Displaying publications 441 - 460 of 617 in total

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  1. Ahmad Kushairi
    MyJurnal
    Quality of planting materials determines future successes of plantations and subsequent endeavours in the life cycle. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) breeding triggered an industry in Malaysia through “Plant Introduction” with the establishment of the first oil palm plantation. At the wake of the oil palm industry, plantations utilised the dura planting material. The hallmark discovery of the single gene inheritance for shell thickness led to the prolific dura x pisifera (DxP) derived tenera planting material. Subsequent parental inbred lines developed in recurrent selections, crossed and progeny tested exploiting heterosis had boosted yields. Further improvements were foresighted and executed in the widening of the genetic pool and collections of germplasm in centres of origin/diversity in Africa and Latin America. Field Genebank of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) forms the world’s largest ex situ oil palm conservation programme. This programme enabled the developments of elite breeding populations harbouring specialty oils and products. Meanwhile, opening of large oil palm areas by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) set the momentum in rapid expansion of the industry. Felda is an exemplary in wealth creation and quality of life (QOL). Resettlements of landless farmers into Felda schemes, employing modern farming, mainly in oil palm has helped eradicate poverty and uplifting QOL among settlers, employees and their families. Impacts of the success in wealth creation and its distribution leading to better QOL, rooted from breeding through the supply of quality planting materials. Phenotypic expressions of the planting materials were realised through genotypic and environment interactions; the former through breeding, the latter through agronomic practices. Efforts in oil palm breeding helped paved the way to a mammoth industry, contributing to the nation economic growths, impacting livelihood of the people. Further progress in yield is expected from clones, where breeding has a role in the supply of quality ortets. Genetic potential of planting materials can be further exploited through interdisciplinary approach in breeding, biotechnology and genomics. With continuing wealth creation, the oil palm saga continues. Once wealth is created, QOL will follow.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  2. Devendra, C.
    ASM Science Journal, 2010;4(2):173-184.
    MyJurnal
    In agricultural systems, animals play a very important multifunctional role for developing communities
    throughout the world. This is reflected in the generation of value-added products like meat, milk and eggs for food security; socio-economic benefits like increased income, security and survival, and an infinite variety of services such as the supply of draught power and dung for soil fertility. However, and despite this importance, the situation is awesome since the projected total meat and milk consumption levels in 2020 are far in excess of anticipated supply, and projections of both meat and milk will have to be doubled by 2050 to meet human requirements. Strategies for productivity growth from animals are therefore urgent, and are discussed in the context of the scenario of waning agriculture, extreme poverty and hunger, food crisis, the current contributions from the components of the animal industries, prevailing constraints, opportunities and strategies for improved production. Current trends suggest that the non-ruminant pig and poultry industries will continue to contribute the major share of meat and all of egg production to meet projected human needs. With ruminants by comparison, overall meat production continues to come mainly from the slaughter of numbers. Strategic opportunities exist for maximising productivity in improved production systems. These include targeting rainfed areas, development of small farms, integrated crop-animal systems, intensive application of productivity-enhancing technologies, promoting intensive use of crop residues and expanding the R&D frontiers with interdisciplinarity and farming
    systems perspectives. The issues, together with increased investments and institutional commitment, provide for expanded animal production systems and productivity which can forcefully impact on improved human welfare in Asia in the immediate tomorrow.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  3. Nashriyah Mat, Shamsiah Abdul Rahman, Ismail Che Haron, Mazleha Maskin, Mohd. Razi Ismail
    MyJurnal
    A study to determine the influence of soil water status on the physiology of rice plant Oryza sativa var. MR220 after panicle initiation stage was carried out at Ladang Merdeka Mulong Lating in the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) area, Kelantan. Five water management treatments imposed on direct seeded rice were; T1. Continuous flooding, T2. Early flooding up to panicle initiation stage followed by saturated (F55-saturated), T3. Early flooding for the first month followed by saturated (F-30 saturated), T4. Continuous saturated, and T5. Continuous field capacity condition throughout the growth stage. The treatments were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates. In-situ stomatal conductance measurement was carried out at 68 DAS (days after seeding) and the elemental analysis of soil and plant samples was carried out using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Results from this study showed significant differences between treatments for soil moisture content and plant moisture content, but no significance different in leaf stomatal conductance. Rice plant moisture, soil moisture and leaf stomatal conductance showed no interaction. Early flooding up to panicle initiation stage followed by saturated (T2: F55-saturated) resulted in higher plant moisture content. Soil plant transfer coefficient was highest in continuous saturated (T4) for nitrogen, early flooding for the first month followed by saturated (T3: F-30 saturated) for potassium, continuous field capacity condition throughout the growth stage (T5) for magnesium, and continuous flooding (T1) for sodium.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  4. Bunmee T, Chaiwang N, Kaewkot C, Jaturasitha S
    Asian-Australas J Anim Sci, 2018 Jul;31(7):968-975.
