School Of Agriculture Research Articles

Efficacy of Some Plant Mulches and Tomato Cultivars on the Growth Parameters and Wilt of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) in Owerri, Imo State, South East, Nigeria

The experiment was conducted on the effects of some mulching materials and some tomato cultivars on the growth parameters and wilt disease of tomato. The design used was 3 x 4 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), in four (4) replications. The work was carried out in 2015 cropping seasona at the Teaching and Research Farm of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. on growth parameters and disease incidence on tomato were collected and statistically analyzed, using Genstat Version 4 analytical Software, while the means were separated for difference using Fisher’ Least Significant Difference Protocol. Wilt incidence was significantly (P<0.05) affected by tomato cultivars at the sixth week after transplanting (WAT). Wilt severity was lowest (1.75) at 2nd WAT. The number of fruits for Rio Grande cultivars significantly (P<0.05) increased at 8 WAT. For effective management of tomato wilt, ROMA VF cultivars should be grown under grass, while Tropimech tomato cultivars should be left unmulched.

Phytotoxic Effect of Cadmium Induced Stress on LAI, CGR and Yield of Rice Plant (Oryza sativa L.)

Background: Cadmium is a noxious heavy metal that is commonly found in the soil while its concentration is increasing in soil because of industrialization at the global level. It does not only reduce the yield of crops but also adulterates food and underground drinkable water. The availability of Cd beyond the threshold level may cause many problems in human beings. Exposure to Cd for a short period causes inhalation, muscle pain and lung damage while for a longer time, it may cause bone and kidney-related issues. The present study aimed to study the phytotoxic effect of Cadmium-induced stress on morphological changes and their impact on the yield of rice plants. Methods: Present piece of research work was carried out on the Research Farm of Lovely Professional University, Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, in 2019-20. A range of five different concentrations of CdCl2 was comprised with statistical design CRD. The range of 100 to 300 ppm CdCl2 was considered to induce Cd-based stress. The standard procedures were followed to measure the growth parameters at regular intervals while the SPSS software was used to analyze the significance of the data. Result: Cadmium-induced stress was created artificially in an experiment to analyze the detrimental effect on the growth and yield of rice plants. As the externally imposed cadmium stress increased from the control set (T0), all the growth parameters along with grain yield, Biological yield hill-1 (g) and harvest index (%) started to decline till the maximum concentrations of CdCl2, i.e. 300 ppm. As per the DAT is concerned, % reduction of each parameter was also calculated to the known intensity of toxicity where the maximum % reduction was recorded at 50 DAT in the leaf area and LAI (38.47% and 38.38%) while the maximum % reduction of CGR was recorded at 50-75 DAT (35%). However, the % reduction in grain yield, biological yield hill-1 (g) and harvest index % were recorded at the highest concentration of CdCl2 (31.87, 28.70 g and 11.1%).

Assessment of Genetic Variability Parameters and Character Association in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

School of Agriculture, ITM University in Gwalior's Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding performed a Rabi season 2021–2022 study on 15 distinct genotypes of chickpeas to better understand their genetic variability. The genotypes were distributed using a Randomized Block Design with three replications. On the plants themselves, data was gathered on their overall height, the number of main and secondary branches they had at 50% flowering, the number of pods and seeds they had at 100 seeds weight, days to maturity, as well as their grain yields per plant and the total yield per plot. After analyzing the data, A statistical study of each character's genotypes revealed a wide range of results. Plant height, number of main and secondary branches, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of pods per plant, and 100 seed weight provided the highest GCV and PCV values in the experiment. All of these traits, as well as plant height, secondary branch count, days until 50% of the flowers open, pod count per plant, grain production per plant, and total yield per plot, demonstrated significant heritability and genetic advancement as a percentage of the mean. Traits such as plant height, no of seeds per pod, and total yield per plot, exhibited a significant positive correlation with grain yield per plant and this will show a greater direct effect on single yield plant.

