4^th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture July 13-15, 2015 Beijing, China

Biography:

Surendra Dara obtained his PhD in Entomology from Virginia Tech. He specializes in entomopathology and focuses his research on providing IPM solutions for strawberries, vegetables and other crops in California. He authored or co-authored more than 200 publications that include extension articles, journal articles, book chapters and manuals. He holds offices at the Society of Invertebrate Pathology and Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch. He is the Vice-Chair of National Working Group on Microbial Control of Arthropod Pests, Chair of the Strawberry Work Group and a Member of the Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative at University of California.

Abstract:

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium brunneum and Isaria fumosorosea are traditionally used in crop protection to manage arthropod pests. However, recent studies show that their interaction with plants as mycorrhizae and endophytes allows them to play a bigger role in crop production. Improved plant growth, plant health, biomass and protection from plant diseases are additional contributions of entomopathogenic fungi. Entomopathogenic fungi might also help with conservation of nutrients and moisture through improved absorption. Understanding the plant-entomopathogen-arthropod interactions and exploring their potential for overall plant health contributes to sustainable pest management.

Biography:

Andy Renz received his PhD in Plant Molecular Biology from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. After Postdoctoral studies at the Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam, Germany, he joined BASF Plant Science in 1999 as Lab Leader for Metabolic Engineering of Oilseed Crops. From 2003 to 2014 he was leading international teams at BASF Plant Science and was responsible for numerous technology acquisitions in Europe, Asia and the Americas. In 2014 he joined Benson Hill Biosystems as Vice President Business Development. He is on the Industry Advisory Board of several organizations including Ag Innovation Showcase and Global Ag Investing.

Abstract:

Benson Hill Biosystems, The Photosynthesis Company™ established a unique platform for the discovery and validation of approaches to increase photosynthetic efficiency and ultimately crop yield. Based on a deep knowledge of photosynthesis, state-of-the-art transcriptomics and proprietary computational biology databases and algorithms, candidate genes have been identified to improve the photosynthetic machinery of plants. We established unique model systems for crops with C3 and C4-photosynthesis for a fast and systematic validation of candidate genes in planta. Lead genes have been identified that when over-expressed under the control of developmentally regulated promoters lead to a significantly increased photosynthesis rate, plant growth, biomass production and seed yield in model plants. Promising lead genes have been transformed into several crops and their performance has been confirmed in field trials. We will present our discovery and validation platform and will discuss results from the over-expression of our most promising lead genes in model plants and crops. Benson Hill Biosystems already established commercial partnerships with market leaders: For potato we collaborate with Simplot for sugarcane in Brazil with Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (CTC) for corn and wheat with Limagrain. We are actively seeking for new partnerships with seed companies in Asia that are interested to work with us in crops such as corn, rice, sugarcane, soybean, cotton and trees to increase crop yield through improved photosynthesis.

Biography:

Bolla Joseph is currently working as the Professor and Head of the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, India

Abstract:

The name agriculture becomes imbalance weigher when all well management cropping practices are always lighter than evergreen climate change and in order to balance between these two handles of world food supply chain population explosion needs well managed cropping practice is needed which will fit and sustain in extremes of future climate change. Agriculture production system should be cheap, adaptive, development oriented, high mitigation controllable and meet the demands of increasing food in sustainable ways to become it as climate-smart. A climate smart agriculture is interaction of climate effect and community adaptability, with well research and micro level interactive understanding allows to design, execute the climate-smart agricultural practices. Improvements in the management of agricultural systems bring us significantly closer to safe operating spaces will require transformations in governance and use of our natural resources, underpinned by enabling political, social and economic conditions beyond incremental changes. Establishing scientifically credible indicators and metrics of long-term safe operating spaces in the context of a changing climate and growing social-ecological challenges is critical to creating the societal demand and political will is required to motivate the deep transformation for innovative and transitional changes. A collective and collaborative wok spheres is needed in ecological management, social, integration of data analysis and framework of national and international policy to facilitate decision making informed by metrics and indicators of safe operating spaces.

Biography:

Fhatuwani Mudau N is currently working as Professor at University of South Africa, South Africa.

Abstract:

Baby spinach is a relatively a new crop in South Africa which has a commercially significant and is reputed to have health attributes such as protection against degenerative diseases of ageing, such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts and several forms of cancer. Three parallel NPK trials to investigate the response of baby spinach vegetable to Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on growth and development were conducted. N and P treatments were arranged as follows 0, 45, 75, 105, 120 kg∙ha-1 N and P and K treatments arranged as 0, 63, 85, 127, 148 kg∙ha-1 arranged in a randomised complete block designed with four replicates. Results showed that yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content, leaf area index were significantly increased by increasing N application, while K had no significance and effect on the yield, dry matter, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance except on the leaf area index. Nitrogen treatments quadratically increased fresh yield, dry matter and chlorophyll content reaching maximum at 75 Kg N ha -1. Phosphorus application showed a significance yields, dry matter as well as chlorophyll content reaching maximum at 75 kg P ha-1. Therefore, to achieve optimum growth for N and P, 75 kg∙ha-1 N or P is recommended. The NPK combined trial arranged as 0, 30: 30: 40, 45:45:60, 60:60:70, 75:75:90 kg∙ha-1 arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replicates.The results showed that high yields, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry matter reached maximum where NPK combined was applied at 45:45:60kg∙ha-1.

Biography:

Mohamed Abdelkader is the Research Scientist at Plant Pathology Research Institute, Egypt.

Abstract:

Stem rust of wheat, caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn., was the most destructive disease of wheat worldwide and Egypt, particularly on the late sowings e. Successful control of the disease over three decades through the use of genetic resistance has resulted in a sharp decline in research activity in recent years. Performance of Egyptian wheat varieties and stem rust resistant genes were changed during the last five years. Most of our varieties were resistant to stem rust infection at adult stages in the field and it become susceptible, also stem rust resistant genes were in the parallel line. This changes correlated to climatic change specially the temperature and humidity. Temperature and humidity increase at the last year and height infection type were observed on these Cvs. and stem rust resistant genes. Most of these genes were temperature sensitive (Sr 6,12,13, 15, 17, 22, 34, 38). Cvs. Giza 168, Misri-1 and Misri-2 have the highest disease severities reflected to changing on temperature degrees.

Biography:

A Madhavi Lata completed her PhD (Agronomy) in 2011 from Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University and is working as Associate Professor in Department of Farm Forestry at College of Agriculture, Prof. Jayashanker Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. She is guiding both under graduate and post graduate students through teaching and research. She has attended a number of International and National conferences and presented papers on medicinal plants.

Abstract:

An experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at AICRP on Agroforestry, PJTSAU, Rajendrangar. The present investigation comprised of agroforestry model with aswagandha intercropped in four year old amla and terminalia agri-horticultural systems laid in split plot design with three replications.The treatments in aswagandha based agri-horticultural systems consisted of three cropping situations as main plots viz., intercropping of aswagandha in amla, intercropping of aswagandha in terminalia and sole cropping of aswagandha.
The results indicated that among the different cropping situations studied in aswagandha based agri-horticultural system; growth parameters like plant height, dry matter production and leaf area per plant of aswagandha were markedly higher under sole cropping situation when compared to intercropping situation both in amla and terminalia. Days to physiological maturity of aswagandha was delayed by 9-10 days in intercropping situation in terminalia when compared to intercropping in amla. Root and seed yields (kg ha-1) of aswagandha were the highest with sole cropping situation compared to either of the intercropping situations. Aswagandha performed better to some extent as an intercrop in amla as compared in terminalia. With an olide content (%) was significantly more under sole cropping. PAR was more under sole cropping compared to intercropping situation.

Biography:

Alkhader has completed his PhD (in Horticulture and Crop Science) at the age of 49 years from University of Jordan. His MSc in Soils and Irrigation was also from the same university. He is working as a researcher in National Center for Agricultural Research And Extension (NCARE) in crop water and nutrient management. He is also the coordinator of the National Fertigation Project. He has published 4 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a member of fertilizer committee in his country (Jordan).