    PMID: 29879818 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.18.0201
    Thailand is a country of native beef cattle resource farming. It has undergone rapid social and economic change in the past decade. Agricultural growth has been maintained by increasing the production of rice and cassava. Changing economic status also provides opportunities for beef cattle producers to meet increasing consumer demand for beef. Finishing beef cattle numbers in Thailand were about 1.0 M head in 2015. Beef produced in Thailand has exclusively been for domestic consumption. Only 1% of Thailand's beef cattle are for the premium market which is based on marbling score, 40% are sold into modern markets that consider muscling of cattle, and the remainder enter traditional markets. Cross-bred cattle for the premium market are raised within intensive systems. Most producers of premium beef are members of beef cooperatives, or have invested in their enterprises at high levels. Culled cow (native or cross-bred cattle) are mainly for small holder farm production. Malaysia, Indonesia, and other members of the Asian Economic Community (AEC) are set to become the largest beef market, which has been confirmed by 2015 through 2020 forecasts for consumption of beef that must increasingly be halal. These circumstances are likely to be challenging for beef producers in Thailand to gain a share of this market. Integration across all sectors involved in beef production in Thailand will be required.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  5. Dalu T, Wasserman RJ, Tonkin JD, Alexander ME, Dalu MTB, Motitsoe SN, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2017 Dec 01;601-602:1340-1348.
    PMID: 28605853 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.023
    Understanding the drivers of community structure is fundamental for adequately managing ecosystems under global change. Here we used a large dataset of eighty-four headwater stream sites in three catchments in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, which represent a variety of abiotic conditions and levels of impairment, to examine the drivers of benthic macroinvertebrate community structure. We focused our assessment on macroinvertebrate family level community composition and functional feeding group classifications. Taxonomic richness was weakly positively correlated with ammonium, phosphates and pH, and weakly negatively correlated with detrital cover and dissolved oxygen. Measured abiotic variables, however, had limited influence on both macroinvertebrate diversity and functional feeding group structure, with the exception of ammonium, channel width and phosphates. This reflected the fact that many macroinvertebrate families and functional feeding guilds were well represented across a broad range of habitats. Predatory macroinvertebrates were relatively abundant, with collector-filterers having the lowest relative abundances. The findings of the study suggest that for certain ecological questions, a more detailed taxonomic resolution may be required to adequately understand the ecology of aquatic macroinvertebrates within river systems. We further recommend management and conservation initiatives on the Save River system, which showed significant impact from catchment developmental pressures, such as urbanisation, agriculture and illegal mining.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  6. Dalu T, Wasserman RJ, Tonkin JD, Mwedzi T, Magoro ML, Weyl OLF
    Sci Total Environ, 2017 Dec 31;607-608:317-325.
