Maize Cob Research Articles

An economic study on maize production in some selected areas of Swat District

Introduction. Maize production in Pakistan is reduced over the last decades. Many problems are creating in Tehsil Matta in maize production. Which are technical, marketing, and social problems. The technical problem includes the high cost of irrigation, lack of financial capital, lack of scientific knowledge of farmers, lack of quality seeds. Marketing problems include low cost of maize production, high cost of maize inputs. The social problem includes the damage of seeds of birds, the damage effect by insects, and theft in maize cob. Materials and Methods. The present study aims to find the socio-economic characteristics of maize producers and also estimate their profit function under different farm size groups of maize production. Five villages are selected from the Swat District. Namely, villages, Sakhra, Sambat, Bara Drushkhela, Chupriyal, and Beha. Primary data has been collected from 75 farmers. The simple random sampling has been followed, both statistical and tabulation analysis were applied in this study. The average area under maize cultivation was 64 % respondents are the owner and 36 % were least out of selected sample size. A simple average method was used for finding the results. Results and Discussion. The majority 77.33% respondents were literate and 22.67% were illiterate, the main source of seeds 94.67% own, 5.33% fellow farmers and 0 % were government provided. The majority of respondents i.e 33.33% respondent was facing the water problem, while 66.67 % of respondent were used the canal for irrigation. Finally, in each kanal total revenue was 35800 and per kanal total cost was 16360. The profit was R.s 19440. It is recommended that the government should provide these inputs and other related support lead to an increased significantly in maize production.

Bioactive Composition and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Fresh Orange Maize Hybrids: Impacts of Genotype, Maturity Stages, and Processing Methods.

Bioactive compounds in foods are responsible for their biological activities, but biotic and abiotic factors may influence their levels. This study evaluated the impact of three genotypes (designated 4, 5, and 7), maturity stages (20, 27, and 34 days after pollination) and processing methods (hydrothermal and dry-heating) on the bioactive constituents (carotenoids, phytate, tannins, vitamin C) and 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH*) scavenging activity of fresh orange maize hybrids. Freshly harvested maize cobs of each genotype were subjected to hydrothermal processing at 100°C and dry-heating with husks and without husks. Carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and total β-carotene) contents of fresh and processed samples were analyzed using HPLC; other bioactive constituents and DPPH* scavenging ability were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Genotype had a significant effect on the levels of carotenoids (p < 0.001) and vitamin C (p < 0.05), while genotype (p < 0.001), and processing methods (p < 0.001) had significant effects on DPPH* SC50. Maturity stages, processing methods and their interaction also had significant effects (p < 0.001) on the levels of all the bioactive constituents. A positive moderate to strong correlation was observed between (p < 0.001) α-carotene and the following: lutein (r = 0.57), β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.69), total β-carotene (r = 0.62). However, the relationship between α-carotene and zeaxanthin was positive but weak (r = 0.39). A positive moderate correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between lutein and the following: β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.57), total β-carotene (r = 0.58), and zeaxanthin (r = 0.52). A positive strong correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between β-cryptoxanthin and each of total β-carotene (r = 0.92) and zeaxanthin (r = 0.63); total β-carotene and zeaxanthin (r = 0.65); while the association between vitamin C and DPPH* SC50 was negative and weak (r = −0.38). Generally, genotype 4 and harvesting at 34 days after pollination had the best combination of bioactive constituents and DPPH* scavenging ability.

Light absorption properties and molecular profiles of HULIS in PM2.5 emitted from biomass burning in traditional "Heated Kang" in Northwest China.

