Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research
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Biotechnological Upgrade of High Fiber-Low Protein Industrial Plant By-products in Broiler Diets: Haematology and Serum Evaluation
No full textBiotechnological Upgrade of High Fiber-Low Protein Industrial Plant By-products in Broiler Diets: Haematology and Serum Evaluation
Aims: To investigate some haematological parameters of broilers in which composite of bio-fermented industrial plant by-products was used as crude protein supplements.
Study Design: 288 birds were picked and randomized into 6 treatments in a randomize entirely designed experiment. The data collected were subjected to One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Minitab computer model (Version 16).
Place and Duration of Study: Research study was carried out at the Teaching & Research Farm of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, a town in the Southwest Nigeria between June and September, 2016.
Methodology: A composite (PBMC) of the palm kernel meal, brewer dried grains and molasses were prepared and incorporated on dry matter basis as protein supplement at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35% inclusion levels in the experimental diets.
Results: The haemoglobin concentration (HBC) value of birds on diet with zero PBMC had the lowest significant (P<0.05) value of 6.58±0.01 g/dl. Diet on 30% PBMC inclusion had the highest HBC value of 9.06±0.06 g/dl. The packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of birds on zero PBMC inclusion were consistently lower (P<0.05) than for other birds. The mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) were similar (P0.05) for all experimental birds. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) obtained for birds on zero PBMC inclusion level had the highest significant value of 42.95±1.20g/dl but similar (P0.05) to 35.92±0.26 g/dl for birds on 25% PBMC inclusion. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was lowest (P0.05) in birds on 35% PBMC inclusion at 5.15±0.07mm3/l and highest (P0.05) in birds on 15% PBMC at 5.90±0.14 mm3/l. The highest (P0.05) serum protein of 34.91±0.14 was obtained for birds on zero PBMC inclusion level. No significant differences (P>0.05) existed among the albumin-globulin ratio for all experimental birds. The investigated blood parameters indicated high degrees of similarity in values obtained for most haematological and serum indices in all experimental diets including the control diets.
Conclusion: PBMC inclusion levels at measured quantities not exceeding 35% did not have any deleterious effects on the response criteria measured in broilers and were all within normal reported ranges
Nutritive Evaluation of Boiling Duration on the Anti-nutrients and Amino Acids Composition of Roselle Seeds
No full textNutritive Evaluation of Boiling Duration on the
Anti-nutrients and Amino Acids Composition of Roselle Seeds
A study was conducted to examine how cooking Roselle seeds (Hibiscus sabdarrifa L.) in 100°C at different lengths of time (from 10 to 60 minutes) affects the contents of antinutrients and amino acid composition, to select the most optimal cooking time span for these seeds. The Roselle seeds (Hibiscus sabdarrifa L.) were boiled at 100°C for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes and a raw sample was assayed. There were seven treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data collected were analysed using the Analysis of Variance procedures of S.A.S. 9.0 and significant difference (P<0.05) in means among the treatments was separated using a Tukey test. The result of the laboratory trial showed that there were significant (P≤0.05) differences in antinutritional factors and amino acid composition of Roselle seeds boiled at different durations. Boiling of Roselle seeds for 60 minutes significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the anti-nutritional factors (TIA, Tannin, Phytic acid, and Oxalate). Boiling for 60 minutes increased histidine, threonine, serine, glutamic acid and proline composition of Roselle seeds (Hibiscus sabdarrifa L.). The chemical composition, micro and macro minerals, amino acid composition of boiled Roselle seeds for 60 minutes revealed the overall suitability of Roselle seeds as an alternative feed ingredient in poultry nutrition. It is therefore recommended that boiling Roselle for 60 minutes can be used to replace maize in the diets of broiler birds
Production and Improvement of Fino and Pan Breads Made from Different Extractions of Wheat Flour
No full textProduction and Improvement of Fino and Pan Breads Made from Different Extractions of Wheat Flour
Hemicellulase (Hm) and lecithin (Le) were utilized to production of high quality fino and pan breads by using different mixtures of wheat flours 82% extraction rate (WF82) and wheat flour 72% extraction rate (WF72). The results showed that add of 0.5% Hm. alone or mixture of 0.5%Hm. and 1% Le. lead to increased of water absorption to 65.7% compared with WF 72. Add of 0.5% Hm. alone or mixture of 0.5%Hm. and 1% Le. decreased development time from 2.5 to 1.5 min. and increased the stability of dough and resistance to extension (R) and dough extensibility (E) comparing with WF72 and WF82. Use of Hm. and Le. improved produced fino breads quality when use the same flour mixture with and without Hm. or Le. No significant difference occurred between fino bread made from (75%WF72 + 25% WF82 + Hm.) and control sample (100% WF72), but there are significant difference between fino bread made from (75%WF72 + 25% WF82 without enzyme) and control sample (100% WF72).
