ADAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE
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Litter size, parity and sex effects on weaning and post weaning growth of pigs
Get PDFPig breeding has been mostly affected by number of piglets that survived to market age with regards to their productivity and fitness traits. This study investigated the influence of sex, parity and litter size on three growth performance characteristics (weaning weight, total weight gain and average daily gain of piglets) at the weaning and post-weaning period of piglets. The 43 piglets investigated are from the cross of Camborough and Landrace breeds, comprising 25 male and 18 female piglets, from three different parities and five unique litter sizes. Measurements of body weight of the piglets were taken immediately at weaning and consistently for additional 12 weeks on a regular weekly basis. The piglets were tagged with an ID and restrained for the measurement, which was recorded against each piglet ID. All measurements were done with a digital hanging balance sensitive to 0.00g, whereby the piglets were placed in bags and hung for weighing. Data collected were recorded on excel worksheets and validated for precision and accuracy. Preliminary descriptive statistics was done to check the data for normality, and indices (total weight gain and average daily gain) were computed from the measured weekly values. The values ranged between 3.55kg-8.35kg, 6.90kg-18.45kg and 0.08kg-0.22kg respectively for weaning weight, total weight gain and average daily gain. Sex did not exert significant (P>0.05) influence on any of the three characteristics studied, while parity only significantly (P<0.05) impacted weaning weight but did not influence the other two parameters (total weight gain and average daily gain). However, litter size significantly affected the three parameters investigated with the largest influence recorded on weaning weight (61.1%). The relationship between weaning weight and subsequent weekly weights were mostly positive (direct) and significant, with the exception of Week 1 post weaning that was negative. The study revealed that piglets from small to moderate litter sizes tend to have higher post weaning weight
Effect of turmeric, garlic, ginger powder and their blends on growth performance and carcass yield of rabbits
Get PDFPhytogenic additives are natural growth promoters that can be used as potential alternatives for common artificial growth promoters like antibiotics. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of turmeric garlic, ginger powder and their blends on growth performance and carcass yield of rabbits. Forty-eight (48) weaner rabbits (8 weeks old) were randomly allotted into eight dietary groups designated in a completely randomized design. The T1 contained 0g, T2- 3g of turmeric, T3- 3g of garlic, T4-3g of ginger, T5- 3g turmeric and 3g garlic, T6- 3g turmeric and 3g ginger, T7- 3g of garlic and 3g of ginger and T8- 2g turmeric, 2g garlic, 2g ginger. Data were collected for all the growth parameters and carcass yield. Result showed significant (p< 0.05) higher final body weight of the rabbits were recorded with rabbit fed diets containing 3g of Garlic and Ginger (2057.0g) while rabbit fed diets containing 6g Ginger (1339.5g) had lowest total weight gain. Rabbits fed 6g garlic had significant (p< 0.05) higher quantity of feed consumed per day (65.42g) while rabbit fed diet containing 3g turmeric and 3g garlic had the least value (55.05g). Rabbit group fed diet containing 3g turmeric and 3g garlic had significantly (p<0.05) lower value (0.10) of feed efficiency ratio while rabbits fed 3g garlic and 3g ginger utilized feed more efficiently (0.21). Rabbit fed diet with 6g garlic had highest (p<0.05) eviscerated and dressed weight of (1438.40g), (1204.7g) while lowest were recorded in rabbit fed 6g ginger (885.70g) and (733.3g) respectively. It was concluded that rabbits fed 3g of garlic and ginger blend had higher growth indices and carcass yield hence could be recommended for use by rabbit farmers
Perceived roles of information communication technologies (ICTs) for agricultural production among smallholder farmers in Oyo State
Get PDFThe use of ICT for agricultural information dissemination in the agrarian communities can help enhance agricultural production. This study examined the usage and effect of information and communication technology for agricultural production among smallholder farmers in Oyo State. Objectives of the study included to ascertain the types of ICTs used for agricultural production, assess respondents’ knowledge on use of ICT for agricultural production and to examine the effect(s) of ICT on agricultural production among smallholder farmers in the study area. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select respondents from 5 rural LGAs of Oyo State to give 120 smallholder farmers. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi-Square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were adopted to analyze data. Findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 36.41±10.88 years and most cultivated crops in the study area were leafy vegetables (21.3%), cassava (18.8%) and maize (15.0%). Animals reared included poultry birds (28.8%), rabbit (5.0%), goat (2.5%) and cattle (2.5%). Mean years of farming experience was 10.1±5.95 years with average monthly income of N31,232.5±N16,074.53. ICT tools utilized for agricultural information included mobile phones ( ̅=1.91), radio ( ̅=1.89) and television ( ̅=1.38). Respondents’ knowledge on use of ICT for agricultural information was high (62.5%). Constraints encountered on use of ICT included inadequate infrastructural facilities ( ̅=1.51), insufficient income ( ̅=1.08) and poor electricity ( ̅=1.03). Effects of ICT on agricultural production included increased awareness on market ( ̅=1.90), personal skill development ( ̅=1.90) and increased knowledge on production ( ̅=1.90). Significant relationship exists between respondents’ education (χ2=11.139), knowledge (r=0.407) and effect of ICT on agricultural production. It was recommended that older farmers should be encouraged to improve on their educational background through improved extension services and there should be access to better infrastructural and financial facilities.