    PMID: 28692901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.267
    Water pollution is a critical management issue, with many rivers and streams draining urban areas being polluted by the disposal of untreated solid waste and wastewater discharge, storm water and agricultural runoff. This has implications for biodiversity, and many rivers in the developing world are now considered compromised. We investigated benthic macroinvertebrate community structure and composition in relation to physico-chemical conditions of the water column and sediments. The study was conducted in an Austral catchment subject to both urban and agricultural pollutants in two different seasons. We assessed whether sediment characteristics were more important drivers of macroinvertebrate community composition than water column characteristics. We expected clear differences in macroinvertebrate community composition and in the associated community metrics due to distinct flow conditions between the two seasons. A combination of multivariate analyses (canonical correspondence analysis (CCA)) and biological indicator analysis were used to examine these patterns. Chironomidae was the most abundant family (>60%) in the upper mainstem river and stream sites. Stream sites were positively associated with CCA axis 2, being characterised by high turbidity and lower pH, salinity, phosphate concentration, channel width and canopy cover. Canopy cover, channel width, substrate embeddedness, phosphate concentration, pH, salinity and turbidity all had a significant effect on macroinvertebrate community composition. Using CCA variation partitioning, water quality was, however, a better predictor of benthic macroinvertebrate composition than sediment chemical conditions. Furthermore, our results suggest that seasonality had little effect on structuring benthic macroinvertebrate communities in this south-eastern zone of South Africa, despite clear changes in sediment chemistry. This likely reflects the relative lack of major variability in water chemistry compared to sediment chemistry between seasons and the relatively muted variability in precipitation between seasons than the more classic Austral temperate climates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  7. Ofori-Boateng C, Lee KT
    Food Sci Nutr, 2013 05;1(3):209-221.
    PMID: 29387349 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.22
    Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fronds (OPF) are the most abundant oil palm solid wastes that are generated during oil palm agriculture and harvest. Palm oil and some other palm wastes have been reported to contain high concentrations of carotenoids with vital bioactive properties. However, the extraction and quantification of carotenoids from OPF have not been reported. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, HPLC-FLD for quantification, and response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin from OPF extracts were investigated. The effects of extraction temperature (X1: 30-70°C), extraction time (X2: 10-50 min), and solvent-sample ratio (X3: 10-50 mL/g) on the recovery of β-carotene (Y1), lutein (Y2), and zeaxanthin (Y3) were investigated using three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) experiment. At a desirability of 1, the optimum extraction conditions for β-carotene (30.14°C, 37.11 min, and 23.18 mL/g), lutein (30.00°C, 39.09 min, and 19.24 mL/g), and zeaxanthin (30.09°C, 36.76 min, and 22.38 mL/g) yielded carotenoid concentrations of 17.95 μg/g dry weight (DW), 261.99 μg/g DW, and 29.99 μg/g DW, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  8. Faizalhakim, A.S., Nurhidayu, S., Norizah, K.
    MyJurnal
    Rainfall-runoff information is critical for water resource and river basin management. Runoff can be estimated by using two methods; gauged method (direct measurement) and ungauged method (indirect formula and equation). The in-situ measurement provides real-time and accurate yet required time-consuming operation and inaccessibility topography. Therefore, the runoff estimation modelling and equation was developed to overcome the limitation of in-situ measurement. SCS-CN is a simple model of ungauged method, where runoff volume (Q) resulting from rainfall (P) is formulated using equation of (Q= (P-Ia) 2 / (P-Ia + S). It was known as the best technique to be adopted for large basin study where time and manpower also accessibility are limited. SCS-CN method also is widely use in prediction software as it taken into consideration of the effects of soil, properties, land cover and antecedent moisture. Curve Number is well developed in USA for the agriculture purpose with many investigations to validate and calibrate the values of curve number. It was applied in numerous river basins in temperate and other regions e.g. US, Argentina, India, China, South Korea, Palestine and Malaysia. However, the reliability of the CN in the tropics is doubtable due to different land use characteristics, soil type, climate, geological features and rainfall pattern and variability. Based on the reviewed conceptual and applications of SCS-CN in temperate and tropics, numerous studies found the SCS-CN method is reliable and practical for runoff estimation in tropics region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  9. Kathleen, M.M., Samuel, L., Felecia, C., Ng K. H., Lesley, M.B., Kasing, A.
