswellia papyrifera. So to fill this gap, the study was conducted to examine the locals' socio-economic benefits from the woodland and to identify the determinants of locals' engagement in the collection of the benefits for better wise use and conservation policy implementation. The data was collected from household interviews, focus group discussions, and key informants. Species' socio-economic benefits were analyzed through descriptive statistics, whereas determinants of local's willingness to use woodlands were analyzed through an econometric model. The dependent variable used was annual income gained from the woodland and explanatory variables taken were gender, marital status, livestock number, family size, land holding size, age of the respondent, education level, wealth status, perception of local communities towards forest cover change, and distance from woodlands to the household's residence. Based on the results, the total annual income derived from the woodland by the sampled households' was a mean of 1759.45 USD. The result shows the woodland species shares 14.37 % of the total annual income, but because of legal investors Boswellia papyrifera had no contribution to this share. However, the local communities use woodlands for their livelihoods due to explanatory variables, and the usage percentage shows significant differences. The multiple linear regression results showed that the model was significant at a 5 % probability level, and 95.9 % of the variation was due to the explanatory variables. Age of respondent, family size, total land holding size, and education level showed positive and statistically significant relations to annual income derived from the woodland while other remaining variables showed non-significant. The result concludes that the species contributes significantly to local communities' livelihoods and engagement in gathering timber and non-timber products. The study recommended that awareness about the use of non-timber products in addition to forest products be created among the locals, and policies related to woodland sustainability and conservation should also be implemented.

Effects of input intensification and cost efficiency on the productivity of irrigated tomato farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

: A ergonomics a diverse range of production-limiting variables ranging from biophysical to agronomic restrictions, as well as socioeconomic and institutional barriers constrained tomato production. It is pertinent to note that Adoption of contemporary agricultural methods is required for optimal productivity under such limits. This study aims to analyze the effect of input intensification and cost efficiency on the productivity of irrigated tomato farmers in Kaduna state, Nigeria. The study used a cross sectional data of 268 irrigated tomato farmers for 2021 cropping season. Descriptive statistics, net farm income, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression, Tobit regression model and stochastic frontier cost function were used to analyze the data. The result established that with the net farm income of ₦401,331 ($994.43USD) and return on investment (1.91), tomato production is profitable. The result of OLS regression showed that normalized input intensification (-0.226) is statistically significant at 1% level of probability and is negatively inelastic. This revealed that the input intensification been adopted as a complete package in the study area had negative influence on productivity of tomato. The result of the Tobit model regression showed that the intensity of input use was significantly influenced by the coefficients of age of household head (-0.079), number of extension contact (0.661), farm size (11.257), and distance to input market (0.262). The result of the estimated stochastic frontier cost function showed that costs of labour (0.03), fertilizer (0.35), seed (0.08), agrochemicals (0.06), annual depreciation (0.36) and transportation (0.07) were statistically significant. The inefficiency variables that influenced the cost of the tomato farmers include farm size (0.47), educational status (0.22), access to credit (0.59) and distance to input market (-0.02). The study established that input intensification package adopted by tomato farmers requires modification to enhance tomato productivity in Kaduna state, Nigeria. There is urgent need for training of farmers by extension agent particularly on input intensification, adoption of modern innovations and technologies that could enhance increase output and income.

Determining Adequate Sample Size for Social Survey Research

Determination of a valid sample size is a fundamental step in research. This paper explains how existing formulas are tied in a single thread by applying the concept of standard error, margin of error, Z and t scores, confidence interval and sampling distribution. Bringing the concept of sample control ratio, we suggest a unified formula which is where I is the sample size, N is the population, t is the t-value at a desired level of probability with df = (N-1) and  is the sample control ratio to be estimated by for continuous variables and for categorical variables where  is the proportion of acceptable error and p is the proportion of presence of an attribute in the population. This formula does not need the finite population correction, and it has been derived from and consistent with existing formulas. A researcher does not need to calculate the error margin in absolute terms for this formula, and it is sufficient to provide only the proportion of error (e.g., 0.03 or 0.05). This paper should help social scientists, researchers, academicians and students determine the appropriate sample size for their research with greater confidence and clarity. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 22(2): 146-157, 2024

Goodness-of-fit tests for multinomial models with inverse sampling

This article proposes goodness-of-fit tests for multinomial models using an inverse sampling scheme. From the multiple decision-theoretic perspective, we devise a test statistic and stopping rule that satisfy a prespecified probability level P* and obtain corresponding optimal sample sizes. Incomplete Dirichlet type II distribution functions are used to develop the procedure and to express the probability of correct decisions for various cell configurations for multinomial models. For empirical studies, Monte Carlo experiments are conducted, and for illustrations, various cell configurations of a wheel of fortune are demonstrated.