Humic-like substances (HULIS) in PM2.5 emitted from biomass burning (BB), including maize cob, wheat straw, maize straw, wood branch, and wood, in a traditional "Heated Kang" were investigated. The relative abundances, optical properties, chemical functional groups, and molecular components in HULIS were characterized using total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR/MS), respectively. The emission factors (EF) of HULIS-C (in term of carbon weight, EFHULIS-C) from BB were in the range of 0.83 to 5.17g/kg fuel, with a mean value of 1.93±1.31g/kg fuel. The HULIS-C accounted for 15.0-37.8% and 9.1-12.6% of fractions in organic carbon (OC) and PM2.5, respectively, suggesting that BB is an important emission source of atmospheric HULIS. The FT-IR spectra showed BB HULIS mainly contain O-containing, aliphatic CH, and aromatic CC functional groups. The presences of carboxyl group and OH band demonstrated the uniqueness of maize straw and wood burning. Moreover, the higher ratio of CH3 and -CH2 groups could be used to distinguish the wood branches from the maize cob. CHO and CHON were much dominant in BB HULIS, which accounted for 44.6-47.6% and 50.1-54.2%, respectively, to the total molecular mass. The positive correlation between MAE365 and AAE in term of number concentration of CHNO implied that the CHNO species could greatly influence on the light absorption properties of the BB HULIS. The CHO and S-containing compounds (i.e., CHNOS and CHOS, that is CHNOS+CHOS) showed weak light absorbances of the BB HULIS. The BB HULIS from maize straw had relatively high molecular weight in comparison to that in other BB emissions. The highest and lowest aromaticity were seen on the wood burning and maize cob, respectively.

Population dynamics of Fall Army Worm [(Spodoptera frugiperda) J.E. Smith] (Lepidoptera: Nuctuidae) in maize-cassava intercrop using pheromone traps in Niger Delta Region

BackgroundThis study was conducted to generate baseline information on population dynamics of Fall Army Worm (FAW) in cassava-maize intercrop for management technique. Maize (Zea mays) is Africa’s most staple food crop with pest complex as major constraints to its production. The study was carried out at the Abuja Campus of the University of Port Harcourt, Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm. A plot size of 3298 m2 was cleared and ploughed; afterward, thirty six (36) ridges were made for the planting. Three varieties of maize grains (a hybrid Oba Super 98, white and yellow locals) were used for the study. Two cropping patterns (Sole maize and Cassava-Maize.-Intercrop) as main factor with a total of 18 sole and 18 intercrop plots and pheromone trap heights (at 1 m and 1.5 m) as sub-factor were used. The traps were mounted 18 days after planting and insect collection commenced at dawn the following day. FAW data in each trap were collected daily between 06.00 and 07.00 h. Maize cobs, fresh and dry weights, numbers of FAW exit holes, tunnels and tunnel lengths were recorded for both cropping patterns in each maize variety. Data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance.ResultsThe results show higher mean value of FAW count in pheromone trap height placed at 1.5 m, and Oba super 98 maize variety intercropped with cassava had higher FAW count. There were significantly higher (P < 0.05) FAW exit holes in maize with pheromone trap height placed at 1.5 m, and maize-cassava intercrops had higher mean values of FAW exit holes. Number of tunnels and tunnel lengths (cm) due to FAW infestation were higher in maize varieties where pheromone traps were placed at 1.5 m.ConclusionIntercropping maize with cassava may suggest increase in FAW bionomics and the presence of abundant host which might increase a spike in its peak period of infestation. The presence of cassava in maize-cassava cropping pattern encourages feeding and/or oviposition of FAW on maize plant; therefore, an alternative cropping pattern should be encouraged in the region.

Life Cycle Analysis of a Biorefinery for Activated Carbon and Biomethane Production

A Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) based on ReCiPe 2016 model of a biorefinery case-study was performed. On the basis of an existing Portuguese Anaerobic Digestion plant, the proposed biorefinery hypothesized the use of (i) Maize Cob Waste (MCW) as co-substrate for Anaerobic co-Digestion (AcoD) with Organic Fraction Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW), (ii) the use of MCW derived activated carbons (ACs) in a H2S removal unit, and (iii) the biogas upgrading to biomethane in a Pressure Swing Adsorption unit. The main aim was to compare the environmental benefits obtained from distinct uses of biogas, specifically the cogeneration of electricity/heat and biomethane production.Three biogas production configurations were considered: (i) AD of standalone hydrolysed OFMSW (hOFMSW); (ii) AcoD of hOFMSW and MCW pre-treated with H2O2 (hOFMSW+PreMCW); and (iii) AcoD of hOFMSW with non-pre-treated MCW (hOFMSW+MCW). The increase of biogas and methane yields obtained with AcoD of hOFMSW+MCW provided an overall better environmental performance than other configurations.The biogas upgrading to biomethane from AcoD of hOFMSW+MCW generated higher environmental impacts than cogeneration, due to the AC production and upgrading processes. If an optimised H2S adsorption capacity is considered, the Fossil Resource Scarcity, Mineral Resource Scarcity, and Global Warming human health impact categories decreased by 20%, 15%, and 17%, respectively, when compared to the base-case upgrading scenario. Further decreases of up to 52%, 23%, and 28% for those impact categories, respectively, are observed when the natural gas used in the OFMSW collection and transportation fleet is substituted by biomethane produced in the biorefinery.

