Asian Journal of Agriculture

A comparative study of electricity, irrigation and cropping pattern in three villages of Uttar Pradesh, India

2024-12-20T11:32:42+00:00

Abstract. Gupta R, Tripathi J. 2025. A comparative study of electricity, irrigation and cropping pattern in three villages of Uttar Pradesh, India. Asian J Agric 9: 103-111. India's economy, particularly Uttar Pradesh, one of its most agriculturally dependent states, heavily relies on agriculture. In the modern world, electricity plays a crucial role in every aspect of the economic and social life of the masses, and it became more vital in an agriculturist economy like India. Agriculture production and other agriculture-related activities have become increasingly dependent on the supply of electricity in recent times. Policymakers have expressed a strong desire to improve farming's certainty and reliability with improved electricity supply and by reducing reliance on monsoons for irrigation. The present work highlights this issue by elucidating how the electricity supply influences agriculture production, investment in agriculture, employment structure, and the living standards of women within an economy or community. The present study, based on a comparison of three villages in Pratapgarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India, has explored several deeper questions associated with the impact of electrification on irrigation facilities, groundwater access, and cropping patterns. The study is mainly based on primary data that has been collected during the agricultural crop year 2019-2020. Major findings of the study indicate that villages with healthier electricity supplies had higher investment in irrigation, profitable cropping patterns, and reasonable water prices. Villages with a healthier electricity supply had a higher number of groundwater irrigation sources as well as two to three times more investment in irrigation facilities than villages with a poorer electricity supply. The healthier electricity supply also has a positive impact on the employment structure of the surveyed villages and the living conditions of women.

Comprehensive phytochemical analysis of Momordica charantia ethanol extract: Insights from Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and in-silico ADMET studies

2024-11-18T08:13:05+00:00

Abstract. Mohanty SK, Nayak Y, Sahoo L. 2024. Comprehensive phytochemical analysis of Momordica charantia ethanol extract: Insights from Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and in-silico ADMET studies. Asian J Agric 8: 1-9. The Momordica charantia L. plant, also known as bitter gourd or bitter melon, is a crucial herbal remedy with a wide range of medicinal properties. It contains various essential phytocompounds, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective. The study investigates the phytochemical profile of M. charantia (bitter melon) ethanol extract using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, coupled with an in-silico ADMET assessment of the identified compounds. GC-MS analysis revealed a diverse range of phytoconstituents, including bioactive compounds such as Vitamin E, gentisic acid, cucurbitacin B dihydro, and various fatty acid esters, known for their potential therapeutic benefits. These compounds were further analysed using in-silico ADMET tools to predict their pharmacokinetic & Physiochemistry profiles. The results indicated that the majority of the identified compounds possess favourable ADMET properties, including good oral bioavailability and moderate toxicity levels, suggesting their potential as candidates for drug development. However, certain compounds, such as cucurbitacin, dihydro, and gentesic acid exhibited potential toxicity, necessitating careful consideration in therapeutic applications. The integration of GC-MS with in-silico ADMET analysis provides a data of the pharmacological potential and safety of M. charantia ethanol extract, supporting its traditional use and encouraging further exploration as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical development.

Optimizing raised bed dimensions for enhanced maize yield, water footprint reduction, and improved soil moisture dynamics under furrow irrigation

2024-10-12T09:23:01+00:00

Abstract. Islam MT, Bhuyan MY, Das N, Jahan N, Rahman MM, Jewel MAH, Adham AKM. 2024. Optimizing raised bed dimensions for enhanced maize yield, water footprint reduction, and improved soil moisture dynamics under furrow irrigation. Asian J Agric 8: 10-22. Effective water management is crucial for sustainable agriculture, especially in regions facing water scarcity. This study examines the impact of different Raised Bed (RB) dimensions on maize (Zea mays L.) yield, Water Footprint (WF), and soil water content under furrow irrigation, with a focus on water conservation. The experiment, conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh, utilized a randomized complete block design featuring four irrigation treatments: the Conventional Method (CM) and three RB configurations with widths of 25 cm, 65 cm, and 110 cm. The RB65 treatment significantly improved maize yield, achieving 13.1±1.4 t/ha compared to 9.89±1.11 t/ha with CM. Additionally, RB65 peaked in water productivity, reducing irrigation water use by 37.72%, highlighting its potential for water conservation. Soil moisture retention was consistently higher across all RB treatments, with RB65 showing the greatest retention at depths up to 80 cm. It also recorded the lowest green WF (88.6±10.07 l/kg) and blue WF (12.63±1.43 l/kg), resulting in the lowest total WF (101.22±11.50 l/kg). These findings suggest that RB systems, particularly the 65 cm configuration, optimize water usage and enhance maize productivity, making it a viable strategy for resource management in water-limited areas. The study recommends adopting the RB65 configuration to maximize water efficiency and crop yields, contributing to food security and sustainable agricultural practices. However, these results are based on specific geographical and climatic conditions, limiting their generalizability to other regions or crops. Future research should explore long-term studies across diverse agro-ecological zones and examine various crops to validate the broader utility of the RB65 configuration.