Abstract:

A survey was conducted to investigate the contamination of soils, plants and irrigation water with Cd, Pb and As heavy metals. Thirteen farms located from three locations characterized by intensive agricultural activities in Jordan (The Jordan Valley, Alyadoda, and Jarash) were selected for this purpose. Soil, plant and irrigation water samples were collected for chemical analysis: mainly heavy metals and P contents. The soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm depth and the plant samples were collected from the available grown vegetables in the selected farms.
The tolerable level of Cd in fruit vegetables of 0.05 mg kg-1 fresh weight was approached by cucumber plant from farm no. 4 (0.06 ppm), tomato plant (0.06 -0.07 ppm), and exceeded by hot pepper (0.14 ppm). On the other hand, the permissible concentration of Pb in fruit vegetables of 0.1 mg kg-1 fresh weight was surpassed by tomato plants (0.24 -0.77 ppm); sweet pepper (0.14 ppm); cucumber plants (0.28-0.40 ppm) and hot pepper (0.88 ppm). Also, red cabbage 9 had Pb content (0.97 ppm) higher than the accepted level of 0.3 mg kg-1 of fresh weight for brassica vegetables. However, lettuce iceberg plants are within allowable levels of Cd and Pb of 0.2 and 0.3 mg kg-1 of fresh weight, respectively, for leafy vegetables. While, the Cd concentration in these lettuce plants ranged from 0.03 to 0.05 ppm (on fresh weight basis), the Pb concentration varied from 0.12 to 0.25 ppm (on fresh weight basis). All selected crops are safe with respect to As content as their contents of this heavy metal are much less than the established acceptable concentration of 1 mg kg-1 fresh weight.
The results suggest that the most probable sources of the heavy metals (Cd, Pb and As) in the collected samples from soils and crops from the selected farms are soil parent materials and pesticides application. However, P fertilizers additions for long time period might also contribute to the heavy metals contents of the plants and escalate the problem. Polluted air, also, represents a potential source for the heavy metals in the plants.
Chemical analysis of the irrigation water used in the selected farms suggest that such water can’t be considered as probable sources of heavy metals in the investigated soils from the selected farms. The levels of heavy metals in some selected fertilizers used by farmers in Jordan are, also, regarded below the permissible limits, but still likely sources of heavy metals in agricultural soils in under long-term application of such P fertilizers.

Biography:

Satish Patil is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, India.

Abstract:

An investigation was carried out at the tissue culture laboratory of department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to find out the best explant, gelling agent, growth regulator for shoot and root initiation and hardening media. Among the explant viz., leaf segment, shoot tip, axillary bud, internode and aerial roots the axillary bud and shoot tip were found the best for culture establishment by producing more number of adventitious shoots with early emergence of primordia (in 14 and 21 days respectively after inoculation of explants). Among the gels used for standardization, sago at 50 g/l+agar 1 g/l emerged as the sole replacement of agar which best resulted in terms of shoot proliferation and subsequent growth by producing 3.83 shoots/explant, 4.07 cm shoot length and 0.40 cm shoot girth. It was also found best replacement for agar which minimized the cost by four times. The influence of growth regulator on shoot growth indicated that MS+BAP 1.5 mg/l produced significantly more number of shoots (4.7 shoots or explants), higher number of leaves per shoots (4.50 leaves or shoot) at 45 days after inoculation of axillary bud explant. The maximum numbers of roots with good length in short time (8.8 days) were observed on 0.5 mg/l IBA supplemented media. Soil+coco coir pith (1:1) and sand+soil+coco coir pith (1:1:1) gave the maximum (100%) survival percentage with better plant vigor resulting as suitable medium for hardening.

Biography:

Jeffrey Lavarias is working as a faculty member at Central Luzon State University, Philippines.

Abstract:

Shelling process is one of the primary processes and critical steps in the processing of chocolate or any product that is derived from cocoa beans. It affects the quality of the cocoa nibs in terms of flavor and purity. In the Philippines, small-scale food processor cannot really compete with large scale confectionery manufacturers because of lack of available postharvest facilities that are appropriate to their level of operation. The impact of this study is to provide the needed intervention that will pave the way for cacao farmers of engaging on the advantage of value-adding as way to maximize the economic potential of cacao. Thus, provision and availability of needed postharvest machines like mechanical cacao sheller will revolutionize the current state of cacao industry in the Philippines. A mechanical cacao sheller was developed, fabricated and evaluated to establish optimum shelling conditions such as moisture content of cocoa beans, clearance where of cocoa beans passes through the breaker section and speed of the breaking mechanism on shelling recovery, shelling efficiency, shelling rate, energy utilization and large nib recovery to establish the optimum level of shelling parameters of the mechanical sheller. These factors were statistically analyzed using design of experiment by Box and Behnken and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). By maximizing shelling recovery, shelling efficiency, shelling rate, large nib recovery and minimizing energy utilization, the optimum shelling conditions were established at moisture content, clearance and breaker speed of 6.5%, 3 millimeters and 1300 rpm respectively. The optimum values for shelling recovery, shelling efficiency, shelling rate, large nib recovery and minimizing energy utilization were recorded at 86.51%, 99.19%, 21.85 Kg/hr, 89.75% and 542.84 W respectively. Experimental values obtained using the optimum conditions were compared with predicted values using predictive models and were found in good agreement.

Biography:

Maclin Dayod is currently the Head of Crop Breeding and Miscellaneous Crops Section in the Research Division of the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Malaysia. Since 2012, his research work focuses on breeding for good eating quality in Oryza sativa L and varietal improvement in Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal. He is also responsible for the conservation and propagation of various crops which include pepper and other spices, herbs and medicinal plants. He also had researched on the impact of calcium on plant water channels (aquaporins) and uptake for his PhD and the physiological changes in barley due to water logging for his Master's degree.

Abstract:

Terung Asam Sarawak (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal) is a unique indigenous fruit vegetable in Sarawak. A recent product development work by researchers in the Department of Agriculture Sarawak showed that the fruit can be processed into various products such as juice, jam, puree and dehydrated slices. These products provide opportunities for commercialization of the crop. However, the crop is very susceptible to many soil-borne pathogens in particular bacterial wilt and phytopthora. This problem hampers the big scale planting of the crop. Hence, grafting work was initiated to mitigate the problem. Six to eight-leaves plants were used for grafting and wedge and saddle methods were compared. Initial studies showed promising graft compatibility between Solanum lasiocarpum as scion and Solanum torvum as rootstock. Yield of grafted plants were between 1.5 and 3.2 kg/plant which is comparable to the non-grafted plants. Saddle technique looks more promising than the wedge technique. Field performances of the grafted plants are being monitored and their fruit nutritional contents will be analyzed.

Biography:

Ningthoujam Shovarani is working as Research Scientist at Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India.

Abstract:

Tomato is one of the main items in daily food we eat. Off-season production of tomato is widely accepted by the farmers in Manipur for higher returns because of the ideal soil and climatic conditions for cultivation of vegetable. Like other states of India it is seriously affected by pest attack. To reduce damage and increase in yield for commercial purpose farmers in Manipur generally use various pesticides. The investigations were carried out during the month of Sept 2014 to April 2015. The aim of present study is to identify the commonly used pesticides on tomato and to study the attitudes and practices developed by vegetable growers about pesticide applications. Questionnaires which include socio-professional factors, provisions and operations concerning the use of varieties of pesticides were addressed to vegetable growers in various vegetable farms. In order to complete the data regarding the commonly used pesticides on tomatoes in Bishnupur District various vegetable growers were cross-examined and information were also collected from various agrochemical agents and Farm Science Centre, Utlou. The survey showed that farmers have an acceptable knowledge to exploit instructions concerning the pesticide use but majority of them do not use the recommended tools. Most of them did not received training on pesticide used and no recommendation from agriculture expert. They used pesticides only after consulting with the agrochemical dealers. None of the vegetable growers usually wear goggles while handling and spraying of pesticides, very few wear gloves and maximum of them wear oro-nasal mask. Failure to observe minimum intervals between pesticide application and sale is worrying because toxic (Mancozeb, Carbofuran, Bipyridyl) and moderately toxic (Cypermethrin, Imidacloprid, Profenofos, Chlorpyrifos, Propineb, Dichlorvos) are the products currently used in Bishnupur District. The present investigation indicates that pesticide application in Bishnupur District represents a possible risk for the environment, farmers and consumers. Research studies are very much needed to measure pesticide residues on tomatoes currently consumed in Manipur. Survey on pesticide applications in other districts of Manipur are also necessary and moreover to determine the potential effect of those products on human and animal health.

Biography:

Bukola Aminu-Taiwo is working as Research Scientist at National Horticultural Research Institute, Nigeria.

