Agricultural University Research Articles

Study Of The Effect Of Silver And Zinc Nanoparticles Prepared Biologically By The Fungus Beauveria Bassiana On The Feeding Behavior And The Insect Body Content Of Some Materials And Nutrients In The Periplaneta Americana L.

The study was conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Prevention / College of Agriculture / Tikrit University during the years 2023-2024 to study the effect of the nanomaterial resulting from treating the fungus Beauveria bassiana with a solution of silver nitrate and a solution of zinc oxide as it affected the daily feeding rate of the last-age nymphs of the Periplaneta americana, as this rate was 0.015 g / insect on the second day of treatment with the nanomaterial prepared using silver nitrate, while it was 0.04 for the zinc oxide treatment. While it was 0.07 g / insect for the control treatment, and the nanomaterial affected the two solutions in addition to the control treatment in a fluctuating manner during seven days of feeding. Both silver nitrate and zinc oxide treatments and the control treatment recorded 0.007, 0.05, 0.085 gm/insect on the eighth day of treatment. The treatment also affected the percentage of each of the fats for the concentrations of 0.125, 0.250, 0.500 mg/L and the control treatment if it was 23.8, 23.9, 24 and 23.8 mg) respectively for the silver nitrate treatment, while it was 22.3, 20.6, 19.5, 23.8 for the zinc oxide treatment. While the protein weight was 234.24, 127.64, 35.72, 382.81 mg/g for silver nitrate, while it was 304.37, 43.756, 233.125, 43.75 mg/g for zinc oxide. It also affected the potassium element, as the concentrations were recorded as 0.125, 0.250, 0.500 mg/L and the control treatment was 4.65, 2.36, 0.54, 6.22 mg respectively for silver nitrate and 5.14, 3.21, 0.75 and 6.25 mg respectively for zinc oxide. It also affected the weight of the sodium element, as the concentrations were recorded as 0.125, 0.250, 0.500 mg/L and the control treatment was 2.63, 1.22, 0.46, 3.24 mg respectively for silver nitrate and 2.45, 1.08, 0.42 and 3.34 mg respectively for zinc oxide. It affected the percentage of phosphorus element, as the above concentrations were recorded, 4.32, 2.61, 0.40, 6.13 mg for silver nitrate, while they were 5.12, 3.43, 0.70, 6.24 mg for zinc oxide.

Field Efficacy of Botanicals against Sucking Pests in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under Organic Cultivation

Investigations were carried out at Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during kharif, 2022-23 and 2023-24 for evaluation of various botanicals on the incidence of sucking pests viz., aphid, thrips, leaf hopper and pod bug in pigeonpea. Among the botanicals treatment, NSKE @ 5 per cent + cow urine @ 10 per cent recorded significantly minimum 1.91 aphid per 10 cm shoot, 3.54 thrips per flower, 2.27 leaf hopper per 3 leaves and 1.93 pod bug per plant. The highest yield was obtained in the treatment of NSKE @ 5 per cent + cow urine @ 10 per cent (1300 kg/ha) and it was at par with NSKE @ 5 per cent (1282 kg/ha) and dashparniark @ 10 per cent (1258 kg/ha). The maximum increase in yield over control (76.07%) was obtained in NSKE @ 5 per cent + cow urine @ 10 per cent. The minimum avoidable losses (1.41%) and highest PCBR (1:16.12) was observed in the plot treated with NSKE @ 5 per cent.

An effective dosage of neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) extracts against adult aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) and melon flies (Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillet)

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficaciousness dosage of aqueous extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) and aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) at different concentrations (40%, 60%, and 80%) against adult melon flies (Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillet) and aphids (Myzus persicae Sulzer) in laboratory conditions. The experiments were designed and conducted from April to June 2023 at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. The study found that as extract concentrations increased, there was a noticeable drop in insect survival. The dosage of 80% at 48 hours and 60% at 72 hours were observed to perform better as few were observed to survive. At the highest dosage of 80% and 60%, extracts from neem and aloe vera both resulted to 100% insect mortality. The results highlight the potential of aloe vera and neem extracts to have a positive effect on insect pest management rather than untreated crops.

