Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research
Not a member yet
588 research outputs found
Sort by
Seasonal Dynamics and Damages of Mononychellus tanajoa Bondar (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Commercial Cassava Varieties in Mwanza Region, Lake Zone,Tanzania
No full textTwo-year studies were conducted to determine the responses of 9 commercial and local cassava varieties to M. tanajoa and the environment during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 wet and dry seasons at Ukiriguru in Mwanza region of the Lake Zone, Tanzania. The experiments were conducted at Lake Zone Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Ukiriguru. These were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, making a total of twenty-seven plots allocated to a plot size of 36m2with a 1m path between plots and 2m between blocks. One stem cutting (30cm long) was planted at a spacing of 1x1m within and between rows giving a total of 10,000 plant population ha-1. This was allowed under natural infestation by the mites. Results revealed that the population and damage were higher in 2016 while leaf malformation and mites incidence were statistically greater in 2015. Cassava varieties were heavily infested and damaged at lower age range (3 and 6 months) within and between the two seasons. Among the crop varieties, Liongo Kwimba recorded higher infestation and suffered most in leaf damage and malformation. Kyaka cassava variety was found to performed better in yield despite the attack by the mites while Liongo Kwimba recorded the lowest yield. The regression analysis predicted mostly negative relationships among the weather variables and the population, damage and incidence of M. tanajoa. Therefore, farmers at Ukiriguru could be encouraged to plant Kyaka variety for increased yield while Liongo Kwimba should be improved especially by breeding and molecular researches. More so, there is need to manipulate planting season by early planting before the favourable period of growth and perpetuation of M. tanajoa
Growth Performance and Development Attributes of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) as Influenced by Organic Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer
No full textAn experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from March to June 2015 (Kharif-I season) to find out the growth performance and development attributes of mungbean (Vigna radiate L.) as influenced by organic manure and inorganic fertilizer. The experiment consisted of two factors: factor A: five levels of manures and inorganic fertilizers [T0 = Control (no fertilizer or manure), T1 = Recommended dose of fertilizer (R) (45 kg urea ha-1 + 100 kg TSP ha-1 + 58 kg MoP ha-1), T2 = R + cow dung (3 t ha-1), T3 = R + poultry manure (2 t ha-1), T4 = R + vermicompost (2.5 t ha-1)] and factor B: two mungbean varieties; (V1 = BARI Mung 5 and V2 = BARI Mung 6). The experiment was laid out in split- plot design with three replications. The growth performance and development attributes of Mungbean varieties were found significant with the combined effect of different organic manures and recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers. The largest plant height, number of leaves plant-1, number of branches plant-1, dry weight of plant, minimum days to first emergence, 80% emergence, 80% flowering and 80% pod maturity (46.05 cm at 55 DAS, 24.16 at 55 DAS, 7.92 at 55 DAS, 40.68 g at 55 DAS, 1.80 days, 3.16 days, 32.21 days and 46.56 days, respectively) were found from the combined effect of V2 varieties with T4 treatment. Among the different treatment combination T4 [(recommended doses of fertilizer + vermicompost (2.5 t ha-1)] showed the best results. So, BARI Mung 6 performed the best performance with the application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 with the recommended dose of fertilizer
Behavioral and Growth Characteristics of the Crustacean Species Macrobrachium macrobrachion (Herklots 1851) (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) with Special Reference to Cannibalism
No full textThis study investigates the behavioral characteristics of the crustacean Macrobrachium macrobrachion in view of their cannibalistic tendencies and growth rates. Seventy (70) prawns comprising of individual groups representing adult / post larvae groups of prawns were stocked in hapas in the following categories: adult males/females (5/5), 10 -adult females only, 10- adult males only, mixed males and females post (5/5), 10- adult females / 10 post larvae, 10- adult males/ 10 post larvae and 10 post larvae only. These animals were stocked in their triplicates and studied for fifty six (56) days. M. macrobrachion is nocturnal, and diurnally, they hide in shelters sneaking out to eat when food is available. Cannibalism was high in all the groups resulting in survival rates of 40%. Growth rates of 0.03 mgd-1 were not significant (P> 0.001) in adult male/female, adult male, adult female and adult male /post larvae categories respectively. Growth rates of 0.07 gmd-1, 0.05 gmd-1 were calculated from the groups that hosted adult female and the post-larval. Prawns in the mixed adults/the post larvae group exhibited the least growth rate of 0.02 gmd-1. Exuviate were found in the hapas indicating that animals were eaten during molting or that they were eaten up during the process of molting. This observation suggests that cannibalism was most prevalent among the latter categories than the former probably associated with nocturnal activities .Most individuals were found with single pleopods or none at all indicating situations associated with fight or aggression. The paper concludes with management strategies for the culture of crustaceans in captivity