Abstract:

The use of botanical extracts for controlling plant parasitic nematodes is becoming more popular because of the problem of environmental pollution arising from the use of persistent pesticides. Some nematicides have been banned, yet the farmers still use them. This poses danger to human, the environment, beneficial microbes in the soil as well as underground body water. This emphasizes the need for new methods of control such as the use of environmentally-friendly plant extracts. Therefore, effects of water extracts of leaves of Tagetes erecta (Marigold), Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower), Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) and Occimum gratissimun (Tree basil) each at 3.3, 5.0, 6,6, 8.3 and 10% w/v, on eggs and second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita were investigated in vitro. The efficacy of dry milled leaves of these plants at 1 t/ha and 2 t/ha and carbofuran at 1.5kg a.i./ha and 2.5kg a.i./ha were also evaluated against M. incognita in a screen house.
Fifty M. incognita eggs per 1ml in water suspension were pipette and dispensed into glass blocks and 1ml of each extract at different concentrations were added. Fifty freshly hatched juveniles per 1ml were also dispensed into a glass blocks and 1 ml of each plant extracts at different concentrations were also added. Distilled water served as control. Hatched eggs were counted every 24 hours for 10 days while juveniles were observed for mortality every 24 hours for five days. In the screen house, 48 pots were filled with sterilized soil. Treatments were carbofuran (1.5 and 2.5 kg a.i./ha), milled dried leaves of marigold, siam weed, mexican sunflower and tree basil at 1t/ha and 2t/ha each and untreated control. Two days later four seeds of cucumber were sown in each of the 48 pots. One week after germination, the seedlings were each inoculated with 10,000 M incognita eggs. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomised designed with four replicates. Data were collected on Vegetative Growth (VG), Gall Index (GI), nematode reproduction and yield (g). LC50 was also determined. All data were analysed using ANOVA (p=0.05) and means were separated using Duncan multiple range test at 5% probability. Water extracts of T. erecta inhibited egg hatch by 90.5% at the highest concentration and was significantly higher than egg hatch observed in O. gratissimum which produced the lowest egg hatch inhibition of 70.7%. T. erecta also caused 100% juvenile mortality within 24 hours of exposure followed by T. diversifolia (59%), C. odorata (50%) and O. gratissimum 26.5% at the lowest concentration. Targetes erecta extract was the most potent among the plant extracts used with LC 50 of 0.31mg/ml-1. In the pot experiment, T. erecta, C. odorata, Carbofuran and O. gratissimun reduced GI by 62.5%, 65%, 75% and 75.5%, respectively. Similarly, RKN population was reduced by 85.4% in T. erecta-treated pots; C. odorata caused 87.6% reduction and Carbofuran 93.1%. The results of this study suggest that application of these plants as botanical pesticides in the management of RKN is highly promising, especially as they are readily available in Nigeria.

Biography:

Ambani Richardo Mudau is on the final phase of his Masters degree at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa.

Abstract:

Baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L) is a member of the Amaranthaceae family. Its leaves have a very high respiration rate thus post-harvest quality is affected mostly by tissue decay and the development of off-odours. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of storage temperature and time on the post-harvest quality of baby spinach. Baby spinach leaves were harvested at 36 days after planting and subsequently stored at 4Ëš C or 22Ëš C for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 days. Thereafter the leaves were incubated for 72 hours at 40Ëš C to dry. Minerals, trace elements, total phenols, total carotenoids, flavonoids and antioxidant activities were measured. Composition of magnesium, zinc and iron declined after 8 days of storage at 4Ëš C whilst at 22Ëš C, they declined after 2 days of storage. Magnesium, zinc and iron revealed a similar trend with significantly higher carotenoids found up to 6 days in storage at 4Ëš C whilst at 22Ëš C the carotenoid levels declined after only 2 days. Total phenolic compounds gradually decreased in samples stored at 4Ëš C. However, samples stored at 22Ëš C showed a rapid decrease after 4 days. Both total antioxidant activities and Vitamin C content showed a similar trend with the content remaining constant at 4Ëš C and decreasing after 6 days, whereas the total antioxidant activities and vitamin C for leaves stored at 22Ëš C decreased immediately after 2 days. However, storage time and temperature did not exhibit significant effects on selenium. Results demonstrated that quality of baby spinach deteriorates as storage time and temperature increase.

Biography:

Hycenth Nahunnaro is working as Faculty member at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Environmental factors such as relative humidity and rainfall generally have been found to increase the incidence, rate of spread and severity of diseases thereby reducing yield of crops. Study was conducted on five cotton varieties, artificially inoculated with bacterial blight pathogen to determine the effects of rainfall and relative humidity on incidence and severity of angular leafspot (ALS) and yield of seed cotton in Yola and Mubi. Results showed that the severity of ALS was higher in Yola (58.65%) at 13 WAS due to higher relative humidity (76-87%) and low rainfall (2 – 40.6 mm) which favours disease development as against that of Mubi location which recorded lower severity (51.11%) due to lower relative humidity (42 – 55%) and rainfall (37 – 73 mm). Results further revealed that SAMCOT-8 had low incidence and severity in both locations with an incidence of 66% and severity of 39% of ALS at 13 WAS in Yola and 82% incidence and 42% severity in Mubi. SAMCOT-10 and SAMCOT-9 varieties were found to be highly susceptible to the disease at the same period. SAMCOT-8 recorded the highest yield of 390.00 kgha-1 in Yola and 868.09 kgha-1 in Mubi while lowest yields of 227.17 kgha-1 was observed on SAMCOT-10 in Yola and 461.61 kgha-1 was obtained on SAMCOT-9 in Mubi. There is need to conduct further research to confirm the reaction of these varieties in other environments over time.

Biography:

Geetika Jethra is a Research Scholar from National Research Centre on Seed Spices, India.

Abstract:

Consumption of convenient and ethnic food is expected to increase because more and more people are eager to try new and varied food stuff. But there is still lack of knowledge about the use of spices especially seed spices. But, now a day’s use of spices and herbs by consumers is increasing because they are appreciated as completely natural, rather than artificial, additives. Spices are most importantly used for aroma, flavor, color and preservation of beverages and food. Spices can be obtained from many plant parts but seed spices are the crops in which the seeds are used for aroma and as flavoring agent. Seed spices have distinguishing chemistry which is also reflected by their widespread medicinal use and toxicity. Most of the seed spices belong to Apiaceae family except Fenugreek and Nigella. However, despite their widespread recognition as a “natural” group, economic importance, large size and years of study there has been no remarkable study about their genomic and proteomic information and very limited amount of sequential data is available on the public forum or repositories for this family. Until recently, minimal genomic and proteomic analysis and mining of seed spices information has been done. In the present study, we have analysed and mined 17,693 genomic sequences related to seed spices in a relational database. We have also mined 14,938 protein sequences and derived physiological properties forthese sequences. Out of these proteins structures 94% proteins showed stable structure. The database is in tabular form and easy to search and retrieve. The selected complete protein sequences were analysed are their isoelectric point, GRAVY Index, stability index, amino acid composition, nature (acidic or basic) etc were derived and assembled in the database. The proposed study of genomes of different species present in Apiaceae family will further enhance our understandings about their important properties. Further this will also enable to find and retrieve all the related information from one place.

Biography:

S Chandrashekhar is working as Associate Professor at College of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru and is involved in Teaching, Research and Extension activities since seventeen years. He organized and participated in many national and international conferences, workshops etc. and published more than 50 scientific publications including research articles, books etc. He is recipient of many State and University awards and served as PI and Co-PI for externally funded projects. He also served as NSS Programme Officer since 9 years and organized health camps, social environmental and national integration camps for the benefit of students and farming community.

Abstract:

The foliar constituents of castor genotypes viz., major and secondary nutrients had marginal influence on growth indices showing positive trend with respect to improvement in the performance of eri silkworm. Major nutrient like nitrogen and secondary nutrient like calcium had significant relationship with growth indices, while the growth indices were non-significant with other major (phosphorus and potassium) and secondary nutrients (magnesium and sulphur). The growth indices viz., silk index (r=0.7707), oviposition index (r=0.7263), leaf – silk conversion rate (r=0.7096), growth index by per cent pupation (r=0.7281) and net reproductive rate (r=0.7386) with nitrogen content of castor leaves showed significant positive relationship among them. Further, calcium content was found to have significantly positive correlation with larval weight index (r=0.8969), cocoon weight index (r=0.9548), silk index (r=0.9688), eclosion index (r=0.8936), oviposition index (r=0.9425), leaf-cocoon ratio (r=0.8408), leaf - egg ratio (r=0.8672), leaf – cocoon conversion rate (r=0.8521), leaf – silk conversion rate (r=0.9323), growth index by per cent pupation (r=0.9815), growth index by per cent moth emergence (r= 0.9609) and net reproductive rate (r=0.9492), while the trend was reverse with larval duration index (r=-0.9405), pupal duration index (r=-0.9293) and larval -pupal duration index (r=-0.9579).

Biography:

Rishabh Goel is currently working at Indian Agricultural Statistical Research Institute, India.

Abstract:

Information and communication have always been an essential part of human race. With the growing population and the ever rising demand for food, cloth, etc the scientists and researchers across the globe are trying hard to find innovative ways to meet these ever surging demands. As India is rightly said “The land of Agriculture”, the major source of income in India is agriculture. Ever since people learned to grow crops, harvest them and sell them to market, they have sought information from each other and other sources to make maximum profit. But, even though the knowledge of the farmers is not adequate, they have grown the same crops for centuries, the ever changing weather conditions, soil fertility, pests and diseases etc affects the final outcome. This has raised the need for the latest information which allows the farmers to deal with these changes smoothly. However, providing such crucial and timely knowledge is a challenge in itself owing to the highly localized nature of agriculture. So we are trying the development of ICT basically focused on the Indian agriculture sector. In recent years, new ICT technologies are being implemented in every sector of the developing nations and the role of ICT has always been extremely crucial for the agriculture sector owing to the highly unpredictable nature of the later. The new application domain of ICT which can most widely and aptly be used for the upliftment of the agriculture sector is Cloud Computing. Cloud computing is a general term used to describe a new class of network based computing that take place over the internet. This study, introduces the concept of implementation of cloud computing in the Indian agricultural sector. It intends to initiate cloud computing model with two major parts the first part is Cloud Agro System to monitor and fulfil user requirements with a user-friendly and faster approach which includes services like demand-supply, communication, communication devices, e-knowledge sharing, conducting research and the other one e-Data Bank to store all relevant data in a centralized location deciphered as cloud like crop related, weather, soil information, growth progress monitoring farmers data, etc. Hence, if we need to improve the economic condition of these developing nations then the only way to do that is to improve the Indian agricultural sector. This upcoming technology is predicted to bring revolutionary changes to the agriculture sector.

