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Rapeseed Growth and Yield under Water Stress Conditions

Narjes Moqbelihanzaei¹, Maryam khosropour^2,*

¹Master of Science Desert Management, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

²M. SC Student Combating Desertification, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract: The study was a factorial experiment in a completely randomized blocks design with three irrigation treatments which was conducted on rapeseed plant in a farm in Dawlat Abad village located in the city of Khash, in the year 2012. The experimental treatments were consisted of two irrigation factors at three levels, every 5, every 10 and every 15 days during the growing period, and rapeseed cultivars at four levels, including R.g.s003 and Hyola 401. The results showed that the number of seeds per bag in the R.G.S003 with full irrigation was maximum, but not statistically different from the other cultivars. The results showed that with increasing water stress from complete irrigation toward the severe stress (every 15 days) the measuring parameters have decreased.

[Moqbelihanzaei N, khosropour M. Rapeseed Growth and Yield under Water Stress Conditions. Stem Cell. 2025;16(4):1-3] ISSN: 1945-4570 (print); ISSN: 1945-4732 (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/stem. 1. doi:10.7537/marsscj160425.01

Keywords: Water Stress; Rapeseed; Seed Yield

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An Overview of the Microbeam and Its Applications as Probe in Biological Systems

Mohsen Abdi

Department of Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

Mohsenabdi95@yahoo.com

Abstract: A micro beam is a very thin beam carrying usually protons, alpha particles or heavier particles with a size of ranging micrometers or smaller, corresponding to the cell size or the cell with a combination of techniques for locating living cells or sub-cell objectives (cell organelles), allowing the possibility of exposure to continuous radiation of these fast targets. This article basically reviews both technological aspects of modern single-cell micro beams and their applications. The recent concerns about micro beams started with the intrinsic problems in Radom, where the cells are affected by zero or an alpha particle. Micro beams allow the cells to be individually irradiated with precise particles. At the very early age of micro beams, environmental problems related to these radiations was impressed widely, namely by signaling as a result of cell injury. The focus was dedicated to two aspects of micro beams: first, to increase the sensitivity of detection of organelle targets such as the cytoplasm and mitochondria, and second, the exposure of some of the cells to micro beams specifically, allowing to check the conditions directly and identify messages regarding to biological response between irradiated and non-irradiated cells.

[Mohsen Abdi. An Overview of the Microbeam and Its Applications as Probe in Biological Systems. Stem Cell. 2025;16(4):4-10] ISSN: 1945-4570 (print); ISSN: 1945-4732 (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/stem. 2. doi:10.7537/marsscj160425.02

Keywords: Microbeam; Probe; Biological Systems

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Effects of Watermelon Production on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

¹Adedapo, A. O. and ²Kehinde-Fadare, A. F.

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

²Department of Crop, Horticulture and Landscape, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Email of the Corresponding author: ayodeji.adedapo@eksu.edu.ng

Abstract: The study examined the effects of watermelon production on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the demographic characteristics of the respondents, estimate the cost and returns analysis of watermelon production, determine the resource use efficiency of watermelon production and describe the constraints to watermelon production in the study area. A well-structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from 120 watermelon farmers through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cost and returns analysis, frontier stochastic statistical tools and Chi-Square analysis. The study revealed that the average age of the respondents was 41.34 years, mostly male, married, with relatively large household size of 8 persons and had one or more forms of education. Their average year of farming experience was 12 years, while their common mode of land acquisition was inheritance and rentage. Also, family labour was their common source of labour. The sources of finance available were banks, personal savings and friends and relations. Also, 46.67 percent have access to credit facilities and non-availability of bank in the locality, lack of collateral and lack of proper information were the reasons for not being able to access credit facilities. Farm gate and local market were the common points of sales used by the farmers to market their harvested watermelon. The farm size (0.046), labour per day (0.032) and qualities of seeds (0.491) were found to be significant variables in technical efficiency of watermelon farmers. The inefficiency sources model shows that age, household size and farming experience were the significant factors affecting watermelon production in the study area. The estimate of cost and return analysis of watermelon farming showed the profitability with ₦253,268.52 total cost incurred, total revenue was ₦487,436.05, net profit was ₦234,167.53, gross return was 0.52, while the rate of returns was 0.92 and the benefit cost ratio was 1.92. The result of the distribution of technical efficiency scores showed that increase output level of the efficiency of inputs usage was increased by 0.15. The constraints to watermelon production were transportation, high cost of inputs, pest and diseases infestation, limited extension agents contact, lack of improved seeds, limited access to land, lack of credit facilities and storage or preservation challenges. Hence, watermelon farming is a profitable enterprise with little capital investment. There should be availability of good feeder roads, subsidized and adequate farm inputs, adequate extension service delivery, availability of farmland, credit facilities and storage facilities to enhance the production of watermelon in the area.

[Adedapo, A. O. and Kehinde-Fadare, A. F. Effects of Watermelon Production on the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Stem Cell. 2025;16(4):11-18] ISSN: 1945-4570 (print); ISSN: 1945-4732 (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/stem. 3. doi:10.7537/marsscj160425.03

Keywords: Cost and returns; livelihoods; smallholder farmers; technical efficiency; watermelon production

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