According to sensory evaluation results, the most preferred six mixtures selected to produce pan bread as following: (100% WF72), (75% WF72 + 25% WF82), (75% WF72 + 25% WF72+ Hm. ), (75% WF72 + 25% WF82 + Hm.+ Le.), (50% WF 72 + 50% WF 82+ Hm.) and (50% WF72 + 50% WF82 + Hm.+ Le.).
Overall score recorded no significant difference between produced pan bread samples, but there are significant differences between samples in crust color, volume, crumb color, crumb grain and softness and that’s due to use WF82. Addition of 0.5% Hm. alone or mixture of 0.5%Hm. and 1% Le. increased specific volume of loaves from 3.11 to 3.5 in 75% WF72 + 25% WF82 bread sample. An significant difference appear clearly in volume and specific volume when use Hm. and Le. with 75% WF72 + 25% WF82 or 50% WF72 + 50% WF82. Addition of Hm. and Le. were decrease hardness and improvement texture of produced pan bread due to use Texture analyzer and attributes with high quality and increase shelf-life
Genetic Parameter Estimates for Milk and Conformation Traits of Multi-genotype Cattle
No full textGenetic Parameter Estimates for Milk and Conformation Traits of Multi-genotype Cattle
The objectives of this research were to estimate the genetic parameters of milk and conformation traits under environmental sensitivity of multi-genotype cattle. The data from the study came from two genotypes of cows (Holstein and 3/4HolsteinX1/4Bunaji). Milk yield, six body traits (stature, ST; chest width, CW; body depth, BD; heart girth, HG; rump width, RW, chest ligament, CL) and four udder traits (rear udder height, RUH; rear udder width, RUW; udder clearance, UC; teat length, TL). Multi-trait animal models were used to estimate the (co)variance components based on average information restricted maximum likelihood method (AIREML) using R 3.0.3 software. Heritability estimates for milk production and conformation traits were low to high (h2=7 to 44%, Holstein; 16 to 42%). Genetic and environmental correlation between 305-day fat-corrected milk yield and conformation traits were less than unity across different genotypes. It was concluded that considerable exploitable genetic variation exists for milk production and conformation traits which suggest a potential for improvement of economic characteristics
Comparative Yield Analysis of Stem Rust Resistant Wheat Mutant Lines and Their Parent Varieties
No full textWheat (Trticum aestivum L.) farmers in Kenya are faced with a major threat on their wheat farming from stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp tritici). Smallholder’s farmers are earning low income from their wheat farming but there’s high demand for wheat products. The interaction between wheat and stem rust in a favourable environment causes complete crop failure. This study aimed to assess yield potential of stem rust resistant mutant’s in comparison with their parent varieties. The objective was to select sample of high yielding stem rust resistant mutant lines to be introgressed into adaptable Kenyan wheat background. Seventeen wheat genotypes comprising eight mutant lines, two parents and seven commercial checks were evaluated. The experiments were conducted in the years 2012 and 2013 at University of Eldoret, KALRO Njoro and Kitale. Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications was used to conduct the experiement. Yield data and stem rust response were collected and analysed. Response to stem rust was recorded based on modified Cobb’s scale while a severity was recorded on a scale of 0-100%. Grain yield ranged from 0.69-4.35 t ha-1 and disease response range from moderately resistant to susceptible. Genotype, location and genotype x location interaction for yield and disease response were significant at P < 0.05. Results showed two mutant lines SP-21 and SP-26 were high yielding and moderately resistant to stem rust. Considering high yields and stem rust resistance they were superior to their parents and can undergo further tests for future release
An Overview of Socio-economic and Farming Systems Status of Farmers’ in the Haor Area under Sunamganj District
No full textThe study was carried out at Bahadurpur village under Sunamganj sadar upazila of Sunamganj district during November 2014 to July 2015 to see the socio-economic status and farming systems of the haor area. A total number of 65 farmers’ were randomly selected by using random sampling technique. Data were collected from the sampled farmers’ through direct interview method using a semi-structured questionnaire. Eleven farming systems were identified in the study area among them 32.31% was Crop-Poultry-Agroforestry system. The literacy rate was 44.62% which is less than the National average. Farm size was 1.29 ha. Agricultural farming was the main occupation all of the farmers'. Boro-Fallow-Fallow was the major cropping pattern in the study area. Inadequate knowledge about fertilizers application (including fertilizer dose, fertilizer application time) and low output price are main problems faced by the farmers’ in haor area. Farmers’ opined that the training on modern agricultural technology and proper price of farm products at farmers’ level should be ensured. 