Biography:

Gali Uma Devi is a faculty member at Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, India.

Abstract:

Management of soil borne fungal pathogens is most difficult because of long-term survival and wide host range of the pathogen. Since, this pathogen not only persists in the soil as saprophyte along with other thousands of soil organisms but also transmits through seeds; we need to manage the problem more cautiously. However, use of fungicides has been discouraged because of certain disadvantages viz., ground water pollution, residues on food crops, effect on non-target organisms and development of resistance to the chemical fungicides besides their high cost. There is worldwide acceptance to the use of eco-safe, eco-friendly methods of protecting crops from the plant pathogens. Using plant produced allelochemicals in agricultural and horticultural practices which could minimize synthetic pesticide use, reduce the associated potential for environmental contamination and contribute to a sustainable agricultural system. Glucosinolates compounds that occur in agronomically important crops may represent a viable source of allelochemical control for various soil borne pests. Insecticidal, nematicidal, fungicidal and phytotoxic effects are often associated with tissues of cruciferous plants. Brassica species contain glucosinolates (GSL) which upon tissue disruption are hydrolyzed in the presence of water by endogenous myrosinase enzyme into numerous compounds, notably toxic isothiocynates (ITC). The detrimental effect of pure ITC to certain fungi has long been known and the potential of Brassica crops to control soil borne pests and pathogens mainly attributed to these compounds. The present investigations suggested that the growth of the pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii the incitant of stem and pod rot of groundnut gradually increased from 24 to 72 hours and maximum inhibition was observed at 36 hours after inoculation in pathogen inoculated leaf discs (43.07%) compared with un-inoculated leaf discs (22.56%) over control. With an increase in time of exposure to mustard powder there was a significant increase in the growth of the pathogen. The incorporation of the mustard plant parts into the soil reduced the infectivity of Sclerotium rolfsii at every date at which inoculum was added to soil over the 13 day period of assessment. A significant reduction in the disease incidence was also observed due to infection of S. rolfsii, persistence of Brassica residues was significantly shorter than the persistence of residue action. In field studies, the treatment FYM application at 6 kg per plot+in situ application of Brassica residues+rhizobium seed treatment at 20 g per Kg seed (T9) showed the highest plant height, leaf area at 30, 60 and 90 DAS respectively, fresh weight and dry weight and pod yield at the time of harvest. Soil drenching with propiconazole at 0.1%+in situ application of Brassica residues at 4 kg per plot+rhizobium seed treatment at 20 g per Kg seed resulted in maximum reduction in stem rot and pod rot disease as well as the lowest fungal and bacterial population. Soil exposed to dried mustard leaf volatiles followed by onion and cabbage had minimum microbial population under in vitro conditions. Finally, it can be concluded that Brassica residues had an impact on disease incidence of Sclerotium rolfsii and improved the plant growth.

Biography:

Shuisen Chen has completed his PhD at the age of 39 years from Institute of Remote Sensing Application, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, Visiting Scholar studies from FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Senior Visiting Fellow studies from the College of Earth, Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University. He is the Deputy Director, Open Laboratory of Geospatial Information Technology and Application of Guangdong Province, Deputy Director of academic committee & director of Department of Remote Sensing & GIS Application Research, Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou China. He has published more than 80 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of Tropical Geography.

Abstract:

Different from national typical matter spectral library of China, the featured crop spectral library in south China was built including litchi, banana, winter crop (potato, chili, etc). Spectral and remote sensing models and Applications were developed for inversion of land surface temperature, surface soil moisture. We built the spectral models (350-2500nm) of leave chlorophyll a, soil organic matter, N and P for precision fertilizing in litchi orchard. Besides, a new remote sensing method was developed for estimating the planting area of winter potato, combining the NDVI spectra and spectral angle method. The research achievements had been widely applied in crop planting area estimation, drought & cold disaster monitoring and litchi fertilizer application with notable economic and social benefits.

Biography:

Mallikarjun Biradar is currently working at University of Agricultural Sciences, India.

Abstract:

Growth and development of any plant is a result of genetic constituent and the growing environment. Under protected conditions yield and quality can be increased by manipulating plant density and number of seeds per hill. Pole bean-a climbing variety of french bean tried under different protected growing conditions ( Poly house, shadehouse-I with 35% shade and shadehouse-II with 50% shade) with three planting geometry (45x30, 45x45 and 45x60 cm) and three levels of seeds per hill (2, 3 and 4 seeds) during 2014 at Hi-Tech Horticulture Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India. Crop was raised on soil media with drip-irrigation. Among the protected structures, shadehouse-I had optimum temperature, relative humidity and light intensity (32.50 0C, 60% and 36835 lux resp.) which recorded better plant growth, higher yield and greater quality produce than those in shadehouse-II (lower LI 28335 lux).The crop under poly house had more of lanky vegetative growth due to higher temperature (37.00 0C), relative humidity (75%) with light intensity (38,500 lux) and produced lesser yield.
Shade house-I recoded significantly maximum pod diameter (1.25cm), pod weight (14.5g), yield per plant (1835g) and yield per square meter (5.50 kg). Among the planting geometry 45x45cm recorded significantly maximum pod diameter, pod weight and yield per plant (1.12cm.14.55g & 1218g respectively). However, yield per unit area was significantly maximum (3.34kg/m2) under closer spacing of 45x30cm with maximum pod length (19.45cm). As regards the number of seeds per hill, 2 seeds recorded significantly maximum pod length (22.55cm), pod weight (13.85g), yield per plant (1511g) and yield per square meter (4.30kg). It can be concluded from the study that favourable environment under shade house condition-I with closer spacing of 45x30 cm having 2 seeds per hill is optimum for protected cultivation pole beans for higher productivity of super quality produce.

Biography:

J P Sharma is currently Joint Director of Agricultural Extension, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India.

Abstract:

In many of the developing nations, small and medium farms play an important role as life blood for the livelihood security of population and economic welfare of the country. This segment is believed to have important consequences for poverty alleviation in rural areas of developing countries due to their potential to increase incomes and create employment. But in many of these countries, small and medium level agriculture face a series of constraints that often limits their ability to participate competitively in production and marketing chains and there has been considerable concern that these producers are being excluded from important growth opportunities. Agri-preneurship among the small and medium farmers is identified as one of the vital solution to the above mentioned situation. It is a purposeful activity involves main economic deeds such as initiation, promotion and distribution of wealth and services and helps in rural development which contribute to overall creation of wealth in the country. The essence of the complete development of a country lies in the advancements in agribusiness as well as in hiking the contribution of agri-entrepreneurs towards its economy. But development of entrepreneurship in the areas of agriculture requires special skills like human development, knowledge of agriculture, knowledge of global agriculture market etc. When a farmer introduces a new enterprise into his farming system, there are different stages of development that the enterprise goes through like establishment, survival, early growth, rapid growth, maturity and a never ending progress for achieving new horizons day by day. The skills and competencies of the farmers also must need to change to meet the management demands of the hour. The entrepreneurial fortitude in the farmers must be alive always especially now when there are thousands of opportunities all around us in small and medium farming sector. In this competitive era of growth, investors from all over the world are making more and more investments into the agripreneurship for unleashing its existing potentialities as well as for exploring the untapped areas. But the specific and actual opportunities for different areas are not the same. Proper documentation and presentation of identified opportunities in different areas are lacking in our situation. In order to overcome these situations and developing a sustainable growth and economic independence among small and medium level farmers, extension and educational agencies need to help in developing human resources and capacities among them. Creation, documentation and replication of marketing innovation and marketing models by extension agencies may help in agripreneurship development. In this context extension need to play a pulsating responsibility by identifying opportunities and constraints facing Agri-rural sector in small and medium farming horizon providing affordable and appropriate solutions and technologies backed by research to exploring all the benefits of entrepreneurship in farming sector. This present paper deals with the challenges in agricultural sector, importance of necessitating entrepreneurship among small and medium level farmers, extension interventions and its role to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities among them.

Biography:

Ugbajah Maryjane O is currently working at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria.