Effect of Foliar Application of Nano fertilizers on Soil Properties of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Western UP, India

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2022 and 2023 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to study the Effect of Foliar Application of Nano on Soil properties of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Western UP. The investigation was carried out with fourteen treatments viz. Control, RDF (N:P:K-120:60:40 kg ha-1 + 25 kg zinc sulphate), 100% RDF + Nano urea, 100% RDF + Nano potash, 100% RDF + Nano Zn, 100% RDF + Nano urea + Nano potash + Nano Zn, 75% RDF + Nano urea, 75% RDF + Nano potash, 75% RDF + Nano Zn, 75% RDF + Nano urea + Nano potash + Nano Zn, 50% RDF + Nano urea, 50% RDF + Nano potash, 50% RDF + Nano Zn and 50% RDF + Nano urea + Nano potash + Nano Zn. The nano fertilizers were applied at tillering stage (35 DAT). Result revealed that highest soil properties viz., organic matter % (0.48 & 0.52), available nitrogen (225.6 & 228.7 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (19.5 & 20.7 kg ha-1), available potassium (235.6 & 233.8 kg ha-1) and available zinc (0.80 & 0.83 g ha-1) were recorded with application of 100% RDF + Nano urea + Nano potash + Nano Zn spray at tillering stage (35 DAT) respectively, during both the years. The lowest values of these parameters were recorded under control treatment.

Effect of Trichoderma Culture Filtrates of as Inducer on Growth Parameters of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) against Fusarium Wilt

Aims: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of culture filtrates from different Trichoderma isolates at 10% concentration on the growth parameters of tomato plants over two growing seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23). Study Design: The experiment was performed both in vitro and in vivo condition, Completely Randomized Design (CRD) used for in vitro and Randomized Block Design (RBD) used for in vivo experiment Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was performed at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (India) during 2021-22 and 2022-23. Methodology: The soil sample collected from 12 different location of India and Trichoderma isolated and these different isolates used to produce their individual culture filtrate and these culture filtrates further use with 10% concentration as treatment for tomato plant. The effect of culture filtrates on plant height, root length, number of branches, fresh and dry shoot and root weight were observed under the experiment. Results: Results show significant improvements in plant height, root length, fresh and dry weights and number of branches in all culture filtrate treated plants involving T9 (seedling treatment + one foliar spray with culture filtrate of Trichoderma Nagaur), which consistently outperformed other isolates. Plant height increased to 43.06 cm in 2021-22 and 44.56 cm in 2022-23 at 40 days after transplanting with isolate T9 treatment followed by culture filtrate of Trichoderma Jabalpur (T7) and Trichoderma Banda (T6) showed 11.56, 22.96, 33.72, and 37.15 cm in 2021-22, and 11.38, 23.24, 34.46 and 36.08 cm for T6 in the same year. Among all the culture filtrates, the treatment T9 significantly enhances root length, fresh shoot and root weights and the number of branches. The plants treated with isolate T9 also exhibited an increase of 98.94% in root fresh weight and 42.31% in shoot weight. Conclusion: The findings confirm the growth-promoting potential of the T9 Trichoderma, attributed to mechanisms such as hormone production, enhanced nutrient uptake and improved root architecture. These results align with previous studies demonstrating the benefits of Trichoderma species in plant growth enhancement.

Effect of Sowing Methods, Weed Management and Growth Promoters on Yield and Quality Behavior of Kharif Maize (Zea mays L)

The present investigation was carried out during two consecutive kharif season in years 2022 and 2023 at students. Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U. P). The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design keeping sowing methods in main plot and weed management practices in sub plots with growth promoters in sub – sub plots with three replications. There was two sowing methods viz; Conventional methods (S1) and Ridge methods (S2). Whereas weed management practices were five, viz; Weed Free (W1), Weedy Check (W2), Atrazine Pre-emergence @ 1.25 Kg /ha (W3), Halosulfuron methyl Post-emergence @ 65g a.i./ha (W4), Atrazine Pre-emergence @ 0.75 l/ha + Halosulfuron methyl Post-emergence @ 35g ai./ha (W5). and there was Growth promoters’ practices were three viz; Gibberellic acid (Sayish) (G1), Amino acid + Humic acid (Spring ever) (G2), Cytokinins + Enzymes (Ambition) (G3). The experiment was shown on 10th July during 2022 and 13rd July during 2023 using hybrid maize DKC-9144. The crop was harvested at full ripe stage on 11 October and 14 October, in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The highest grain yield, biological yield, stower yield, harvesting index, protein content and protein yield was found under the treatment of S2 (Ridge method) in sowing method, treatment W2 (weed free) in weed control methods and treatment G3 (Cytokinins + Enzymes) in plant growth promotor.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Economics of Rice

