Ammonium sulfate (AMS) and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) are two of the most common sulfur products applied during canola seeding in the Canadian Prairies. A better understanding of how application methods affect the efficiency of these products is warranted. A field trial was conducted on a clay loam soil in Pense, Saskatchewan to evaluate the effect of seed row and side banded sulfur applications on canola yield and quality. Plots received 34 kg ha-1 sulfur either from AMS or ATS applied during seeding either in the seed row (SR) or side banded (SB). A treatment without sulfur was included as a control. All plots received the same amounts of all other nutrients. Results showed that average seed yields increased for all sulfur-treated plots, however, only side banded applications (AMS(SB): 4020 kg ha-1, ATS (SB): 3883 kg ha-1) were significantly better than the control (3072 kg ha-1). Side banded sulfur applications generally produced more protein than seed row applications and were significantly different from the control. AMS (SB) had the highest protein content (21.07%) while the control had the least (18.13%). Oil content was similar except for AMS (SB) (46.72%) which was significantly lower than the control (48.68%). However, this oil difference was more than compensated by the increased yield from AMS (SB). Applying AMS and ATS in the seed row can decrease the yield and protein response that might otherwise be seen when these products are side banded. There were no significant differences in the measured parameters between AMS and ATS.

Africa has over 420 million youth that could be asset, conversely’ they continue to face challenges of unemployment, underemployment and poverty despite the potentials of agricultural sector in providing income-generating opportunities. The limiting factors for their participation in agriculture is not well documented. This study, therefore investigated how willing of agricultural students in agripreneurship in Southeast, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used. Southeastern Nigeria was purposively selection due to high unemployment and poverty. Two Federal Universities were purposively selected. Students were randomly selected proportionate to the population size. In all, 120 respondents were selected. Structured questionnaire was used to capture data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit regression α=0.05. The study revealed that Sex (β=0.80), previous year of participation (β=0.17), vision to be an employer (β=1.26) and experience (β=2.90) positively influenced willingness to participate while high unemployment rate (β= -1.66), inadequate agricultural facilities and lack of government support/credit facilities (β= -2.15) and insecurity/herdsmen menace (β= -0.037) had negative effect. The study also found out that major perceived constraints in taking up agripreneurship were lack of start-up capital, inadequate infrastructural facilities, marketing challenges and poor accessibility to agricultural loan. Therefore, effective youth-oriented policies and innovative development strategies such as inclusion of agripreneurship training in their early school day training, revitalization of farm settlement scheme, provision of inputs and credit facilities among others are drivers to tap the energy of young Nigerian labour force for productive and beneficial ventures.

Sargassum is a great source of alginate, a phycocolloid with vast uses in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical areas. Hence, the cultivation techniques of this species need special attention and are worth investigating. In this study, a preliminary study on the cultivation of Sargassum cristaefolium was carried out in coastal water of Pasiagan, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, southern Philippines, using fixed-off bottom and raft methods with two types of seedlings (T1 = with holdfast and T2 = vegetative cutting). Results revealed that the specific growth rate (SGR) of T1 (-1.51±0.6% day-1) and T2 (-2.03±0.23% day-1) in the fixed-off bottom method did not significantly differ (p>0.05) after 45 days of culture. In raft method, SGR of T1 (1.5±0.12% day-1) and T2 (1.12±0.40% day-1) did not significantly vary (p>0.05) after 45 days. The survival rate of T1 (43.33±6.67%) was greatly higher (p>0.05) than T2 (13.33±3.33%) after day 45 cultured in the fixed-off bottom method. However, the survival rate of T1 (30.01±15.27%) and T2 (16.68±12.01%) did not differ significantly in the raft method. This study suggests that both seedling types can be used in raft method for Sargassum cultivation. This study would serve as preliminary information on the cultivation of Sargassum in Tawi-Tawi, southern Philippines.

This study aims to determine the effect of different cultivation techniques on onion plant growth and bulb yield in harsh continental climates and the short vegetation period. Three onion varieties with different dry skin colors were used as plant material. The techniques tried were: direct seed sowing, covering with non-woven fabric after sowing of seeds, planting seedlings, and covering with non-woven fabric after planting seedlings. The study was carried out in open field conditions in the Kayseri province where located in the central Anatolia region for two years. As a result of the study, it was determined that the interaction effects of the cultivar x cultivation technique had a statistically significant effect on all measured parameters. Although germination and emergence were observed in all varieties in both cultivation techniques, which started with direct seed sowing, plant development remained weak. The bulb formation was observed in only one variety in cultivation with seed sowing. In both techniques with seedlings, all varieties formed bulbs. Seedling planting + use of cover material had a positive effect on both yield and quality criteria for the bulbs. When all the results are evaluated together, it is understood that although the degree of effectiveness varies depending on the cultivars, seedling planting is a very effective technique for onions production in these climate conditions.

The research is carried out to determine the effects of different dates and temperatures on shoot length, fruit weight, oil content %, and maturity index of Gemlik and Memecik olive cultivars. The phenological growth stages of cultivars in ‘yield’ year were also described in the study using the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, Chemische Industrie) scale. The shoot length observations were made on trees in the ‘on’ and ‘off’ periods between March 15, 2017, and December 29, 2017, every 15 days. It was determined that the shoot elongation of the trees in the ‘off’ period was even longer compared to the trees in the ‘on’ year. While the fruit weight of Gemlik had the highest value (3.775 g) on October 30, it had the highest value (3.330 g) on November 15 in Memecik. While fruit weight increased for 153 days for Gemlik, this period was determined as 122 days for Memecik. The maximum oil contents (%) were determined in Gemlik with 29.071 % on December 30 and in Memecik with 22.180 % on December 15. The maturity index of olive fruits reached its maximum level on December 15 in both varieties. As a result, it has been revealed that there is no serious difference between the phenological stages of the trees in the period of ‘on’ and ‘off’ depending on the periodic fruit yield. Moreover, the shoot development is generally more in the trees with ‘off’in terms of the course of shoot development, and when the pomological analysis regarding the productivity status are examined, there are some serious differences.