Maize Cob Research Articles

Co-products in maize-soybean growing-pig diets altered <i>in vitro</i> enzymatic insoluble fibre hydrolysis and fermentation in relation to botanical origin

The study examined the effects of botanical factors and fermentation-based, high-level dilution of co-product feeds in maize–soybean growing-pig diets on enzymatic insoluble fibre hydrolysis and fermentation. Feed insoluble fibre residues that were recovered after pepsin-pancreatin digestion were subjected to Roxazyme ® G2 (Roxazyme) versus Viscozyme L ® V2010 (control) hydrolysis, and to 64-hour fermentation using pig faecal inoculum. The control diet was a 13 MJ metabolizable energy, 141 g total dietary fibre/kg dry matter maize-meal/hominy chop-soybean diet, which was diluted with maize cob, soybean hulls, barley brewer’s grains, lucerne hay or wheat bran in 12 MJ metabolizable energy, 246 g total dietary fibre/kg dry matter iso-nutrient, single co-product test diets. Fermentable insoluble fibre was employed in a computerized iterative selection of ingredients in two iso-nutrient 11 MJ metabolizable energy 319 total dietary fibre/kg dry matter mixed fibre test diets for maximal contrast (high (HF) versus low (LF)) in fermentability. Insoluble fibre extractive pepsin-pancreatin digestibility differed between feed ingredients, and the single co-product test diets, and between the HF and LF mixed co-product diets. Fibre digestibility depended on both the origin and enzyme, with interaction, whereby carbohydrases expressed similar low (0.04 - 0.05) insoluble fibre digestibility for maize cob, moderate (0.12) digestibility for wheat bran and brewer’s grain, with inferior Roxazyme G2 digestibility for maize hominy chop (0.02 vs 0.10) and meal (0.04 vs 0.16), dehulled soybean meal (0.02 vs 0.17), lucerne hay (0.08 vs 0.18), and soybean hulls (0.05 vs 0.33). Co-product-enzyme affinities were expressed in single fibre diets. Low Roxazyme-basal fibre affinity limited its comparative single co-product (0.03 - 0.07 vs 0.16 - 0.22) HF (0.07 vs 0.17) and LF (0.4 vs 0.20) dietary fibre digestibility. Screening for HF/LF did not affect enzymatic digestion, though enzyme combination increased HF, but not LF digestibility. Gas and short chain fatty acid production predicted fermentability proportionately in the declining order of dehulled soybean ≥ maize ≥ soy hulls ≥ maize hominy chop > wheat bran >lucerne hay ≥ brewer’s grain = maize cob. Induced HF and LF contrast was significant. Co-product fibre enrichment decreased fermentability for all except the soy hull and HF diets. Cereal fibre yielded proportionately less acetate, with more propionate and butyrate, and a greater butyrate shift for maize fibre. The HF fibre induced more ACE and less butyrate. Biomarkers of deleterious proteolytic fermentation were high for lucerne (iso-butyrate) and soy hulls (iso-valerate). In conclusion, high-level and fermentation based co-product feed dilution into maize-soybean growing pig diets altered enzymatic insoluble fibre hydrolysis and fermentation in relation to botanical origin. Roxazyme expressed weak hydrolytic potency on maize and soybean insoluble fibre. Keywords: fermentation gas, fermentation kinetics, fibre fermentability, insoluble non-starch polysaccharides, non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes, proteolytic fermentation, short-chain fatty acids

THE INFLUENCE OF TYPE OF CUTTING AND GROWING MEDIUM ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF SCORPION ORCHID (Arachnis maingayi) Hook.f. Schltr