 
Chemical composition of snail offal waste from Giant African Land Snail as animal protein source in aquaculture nutrition
Get PDFSnail meat is a relished delicacy for its nutritional and health benefits all over the world while its production and consumption has increased tremendously with the attendant waste generated from snail processing. Information is scanty on Snail Offal Waste (SOW) composition and nutritional value. SOW was analysed for its nutritional contents according to standard methods. The offal waste of African giant land snails (Archachatina marginata; Achatina achatina) proximate composition revealed a crude protein of 43.78±0.07, fat 24.61±0.01, ash 8.48±0.00, moisture content 6.73±0.06, fibre content 1.79±0.02 and NFE 16.49±0.03. The mineral content analysed were for macro mineral P 10.73g/kg, Ca 9.95g/kg, Mg 7.76g/kg, K 5.40g/kg, Na 1.71g/kg while micro mineral were low Mn 0.80g/kg, Fe 0.39g/kg, Zn 0.38g/kg and Cu 0.07g/kg. Amino acid profile analysis revealed samples to contain methionine, 2.19g/100g; Lysine, 4.56g/100g and tryptophan, 1.05g/100g. Glutamic acid was the highest (12.57g/100g) and cysteine the lowest (0.90g/100g). Snail offal waste can be utilised as feedstuff ingredient that furnishes essential nutrients in livestock ration to replace other expensive animal protein sources.
 
An evaluation of the microbiological quality of commercial beef S uya sold in B enin city, S outh south of N igeria
Get PDFThe safety of suya a ready to eat barbecue meat for consumption has been of growing concern as a result of the handling practices associated with its processing . Of major concern is the microbiological quality of the product. This study evaluate d the microbial content of suya meat processed and consumed in Benin City , Edo State, Nigeria . A total of nine (9) suya meat samples were purchased from popular suya spots within each of the three Loc al Government Areas of Benin City, namely: Ikpoba Okha, Egor and Oredo. Samples were subjected to microbiological analysis by first evaluating for the Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Count (THB C)C), Mean Bacterial Count (MBC) MBC), Total Heterotrophic Fungal Count (THFC) and Mean Fungal Count (MFC) followed by characterization and identification of the organisms present and t he n the sensitivity of the bacteria to some antibiotic s . Results showed that highest THB C cfu / and THFC ( cfu / w ere recorded in suya obtained from Aduwawa of Ikpoba Okha L ocal G overnment A rea as 6.14 x 10 ⁴ and 2.24 x 10 ⁴ , respectively ; with lowest values recorded in samples from Ring road of Oredo LGA as 1.83 ×10 ⁴ and 0.66 x 10 4 , respectively . MBC values cfu / ranged from 3.29 x 10 ⁴ to 4.37 x 10 ⁴ while MFC values were in the range of 1.19 x 10 ⁴ to 1.58 x 10 ⁴ . Bacterial species detected in suya sample s were Proteus sp, Micrococcus sp, Serrattia sp, Bacillus sp, Escherichia coli, Klebsella sp, and Pseudomonas sp while fungi isolates detected were Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp, Saccharomyces sp, Penicillium sp , Aspergillus sp and Penicillium sp The bacteria and fungi isolates with the highest distribution were Bacillus sp, and Penicillum sp , while Escherichia coli and Aspergillus sp, were least distributed in the study. The bacteria with the highest susceptibility was Escherichia coli while Pseudomonas auruginosa was the least susceptible to the antibiotic discs
Plankton assemblages in Alape river, Igbokoda in Ilaje local government area of Ondo state, Nigeria
Get PDFThe knowledge of plankton species composition and distribution to time and space are of great importance as reduction in plankton populations could lead to food unavailability for higher trophic levels (fish) in aquatic ecosystems. Phytoplankton are the most important primary producers and biological indicators in aquatic ecosystems. This study assessed plankton composition in Alape River, Ondo State. Water samples were collected from January to June 2022 from station I and II, were transported to the laboratory for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the monthly occurrence, distribution and abundance of phytoplanktons species. The results showed that annual mean percentage composition of different groups of phytoplankton contributed nearly 29.39% of chlorophyceae, 12.68% of bacillariophyceae, 46.4% of myxophyceae and 11.53% of