Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research
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Nutritional Evaluation of Selected Browse Plants Consumed by Small Ruminants in Northern Sudan Savannah of Nigeria
No full textBrowse plants species have high potentials as important feed resources for ruminants during the dry season, are quite palatable and less susceptible to a climate fluctuation. A study was therefore conducted to determine the nutritional evaluation of selected browse plants consumed by small ruminants on free range in Northern Sudan Savannah region of Nigeria using in vitro gas production, proximate composition, fiber components, methane gas production and dry matter degradation as response tools. The leaves samples of the selected browse plants were collected, processed and incubated using in vitro gas dry matter degradation techniques. The results revealed variation in the rate of degradation. The chemical analysis showed that the crude protein (CP) content of A. occidentale (26.49%) was higher than F. thonningi (23.58%), M. indica (20.58%) and T. catappa (18.61%). Both ADF and NDF of A. occidentale (40.00 and 50.00) were as well higher than F. thonningi (20.00 and 40.00), M. indica (20.00 and 40.00) and T. catappa (20.00 and 42.00). Results from in vitro gas production, however, showed that T. catappa (23.67 mL/DM) has a significantly higher (p<0.05) value than F. thonningi (20.67 mL/DM), A. occidentale (16.67 mL/DM), and M. indica (14.00 mL/DM) at 72 hours of incubation. It is therefore evident from this study that methane gas production and in vitro gas production can be used to predict dry matter degradation and nutritive value of feedstuff for small ruminants. A. occidentale with the least methane gas production and highest crude protein (CP) content might have the most nutritive value among the browse plants investigated
Factors Influencing Resource Use Efficiency Differentials of Farm Size among Cassava Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined the factors influencing resource use efficiency among cassava farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Well-structured questionnaire was administered on 120 cassava farmers using a multistage random sampling. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression model were used to analyze the collected data. Results of descriptive statistics on socioeconomic variables of the farmers revealed that male (83.3%) dominated cassava production in the study area and 60.80% of them were married while 49.2% of the respondents had less than or equal to 5 persons as their household size. Based on their farm sizes, 67.5%, 26.7% and 5.8% of the respondents had ≤3, 3.1-5 and >5 hectares of land respectively. Also, 43.3% of the respondents had secondary education and above. The result revealed further that 59.2% of the cassava farmers were above 50 years, implying that cassava production in the study area was in hands of elderly people, and 60.7% of cassava farmers generated more than ₦50,000 per annum. Result of multiple regression on factors influencing resource use efficiency indicated that gender, capital, farming experience and cassava cuttings are significant at 1% and 5% respectively at all various categories of farm size, indicating that they were the major determinants of output of cassava production. It is therefore suggested that; youth should be encouraged to actively engage in cassava production. Also, financial institutions and governmental agencies should provide assistance that is easy-burdened to cassava farmers in order to boost the production.
 
Organic Fertiliser Decomposition Rate against Soil Nutrients
No full textThe land is a non-renewable resource if seen from the potential improvements caused by environmental damage. Damage to the land is caused by the degradation of soil organic matter. Formulation of organic fertiliser in planting media is an alternative in agricultural cultivation on marginal land. The study aims to obtain organic fertiliser formulations used in agricultural cultivation. The study was arranged using a completely randomized design with treatment: M1 (25% Biochar, 25% vermicompost, 30% chicken manure, 20% compost), M2 (25% Biochar, 25% vermicompost, 20% chicken manure, 30% compost) , M3 (25% Biochar, 25% Vermicelli, 30% Cow manure, 20% Compost), M4 (25% Biochar, 25% Vermicelli, 20% Cow manure, 30% Compost), M5 (25% Biochar, 25 % vermicompost, 30% Goat manure, 20% Compost), and M6 (25% Biochar, 25% vermicompost, 20% Goat manure, 30% Compost). Statistical test results obtained on the M3 treatment provide the availability of nutrients (Organic-C, Total N, Total P and Total K) which are significantly different and the highest yield compared to other treatments. Whereas the results of FT-IR analysis found that the treated media had experienced decomposition of organic matter so that organic elements were produced which could support the availability of plant nutrients
Alternative Safety Methods for Controlling Powdery Mildew in Squash under Field Conditions
No full textAlternative Safety Methods for Controlling Powdery Mildew in Squash under Field Conditions
Almond (Prunus dulcis), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) and clove (Syzgium aromaticum) crude oils, silicate, Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces griseus and a fungus Gliocladium virens culture filtrates in addition to Topas-100 EC (10% penconazole) were used to study of their effects on powdery mildew caused by the fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum. Camphor oil (5 ml/L), clove + camphor + almond (2 and 5 ml/L), G. virens filtrate and Topas-100 (240 ppm) completely inhibited the conidial germination after 24, 48 and 72 h. Topas-100 treatment was the most effective treatment in reducing powdery mildew disease severity of squash with an average of 10.34%, followed by clove oil (5 and 10 ml/L), camphor oil (5 and 10 ml/L) and the mixture of clove + camphor + almond (5 and 10 ml/L) with averages of (13.70 and 11.43%), (16.31 and 15.84%) and (20.65 and 18.34%), respectively. Concerning the disease incidence, it showed a harmony trend with the disease severity. Squash shoot length, leaf area/plant and the number of leaves/plant increased due to the treatments compared to the control treatment (infected only). The filtrates of S. griseus and G. virens had moderate effectiveness on the previous parameters. Also, it is clear that the plant fresh and dry weights, number of fruits/plant and weight of fruits/plant increased significantly compared with control treatment of squash plants. The treatments of Topas-100, clove + camphor + almond (10 ml/L and 5 ml/L), G. virens and S. griseus filtrates had the highest chlorophyll a content with averages of 4.02, 3.95, 3.79, 3.58 and 3.47 mg/g fresh weight, respectively. Also the same arrangement cleared in case of chlorophyll b with averages of 3.34, 3.00, 2.98, 2.83 and 2.75 mg/g, respectively. All treatments used increased the activity of defence-related enzymes (polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase). The activities of pectin methyl esterase, Cx-cellulase and polygalacturonase enzymes were in parallel with the disease severity where the activity of any enzyme from them increased with the increasing of disease severity
The Effect of Diet with Different Inclusion Levels of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus Lativum) on the Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings
No full textThe growth performance of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fed with different inclusion levels of processed tiger nut was studied for 168 days (24 weeks). A total of 144 catfish fingerlings with 0.66±0.12 g mean weight and 3.45±0.24 cm mean total length were collected from the University of Calabar Fish Farm, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Eighteen (18) rectangular plastic tanks were used for this study. Tigernut seeds (Cyperus esculentus) were purchased in Bogobiri, Calabar, Cross River State. The tiger nut seeds were sundried for fourteen (14) days prior to milling to produce tigernut meal. The drying process was done to reduce excess moisture so as to prevent unpleasant smell, stale taste and growth of fungus as well as to minimize the presence of cyanogenic glycosides. The dried nuts were ground into fine powder and analysed for proximate composition in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Calabar. Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) consisting of 18 treatments was adopted for the study. Triplicate culture tanks in treated (L25-L100), and control groups (L0 and Ac) were stocked with eight fingerlings per square meter, respectively. Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of catfish in different treatments were estimated. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% tiger nuts to replace the equal weight of fish meal. Commercial fish feed (Coppens) was used as a control feed. All the diets were fed to the catfish fingerlings in triplicate for 24 weeks. The results revealed that optimum requirement of tiger nut level in the formulation of practical diets for improved growth of C. gariepinus was 25% having the highest mean weight gain (42.3±0.68) and feed efficiency (23.50±0.18). Therefore, it is concluded that tigernut meal could be incorporated in C. gariepinus diet at 25% level without any negative effect on growth
Epidemiological Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pigs Slaughtered in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State
No full textEpidemiological Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pigs Slaughtered in Makurdi
Metropolis, Benue State
Gastrointestinal parasites are among the most devastating disease-causing organisms of swine. An epidemiological survey of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs was carried out between the months of October 2015 and January 2016. Aim: The study was aimed at determining the current epidemiological status of GI parasites of pigs in Makurdi metropolis with the goal to determine the prevalence of GI parasites, identify the different types of GI parasites found in pigs and also to highlight the public health significance of these parasites in pigs. Methods: A total number of 318 pigs of different age groups and sexes were sampled using random sampling method. Faecal samples were collected from the rectum and examined using zinc sulphate floatation technique for isolation of parasitic eggs. Results: Out of 318 pigs examined, 159(50%) were infected. Five types of GI parasites were identified from samples and they include; Ascaris suum (11.32%), Strongyloid ransomi (22.96%), Stephanurus dentatus (13.2%), Oesophagostomum spp (6.92%) and Macracanthorynchus hirudinaceus (0.31%). The study revealed that single infection occurred significantly more frequently than multiple infections (P<0.01). The prevalence was higher in females and young pigs than in males and adults respectively though sex and age were not significant statistically (p˃0.05). The high prevalence of GI parasites in pigs indicates there is an urgent need for regular veterinary intervention with an effective anthelminthic program in the study area
Heavy Metal Uptake Pattern and Potential Human Health Risk through Consumption of Tomato Grown in Industrial Contaminated Soils
No full textHeavy Metal Uptake Pattern and Potential Human Health Risk through Consumption of Tomato Grown in Industrial Contaminated Soils
An experiment was conducted in pots to study heavy metal uptake pattern and to assess health risk for adult male and female through consumption of tomato grown in industrial contaminated soils. The experiment was conducted at the net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 followed by completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Tomato fruits were grown in two types of agricultural soils, one was industrial contaminated and the other was normal farm soil. Edible parts of tomato fruits were harvested at maturity. The amount of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr and Pb present in dried fruits, leaves, shoots and roots of tomato were extracted using di-acid mixture and the concentrations of these metals in aqueous extracts were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Health risk was measured by calculating target hazard quotients (THQ) as established by the US EPA. Heavy metals uptake pattern was in the sequence of Cr > Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn = Pb; Fe > Cr > Mn > Cu > Zn > Pb; Fe > Cr > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb and Cr > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb in fruits, leaves, roots and shoots of tomato, respectively. The present study revealed that tomato fruits didn’t accumulate Zn although there was a significant amount of available Zn in the soils. The order of Zn, Cr and Cu accumulation by tomato plants was root ≥ shoot > leaf > fruit. In case of Fe and Mn the sequence were root > leaf > shoot > fruit and leaf > shoot > root > fruit, respectively. Among the metals, available concentration of Cr in soils collected from both sites exceeded the soil quality standards, indicating a high risk to the surrounding ecosystems. The calculated THQ values for the metals showed that only Cr had individual value that surpassed 1, and the values for male were 6.15 & 13.26 and for female were 10.63 & 22.93 due to consumption of tomato grown in farm and industrial contaminated soils, respectively. The overall results showed that industrial contaminated sites were more susceptible than normal agricultural farm sites. The study results inferred that Cr health risk through consumption of tomato is unsafe; and in both places female is more vulnerable than male. Finally, the study recommended to investigate the levels of heavy metals in other vegetables and cereals, and also on the occurrence of the diseases linked to heavy metals in the study area
Promoting Sustainable Postharvest Practices of Tomato through Different Media Communications in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
No full textThe study investigates promoting food security and sustainable post-harvest quality and shelf life of tomato through different media communications in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 60 respondents. The results revealed that the respondents in the study area practice subsistence farming, age category of 31-40 years constitute the majority with 66.7% while 51-60 years were the least with 5%. Also, 25(41%) had 11-15 years of experience, which contribute immensely toward quality production. Thirty (30) respondents with 50% had secondary levels of education, followed by primary 20(33.3%) that made them to be able to read and write. Radio broadcast was the best communication media to the farmers followed by television programs. The (r =0.535) recorded 53.5% of the variation in the output or quality. Two input variety and media were statistically significant in output and quality at 5% level of significance. Based on the result from the finding, it is recommended that more financial facility should be extended to farmers and training should be organised to farmers, to increase awareness, acceptance and embraced the new technology to boost productivity and quality
Assessment of Co2 emissions in Oil Palm Cultivation and Processing: A Case Study of Selected Mills in the South-South and South-Western Nigeria
No full textAssessment of Co2 emissions in Oil Palm Cultivation and Processing: A Case Study of Selected Mills in the South-South and South-Western Nigeria
Globally, the increase in oil palm production has generated concern especially its effect on the environment in the tropics where it is mostly cultivated. Studies have shown that the main GHGs associated with the cultivation and processing of oil palm products are CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). The objective of this study was to quantify CO2 emissions from oil palm and palm kernel processing in selected mills within the South-South and South-Western states in Nigeria. CO2 emission was recorded using a digital CO2 meter across four mills (Atlantic Imperial oil mill, Vika oil mill, Aro oil mill and Jubilee oil mill) at 07:00hr, 13:00hr and 16:00hr for a period of five months (December 2016-April 2017). Mean values obtained were collated for statistical analysis to obtain mean standard deviations and P-values using the ANOVA and student ‘t’ test. The hot spot of CO2 emission was recorded at the point of emission at Vika oil mill (4293.00 ppm ± 397.30) which was ten-fold higher than weekly National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) value (404.51) recorded within the last one year. The mean CO2 emission at all the oil mills were highest at the point of exposure when compared to other sampling points, i.e. 10 meters, 20 meters, 50 meters and control. This study revealed that reducing fossil fuel use is a precondition for off-setting CO2 emissions in palm oil processing.
 
Study of the Root System of Local and Improved Sorghum Cultivars Grown in Mali
No full textStudy of the Root System of Local and Improved Sorghum Cultivars Grown in Mali
Roots play a fundamental role in plant growth by supplying water and mineral to the stem and leaves. These underground organs are much less known than the aerial organs mainly due to the difficult access to the root systems in soil. In spite of this, only a few studies were conducted on roots. Given the importance of roots for plant growth, a better understanding of their functioning may help solve some issues such as water stress that can affect the performance of the crops. A total of 100 sorghum cultivars collected in the Sahelian zone of Mali an area receiving an annual rainfall of 200 to 600 mm, were used in a root characterization study. The plant materials were composed of 4 races and 5 intermediates sorghum races. Seeds of the entries were planted directly in PVC tubes of 1m containing soil and arranged in completely randomized design with three replications; in one planting date. Each tube was planted in a dugout ground to 50 cm deep. The tubes were distant of 0.50 m within each row and 0.75 m between rows. The trial was watered from the tap every two days until harvest. The results showed high variability among the varieties studied for root length and root density, with a root length reaching over 1.00m. The study did not identify any pattern in the root systems of the four races and their five intermediates races. However, there was a positive correlation between root length and density indicating an increase in root length correspond to an increased root density. The diversity found in the root system could be a basis for improving root architecture in breeding populations and the evaluation of the behaviour of the sorghum varieties with different root systems in water stress conditions