Orchids are of importance primarily for their horticultural appeal and accounts for 8% of the world floricultural trade. Scorpion orchid (Arachnis maingayi Hook) is highly prized for its beautiful long lasting flowers, but it is under-exploited in many countries including Nigeria. There is the need to determine the best type of cutting and growing medium protocols for commercial production of this species. Seven homogenous growing media (sawdust, topsoil, charcoal, coconut husk, wood shavings, maize cobs and rice husk) and two types of cutting (apical and non-apical) were compared in a factorial experiment laid out in Completely Randomized Design with six replications at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria between 2010 and 2012. Data collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot dry weight, days to spiking, length and number of spike, size and number of florets were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD at p ≤ 0.05 to separate treatment means. Apical cuttings were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) superior to non-apical cuttings in terms of all parameters assessed except floret diameter which was statistically similar. For growing medium, dry matter accumulation and spike yield were in the order of charcoal > rice husk > maize cob > topsoil > wood shavings > coconut husk. Apical cuttings planted in charcoal or rice husk gave the best results relative to other media. Thus, apical cutting is the best propagating technique and charcoal or rice husk is the best growing medium for scorpion orchid cultivation.

Nano sized Fe–Al oxide mixed with natural maize cob sorbent for lead remediation

The present work involves the synthesis, characterization and sorption behavior of Fe–Al–MC nanocomposite for the removal of Pb (II) ions from industrial waste water. The sorbent was synthesized by impregnation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were applied to study the surface structure, compositions and morphology of the materials. Fourier transform infrared technique was used to analyze the effect of surface properties on the adsorption behavior of Pb(II) ions. The optimum effects of the parameters on the adsorption of Pb (II) ions were determined to be, pH = 6, dose = 2 g, contact time = 24 h h and agitation speed = 150 rpm and initial Pb (II) ions 10 ppm. Experimentally, the adsorbed amounts of lead ion tend to decrease with increase in pH. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models fit the equilibrium data well on the adsorbent. Kinetic data correlated well with the pseudo second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies resulted in negative ΔG value indicating the spontaneity of the sorption process. The Fe–Al–MC nanocomposite sorbent showed a sorption capacity of 40.00 mg g−1 at pH 6. Therefore, this adsorbent with large sorption capacity and efficiency is a promising adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) ions from the wastewater.

Production of methane from maize cob fed termites

Termites are detritivores, which means that by consuming decomposing organic matter they obtain nutrients. By feeding on cellulose matter, termites generate methane. Waste energy content offers good opportunities to generate low-cost and available energy. This can help increase energy access and reduce energy poverty in Africa. This work helps to determine the rate of gas production by termites when fed with maize cob. A simulated environment was created for Macrotermes Subhyhalinus Sp. of termites made with optically transparent polycarbonate material (plexiglas). Methane emission from termites’ simulated environment was monitored with the use of a gas flow meter. The termites’ production rate was highest at dry temperature 28.07 o C with RH of 88.30%, and 0.630μg/termite/day flow rate was recorded form their simulated laboratory environment. The cellulose in maize shaft/cob is in the native state and the chemical composition not inhibited by processing; this led to the relatively high consumption and overall production rate of termites when they fed on it because maize cob was easier to digest. Keywords: Detritivores, Macrotermes Subhyalinus sp. , simulated environment, Polycarbonate

Discoloration of methylene blue and slaughter house wastewater using maize cob biochar produced using a constructed burning chamber: A comparative study