Influence of modified fertilizers on crop growth, productivity and soil biological values under rice (Oryza sativa) - wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system of Punjab, India

In the last 60 years, chemical fertilizer has played a significant role in world food production. It provides around half of the total amount of N that crops need. Nitrates (NO3) leaching, ammonia (NH3) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions contribute to low crop production efficiency (10 to 50 percent) principally due to the loss of N through these processes. Furthermore, nitrogen fertilizer production costs are extremely high. Technology like nitrogen inhibitors and slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizers are used to boost nutrient uptake, fertilizer use efficiency, and crop yields as a result of these situations. Typical haplustept soils were studied to see how changing fertilizers affected growth, yield, and soil genetic indicators. Fertilizer doses and sources affect soil biological characteristics, which in turn affects enzymatic activity. In the right circumstances, enzymes alter the nitrogen supply in the soil and the plant's expansion and limestone structure. The Lovely Professional University School of Agriculture, Phagwara, Punjab, conducted two years of fertilizer studies in a rice-wheat cropping system on typical Haplustept soils from 2018 to 2020. Neem coated urea + PK + S + Zn–EDTA performed significantly better than the other treatments for almost all crop growth and agronomic yield attributing characteristics (plant height, number of tillers, effective tillers, panicle/spikelet length and grain per spik, test weight, grain and straw yields). At various stages of rice-wheat growth, enzyme activity in the soil (dehydrogenase and aryl sulfatase) was also measured in the current study. Enzyme activity peaked at the heading stage in surface soil in all treatments, and then steadily declined thereafter. For both stages of crop growth in surface soil, the highest dehydrogenase and aryl sulfatase activity was found in urea + PK + S + Zn –EDTA covered with Neem. Anhydrous ammonia was shown to have the lowest enzymatic activity.

Biochemical and Yield Performance of Strawberry Cultivars Grown Under Polytunnel

Strawberry is an important crop of temperate horticulture in India. There are several genotypes have beendeveloped for getting qualitative and quantitative attributes in production of strawberry. Less area intemperate region enhances the introduction of new strains. Current study was undertaken at the Horticulturalfarm, and laboratory, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, in 2020-21.The biochemical and quantitative attributes of strawberry genotypes were analysed in 10 genotypes viz.,Sweet Charlie, Florida, Tioga, Camerosa, Winter Dawn, Swiss, Red coat, San Andreas, Elista and Robinsonunder sub-tropical climatic conditions of Punjab. Experiment was laid down in a Randomized Block Design(RBD) with three replications. Results revealed that among all the genotypes, cv. Winter Dawn had thehigher yield of heaviest fruit, cv. Tioga had the highest total soluble solid (TSS), ascorbic acid and totalsugar whereas, cv. Sweet Charlie contained minimum acidity and cv. Florida hold maximum juice content.The finding can be helpful for grower to achieve consumers demand and researchers in crop improvement.

Effect of plant growth regulators on growth, yield and quality attributes of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.)

Plant growth regulators are called as magic chemicals which are new generation agrochemicals. Exogenous application of plant growth regulators in small quantity can alter the sequence of male and female flowers, if applied at 2 or 4 leaf stages, the critical stage at which the suppression or promotion of either sex is possible. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out during Rabi, 2021 at Horticulture Research Farm, M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Parlakhemundi, Odisha to study the influence of plant growth regulators on growth, yield and quality attributes of watermelon.Theexperiment was laid out under randomized block design with nine treatments namely 2, 4-D (25 and 50 ppm), NAA (100 and 150 ppm), GA3 (30 and 40 ppm), TIBA (20 and 25 ppm) and control (distilled water)replicated thrice. Two sprays of plant growth regulators were done at 2nd and 4th true leaf stages. The results revealed that, growth characters such as length of the main creeper (2.08 m), number of sub creepers per plant (4.40) and chlorophyll content (61.93 and 48.91 at 30 and 60 DAS) were highest in treatment (GA3 @ 40 ppm). The chlorophyll content at 90 DAS was highest (21.39) in treatment (NAA @ 100 ppm). The highest fruit yield plant-1 (17.51 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (44.17 t) was recorded in treatment (GA3 @ 40 ppm). The quality attributes such as Total Soluble Solid (TSS) (10.66%) and total sugars (15.03 %) were noted highest in treatment (GA3 @ 40 ppm). Among the different plant growth regulators spraying of GA3 @ 40 ppm found effective in enhancing the growth, yield and quality attributes of watermelon.