Vulnerability determinant of rice farmers to climate change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2024-08-30T11:36:30+00:00

Abstract. Emmanuel OE, Nnenna OM, Nkiruka B-CG, Henry AK, Ebuka OJ, Ogbuji EC, Thankgod EK, Chinenyenwa T-AA, Ugochukwu NE, Jerry UE, Chibueze NF. 2024. Vulnerability determinant of rice farmers to climate change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Asian J Agric 8: 23-30. Climate change has become a reoccurring nightmare regarding agricultural production with negative impacts. The study researched the vulnerability determinants of rice farmers to climate change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Rice farmers numbering 80 were picked using the purposive sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and mean, frequency counts, percentage, and probit regression models were employed in data analysis. Results show that the rice farmers were in their productive age, male, married, experienced, and relatively educated. Late onset of rainfall (98.8%), increased temperature (97.5%), prolonged drought (95.0%), severe windstorm (95.0%), and high evaporation rate (92.5%) were the most perceived climate change occurrences in the state. The use of improved varieties of seeds (100%), effective use of pesticides (96.3%), efficient application of fertilizers (95.0%), and diversification of crops (90.0%) were the primary adaptation measures to climate change. Age, education, access to capital, farming experience, access to climate change information, gender, and extension contacts were major determinant factors in the climate change vulnerability of rice farmers. High cost of fertilizer (100%), lack of timely access to inputs (97.5%), inadequate capital (97.5%), poor extension service (96.3%), and inadequate lands (90%) constrained rice production in the state. Farmers should practice more climate-smart agriculture to overcome the adverse effects of climate change on rice production.

Antimicrobial activity and identification of secondary metabolites in summer oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) extracts

2024-11-23T03:09:01+00:00

Abstract. Devi NB, Kalpana CA. 2025. Antimicrobial activity and identification of secondary metabolites in summer oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) extracts. Asian J Agric 9: 31-39. Consumption of oyster mushrooms is increasing due to their unique flavor, meaty taste, and extensive medicinal potential. The main aim of this study is to analyze and compare antimicrobial assays and identify secondary metabolites present after different drying techniques of oyster mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms were dried three different ways: Sun-Dried (SD), Cabinet-Dried (CD), and Freeze-Dried (FD). The dried samples were powdered and macerated using ethanol as a solvent extract and ultrasound treated. An antimicrobial assay was performed for the extracts using two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria. Gentamycin was used as a positive control and ethanol as a negative control. Further phytochemical screening was performed on the extracts to identify secondary metabolites, and other organic and inorganic compounds were identified by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The study revealed that the mean zone of inhibition by SD, CD and FD oyster mushroom extracts against Staphylococcus aureus were 15.6 mm, 17.2 mm and 13 mm respectively while against Bacillus cereus were 0 mm, 0 mm and 14 mm respectively. And the mean zone of inhibition by SD, CD and FD oyster mushroom extracts against Escherichia were 12.6 mm, 7.8 mm and 15.4 mm respectively whereas against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 1 mm, 0 mm and 11.4 mm respectively. The study also found that all three samples contained good amounts of alkaloids and carbohydrates, flavonoids, sterols, anthraquinones, and cardiac glycosides. All the samples showed bands in the IR regions of 400-4000 cm^-1. The study concluded that the FD oyster mushroom preserved more secondary metabolites that had potential role in antimicrobial activity. The present work extends the finding of previous work by adopting ultrasonication as an extraction process, to compare the antimicrobial activity and identification of secondary metabolites of different drying method for summer-grown oyster mushroom cultivated in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu, India.