Performance of biomass combustor based drying system for ginger dry

A biomass combustor based dryer was evaluated with different biomass for drying of ginger. Biomass combustor based dryer consists of fuel hopper, combustion chamber, heat exchanger, grate for proper combustion of the combustible gas, chimney, ambient air inlet, hot air outlet and drying chamber. The system was evaluated at five fuel consumption rate (1 to 5 kg.h–1) and five air flow rate (100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 m3.h–1) using maize cobs, sized wood and saw dust briquettes for ginger drying. The experimental performances show that the hot air temperature inside the dryer vary between 36 to 81ºC for maize cobs, 53 to 85ºC for sized wood and 49 to 87ºC for biomass briquettes at tested air flow rate and fuel consumption rate in the system. The maximum efficiency of the system was found at the fuel consumption rate of 1 kg.h–1 and 400 m3.h–1 air flow rate using maize cobs, sized wood and saw dust briquettes as fuel respectively. The cost of operation of ginger drying at 1 kg.h–1 fuel consumption rate and 400 m3/h air flow rate was Rs. 32.76, 34.26, 34.76 and 55 per hour using maize cobs, sized wood, saw dust briquettes and mechanical drying system, respectively. Hence, the drying of ginger in biomass combustor based dryer using maize cobs at 1 kg.h–1 fuel consumption rate and 400 m3/h air flow rate resulted in better performance.

Chemical composition and toxicity of some Agro waste-derived insecticides against Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga ceralella (Olivier) [Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae] infesting stored paddy grains

BackgroundAgriculture being one of the major practices in the world has contributed to environmental pollution, especially in developing countries where there were no equipment to recycle the agricultural wastes. Considering the high level of infestation of paddy by Sitotroga cerealella and the high level of pollution caused by agricultural wastes, this research investigated the chemical composition and toxicity of agro wastes (rice husk, maize cob, groundnut and cowpea pods) as eco-friendly protectants of paddy against Sitotroga cerealella. Parameters assessed include adult mortality, oviposition, adult emergence and egg hatchability. Gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometry were used to isolate and characterize the active compounds present in the most effective crude extract.ResultsThe results of the study revealed that all agricultural wastes showed high mortality effect on S. cerealella. Cowpea pod powder was the most toxic to adult paddy moth that caused 33.33%, 36.67%, 46.67%, 50% and 60% mortality of S. cerealella at concentrations 0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.3 g, 0.4 g and 0.5 g/20 g of paddy grains after 24 h of exposure, respectively. The Cowpea pod, groundnut pod and maize cob extracts caused 100% mortality of S. cerealella at concentration 0.5 ml/20 g of paddy grains after 96 h of exposure, respectively. The lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 of cowpea pod after 24 h were 0.16 and 0.64 ml which were the lowest of all agro waste extract tested. GC–MS analysis revealed that 19 chemical compounds were present in cowpea pod extract, 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid (a methyl ester) has the highest percentage total of 39.57% and 4-Pentenal, 2-methylene (0.12%) has the least percentage total.ConclusionAll the observations revealed that cowpea pod was the most effective. The findings also suggested that the selected agricultural wastes have a promising insecticidal potential and can be used as alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides for the control of stored product insects.

Comparative energy values of sorghum distillers waste, maize cob and shea butter waste for pigs.

A balance trial aimed at determining the energy values of sorghum Distiller's wastes (SDW), Maize cob(MC) and shea butter waste (SBW) for barrows was conducted using a 4 X 4 Latin square cross-over experimental design. While feed intake was influenced (P&lt;0.05) by the test feed ingredients, the weight gained was not significantly affected (P&gt;0.05). Digestibilities of dry matter and gross energy (GE) as well as metabolizability of digestible energy (DE) were not influenced (P&gt;0.05) influenced by the dietary treatment. The energy values (i.e GE, DE, uncorrected metabolizable energy (ME), and metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen retention (MEn) determined for ingredients were different (P&lt;0.05). DE values of 7.19, 6.73 and 15.54 Mj/kg DM;ME values of 5.90, 4.79 and 12.94 Mj/kg Dm were established for SDW, MC and SBW respectively. These ingredients have potentials as alternative low-energy feedstuffs in pig feeds.