The present investigation was carried out during kharif season of 2022 and 2023 at Students' Instructional Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.). The experiment consisted of fourteen different treatments in randomized block design replicated thrice. Soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture and slightly alkaline in reaction. The results showed that, on a pooled data basis, the highest grain yield (42.45 q/ha) was achieved with treatment T8, which involved the application of 75 % NPK + FYM + Consortia + Nano Zinc. Similarly, higher straw yields of 69.23 q/ha and 67.00 q/ha were recorded during both years, with T8 also yielding the maximum straw on a pooled basis, followed closely by T14. Pooled data analysis revealed that T8 achieved the highest grain and straw yields, along with the maximum Benefit-Cost (B: C) ratio of 3.42. The control (T1) consistently recorded the lowest grain and straw yields across both years. The inclusion of FYM, Consortia, and Nano Zinc in INM treatments significantly improved yield performance and soil health, making T8 the most economically viable treatment.

Growth Characterization of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) under Salinity and Drought Stresses at the Seedling Stage

This study aimed to assess the combined effects of salinity and drought stresses on the growth and physiology of sugarcane. The pot experiment was carried out in the Autumn cropping season of 2021 under the polyhouse conditions at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture. The experiment consisted of four treatments: non-stress treatment (control), drought stress, salt stress, and salt and drought stress (combined stress). Five weeks after transplanting, salt stress was applied first for four weeks and followed by drought stress for another two weeks. The results showed that under the impact of stresses, sugarcane growth was inhibited with decreases in plant height, number of leaves, Fv/Fm, SPAD, and the fresh and dry weights of roots and stems. The growth and physiology indicators were the lowest under the combined effects of salinity and drought stress.

A pályaorientációs szemléletű mentorálás módszerei – A Tanítsunk Magyarországért Program gödöllői tapasztalatai

In our study, we undertake to present the methods of career guidance-focused mentoring activity applied at the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences in connection with the Teach for Hungary program and discuss its experiences. Mentor training, as well as support for children studying in schools in settlements cut off from information and activity opportunities, is also carried out in accordance with the traditions of the "Gödöllő School". In this regard, we should note that the counselling higher education training program in our country has the longest history at the MATE Szent István Campus (predecessors: GATE, SZIE). The intellectual capital, experience and all-encompassing ethos gathered in the consulting courses, which have been operating for more than 30 years and run under different names and at different levels, are already called the "Gödöllő School" in the literature (Borbély-Pecze, 2022). The development of methods used in career counselling in our country (Szilágyi, 1993) and their continuous development (Szilágyi, 2023) can be linked to this school. Some of these elements were also used among the high school students receiving mentoring within the framework of the TH program. In the following, we would like to present, together with their theoretical background, the methods that the students learned during the TM1 mentor training course and then used during the program.

Response of Two Cowpea Cultivars to Spraying with Moringa Leaf Extract and Jasmonic Acid in Growth Yield Components

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa/Najaf, for the spring season of 2023, to determine the growth and yield response of two cowpea varieties to spraying with Moringa leaf extract and jasmonic acid (JA). The experiment included three factors, the first factor was two varieties of cowpea: American Ramshon and Dutch variety, the second factor was foliar spray with Moringa leaf extract at three concentrations of 0.2 and 4 g L-1, and the third factor was foliar spray with three concentrations of JA at 0, 10 and 20 mg L-1. The spraying was applied three times during the growing season, with an interval period of 14 days. The experiment was split-split-plots based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D) and three replicates. The results showed that the Dutch variety was significantly superior in the vegitative growth indicators, while the American cowpea Ramshon had the highest response in quantitative and chemical indicators, especially the total plant yield of green pods recording 7.470 tons ha-1 compared to 5.886 tons ha-1 for the Dutch variety. Spraying with Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 4 g L-1 recorded significantly higher indicators in the shoot dry weight 65.59 g plant-1, number of pods 25.61 pods plant-1, and leaf and pods content of carbohydrates and protein 2.65 and 12.95%. On the other hand, foliar spray with JA at 20 mg L-1 recorded a significant increase in plant length 45.88 cm. Most of the studied indicators in the experiment recorded higher rates in the interaction treatment of the Dutch variety and spraying 4 g L-1 Moringa leaf extract and 10 mg L-1 of JA compared to all individual and interaction treatments.