Social Disengagement and Psychological Wellbeing of Aging Persons (60 Years and above) in Mezam Division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon

Purpose: This study investigated “Social Disengagement and the Psychological Well-being among Ageing Persons (60 years and above) in Mezam Division, Northwest Region of Cameroon. In the past, care for the elderly was the responsibility of the family and the entire community (respect, care and affection traditionally reserved for them). Today, the elderly face social disengagement, coupled with financial insecurity. The majority of them do not benefit from any pension and for those lucky enough to have one, it is too paltry to allow them to live decently. Hence, this study investigated whether social disengagement affects the psychological well-being of ageing persons. Materials and Methods: The concurrent-nested mixed method research design was used in conducting the study whereby both quantitative and qualitative paradigms were used. A sample of 350 ageing persons was chosen for this study using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analysed following a triangulation approach in methodology, analytical process and statistical packages. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyse the data collected from the field. For descriptive statistics, measures of central tendencies such as the mean, measures of dispersion (standard deviation), frequency tables and percentages were used to answer research questions while the point biserial correlation test was used to compare relationships within the variables under investigation at 0.05 probability level. To verify the hypothesis, linear regression analysis was conducted at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings: From the data analysed, it was revealed that social disengagement significantly influenced the psychological wellbeing of ageing persons and accounted for 11.1% of its variance R2 =.111, F (1,328) = 40.966, p < 0.01. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Based on these findings, some recommendations were made as follows; family members, the entire community, civil organisations and welfare services should get more acquainted to the aging by creating channels of interaction with them, respecting them, providing social support to them as well as caring and showing affection to them.

ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE LEVEL AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFILE OF TRAINED YOUTH OF THE ARYA PROJECT ABOUT GOAT FARMING

Agriculture and related industries are the driving force behind our country's socioeconomic growth. What is particularly concerning in the current situation is that educated rural young, even agricultural graduates are not interested in pursuing a career in agriculture or its related sectors. Attracting and Retaining of Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) was launched in 2015, Krishi Vigyan Kendra will execute this initiative in 25 states throughout the country. The ARYA project aims to attract and empower rural youth to engage in various agriculture, allied, and service sector enterprises for long-term income and meaningful employment. For present study all 120 trained youth in goat farming were selected, trained youth were selected purposively who have obtained training on goat farming under ARYA project and 20 trainers were selected for suggestions for better run his program of the study area. Thus, a total of 140 respondents were included in the study. It was revealed that majority of trained youth (80.00%) had a medium level of knowledge, followed by 10.83 percent who had a low level of knowledge, and (09.67%) who had a high level of knowledge on appropriate goat rearing practices. The trained youth profiles viz., namely family size, social participation, livestock possession, training experience, mass media utilization behaviour, innovativeness, extension contact, scientific orientation had significant relationship with knowledge of trained youth at 1 % level of probability.

IMPACT OF FARMER FIRST PROGRAMME ON LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS

Directorate of Extension education, Navsari has implemented FFP in the year 2017. The total number of modules implemented were six. The objectives of the study wereto measure the impact of ensuring livelihood security on small and marginal farmers. Total three villages and two talukas of Navsari District were purposively selected for the study. From each module beneficiary farmers were proportionally randomly selected. Total 120 beneficiary and 120 non beneficiary farmers were selected comprising total of 240 respondents. Ex-post facto research design was used. Twelve independent and three dependent variables were chosen. The impact was measured by comparing the change in livelihood security of 120 beneficiary with 120 non-beneficiaries of FFP by using structured schedule of impact. Majority of the beneficiary farmers had medium level of impact on livelihood security, followed by high and low, respectively. Whereas, more than half of the non-beneficiary farmers had medium level of impact on livelihood security, followed by low and high, respectively. The Two sample Z test for livelihood security was found significant at 1 per cent level of probability. Further, education, social participation,extension contact,innovativeness and scientific orientation were found positive and highly significant with livelihood security of beneficiary farmers.

