Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research
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Development of an Automated Solar Powered Hot-air Supplemented Dryer
No full textThe world is facing two major challenges: one is to meet the exponential growing demand for energy particularly in developing and underdeveloped countries and other is to deal with global, regional and local environmental impacts resulting from supply and use of conventional energy. The cost-effective technology for solar drying that can be easily adopted among the rural farmers of developing countries needs to be developed in areas where solar energy is abundantly available. As cheap as the solar energy could be, there are associated problems with the stability of the energy for different purposes due to instability of climatic conditions. For this research, a solar powered hot-air supplemented dryer (SPHSD) with a capacity of 20 kg of sliced yam was designed and developed. The SPHSD has three sections which are solar collector chamber, drying chamber and hot-air supplement chamber which is powered with two 150-watt solar panel and a 200 amps solar battery for continuous operation during bad weather. All data were logged digitally for accuracy and test was done using yam slices. Difference in drying time and stability in drying temperature was evaluated using SPHSD and indirect solar dryer. The result shows stability of temperature in the drying chamber when SPHSD was used while the drying temperature fluctuates throughout the indirect solar drying test period. Drying experiment was conducted for 481 minutes (between 0910 hrs to 1713 hrs) reducing the moisture content from 71.91%, 72.1% and 72.8% to 27.95%, 25.78% and 28.23% for MC1, MC2 and MC3in wet basis respectively. Drying experiment was conducted for 832 minutes (between 0901 hrs to 2257 hrs) reducing the moisture content from initial moisture content levels of 72.66%, 71.48% and 71.48% to 13.47%, 12.53% and 12.54% for MC1, MC2 and MC3in wet basis respectively
Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Varieties as Influenced by the Application of Cow Dung and Poultry Manure in Jega, Kebbi State, Nigeria
No full textField trials were conducted at the Fadama Teaching and Research farm Jega, Kebbi state University of Science and Technology Aliero, during the 2017 and 2018 dry seasons, to study the Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Varieties as Influenced by Cow Dung and Poultry Manure Application. The treatments consisted of two (2) manure levels (Cow dung 12 t ha-1 and Poultry manure 6.6 t ha-1); each were designed to supply 120 kg N ha-1 using cow dung and poultry manure and three (3) varieties of okra namely LD88, NHAE47-4 and Dogo variety which were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The results obtained revealed that yield parameters such as Number of pods per plant (13.08 and 14.11), Mean pod weight (17.59 g and 19.31 g), Mean pod length (6.13 cm and 6.83 cm), Fresh pod weight per plant (0.19 kg and 23 kg) and Pod yield (5.65 and 6.38 t ha-1) were significantly increased when the nitrogen dose of 120 kgN ha-1 was applied using PM 6.6 t ha-1 in conjunction with NHAE47-4 in both 2017 and 2018. Mean pod diameter (cm) was statistically similar with both the application of CD 12 t ha-1 and PM 6.6 t ha-1. Significant interaction effect was observed between variety and manure on Number of pod plant-1 (13.97 and 13.43), and Pod yield (6.21 and 7.29 t ha-1) in both 2017 and 2018 while Mean pod diameter (3.42 cm) in only 2017. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that in Jega, Kebbi state of Nigeria which falls within the Sudan Savannah agro-ecological zone, NHAE47-4 okra variety yields better than Dogo and LD88. Therefore, NHAE47-4 variety in conjunction with PM 6.6t ha-1 application could be selected for increased okra production in the study area
Analysis of Occupational Hazards and Poverty Profile among Cassava Processors in Oyo State, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined effect of occupational hazards on poverty status of cassava processors in the study area. Specifically, the study profiled the cassava processors based on their poverty status and determined the factors influencing it. It identifies the general processing activities, the occupational hazard associated with cassava processing and safety measures used.
