Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research
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Effects of Strain and Skip-a-day Feed Restriction on Carcass Characteristics of Cocks at 16th Week of Age
No full textFeed restriction has been described as a management tool to limit birds’ access to feed in order to reduce feed cost without compromising their health and meat products. The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of strain of cocks and feed restriction at different ages on carcass characteristics. The study was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria for a period of 16 weeks. A total number of 180 day-old cockerels of two strains comprising Black and White plumage (90 chicks each) were procured to examine and compare their carcass characteristics. At 6th week of age, the birds were randomly distributed into four treatments with three replicates for each strain. The treatments are, T1: control (ad libitum), T2: feed restricted from 6th -7th week, T3: feed restricted from 8th -9th week and T4: feed restricted from 10th -11th week. Data collected at 16th week of age include live body weight, bled weight, dressed weight, eviscerated weight, breast weight, back muscle weight, drumstick and thigh weights. Analyzed results showed that live weight and carcass weights were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by strain. Both strains recorded similar mean values. With regard to feed restriction, no significant (P > 0.05) effect was found for live weight and most traits with the exception of bled weight, breast muscle weight and thigh weight. However, the control and 6th week restricted birds recorded superior mean values in such cases. The study indicates that the two strains are good for increased meat production and revenue generation, while the 6th week feed restriction is suggested for maximum productivity and profit
Soil Physicochemical Properties Variation in Black Soil after the Long-term Application of Different Organic Amendments
No full textAims: This research aimed to assess how the physicochemical properties of black soil respond to different organic amendments after 10 years of application.
Study Design: The experiment was established in 2010 and followed a randomized block design consisting of 24 plots (5 m × 5 m) 25 m2 with eight treatments in three replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: The study site was located at the Jilin Agricultural University Research Farm, Northeast China (43°48′ N, 125°23′ E; km).
Methodology: The treatments for the study included an annual input of chemical fertilizer and organic amendments at the surface of the soil. The treatments were: Control (CK), chicken manure (JM), fodder grass (FG), mushroom (MS), maize straw (MZ), tree leaf (TL), pig manure (PM) and cow manure (CM). Chemical fertilizers were added at the rate of 165 kg of N, 82.5 kg of P and 82.5 kg of K ha_1 per year. Application rates of organic materials were adjusted to similar amounts of organic matter (2000 kgha−1). In June 2019, soil samples were collected from each of the amended fields. In each field, three sampling points were randomly selected. Soil samples were collected from the 0 – 20 cm depth using a core sampler then taken to the laboratory for soil physicochemical properties analysis.
Results: Comparing the results of the organic treatments with CK, bulk density decreased by 5.6-18.0% while porosity, EC, pH, total N and SOC significantly increased in the organic treatments by 6.0-25.9%, 8.3-25.0%, 0.52-1.7%, 2.7-54.7% and 1.3-18.4% respectively. The textural class of soil under the different treatments did not change however, the distribution of soil particle size varied among the treatments, where high clay and silt content were recorded in the amended fields. Moreover, the application of different organic materials significantly affected the soil aggregate stability and this was attributed to the increase in organic matter content which accelerated important microbial activities in the soil to improve aggregation. At higher suction potentials, higher water contents were recorded in the organic amended fields mainly due to the improved physical properties of the soil.