Abstract:

The study investigated financing of organic farming among small scale vegetable farmers in Onitsha L.G.A of Anambra state, Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained through structured questionnaire. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select 80 respondents used for the study. The statistical tools including frequency counts, percentages, means, ranking and likert scale were deployed for data analysis. Majority 78% of the respondents were females, and 58% had above 11 years of farming experience, the mean annual income of the farmers was N 76,400, 44% financed their enterprise through personal savings, majority 50% received between N 30,000 - N 50,000 loan, the most severe constraint to organic farming was poor output from agricultural investment, reinvestment of part of loan, unexpected expenditure at loan repayment period, lack of collateral. While constraints to credit demand included late disbursement of loan, high interest rate, lack of awareness of fund among others. The vegetable farmers in the area would be encouraged by the government and financial institutions through policies geared towards elimination of bottle necks, timely release of credit/loan, interest free loans/credit, involving the organic farmers in policy formulations that encourage the use of organic practices in agricultural productions.

Biography:

S Chandrashekhar is working as Associate Professor at College of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru and is involved in Teaching, Research and Extension activities since seventeen years. He organized and participated in many national and international conferences, workshops etc. and published more than 50 scientific publications including research articles, books etc. He is recipient of many State and University awards and served as PI and Co-PI for externally funded projects.He also served as NSS Programme Offi cer since 9 years and organized health camps, social environmental and national integration camps for the benefit of students and farming community.

Abstract:

Apart from the marvelous mulberry silk, which is quite popular the world over, there are few other varieties that are equally attractive. Among them, eri silk is becoming popular in recent years. Castor, a minor oilseed crop can be linked with eariculture to maximize the returns if right choice of castor genotype is made. Keeping this in view, castor can be exploited both for castor seed and leaf production which inturn helps in eri cocoon production. Th e study revealed that, high gross returns were realized by rearing eri silkworms on leaves of DCS-85 (Rs.30,584/ha). Th e genotypes 48-1 (Rs.21,636), DCH-32 (Rs.19,594) and DCS-9 (Rs.19,340) were found next best and the least with Local genotype (Rs.17,613). Net profi t was more with DCS-85 (Rs.16,534/ ha), However, it was less with Local genotype (Rs.4,643). Signifi cant variation in B:C ratio was observed among selected castor genotypes when they were used for both castor seed and eri cocoon production. B:C ratio was more with DCS-85 (1.777:1) followed by that in respect of 48-1 (0.578:1), DCH-32 (0.468:1), DCS-9 (0.421:1), DCH-177 (0.391:1) and Kranti (0.372:1). However, B:C ratio was least with Local genotype (0.358:1). Th us it is inferred that, castor genotype DCS-85 can be raised under rainfed condition for seed production and ericulture (at 50% defoliation) to earn more gross return (Rs. 30,584 / ha), net profi t (Rs. 16,534 / ha) and B:C ratio (1.777:1). Hence, DCS-85 genotype could be used with cost eff ectiveness for dual purpose of castor seed and eri cocoon production under rainfed situation.

Biography:

Gabriel Ddamulira has completed his MSc in Agronomy from Makerere University, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Uganda. Currently he is finalizing his Doctoral Program in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology in the same University. He has published seven papers in reputed journals and eight in conference proceedings.

Abstract:

Developing common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties resistant to angular leaf spot (ALS), a fungal disease caused by Pseudocercospora griseola (Sacc), is still hindered by 1) existing exotic resistance sources which are not well adapted to environmental conditions in Uganda and 2) high variability of P.griseola which complicates ALS control. These two factors necessitate continuous identification of new and broad sources of resistance to quicken the process of developing resistant varieties to reduce on the current yield losses. Seventy four landraces, four commercial varieties, and two controls were screened with four P. griseola races (1:6, 17:39, 21:39, and 61:63) to determine their resistance to ALS. The experiment was conducted in pots in a screenhouse to identity resistant genotypes and the effect of growth habit and seed size on ALS resistance. The experiment was factorially designed in randomised complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant (P<0.05) variation in resistance among bean genotypes. Landrace (U00297), showed consistent resistance to four P. griseola races used in this study. But for commercial varieties, only recently released NABE 13 was moderately resistant to the four P. griseola races while the rest were susceptible. Seed size and growth habit were observed to influence genotype resistance to only mild P.griseola race (1:6) but not to virulent races. The results showed that U00297 was resistant to ALS under screenhouse conditions. This information generated will guide breeding programs targeting developing bean varieties resistant to ALS.

Biography:

Milingoni Peter Tshisikhawe has completed his PhD in Plant Science in 2012 from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of Venda in South Africa. He has published 14 papers inaccredited peer review journals as well as a book chapter.

Abstract:

Conservation of biodiversity on agricultural farms, forests, and protected areas is likely to backup future livelihood options. The main objective of this research was to investigate the ethnobotanical importance of indigenous trees protected within agricultural farming system of Mutale local municipality.Tree layer of indigenous species were recorded and classified into families, parts used and their utilization purposes. Twenty two agricultural fields were visited and nineteen species were recorded. The 19 species were classified into sixteen families with Fabaceae, Combretaceae, Capparaceae being the dominating families. Sclerecarya birrea belonging to Anacardiaceae family was the plant species which was well represented in the agricultural farming fields, occurring in 21 farms, followed by Adansoniadigitata(19 farms)which belongs to Malvaceae family, and Bosciaalbitrunca (16 farms), Maeruaangolensis(15 farms) which both belong to the Capparaceae family. Shade use category amongst tree species protected within agricultural fields was the dominant category followed by medicine, food, demarcation fence, fodder, and firewood. Protection of these indigenous trees within agricultural fields will go a long way towards conservation of declared protected and endangered species.

Biography:

Khathutshelo Magwede has completed his MSc from University of Venda (South Africa) and he is currently a registered PhD candidate at the University of Johannesburg (South Africa). He is employed as the Acadermic Chief Laboratory Technician at the University of Venda. He has published a paper in a reputed scientific Journal in December 2014.

Abstract:

The Vhavenda people had a rich social culture intrinsically embedded to the natural environment with their livelihood dependent on its sustainable utilization. The Vhavenda plant uses had been well documented through several studies that had reported on different use categories ranging from medicinal, vegetables, fruits, beverages, firewood, art and craft and building construction. Some of the plants species had been recorded to be utilized in more than one category. To access the information on Vhavenda plant uses several literature were consulted followed by an ethno botanical rapid appraisal survey within the Vhembe District Municipality. Data collected was used to analyse the family and category trends of plant species usage. The overwhelming majority of plants are used as medicine for humans and animals healthcare, more than 40 plant species are used as vegetables with hard wood plants mainly used for construction as well as art and craft. Six categorical uses were recorded for families; Anacardiaceae and Euphorbiaceae with Capparaceae, Celastraceae, Rhamnaceae, Papilionoideae as well as Rubiaceae used in five categories. The ethno botanical rapid appraisal survey revealed an informative data trend on plant uses from earlier times to present. It also gave indication on plant use dynamics through time.

Biography:

David B Afful holds a PhD (Agricultural Extension) from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa and held a Postdoctoral fellowship at the same University 2012. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Extension at the University of Limpopo, South Africa. He has published number of papers in reputed journals and serves as an external examiner for postgraduate studies at the University of Fort Hare, and a reviewer for a number of peer-reviewed journals.

Abstract:

Smallholder agriculture in most developing countries world-wide including South Africa is largely rain-fed. Changes occurring in the Extension environment include the climate, globalisation and technological improvements. Broad political and scientific consensus exist that climate change and variability is happening and will continue well into the future with negative effects on food production and food security. Extension professionals, therefore, need to constantly develop and improve their capabilities to remain useful and relevant to farming communities.The purpose of the paper is to determine the extension agents’ competencies regarding coping strategies they promote and their effectiveness in contributing tosmallholder crop farmers’ food production in light of climate variability. The study adopted a multi-stage random sampling approach to select districts, municipalities and respondents. Semi-structured questionnaires were used tocollect data from 194 smallholder crop farmersin 20 villages from four municipalities of Limpopo province, South Africa in January of 2014. Extension managers and field-level extension agents of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture Extension service took part in the survey. Findings show that only one-third of survey respondents receive public extension services including information on climate variability coping assistance; this group finds the information useful for farm production. The most popular climate variability coping strategies promoted by most extension agents were conservation agricultural practices. Small yield differences between extension service and non-extension service recipients indicate agents need new competencies in how to apply coping strategies with producers. Study recommends involvement of extension agents, scientists and farmers in adaptive, municipality-specific trials on the effective implementation of conservation agricultural practices to enhance crop yields. There is need for agents to use multiple channels for effective communication to improve adoption of climate variability coping innovations which have the potential to improve crop yields.

Biography:

Ruchi Singh is a faculty member at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, India.