A comparative study on the discoloration of methylene blue (MB) and slaughter house waste water (SHW) using maize cob biochar produced by a laboratory constructed burning chamber was undertaken in this study. Contact time, pH, initial MB and SHW concentrations, mass of biochar and temperature were used to evaluate the efficiency of the biochar in discoloring MB and SHW in batch process. A biochar/sand filtration system was also used to study the discoloration of MB and SHW in continuous filtration. Equilibrium was attained in 15 min with 100% discoloration for SHW and 64% for MB. Maximum discoloration occurred at pH 4 and 0.05 g biochar for SHW and at pH 8 and 0.15 g biochar for MB. MB discoloration decreases with increase initial concentration while SHW discoloration increases with increase initial concentration. Both SHW and MB discoloration decreases with increase in temperature attaining 0% for SHW at 60 °C. Pseudo-second order kinetic model best describe the discoloration of MB and SHW. Langmuir, Freundlich Dubinin-Radushkevich and Temkin isotherm models describe the discoloration of MB but only Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models describe the discoloration of SHW. Slaughter house waste water is easily discolored than methylene blue in batch process as evident from calculated Langmuir equilibrium constant b (1916.71 L/mg for SHW and 0.69 L/mg for MB), Temkin equilibrium constant AT (0.98 L/mg for SHW and 4.1 × 10−9 L/mg for MB) and Langmuir separation factor (RL; 5.2 × 10−5 for SHW against 0.13 for MB). The discoloration process is physical, exothermic and less spontaneous with increasing temperature. A biochar/sand mixture filtration is more efficient in discoloring MB than SHW. Maize cob biochar can effectively be used to remove colour from methylene blue containing waste water and slaughter house waste water using low-cost materials in batch and column processes.

Effects of Inter- and Intra-Row Spacing on Growth, Green Cob Number and Biomass Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties at Agarfa, Southeastern Ethiopia

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is an important grain crop of the world and it ranks second, after wheat in hectarage and first in total production and productivity. In Ethiopia, maize has increasingly become a popular crop with steady growth in production area and yield. However, green cob maize production packages, including its appropriate spacing, are not yet determined. Evidences on effects of inter and intra-row spacing on growth and green cob yield of maize are not well explored. Therefore, this study was conducted at Agarfa from March 2015 to July 2015 to determine the effects of inter-and intra-row spacing on growth, green cob number and biomass yield of maize (Zea mays L) varieties under supplemental irrigation. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with factorial combination of four inter-row (55 cm, 65 cm, 75 cm, and 85 cm) spacing, two intra-row spacing (25 cm and 30 cm) and two maize varieties (Melkassa-II and BHQPY-545) with three replication. Data were collected on growth, green cob number and biomass yield and analyzed using GenStat, (2012) The experiment result revealed that leaf area and number of cobs per plant were highly significantly (P<0.01) affected by inter-row spacing x variety while cob length, number of cobs per hectare and above ground fresh biomass yield were significantly (P<0.05) affected by inter-row spacing x variety. The highest cob number (65232.32 ha -1 ) was recorded for variety BHQPY-545 and (61739.39 ha -1 ) for variety Melkassa-II at narrowest inter-row spacing of 55 cm (Table 5). Similarly, the highest fresh biomass yield of 51.3 and 48 ton ha -1 was obtained from variety BHQPY-545 and Melkassa-II respectively at 55 cm inter-row spacing. In general, significantly higher number of marketable green cobs and aboveground fresh biomass yield were obtained at closer inter-and intra-row spacing for maize varieties tested in the study area. Therefore, it can be concluded that spacing combination of 55 cm x 25 cm favored attaining of higher economic returns, green cob number and fresh biomass yield of maize in the area under supplemental irrigation. Keywords : Phenology, Plant Density, Population, Economic Benefit, Biomass DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-9-05 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Development of a Solar Aided Crib for Drying and Storage of Maize Cobs

The aim of this study was to design, construct and evaluate the performance of solar aided crib for storage of freshly harvested maize (Zea mays) in a humid tropical climate. A crib with two drying chambers of size 600 mm x 685 mm x 1500 mm with moisture emission chamber of 600 mm x 115 mm x 1500 mm was designed, constructed and evaluated using appropriate design procedures at the department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The roof of the crib is made of perspex which transmits the sun's energy into stored maize in the crib for effective drying purpose. The crib was raised at 50 mm above the ground surface and wire netted against rodents. It has two doors for easy loading and off-loading. Freshly harvested Maize weighing 500 kg of 30.5% moisture content (wet basis) was stored for three months. Moisture content of the maize was taken on weekly basis while relative humidity and temperature were measured on daily basis. Readings were taken at three positions (top, middle and bottom) in apertures that were made in those positions but were immediately covered up at the end of every reading. The ambient temperatures varied from 20.90C to 380C and also relative humidity varied from 41% to 91% throughout the period of the experiment. The moisture content at the point of storage was 30.5 % but was reduced to 4 % after three months. The final weight of maize in cobs was 362 kg which implied that the Perspex roof significantly aided in the drying process. The structure is structurally balanced and there was no grain deterioration either by fungal invasion or insects attack during the storage period. Keywords: Crib, Drying, Moisture content, Storage, Temperature