    MyJurnal
    (GTG)5 PCR is a type of repetitive extragenic palindromic (rep)-PCR which amplifies the (GTG)5 repetitive element that lays throughout the bacterial genome. In this study, fifty, thirty-nine and forty-nine unknown bacteria were isolated from aquaculture farms in Miri, Limbang and Lundu, respectively. (GTG)5 PCR was used to screen for clonal diversity among the isolates according to sampling sites. Banding profiles obtained from electrophoresed (GTG)5 PCR products were analyzed by RAPDistance Software to generate a dendrogram of neighbor joining tree (NJT) format. Based on the constructed dendrogram, representative isolates were selected for further identification. Conserved 16S rRNA region of the selected bacteria isolates were amplified and purified DNA products were sequenced. (GTG)5 PCR is useful in differentiation of unknown bacterial isolates and 16S rRNA analysis species identity of the bacteria in Sarawak aquaculture environment. The high diversity of bacteria in aquaculture environment may be caused by contamination from various sources.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  10. Devendra, C.
    ASM Science Journal, 2015;9(1):1-20.
    MyJurnal
    The natural environment embraces agriculture and all its components-crops, animals, land, water,
    forestry and fisheries. It is the most important user of environmental resources, made more complex
    by the interactions of the various systems, biophysical elements and their implications. Increased food
    production, especially of animal protein supplies are unable to meet current and projected future needs
    for humans, including about 15 %of the world population being malnourished. Agriculture is currently
    waning, and a coordinated and concerted technologically-driven transformation is necessary. Poorly
    managed agriculture for example, can lead to serious environmental degradation and exacerbate
    poverty. Land and water are considered to be the most limiting factors in the future. Non- irrigated
    rainfed areas can be divided into high potential and low potential areas; the former offers considerable
    promise to expand food production. This paper argues for increased Research and Development (R&D)
    focus that can maximise improved natural resource management(NRM), and whether agricultural
    development can maximise productivity yields .Other opportunities include expanding crop–animal
    production systems in less favoured areas (LFAs), intensifying land use for silvopastoral systems in
    rainfed areas , and enhance carbon sequestration. Ruminants can be used as an entry point for the
    development of LFAs, and the presence of about 41.5% of the goat population found in the semi-arid/
    arid AEZs X provides good opportunities for expanding food security and human well-being. Communitybased
    interdisciplinary and systems approaches are essential to provide the solutions. The legacy of
    continuing malnutrition and food insecurity must be overcome by effective development policy, multidonor
    resource allocation, governance and political will that target food insecurity and poverty. The R&D
    agendas and resource allocations are compelling, but dedicated vision can lead the way for sciencedriven
    sustainable environment, efficiency in NRM, and self-reliance to the extent possible , in harmony
    with nature and the environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  11. Zakuan, Z., Mustapa, S.A., Sukor, R., Rukayadi, Y.
    MyJurnal
    The filamentous spoilage fungi in vegetables can lead to significant impact in food and economic loss. In order to overcome this problem, chemical fungicide has been implemented in vegetable farming and processing but it causes problems towards environment and food safety. Thus, the utilization of natural products such as plants extracts, which exhibit antimicrobial and antifungal activity, is more acceptable to solve this problem. The aim of this study is to investigate the antifungal activity of Boesenbergia rotunda extract against ten filamentous spoilage fungi isolated from five vegetables. The extract was used to treat fungal isolates from vegetables; CRb 002 (Penicillium sp.), CHa 009 (Aspergillus sp.), TMa 001 (Geotrichum sp.), TMa 002 (Aspergillus sp), ONb 001 (Aspergillus sp.), WBb 003 and WBb 004 (Fusarium sp.) WBb 007 (unidentified), WBb 008 (Aureobasidium sp.) and WBb 010 (Penicillium sp.). The results showed that the yield of the