Effects of different application doses of black soldier fly frass Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomydae) on soybean plant performances and arthropod abundance

2024-11-25T23:01:16+00:00

Abstract. Yudistira DH, Sandi YU, Wirabumi BA, Damayanti A, Wikandari P, Sato S. 2025. Effects of different application doses of black soldier fly frass Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomydae) on soybean plant performances and arthropod abundance. Asian J Agric 9: 40-51. Food waste poses a global challenge, contributing approximately 3.49 billion tons of CO₂ to the atmosphere annually. Recycling this waste into valuable soil nutrients is a viable solution. This study focuses on black soldier fly Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomydae) larvae, which convert organic waste into protein-rich biomass and frass, a potential soil amendment. However, the effects of black soldier fly frass on crop performance and biodiversity remain underexplored. We investigated the impact of three different frass doses (0, 2.5, and 5 tons/ha) on the growth of the Tsuruoka soybean variety (Glycine max L.), dadachamame. Results showed no significant differences in plant height (p =0.07), but higher doses increased leaf count (p<0.01) and SPAD values significantly (p<0.001), with 2.5 tons/ha improving leaf count by 26% and SPAD values by 16%. Yield analysis revealed that 2.5 tons/ha increased the number of filled pods by 29% (p<0.05) and reduced empty pods by 52% (p<0.001), thereby enhancing pod quality. Arthropod analysis indicated that 5 tons/ha significantly increased overall arthropod abundance (p<0.001), particularly predators (p<0.001) and herbivores (p<0.001), while 2.5 tons/ha balanced predator abundance, thereby controlling herbivores and supporting biodiversity. These findings suggest that an application dose of 2.5 tons/ha is optimal for improving edamame yield and quality while maintaining a balanced arthropod ecosystem, demonstrating black soldier fly frass as a nutrient-rich, eco-friendly input that supports sustainable agriculture.

Effect of selenium and zinc fortification on the physiochemical and sensory properties of Iraqi soft cheese

2024-12-01T12:03:46+00:00

Abstract. Al-Garory NH, Al-Musa RS, Al-Hashimi AG. 2025. Effect of selenium and zinc fortification on the physiochemical and sensory properties of Iraqi soft cheese. Asian J Agric 9: 52-59. Food industries, including the dairy industry, have developed to improve the health condition as they are the foods that provide the body with important nutritional components such as minerals, whose levels decrease after industrialization processes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of fortifying Iraqi soft cheese with zinc and selenium. The study focused on the physicochemical properties, rheological behavior and sensory characteristics of the cheese along with peroxide value as an indicator of oxidative stability. Zinc and selenium elements were added at a concentration of 200 mg/L to milk for cheese making. The result showed that an increase in peroxide value with increasing storage time and a decrease in fat oxidation for zinc and selenium were noted in treatments compared to the control treatments made from buffalo milk (T1) and cow's milk (T2). This may be due to the presence of selenium and zinc, which reduce fat oxidation, and lower pH values after storage. No effect of selenium and zinc fortification was observed on the acidity values of cheese, while the chemical composition values varied as selenium fortification did not affect the percentage of fat and protein. Microbial tests also showed an increase in bacteria number after 10 days of storage compared to the samples after manufacturing, as well as increase in total bacterial number after fortification. The hardness and consistency of cheese increased during storage and after addition of minerals compared to control samples. Cheese flexibility decreased after storage and fortification. The sensory indicators were almost similar in control and fortified samples.

Potentiality of Eichhornia crassipes as partial bovine feed: A step towards managing its invasiveness

2024-11-28T14:51:13+00:00

Abstract. Guchhait S, Paria DS, Shrestha R, Pradhan P, Roy A. 2025. Potentiality of Eichhornia crassipes as partial bovine feed: A step towards managing its invasiveness. Asian J Agric 9: 60-67. Menace of invasive species is rampant in tropical and subtropical areas and is a threat to the integrity of regional aquatic ecosystems. Bio-utilization has been suggested as one of the means of controlling the populations of invasive species. However, invasive plants such as Water Hyacinth (WH) (Eichhornia crassipes) are also known to accumulate heavy metals. From the literature survey, the young leaves of WH collected from freshwater ponds were found to have the lowest amounts of heavy metals in comparison to the roots as well as other fodder plants for bovines. This study aims to determine the effects of substituting common traditional bovine feed used in Eastern India with young leaves of the invasive plant WH collected from freshwater ponds on milk production, cow health, and its economic aspect. Eight cows aged between 3.7 to 6.7 years were considered for the study. In the control (0%) collection, they were fed with partial replacement feed composed of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% of total cow feed with young WH leaves. During the investigation, we assessed feed replacement-dependent changes in milk production and cow health to determine the EC₅₀, the optimal replacement level, and the efficacy of partial feed replacement with WH. From the study, it was known that an increase in WH% in the partially replaced feed had a positive effect on milk production while it had an adverse effect on health (stomach upset). Further, replacement feed with the range of 12.19-14.89% WH (maximum 15%) was identified to be optimum in terms of both milk production, cow health, and monetary contribution from milk output. So, the idea may be considered a step towards controlling the population of WH.