Production and utilization of silages in tropical areas with focus on Brazil

AbstractThis manuscript brings an overview of the current challenges, advances and opportunities for silage production and utilization in tropical areas, with particular reference to Brazil and South America. Tropical crops have a high production potential during the rainy season; therefore, silage has a central role in feed preservation in the tropics. Use of silage all‐year round is expanding, since a significant number of dairy farmers are moving from grazing to housed systems, and the number of beef cattle finished in feedlots is increasing. Whole‐plant maize silage has been by far the main conserved forage in both dairy and beef operations, whereas the use of grain silages (maize and sorghum) is increasing. Recently, there has been great interest in snaplage (mainly comprised of maize kernels, cob and husk) due to the logistic benefits. Although pull‐type forage harvesters are still common in Brazilian dairies, the majority of beef feedlots use self‐propelled foragers by hiring custom services. Hence, the number of contractors with self‐propelled harvesters has significantly increased. The convenience of a secondary high‐quality forage in diets of dairy cows as well as the opportunity of including forage sources alternative to maize silage in rations for beef cattle warrants the resumption of research on tropical grass silages. Conservation of wet by‐products, environmental aspects of silage making and, especially, silage pathogenicity and food safety are also fields of research opportunity.

Screening of locally available organic materials as substrates for production of Pochonia chlamydosporia in Kenya

Pochonia chlamydosporia is a nematophagous fungus with high potential for the biological control of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). The fungus is commonly produced in colonised rice substrate, but non-staple and more affordable substrates may encourage the production and use of this biological control agent. An in vitro study was conducted to screen different organic materials, including green and animal manures and industrial by-products as substrates for local production of viable fungal chlamydospores. Chlamydospore yield from sugarcane filter mud, bean straw, sunn hemp, goat manure, African marigold, wild sunflower, maize cobs, and velvet beans substrates was equal to or significantly greater than production using rice (standard substrate). In addition, the percentage viability of chlamydospores produced in most organic substrates was greater than 50%. The use of non-staple substrates deserves further investigation as a viable, and economical local option to rice substrate for mass production of P. chlamydosporia inoculum in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Influence of bedding materials on organ weights, meat quality, breast and footpad dermatitis of broiler chickens under hot humid climate

Abstract Wood shavings is the most common material used as litter in commercial broiler production in many areas in Nigeria. It is, however, becoming scarce and expensive. Therefore this study was conducted to determine and compare the effects of other bedding materials on organ weights, meat quality, footpad and breast dermatitis of Marshall broiler chickens under hot humid climate. One hundred and eighty broiler chicks of mixed sexes (Marshal strain) were randomly assigned to three treatments of wood shavings (WS), maize cobs (MC) and chopped Panicum maximum (PM) as bedding materials replicated four times with 15 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design. Feed and water were provided to birds ad libitum throughout the study. Data were collected on the relative body and organ weights, meat quality, breast and footpad dermatitis. The results showed that footpad and breast lesion of the birds were not significantly influenced (P &gt; 0.05) by different litter materials. Similarly, most of the organ weights, including spleen and bursa of Fabricius were not influenced by litter materials. However, the relative weight of thigh of the birds reared on PM and MC were similar but higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those raised on WS. The intestinal weight of the birds raised on PM was significantly higher than those of the other treatment groups whose weights were similar. Birds reared on chopped PM had higher (P &lt; 0.05) relative weight of liver than those reared on MC. There was no significant (P &gt; 0.05) effect of bedding materials on meat quality. It was concluded that chopped PM could serve as a replacement for WS as a bedding material for broiler chickens under hot humid climate.