Comparative Cost Analysis of Broiler Chicken Fed with Concentrate and Aspilia africana
No full textPoultry production is a unique business which offers one of the quickest returns to investment for rural farmers. It has the highest feed conversion rates and produces the cheapest and best sources of animal protein. However, consumption of animal protein by a human in developing countries like Nigeria is grossly below the average required for good health in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and World Health Organization (WHO). This is because animal proteins (Broilers) are still expensive for the average Nigerian. This is accentuated with a high cost of feeds and drugs which accounts for about 85% of the total production of chicken. The outcomes of this high cost of production have deterred many families from accessing and consuming this animal protein for good health. The continuous rise in feed cost and the resultant shortage in animal protein supply have encouraged the exploration of locally available and cheap animal feed alternatives to forestall the threat to the future of poultry production. The paper assesses the comparative cost analysis of broiler chicken fed with concentrate and Aspilia africana leaf. The objectives were to: determine feed efficiency of Aspilia africana combined with concentrates at various levels and compare the performance and costs of the proposed feeds. This paper is a review of three past studies Adedeji et al., 2014a, Adedeji et al., 2014b and Oko et al., 2014. The data and results from these studies were complemented with current price data of inputs used to get cost values for feed intake and output values to arrive at cost-effectiveness. The results show that such economic parts as the drumstick, back, breast, wings, weight gain as well as the feed consumption were influenced by the inclusion of Aspilia africana in a feed. The weight gain positively affected profitability in the Aspillia ration. Therefore, there should be specific government policy geared towards developing local poultry industry to meet the increasing local demand at a reduced cost for poultry products, especially meat. There is a need for the cultivation of more Aspilia africana plant for use in the poultry industry for improved cash flow, national economic development, food security and poverty reduction
Contribution of Local Chicken Production towards Improving Peoples Wellbeing: A Case of Peri-Urban Areas of Kinondoni District, Tanzania
No full textContribution of Local Chicken Production towards Improving Peoples Wellbeing: A Case of Peri-Urban Areas of Kinondoni District, Tanzania
Several studies have been conducted on characterization of local chicken production systems in some places of Tanzania, yet clear information is limited regarding to its contribution towards improving peoples wellbeing particularly its socio-economic importance in the country. This study therefore accessed the socio- economic importance of local chickens’ production in peri-urban areas of Kinondoni District, Dar es salaam-Tanzania. A cross sectional research design was employed. The study was conducted in peri-urban areas of Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam Region involving three peripheral wards namely: Kibamba, Kwembe and Mabwepande, between September and October 2014. Both purposive and random sampling was used. Purposive sampling was used in selecting six streets from which local chickens were kept and random sampling was used in selecting 90 local chicken keepers (15 local chicken keepers per street) from the list provided by livestock extension officer. Data were collected using a household questionnaire survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and Key Informant interview (KI) methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using respective methods of data analysis (SPSS).The study findings found that, the local chicken contributes to peri-urban household’s wellbeing as 92.2% of all the respondents spent some amounts of local chicken earnings to buy food. This shows that local chicken keeping contributes to improving food security at the households of the local chicken keepers.Some households used local chicken for gift giving, rituals and detection of time. Education level, initial capital, experience of local chicken keeping, rearing systems, accessibility to extension services and constraints were significantly influencing production of the local chicken (p<0.05). The researchers conclude that local chicken production improves socio-economies of peri-urban households of Kinondoni District. The study recommends that various stakeholders including the local governments should put more emphasis on promoting local chicken production as it contributes to the smallholder household’s socio-economies
The Incidence of Clinical Mastitis and Distribution of Microorganisms in Yangtze Dairy Farm
No full textThe Incidence of Clinical Mastitis and Distribution of Microorganisms in Yangtze Dairy Farm
Aims: Mastitis is a frequently occurring and economically important disease for dairy industries worldwide. This study was conducted to research the incidence of clinical mastitis and the distribution of organisms isolated from clinical cases in dairy cows of Yangtze Dairy Farm.