extract of B. rotunda using ethanol (95%) was 11.42% (w/v). The 10% of B. rotunda extract exhibited antifungal activities against ten filamentous fungi after 5 days treatment with growth reduction of 41.56%, 30.68%, 86.20%, 50.62%, 26.67%, 47.44%, 50.74%, 36.39%, 42.86%, and 39.39% for WBb 008, WBb 004, WBb 007, WBb 003, CRb 002, WBb 010, CHa 009, TMa 001, ONb 001, and TMa 002, respectively. B. rotunda extract showed highest antifungal activity against fungi isolated from winged bean (WBb 007) with percentage reduction in growth was 86.20%, while the lowest activity was against fungi isolated from the carrot (CRb 002) with 26.67% reduction in growth. Generally, the TPC of fungi in the vegetable samples were reduced after treatment with 5% of B. rotunda extract at 5 min and 10 min of exposure time. The results suggested that B. rotunda extract has high potential to become natural food preservative which can reduce the fungi spoilage of vegetables.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  12. Siti Fadhilah Abd. Rahim, Normala Masrom, Muhamad Cyrill Kamal, Noor Azmi Shaharuddin, Khairul Basyar Baharudin, Norliza Abu Bakar
    MyJurnal
    Water contamination by herbicides and chelating agents is increasing mainly due to the
    increasing agricultural activities. Water contamination by these compounds has become a
    concern due to their adverse effects to the environment and humans. Seven sampling sites of
    water sources in Selangor and Johor were chosen for the study. Contamination level of
    Mecoprop (MCCP), Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in
    these water body areas was determined by using Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture
    Detector (GC-ECD). Our results indicated that water samples of Sungai Melot in Selangor
    showed the highest presence of EDTA. MCCP was detected at a high level at Sungai Sarang
    Buaya, Johor while NTA showed similar level of concentration at three different sites, Ladang
    10, Ladang Sayur and Mardi, Selangor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  13. Osman BE, Khalik WMAWM
    Data Brief, 2018 Oct;20:999-1003.
    PMID: 30225314 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.08.178
    The main goal of this research work is to measure the concentration levels of organochlorine residue in soil. The potential health risk of this pollutant on human was also determined. 10 samples were taken from a lowland paddy field situated in Kelantan, Malaysia. Physical parameters namely soil pH, organic carbon content, water content and particle size were identified to evaluate the quality of soil from the agriculture site. Soxhlet extraction and florisil clean-up process were applied to isolate 10 targeted organochlorine compounds prior to the final determination using a gas chromatography-electron capture detector. Soil from the lowland has characteristics such as slightly acidic, low organic carbon content, high water content and texture dominated by the sandy type. Concentration levels of six detected organochlorine pesticides were calculated in µg/kg. Hazard quotient value in all samples was less than the acceptable risk level HQ ≤ 1, thus reflecting the status of soil in the subjected area as unlikely to pose any adverse health effects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  14. Mohamad Noor Firdaus Sahul Hameed
    MyJurnal
    At present, social protection system is a requirement for those involved in all sectors of employment
    such as pensions to Government employees and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to private sector
    workers. The primary basis of the system is to provide protection to address poverty, financial
    assistance and future guarantees. However, no structured social protection system was introduced to
    the informal sectors workers in Malaysia such as farmers and others. The purpose of this study is to
    examine the level of knowledge and acceptance of social protection systems among farmers in the
    Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA). This study involved 573 respondents covering 4
    regions within the MADA area. In conclusion, this study will examine the level of knowledge and
    acceptance of farmers on social protection systems in their communities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  15. Sahibin AR, Shamshuddin J, Fauziah CI, Radziah O, Wan Mohd Razi I, Enio MSK
    Sci Total Environ, 2019 Feb 20;652:573-582.