Dosing in Three Levels of Apricot Seed Oil and Its Affects on Some Fresh and Frozen Sheep Meat Traits

Its impact on some characteristics of frozen meat from Iraqi sheep. The experiment was carried out at the Animal Production Field of the College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, from August 22, 2023, to December 2, 2023. Fifteen lambs were used, divided into three groups (five lambs per group) with similar average weights (24.40 kg). The treatments were randomly assigned, and a collective feeding system was employed using a single formula of concentrated feed at 3% of the live animal's weight. The results indicated a significant difference (P≤0.05) in the moisture content favoring the first treatment over the second and third treatments. Conversely, the third treatment showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in fat percentage, ash content, and protein content compared to the first treatment. The administration of apricot oil at 0.0020% of the live animal's weight led to a reduction in lipid peroxidation and post-thaw loss after two months of freezing. The results also showed significant differences in the free fatty acid profiles (Palmitic, Stearic, Oleic, Linolenic, Linoleic, and Myristic) in the frozen meat samples, with the third group of animals showing significant superiority (P≤0.05) over the other groups after two months of freezing.

Response of Two Cowpea Cultivars to Spraying with Moringa Leaf Extract and Jasmonic Acid in Growth Yield Components

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa/Najaf, for the spring season of 2023, to determine the growth and yield response of two cowpea varieties to spraying with Moringa leaf extract and jasmonic acid (JA). The experiment included three factors, the first factor was two varieties of cowpea: American Ramshon and Dutch variety, the second factor was foliar spray with Moringa leaf extract at three concentrations of 0.2 and 4 g L-1, and the third factor was foliar spray with three concentrations of JA at 0, 10 and 20 mg L-1. The spraying was applied three times during the growing season, with an interval period of 14 days. The experiment was split-split-plots based on Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D) and three replicates. The results showed that the Dutch variety was significantly superior in the vegitative growth indicators, while the American cowpea Ramshon had the highest response in quantitative and chemical indicators, especially the total plant yield of green pods recording 7.470 tons ha-1 compared to 5.886 tons ha-1 for the Dutch variety. Spraying with Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 4 g L-1 recorded significantly higher indicators in the shoot dry weight 65.59 g plant-1, number of pods 25.61 pods plant-1, and leaf and pods content of carbohydrates and protein 2.65 and 12.95%. On the other hand, foliar spray with JA at 20 mg L-1 recorded a significant increase in plant length 45.88 cm. Most of the studied indicators in the experiment recorded higher rates in the interaction treatment of the Dutch variety and spraying 4 g L-1 Moringa leaf extract and 10 mg L-1 of JA compared to all individual and interaction treatments.

Heritability and Genetic Advance Studies on Fruit Yield and It’s Attributes Traits in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

The present investigation was conducted at the Main Vegetable Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during the period of 2023-2024. The experimental material comprised twelve generations viz., P1, P2, F1, F2, B1, B2, B11, B12, B21, B22, B1S and B2S of four families involving eight diverse cultivars of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) used to study the heritability and genetic advance of brinjal for yield and shoot and fruit borer incidence. The experiment was laid out in a compact family block design with three replications. Higher magnitude of heritability along with a higher value of genetic advance as per cent mean was estimated for day to first flowering in family 2, plant height in family 1 and family 4, leaf blade length in family 4, leaf blade width in family 2, fruit length in all families, fruit girth in family 3 and 4, fruit weight in all families expect to family 2, fruits per plant in family 2, fruit yield per plant in all families expect family 4 and shoot and fruit borer incidence in family 2 which suggested preponderance of additive gene effect. The higher value of heritability coupled with the higher value of genetic advance shows higher selection efficiency, permitting plant breeders to efficiently select individuals or groups of individuals. In crops like brinjal, high narrow sense heritability estimates are particularly beneficial for developing enhanced varieties through the fixation of additive gene effects.