Study Design: 782 dairy cows were examined clinically from March to May 2017. The clinical mastitis milk samples were collected and the microorganisms were isolated and identified.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Yangtze Dairy Farm and the sample analysis was done at the Laboratory of Clinical Veterinary of Yangtze University.
Methodology: The animals were physically examined and the clinical mastitis milk samples were collected aseptically before antibiotic treatment. Milk samples were plated onto a blood agar and a MacConkey agar plate. The plates were examined for growth, morphology, pigmentation, hemolytic features, and the numbers of each colony type at 24, 48, and 72 h after inoculation. Identification of bacteria was done by Gram staining, inspection of the colony morphology, haemolytic reaction, and biochemical testing.
Results: The average incidence of clinical mastitis at cow and quarter levels in the study period were found to be 4.86% (38/782) and 1.63% (51/3128), respectively. The commonly recovered organisms were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Yeast, coagulase-negative staphylococci, coagulase-positive staphylococci (other than S. aureus), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Proteus spp., and Corynebacterium spp. Among the isolated pathogens, E. coli, S. aureus and Yeast were the most prevalent that accounted 31.25%, 18.75% and 10.42%, respectively.
Conclusion: The incidence of clinical mastitis in Yangtze Dairy Farm was 4.86% in cow and 1.63% in quarter level, respectively. The major isolated pathogens were E. coli, S. aureus, and Yeast
Influence of Tillage Systems on Diversity and Abundance of Insect and Nematode Pests of Maize in Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria
No full textPests are major biotic factors causing up to 45% yield reduction in maize production. There is limited information on pests affecting maize in Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria. The types of insects and nematodes associated with ten quality protein maize varieties (QPMVs) were evaluated for pests’ occurrence, abundance and diversity on ‘plough only plots (POP)’ and ‘plough and harrow plots (PAHP)’ as primary and secondary tillage, respectively.
The experiment was carried out using QPMVs at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Kwara State University, Malete and arranged in a randomised complete block design with 11 treatments replicated 3 times, including local check “pambo”. Data were collected on insect and nematode populations and yield parameters and analysed using ANOVA with descriptive statistics and standard diversity indices at P≤0.05.
A total of 833.1±4.0 and 799.3±3.4 arthropod individuals from POP and PAHP tillage practices, respectively comprising 8 orders and 18 families. Ootheca mutabilis was the most abundant species, with 5.47% (POP) and 5.68% (PAHP) and the least was Rhopalosiphum maidis 1.82% (POP) and 1.80% (PAHP). As indicated by Shannon-Wiener (3.46±0.023) and Simpson indices (0.97±0.0008), there was even distribution in the tillage practices. Three genera of plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) namely: Meloidogyne spp. [(POP (78.33±19.65), PAHP (1.33±0.33)], Pratylenchus spp. [(POP (41.67±9.26), PAHP (5.00±2.31)], and Helicotylenchus spp. [(POP (58.33±38.35), PAHP (23.33±14.50)] were identified. The yield parameters and a number of the whole plant infested were significantly higher in the PAHP than the POP.