    PMID: 30368186 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.232
    A study was conducted in an oil palm plantation in Peninsular Malaysia to elucidate the effects of applying Magnesium Rich Synthetic Gypsum (MRSG), a by-product of chemical plant, on the chemical properties of soil, the uptake of heavy metals by the palm trees, the oil quality and its impact on the surrounding environment. The results showed that MRSG application onto soil cropped to oil palm could bring positive impact in terms of soil chemical properties and oil palm production. The quality of the oil was not significantly affected by the continuous MRSG application as shown by the low heavy metals and trace elements of concern content (Cu: 0.062 mg/kg; Fe: 2.10 mg/kg; Mn: 1.93 mg/kg; Pb: 0.006 mg/kg; Zn: 0.103 mg/kg; Cr: 0.354 mg/kg; Ni: 0.037 mg/kg). From the I-geochem index, the soil was found to have values ranging from -3.81 to -1.03 which is considered as uncontaminated. Further, its application did not result in negative impact on the surrounding environment; hence, the quality of the soil and surface water in the plantation and/or the surrounding area remained intact. Phytotoxic elements in the oil palm tissue (As: 0.12 mg/kg; Se: 0.05 mg/kg; Zn: 1.48 mg/kg; Ce: 0.47 mg/kg; La: 0.26 mg/kg; Sr: 3.03 mg/kg) and cytotoxic elements in the oil were below the acceptable limit. Based on the results of the Environmental Monitoring out during the period of the study, it was concluded that application of the by-product of the chemical plant as a source of Mg to enhance soil fertility in the oil palm plantation was considered safe and sustainable. The effects of applying MRSG and Chinese kieserite was almost similar. So, MRSG can be used as a possible source of Mg to replace Chinese kieserite for oil palm production on the Ultisols in Peninsular Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  16. Kasah A
    Citation: Kasah A. Country report on nutrition communication activities in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: United Nations University; 1988

    The primary health-care approach in Malaysia is an integral part of the government community development movement, or Gerakan Pembaharuan (Operation Renewal), launched in 1972. Nutrition communication activities form a major component of the existing basic health services. The activities are channelled through various health and nutrition services. Group talks, cooking demonstrations with group discussions, individual advice in clinics, and home visits are provided through maternal and child health services. The health education unit is responsible for producing educational materials such as posters and leaflets at both national and state levels. Health education mobile units, fully equipped with audio-visual aids, provide films and slide shows, arrange talks and dialogue sessions, and distribute leaflets. A mass media programme using radio and television was introduced in July 1983 as a joint effort of the ministries of Health and Information. The messages include a wide range of health and nutrition information. Health education materials are used extensively and local radio broadcasts will be utilized to overcome dialect problems. The applied nutrition programme started in 1969 uses an intersectoral approach towards PHC. Four main ministries are involved, namely, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Education, and Information. Health and nutrition education is one of the main tasks. Nutrition surveillance is also used as a channel for nutrition communications. In addition, both formal education, such as that provided in nursing schools, and in-service training for health personnel are being conducted by various training schools. The present trend of the health service is shifting from a clinic-based to a community-based approach, in which health staff work closely with community leaders. Attempts to encourage more active community participation in health activities are being made through committee meetings on development at the village and district levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  17. Suratman S, Hussein A, Mohd Tahir N, Latif M, Mostapa R, Weston K
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:551-558.
    This paper presents the results for surface water quality parameters measured in the Setiu Wetland, on the east coast of Malaysia, which feeds into the southern part of the South China Sea. There are no previous studies dealing with the seasonal and spatial variation of water quality in this area, despite numerous anthropogenic inputs into this ecologically and economically important wetland. The parameters measured were salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). These parameters were sampled monthly from October 2009 to September 2010, during both the wet and dry seasons, at ten sampling stations distributed throughout the area. The physical water quality parameters were measured in situ whilst TSS and BOD were determined using the standard methods. A deterioration of water quality in the Setiu Wetland was observed in areas near agriculture and aquaculture activities. This was expected to be as a result of the use of fertilisers, waste from fish farm food and the waste products of aquaculture. The parameters measured showed lower mean values of surface salinity, temperature, DO, pH and TSS during the wet season relative to the dry season. In contrast, the concentration of BOD was high during the wet season and lowest in the dry season. Results obtained from this study clearly showed the surface physical water quality for the Setiu Wetland was highly influenced by anthropogenic activities and seasonal variation. Therefore, both factors must be considered to move towards proper management of this wetland.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  18. Khan M, Kakar S, Marwat K, Khan I
    Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:1395-1401.