Influence of school agricultural farms on academic performance in agriculture in secondary schools

Performance in agriculture in secondary schools countrywide has remained dismal since the year 2016 and it is mainly attributed to poor pedagogical skills and a lack of proper teaching materials and infrastructure. This study, therefore, sought to assess the influence of school agricultural farms on academic performance in agriculture in secondary schools in Hamisi Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive survey research design involving census sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0, with Spearman’s rank-order correlation being employed to check for multicollinearity among study variables. The study established that, to a large extent, school agricultural farms influence academic performance in agriculture. The study recommends that efforts be made by all relevant players to ensure that secondary schools offering agriculture have access to functional farms for effective instruction. For their part, teacher training institutions should improve their ability to provide teachers with relevant knowledge, skills, and strategies for teaching agriculture, and the Ministry of Education should ensure that schools offering the subject have adequate resources for running their demonstration farms.

The necessary Concepts of Nanotechnology for Agricultural Secondary Schools Students Based on the Expert Community's opinions

The necessary Concepts of Nanotechnology for Agricultural Secondary Schools Students Based on the Expert Community's opinions

Integrated nutrient management on the growth, yield, nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cv. “Arka Rakshak” under north-eastern ghats region of India

Tomato, a heavy nutrient feeder requires large quantities of chemical fertilizers which increased the crop productivity, however, badly affected the soil productivity and environmental quality. This situation demands integration of organic manures without reducing the productivity. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, India during rabi season of the year 2020-21 to scrutinize the effect of integrated use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients (INM) on the growth, yield, nutrient availability and soil nutrient status to tomato. Nine nutrient treatments with 100, 75 and 50 % recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) in combination with vermicompost (VC), farmyard manure (FYM) with biofertilizers viz., Azotobacter and Azospirillum were laid out in randomized block design replicated thrice. The study revealed that the integration of organic manures in combination with inorganic fertilizers significantly improved overall plant growth, yield, nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status of tomato than sole application of the inorganic sources of nutrients. The findings revealed that the treatment 50% RDN + 25% N through VC + 25% N through FYM was superior in terms of all growth and yield parameters under study. However, highest values for all the quality parameters were exhibited by treatment 50% RDN + 50% N through FYM + BF’S. Total nutrient uptake in regard to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by tomato plant recorded significantly highest in 50% RDN + 25% N through VC + 25% N through FYM. Similarly, the residual soil fertility in respect to organic carbon, available N, P and K were improved significantly by various treatments and found highest in the treatment 50% RDN + 25% N through VC + 25% N through FYM. Hence, the use of integrated nutrient management becomes indispensable for maximizing tomato yield, sustaining soil health and quality.

Effect of Straw Mulching and Nitrogen Doses on Nutrient Status, Yield and Economics of Rabi Maize

At experimental farm of M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India, an experiment was conducted to know the effect of nitrogen doses and mulching on nutrient status, yield and economics of maize during the rabi season of 2021-22. The hybrid maize seed (Hybrid variety 4226) was sown in a spilt plot design with three levels of mulching in main plot and four doses of nitrogen in sub-plot. The grain yield, nutrient composition of maize seeds and stover, N, P, K status of pre-harvest soil were increased significantly in combination of nitrogen and mulching. Application of straw mulch significantly increased the N content of grain and stover as well as the N uptake by grain and stover as compared to no mulch treatment. It also influenced the protein content of seeds. Application of higher dose of N significantly increased the N content of grain and stover as well as the N uptake by grain and stover over the control and also influenced the NPK status of soil and protein content of the seeds. Maximum values of grain and stover yield (7.26 and 9.21t ha-1 respectively) were recorded from 5 t ha-1mulchand 150% RDN (N:P2O5:K2O = 120:60:60) plot. Whereas this interaction effect (5 t ha-1 and 150% RDN) significantly increased the N content of seeds (1.40 %), stover (0.47 %), and protein content of seeds (8.76 %). After decomposition of straw mulch in soil with additional application of nitrogen increased the available N (195.43 kg ha-1) over low level of nitrogen dose with no mulching. The combined application of mulching @ 5 t ha-1 with 150% RDN resulted highest net return (₹76,365/- ha-1) with maximum B:C ratio (1.29).