The use of secondary tillage practice is effective in reducing insects and nematodes associated with ten quality protein maize varieties and, therefore, recommended for the management of these pests in maize production
Length-weight Relationship, Condition Factor and Length Frequency Distribution of the Tongue Sole Cynoglossus senegalensis from Akpa Yafe River, Bakassi, Cross River State, Nigeria
No full textThe length-weight parameters, condition factor and length frequency distribution of the tongue sole, Cynoglossus senegalensis (Kaup, 1858) from Akpa Yafe River, Nigeria, were estimated. A total of 292 freshly caught samples were collected between November 2014 and October 2015 from the catches of the artisanal fisheries at Ikang beach, Bakassi L.G.A., Cross River State. Results showed a negative allometric growth indicating that the fish gets slimmer as it grows larger. A significant linear relationship is given by the equation: W =.0.0413TL2.3861 and Log W = 2.3861TL - 1.3841(r2 = 0.7700, P < 0.05, n = 292, d.f. = 290). Mean monthly condition factor of C. senegalensis was highest (0.419 ± 0.01) in May and lowest (0.277 ± 0.02) in November. The length frequency distribution showed that the highest length frequency was in length class 57.1- 60.0 cm (47) and the lowest (1) in 33.1- 36.0 cm, 36.1- 39.0 cm, 39.1 – 42.0 cm, 81.1 – 84.0cm, and 87.1 – 90.0 cm length class. These important findings would be useful for fishery biologists and fishery managers in evaluating the population dynamics, stock assessment and sustainable management of C. senegalensis from Akpa Yafe river and other similar water bodies
Review of Small Holder Farmers’ Climate Change Knowledge Level in North Central (Benue State) Nigeria
No full textFarmers in Nigeria lack adequate knowledge of climate change. Farmers’ knowledge of climate change is a critical factor in the development of a sustainable climate change adaptation framework for Nigeria and other developing countries. This study examines the knowledge of farmers in the Benue State of Nigeria on climate change in 2016, and the data were analysed using IBM SPSS 21. Multi-stage and Probability Proportional to Size sampling technique was used to select 360 respondents from three agricultural zones in the study area. Data was collected using interview schedule. Descriptive (mean, percentages and frequencies) and inferential statistics were utilised in data analysis. A 5-point Likert scale was adopted using a composite knowledge score to achieve the mean cut-off level. Results show that a higher proportion (40.2%) of the farmers had moderate knowledge of climate change, 39.6% had high knowledge while 20.1% had low knowledge of climate change. The majority (>60%) of the respondents agree that bush burning, air pollution, tree felling and global warming are causes of climate change. However, only a few proportions (20.2%) of the respondent's belief that industrial activities and firewood usage causes climate change. A majority (>60%) of the respondents agree that mixed cropping system, use of irrigation, use of the drought-tolerant crop, livelihood diversification and use of improved variety is a means of coping with the adverse effects of climate change. All (100%) of the respondents are aware of climate change. A majority (92.5%) of the respondents are male with mean household size, farm size (in hectares) years of farming experience (in years) of 5.3, 2.3 and 20.4 respectively. It was recommended that the knowledge level of farmers on climate change should be improved by providing them relevant information through the mass media, movies and by providing climate change educational platforms in schools and through outreaches
Assessment of Agricultural Credit Sources for Food Crop Marketing in Ondo State of Nigeria
No full textAssessment of Agricultural Credit Sources for Food Crop Marketing in Ondo State of Nigeria
Marketing of food crops in Nigeria is on a declining trend due to the inability of marketers to access proper and efficient agricultural credit to expand their marketing network. Hence, this study aimed to assess the sources of agricultural credit for food crop marketing in Ondo State, Nigeria. Well structured questionnaire was administrated to 120 marketers of food crops in the study area. Descriptive analysis was used to ascertain the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the crop marketer’s economic characteristics and the amount of loan accessed in the study area. The main determinants of the amount of loan collected by the marketers were education, cost of marketing operation and marketers’ income. It was recommended that government should put in best policies that would help to lessen the marketing cost especially transport cost, thus improving the net income of the food crop marketers. Also, extension officers and research institutes should help in training marketers on the conditions and regulations governing the issues and use of credit