Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment (JAFE) | ISSN (Online Version): 2708 - 5694

Investigating the presence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in raw mutton from open marketplaces

Parvin A, Rahman MM — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The objective of this research was to identify antibiotic-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and examine the occurrence of E. coli in mutton samples sourced from multiple locations within two districts, given the serious public health risks associated with its presence in food. Six mutton samples were procured from open markets in Kushtia, while another six were sourced from markets in Jhenaidah. Serial dilutions were made by processing mutton after samples were gathered from every region. The samples were plated on nutrient agar and cultured for bacterial growth using the spread plate technique. Following incubation, bacterial contamination was evident in every sample, ranging from 1.2×109 CFU/mL to 4.7×109 CFU/mL. After conducting selective agar tests (MacConkey agar and Eosin-methylene blue) and biochemical tests (Methyl Red, Catalase, Citrate, Oxidase, Indole, and Voges-Proskauer test) to verify the presence of E. coli, it was discovered that 66.67% of the samples of mutton were positive for the E. coli. Then, the E. coli strains were subjected to additional investigation, which showed resistance to three (Amoxicillin, 30 µg; Penicillin, 10 µg; and Co-trimoxazole, 25 µg) of the eight tested antibiotics and another five (Ciprofloxacin, 5 µg; Azithromycin, 30µg; Streptomycin, 10 µg; Levofloxacin, 5µg; and Erythromycin, 15µg) antibiotics were sensitive. The study underscores the possibility of antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant E. coli in mutton samples, underscoring the need for appropriate handling and cooking techniques to prevent foodborne illnesses from mutton contamination.

An economic study and resource use efficiency of brinjal production in Bangladesh

Shahriar SM — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This study assessed brinjal producers' socioeconomic characteristics, profitability, and resource use efficiency. The study was carried out in Boalmari and Faridpur sadar upazila in Faridpur district, Mithapukur, and Gangachara upazila in Rangpur district, Kaligonj upazila in Shatkhira district, and Jashore sadar upazila in Jashore district. Data were gathered via the use of an interview schedule from a sample of 60 respondents chosen at random between the dates of January 1st and March 31st, 2021. A Cobb-Douglas production function (CDPF) analysis was performed with descriptive statistics to explore the factors influencing brinjal production. In this study, majority of respondents (46.67%) were found middle-aged (31–45 years old). A major percentage of brinjal farmers (45%) were illiterate, while 23.33% had secondary education. About 41.67% of brinjal farmers had a medium family (5-6 persons), while over 30% had a big family of more than 6. Fertilizers, seed, and insecticides were the major variable costs during the brinjal production. The findings also revealed that the total production cost, gross returns, gross margin, and net return per hectare were Tk. 169877, Tk. 534594, Tk. 388767, and Tk. 364717, respectively. The brinjal cultivation was found profitable as the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was found 3.14. The CDPF analysis revealed that the machinery utilized was negatively significant for brinjal production, whereas the coefficients of hired labor and urea were favorably significant. Except for the overuse of insecticides, resource usage efficiency showed that all the resources were underutilized for brinjal farming.

Morphological characterization and yield performance of indigenous banana cultivars (Musa sp.) in Bangladesh in reference to geographical indicator (GI)

Jamal MR — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In Bangladesh, bananas are the leading fruit crop, supplying more than 20% of total fruit production. This fruit was unique because of year-round availability, diversity, nutritious value, and consumer preference. More than 100 banana varieties are found in different parts of the country. Therefore, the morphological characterization of indigenous banana cultivars is especially significant in terms of geographical indication (GI). Thus, this research aims to characterize different cultivars of bananas facilitating GI protection of physical properties and plant genetic resources as part of variety development, economic growth, export and sustainable agricultural development. Fifty-five indigenous accessions were collected from different parts of the country, and their morphological features (e.g., colour, weight, length, diameter, presence of seed, yield) were compared. Significant variations were found among the collected accessions. More than 50% of the indigenous accession yielded more yield than popular commercial varieties, indicating good market value and export potential. The research findings could add significant insights for identifying indigenous banana cultivars for GI registration.