EFFECT OF VARIOUS EDIBLE COATINGS ON SHELF LIFE OF TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) is one of the most important Solanaceous vegetable crops cultivated widely all over the world. The edible coating is the material that is used for the improvement and maintenance of shelf life and quality of tomato fruit by reducing the respiration rate from the fruit surface. It is eco-friendly and an alternative to synthetic packaging material. Thus, the present investigation was carried out to assess the effect of various edible coatings on the shelf life of tomatoes in the Horticulture Research Lab of School of Agriculture, ITM University, Gwalior, M.P., India in May 2022. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Each replication was comprised of ten treatment combinations of various edible coatings viz., T0 (Control), T1 (Kaolin @ 0.75%), T2 (Kaolin @ 1.25%), T3 (Kaolin @ 2.25%), T4 (Chitosan @ 1.50%), T5 (Chitosan @ 2.00%), T6 (Chitosan @ 2.50%), T7 (Wax @ 0.75), T8 (Wax @ 1.25%) and T9 (Wax @ 2.25%) were used for induced the shelf life of tomato. Results showed that the use of different edible coatings significantly influenced the shelf life and quality of tomato fruits. It was recorded that edible coating treatment T4 (Kaolin @ 2.25%) was found the superior treatment as compared to other edible coating treatments and it gave the maximum physical parameters and biochemical parameters. However, the minimum physical parameters and biochemical parameters were recorded under control treatment T0. Therefore, on the basis of the present study, it may be concluded that the Kaolin @ 2.25 =% was best for the improving shelf life and quality of tomato fruit.

THE STRUCTURE AND SPECIFICS OF FINANCING SECONDARY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN RUSSIA AT THE TURN OF THE 19TH – 20TH CENTURIES

Research purpose is to analyze the structure and specifics of financing secondary vocational education in Russia in the late 19th – early 20th centuries.
 Method or methodology for work performance: the main method is a historical-genetic one; descriptions include quantitative indicators identified in statistical sources.
 Results: the practice of multi-channel financing of secondary vocational schools in late imperial Russia was based on the state-public principle through co-financing, taking into account an organizational-legal form and departmental affiliation of different types of schools, which was reflected in the introduction of public financial reporting of educational institutions. As a result, residual school funding was more sustainable, which was also supported by the high share of tuition fees in school budgets. Acting as a mechanism of social segmentation, it largely hampered the search for external financial resources in the state school, weakening the interaction between the school and the local society and, on the contrary, activating these processes in the non-state school, at the same time it strengthened market mechanisms for relationships with customers of educational services, reducing the quality of education for the future by increasing and maximizing the retention of the contingent of students. The stability of tuition fees, partly regulated by direct state intervention, but restrained by the growth of competition to a greater extent, along with the expansion of charitable practices by transferring them to support not only schools in general, but also individual students, weakened the social segmentation of the school institution, creating conditions for the growth of human capital. The sources of self-sufficiency for production-type schools were insignificant, even in agricultural schools, which training farms could not be converted to a commercial footing. The dominance of items for salaries and maintenance of the material base in the structure of school budget expenditures emphasized the lack of school funding, the problems of teaching staff competitiveness and the usefulness of the material base.
 Practical implications: the historical experience of multi-channel financing can be used in modern practices of replenishing school budgets, including by improving the ways of interaction with local and regional society and the general public.

The History of the School of Animal Science at the University of Padova (Padua) and the Evolution of Animal Science in Italy

In its 800-year history, the University of Padova (Padua, Italy) has come to play an important role in the development of animal science in Italy and Europe. Having founded the oldest university botanical garden (1545; UNESCO World Heritage Site) and anatomical theatre (1595), and awarded the first university degree to a woman (Elena-Lucrezia Cornaro-Piscopia, 1678), the University instituted the Public School of Agriculture (Orto Agrario) in 1765 and the Collegium Zooiatricum in 1773. Between 1986 and 1995, under the leadership of Professor Mario Bonsembiante, animal scientist and rector, the scientific-technological center of Agripolis was established, including the Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (with the experimental farm and veterinary hospital), the Istituto Zooprofilattico delle Venezie, and Veneto Agricoltura. Agripolis rapidly became the most innovative center in Italy for teaching, research, and extension services in the fields of agricultural, animal, veterinary, food and environmental sciences. In the last 35 years, the number of Italian animal scientists has remained almost constant, but they have moved on to more innovative research topics closer to society’s demand and concerns, and significantly enhanced their international standing, reaching the first position in Europe and the fourth in the world in terms of citations.

