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Physical Composition of Municipal Solid Waste and Nutrient Contents of Its Organic Component in Uyo Municipality, Nigeria
Get PDFThis research was conducted within Uyo metropolis, Nigeria. Three designated dumpsites of municipal solid waste (MSW) were randomly selected for the collection of samples for analysis of the physical and macronutrient contents of their organic fraction. After the waste was sorted, its physical components were determined to be: organic materials (73.7%), plastics/polythene (12.9%), cans/metals (4.3%), bottles/glasses
(4.2%), clothes/shoes (4.3%), and ceramics (0.6%). Laboratory analysis of the organic components of the waste indicated that the mean nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents were 11.0, 3.2, and 10.7 g kg−1, respectively. The mean contents of other elements were calcium (Ca) (87.7 g kg−1), sodium (Na) (18.4 g kg−1), and sulfur (S) (2.3 g kg−1). The mean organic-matter content of the organic components of the waste was 223.7 g kg−1. Both the physical and macronutrient contents of the waste differed from one location to another within the municipality. The high content of organic matter and some essential macronutrients in the waste suggest its high value for use in the production of organic and organo-mineral fertilizers for sustainable agricultural development
Collaborative Learning in the Continuing Development of Secondary School Teachers in Nigeria: Who is Developing Whom?
Get PDFTeachers are key components for development in any educational system. In Nigeria this is emphasised in the National Policy. Since no education system may rise above the quality of its teachers, teacher education shall continue to be given major emphasis in all educational planning and development. (FGN, 2004:39) Until recently, the curriculum of most Teacher Education Programmes (TEP) had no course in computer education (Ekpo, 2002). Many teacher educators graduated from colleges before the new technology was widely used in classrooms. Thus, many secondary school teachers who had their initial teacher training before that period similarly had no relevant experience to use various ICT tools in their teaching and learning. ICT tools are globally used to an advantage in all teaching and learning event. This paper looks philosophically at the consequent issues in collaborative learning within a net work society as they affect the continuing professional development (CPD) of secondary school teachers in Nigeria. It concludes by posing a question: Where is the knowledge-based reservoir for CPD?
Keywords: Nigeria, Collaborative learning, partnership learning, cooperative learning, continuing professional development of secondary school teachers, teacher education programme
Demand and Control of Credit from Informal Sources by Rice Producing Women of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis paper employs a cross sectional data set from rice producing women of Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to estimate demand function and control index of agricultural credit from informal sources. The study reveals money lenders and rotational contribution scheme- Osusu (Etibe) as the major informal sources of credit by the women. The estimated demand function indicates significant important of farm expenditure, personal income, interest rate, education, spouse income and experience in credit demand by the women. With regards to the level of control on the collected credit, the study reveals high self control index by the women and quite little level of control by their spouses. Based on the findings, the study suggests adequate extension knowledge to women on formation of credit and thrift cooperatives and proper financial
management.
Key Words: Demand; Credit; Rice; Women; Nigeri
Effect of the leaves of (Fleuryaaestuans) on the food quality of the corm of cocoyam (Xanthosomasagittifolium(L) Schott)
Get PDFThe proximate composition, mineral elements and anti-nutritional factors of the leaves of Fleuryaaestuans (family: urticaceae) and Cocoyam (Xanthosomasagitttifolium) under different cooking conditions were determined. The leaf of F. aestuans contained appreciable amounts of fat, moisture, ash, fibre and carbohydrates but less protein. The leaf was found to be rich in soduim; calcuim, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper. Cadmium, cobalt, manganese and lead were found in trace amounts. The leaf was also rich in oxalate and tannins. Result of analyses showed general increases in moisture, ash and crude protein in the Cocoyam sample cooked with the leaves of F.aestuans. Mineral elements showed general decreases in the cooked samples. There was a 20% reduction in calcium concentration from 26.67mg/100g dry matter (DM) in P1 to 19.33mg/100g DM in P3 and similar trend was observed from sodium, potassium and magnesium. The cocoyam corm became richer in phosphorus after cooking with F. aestuans. There was a general reduction in the level of anti-nutrients after cooking the corm with the leaves. The food quality improved with respect to the level of anti-nutrients but reduced with respect to the mineral elements although those could be supplemented from other sources usually eaten with the cooked cocoyam. However, undesirable properties of X. sagittifolium particularly acridity caused by oxalates and other factors were considerably reduced by the use of the leaves.