A multistage sampling technique was applied. Three local governments areas (LGAs) were purposively selected based on large cassava producers and processors in the area. Two wards each from the LGAs, forms the second stage and the processors were selected using. In all, 215 cassava processors from the study area were used for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary least square regression analysis. The result showed that the mean age of the cassava processors is 48 years. It also revealed that majority of the cassava processor in the study area were women (86.51%) and married (77.21%). The mean household size in the study area was7 persons and it implies that the cassava processors had fairly large household size. The average years spent in school was 7 years. The regression analysis result revealed that poverty status of the cassava processors is influenced by household size (5%), work experience (10%), cost of treatment for eye irritation (5%) and general cut (1%). Inhalation of smoke ranked highest among the occupation hazard identified while the least rank in this category was damage done to the lungs due to inhaled smoke. The use of sun hats/ caps to prevent excessive heat ranked highest amongst the safety measure adopted to combat the occupational hazard. It was recommended that extension agent should further enlighten and orientate the processors on the importance of using safety guards such as foot wear so as to prevent snake bite, use of modern methods of processing cassava that will minimize or eradicate the identified hazards in the study area
A Review on Animals Semen Characteristics: Fertility, Reproduction and Development
No full textIn this research, the goal of review was summarizing the current knowledge of the methods available to assess in vitro quality of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa also, a review on animal’s semen characteristics: fertility, reproduction and development after AI with that semen. Artificial insemination (AI) is the first generation reproductive biotechnology that has made a deep contribution to the genetics improvement in several animals. A fertile ejaculate must meet certain semen characteristics quality standards, such as: normal morphology, active energy metabolism, progressive motility, structural integrity and functionality of the membrane, penetration capacity and optimum transfer of genetic material. The percentage of total motile spermatozoa in normal canine ejaculates is between 70 to 90%. By the way, there are a lot of parameters that able to change on the composition and structure of various sperm plasma member domains, such as change temperature and sensitive to any theirs environments in vivo and vitro (tropical climates), season also nutrition. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) is primarily used to obtain accurate and objective kinetic sperm measurements that gives extensive information about the kinetic property of the ejaculate based on measurements of the individual sperm cells
Efficacy of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Lambda-cyhalothrin on Insect Pest Infestation and Performance of Okra in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
No full textOkra, an economically important vegetable crop with numerous benefits to human, is often attacked by large number of insect species. These insect species cause direct damage to okra plants and also serve as vectors of diseases resulting in economic loss. Control of these insect pests given reducing hunger and poverty, and fostering agricultural ecosystems becomes imperative. This study aimed at the use of indigenous medicinal plant and a sub-lethal dose of synthetic insecticide to check the invasion of pests and performance of okra. The field laid in a randomized complete block design of four treatments replicated three times. The treatments included; Curcuma longa 5%, Curcuma longa 20%, lambda-cyhalothrin, and a control. Data were collected on insect pest species recovered after treatment application and yield of okra. All data were subjected to analysis of variance and differences between the treatment means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test. C. longa (20%) compared effectively with the sub-lethal dose of lambdacyhalothin (0.5 ml/l) in their attack against the targeted pests. Although higher number and weight of pods were harvested from synthetically treated plots, the C. longa treated plots produced significantly higher number and weight of harvested pods when compared with untreated plots. Water extract of the rhizomes also conferred some protection against okra pests; we recommend that farmers in Ekiti State adopt this botanical against the notorious flea beetles especially when the profits accrue from okra sales outweigh their net investment.  