ORAL MALODOUR: AN INDICATOR OF ORAL NEGLECT AND POOR SELF-ESTEEM AMONG SLUM DWELLING CHILDREN IN NIGERIA

Objective: Oral malodour, an inadequately studied disease in children, is the third most prevalent reason for dental consultations, with negative impacts on psychosocial health. This study assessed self-rated and normatively assessed oral malodour and its impact on quality of life among a cohort of slum dwelling children in Lagos, Nigeria. Method: This descriptive survey was conducted among slum dwelling children in Lagos State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling method was utilized to select participants for the study. The Organoleptic test was utilized by two calibrated dentists to assess oral malodour. The Self-Reported Scale for Oral Health (SOHO) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) were used to assess quality of life and self-esteem. Regression analysis was done using sociodemographic, clinical, self-esteem and QOL variables as the predictor variables to identify their strength of association with oral malodour. The probability level of p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Majority of the 427 respondents were aged between 10-14 years of age (67%), and were females (54.4%). Thirty four percent of the respondents self-rated themselves as having oral malodour; Normatively, 22.6% of the respondents had oral malodour. There was a significant association between OHRQOL (aOR: 2.724; CI: 1.563-4.932), gingival inflammation (aOR: 2.402; CI: 1.417-4.078), self-esteem (aOR: 2.546; CI :2.015-5.246), self-rated oral malodour (aOR: 3.846; CI: 2.118-8.571), parental education (aOR: 1.483; CI: 1.034-1.940), history of dental visit (aOR: 8.375; CI: 2.435-28.810), reason for dental visit (aOR: 2.224; CI: 0.932-5.310), and number of children in in the family (aOR: 1.106; CI: 1.010-1.212), with oral malodour. Conclusion: Oral malodour was significantly associated with low self-esteem, poor OHRQOL poor oral health and dental attendance pattern. The oral health of slum dwelling children needs to be seen by policymakers as an important predictor of their mental health and wellbeing.

Nature and Extent of Electronic Security Surveillance Systems in Secondary School Safety in Kenya

Secondary safety is paramount to the sustainability of school performance; however, threats leveled against schools globally are interfering with safety. Schools in Kenya have experienced a horde of threats such as fire and theft coupled with radicalization. There is hardly the use of electronic security surveillance systems to mitigate threats. In Trans Nzoia County, secondary schools have been a recipient of security threats threatening the safety of the school community. Against this backdrop, this study assessed the influence of electronic security surveillance systems on the sustainability of secondary school safety in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to establish the nature and extent of electronic security surveillance systems in secondary schools in Kenya. The descriptive survey research design was used to study electronic security surveillance systems in secondary school safety in Trans Nzoia County. The study population was composed of 14 secondary schools that had previous security threats and had installed electronic security surveillance systems (unit of analysis). The sampling strategy in this study was simple random and purposive sampling. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially with the aid of SPSS version 25. The data was analyzed at a 0.05 probability level and presented in tables and figures in percentages and frequencies. Results: CCTV was installed in all the secondary schools surveyed sampled. It was agreeable by the respondents (76.9%) that the nature and extent of electronic security surveillance systems in secondary schools promoted safety in the school community. The interaction between the electronic security surveillance systems installed in schools and the implementation of national ICT policy and school safety policy had a 29.9% impact on promoting safety in secondary schools (R2 = 0.299, (F (2, 75) = 15.966, p = 0.000). About 80.8% of the respondents agreed that electronic security surveillance systems effectively promote safety in secondary schools.

Factors Influencing the Knowledge and Attitudes of Fishermen about Fish Diversity and Conservation

Background: Knowledge is a critical input for solving sustainable resource management issues. The study was conducted to determine the factors that influence the knowledge and attitudes of fishers about fish diversity and conservation in the Siang River of Arunachal Pradesh. Methods: This study used a descriptive research design. The data were collected from randomly selected 90 respondents from two blocks of East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh with the help of a structured interview schedule and participant observation technique. The knowledge levels of the fishers were measured under three domains: conservation strategies, reservoir ecology and fishing practices. Result: The findings of the study revealed that the majority (53.33%) of respondents had a medium level of knowledge in three domains. Correlation analysis revealed that fishing experience and annual fishing days were positively and significantly correlated with knowledge level at a 1 per cent level of probability, whereas age and annual income were positively and significantly correlated with knowledge level at a 5 per cent level of probability. Gender, caste, education, family size, family type, average monthly catch and average fishing duration were not associated with the knowledge level of respondents about fish diversity and conservation. The attitude level of respondents was categorized into three categories: positive, neutral and negative. The findings of the study indicated that the majority of respondents (63.33%) had positive attitudes towards fish diversity and conservation, whereas 23.33 per cent had neutral attitudes and 13.34 per cent had negative attitudes toward fish diversity and conservation.