Kinetics and thermodynamic analysis of maize cob pyrolysis for its bioenergy potential using thermogravimetric analyzer

The purpose of the study was to inspect the thermal degradation behavior of maize cob to find out its pyrolytic behavior for bioenergy generation. Prior to thermal degradation, the initial characterizations (proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and HHV) were done to check its suitability toward pyrolysis process. Later, thermogravimetric experiments were performed from ambient temperature to 900 °C at three different slow heating rates (5, 10 and 20 °C min−1) in a thermogravimetric analyzer with inert atmosphere. Thermogravimetric results confirmed that maximum devolatilization occurred at the temperature range of 200–460 °C. For kinetic and thermodynamic studies, four iso-conversional models (Friedman, FWO, KAS and Starink) were applied and average activation energies calculated from these models were 197.63, 186.06, 185.39 and 185.80 kJ mol−1, respectively. The potential energy barrier between activation energy and enthalpy of reaction (~ 4–6 kJ mol−1) revealed the favorable conditions for product formation. Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) for maize cob was found in the range of 174.91 to 179.47 kJ mol−1 and 174.27 to 180.23 kJ mol−1 for KAS and Friedman methods, respectively. Thus, kinetic and thermodynamic data along with HHV (15.27 MJ kg−1) showed that maize cob had enough potential to be utilized for bioenergy production.

Adsorption of bromophenol blue and bromothymol blue dyes onto raw maize cob

The adsorption of Bromophenol blue (BPB), and Bromothymol blue (BTB) onto raw maize cob from aqueous solution was studied using bach adsorption technique, in which the influence of contact time, dosage, concentration, temperature, and pH, were investigated as well as characterizing the adsorbent using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy and pH of point of zero charge (pH PZC Results showed that Bromophenol blue and Bromothymol blue removal reaches optimum percentage about 96.53 %, and 94.39 % with equilibrium time within 125 and 110 minutes respectively. For both dyes the removal efficiency was found to increase with increasing initial dye concentration from 10 mg/l to 100 mg/l, and adsorption efficiency were found to be high at lower pH. also, increase in the dosage of the adsorbent leads to increase in the adsorption process for BPB but shows decrease for BTB. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinnin-Ruduskevich (D-R). The results revealed that the experimental data fits Temkin isotherm with R 2 values of 0.957 and 0.971 for BPB and BTB respectively. Kinetic analyses were conducted using pseudo-first second-order models, elovich equation and the intra-particle diffusion model. The regression results in addition to q e experimental and q e calculated showed that the adsorption kinetics was more accurately represented by pseudo-second-order model. Values of activation parameters such as free energy changes (Δ), enthalpy change (Δ), and entropy change (Δ) were calculated using vant Hoff equation. All Δ values were negative indicating that the adsorption was feasible and spontaneous. The result indicated that raw maize cob can be used as adsorbent for the removal of the tested dyes Keywords : Adsorbate, Adsorbent, Adsorption, Maize cob, % Removal

S NUTRIENTS RTENTION OF SEVERAL BIOCHARS AND THEIR EFFECT ON N,P, K UPTAKE OF UPLAND-RICE .