Keywords: Proximate composition, Phytochemicals, F. aestuans, cocoyam, acridity
Stabilization of yield parameters and some nutrient components in cocoyam cultivars with time in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria
Get PDFEffects of Tillage Practices on Growth and Yield of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and some Soil Properties in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria
Get PDFMaintenance of soil fertility status and optimum crop yield has been a great task in Nigeria. Against this background, studies were conducted in 1994 and 1995 growing seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, Nigeria to evaluate the productivity of cassava and soil properties and dynamics under some tillage practices. Randomized block design with four replications was used and the tillage treatments were Heaping [HP], No-Till + Herbicide [NTH], Ridging [RG] and No-Till-Slash and Burn [NSB]. Results revealed that tillage practices had no significant effect on sprouting percentage in 1994 but in 1995, HP treatment was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than others. Tillage had no marked effect on cassava height in both years while number of leaves only differed significantly (P < 0.05) 8 months after planting with HP treatment being higher than others. Stem girth showed no marked differences among treatments in both years. Similarly, in both years, cassava fresh root yield and yield components were not significantly affected by tillage practices. NSB showed significantly higher soil bulk density at planting in both years than other treatments. Generally, soil chemical properties were not markedly affected by the tillage practices. The highest cost of production was observed under NSB while RG produced the highest returns. The study suggests that successful growing of cassava under reduced tillage practices is practicable in an Alfisol in this agro-ecological zone
Effects of tuber protion and time of harvesting on accumulation and partitioning of dry matter in water yam (Dioscorea alanta) minisett in Uyo, Southern Nigeria
Get PDFThe high cost of seed yam is a serious constraint to water yam production. Therefore a two-year field trial was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm to evaluate dry matter accumulation and partitioning among various plant parts in water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) minisetts as influenced by portion of tuber planted and time of harvesting. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with a split-plot arrangement. The main-treatments were portions of tuber planted (head, middle and tail) and the sub-treatments were time of harvesting (90, 180 and 270 days after planting DAP). The results showed that portions of tuber planted had no significant effect on dry matter accumulation within leaves, vines, roots and tuber. Early in the season (i.e. 90 DAP), leaves, vines and roots collectively accounted for 67, 62 and 57% of the total plant dry matter for the head, middle, and tail portions, respectively; thereafter the dry matter content declined. However, as the plant matured, the partitioning ratios decreased for leaves, vines and roots, but increased for tubers. Similarly, dry matter accumulation differed significantly (p<0.05) among times of harvesting. The highest dry matter accumulation was attained at 270 DAP. Therefore, it is recommended that any of the tuber portions could be conveniently used to raise seed yam, while harvesting should not be done before 270 DAP for maximum dry matter accumulation.
Key Words: Water yam, Minisett, Dry matter accumulation
Nutrient requirements for the growth of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) in Uyo metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFThe all-season vegetable known as waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) is extensively grown in Nigeria’s metropolistan market gardens. This paper examines the soil compositions of some of the cultivation areas for this crop to determine the impacts of its very intensive repetitive cultivation. In general, the regular application of organic manures and mineral fertilizers has maintained the fertility status of the market garden soils. Multiple regression analysis indicated that base saturation, available phosphorus and organic matter were the most significant determinants to variations in crop production
Evaluation of soem cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) walp) cultivars adaptable to acid
Get PDFL43 (180cm) and K28 (13, 2cm) showed the highest and lowest mean pod length, respectively. Cultivars i AR8 l-40 (31.2 g) and L43 (ł84g) indicated the highest and lowest pod weight plant". lu 1989, Ife Brown (714.8 kg/ha) and (T8l D-1 137 (43, 0kg/ha) had the highest and lowest grain yield, while lAR 31-40 (1224.9 kg/ha) and L43 (914, lkg/ha) showed the highest and lowest in 1990. respectively. The neais from the two year study revealed that Ife Brown (9 17.3 kg/ha) had the heighest grain yield followed by IAR 8 l-40 (765.5 kg/ha). Ife Brown was superior to the above three cultivars by 16.5, 26.9, and 31.3%, respectively. The study suggests that with appropriate agronomic practices in place, cowpea has a great potential in the agro-ecological
Farming Systems in Southeastern Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Production
Get PDFThis study examines the farming systems in southeastern Nigeria. Using a structured questionnaire, 300 farmers were selected through multistage random sampling techniques. The data collected were subjected to descriptive analysis of simple proportions and percentages. Findings from the study revealed that 72% of the respondents engaged in both crop and livestock production. Intercropping was the dominant cropping system with cassava, yam, and maize as the principal arable crops, while cocoa, kolanut, oil palm, rubber, cashew, banana/plantain and citrus were the main permanent crops. The dominant fallow period was found to be three to four years and most farm sizes were less than 2 hectares. The study also showed that 88% of the respondents knew of fertilizer, 61% knew of other agrochemicals, while 56% and 16% utilized them, respectively. Findings generally point to inefficiencies in some of the existing farming practices. Addressing the constraints identified in this study may improve the farming systems in the study area and thus increase agricultural production on a sustainable basis