Assessment of the Physiological Response and Productive Performance of Vegetable vs. Conventional Soybean Cultivars for Edamame Production

Because there is a close relationship between plant physiological response and crop performance, the current study aims to evaluate the photosynthetic efficiency and productive performance of vegetable versus conventional soybean cultivars for edamame production. The study was conducted at the School of Agriculture (FCA UNESP), Botucatu-SP, Brazil. The treatments in this study included soybean cultivars: vegetable-type BRS 267, vegetable-type BRSMG 790A), and type soybean cultivar grain 58HO124 EP RR, with ten repetitions per treatment in a completely randomized block design. Gas exchange and the response of the cultivars to light were evaluated for photosynthetic characterization. The first pod insertion height, plant height, number of pods per plant, and production in immature grains were all assessed for cultivar productive performance. The type of soybean cultivar grain and vegetable types of soybean showed different behaviors on physiology and yield. The vegetable-types BRS 267 and BRSMG 790A had the highest average for first pod insertion height. The vegetable type BRS 267, whose photoassimilates were designated for vegetative development, had the greatest average plant height. The conventional type 58HO124 EP RR showed greater assimilation of CO2; however, the photoassimilates were directed to floral emission because such features are inherent in its ability. Finally, vegetable-type BRSMG 790A produced the most immature grains per plant while also having the greatest first pod insertion height, being the best in converting photoassimilates for edamame production.

Engaging Honduran Science Diasporas for Development: Evidence From Three Consolidated Networks.

Honduras' underdevelopment of the higher education system, national economic constraints, and low investment in science and technology (S&T) have created significant challenges in training, employing, and retaining its science workforce, resulting in what is known as “brain drain” in literature. There are no official statistics of Honduran scientists who have established their residency abroad, nor the Honduran scientific diasporas (HSD); however, various diaspora networks provide evidence of their existence and engagement in their home country. This study takes an empirical approach and explores experiences of networking and engagement of the HSD for the development of Honduras. Methodologically, a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design were used. The data were collected through documentary review and semi-structured interviews with 21 key respondents from three identified HSD networks: Honduras Global (HG), the Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World, Honduras National Chapter (OWSD Honduras), and the Alumni Association of the Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School (AGEAP-Zamorano). The holistic analysis of HSD's engagement provides evidence of existing registry gaps. Neither the S&T agents nor the Honduras Foreign Policy have identified, mapped, and characterized Honduran scientists' emigration patterns. Evidence suggests the willingness of the HSD to transfer knowledge, build bridges, and facilitate access to world-class research practices to their peers residing in Honduras and interact with broader sectors of the Honduran society.

Assessment of Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in 20 Genotypes of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)

This study was undertaken to find out the estimates of genetic variability, analysis of variance, genetic parameters viz GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance among different flower traits between 20 genotypes of gladiolus. The experiment was repeated three times by using RBD (Randomized block design) at crop research centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, ITM University, Gwalior, Madhya Pardesh. Analysis of variance indicated highly significant difference for all the trait among 20 genotypes. The estimate of heritability varied from 92% to 42%. The highest heritability was estimated in broad sense was observed for the character leaf area (92.01%) and lowest for weight of daughter corms (42%). The genetic advance expressed as percent of mean ranged from 7.65% to 55.82%. The highest of genetic advance as percentage of mean was recorded for no. of shoots per corm (55.82%) and lowest for spike initiation (7.65). Environmental coefficient of variance (ECV) ranged from (2.72 to 37.13). the highest ECV was recorded for the character weight of daughter of corms (37.13) and lowest for days to spike initiation (2.72). Key words: Gladiolus, GCV, PCV, Heritability, Genetic Advance as percentage of mean

