Abstract: Purpose: Adoption of new technology in the agricultural sector is low. This is similar to the condition in many other sectors as well. Many studies have been conducted to find out reasons for this issue. While some studies have identified similar factors affecting the decision to adopt a technology, some studies revealed factors which were uniqe to their study. Therefore, identification and compilation of these factors will support future studies and researchers. Research Method: An analysis of literature on technology adoption was conducted. Literature originated from numerous sources spanning almost 50 years were taken for the study. The factors identified by different studies were then compiled for this review paper. Findings: The factors identified can be mainly categorized into three; (1) factors related to the user, such as farm size, income, prior experience, gender, education level, and age; (2) factors related to the technology, such as affordability, availability, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability; (3) institutional factors, such as access to extension services, inputs, markets and credit facilities. The review findings reveal that adoption is a collective and interactive effect of some or all factors. Thus, identification of priority factors and a holistic approach need to be considered to ensure greater adoption. Originality/ Value: This compilation will support practitioners in technology dissemination for proper identification of factors affecting technology adoption, and future research on technology adoption and diffusion Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: Vinegar is a condiment prepared by alcoholic and consequent acetic acid fermentation using different sugary and starchy materials. This can be utilized as a flavoring agent, preservative, medicine, cleaning agent and herbicide. Palmyrah toddy contains around 4-6% of alcohol which is produced in huge amounts during their season. So, this research was designed to increase the utilization of toddy by means of vinegar. Research Method: Vinegar was prepared with toddy as a substrate (5.0% of alcohol) by using Orleans, generator and optimized submerged fermentation processes. The chemical characteristics of vinegar produced from Palmyrah were determined based on SLS 168:1999. Findings: Orleans process significantly (p<0.05) reduced the time required to produce the maximum acid (4.01%) contained corn cob and activated bacteria covering gel-like structure. During the generator process over oxidation of ethanol was observed due to the high rate of aeration with the pump. Optimized conditions of submerged fermentation was exhibited as 10% inoculum size (5, 10, 20 and 30%), 30o C temperature (28, 30 and 32o C)and with shaking showed 3.96, 4.23 and 4.53% of acid production at 8th, 7th, and 5th day of fermentation respectively. Chemical characteristics of produced palmyrah vinegar complied with SLS 168:1999 as total acidity (4.32%), total solids (4.08 (w/v), alkaline oxidation value (89.6), iodine value (556) and residual ethyl alcohol (0%). The efficiency of acetic acid production by using an optimized submerged fermentation process was 92.4%. Originality/ Value: Palmyrah toddy could be used for the production of natural vinegar under optimum conditions, and further field study has to be done to apply this finding at the industrial level. Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: The research aimed to identify the important problems facing the agricultural extension system in Egypt. Research Method: A simple random sample was selected from the extension workers in Fayoum and Beheira governorates (196 respondents) Data collection was done from October 2020 to February 2021, using a questionnaire designed based on the framework of modernization and development of agricultural extension systems developed by FAO. Findings: The results indicated that the extension organization in Egypt suffers from aging and erosion (62.2% of the surveyed agricultural extension workers are over 46 years old), 58.7% of the surveyed Extension workers were not specialized in agricultural extension. the extension workers were not sufficiently satisfied with their work. As for the important problems facing extension work in Egypt, foremost of which was the problem centralization, lack of authority delegation, absence of institutional work, absence of funding sources, weakness of the operational budget, weakness of the academic programs before service, absence of adequate training opportunities, absence of a clear and integrative mechanism to link agricultural extension with scientific research institutions, in addition to the absence of coordination with colleges of agriculture and veterinary medicine, mass media, NGOs, and private sector could be identified. Research Limitation: This study was based on a small sample in two governorates. Therefore, policymakers should be careful to generalize the findings to a broad context. Originality/ Value: This study dealt with extension problems within the framework of modernization and development of agricultural extension systems developed by FAO, to provide officials with a vision of the most important problems and reform priorities. Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: Seedless barberry is one of the most important small fruits, which is cultivated in dry areas of east of Iran. However, due to high water content (~80%) and thin skin it is susceptible to postharvest decay, and thus it has a short postharvest life. Research Method: This study was carried out to investigate the impact of pre-harvest application of calcium nitrate 0.5% and potassium nitrate 0.5%, and cold storage on biochemical and postharvest quality attributes of fresh seedless barberry fruits in the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. Findings: The results showed that both chemicals applied resulted in better appearance and firmness in both years. In addition, control fruit were redder in the 2017 season. Fruit at harvest had the highest content of vitamin C (21.11 mg.100g-1) in 2017 and total phenolic content (7.36 mg.100g-1) in 2018 compared to stored fruit. Interestingly, the highest total anthocyanin was obtained after 30 days of cold storage, 1146.13 and 3071.32 mg.L-1, respectively, in both growing seasons. The appearance and firmness of seedless barberry decreased with an increment of the storage period in both seasons, and the best taste was assessed at harvest time. Moreover, the fruit brightness in 2017 and ‘b*’ and hue color parameters in 2018 decreased as storage time progressed. The highest weight loss percentage in stored fruit was obtained in harvested fruit in both seasons. Research Limitation: The high sensitivity of barberry fruit due to high water content and its thin skin. Originality/ Value: Both chemicals preserved some of the quality properties of barberry fruit during cold storage. Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: Continuous application of Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) fertilizer over a long period in rice (Oryza sativa L) cultivation may lead to their accumulation in the soils. So, further addition of such fertilizers may be a waste in rice cultivation and also lead to environmental pollution. Thus, field experiments were carried out to study the yield response of rice to added P and K fertilizer under irrigated conditions in Low Humic Gley soils in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Research Method: For the P response study, an experiment was conducted over three consecutive seasons in a rice field where P fertilizer had not been applied for 10 years before the initiation of the experiment, and for the K response study, an experiment was conducted over two consecutive seasons in a rice field where recommended K fertilizer had been continuously applied before the initiation of the experiment. Data on grain yield and yield components, milling quality, important soil properties, and soil and plant P and K contents were recorded and analyzed statistically. Findings: Grain yield, yield components and milling quality of rice did not respond to added P fertilizer over three consecutive seasons in a rice field where P fertilizer had not been applied 10 years before the initiation of the experiment. Soil P analysis indicated that enough soil P was available to maintain an adequate plant P level so that application of P fertilizer in rice cultivation can be avoided at least for about 11½ years (10 years + three seasons) without affecting grain yield and milling quality in Low Humic Gley soils in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka while saving the cost for P fertilizer. The short-term response of grain yield in rice to added K fertilizer appeared dependent on the grain yield level obtained. No yield response of rice to added K was observed up to the yield level of about 4 t/ha. Thus, the application of K fertilizer can be avoided over two consecutive seasons without affecting grain yield in rice in Low Humic Gley soils in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka if the yield level is 4t/ha or lower. Research Limitation: Further studies at different locations in farmers’ fields are needed to confirm the applicability of the findings of the present study in farmers’ fields in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Originality/ Value: Long term (over 11½ years) P response study in rice. Such a long-term P response study in rice has not been reported to date. The short-term K response in rice is dependent on the grain yield level achieved. Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: The consistent economic growth achieved by countries in the African continent is an opportunity for Indonesia to increase bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the region. One thing that can be encouraged is trade flow, especially in agricultural commodities. The main objective of this study is to determine the trade potential of agricultural commodities with countries in the African continent. Research Method: Purposive sampling is used to determine countries in the African continent as potential trading partners for Indonesia to increase trade flow in agricultural commodities. Secondary data were obtained through the International Trade Center and UN COMTRADE. Data were analyzed using acceleration ratio, revealed symmetric comparative advantage, and constant market share analysis. Findings: Indonesia has the potential to accelerate trade in agricultural commodities to sixteen destination countries in the African continent. The commodities with positive export