REPLACEMENT VALUE BISCUIT WASTE FOR MAIZE IN BROILER DIETS.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the inclusion of biscuit waste in broiler diets. Performance was measured as growth rate and feed efficiency when 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of maize in a control diet was replaced by the by-product and fed to broilers for 12 weeks. Substitution for maize at 100% level significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected performance although he cost of feed/kg live weight gain was N1.41 com­pared with ₦1.82 for the control diet. Ikletabolizable energy and nitrogen retention was not affected by dietary treatment but fat retention was significantly higher (P&lt; 0.05) at 75 and 100% substitution. The carcass weights expressed as percentage of liveweights were not significantly affected but abdominal fat deposition was higher of the high levels of inclusion of biscuit waste. When maize was completely eliminated from the diet, bulking with 5, 7.5 or 10% maize cob as additional fibre source increas­ed feed intake but inclusion beyond 5% level did not improve feed efficiency. Fat and nitrogen retention and abdominal fat deposi­ted significantly (P • 0.05) decreased at 7.5 and 10% maize cob inclusion but gizzard weight increased.

THE EFFECT OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE SPRAY TREATMENTS OF MAIZE COBS ON CONSUMPTION AND DIGESTIBILITY BY THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

A Sodium Hydroxide spray treatment of ground maize cobs was evaluated in a feeding trial with West African Dwarf rams. NaOH solution of 6% concentration was sprayed on ground maize cobs at the rate of 50 litres per 100 kg, representing a 3% NaOH treatment level. The treated maize cobs were air dried before being incorporated into the experimental diets. The apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF) and gross energy (GE) were significantly higher in the diet containing NaOH — treated maize cobs (diet B) than the diet containing the untreated maize cobs (diet A). Addition of sucrose (purified cane sugar) at 37 level to the NaOH-treated maize cobs (diet C) produced a slight increase in voluntary feed consumption but did not have any significant effect on nutrient digestibility when compared with diet B. Relative intake (RI), nutritive value index (NVI) and digestible energy (DE) intake values were significantly higher in diets B and C. Average daily weight gains were also significantly higher in the diets containing NaOH-treated maize cobs (diets B and C), while the efficiency of feed utilization values were closely related to the daily weight gains.

The Composition, Nutrient Digestibility and Energy Value of Maize Cobs, Yam Peels and Plantain Peels for Three Weight Groups of Pigs

THE proximate and mineral composition of yellow maize (YM), maize cobs (MC), yam peels (YP) and plantain peels (PP) were determined. Their digestion coefficients for dry matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were determined with 48 pigs at 18, 45 and 65 kg liveweight. In a second trial 60 pigs of similar weights were used to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and nitrogen corrected ME (ME) for a basal diet and these feeds in diets in which 40; by weight of the test ingredients were added to the basal diet. The digestion coefficents of DM, CP, CF and EE for YM (92.0, 86.0, 76.7 and 88.6% respectively) were significantly better than the values of 83.4, 54.2, 71.7 and 38.4 and 79.5, 57.7, 70.2 and 55.7{ observed for YP and PP respectively. MC had significantly the least digestion coefficients for these nutrients (27.9, -18.5, 51.7 and 17.1%). The 18 kg pigs digested DM and CF to a lesser extent than the 45 or 65 kg pigs. There were no significant differences in CP, EE and NFE digestibility between weight groups. The DE and ME values of 3.14 and 2.98 and 3.15 and 2.94 kcals/g for YP and PP respectively were identical but significantly lower than the values of 4.0 and 3.68 for YM, MC had significantly the least DE, ME and ME% values. The ME values of 3.49, 2.95 and 2.94 kcal/g for YM, YP and PP were not significantly different, There were no significant differences in DE, ME or ME between the weight groups.