    Time of weed control and fertilizer application usually decide the profitability of crop production. The effects of weed control and macronutrients on maize crop were investigated. The study was undertaken in March 2009, using a RCBD design with split plot arrangements. The experimental set up was established at the Agricultural University Peshawar and seedbeds were prepared with the proper moisture regime. Maize was planted with one plot left weed free for first six weeks while another infested with weed. The combinations of macronutrients used were nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen-phosphorus, nitrogen-potassium, phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium. Control (no fertilizer) was included for comparison. The observations revealed that when a comparison was made between the application of fertilizers and weed control, the latter proved more important because weed infested plots had no harvestable maize plants. The role of main nutrients in crop production is well known and cannot be left aside, however weed infestation does not provide us a fair choice of fertilizers application. The maximum maize grain yield was recorded under nitrogen-phosphorus combination and promising results were obtained. The weeds and maize benefited equally in terms of fresh and dry weed biomass with an application of fertilizer in particular N singly or together with P. In view of this, application of fertilizer should be changed from broadcast to band and/or placement. In general, a positive interaction was seen between N and P promoting the growth of maize and weeds. It can be said that herbicide application for weed control is important because of the fact that hand weeding is not economical, difficult, time consuming because of perennial weeds and hot weather conditions in the month of June.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  19. IRVINE K, VERMETTE S, FIRUZA BEGHAM MUSTAFA
    Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:1539-1548.
    Longitudinal water quality trends were assessed in the Tengi River system, Selangor, Malaysia, as the water moved from a peat swamp forest, through different agricultural land uses and finally through a town and then to the Straits of Malacca. Water draining from the peat swamp forest was dark in color due to its organic content and low in dissolved oxygen, pH, E. coli, calcium, nitrate and ammonia. The normal diurnal pattern for water temperature was observed for the peat swamp forest drainage, but there was no clear diurnal pattern evident in the dissolved oxygen data. The E. coli levels increased monotonically from the peat swamp forest waters (0 colonies/100 mL) through the agricultural areas (100-2000 colonies/100 mL) and town (7100 colonies/100 mL) and similarly pH increased along the same continuum. Dissolved oxygen increased from the peat swamp forest through the agricultural areas, but was lower in the town-impacted reach of the Tengi River.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  20. Asad Shah, Mohammad Akmal, Mohammad Jamal Khan, Mohammad Arif
    Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:1811-1819.
    Yield performance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) was compared under crop residue, tillage system and nitrogen rate treatments in cereal based cropping system. The experiments were conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Chopped crop residue on dry matter basis (5 t ha1-) of legume (Vigna unguicuata, var. Ebney) and cereal (Zea mays, var. Azam) was applied in main plots with no residue treatments and plowed with Mould Board (MB) and Cultivator as deep and shallow treatments, respectively. A month after the crop residue and tillage system treatments, field was uniformly plowed with cultivator and wheat was sown with drill in rows 25 cm apart in the month of November on both years. Both P2O55 and K2O (80 and 40 kg ha , respectively) were applied uniformly to all fields before sowing. Nitrogen as subplot treatment (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1) was applied in two splits, half at 15 and the other half at 45 days after sowing with uniform cultural practices for crop growth and development. Compared to year 1, crop of year 2 showed better phenology with extended life cycle (LC). On two years average across tillage and N treatments, biological yield did not change (p<0.05) under the residue but did report lower at no-residue treatment. Nonetheless, grain yield showed a significant (p<0.05) change with the highest in legume followed by cereal and the lowest in no-residue treatments. A non-significant tiller number and significant variations in grain weight and spike m-2 were observed that influenced the grain and biological yield differently. Deep than shallow tillage resulted in better traits, which returned better biomass and grain yield. Nitrogen application from control to every increment showed a significant (p<0.05) improvement in all observations contributing in yield. The study confirms the significance of legume vs. cereal over no-crop residue incorporated through deep tillage system with optimum N (120 kg ha-1) in cereal-based cropping system for sustainable performance to sustain soil C:N for future production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
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