value growth and a strong position of Indonesian competitiveness consist of product labels 03, 09, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Research Limitations: The selected partner countries are based on Indonesia’s agricultural commodities export from 2011 until 2019. Originality/ Value: Provides comprehensive agricultural commodities and a method that is an overlay of four indicators to decide the trade potential Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: Sri Lanka is a tropical island with prominent four monsoonal seasons. The rainfall pattern of the country follows a bi-modal distribution with two peaks centred on two growing seasons. Model the bimodel rainfall distribution of Sri Lanka using the Markov probability chain model was the objective of this study. Research Method: Both first and second-order Markov probability models were developed for Anuradhapura, Badulla, Hambanthota and Katunayake using daily rainfall data for 1981–2011 period and the locations were selected to cover the major parts of the country. The model fit was done using Instat Statistical Programme. Findings: Both first and second-order Markov models successfully described bi-modal distribution of rainfall. In general, both transitional probabilities in the first order (p_rd and p_rr) and three transitional probabilities of second-order except rainfall after dry day and rainy day (p_rrd) followed a bi-modal pattern with two peaks. The sum of the logs of the rainfall amount (lr) and the amount of rainfall on rainy days (r_mean) also showed two peaks for two growing seasons. In both models, stations in the dry zone showed higher agreement in the simulated rainfall. Research Limitations: Lack of continuous long-term rainfall data is one of the major limitations. Originality/ Value: It is evident that both first and second-order Markov chain probability models are very much capable to explain the bi-modal rainfall distribution in Sri Lanka. Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: Predicting the prices of crops is a principal task for producers, suppliers, governments and international businesses. The purpose of the study is to forecast the prices of green chili, which is a cash crop in Sri Lanka. Artificial neural networks were applied as they help to extract important insights from the bulk of data with a scientific approach. Research Method: The Time Delay Neural Network (TDNN), Feedforward Neural Network (FFNN) with Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm and FFNN with Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) algorithm were employed on weekly average retail prices of green chili in Sri Lanka from the 1st week of January 2011 to the 4th week of December 2018. The performance of models was evaluated through the Mean Squared Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Normalized Mean Squared Error (NMSE). Findings: Among the three methods implemented, the FFNN model using the LM algorithm exhibited the highest accuracy with a minimum MSE of 0.0033, MAE of 0.0437 and NMSE of 0.2542. The model built using the SCG algorithm fitted data with a minimum MSE of 0.0033, MAE of 0.0458 and NMSE of 0.2549. Among the fitted TDNN models, the model with 8 input delays were a better model with an MSE of 0.0036, MAE of 0.0470 and NMSE of 0.3221. FFNNs outperformed TDNN in forecasting green chili prices of Sri Lanka. Originality/ Value: The neural network approach in forecasting the prices of green chili provides more accurate results to make decisions based on the trends and to identify future opportunities Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
Abstract: Purpose: Oxidation stress occurs when plants are exposed to water stress and it limits the plant growth and yield. The application of salicylic acid (SA) and CaCl2 is expected to alleviate this stress and induce plant growth and yield in corn. Research Method: Corn was planted in two main plots, normal and drought irrigation regimes (three- and four-day water withholding, respectively), and each main plot was divided into three sub plots, that were no-application, application with 0.01 SA and 0.01 SA + 45 mM CaCl2 sections. A plant growth regulator was sprayed on the corn two times on days 20 (before water withholding begin) and 50. The corn height, shoot fresh weight and corn yield (ear weight, ear diameter, ear length, number of rows/ear and seeds/ row) were measured on day 65. Statistically significant differences between treatments were analyzed with a two-way ANOVA. Findings: Between days 25 – 60, the shoot length of the corn growing in the drought irrigation plot was higher than that in either normal irrigation plot (receiving plant growth regulator or not). On day 65, only the corn sprayed with SA shown similar shoot lengths between the different irrigation regimes. The ear diameter and weight of corn grown in the drought irrigation were better than under normal irrigation. SA application could induce shoot fresh weight and ear growth under normal irrigation, while the SA + CaCl2 application induced the ear diameter and ear weight in the drought irrigated plot. Originality/ Value: With these results, it is possible to use SA and CaCl2 to promote plant growth and yield in acidic soil Published on 2022-05-01 00:00:00
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