THE EFFECTS OF GRADED LEVELS OF BREWERS' DRIED GRAINS AND MAIZE COBS IN THE DIETS OF PIGS ON THEIR PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS AND CARCASS QUALITY

A TRIAL was run with 70 weaner Yorkshire and Yorkshire x Landrace pigs to determine the effects of graded levels of brewers' grains and maize cobs on the performance and carcass characteristics of pigs. The two products were included at the levels of 5, 10 and 15 while the protein contents of the diet were maintained at approximately 20% throughout the experimental period that lasted from the initial weight of 17.0 kg to the slaughter weight of about 92 kg. Pigs were slaughtered at the predetermined liveweight of 92 kg and were conventionally graded. The results showed no significant differences among treatments and between products with respect to average daily gains and efficiencies of feed utilization, but the average daily feed and digestible energy intakes were significantly affected for the weight range of 17 to 55 kg, but not for the other weight ranges. Generally, pigs on brewers° dried grains tended to perform better than those on maize cobs hut the differences were not always significant. With respect to carcass quality measurements, although there were no significant differences among treatment means, there was a tendency towards lower fat measurements and higher lean parameters as the levels of the products increased from 5 to 15%. There were some significant differences between the two products in the carcass measurements of pigs, and the measurements were closely alike in some other measurements. It is concluded that the two products can be conveniently used to replace the more expensive maize component at least up to the 15% level tested in this trial without seriously depressing the performance of pigs.

Anaerobic Digestion of Pre-treated Maize Cob for Enhanced Biogas Production

Maize cob is a ligno-cellulosic wastes available in India. In the present study, properties of maize cob were determined as per standard test methods. Based on the values, maize cob was pre-treated with potassium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and phosphoric acid in 1, 2, 3%v/v concentrations for 24 h. Pre-treatment with 3%v/v potassium hydroxide was effective in enhancing the availability of cellulose (57%). Anaerobic digestion of the alkali pre-treated maize cob showed potential of enhanced methane generation (0.0202 m3.kg-1 of TS) by three times using the conventional cow dung slurry as inoculum source. The bio-digested slurry contained (nitrogen (0.04 – 0.07%), and phosphorus (0.012 – 0.02%) and , potassium (0.01 – 0.03%)) macro-nutrients, and proved to have potential of use as organic manure.

Drying Kinetics of Maize Cob Using Mathematical Modelling

Maize cobs (with husk and without husk) with initial moisture content of 78.38 % and 62.39 % (d.b.), respectively, were dried up to 20 % moisture content (d.b.) at three temperatures (45°C, 55°C and 65°C). Moisture ratios (MR) were calculated from moisture loss data and fitted to six (Newton’s, Page, Thompson, Modified Page, Henderson and Pabis, and Wang and Singh) drying mathematical models. Coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for comparison of the models. From the analyses, Modified Page model showed the best fit to the experimental data with R2 varying from 0.9924 to 0.9968 for maize cob with husk and 0.9994 to 9989 for cobs without husk at given drying temperatures. The Modified Page model was found to be a superior model representing the drying kinetics of maize cob with and without husk at drying temperatures of 45, 55, and 65°C. The increase in drying temperature caused a reduction in drying time, and the drying took place in the falling rate period. Maize cobs with husk took more time for drying as compared to that without husk at the same temperature. The values of effective diffusivity lied between 1.079×10-8 m2.s-1 and 4.239×10-8 m2.s-1 for maize cob with husk, and between 1.194×10-8 m2.s-1 and 5.230×10-8 m2.s-1 for maize cob without husk. Effective diffusivity increased with increase in drying temperature, and was higher for maize cob without husk than that of with husk.