Evaluation of broiler performance reared under monochromatic light emitting diode (LED) tubes vis-a-vis incandescent light supplemental lighting

Hossain MI — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different monochromatic LED lights on the performance of broiler chickens. A total of 120 day-old Lohmann Meat (Indian River) broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: incandescent light (control), red LED light and white LED light, with each group consisting of four replicates of 10 chicks. The chicks exposed to LED lighting showed higher average live weight and live weight gain compared to the control group, while no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in feed intake, feed conversion ratio and survivability. Carcass yields, including breast, thigh, drumstick, wing, neck, liver, heart, and spleen, were not significantly affected by the different monochromatic lighting sources (P>0.05). However, significant differences (P˂0.05) in the weights of the back and proventriculus were observed between the white LED group and the other treatment groups. These results suggest that LED lighting could serve as a better alternative to incandescent bulbs in broiler houses, with the potential to enhance broiler performance and carcass yield.

Small-scale dairy farming and women’s empowerment: insights from Pabna district in Bangladesh

Pasha MMH — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This study focused on the effects of rural women's involvement in dairy farming as a means of eradicating poverty in Bangladesh's rural communities for the empowerment of women in some selected areas of the Pabna district of Bangladesh. Dairy farming is a critical component of the agricultural sector and women's participation in the sector has increased in recent years. To illustrate the effect of rural women in social empowerment, the sample was chosen from the households of the Pabna district that were actively involved in dairy farming. 50 households from the study were randomly selected for data collection. To illustrate the frequency distribution at various category levels of variables, straightforward percentages were produced. Rural women were able to boost their self-esteem, expand their social networks, and eventually increase their level of empowerment through small-scale dairying, which also gave them more control over their family and personal care decisions. Another purpose of the study was to investigate the causes of this trend as well as the advantages that women experience from it. Using a combination of field surveys, interviews, and literature review, the study analyzed the gender dynamics of dairy farming and identified best practices for promoting women's empowerment in the sector. The findings suggest that dairy farming can serve as a viable livelihood option for women in Pabna, providing them with opportunities for income generation and improving household food security. Furthermore, increased participation in dairy farming has led to improved gender equality and social inclusion, highlighting the sector's potential for promoting women's empowerment in the region. Consequently, the expansion of small-scale dairying into different rural areas of Bangladesh is likely to contribute to the empowerment of these women and combat poverty.

Performance of tree leaf mulch compared with traditional mulch on potato growth, yield, and weed infestation

Hasan MK — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

A field experiment was conducted at the Agroforestry Farm under the Department of Agroforestry at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from November 2019 to February 2020. The aim was to assess and compare the performance of tree leaf mulching with traditional mulching materials on potato cultivar Diamant growth, yield, and weed dynamics. Diamant. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and seven different treatments: T₀= Control (no mulch), T₁= Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) mulch, T₂= Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) tree leaf mulch, T₃= Minjiri (Cassia siamea) tree leaf mulch, T₄= Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp) tree leaf mulch, T₅= Sada koroi (Albizia procera) tree leaf mulch, T₆= Kalo koroi (Albizia lebbeck) tree leaf mulch. There were 21 plots (7 treatments with 3 replications), each measuring 1.5 m × 1.5 m. Ten plants from each plot were randomly chosen to collect data on potatoes' vegetative and reproductive characteristics and weed parameters such as the type of weed species and the number of weeds. The results indicated that Akashmoni tree leaf mulch (T₂) obtained the highest values for potato growth characteristics, while the control treatment (T₀) showed the lowest values. The highest yield of potato tuber (18.66 t/ha) was obtained from treatment T₂, while the control treatment (T₀) yielded the lowest (14.08 t/ha). Treatment T₂ had the lowest average number of weed species (2.33), whereas treatment T₀ had the highest (4.33). Based on these findings, it appears that tree leaf mulch may be a viable alternative to traditional mulches in potato fields, while also helping to reduce weed infestation. Therefore, it is suggested that the tree leaf mulch used in this study could be beneficial for mulching in potato cultivation.