Delineation of Selection Criterion Using Correlation and Path Analysis in Forage Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) in North Gujarat Condition

Knowledge of genetic and phenotypic association among economic traits helps plant breeders in outlying efficient breeding strategies for development of high yielding forage pearl millet variety. An experiment was conducted at the research farm of Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat to evaluate plant characteristics associated with green forage yield and its attributes in forage pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] genotypes in north Gujarat condition through correlation and path analyses during 2023. Twelve independent and 1 dependent variables were evaluated for the character association analysis of the 30 forage pearl millet genotypes. The evaluation was performed in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data collection was done from 5 randomly selected plants and this data was used for analysis using R Studio. The green forage yield per plant had positive and significant correlation with plant height, number of tiller per plant, stem thickness, leaf length, leaf width, and dry fodder yield per plant at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Path analysis revealed the importance of leaf width and dry fodder yield per plant by showing high and positive direct effects towards green forage yield per plant. These characters also exhibited significant and positive association with green forage yield per plant at the genotypic and phenotypic. Hence, these traits could be considered as the vital component characters for development of high yielding genotypes in forage pearl millet.

EXAMINING THE RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY OF ICAR’S TOP-RANKED INSTITUTIONS FROM 2012-2021: A SCIENTOMETRIC ANALYSIS

The current paper intends to assess the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s top five agricultural institutions’ research output as per the ranking of agricultural universities 2020. This assessment takes into account research papers published between 2012 and 2021. For the data analysis, the bibliographical information was gathered from the Scopus citation database, which contains 22,219 publications during the study period. To conclude the expansion and significance of research outputs from selected data, essential metric-based indicators are evaluated. This study also includes annual growth of publications, a ranking of authors on the basis of their publication count and citation received, most productive institutions from the sample, highly cited articles, citation profile of papers, and most favoured research communication sources by authors from these agricultural institutions. The major findings show that the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has a higher proportion of research papers published, as well as citations and cited articles. All of these institutes’ primary research areas were agricultural and biological sciences.

Assessment of Heterosis and inbreeding Depression for Yield, and its Associated Components Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present investigation entitled was carried out at Main Rice Research Centre, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during kharif-2023 with an objectives to obtain information on manifestation of heterosis and extent of inbreeding depression involved in the inheritance of various yield attributing characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.). This study comprised three crosses using four diverse lines. The experimental material comprised of five generations each cross of pair parents i.e. P1, P2, F1, F2 and F3 of three different crosses were conducted in Compact Family Block Design with three replications during kharif 2023. For grain yield per plant all the three crosses (IRBB 55 × Mahisagar, IRBB 55 × GR-11 and IRBB 55 × TN-1) exhibited significant and positive relative heterosis as well as heterobeltiosis. Among them the highest mid parent heterosis of 39.67% and heterobeltiosis of 7.56% were exhibited by cross IRBB 55 × GR-11. This hybrid showed positive and significant relative heterosis for all the four important characters viz., productive tillers per plant, panicle length, grains per panicle and 100 grain weight. While, the inbreeding depression was found significant and positive for all the three crosses which is not desirable for grain yield per plant. Here, all the three crosses exhibited positive heterosis followed by positive inbreeding depression indicated that trait is under influence of non-additive type of gene action and heterosis breeding would be found rewarding for improvement for grain yield per plant.

