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The role of extension officers and extension services in the development of agriculture in Nigeria
No full textThis article contains figuresThe role of agricultural extension in the development of agriculture throughout the world is not in doubt. It has remained one of the prime movers in the development of agriculture and invariably in the rural development. This paper reviewed the role of extension officers and extension services in the development of agriculture in Nigeria. The paper dwelt on the basic concepts underlying the scope, understanding and meaning of agricultural extension, role of extension service and extension officers. It is the belief of this paper that no nation will have real growth in the agricultural sector without effective extension service. It is also the belief of this paper that total eradication of agricultural development problems can be achieved through extension service approach if the role of extension is properly conceived and effectively administered
Application of aqueous extracts of coffee senna for control of mild steel corrosion in acidic environments
No full textThis is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative CommonsBackground: The inhibitive effect of the aqueous extract of Coffee senna (CS) on the corrosion of mild steel in 1 MHCl and 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions was investigated by weight loss measurement as well as potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements.
Result: The extract was found to efficiently inhibit the corrosion process in both environments and inhibition efficiency increased with extract concentration as well as rise in temperature. Data from electrochemical measurements suggest that the extract functioned by adsorption of the organic matter on the metal/corrodent interface, inhibiting both the anodic and cathodic half reactions of the corrosion process. Adsorption of the extract organic matter was approximated by the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption behavior of selected organicconstituents of the extract on the metal surface was assessed at the molecular level, in the framework of the density functional theory.
Conclusion: This study clearly shows the potentials of CS extract for control of mild steel corrosion in acidic environment.This project is supported by TWAS, the Academy of Science for the developing world, under the TWAS Grants for Research units (TWAS-RGA08 005
Biodegradation of pyrene using corynebacteria SP and pseudomonas putida in contaminated Water
No full textAn article on Biodegradation of pyrene graphs and mathematical formula.The hazardous nature of pyrene have been posed serious threat to humans on exposure through industrial effluent discharged and other combustion activities of petroleum products. The biodegradation of pyrene as a bioremediation method by the activity of Corynebacteria sp and Pseudomonas putida with effectiveness of these microbes was aim to be investigated. The enriched pure culture of Corynebacteria sp and Pseudomonas putida was inoculated into pyrene contaminated water at room temperature of 28ºC with mineral salt medium under an optimum pH of 7.2 for 96 hours, thereby decreased the pyrene concentration in the contaminated water and biodegradation kinetics parameters were evaluated from the experimental results. The result favourable to bothCorynebacteria sp and Pseudomonas putida as pyrene degraders in the contaminated water but Pseudomonas putida was preferred due to higher content of pyrene degraded
Agricultural production and climate change: Need for proper extension policy formulation in Nigeria
Get PDFThis is a short research articleChanges in climate are expected to have significant impacts on farm yields and product quality as a result of changes in temperature, moisture, air and soil. This paper reviews the effects of climate change on agricultural production and the need for extension policy formulation. The paper further dwelt on the need for sound agricultural policy but observed that much cannot be achieved in that direction without efficient and effective extension system. It recommends a well articulated and comprehensive agricultural extension policy which will address properly the issue of climate change and its mitigations/adaptation
Application of geographic information system (GIS) in accuracy assessment of existing land use map a case study of Enugu Area, South-Eastern Nigeria
No full textA research article on geographic information system (GIS) in accuracy assessment of existing land use map. It contains maps, tables and illustrations.It is suspected that continuous building collapses within Enugu area is due to faulty landuse map. This work aims at employing geographic information system principles to assess the validity of the existing landuse map of Enugu area. Three landuse options were considered (Industrial, residential and waste). The study was undertaken using Arc view 3.2a academic, Excel Statistical Software and autocard software of GIS. A total of 12 landuse determinants were selected as thematic data layers and basic factors influencing the choice of industrial, residential and waste disposal landuses. Soil