Screening of Fungi from Disposed Maize Cobs for Amylase Production

Background of Study: Microorganisms in particular have been regarded as treasure of useful enzymes. There is a great variation between various genera as to their ability to produce a specific enzyme for the production of particular enzymes varies with the particular medium and pH. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology Laboratory, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi Nigeria, from November, 2020 to October, 2021. Aim: This study was aimed to isolates fungi from disposed maize cobs and evaluates its potentials to produce amylase. Methods: Twelve samples each was collected from three different areas; market place, farmland and residential areas in Bauchi metropolis, (a total of 36 samples in all) using precise aseptic techniques. Each sample was collected using clean polythene bag, transported to the lab and aseptically blended. One gram of each sample was aseptically weighed and placed in a test tube containing sterile water; it was then allowed to stand for 30 minutes. One ml of the stock solution was serially diluted and 10ml dilution of each sample was plated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media. The plate was incubated at 25°C within a period of three, five and seven days during which they were monitored and examined, to isolate the required fungi species. The isolates were tested for amylolytic activity using 1% iodine and screen for amylase production by pre-treatment and solid state fermentation, then α-amylase activity finally determined. Results: Amylase-producing fungi were isolated from maize cobs collected from residence, market and farm areas in Bauchi metropolis. The ability of ten (10) fungal isolates recovered, (Mucor racemosus, Aspergillus niger Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus oryzae, Microsporum sp, Trichoderma sp, Nocardia sp, Monilla sp, Fusarium sp and Chaetomum sp) to degrade starch was determined. Three (3) of the fungal isolates Aspergillus niger Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus oryzae, had the highest frequency of (20%) each. Four (4) of the fungal isolates (Mucor racemosus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Rhizopus oryzae) showed zone of clearance on starch agar medium, the fungi isolates were selected and subjected to various temperatures, incubation time and pH ranges for amylase production. The results showed that Penicillium chrysogenum and Rhizopus oryzae have maximum amylase activity at temperature 35°C, incubation time 96hrs (4days), pH 5.5 and temperature 30°C,incubation time 96hrs(4days) and pH 5.0 respectively. Penicillium chrysogenum produced 46.3μ/ml, and Rhizopus oryzae, produced 30.8μ/ml of amylase. Conclusion: The results of this work proved Penicillium chrysogenum to be the best producer of amylase compared to Rhizopus oryzae. Isolation of amylase producing fungi from maize cobs from residence, market and farm areas will help in the bioremediation of environment, which could have caused environmental pollution. It is recommended that Penicillium chrysogenum and Rhizopus oryzae, are suitable fungi for amylase production. While Maize cobs can be used as substrate for commercial enzymes production.

Production of Fuel Briquettes from Bamboo and Agricultural Residue as an Alternative to Charcoal

The study was done to explore the potential of producing fuel briquettes that could meet the need for energy in Uganda, especially Kampala city. The primary objective of this work was to produce fuel briquettes from homogeneous and heterogeneous combinations of carbonized maize cobs, Bamboo poles and charcoal dust. For the primary objective to be achieved, the main activities which were performed included; chopping bamboo poles, sorting maize cobs, carbonization, crushing, binder preparation, mixing, extrusion, drying and quality assessment of the fuel briquettes. The maize cobs and charcoal dust used for this work were purchased from the farmers and charcoal sellers respectively from the districts of Luwero and Nakaseke. Bamboo poles were provided by Divine bamboo group. The homogenous combinations included 100% maize cob char, 100% bamboo char and 100% charcoal dust. Heterogeneous combinations included 75% bamboo char + 25% charcoal dust and 25% bamboo char + 75% charcoal dust. The test results for both homogenous and heterogeneous combinations of fuel briquettes had ranges of moisture content 8% - 11%, Volatile matter 12% - 23%, Ash content 33% - 39%, Heating Value 16 - 22 MJ/Kg, Fixed Carbon 30% - 51% and moisture content 8% - 9%, Volatile matter 13% - 19%, Ash content 27% - 44%, Heating Value 16 - 18 MJ/Kg, Fixed Carbon 30% - 51% respectively. The test results for drop resistance, density and Compressibility strength for both homogeneous and heterogeneous combinations had ranges of 7% - 56%, 214 - 941 kg/m3, 0.077 - 0.544 N/mm2 and 12% - 28%, 869.1 - 958.3 kg/m3, 0.124 - 0.295 N/mm2 respectively. These results were within the ranges reported in the literature especially for the heterogeneous combinations. Therefore, there is the possibility to use bamboo woody feedstock in combination with other agricultural waste feedstock for the production of fuel briquettes. We can increase the quality and production of fuel briquettes by using alternative feedstock sources rather than degrading the environment through deforestation.

The effect of row proportion of maize and soybean intercropping on growth and yield of component crops in sandy soil North Lombok, Indonesia

This study aimed to determine nutrient status, mycorrhiza population, and yields of maize-soybean strip intercropping in sandy soil environments of North Lombok, Indonesia. The experiment designed with Randomized Block Design with three blocks and five treatments, i.e., P1 (2 rows of maize: 2 rows of soybean), P2 (3 rows of maize: 2 rows of soybean), P3 (3 rows of maize : 3 rows of soybean), P4 (4 rows of maize: 2 rows of soybean), P5 (4 rows of maize : 3 rows of soybean). The results show that an increase of one more row from 3 to 4 rows significantly decreases the weight of maize cobs (3.5-folds), pods (2.3-folds), and 1000 seeds (1-folds). One row of maize plant density, which was beginning three rows to 4 rows, causes a decrease in the weight of dry root biomass and shoot of maize and soybean plants. The root weight and dried shoots of maize fell to 3.5 and 4.5 times, and the weight of dried roots of soybeans fell to 1.41 times at the age of 92 days after observing the 4:3 ratio of maize and soybean plants.