Productivity and energetics of basmati rice-wheat cropping systems under different farming conditions in northwest India

ABSTRACT Basmati rice-wheat cropping systems have the potential to upscale organic agriculture in India because of the lower nutritional requirements and the geographical indication status of basmati rice. The energetics of organic production of basmati rice-wheat needs to be assessed to delineate its efficiency as compared with conventional production. An experiment with different management systems was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, Punjab, India during 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons to assess the productivity, economics and energetics of this cropping system in different organic and conventional management systems. The experiment was conducted in a randomised complete block design, replicated thrice, with nine treatments, including organic, chemical, natural farming, integrated nutrient management (INM) and integrated crop management (ICM). The highest basmati rice grain yield (3390 kg ha−1) was obtained with chemical management, which was statistically at par with ICM, INM and FYM treatments, but was significantly higher than that in the organic and natural farming treatments. The highest wheat grain yield (4450 kg ha−1) was recorded with ICM, which was statistically at par with INM and chemical management. Higher productivity in basmati rice was achieved with chemical and integrated management, but the highest net returns and benefit-to-cost ratio (2.89) were recorded under organic farming due to the price premium obtained for the produce. In wheat, despite higher cultivation costs, organic farming had lower returns, while chemical management had the highest net returns and benefit-to-cost ratio (2.9). Natural farming treatments were more energy efficient than the other systems because of low energy inputs.

Influence of Iron and Zinc Biofortification on Growth and Yield of Drilled Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2022 and 2023 to study the effect of iron and zinc biofortification on the growth and yield of drilled rice (Oryza sativa L.) at Krushi Vigyan Kendra, Navsari Agricultural University, Dediapada, Gujarat. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments. Based on pooled analysis, almost all the growth attributes (periodical plant height, number of tillers plant-1, leaf area, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation plant-1), yield attributes (productive tillers m-2, number of filled grains panicle-1, panicle length, weight of panicle and 1000 grain weight), grain yield (3035 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5336 kg ha-1) were recorded significantly higher under treatment T10 (soil ZnSO4 + FeSO4 each @ 25 kg ha-1 and foliar ZnSO4 + FeSO4 each @ 0.5% at 30 & 60 DAS). Based on the results, it concluded that for achieving higher growth and yield in drilled rice, the crop should be fertilized with soil ZnSO4 + FeSO4 each @ 25 kg ha-1 and foliar ZnSO4 + FeSO4 each @ 0.5% at 30 & 60 DAS along with RDF and soil ZnSO4 + FeSO4 each @ 25 kg ha-1 along with RDF.

Implementation of a Secret and Verifiable Personal Remote Electronic Election of an Agrarian Organization per the Recommendation of the Council of Europe

Lockdowns and social progress have increased hours of work from home, often requiring remote methods of communication. Agricultural organizations from associations to cooperatives to joint stock companies must prepare to carry out more activities online. This article proposes a procedure for the possible implementation of a remote electronic election in personnel matters of the organization using the Belenios system, based on an evaluation of expectations from a questionnaire survey of agricultural college students and graduates. The proposed procedure is subsequently verified based on an evaluation of compliance with the Council of Europe recommendation on standards for electronic voting.

Diversity Of Physical Grain Quality Traits In Tropical Sorghum Genotypes

The current study envisioned to assess the physical traits of sorghum grain for selected sorghum genotypes. Seed for the genotypes was sourced from the Lupane State University Gene Bank and grown during the 2022/23 agricultural season at Lupane State University Farm experimental plots. At maturity, laboratory tests on kernel/grain hardness, 100 kernel weight, bulk density, kernel diameter, colour and determination of presence of tannins through qualitative tests were done for all the 24 sorghum genotypes. Results from analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant differences (P<0.001) on kernel weight, kernel diameter, kernel hardness and grain hardness showing a great diversity of physical traits among all the 22 genotypes and 2 commercial varieties of sorghum. Mean 100 kernel weight was 2.59g, kernel diameter was 3.49mm, bulk density was 1.23g/cm3 and kernel hardness was 28.9%. Visual assessment was done on grain colour and seed was classified under red, cream, white and brown sorghums, and mixed colours. A chi-square test found a significant relationship between grain colour and presence of tannins. Genotypes NPGRC3124, IS9405 showed moderate levels of tannins while IS13996, IS29925, NPGRC1699, NPGRC1156 and NPGRC1478 had high levels. A highly significant strong positive correlation was shown for sorghum genotype between kernel diameter and kernel weight (r=0.81 at p≤0.05). Highly significant positive correlation was also observed between bulk density and kernel weight (r=0.4173 at p≤0.001). Kernel hardness has a strong positive correlation with bulk density (r=0.6242). Quantification of tannins is recommended to prevent negative effects on human and livestock health.