Aspirations of agriculture school students

The present investigation on “Aspirations of agriculture school students” was conducted in Amravati district, where Achalpur, Amravati and Warud Talukas were selected. Under these three talukas, three colleges viz. Agricultural Polytechnic School, Bhilona, Taluka:Achalpur; Janata Agricultural Polytechnic School, Amravati, Taluka: Amravati and Late Punjabrao Thakre Agricultural Polytechnic School, Haturna, Taluka: Warud were selected under the jurisdiction of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidhyapeeth, Akola. These three colleges are under Amravati district. Social, situational, economic and psychological environment in these three schools differs significantly because of their location therefore study was conducted with the view to know the aspirations of agriculture school students.The study revealed that the majority of 75.00 per cent were male and remaining i.e. 25.00 per cent were female. Hence, majority of students were under male category. It was observed that the majority of the respondents 43.34 per cent have semi-medium land holding, followed by 33.33 per cent of the respondents families had medium land holding. The majority 69.17 per cent of respondents had medium level of father’s education whereas the majority 55.00 per cent of respondents had medium level of mother’s education’. It was observed that the majority of respondents i.e. 60.84 per cent belonged to nuclear family. The majority of respondent’s parents i.e. 66.67 per cent had only agriculture as their occupation. The majority of respondents i.e. 68.33 per cent had secured ‘Distinction’ class in academic performance. The majority of respondents i.e. 44.16 per cent had high level of family income. The majority of agriculture school students i.e. 64.16 per cent had medium level of social participation. The majority of respondents i.e.73.33 per cent had medium level of mass media utilization.In case of overall aspirations, majority i.e. 72.5 per cent of the respondents have medium level of overall aspirations while 15.84 per cent have high level of overall aspirations while 11.66 per cent of the respondents were having low level of overall aspirations.The independent variables like land holding, mother education, parental occupation, and academic performance showed positive and highly significant (at 0.01 % level of probability) relationship with overall aspirations of agriculture school students. Whereas father education, annual family income, social participation and mass media utilization show a positive and significant (at 0.05 % level of probability) relationship with overall aspirations of agriculture school students. However, gender and family type was not significant with overall aspirations of agriculture school students.

Determination of Soil Carbon Pools in Selected Soils of Abia State, Nigeria

Soil carbon pools exist in Abia State soils but variation, quantification and speciation remain unascertained. This study was carried out on soils collected from two locations (Umuahia North and Ikwuano LGAs) under three land use systems: arable land (AL), forest land (FL) and palm plantation (PP). The aim of the study was to assess carbon pools in the study soil. Laboratory data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Significantly different means were separated using Fisher’s least significant difference (F-LSD) at 5% level of probability (p≤0.05). Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the selected soil properties. It was observed that organic carbon increased significantly (p<0.05) 2.47 under forest land in Umuahia North and decreased to 0.97 under arable land in Ikwuano, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POC) increased significantly in Umuahia North (p<0.05) while decreasing in Ikwuano, the POC interaction on the both locations were significant, water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were neither significant in location, land use or their interaction.

Perception of tribal farmers towards KVK scientists

The present investigation was conducted in Chikhaldara and Dharni taluka of Amravati district (Vidarbha region) of Maharashtra state. The main objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the profile of the tribal farmers with their perception towards KVK scientists.Apre-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from 120 tribal farmers from 10 villages which were selected by usingex-post facto design of the social research during 2022-2023. The statistical methods such as frequencies, percentage, mean, standard deviation and correlation were used. The data of research study show that variables namely age, farming experience, size of land holding and annual income were negatively non-significant with perception of tribal farmers. The variables education and training received were found positive and significant level of probability of 0.01 with perception of tribal farmers toward KVK scientists.While variable namely extension participation, mass media exposure and innovativeness were positively significant with perception of tribal farmers at 0.05 level of probability.

A Process Algebraic Approach to Predict and Control Uncertainty in Smart IoT Systems for Smart Cities Based on Permissible Probabilistic Equivalence.