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Application of biochar to agriculture soils has been considered as means to improve soil quality and carbon sequiestration. Therefore, the understanding of chemical and physical properties of biochars is important to identify suitable use of biochar for improving soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Biochars were produced from phyrolizing five different feedstock from crops residues (rice straw- BPJ, rice husk- BPS, maize cobs- BJT, peanuts shell- BKC and soybean residues-BKE). Using muffle furnace heating under 400oC. The potential nutrients retention of those biochars in particular for NH4+, K+. Ca++, dan Mg++. was tested. througha leaching experiment established in Soil Physic laboratory at Faculty of Agriculure, University of Mataram . The physicochemical properties of biochars were likely varied among fives feedstocks. The biochars derived from soybean residues (BKE), peanut biomass (BKC) and maize cobs (BJT) contained higher mutrients (i.e. C, N, K, Ca and Mg) compared to biochars produced from rice straw (BJP) and rice husks (BPS). Total-C of BKE, BKC dan BJT were 51,73; 57,36 dan 53,53 % respecively. The variation of phyisicochemical properties from different biomass strongly related to different nutrient retention whenever the biochars are applied in soils. Biochars produced from legume crops biomass such as soybean and dan peanuts werethe highest nutrients retention, followed by maize cobsand rice straw biochars. Unde glass house test, the tree biochars namely BPS, BJT and BKE have similar effect on N,P, K uptake as well as to dry weight biomass.

Genetics on a maize cob: A teaching tool for schools

Genetics occupies central position in biology and directly connects with all its branches. In fact, ‘life’ and ‘non-life’ meet each other in viruses and genes. Technologies emanating from genetics have had immense impact in various areas such as healthcare, agriculture, environment etc. Recent developments in stem cell biology and gene editing technologies not only promise cures for several ailments which were hitherto unthinkable but also raise concerns of irreparable harm that can result from unbridled use of these technologies. Therefore, basic understanding of genetics is necessary for all sections of society. Hence, genetics is now introduced at the school level. However, at least in the Indian context, genetics teaching in classrooms relies largely on blackboard or chart-based explanations. Unlike physics, chemistry and to some extent basic botany and zoology where models or live/preserved specimens are available to demonstrate fundamental concepts under classroom conditions, there is a dearth of material resources for teaching genetics. Maize has a long history of basic and applied genetics where a large number of well-characterized mutant stocks are available. To make learning experience interesting and engaging, we have developed maize genetic resources for use under classroom conditions. In particular, maize cob with seeds segregating for various clearly identifiable phenotypes presents unique opportunity to demonstrate basic genetic principles including statistical and population genetic concepts. In this article we describe these resources and explain how they can be used to demonstrate different concepts.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF BIOSORBENTS DOSAGE AND SIZE IN REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM WASTE WATER

Biosorption experiments were conducted using non-living biosorbents, crushed maize cob and coconut husk to determine the effect of dosage and size on sorption of heavy metals from wastewater. Particle sizes passing the 6.3 mm, 2.0 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.212 mm and 0.063 mm BS sieve sizes were used in the experiments. Solutions of Cd (II), Pb (II), Ni (II), Cr (VI) and Cu (II), each prepared in different concentrations of 10 mg/ml, 20 mg/ml, 30 mg/ml, 40 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml were passed through the biosorbents. Results showed that coconut husk is a better biosorbent than maize cob with maximum sorption of 71.6 % at particle size of 0.063 mm and dosage of 50 mg/ml, this was followed by Chromium with 64.5 %, Lead with 56.8 %, Copper with 50.6 % and least by Nickel with 44.4 % all at 50 mg/ml. The test of hypothesis at 5 % level of significance showed that calculated at 10 mg/ml, 20 mg/ml, 30 mg/ml, 40 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml corresponding to 0.911, 0.219, 0.212, 0.691 and 0.619 were less than the tabulated t, the null hypothesis was chosen which indicated that there is no significant difference in the sorption affinities of these heavy metals to coconut husk and maize cob biosorbents. Coefficient of variation at various doses from 10 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml were 0.1275, 0.1145, +0.1181, 0.1032 and 0.1021 which showed very little variability. It was concluded that although there are differences in the sorption capacities of these biosorbents and the affinities of these heavy metals in attaching themselves on the surfaces of the biosorbents, the differences are not significant.