Abstract:

The present study was conducted purposively in Mandla and Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh as these two districts have a sizeable proportion of tribal population. Five villages were selected randomly from each district (i.e., Mandla and Seoni) for the present study. From each district a total sample of 75 tribal livestock owners were selected on the basis of Random Proportionate Sampling (RPS) method. Thus, the final sample was comprised of 10 villages and 150 tribal livestock owners as respondents (n=150). Th e data shows that majority of the tribal livestock owners (72.00%) belonged to middle age group, 35.33 percent were illiterate and 69.33 per cent belonged to medium family size. Th e majority of the respondents (64.67%) possessed 1-2 hectare of land and belonged to small farmers’ category, while, 13.33 percent of the respondents had less than 1 hectare of land and fell in the marginal farmers’ category. Th e average land holding of tribal livestock owners is less than 2 hectare due to fragmentation of land and population explosion. Regarding overall herd composition the study also shows that majority of the respondents reared poultry (40%), followed by cattle (26%), goats (25%), pig (5%) and buffalo (4%), respectively. Date also indicates that majority of the respondents (84.67%) gave first preference to relatives, followed by neighbor (62.67%), gram sevaks (34.67%), veterinary doctors (15.33%), radio (11.33%), newspaper (8.00%) and television (6.00%), respectively. Data pertaining to knowledge level reveals that majority (64.37%) of the respondents had low level of knowledge followed by medium level of knowledge 35.63 per cent. None of the respondent had high level of knowledge regarding management, breeding, feeding and health care practices of animal husbandry. The relationship analysis reveals that age of the tribals farmers had negative and significant correlation (r=-0.141) with knowledge level about animal husbandry practices at 5 per cent level of significance while education of farmers had positive and significant (0.184) relationship with knowledge level. The independent variables namely, herd size (0.324) and information source utilization (0.173) by the tribals were found to have positive and significant correlation at 1 percent level of significance. Several earlier research findings show that education has an influence on the knowledge level. It is well established fact that frequency of information source utilization was positively related with knowledge of farmers. T ese findings were in accordance with the findings of Malik and Sohal (1980). With respect to annual gross income of the farmers was found to have positive and significant correlation with knowledge level at 5 percent level of significance.

Biography:

Nasir S A Malik completed his PhD on Plant Physiology in the year 1973 at Glasgow University, UK. Currently, he is the Research Plant Physiologist at the United States Department of Agriculture, USA.

Abstract:

It is well known that mycorrhizal symbiosis can improve plant growth and productivity under limited supply of phosphorus, water, or other nutrients. We have started studies to investigate if the mycorrhizal symbiosis would also affect food quality by changing the levels of polyphenols/flavonoid in different plant species. In addition, we are examining changes in polyphenol levels of a cultivar when inoculated with different species a plant. Using UHPLC/UV-MS, our initial studies, with leeks have identified 8 species of kaempferol glycosides in the leek shoots. In addition to different numbers of hexose residues attached to kaempferol, we also identified hexuronic acid, malonyl, feruloyl, coumaroylmoiets attached to agylcone. Of these flavonoids, five occurred in significantly higher amounts in mycorrhizal plants compared to control. The levels of twoflavonoid species were found lower, and one unchanged, in mycorrhizal plants compared to controls. It was interesting to note that some of these flavonoid glycosides increased substantially even in the presence of full nutrient supply under which condition there was no overall increase in plant growth of the mycorrhizal plants compared to controls. Thus indicating the direct involvement of mycorrhizae in plant secondary metabolism Changes in polyphenol levels in mycorrhizal lettuce, corn, peppers, and tomato are being investigated and will be presented at the meeting.

Biography:

Abdul Khalil Gardezi is a distinguished Scientist and Academic Member of the Hydro Science Center, Postgraduate College in Agriculture Science in Mexico since 1981. He has received distinctions for teaching, research and service from 1988 until 2014. He has been selected for the originality of his research, presented as the best paper and oral presentation during 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in international congresses in Australia, Canada, England, Mexico and USA. He has published more than 170 papers national and internationally. He has been honored among 2000 outstanding intellectuals of the 21st century by the International Biographical Center Cambridge, England.

Abstract:

Most cactus pear farmers use manure as fertilizer. This practice provokes problems. The use of endomycorrhiza is almost unknown by such farmers. The objective of this work was to study the effect of organic matter and endomycorrhiza on cactus pear (Opuntia albicarpa) growth in two soil types under greenhouse conditions. There were differences (p≤0.05) in all the variables recorded due to the inoculation with Glomus intraradices and in most for the application of organic matter. Mycorrhiza and organic matter as vermicompost promoted higher stem and root growth. Overall, based on cactus pear vegetative growth, the application of 50 t ha-1 of vermicompost can be considered as the best alternative. The soil type did not affect plant growth. Mycorrhiza can be useful to improve mineral nutrition. These fungi can increase yields and reduce cost of production in cactus pear plantations. Vermicompost is a better alternative to apply organic matter in this crop.

Biography:

Abstract:

Although soil health, which is recognized as one of the key determinants of sustainable agricultural development, can be measured by a range of physical, chemical and biological parameters, the widely used parameters include pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), plant available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Soil health is largely affected by the occurrence of natural events or human activities and can be improved by various land management practices. A database of 120 soil samples collected from farmers’ fields spread across three major agro-climatic zones of Punjab suggested that the average pH, EC, OC, P and K was 8.2 (SD = 0.75, Min = 5.5, Max = 9.1), 0.27 dS/m (SD = 0.17, Min = 0.072 dS/m, Max = 1.22 dS/m), 0.49% (SD = 0.20, Min = 0.06%, Max = 1.2%), 19 mg/kg soil (SD = 22.07, Min = 3 mg/kg soil, Max = 207 mg/kg soil) and 171 mg/kg soil (SD = 47.57, Min = 54 mg/kg soil, Max = 288 mg/kg soil), respectively. Region-wise, pH, EC and K were the highest in south-western district of Ferozpur whereas farmers in north-eastern district of Gurdaspur had the best soils in terms of OC and P. The soils in the central district of Barnala had lower OC, P and K than the respective overall averages while its soils were normal but skewed towards alkalinity. Besides agro-climatic conditions, the size of landholding and farmer education showed a significant association with Soil Fertility Index (SFI), a composite index calculated using the aforementioned parameters’ normalized weightage. All the four stakeholder groups cited the current cropping patterns, burning of rice crop residue, and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers for change in soil health. However, the current state of soil health in Punjab is unclear, which needs further investigation based on temporal data collected from the same field to see the short and long-term impacts of various crop combinations and varied cropping intensity levels on soil health.

Biography:

Ruizong Jia had done his PhD from China Agricultural University (2003-2009), Post Doctorate from University of Hawaii (2009-2010), Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (2010-2013). Currently he is Associate Researcher and Associate Professor in Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences (2013- present).

Abstract:

Mass spectrometry (MS) has been widely used for specific, sensitive, and rapid analysis of proteins and has shown a high potential for bacterial identification and characterization. In the present study, four well-characterized rhizobia strains and E. coli DH5α, as a reference, were chosen to optimize applications of MALDI TOF MS for rhizobia species identification. The four rhizobia strains were Sinorhizobium/Ensifer meliloti USDA 1002T, Rhizobium leguminosarum USDA 2370T, Mesorhziobium tianshanense USDA 3306T, and Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense CCBAU 10071T. Bacterial cultivation, colony storage conditions and sampling time were studied to evaluate the effects on protein mass spectra. In comparison with 16S rDNA phylogenetic tree, the optimized method was further evaluated with 75 rhizobial strains of 40 characterized species in 4 genera (6 Mesorhziobium spp., 22 strains; 9 Rhizobium spp., 49 strains; 3 Sinorhizobium/Ensifer spp., 3 strains; and 1 Azorhizobium sp., 1 strain). The potential of developing a mass spectrum database for rhizobial species determination was demonstrated with blind samples. A dendrogram of 75 rhizobial strains of 4 genera was constructed based on MALDI-TOF mass spectra and the topological patterns agreed well with those in the 16S rDNA phylogenetic tree. The potential of developing a mass spectrum database for all rhizobia species was assessed with blind samples. The entire process from sample preparation to accurate species identification and classification required approximately 1 hour.

Biography:

C Sudha Rani has completed her PhD at the age of 31 years from Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, India. She is working as Professor (Agronomy) and Head of Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana State. She has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Field experiments were conducted during Kharif (2011-12 and 2012-13) on transplanted red gram (Cajanus cajan) with four spacings and five varieties in Vertisols (Black-cotton soils) at Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana state, India. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with spacings (4 No.) in the main plot (S1: 90×60 cm, S2: 120×90 cm, S3: 150×120 cm and S4: 180×120 cm) and with varieties (5 No.) in the sub-plot (V1: Asha, V2: PRG-158, V3: Maruthi, V4: Laxmi and V5: MRG-1004). Results of the pooled analysis (two years) of the trial revealed that growing of red gram at 90×60 cm (S1) recorded the highest seed yield (3532 Kg/ha) but it is on par with transplanting at 120×90 cm i.e. S2 (3193 Kg/ha). The S2 treatment has registered the highest benefit cost ratio because of it low cost of cultivation as the population of S2 is nearly half of the population of S1. On par yields of S2 with S1 was because of its increased growth and yield attributes parameters at wider spacing like primary, secondary branches, Stem girth, total dry matter production, harvest index, pods per plant and test weight which were expressed to its highest potential favoring for the best yield expression under transplanted conditions. The lower seed yields in S3 and S4 was because of its very low plant population even though the yield attributing factors are higher. Of the five test varieties Asha (ICPL 87119) recorded significantly highest seed yield of 3401 Kg/ha followed by PRG 158 (3033 Kg/ha) because of its harvest index (27.2), pod per plant and test weight. Asha variety reported the highest benefit cost ratio of 4.1 owing to highest net returns. Transplanting of Red gram at 120×90 cm in vertisols during Kharif helps the farmers in harvesting the highest seed yields.