euglennineae in Station I and 23.20% of chlorophyceae, 21.60% of bacillariophyceae, 33.60% of myxophyceae and 21.60% of euglennineae in Station II. The annual mean percentage composition of different groups of zooplankton showed that rotifera contributed 25.56%, cladocera 22.22%, copepoda 27.41% and protozoa 24.81% in Station I while rotifera contributed 25.56%, cladocera 22.22%, copepoda 27.41% and protozoa 24.81% in Station II. Thus, the study concluded that the dominance of plankton species such as phytoplankton (chlorophyceae, bacillariophyceae, myxophyceae and euglinae) and Zooplankton (cladocera, rotifera, copepoda and protozoa) as strongly showed that the river is eutropic. The study provides important baseline data on the composition and distribution of zooplankton in the Alape River, which can be used for future comparative studies and to monitor changes in the zooplankton community over time. There is a need for increased public awareness of the importance of plankton in aquatic ecosystem
Comparative effect of two indigenous organic biopesticides and Furadan 3g in the management of Meloidogyne incognita in soybean (Glycine max (l.) Merrill
Get PDFThe soybean crop improvement programme in Nigeria led to the development of several high-yielding varieties. However, TGx 1019-2EN which is one of the top-yielding varieties has been devasted by Meloidogyne incognita, the most predominant phytonematodes attacking crops worldwide, including Nigeria. Due to the increasing health hazards associated with the use of some synthetic nematicides globally, scientists have continued to explore several non-chemicals, especially biopestides as safer and cheaper nematode disease management alternatives, especially in organic agriculture production system. Therefore, leaf powder of organically grown Azadirachta indica, and Carica papaya, were evaluated alongside a commonly-known synthetic pesticide, Furadan 3G, singly or in combination with each other, for their effectiveness in the management of the southern Root-knot nematode disease in susceptible TGx 1019-2EN soybean variety, a very important oilseed crop. The relative efficacy of the two leaf powders and the Furadan 3G in the reduction of Meloidogyne spp. population and soybean growth were determined. The leaf powders were prepared using leaves of A. indica (Neem leaf) and C. papaya (Pawpaw leaf) and used in amending sterilized soils potted and grown to TGx 1019-2EN, and two weeks seedlings inoculated with the nematode eggs. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with four replications. Powder of Azadirachta indica was most effective (P ≤ 0) in reducing nematode population in the soil. Both neem leaf powder (NLP) and its counterpart pawpaw leaf powder (PLP) treatments produced taller soybean plants (57.38 – 58.40 cm, 84.50 – 85.98 cm and 89.20 – 88.38 cm at 2WAI, 4WAI, and 8WAI, when compared with the control (P ≤ 0). Soybean root gall index significantly (P ≤ 0) reduced from 15.75 in the control pots to 2.00 in NLP-treated plots, representing 87.30%
Combined effect of neem leaf powder and vermicompost in the management of root-knot nematode disease in Celosia argentea
Get PDFDue to the rising demand for alternative options for root-knot nematode management, Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder and Vermicompost were tested for their efficacy in controlling this disease in Celosia argentea. An experiment, laid out in Completely Randomized Design, was carried out in the screenhouse. It involved the testing of eight treatments which were replicated four times thus making a total of 32 experimental pots. The trial was repeated once to validate results obtained. Plants were inoculated with 5000 Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) eggs. The experimental pots without Mi egg served as the control. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, branches and flowers, leaf area index, shoot weight, root weight, dry weight, number of galls, final nematode and egg population and subjected to Analysis of Variance. The New Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate statistically significant treatment means. Results showed that the amendments used, reduced the infestation of the treated plantswhose final Mi nematode population (2360, 2020, 2050, 1720, 1540, 1230) and egg population (2250, 2030, 2120, 1690, 1540, 1230) which were lower (P d” 0.05) than their initial population (5000 eggs) and when compared to the untreated Mi-inoculated (control) plants which had the highest final population (5858 and 5620) that outnumbered the original inoculum. Neem leaf powder and Vermicompost combined at 1% was statistically at par with other treatments in the reduction of the root-knot disease of C. argente