Conclusion: The study results showed that the application of organic amendments greatly improves the physical and chemical properties of black soil. Therefore, using these organic amendments can serve as an effective strategy to enhance soil quality and fertility
Search Ferments from Microorganisms Isolated from the Sap of the Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis)
No full textThe aim of this study is the search for ferments from microorganisms isolated from the sap of the oil palm. It consisted in determining, before and after 24 hours of fermentation, the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of palm wine using standard methods. The pH, the rate of reducing sugars and the dry matter levels decrease while the acidity, vitamin C and the water content increase after 24 hours of fermentation. The pH decreases from 3.56±0.01 to 3.24±0.01 in Dura palm wines with the Pisi Sab S10 microorganism, while in Pisifera wine this pH increases from 3.93±0.01 to 3.82±0.01 with Pisi Sab 30S3. The titrable acidities increase from 0.71%±0.01 to 0.79%±0.01 in the sap of the Dura palm with the Pisi Sab S10 microorganism, while in the wine of Pisifera the rate increases from 0.67%±0.01 to 0.76%±0.01 with the microorganism Pisi Sab 30S3. Reducing the levels of sugar decrease to minimum values. They increase from 86.34±0.02 to 42.05±0.01 mg/mL in the sap of the Dura palm with the Pisi Sab S10 microorganism, whereas in that of the Pisifera wine, the rate increases from 32.07±0.02 to 14.53±0.02 mg/mL with the Pisi Sab 30S3 microorganism. The level of alcohol increases to reach maximum values of 4.24%±0.01 with the Pisi Sab S10 microorganism in Dura palm sap and 4.29%±0.01 in Pisifera sap with the Pisi Sab microorganism. 30S3. The microorganism giving the best organoleptic qualities in the sap of the Dura palm is Pisi Sab S10 while that of Pisifera is Pisi Sab 30S3. These microorganisms thanks to their efficiencies could be used as ferments in the agro-food industries
Efficient Management of Farm Resources and Food Consumption Level of Pond Fishers in North-Central Bangladesh
No full textAims: The study was conducted to assess the efficient management of farm resources of pond fish farmers and level of their household food consumption in order to deal with sustainable development of pond culture system and food security issue.
Study Design: Three unions out of 9 in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur district were selected, as a large number of ponds are available. Sixty fish farmers were randomly selected from the population of 200. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire during January to March 2017.
Methods: Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production function and technical inefficiency effect model were used to assess efficient management of farm resources. Also, multiple regression models in double-log forms were employed to determine the factors influencing households’ per capita food consumption, calorie intake and protein intake.
Results: Gross return and net profit were 2,262 respectively and cost benefit ratio was 1.39. Technical inefficiency estimates show that farmers’ education (0.0009) and training (0.0042) had insignificant but positive sign for fish production. Experience (-0.0083) and culture period (-0.0054) had significant and negative sign and age of farmers has insignificant negative sign indicated that technical efficiency increased with the increase in experience and fish culture period. The mean efficiency was 0.92 in fish farming indicates 8% of fish production could be increased with the existing resources and available technology. Per capita per day food consumption was 1288.36 g, calorie intake 2592.23 k. calorie and protein intake 84.27 gram.
Conclusion: A linkage between Upazila Fisheries Officer, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, fisheries extension workers and pond fish farmers should be established. Calorie and protein intake of the farm households is higher due to increase of food sufficiency of the country and buying capacity of the farmers but the nutritional wellbeing of them is still low
Insecticidal Property of Black Seed (Nigella sativa) Powder as an Eco-friendly Management of Skin Beetle Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in Atlantic Codfish Gadus morhua (Gadiformes: Gadidae)