Biography:

Kandi Prakash Vani is currently working as a research scientist at Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, India.

Abstract:

As field trial was conducted at student farm; College of Agriculture at Hyderabad during summer 2013 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on summer sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The trial comprised of 9 treatments, i.e. 100% RDF alone, 75% and 50% RDF integrated with Farm Yard Manure, Vermicompost and Poultry Manure and Foliar sprays of Humic acid and Fulvic along with 100% RDF. Results of the present study indicated that sesamum responded well to applied fertilizers and organic manures. 100% RDF have shown higher growth parameters like plant height, DMP, Number of branches/plant and maximum yield parameters (Number of capsules/plant, Number of seeds/capsules, test weight) yield (seed and stalk yield) and oil content. Among organic manures vermicompost integrated with 75% RDF had resulted in higher growth, yield parameters, yield and oil content compared to other treatments.

Biography:

Franc Bavec is currently working as a faculty member at University of Maribor, Slovenia.

Abstract:

It is confirmed that notable variations in opiate alkaloid concentrations may arise due to variations in the climate, soil composition, seed genes, the year of harvest, and the variety of poppy cultivated. In some countries, like in Slovenia, traditional foods exist like Prekmurska gibanica cake, which contains approximately 25% poppy seed; and makova potica, which can contain more than 50% of poppy seed. Because of opiates, four Slovenian rare populations and 5 varieties were analysed (content of morphine in µg per g of poppy seed) and used for consumption 10 g v.s. 20 g of seeds per person by the 33 students (3 repetitions plus control without poppy seed consumption). Morphine (µg per l) was calculated like as a ratio between content of morphine and U-creatinin (mmol/l). The results show great variation from 4.9 to 28.3 µg of morphine per g seeds in varieties produced in Slovenian and Czech temperate climate, to 44.4 and 46.0 µg of morphine per g seed in Turkish varieties, and from 133.7 µg in an unknown sample to 466.6 µg of morphine per g seed produced in Hungary. These values highly correlate with the content of morphine and codeine in the urine. On this basis, we discuss the limitations of poppy seed consumption regarding sportists, drivers and different ages (or body mass) of persons and which kind of restrictions for opiates in the poppy seeds are actual according to the international laws.

Biography:

Raveendra H Patil has completed his PhD from Copenhagen University, Denmark and has worked as Post doctoral Researcher at Yangzhou University, China, University of Nottingham, UK, Aarhus University, Denmark and University of Florida, USA. Now, he is based in India at UAS, Dharwad involved in teaching and supervision of Graduate students undertaking research on climate change impact and adaptation studies in agriculture, precision agriculture and sustainable production systems among others. He is a recipient of Young Scientist award from the Indian Government and ISCA, Kolkata, India for his work on agroforestry and over the years he has received number of national and international fellowships. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member and Reviewer of number of reputed journals.

Abstract:

Indian national food security is not only challenged by the ever growing population, it’s fast changing food diets and consumption patterns but also by the expected adverse impacts of climate change. Global food production needs to be doubled by 2050 from the current levels to feed some nine billion people and most of it needs to be met by cereals. This suggests that the productivity of cereals needs not only be enhanced from the current level but maintained under future adverse climates. In India, Sorghum is one of the important coarse cereal crops grown mostly in semi-arid climates where high temperatures and moisture stress during crop growing period severely affect yield levels. This would be further adversely affected by projected rise in temperatures and changing rainfall patterns. Therefore, our currently ruling and newly released Sorghum cultivars need to be tested for their performance under future climates to know if they are good enough under future climates. This would help us identify traits which need to be targeted in crop improvement programs to design required ideotype for a given location for mid of this century. In this study, DSSAT model was used to assess both the potential yield and impacts of climate change on currently popular and newly released Sorghum cultivars. This study also identifies and suggests ideal traits required to be targeted by the Sorghum breeders to enhance and maintain higher yields under future climates.

Biography:

Mohamed Saber Ismaeil is currently working as Research Scientist at National Research Center, Egypt.

Abstract:

Surface soil samples irrigated with low quality water, i.e., agricultural drainage water or treated sewage effluent for prolonged time between > 35 to > 85 years `as well a control alluvial soil irrigated with Nile were collected. The microbiological characteristics of these soils were compared with the microbiological characters of a soil irrigated with Nile water collected from Tanash village. Results showed the microbial biomass represented by bacteria, fungi and Azotobacterwas in general more or less the same in the different investigated soils. On the other hand, the new indicators of pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas) exhibited positive existence even in the soil irrigated with Nile. Data showed that the most important parameter indicating the bioactivity of a certain soil ecosystem, i.e., dehydrogenase activity was highest in soils irrigated with sewage effluents from either Abu-Rawash or Zeneen sewer plants being even higher than in the soil irrigated with Nile.

Biography:

Maclin Dayod is currently the Head of Crop Breeding and Miscellaneous Crops Section in the Research Division of the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Malaysia. Since 2012, his research work focuses on breeding for good eating quality in Oryza sativa L and varietal improvement in Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal. He is also responsible for the conservation and propagation of various crops which include pepper and other spices, herbs and medicinal plants. He had also researched on the impact of calcium on plant water channels (aquaporins) and uptake for his PhD and the physiological changes in barley due to water logging for his Master's degree.

Abstract:

Rice is an important staple for more than half of the world's population. Hence, increasing yield and nutritional quality of the crop to complement current strategies to reduce malnutrition are crucial. This study had evaluated the potential of calcium silicate and organic fertilizer as yield enhancers and bio-fortification fertilizers in rice. Results obtained show no difference in yield and other vegetative and reproductive parameters among all the treatments. There was also no difference in term of nutritional contents in the rice grain except for calcium and silicon. Soil-applied 1.36 t/ha of calcium silicate increases dietary silicon content in the grain to about 30% higher than the 1.76 t/ha of calcium silicate and 2.16 t/ha of organic fertilizer treatments but was comparable to the control. However, calcium silicate treated plants had about 30% lower calcium content in their grains than the control. The results from this study are in contradictory with the previous reports on the beneficial effects of calcium silicate application in rice and various other crops. Since calcium silicate is quite expensive, other sources of calcium and silicon, rate and time of applications may be explored.

Biography:

Fhatuwani Mudau N is currently working as Professor at University of South Africa, South Africa.

Abstract:

Baby spinach (Spinaciaoleracea L.) is a member of the Amaranthaceae family. Baby spinach leaves have a very high respiration rate and the only main problems for keeping its post-harvest quality is tissue decay and off-odours development. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of post-harvest storage temperature and time on the quality of baby spinach since baby spinach has low shelf life. Baby spinach seeds were sown in a media composed of sand and plug mix (peat) with a composition of 50:50 under glasshouse. After 36 days all plants were harvested and the leaves were subsequently stored at 4ËšC and 22ËšC for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days, respectively and thereafter taken into incubator for 72 hours at 40ËšC in order to dry up. Parameters recorded were mineral and trace element, total phenols, total carotenoids, flavonoids and antioxidant activities. The results of this study demonstrated that the quality of baby spinach deteriorates as the storage time and temperature increases. Storage time and temperature did not exhibit significant effects on selenium. The level carotenoid contents did not decrease at 4ËšC after 6 days of storage, whilst at 22ËšC the level of carotenoid contents declined after 2 days. Total polyphenols decreasedat 4ËšC whereas at 22ËšC decreased rapidly after 4 days of storage. Total antioxidant activities decreased after 2 days of storage at 22ËšC, whereas at 4ËšC total antioxidant activities decrease after 6 days. Vitamin C content remained at constant level at 4ËšC and subsequently decreased after 6 days. Trace elements and bioactive compounds deteriorated at 22 ËšC hence at 4 ËšC stored for 6 days significantly lead to a high nutritional value in terms of bioactive compounds of baby spinach.

Biography:

Phoebe Sikuku has completed her PhD at the age of 35 from Maseno University Kenya. She is a lecturer at Maseno University and the chairperson of different committees in Botany department, Maseno University. She is a researcher focused on conducting research that impacts positively on the lives of small holder rural women farmers. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed international peer reviewed Journals and has reviewed a number of manuscripts for reputed Journals.