Process algebra is one of the most suitable formal methods to model smart IoT systems for smart cities. Each IoT in the systems can be modeled as a process in algebra. In addition, the nondeterministic behavior of the systems can be predicted by defining probabilities on the choice operations in some algebra, such as PALOMA and PACSR. However, there are no practical mechanisms in algebra either to measure or control uncertainty caused by the nondeterministic behavior in terms of satisfiability of the system requirements. In our previous research, to overcome the limitation, a new process algebra called dTP-Calculus was presented to verify probabilistically the safety and security requirements of smart IoT systems: the nondeterministic behavior of the systems was defined and controlled by the static and dynamic probabilities. However, the approach required a strong assumption to handle the unsatisfied probabilistic requirements: enforcing an optimally arbitrary level of high-performance probability from the continuous range of the probability domain. In the paper, the assumption from the previous research is eliminated by defining the levels of probability from the discrete domain based on the notion of Permissible Process and System Equivalences so that satisfiability is incrementally enforced by both Permissible Process Enhancement in the process level and Permissible System Enhancement in the system level. In this way, the unsatisfied probabilistic requirements can be incrementally enforced with better-performing probabilities in the discrete steps until the final decision for satisfiability can be made. The SAVE tool suite has been developed on the ADOxx meta-modeling platform to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach with a smart EMS (emergency medical service) system example, which is one of the most practical examples for smart cities. SAVE showed that the approach is very applicable to specify, analyze, verify, and especially, predict and control uncertainty or risks caused by the nondeterministic behavior of smart IoT systems. The approach based on dTP-Calculus and SAVE may be considered one of the most suitable formal methods and tools to model smart IoT systems for smart cities.

Participation of rural youths in dairy management practices

The present investigation on “Participation of rural youths in dairy management practices” was conducted in Chandur railway taluka of Amravati district. Taluka has been selected as it has a large number of dairy farmers.The exploratory research design was used in the present investigation. The present study was carried out in the Amravati district of the Vidarbha region to know the participation of rural youths in dairy management practices.The study revealed that the majority of respondents i.e. 40.83 percent were educated upto high school. It was observed that the majority of that maximum of 31.67 per cent of the respondents have semi-medium land holding, 63.33 per cent belonged to nuclear family, 35.00 per cent of the respondents had annual family income Rs. 100,001-150,000. The majority of respondents i.e. 45.83 per cent had high level of social participation, 50.00 per cent had medium family size. The majority i.e.71.67 per cent had medium level of sources of information and 55.00 per cent had medium herd size. In case of overall participation, majority i.e. 43.34 per cent of the respondents have high level of overall participation while 38.33 per cent have medium level of overall participation while 18.33 per cent of the respondents were having low level of overall participation.The independent variables like social participation and sources of information found a positive and significant level of probability of 0.01 per cent level with participation and another independent variables viz., education, land holding, annual family income, size of family and herd size found a positive and significant level of probability of 0.05 per cent level with participation. And the remaining variable type of family showed non-significant relationship with the participation of rural youths in dairy management practices.

Comparative Efficacy of Organic Mulching and Organic Neem Oil in the Control of spotted and striped cucumber beetles affecting the growth and yield of Cucumber in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

A research work was undertaken in the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Main Campus, Uyo, from March to May during the 2023 cropping season to assess the effect of Organic Mulching and Neem Oil in the Control of Cucumber Beetles (spotted “Diabrotica undecimpunctata” and striped “Acalymma vitatum”) affecting the growth and yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativum, Saira F1 variety). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The experimental plot consisted of three (3) replicates with 2 treatments: organic mulch, organic Neem oil application and control. An early maturing variety of cucumber “Saira F1” was used as planting material sown in March which lasted till May. Data on insect pest population count, growth and yield parameters were studied and the data obtained were analyzed and subjected to analysis of variance using Fisher`s Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. The results from insect population count parameters revealed that Neem oil at 100ml application rate which recorded 10.50 and 6.00 was significantly effective in managing spotted and striped cucumber beetles respectively compared to organic mulch (3kg) which recorded 47.00 and 14.00 for spotted and striped cucumber beetles and control unit which had 61.00 and 42.00 for spotted and striped cucumber beetles respectively. Neem oil at 100ml application rate was also more effective in improving the growth and yield of cucumber plant compared to organic mulch. Hence, Farmers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State should employ Neem oil in managing spotted and striped cucumber beetles in cucumber production as this is a promising botanical insecticide to check the activities of field cucumber beetles thereby bringing their destructive activities to a minimum and also improves yield.