No full textThe bio-pesticidal potential of Nigella sativa seed powder in the management of Dermestes maculatus in codfish (Gadus morhua) was evaluated in the laboratory. D. maculatus beetles were obtained from naturally infested smoked fish, cultured at ambient temperature for the establishment of new stock and same age adults. Purchased N. sativa seeds were ground into fine powder, weighed at 0.4 g, 0.8 g, 1.2 g, 1.6 g and 2.0 g for use in the bioassay. The treatments were separately added into 40 g codfish kept in Kilner jar into which two sexed pairs of D. maculatus were introduced and observed. From the results, the number of the developmental stages (larvae, pupae and adults) of D. maculatus in codfish treated with N. sativa seed powder was inversely proportional to the concentration of the seed powder. Thus, an increase in the concentration of N. sativa powder generated reduction in the mean number of D. maculatus progeny found in the codfish after 35 days as follows: at 0.4 g, progeny development was (103.50, 7.75, 2.50) and 77.00, 8.25 and 1.00 at 2.0 g respectively for larva, pupa and adult stages. Percentage protection conferred by the botanical on D. maculatus showed that all the doses applied were effective. Corrected mortality of D. maculatus adults after 45 days of exposure to the different doses of N. sativa treatments also increased with an increase in concentration of N. sativa from 0.4 g to 2.0 g. Frass weight generated by D. maculatus activity in codfish treated with N. sativa powder was high in codfish treated at 1.6 g. Finally, N. sativa characterized both qualitatively and quantitatively for phytochemicals, proved the secondary metabolites with bio-pesticide potentials against D. maculatus such as phenols, Alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, saponin, tannin, Cardiac glycoside, anthraquinone, steroid and oxalate in different proportion, therefore, should be utilized in Integrated Pest Management program of stored codfish
Strategies for Coping with Food Insecurity during Flood Disaster among Farm Families in Benue State, Nigeria
No full textThe survey was conducted to identify strategies for coping with food insecurity during flood disaster among farm families in Benue State, Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample of 145 respondents through the use of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean score were used for data analysis. Results showed that majority (65.0%) of the respondents were male, middle aged, having large household size with a long period of farming experience. Findings also showed that age ( =2.30), household size ( =2.26), marital status ( =2.15), credit facilities ( =2.12), storage facilities ( =2.10), agricultural diversification ( =2.00), educational status ( =2.00), household income ( =2.00), productive resources ( =1.66), farm size ( =1.55), sex ( =1.54) were perceived by the respondents as major factors influencing food security status. Strategies for coping with food insecurity during flood disaster as indicated by the respondents were engaging in non-farm activities ( =2.52), engaging in off-farm activities ( =2.50), skipping meals ( = 2.46), engaging in casual labour ( =2.40), reducing the quantity of consumption per meal/day ( =2.00), getting food aid from government/ NGOs ( =2.00), seasonal migration for wage work ( =2.00), obtaining support from relatives and friends ( =2.00), etc. The study recommends that stakeholders in disaster management such as the government, extension agencies, research institutions, metrological institutes, disaster management agencies, higher institutions and local farmers should disseminate firsthand information on weather forecast so as to enable the farm families to know the right and best time to plant and harvest crops in order to cope with flood disaster. It also emphasized the need for public awareness campaign to be intensified to educate the farm families on the dangers associated with flood and the need to live in flood prone areas as well as proper management of drainage channels
Models Establishment for Predicting Interaction between Tillage Practices and Some Selected Engineering Properties of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Tubers
No full textEnough technical data on the physical and mechanical properties of tubers are needed for machine design and crop parameters in modeling and designing cassava processing. The main objective of this study was to establish models for forecasting interaction between the tillage practices and some physical and mechanical properties of cassava tubers. Eight tillage practices have been used and are coded in alphabets such as, ploughing + harrowing (A); ploughing + harrowing + ridging (B); manual ridging (C); flat manual clearing (D); ploughing + harrowing + manual digging to a depth of 30 cm + 10 cm of saw-dust placed at the base (E); ploughing + harrowing + ridging +10 cm of saw-dust placed at the base (F); manual ridging + 10 cm of saw-dust placed at the base (G) and manual digging to a depth of 30 cm + 10 cm of saw-dust placed at the base (H). The experiment was conducted in TME (Tropical Manihot esculenta) 419 with two soil conditions using recommended nutrient dosage. The experimental design was split-split plot design with three replications. The physical and mechanical properties of cassava were