The Use of Different Cropping Systems for Pepper (Capsicum Annum) Seed Production in Tropical Rain Forest Soils of Nigeria

A cropping system that involved the use of intercropping and planting patterns was used to test the profitability of producing pepper seeds. The triple replicated randomized complete block design experiment was carried out during the wet and dry seasons of 2018 at the Teaching and Research Soils of the Rivers State University Port Harcourt. The planting patterns were: Sole pepper (control), strip rows, double alternate rows and scattered pattern while maize and okra were used as inter crops. During the wet and dry seasons, the control (sole pattern) outperformed the other patterns in fresh pepper fruit yield (6000kg/ha, 5503kg/ha) but not in fruit number and fruit seed yield which were not significantly different from that of strip rows. Also, the strip rows fresh maize cobs yield (9573.3kg/ha, 6133.33kg/ha) and okro pods yield (2453kg/ha, 2470.67kg/ha) in wet and dry seasons respectively were high. With Land equivalent ratio of 2.3 and 1.62 in both seasons, the strip row pattern proved to be more stable, sustainable and profitable. This cropping system (pepper, maize and okra inter crop on strip row pattern) is therefore very profitable since it allows poor resource farmers to harvest different crop produce (maize cobs and okro pods) for use and sale until the maturation, processing and sale/use of the pepper seeds.

Laboratory Estimation of Bio-crude Production Potential from Selected Agricultural Residues

Pyrolysis is a better option for effective utilisation of surplus biomass and its utilization to liquid fuels. In this study, the technique of fast pyrolysis was adopted for the production of bio-crude from selected biomaterials viz. rice husk, coir pith, saw dust, cotton stalk, red gram stalk, groundnut shell and maize cob. Bio-crude production was done in a labscale fixed-bed pyrolytic system at six different temperatures (350°C, 400°C, 450°C, 500°C, 550°C and 600°C). Bio-crude yield was obtained in the range of 28 % to 52 %, and groundnut shell pyrolyzed at 550°C gave maximum percentage of bio-crude. The viscosity, pH, density, specific gravity, calorific value, flash point and fire point of biocrudes were evaluated using standard methods.

Effect of crop intensification and establishment techniques on weed infestation under different cropping system

The field experiment was conducted during 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Center, Pantnagar GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand) India, to study the crop intensification and establishment techniques influence on weed management under irrigated rice-wheat system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments and replicated thrice. The nine cropping sequence were evaluated for productivity. Density of these weeds was significantly affected by crop intensification and establishment techniques during both the years. In Kharif season, total weed density was recorded significantly lower in treatment rice (TPR) - wheat while the highest total weed density was recorded in rice (DSR) -vegetable pea - maize grain treatment during both the years. Weed density as affected by crop rotations maize (B) (cob + fodder) + cowpea (B) + sesbania (F)-2:1:2 - vegetable pea (B) + toria (F)- 3:1 - groundnut (B) + mentha was found to be the the superior in terms of weed suppression.

Effect of maize cob ash as supplementary cementitious material on the mechanical properties of concrete

In this study, the effect of maize cob ash (MCA) as a supplementary cementitious material on the mechanical properties of concrete was evaluated. Maize cob ash as a pozzolanic material was partially used to replace cement ranging from 0% to 20% by weight in increment of 5% with varying water-cementitious ratios of 0.44 and 0.56. The results of this study indicated that the strength of concrete decreased as the amount of maize cob ash in the concrete mix increased. Generally, it can be concluded that maize cob ash can be utilised as partial replacement for cement in concrete at a suitable amount and can be used for building walls and other minor construction works. It was also established in the study that the optimum amount of 6.43% maize cob ash cement replacement could be used for structural members with compressive strength of 25 MPa.

Effect of maize cob ash as supplementary cementitious material on the mechanical properties of concrete

Effect of maize cob ash as supplementary cementitious material on the mechanical properties of concrete