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of watermelon peels (Citrullus lanatus L) and their application in cake making

Hefnawy TH — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Watermelon peels (WP) were treated by ethanol 70% (v/v) to extract flavonoids and phenolic acids then were identified by paper chromatographic technique. Synthetic antioxidant (butylated hydroxytoluene, BHT) and natural antioxidant (WPE) exhibited strong and close antioxidative activities (90.60% and 84.76%, respectively). The watermelon peels extract and BHT were added to sunflower oil at levels 100 and 200 ppm to keep its quality during heating at 180 ± 5°C for 28h. Moreover, the synthetic and natural antioxidants were added to cake made up by sunflower oil at the same levels. Cake was stored at refrigerator at 5°C for 28 days and the lipids were extracted every four days. The results reported that the addition of watermelon peels extract as natural antioxidant to sunflower oil and cake delayed the lipid peroxidation during heating oil and storage of cake.

Profitability analysis of bread wheat technology demonstration on lime-treated soils using a cluster approach in selected areas of the east Gojjam zone, northwestern Ethiopia

Anduamlak A — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Access to improved varieties and soil acidity problems are the growing and significant hindering factors for the production and productivity of wheat in Ethiopia. The activity was conducted to enhance farmers’ awareness, knowledge and skills on wheat production under lime treated soils and improve the household’s income and accessibility for improved technologies in the study areas. Aneded, Awabel, Basoliben, Debre Elias and Gozamin districts were selected purposively based on wheat production potential and the prevalence of soil acidity. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using appropriate data collection tools. A total of 712 smallholder farmers participated and 10 wheat clusters were formed. The data were collected from the cluster farming participants the smallholder farmers. Simple descriptive and inferential analysis methods were deployed. The study revealed that producing wheat under lime treated soils through a cluster approach has a significant yield advantage over the traditional production system. Additionally, the profitability analysis results revealed that the marginal rate of return and marginal net benefit from wheat production under lime treated soils were significantly high over three consecutive years. Therefore, the demonstration of improved wheat variety under lime treated soils using cluster approach should be encouraged and scaled up to reach more smallholder farmers in unaddressed areas with similar climatic condition across the country to boost production and productivity, increase household income and reduce food insecurity among smallholder farmers.

Effects of canopy structure on the diversity and structure of tree species in omo biosphere reserve, Ogun state, Nigeria

Ubaekwe RE — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This study assessed the effects of canopy structure on tree species diversity and forest structure in Omo Biosphere Reserve. Landsat imagery was used; supervised maximum likelihood classification was used to classify the reserve into two canopy structures (closed and open canopies). Random sampling technique was used to delineate 10 sample plots of 30m x 30m in each canopy type. Tree species with a diameter at breast height (Dbh) ≥10cm were enumerated in each sample plot. Shannon Weiner and Simpson’s indices were used to assess the tree diversity, while diameter and height stratification were used to evaluate the forest structure. Shannon Weiner and Simpson’s indices were 3.507 and 0.953, respectively, in open canopy structure (OCS) and 3.396 and 0.951, respectively, in closed canopy structure (CCS). Species richness and population were higher in OCS (64 and 575, respectively) than in CCS (56 and 531, respectively). Milletia thonningii and Strombosia pustulata were the dominant tree species in OCS and CCS, respectively. The mean Dbh and height in OCS were 40.09cm and 22.86 cm; and 50.21cm and 23.05cm in CCS, respectively. The basal area was 110.01m²/ha in OCS and 207.97m²/ha in CCS. The volume yield per hectare in OCS was 343.35m³/ha and 842.49m³/ha in CCS. The OCS was dominated by younger trees than the CCS. Canopy structure affects tree species richness, population, and diversity, as well as tree attributes.

Evaluating the impact of climate-smart agriculture practices on yield among smallholder maize and sorghum farmers in northern Ghana

Hussein U — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This study evaluates the impact of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAP) on yield and income among smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana. Understanding the impact of CSAPs on maize and sorghum yield and income is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity, boosting the region’s economy, and ensuring food security. Data were collected through questionnaires from 1000 farmers. Multinomial endogenous treatment effects were used to examine the impact of CSAP adoption on the yield and income of maize and sorghum farmers. The study reveals that climate-smart agriculture practices like chemical fertiliser conservation agriculture, intercropping, and joint adoption significantly improve maize and sorghum yields and farmers’ incomes. This is worrying given the effects of excessive reliance on chemical fertilisers on soil and environment. The government’s active investment in research, capacity building, and infrastructure development to facilitate the widespread adoption of these practices in Northern Ghana is highly recommended.