Botswana Journal of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Botswana College of Agriculture becomes an University

2018-03-26T08:25:38+00:00

Staff and students were ecstatic about the announcement of transforming BCA into a university, considering the prospects of new and good things to come. The mandate of the university would be expanded from merely training and researching agriculture to encompass natural resources. It was on this basis that new university was named Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN),

Axonopus compressus (Beauv.) used a mechanism of soil pH modification to sustain growth in heavily oil polluted soil

2018-03-26T08:25:38+00:00

The objective of this study is to assess the survival of three grass species, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers, Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn and Axonopus compressus (Beauv.) in contaminated crude oil polluted soil as potential phytoremediant as well as propose a mechanistic explanation for their responses. Top soil (0-15 cm depth) was air-dried, sieved (˂2mm) and the composite sample was treated with crude oil in the following concentration, 0%, 10%, 20% (w/w) in three replicate arranged in a Complete Randomized Design. The vegetative parameters assessed were plant height, number of leaves, stem circumference, leaf length, root length and biomass. Soil pH was measured every two weeks. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content of soil samples before and after plant growth was also analysed. Bacterial species associated with the soil samples after plant harvest were determined. Result obtained showed that growth parameters of the test species were suppressed by the contaminant when compared to plants grown in unpolluted soil. These differences were significant (p<0.05). One significant finding was the ability of Axonopus compressus to thrive and sustain growth in all concentration of polluted soils with survival rate of 100% in comparison to others. The study suggests that A. compressus is able to sustain growth in 20% crude oil polluted soil by employing a mechanism of soil chemistry that modifies pH of the soil from acidic to neutral conditions.

Effect of maturity stages on nutritive quality and sensory properties of Fig fruits

2018-03-26T08:25:38+00:00

Abstract

This study was conducted in a completely randomized design to evaluate the physical character, proximate composition, minerals (Fe, Zn, Ca and P) and sensory properties of early, mid and late maturity stages of Ficus sur fruits (FSF) collected from five trees. The physical parameters were determined at the sample collection site. Fresh fruit samples collected were used for sensory evaluation. The other sub-sample was dried at 65^OC for 48 h to constant weight and stored in a sealed plastic bag at refrigeration temperature (5°C) for nutrient content analysis. The early maturity stages of FSF was most preferred except for its taste in which the late maturity stage was accepted best. The early maturity stage attained the highest fruits size, crude fat, crude protein and aril weight. The late maturity stage attained the highest dry matter, crude fiber and total carbohydrate. Iron and zinc contents were high for late maturity stages while calcium and phosphorus contents were high at early stages. The condensed tannin contents were not significantly varied for the three maturity stages. The study showed that harvesting FSF at early maturity stage would be best for most sensory preferences and physical characteristics while late maturity stage is better for most of the nutrient contents analyzed.

Quality parameters of honey produced in Silti district, southern Ethiopia

2018-03-26T08:37:44+00:00

This study was conducted to determine the quality of honey produced in Silti district of southern Ethiopia. The honey samples were collected from different locations and represented two agro-ecologies: Dega (highland) and Weyna Dega (midland). From each of these locations honey samples were obtained from traditional and movable frame hives. In addition, honey samples were also collected from local market. Analysis of physicochemical parameters of honey was carried out at the Health and Nutrition Research Institute and Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia. The honey samples analyzed had average moisture, ash, free acidity, water insoluble matter, pH, reducing sugars and sucrose contents of 15.95 (g/100g), 0,34 (g/100g), 19.32 (meq/kg), 0.26 (g/100g), 4.45, 69.04 (g/100g) and 4.1 (g/100g), respectively. Comparison of quality parameters of honey samples from the two agro-ecologies and the market showed that market honey samples had significantly (P<0.05) higher reducing sugars content than honey samples from the two agro-ecologies, but no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between market honey and honey samples from the two agro-ecologies for the remaining parameters. All the quality parameters analyzed for honey produced in Silti district comply with both national and international standards except water-insoluble matter which was high in honey samples collected from traditional hives. Thus, there is a need to educate beekeepers of the area about proper honey harvesting, straining and handling techniques.