Life Sciences

Agricultural productivity in sub Saharan African (SSA) countries, especially Zimbabwe, has been reducing despite the many investments made in the development and promotion of agricultural technology. Conservation agriculture (CA) is a technology that has availed solutions to agricultural production constraints, land degradation and low crop yields in Zimbabwe. Technology adoption is one key aspect that enhances productivity in any farming system; however, adoption is influenced by several factors. This study sought to determine the factors affecting CA adoption in Domboshawa, Zimbabwe.

This study evaluated the antioxidant and effect of pH and temperature on the antibacterial efficacy of the stem bark extracts (acetone and ethanol) of Trichilia heudelotii on some pathogenic bacteria using standard procedures. The percentage yields were 9.62±0.01% and 10.20±0.10% while the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was concentration dependent with IC50 of 1.31±0.15 and 1.55±0.03 for ethanol and acetone extracts as compared to reference ascorbic acid (0.40±0.15).

AmaranthusviridisL. leaves, stem and roots were selected to find out their antifungal properties against a phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinereaPers. Ex Fr. Extracts of leaves, stems and roots were prepared in methanol and their different concentrations were tested against B. cinerea. All the applied conc. of leaves extract viz. 1%, 2% & 3% inhibited the growth of B. cinerea. 1% concentration was more effectively retard the dry biomass of test fungus 82.2%. Methanol extract of A.

In this study, we have reported an efficient protocol for induction of callus and regeneration without sterliztion step of some sugarcane cultivars. Callus induction from young leaf tissues was attained from MS culture medium supplemented with different concentrations of the growth regulator substances. The results showed that the highest callus rate on MS medium supplemented with 3-4mg/l 2,4D. The highest multiplication of arpical meristem was observed on MS medium which was supplemented with BAP 2-2.5 mg/l, kinetin 0,2 mg/l, 10mg/l PVP and 15% coconut juice.

Rice is a staple food of many parts of the world, with Thailand consistently in the top 3 global rice exporters. However, due to the practice of costly input utilization over several decades, the sustainability and biological backbone of rice production has deteriorated around the country, pushing many Thai farmers to use more synthetic chemical inputs and go into greater debt.

Apple Health care associated infections (HCAIs) are increasing among patients and drawing governments and regulatory bodies. Proper bio medical waste (BMW) management reduces cross infection in hospitals, but compliance to follow these rules and recommended instructions is commonly poor.

The objective of this study was to evaluate late leaf spot (LLS) disease resistance of 64 peanut lines/varieties. There were 5 varieties, namely number of 17, 23, 24, 44 and 46 which showed infection of spots late with severe rates from 11.22 to 13.74%; disease index from 1.55 to 1.77%, respectively. Total 460 peanut samples caused by Phaeoisaraopsis personata were collected from 3 different provinces in the northern areas.

Many local plantain cultivars are staple foods and many consumers are still not necessarily the subject of scientific studies. This study was carried out to investigate the nutrient and antinutrients contents of 9 local cultivars of plantain. The plantain pulps were removed from the fruits, leaving the peels only. The pulps where thoroughly washed, cut into small pieces, dried and grounded into powder. Thereafter, the mineral analysis, nutriments and antinutrients contents of the pulps were all assessed.

Changes in extracellular enzyme activities and microbial populations were studied during normal compost and vermicomposting process of fruit pulp, vegetable and groundnut waste and cow dung. The microbial numbers and their extracellular enzyme profiles showed relative variation and were found increasingly more abundant in vermicompost than in normal compost leading to the conversion of agricultural waste into value added product. In vermicompost, the maximum enzyme activities (cellulase, Amylase and protease) were observed during 21-35 days.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there exist any relationship between various levels and various dimensions of the home environment of students with Class IV and V of Lucknow region. For study a sample of 1240 students of IV and V Class in which 661 in class IV and 579 in class V was chosen from various Primary schools of Lucknow to find the level their home environment and its relationship with student of Class IV and V. Study reveals that there is a No-significant relationship between student of Class IV and V in Lucknow with various dimensions of their home environment.