Morpho-agronomical Diversity in Some Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivars under Drought Stress Conditions
No full textMorpho-agronomical Diversity in Some Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivars under Drought Stress Conditions
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a survivor crop. It is one of the most important oilseed crops. Despite of its tolerance, drought is one of the most important environmental factors that limit sesame production. Iran has an arid and semi-arid climate and very fertile lands for agriculture that the main factor limiting production is their lack of water. In this study, the experimental treatments consisted of irrigation levels as the main plot at four levels and fifteen cultivars of Sesame as the subplot was considered. Morpho-agronomic traits such as plant height, number of capsules per plant, seed number/capsules, weight of 1000 seeds, number of branches, grain yield, number of leaves per plant, biomass, and oil content were recorded. The study of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences at P<0.01and P<0.05 among cultivars and irrigation levels for all traits. Results of Duncan’s test indicated that Darab14, TS3, Halil, Yellow, white and JL13 cultivars were found to be the best cultivars for normal and drought stress conditions. Genetic diversity was also studied based on various Morpho-agronomical traits using analysis of cluster and principal component analysis among studied cultivars. Analysis of cluster indicated that the cultivars were divided into three major groups. Some of the cultivars (first group) performed better than the others and were ranked higher. In other hand, in the principal component analysis, the first and second principal components showed 89.93% of total variation. The bi-plot of PC1 and PC2 identifies that the cultivars of JL13, TS3, Darab14, Halil, Bampour and Oltan, as closely related and distinctly separated from other cultivars. Therefore, these traits have good potential for selection of cultivars. The selected cultivars can be used in crossing together for creating genetically variation or for the direct cultivation of tolerant cultivars
Improvement in Quality and Vase Life of Iris Flower by Salicylic Acid
No full textIris is very beautiful flower with a wide range of colors but with short vase life. The role of growth regulators have been significant in improving cut flowers vase life. Salicylic acid is one of the important growth regulator that may increase the shelf life of cut flowers. Present study was performed in the experimental area of Department of Horticulture, PMAS-Arid University, Rawalpindi to explore the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid [0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 SA mM] along with control on vase life of three cultivars. The collected data was analyzed statistically by using MSTAT-C and the means were compared for significance. Results indicated that Wedge Wood cultivar showed maximum flower size at SA @1 mM/L, while minimum flower size was observed with the same cultivar in control plots. Cultivar Pride of Holland showed maximum vase life at SA @1 mM/L while, minimum vase life was observed with Wedge Wood cultivar in control plots. SA@1mM/L is best for Iris flower vase life and quality
Citric Acid Production by Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride Using Hydrolysed Potato Peels Substrate
No full textAim: Production of citric acid by Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride isolated from soil in Keffi, Nigeria using Hydrolysed potato peels substrate.
Place and Duration of the Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences Nassarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria, between February and July 2017.
Methodology: Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride were isolated from soil in Keffi and identified using standard microbiology methods. Hydrolysed potato peels substrate - soy beans cake (ps) and potato peel - groundnut cake (pg) production media were prepared by following standard fermentation conditions. The citric acid produced was estimated using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) method respectively.
Results: At pH 5.5 after 72 hours of incubation the highest production of citric acid was produced by T. viride 176.33±20.10 mg/l on ps and A. niger 91.11±21.22 mg/l on ps. At pH 6.0 T. viride produced highest on ps 211.40±7.10 mg/l and A. niger 170.22±10.81 mg/l on ps while at pH 6.5 A. niger produced highest 181.09±20.8 mg/l on ps and T. viride 98.76±19.8 mg/l on ps with highest total Sugar consumption and dry cell mass were 16.19±20.01 g/l and 13.17±1.04 g/l while after 144 hours of incubation at pH 6.0 A. niger produced highest citric acid 404.53 ± 14.32 mg/l on ps and T. viride produced 297.60±8.31mg/l on ps highest total Sugar consumption and dry cell mass were 19.91±2.01g/l and 17.0±15.11 g/l.
Conclusion: The maximum citric acid production obtained during the course of study was 404.53±14.32 mg/l on ps by A. niger and at pH 6.0. Also potato peels showed that it can be alternative carbon source for citric acid production as cheaper source of carbon
Limiting Factors Affecting Agroforestry Adoption in Butta Sub-county, Manafwa District, Uganda
No full textLimiting Factors Affecting Agroforestry Adoption in Butta Sub-county, Manafwa District, Uganda
Background: Agroforestry, now considered as a sustainable agricultural system, is being widely promoted all over the world especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Although agroforestry is known to be beneficial to farmers and the environment, its adoption rate falls far behind the projected goals.
Aim of the Study: This study aimed to investigate the limiting factors on agroforestry adoption in Butta sub-county, Manafwa district, Uganda.
Methodology: The household heads used in this study were selected using a combination of multistage stratified random sampling and systematic random sampling. These were further stratified into Adopters and Non-adopters. A sample of 185 small-scale farmers were used in the study.
Results: Results from Multinomial logistic regression analysis suggest that Education level, Farm size, Extension services and lack of income were the most important variables in limiting the adoption of agroforestry in the study area. It was observed that traditional beliefs had no significant effect on limiting Agroforestry adoption in the area. It was also found out that farmers’ interaction with the extension staff was low which affect the adoption rate.
Conclusion: This study revealed that, Illiteracy, Shortage of land, Lack of extension services, Lack of income are the limiting factors that hindered Agroforestry adoption in the study area. Moreover, the denial to plant trees on farmlands may have nothing to do with traditional beliefs in the study area.
Recommendation: This study recommends that extension services should be increased to encourage small-scale farmers to adopt the practice