determined 10 months after planting using standard equations and methods. Statistical Package for Social Science window 21 versions was used for data analysis. Models were developed using Linear Regression. Manual Ridging + 10 cm Sawdust placed at the base + TME 419 + Rainfed + 933.75 kg/ha of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer tillage practice gave the highest yield of 15.02 tons/ha with uniform physical and mechanical properties. The model equations revealed that tillage had positive impact on the selected physical and mechanical properties of cassava tubers such as length, width, thickness, size, aspect ratio, surface area, sphericity, roundness, unit mass, unit volume, true density, bulk mass, bulk volume, bulk density, porosity, angle of repose, coefficient of static friction, compressive extension at break, compressive strain at break, compressive load at break, compressive stress at break, energy at break, modulus automatic, compressive load at yield, compressive extension at yield, and compressive strain at yield and compressive stress Models developed could be used by engineers in designing improved equipment and machineries for harvesting and processing of cassava tubers into useful products
Comparison of Chemical and Nutritional Values of Extracted Pectin from Selected Local Banana Cultivars of Bangladesh
No full textThe experiment was conducted to find out the chemical and nutritional values of pectin from selected Banana cultivars in Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. Pectin was extracted from the peels of banana at 1st stage of ripening (light green peel). The result showed that pectin content in banana peels at 1st stage of ripening varied from 36.10% to 46.12% based on cultivar type. The highest pectin content was found in peels of ‘Sagor’ banana. The pectin from unripe peels (1st stage of ripening) characterized by the moisture (23.29 and 24.75%), ash content (16.67 and 16.24%),equivalent weight (666.67 and 555.56), methoxyl content (26.66 and 12.40%), anhydrouronic acid content (177.76 and 102.08%), degree of esterification (85.15 and 68.97%), vitamin C (0.038 and 0.044%), beta carotene (0.73 and 1.01 mg g-1), vitamin A (1.21 and 1.68 mg g-1),and iron (0.26 and 0.47%) for the ‘Chinichampa’ and ‘Sagor’, respectively. Therefore, it infers that the extracted pectin from unripe banana peels could be compared as high methoxyl pectin which could be used to produce more-sticky gel from ‘Chinichampa’ followed by ‘Sagor’
Response of Sunflower to the Residual Toxicity of Herbicides Used in Wheat under Strip Tillage System
No full textThe residual effect of eight herbicides (Pendimethalin, Pretilachlor, TriasulfuronEthoxysulfuron, Pyrazosulfuron Ethyl, Carfentrazone – ethyl, Carfentrazone – ethyl+ Isoproteuron, 2, 4 –D) used in wheat of Agronomy Field Laboratory during March to June 2014 was evaluated for the sunflower. The eighteen herbicide treatment combinations of the eight herbicides used in wheat. The experiment was conducted in Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The effect of herbicide residues on the sunflower was evaluated in terms of germination, the seedling root and shoot length, leaf chlorophyll content and seeding dry matter. The result showed that the seedling establishment of sunflower was not adversely affected by the herbicides applied to the previous wheat crop
How does Extension Education Contribute to Agricultural Development? Insights from Extension Education of Green River Project in Nigeria
No full textDue to the need to explain how extension education adds to Agricultural development in Nigeria, extension service of Green River Project was evaluated. In recognition of the roles of Agricultural development in reducing poverty and promoting food security, agricultural programs with their extension services component have been implemented in Nigeria. The study examined the teaching methods and impact of the extension service of Green River Project on fish farmers in the study area. Data collection involved use of interview schedule and questionnaire to elicit information from 140 respondents. Program evaluation models reviewed include logic model, Kirkpatrick learning evaluation model and Boon programming model. A framework for planning and evaluating extension education program was generated. Results indicated that extension education of GRP had significant impact on some conditions of the farmers such as their quantity of fish produce (t= 6.279; p≤ 0.05), income (t=7.390) and family feeding standard (X2=26.5; p≤ 0.05). It was recommended that there should be collaboration of GRP with other agencies that provide similar services to fish farmers in Niger Delta areas like other agricultural projects of some oil companies in the area and proper measures should be put in place to provide internet services for GRP personnel