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda): A threat in crop production in Africa and Asia

Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), el gusano cogollero (FAW) es una plaga de cultivos con mas de 80 especies hospedadoras que causan graves danos a los cereales de maiz. El gusano cogollero, originario de la region tropical y subtropical de America, se ha extendido rapidamente por todo el mundo. Las larvas y los adultos del gusano cogollero danan las hojas jovenes, los verticilos de las hojas, las borlas o las mazorcas del maiz. Bajo una fuerte infestacion de gusano cogollero se produce una perdida de rendimiento del 50-80% en la cosecha de maiz. Esta plaga es capaz de reproducirse, migrar y alimentarse rapidamente de una gran variedad de plantas hospedantes, lo que dificulta su seguimiento. Sin embargo, hay varias medidas de control reportadas en varios paises. El manejo integrado de plagas (cultural, quimico y biologico) se usa ampliamente para controlar esta plaga. Debido a que la plaga se ha vuelto resistente a muchos insecticidas, no se recomienda su uso en las etapas iniciales de la infestacion. Pero, la ultima opcion para este manejo de plagas seriamente infestadas es el uso de pesticidas por debajo del umbral economico. Esta revision se centra en la distribucion de insectos, la biologia, el dano del maiz y las posibles estrategias para su manejo.

Usage of indigenous production and preservation practices by maize farmers in Ugbokolo, Benue State, Nigeria

This study assessed the usage of indigenous knowledge in the production and preservation of maize by farmers in Ugbokolo, Benue State, Nigeria. Maize farmers formed the population of the study, of which a sample of 148 respondents were selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that 61.3% of the respondents were male, the mean age was 51.02 years, 47.3% possessed primary education, the mean household size was 7 persons, mean farm size was 2.79 Ha, and the mean output was 7.241 bags (100kg bags). The most used indigenous production practices were early planting of maize (87.9%) and intercropping of maize (83.1%), while the most used preservation practices were sun-drying of maize cobs (79.9%) and storage of maize in sacks (69.6%). The major reasons for using indigenous knowledge were accessibility (71.3%), sustainability (66.7%) and affordability (64.0%). The major constraints to use of indigenous production and preservation practices in maize was lack of documentation of IK in maize (x ̅ = 1.93). Based on these findings, it was recommended that improved storage be introduced to the farmers, while IK is documented for the use of future generations.

An in situ and morphometric study of maize (Zea mays L.) cob rondel phytoliths from Southwestern North American landraces

We present the first comprehensive computer-assisted morphometric analysis of microscopic rondel11As per the International Code for Phytolith Nomenclature 2.0 the names of recognized phytolith morphotypes are written in small caps in this report (Neumann et al., 2019). phytoliths (plant opal microfossils) produced in the cobs of 24 historic Southwestern North American landraces of maize (Zea mays L.) after all were grown in a well-documented agronomic field study. We also present an in situ study of the location of rondel phytolith production within the maize cob and provide a detailed review of previous maize phytolith studies. We found that glumes contained abundant rondel phytoliths throughout the tissue; however, lemma/palea tissue contained no phytoliths. In contrast, cupule tissue had some areas with abundant phytoliths, some with fewer scattered phytoliths, and vast areas that contained no rondel phytoliths. The rondel-rich areas appear to be where the glumes had once attached to the cupule and may be remnants of glume tissue adhering to the cupule. From the morphometric study, we found there were significant differences in the size morphometries of glume rondels depending on their cob location (top, middle, base) but no significant differences in shape morphometries. Using shape morphometries, we could not discriminate reliably among maize cob rondel phytoliths produced by the diverse landraces considered. The inclusion of morphometrics from areas in addition to or in combination with the outer periclinal surface may allow for some discrimination of maize landraces and is an avenue that should be explored further. Although our approach was not successful at identifying differences between essentially modern landraces, there may be significant rondel phytolith morphometric differences between wild, progenitor, and domesticated Zea.