characteristics and geology were integrated into the thematic maps to facilitate the weighting of the basic determinants. The thematic layers were weighted on a scale of 0% - 100% and 0-2 inclusive, using the criteria obtained from field work and laboratory investigation. The thematic layers for each landuse were subjected to overlay using arc view software overlay model builder. The operation yielded three (3) different landuse maps (Industrial, residential and wasted disposal,) which were further superimposed to produce a composite landuse map useful for regional and urban planning. Correlation with existing landuse map, exposed a lot of limitations of the existing landuse map. All the residential and industrial areas of the existing landuse map fall within the low capacity areas of the present study. Areas selected as open space by the existing landuse map correspond to the areas of industrial and residential land uses of the present study. Areas limited for use by the present study due to hazards of flooding, landslide, fault and gully erosion were not considered by the existing landuse map, rather they were mapped out for industrial, residential and partly as open space. The existing landuse map has no provision for waste disposal. The present study shows that areas to the West, Southwest and Southeast are highly suitable for industrial and residential landuses. The limitations of the existing landuse map exposed by the present study must have accounted for the cases of building collapses in the area
Correlates in groundwater quality parameters and textural classes of soils in a peri-industrial district of the Nigerian Delta Region
Get PDFA shot article on Correlates in groundwater quality parameters and textural classes of soils in a peri-industrial district of the Nigerian Delta Region. It has tables, graphs and mapThis study investigated the physicochemical status of groundwaters of the oil-rich Ekakpamre community in Ughelli, Nigeria. Ten borehole water samples located about 1 km apart and soil samples around them were collected and analyzed by standard methods. Clay, sand and silt compositions in overlaying soils appeared to influence the DO (r=-0.999), TPH & toluene (r=0.998, each), and K+ ion (r=-0.999) levels in groundwaters at P<0.05. Three PCs which accounted for 100% variability in the original 27 variables formed the extraction solution and were most correlated with Cr (0.995), Pb (0.989) and PO42- ions (0.947). Though the high compositions of clay (72.67 ± 2.33%) and low compositions of sand (24.33 ± 2.60%) in the study indicates slight possibility of migration of surface pollutants to aquifers, the exceedances of Pb and Cd levels over regulatory limits portends public health hazards to consumers of groundwaters in the area
Evaluation of the effects of industrial wastewater discharge on surface water (A case study of Nigeria Breweries Plc Enugu)
No full textThis article contains tablesThe need to undertake an evaluative effect of industrial wastewater discharge on surface water with a case study of Nigerian Breweries Plc Enugu into the Ajali River was borne out of the need to ascertain the level of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total suspended Solids (TSS) etc and other characterized effluent been discharged into the water body that determines the level of use and quality of this water for irrigation purposes, human consumption and safe ecological habitation of aquatic lives. To achieve this, laboratory analysis was carried out on the Ajali River and the wastewater discharged from the industry and it was confirmed not to have exceeded the benchmark for required discharge of wastewater into streams and rivers as stipulated by some regulatory bodies. In conclusion, treatment measures and regulatory policies were suggested to checkmate the abuse of this water bodies and the danger it might likely pose to aquatic ecological system if regulatory standards were not complied with
Potential production of lipases by pseudomonas and staphylococcus species isolated from palm oil contaminated tropical soil
Get PDFThis research was conducted in collaboration with a staff of FUTOThis study reports on the potential production of lipases by Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus species isolated from palm oil contaminated tropical soil. The lipase activities of Pseudomonas species and Staphylococcus species at 37oC and pH 7 were evaluated. Both organisms grew well and produced lipases at the prevailing assay conditions. The lipase activity by Pseudomonas species was significantly higher than that of Staphylococcus species at P< 0.05. Effect of pH on the enzyme activities of the isolates showed that lipase production varied according to the pH of the assay medium. This shows that pH is a determinant factor in lipase production. There were increases in lipase activities with increase in pH up to optimum pH of 7 in both organisms. The lipase activities decrease progressively after this optimum pH till the last pH of exposure (pH 10). At pH 7 and 8, the two organisms had equal lipase activities (0.64 and 0.63 U/ml/min, respectively), after which, the lipase activity of Pseudomonasspecies reduced gradually with increase in pH unlike Staphylococcus species whose lipase activity abruptly decreased with increase in pH. Lipase activities in both organisms were affected differently by varying temperature changes. In Pseudomonas species, there was a steady increase in lipase activity with increase in temperature up to the optimum at temperature of 30 oC (0.67 U/ml/min). The activity decreased slightly at temperature of 35 oC but effect of temperature against the activity was more pronounced at the temperatures of 40 and 45 oC. The lipase activity of Staphylococcus species was also affected by temperature changes. There was a steady increase in the activity up to the optimum at temperature of 35 oC. The activity started decreasing steady with further increase in temperature. In conclusion, the study showed that Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus species isolated from palm oil contaminated tropical soil has a great potential for the production of lipases