Haematological and serum biochemical indices of cocks drenched varying levels of clove powder (Syzygium aromaticum)
Get PDFThere is stimulated increased interest in the usage of consumer accepted natural alternatives such as phytogenic feed additive (PFAs) to improve livestock performance. Clove is a wonderful phytogenic feed additives with little information in its benefit in poultry production. This study was conducted to assess the effect of clove powder (Syzygium aromaticum) on haematological and serum - biochemical indices of cocks. Clove was obtained from a local market in Saki, Oyo State. Dried clove buds were cleaned and air dried for 24 hours prior to milling and stored in air-tight bags until the period of usage. Cocks (48 birds assigned into four treatments) were drenched at 0.0g (T1), 0.05g (T2), 1.00g (T3) and 1.5g (T4) after 2 weeks of acclimatization. Haematological parameters measured were: packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). While biochemical evaluated were total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, creatinine, cholesterol and glucose. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance in a completely randomised design. RBC (3.64 – 3.76 X106/mL), Hb (3.64 – 12.86 g/dL), MCH (32.79 – 36.86 μμg) and MCHC (31.62 – 32.85%) showed significant difference (P<0.05), while PCV (39.00 – 41.00%), WBC (18.66 – 19.10 X109/mL), MCV (103.74 – 112.23 μ3) shows no significant difference (p>0.05). Total protein showed significant difference (P<0.05) with values ranging between 4.46 and 5.40 g/dL There exists significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean value of albumin, with highest value in 1.50g CP (5.40). Other biochemical parameters studied also showed significant differences (P<0.05) with the highest value in 1.50g CP. Drenching cocks with clove powder up to 1.5g was discovered posing no harmful effect on cocks
Assessment of Adoption of Agrochemicals by Cucumber Farmers in Selected Local Government Areas in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study analyzed farmers’ behavior towards adoption level of agro-chemicals for productivity of cucumber crop in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The socio-economic characteristics of cucumber farmers, level of adoption and satisfaction derived from the use of agrochemical in cucumber production and the impact of adoption of agrochemicals in the production of cucumber crops in the study area were examined. The sample size was forty-seven randomly sampled from Kaduna North and Kaduna South local government areas. The study adopted the use of questionnaire and interview schedule to obtain data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the study’s objectives while inferential statistics (Logistic regression and Binomial test) were used to analyze the hypotheses of the study. Results revealed that the average age, household size, farm size and farm experience were 44.56 year, 8.13 persons, 2.13 acre and 8.38 years respectively. About 79% of the respondents ranked above average in their level of adoption of agrochemical usage in cucumber production Farmers satisfaction on effects of agrochemicals on cucumber crop is significantly high, since the majority (81.85%) fell under this category A difference in farm income of N65,957.45 was obtained and this was in favor of after respondent adoption of agrochemicals by the farmers. Variables like age (b = -11472.612; t = 1.739), educational status (b = 11065.852; t = 1.866), household size (b = 22120.708; t = 2.533), farm size (b = 1216.851; t = 0.131) and farm experience (-8402.064; t = 0.040) were found to be significant in influencing level of adoption of agrochemicals in cucumber production. Based on findings of the study, it could be recommended that efforts should be made to orientate and re-orientate the older farmers who did not seem to be adopting the use of agrochemicals so that they can begin to change their mind-set towards its use.