The study evaluated new watermelon varieties grown in Guyana (Bonta, Sugar Doll, Santa Matilde, Delta and Sentinel) for sustainability under local conditions. The trial was conducted at Mahaica using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replicates. Data was collected on seedling emergence, flowering, fruiting and harvesting time. Data was also collected to create plant descriptors, according to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, for the new varieties. Average production was recorded at 54,

Aerial herbicide drift caused mainly by weather and climatic conditions may be the most challenging problem facing farmers. Spray drift reaching off-target areas can destroy sensitive crops; pollute air and water resources thus causing serious health problems to humans and animals. Nonetheless, buffer zones of 500 meters are indicated to limit these negative impacts of spray drift. The Guyana Sugar Corporation controls weeds and ripens canes by aerial herbicide application. The corporation, in the 1990s, instituted 750-metre buffer zones, which greatly affected the optimization of aircraft use in herbicide application and ripening of cane. This study tested the utility of the 750-meters buffer zone on Rose Hall, Albion and Blairmont Sugar estates. The actual drift distances were determined within 06:00 hours and 09:00 hours for 9 herbicide applications. Drift patterns associated with the three 1hour time periods were correlated with prevailing weather conditions to determine optimal flying periods for the locations. The droplets concentration per sensitive paper was collected for each period. It was noted that the drift is less with the distance from the field up to 510 m; thereafter the number of droplets was 2 or less per sensitive paper. The wind speed increases as time goes up, thus increasing the drift. The windward side is where 510 m were recorded to have droplets of 2 and nil at 510 m from the opposite side.

This experiment aims to increase sweet pepper production sustainably by using manures and a combination of manure and fertilizer. Manures are well known to improve soil health and maintain crop production for a relatively long period. This study was conducted under a tunnel house at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute at Mon Repos East Coast Demerara, Guyana. Plots were arranged according to strip plot design with two treatments (Aristotle and Sunsation), four rates (R1: 0 g/plant), (R2: 350 kg NPK/ha + 10 t vermicompost/ha), (R3: 10 t poultry manure/ha + 10 t vermicompost/ha and (R4: 350 kg NPK/ha + 10 t poultry manure/ha) and replicated thrice. These nutrients were applied in a split application at four weeks before planting, and four, eight, and twelve-week intervals after planting. The varieties did not differ from one another for the vegetative parameters tested. Plants treated with Rate 2 achieved significantly better growth parameters such as plant height, plant spread, and number of branches than the other rates. Sunsation obtained a significantly higher yield of 21.4 t/ha at the 5% level as compared to Aristotle (19.9 t/ha). The various rates recorded significant differences in yield. Rate 2 obtained a significantly higher yield of 32.8 t/ha followed by Rate 4 with 24.9 t/ha, then Rate 3 (17.0 t/ha). The lowest yield of 7.8 t/ha was attained by Rate 1. The interaction of varieties and rates showed statistically significant differences in yield. The interaction of Sunsation and Aristotle with Rate 2 achieved a superior yield of 34.8 t/ha and 30.7 t/ha respectively than other rates. Rate 4 also obtained significant interaction with Sunsation and Aristotle to achieve a yield of 25.7 t/ha and 24.1 t/ha respectively than Rate 3. Rate 3 interacted significantly with Sunsation and