Evaluation of land potential for organic farming development and implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sleman District, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2024-12-05T23:29:25+00:00

Abstract. Romadhona S, Soedarmo SPK, Mussadun. 2025. Evaluation of land potential for organic farming development and implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sleman District, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Asian J Agric 9: 69-83. The land potential is a critical factor in managing and utilizing land for agriculture. Land with high potential can support quality crop growth, increase production yields, and contribute to food security. Identifying and mapping land potential helps farmers and policymakers make informed decisions to optimize land use, increase production efficiency, and minimize negative environmental impacts. This research highlights the importance of land potential analysis in land use optimization for the agricultural sector in Sleman District, which has a strategic role in the regional economy and community welfare. Using quantitative descriptive analysis and scoring techniques, this research identifies high-potential land for agriculture capable of producing quality crops and high productivity. An overlay approach of multiple maps was used to generate comprehensive new information on land potential, providing essential insights for more efficient and sustainable agricultural decision-making and planning. The novelty of this research lies in integrating scoring and map overlay methods in the analysis of land potential, which has yet to be widely applied in the local context, thus making a new contribution to the literature on agricultural land management in the region. The results of this study identified land potential in Sleman based on the Land Potential Index (IPL) classification. The highest land potential class (IPL) covers 45,741 hectares or 79.77% of the total land area and is spread across all sub-districts. The very high IPL class covers 7,239 hectares or 12.62%, spread across Moyudan, Minggir, Seyegan, Godean, Gamping, Mlati, Depok, Berbah, Prambanan, Kalasan, Ngemplak, Ngaglik, Candi, and Pakem. The medium IPL class covers 3,772 hectares (6.57%), while the low class is only 583 hectares (1.01%). This data shows that most areas have high land potential, essential for planning sustainable agricultural development.

Determinants of women’s participation in income generating activities in western Ethiopia

2024-12-08T22:42:36+00:00

Abstract. Yaried AA, Bullo MS. 2025. Determinants of women’s participation in income generating activities in western Ethiopia. Asian J Agric 9: 84-93. Participating in various income generating activities can improve women’s living standards by providing additional income, increasing agricultural productivity, reducing poverty and improving food security. This study focuses on assessing determinants of women’s participation in income generating activities in Itang special district of Gambella region. Primarily, Itang Special District was selected purposively among thirteen districts and 168 respondents were selected by using simple random sampling method. The data for this study was collected from both primary and secondary data sources. The descriptive analysis revealed that 62 (36.9%) of the households were farm participants, 86 (51.2%) were non-farm, and 20 (11.9%) were off-farm participants, respectively. Correspondingly, the multinomial logit model indicated that education status, household size, land size, livestock holding, access to credit, access to extension contacts, distance to main road, access to training, access to infrastructures, and access to market information is enormously significant variables that affect women’s participation in income generating activities. In conclusion, women’s participation in income generating activities has a greater role on improvements of their means of living. Therefore, government agencies, policymakers, and NGOs should pay attention to strengthening rural women households' participation in various income generating activities to improve their means of living.

Assessment of local wisdom biofertilizer formulas on enhancing microbial diversity and photosynthate allocation in acid-stressed maize