Abstract:

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a principal staple food crop in Kenya. However, its production is still low due to inherently low and declining soil fertility. This has resulted into food and nutritional insecurity and low living standards. The situation has been compounded by the ever escalating fertilizer prices which has made it unaffordable to most small holder farmers. Although some studies have been done on fertilizer application on some rice varieties, the Mwea upland rice (MWUR) varieties were bred under low fertilizer input environment while other authors have indicated that the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties give high yields under low input conditions. The objective of the research was to establish photosynthetic and yield performance of eight promising improved rice varieties under four nitrogen (N) levels and identify the variety that gives high yields at relatively low N fertilizer rates. Field experiments were carried out at Alupe in Western Kenya under rainfed upland condition. The experiment layout was split plot factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. The main plot treatments were four rates of nitrogen fertilizer which were; 0 (control), 40 kg ha-1, 80 kg ha-1 and 120 kg ha-1 applied as urea in two equal splits, sub-plots consisted of four MWUR and four NERICA varieties. The parameters measured included chlorophyll content (SPAD Units), photosynthesis, panicle length, yield at 14% moisture content, filled grain ratio percentage and yield components. The measured parameters increased significantly with increase in the level of nitrogen fertilizer. Varietal difference was significant and MWUR varieties recorded higher chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rates and panicle length and yield component at low nitrogen levels (0 N and 40 N) as compared to the NERICAs with MWUR 1 and 2 recording higher values. The NERICAs out-yielded the MWUR varieties at higher nitrogen levels. NERICA 4 recorded highest yield among the NERICA varieties regardless of the N level. Results from our study suggested that MWUR 1 and 2 and NERICA 4 were more tolerant to low nitrogen soil as compared to MWUR 3 and 4 and NERICA 1, 10 and 11 because of higher chlorophyll content, higher photosynthetic rate, higher panicle length, higher filled grain ratio percentage and higher yield component and may be suitable for soils deficient in nitrogen.

Biography:

Balram Marathi has completed his PhD from premier Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India and Postdoctoral studies from International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños Philippines. At present he is an Associate Professor at Institute of Biotechnology, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University at Hyderabad, India. He has published and presented more than 40 research papers in reputed journals and at various national and international seminars. He has been serving as an Editorial Board Member for Journal Rice Research and Reviewer for more than ten reputed journals. He is recipient of Assam State Government Gold Medal and Jawaharlal Nehru National Award for best research work in rice.

Abstract:

Increasing the yield potential is the major focus of rice breeding program. One of the main constraints for yield improvement is the narrow genetic base in popular cultivars. Recent reports from molecular mapping studies in different crops including rice indicate that phenotypically inferior wild species can contribute favorable genes for yield and thus providing a novel way for exploitation of wild relatives to broaden the genetic base to improve yield. The AA genome African wild species O. longistaminata is a perennial allogamous species was crossed with IR64 to develop a BC2F2 population for mapping of yield and yield component traits. The mean performance of traits in parents and range of trait values of population indicates transgressive segregation in favorable direction for all traits. Most of the yield component traits were normally distributed and skewed towards cultivated rice. A linkage map was constructed with 158 polymorphic markers and the total length of the map was 1840 cM with average marker interval of 12.6 cM. A total of 30 QTLs were identified for 9 yield and yield contributing traits. Major QTLs for yield traits were validated in Nipponbare/O. longistaminta and Taichung 65/O. longistaminta chromosome segment substitution lines and in IR64/O. longistaminta advanced backcross lines. The major QTLs for yield traits were introgressed into an elite New Plant Type (NPT) variety IR65600-81-5-3-2. The improved NPT lines with introgressed QTL regions from O. longistaminata showed increased panicle size and grain yield compared to the recurrent parent variety.

Biography:

Aliyu Mustapha Bawuro is the faculty member at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of seed treatment on germination of Cuscuta campestris. This may provide the possible ways to overcome the problem of dormancy in Cuscuta campestris. The experiment were conducted in the Laboratory of Crop Production and Horticulture, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, using wet heat treatment, mechanical scarification, gibberellic acid (GA3) and tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H2SO4). For wet heat the treatments were control, 1 second, 2, 3, 4, and 5 seconds. For the mechanical scarification the treatments were unscarified, scarified using sandpaper and scarified using gravel arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated four times. For the tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H2SO4) scarification the treatment were control, 9:1,7:3, 1:1, 4:6, 3:7, 2:8 and 1:9 H2SO4laid out in a Split plot design replicated three times, while for gibberellic acid (GA3) the treatment were control, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm laid out in a Split plot design replicated three times. The results showed that wet heat treatment for 5 seconds significantly produced the highest germinated C. campestris seeds (36.53 %) than the control treatments. Though mechanical scarification was not significant (P < 0.05), a rapid increase of germination from day 3 to day 9 was observed, with the highest rate of germination percentage (14 - 22 %) obtained on day 9. Tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid treatment of 4:6 concentrations significantly gave the highest C. campestris seeds germination percentage (40.07 %) compared with the rest of the treatments, while the time of soaking the seeds in the tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid showed that soaking the seeds for 1 second significantly gave the highest percentage germination (39.98 %) of C. campestris compared with the 3 and 5 seconds soaking treatments. The effect of interaction between the giberrellic acid (GA3) and the soaking time shows 250 ppmGA3and soaking time of36 hours had significantly the highest germination percentage (4.50 %) of C. campestris seeds compared with the control (0.79 %), 50 ppm (0.99 %) and 200 ppm (1.98 %) treatments. It can be concluded that wet heat for 5 seconds, sulphuric acid of 4:6 concentrations and of 250 ppmGA3and soaking time of 36 hours treatments has the potentiality to break dormancy of C. campestris seeds.

Biography:

A V Ramanjaneyulu is currently working as research scientist at Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, India.

Abstract:

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is a well known non-edible and industrially highly valued crop. Traditionally different parts of castor plant are being used in various sectors such as domestic, medical, agriculture, industry and of late ornamental. In the recent days, efforts are on for utilization of castor oil in biofuel programmes in different countries. At present it is cultivated in 30 different countries of which India, China, Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand are the major castor growing ones accounting for about 90% of the worlds’ production. India alone produces about 70% of the castor production of the world. Thus, India is the world largest producers of castor seed and meets most of the global demand for castor oil. India accounts for nearly 66.5 and 82.9% of world’s castor area and production, respectively. India stands first both in area (1.21 million ha), production (1.76 million tonnes) and productivity (1455 kg ha-1) during 2013-14. In India, castor is grown in 13 states, however, only three states viz. Gujarat (78.3%), Rajasthan (15.6%) and erstwhile Andhra Pradesh (4.73%) together contribute 98.63% of the total production of castor. In South India, castor is mainly grown under rainfed conditions where the crop is severely affected by Botryotinia gray rot (BGR). Further, crop is also threatened by mid season or terminal dry spell leading to low productivity of 600-700 kg ha-1 which is far less than national average of 1455 kg ha-1. Thus growing castor under rainfed conditions was proved to be not profitable. Castor cultivation during rabi season with limited water is a new dimension where crop will not affected by BGR and also doesn’t face moisture stress. However, to circumvent the problems of water and electricity problems, trickle irrigation and fertigation was adopted. Four irrigation levels in main plots (I1: Irrigation @ 0.3 pan evaporation I2: Irrigation @ 0.6 pan evaporation I3: Irrigation @ 0.9 pan evaporation through trickle method and I4: Irrigation @ 75 mm CPE through check basis method) and four N levels (N1: N @ 40 kg ha-1 N2: N @ 80 kg ha-1 N3: N @ 120 kg ha-1 through fertigation and N4: N @ 80 kg ha-1 through pocketing) were tried in a split pot design replicated thrice. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive years during rabi 2010-11 and 2011-12 on a red sandy loam soil which was low in N, medium in Phosphorus and high in Potash. The results revealed that scheduling of irrigation through trickle method @ 0.9 pan evaporation resulted in significantly higher seed yield of 2978 kg ha-1 as compared to that of 0.6 pan evaporation (2674 kg ha-1) and 0.3 pan evaporation (1852 kg ha-1). Application of N @ 120 kg ha-1 through fertigation has recorded seed yield of 2980 kg ha-1 which was significantly superior to that of 80 kg N ha-1 (2672 kg ha-1) applied through fertigation. The higher yield in these treatments is mainly owing to significantly longer, total and effective no. of spikes and also no. of capsules per spike. Further, 80 kg N ha-1 applied through fertigation has significantly outyielded 80 kg N ha-1 applied through pocketing method (2456 kg ha-1). The seed yield obtained due to application of 40 kg N ha-1 through fertigation was found to be inferior to all treatments. Scheduling of irrigation water through trickle irrigation helped to save 30% water vis-à-vis check basin method. However, neither irrigation levels nor fertigation levels influenced the intercepted radiation by the crop canopy. Significantly higher main root area, sub root area and also total root area were found to be with trickle irrigation @ 0.9 pan evaporation and fertigation @ 120 kg N ha-1 through fertigation. The total root length was unaffected by irrigation treatments, however, fertigation @ 120 kg and 80 kg N ha-1 were found superior to rest of treatments.