A calm companion lowers fear in groups of dairy cows

Dairy cows are generally calm and compliant, but some management procedures can make cows fearful or stressed. Not only are fearful cattle a threat to human safety, but fear is also detrimental to animal welfare and productivity. This study aimed to test whether fear in small groups of dairy cattle could be attenuated by the presence of a calm and experienced companion. Twenty-seven dairy cows from a Swedish agricultural school participated in the study. The study included a standardized fear-eliciting stimulus, which was 3 sudden, repetitive openings of a red and white umbrella. Demonstrator cows (n = 9) were selected based on age to ensure that all demonstrators were older than the naïve test cows (n = 18). Of these 9 demonstrator cows, 6 were selected as untrained (i.e., habituated to the presence of the test person) and 3 were selected as trained demonstrators (i.e., additionally habituated to the fear-eliciting stimulus). The remaining 18 test cows comprised 6 test-cow groups of 3 cows each, which were their own controls, resulting in a crossover design; 3 groups were tested with a trained demonstrator first and then with an untrained demonstrator, and vice versa for the other 3 groups, resulting in a total of 12 trials (4 sub-treatments). Response variables were heart rate increase from baseline, behavioral reaction indicative of fear, and latency to resume feeding after exposure to the fear-eliciting stimulus. The study found a calming effect of a trained demonstrator on test cows' heart rate but not on latency to resume feeding or behavioral reaction. Post hoc analyses revealed a carryover effect on latency, indicating that test cows who were accompanied by an untrained demonstrator first had longer latencies than cows in all other sub-treatments. Adding a calm, experienced cow to groups of dairy cattle may mitigate fear and thereby improve welfare and safety.

Farming, Education and Migration

This paper aims at analysing and presenting the findings regarding migration aspirations of agricultural High school students in northern rural Ecuador. Using a quantitative approach, it analyses 366 surveys from agricultural high schools’ students in three agricultural cantons located in different geographic regions: Coast, Highlands and Amazon. The migration drivers are low prices of agricultural produce, low wages and lack of technical support to agriculture. A big share does not intend to work in the agricultural sector in the Highlands and Coast; contrarily to the Amazon region. More than half of the respondents has aspirations to migrate to study in urban centres, and search for better economic and labour opportunities. Aspiration to migrate has a negative correlation with agriculture profitability. It is positive with parents’ land ownership, which is determined by the lack of interest to study agriculture at university that increases the scarcity of rural labour force and young successors to take up agriculture.

TEACHER RELATED FACTORS AND ENROLMENT OF STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

Agriculture is one of the optional subjects done in secondary schools in Kenya. This suggests that students enrolment in the subject is influenced by a number of factors. This study aimed to establish teacher related factors influencing enrolment in agriculture in secondary schools in Kakamega North Sub-county, Kakamega County, Kenya. The study which was anchored on Behaviorism learning theory and Connectivism learning theory adopted correlational research design and descriptive survey design. The population for the study consisted of school principals, school career masters, agriculture teachers, form three students and Parents. Purposive and stratified random sampling was used to select twenty (20) schools, twenty (20) Principals, twenty (20) career masters, twenty (20) agriculture teachers, 300 form 3 students and twenty (20) Parents Teachers Association (PTA) members. Data from the respondents was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules, while observing the necessary ethical considerations. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 25. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and findings presented. The study established that teaching approach (63.6%) was major teacher related factor influencing enrolment of students in agriculture. The Chi-square test of independence [ꭕ2 (36, N=7) = 42.00, p = .007], at p≤0.05 level of precision, indicated that there is a statistically significant relationship between teacher related factors and enrolment of students in agriculture. The study therefore recommended that agriculture teachers should employ right instructional approaches in teaching and learning of agriculture to inspire more students to pursue agriculture related careers.

Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and yield of summer maize (Zea mays L.)

An experiment on the response of maize (Zea mays) to different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus was conducted during the summer season of 2021 at Experimental Farm, M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design comprising four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120, 180 kg N/ha) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 40, 80 P2O5/ha) with three replications. The maize hybrid sharp was sown on February 24th, 2021. The application of 180 kg N/ha registered significantly higher growth (plant height and leaf area index) than other treatments. The grain and stover yield and yield attributes in the former treatment were comparable with 120 kg N/ha and significantly superior to other treatments. Application of 80 kg P2O5/ha recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes, grain yield, and stover yield.