2024-12-29T12:02:44+00:00

Abstract. Irwandhi, Kamaluddin NN, Khumairah FH, Prihatiningsih N, Simarmata T. 2025. Assessment of local wisdom biofertilizer formulas on enhancing microbial diversity and photosynthate allocation in acid-stressed maize. Asian J Agric 9: 112-121. The use of biofertilizers derived from local wisdom practices presents a promising sustainable agricultural strategy for enhancing crop resilience in acidic soils. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Local Wisdom Biofertilizer (LWB) formula by examining the chemical and biological characteristics of various LWB formulations and their impact on growth-promoting microorganisms (GPMs) diversity (bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) and maize growth characters. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed, testing six LWB formulations (F1 to F6) at four dosage levels (0, 2, 4, and 6%) to assess their effects on key growth traits of maize grown in suboptimal soils. Results revealed significant variation in organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium across formulations, with F3 demonstrating the highest organic carbon (14.80%) and potassium (0.08%). In comparison, F2 exhibited the highest total nitrogen (4.07%), and F5 had the highest phosphorus content (0.03%). Formulation F6 demonstrated the highest concentrations of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) among the treatments. The treatments F3K3, F4K3, F5K1, F5K3, F6K1, and F6K2 effectively enhanced maize plant height, with F3K3 and F5K3 having a particularly significant effect on chlorophyll content. Additionally, F1K1 led to the largest bacterial population, F5K1 supported the greatest fungal population, and F6K2 exhibited the highest actinomycetes population. Correlation analysis indicated a negligible relationship between chlorophyll content and other agronomic traits, with values ranging from -0.02 to 0.01. Principal Component Analysis further analyzed the influence of LWB on various plant traits. These findings underscore the potential of integrating local wisdom biofertilizers into sustainable soil management practices, especially in regions grappling with soil acidity. Future research should delve into the microbial and biochemical mechanisms underlying these benefits to optimize biofertilizer formulations for broader agroecological applications.

Exploring indigenous Bacillus spp. as a biostimulant to enhance the growth and yield of rice under glasshouse conditions

2025-01-14T10:58:12+00:00

Abstract. Shultana R, Zuan ATK, Rana MM, Naher UA, Paul PLC, Akter M, Shupta SA, Roy TK. 2025. Exploring indigenous Bacillus spp. as a biostimulant to enhance the growth and yield of rice under glasshouse conditions. Asian J Agric 9: 131-139. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) appeared as an emerging approach to sustainable agriculture because of their ability to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. This study evaluated five potential Bacillus strains isolated from rice-growing areas in northern Malaysia for their ability to enhance rice growth parameters under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Among the five strains, two UPMRB9 (Bacillus tequilensis 10b) and UPMRE6 (Bacillus aryabhattai B8W22) exhibited all the desired traits. These strains were subsequently inoculated into three potential rice plants, resulting in improved morphological (plant height, leaf area), physiological (photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, dry biomass, and grain yield), and biochemical (total chlorophyll, total proline content, total soluble sugar, and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) attributes. Inoculation of Putra-1 plants with UPMRB9 showed a 10.76% increase in plant height, a 50.82% increase in grain yield, a 12.32% increase in colonization, and a 56% increase in stomatal conductance. Additionally, inoculation of BRRI dhan67 with UPMRB9 reduced the transpiration rate by 100.89%. MR297 plants treated with UPMRB9 demonstrated an 86.58% increase in leaf area, a 125.81% increase in photosynthesis, a 222.19% increase in dry biomass, a 56.03% increase in total chlorophyll, a 62.93% increase in proline content, and a 62.93% increase in total soluble sugar (TSS). Therefore, UPMRB9, as a multiple plant growth promoter, could be an alternative to synthetic fertilizers for rice cultivation.

The feasibility insights of organic rice farming from Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2025-01-04T16:44:38+00:00

Abstract. Rozaki Z, Al Hadi SS, Rahmawati N, Triyono, Ardila RA, Pamungkas HW, Fathurrohman YE. 2025. The feasibility insights of organic rice farming from Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Asian J Agric 9: 122-130. Agricultural practices are increasingly moving towards environmentally friendly and health-conscious approaches, including organic rice farming. This is also supported by the increasing demand for organic rice among consumers who care about health and the environment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of organic rice farming in Yogyakarta and Central Java considering costs, income, profitability, and sustainability among 150 organic rice farmers randomly selected from five districts. The results showed that the average cost incurred for organic rice farming was IDR 11,832,023 per hectare per year, while the income generated reached IDR 14,943,216 per hectare per year. Based on the data, the net income of farmers was IDR 3,111,193 per hectare per year. The feasibility analysis using the R/C ratio showed a value of IDR 1.26, indicating that for every IDR 1.00 spent, farmers earn IDR 1.26, with a profit of IDR 0.26. This implies that organic rice farming is not only environmentally friendly but also financially feasible, with favorable cost-benefit ratios, as it reduces the costs incurred by farmers. In conclusion, the development of organic rice farming has great potential, specifically since consumers, through their demand for organic rice, play a crucial and influential role in its growth.