Comparative Study of Mineral Composition of Some Selected Nigerian Green Leafy Vegetables from Two Different Regions
No full textVegetable often mean an edible part of a plant other than a sweet fruit or seed, which typically implies the leaf, stem or root of a plant. This study was carried out to evaluate the contributions of Nigerian leafy vegetables to nutrition and health. The mineral composition of four selected green leafy vegetables; water leaf(Talinum triangulare), fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and ukazi (Gnetum africanum) from two different locations (Awka in Anambra State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State) were investigated. The result of the experiment showed that the mineral content of the investigated vegetables are not significantly different by (p<0.05). Generally, Gnetum africanum sourced from Awka has the highest content of all the explored minerals with magnesium content being highest (245.96±0.33). The result indicated that the four investigated green leafy vegetables from these locations are good sources of minerals with Gnetum africanum having the highest content. Hence, the consumption of Gnetum africanum should be encouraged owing to its high content of minerals
Effects of Coconut Oil Cakes on the Growth Performance of Gima Kalmi (Ipomoea aquatica)
No full textA pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of coconut oil cakes on the growth performance of gima kalmi (Ipomoea aquatica). The experiment was laid to fit a completely randomized design (CRD) with three treatments (5, 10, 20 tonha-1) of coconut oil cake treatment along with control (no oil cake) each having three replications for this experiment. After plant harvesting, the laboratory investigation was carried out in the Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. Yield contributing characters like plant height and leaf number were significantly (P <0.05) influenced by different treatments. Among the three treatments applied 20 tonha-1 treatment has shown highest response to plant growth due to nutrient availability of the soil. The sequence of response was in the order 20 tonha-1>10 tonha-1>5 tonha-1 significantly (P <0.05) difference in plant growth from the control (0 tonha-1). But the application of organic manure as coconut oil cake, decrease in soil pH was probably due to the production of organic acids during organic manure decomposition or by nitrification and EC value of soil was increased with different treatments. In addition, increased the organic carbon of the soil. Organic carbon increased due to the application of organic manure but insignificantly
The First Survey of Spodoptera frugiperda on Maize in the Farms and in the Traditional Post-harvest Conservation in Central African Republic
No full textMaize (Zea mays L.) belongs to the family poaceae; it is one of the major important staple food crops for most sub-Saharan Africans of which Central Africa Republic is inclusive. One of the insects causing damage in Maize is the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The aim of this study is to investigate in the farms and post-harvest the presence of S. frugiperda. Plant infestation rates between areas were analysed using a Generalized Linear Model with Poisson error distribution and the uniformity of the infestation in each area was assessed using the Chi square fit test. Infestation rate is not uniform in each area (20 to 80% according the area)
Trends in Export and Import of Beer of Barley in Nigeria: 1961-2014
No full textThe importance of Beer of Barley is due to Nigeria being Africa’s largest beer consuming country, hence; require increasing output to meet up with domestic beer production since importation of bottled beer is banned. At present, Beer of Barley is exported and imported, this study aimed to measure growth rate between import and export over a 54 year period divided into three policy periods centred on Structural Adjustment policies (SAP) namely: Pre-SAP (1961-1985), SAP (1986-1998) and Post-SAP (1999-2014) with the sole purpose of identifying period associated with rising exports and falling imports. Log-linear and log-quadratic models are used to determine growth rates and patterns of growth respectively. Findings show that while the Post-SAP period experienced rising exports and falling imports, the period was also associated with a stagnated growth pattern. Therefore, institutions that support Post-SAP policy measures, in particular import ban on bottled/canned beer should be vigorously sustained and strengthened in order to accelerate growth
Analysis of Seed Released and / or Registered in Nigeria from 1937-2013: The Success and the Gaps
No full textThe National Crops Varieties and Livestock Breeds Registration and Release Committee in Nigeria is domiciled in the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Moor – Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. The Director/Chief Executive Officer of NACGRAB doubles as the Registrar of National Crops Varieties and Livestock Breeds Registration and Release Committee. Before the Promulgation of Decree 33 of 1987, there was no national institutional mechanism for the validation of claims by individual or institutions on the development of new crop varieties or institutions on the development of new crop varieties or livestock breeds. However from 1937 to 2013, thirty-six (36) different crops were released and / or registered in Nigeria. The ones previously released before Decree 33 of 1987 were retroactively registered in 1991. If the thirty-six (36) crops are grouped into nine (9) sub-divisions, we have root and tuber crops (72), legumes (82), cereals (248), vegetable crops (33), fruits, beverages and tree Crops (37), oil crops (7), spices crops (5), Latex crops (17) and fibre crops (15). The total number of released materials, as of 2013 were 516 crop varieties, however, there exists some gaps to be addressed