Evaluation of some hormones in female having breast cancer before and after radiotherapy

Hormones are believed to largely affect cancer risk by controlling the rate of cell differentiation, division and quantity of cancer-vulnerable cells. Higher estrogen levels, progesterone, prolactin and serotonin have been linked to some cancers including breast cancer. The study aims for a relationship between estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and serotonin signaling and breast cancer to shed light on the pivotal role of hormonal imbalance in the development of breast cancer. The study included 50 new female patients with breast cancer, they do not have diseases related to hormones. Patients were followed up and blood samples were taken for the same group of patients when treated with radiation at the fifth and fifteenth doses (patients, R5, R15) with 50 samples of apparently healthy females as comparison group (control), The ages of the patients and healthy people ranged between 25-70 years. Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and serotonin levels were tested and the results showed a significant increase in the concentration of estrogen at the probability level P˂0.0001 for the three groups (patients, R5, R15) 596.8±107.6 pg/mL, 561.8±103.1 pg/mL, 466.9±80.43 pg/mL respectively compared to the control group of healthy women 178.3±69.74 pg/mL. The results indicated a significant increase in the concentrations of progesterone, prolactin and serotonin at the probability level P˂0.0001 for the three groups (patients, R5, R15) compared to the control group of healthy women and a significant decrease in the concentration of the hormone estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and serotonin at the probability level P˂0.0001 for the group of women treated at the R-15 dose compared to the group of women treated at the dose R-5.

Abundance and Dispersion Indices of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Tomato Plant in Nigeria

Helicoverpa armigera is among the major insect pests that pose a threat to tomato production in Nigeria with an insufficient understanding of its population parameters, and available environmentally friendly control materials which are essential for the development of reliable and sustainable management strategies that can minimize the frequent use of synthetic pesticides; which are hazardous to the environment, non-target organism, and humans. The present study was conducted with the objectives of establishing population abundance and dispersion of H. armigera. Surveys were conducted in the savannah agroecological zone of Nigeria through fortnightly field visits to tomato farms from July to September 2019 (rainy season), and month of December 2019 to March 2020 (dry season), making a total of seven (7) and Nine (9) visits respectively. Ten plants were randomly selected and tagged from each farm, for observation of the presence of H. armigera larvae on the upper and lower parts early in the morning (6:00-7:30 am) on all sampling. Numbers found on each plant were counted and recorded with dates. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and the least significant difference (LSD) at 0.05% level of probability was used to separate significant means. Data were further used in calculating the various dispersion indices. The result indicates that H. armigera was higher at 8 weeks after planting and aggregated on the upper part of the plant with a higher population in the dry season. Abundance and dispersion indices of H. armigera on tomato plants reported in this study will provide for appropriate decision-making in designing eco-friendly management of the pest.

Evaluation of High Yielding Groundnut Varieties for North Transitional Zone of Karnataka State, India

Groundnut (Arachishypogaea L.) is an important oil seed crop grown in the arid andsemi-aridtropics of India under rainfed condition. The productivity is around 800 kg ha-1 in Karnataka as against national productivity of 1500 kg ha-1. The reasons for low productivity are many among them lack of improved variety in groundnut cultivation. Hence, study conducted to evaluate the high yielding groundnut varieties on farmers filed under farmers participatory mode approach. On field 25 FLD’s were planned by AICRP on Groundnut, MARS, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka on farmers’ participatory mode approach under National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm(NMOOP) programme and were conducted during kharif2021 with 25 farmers from Dharwad district. Each farmers field was considered as replication (25 no.) with 5 varieties as treatments and data was analysed statistically using Randomized complete block design. Statistical significance was tested with F test at 5 per cent level of probability. The study revealed that Dh-256(2850 kg ha-1) and K-1812 (Kadri Lepaxi) (2745 kg ha-1) recorded statistically on far dry pod yield. However, Dh-256 numerically out yielded K-1812 to the extent of 105 kg ha-1. Haulm yield when compared to the other varieties. A significant reduction in stem rot incidence was observed with respect to Dh-256(3.5%), K-1812(3.8%), G2-52(4.5%) and GPBD-4(4.7%) when compared to JL-24(8.1%) which resulted significant reduction plant population of JL-24 at harvest though it was having higher harvest index. The additional cost of cultivation of Rs. 2000 was spent on JL-24 to manage foliar diseases. Significantly higher gross returns were of Rs.148405 ha-1 and Rs.143460 ha-1, respectively by cultivating Dh-256 and K-1812 as against Rs.115740 ha-1 and Rs. 98728 ha-1 of local improved popular variety GPBD-4 and farmers check variety JL-24, respectively. From the results, farmers were very satisfied with Dh-256 and K-1812 newly released varieties of UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka and ARS, Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh. During, kharif2021, groundnut crop growth season was normal (496 mm from South West Monsoon i.e., June to September) for the Dharwad district and it was 4% higher than normal rainfall of 479 mm for the same period in the region, Further, groundnut crop not suffered due to dry spell any point of its growing period.