Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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Roles of Forest Biometrics in Carbon Sequestration Strategies
No full textForest biometrics is the science of forest measurement. It encompasses the quantification of biological and physical characteristics of trees and associated vegetation, insects, disease, wildlife, topography, soils and climate individually and collectively. Forest biometrics which is also the science of measuring and analyzing forest attributes such as tree growth, biomass and carbon content is essential for quantifying and optimizing the carbon sequestration potential of forests stands. Despite its potential, forest biometrics faces challenges which need to be addressed. This paper explores the roles of forest biometrics in carbon sequestration strategies, its applications in measuring carbon stock, monitoring forest growth, guiding sustainable forest management, and informing climate policies. This paper also underlines the importance of forest biometrics in enabling effective carbon sequestration strategies and combating climate change and therefore recommends that there should be an investment on advanced technologies such as remote sensing to improve the accuracy and efficiency of forest carbon measurements. Strengthen capacity building and training for forest managers, researchers, and policymakers in the use of biometrics tools and techniques
Assessment of the Socio-Economic Potentials of Bombax costatum (Red Flower Silk-CottonTree) in Giwa, Kaduna State, Nigeria
No full textThe study was conducted in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria with a focus on the assessment of socio-economic importance of Bombax costatum locally known as Gurjiya. A total of 120 respondents were selected from 8 villages in all the administrative wards of Giwa Local Government using a combination of purposive and random sampling techniques. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution tables and percentages. The findings revealed that most respondents (84.2%) could identify the tree and 67.5% recognized the economic importance of Bombax costatum. Parts of Bombax costatum used by respondents included the bark (54.2%), flowers (48.3%), and fruit (27.5%) primarily for food, fodder, and herbal medicine. Furthermore, 92.5% of respondents expressed willingness to plant Bombax costatum seedlings on their farms. Parts of the constraints confronting the sustainability of Bombax costatum in the study area include deforestation for fuelwood and charcoal production (2.5), Insecurity (1.75), lack of extension support services (1.5). It was concluded that Bombax costatum has enormous socio-economic potentials, but its sustainability is being threatened in the study area. The study therefore recommended the provision of extension support services to farmers, provision of seedlings of Bombax costatum to farmers for re-afforestation and increased surveillance by forest guards to reduce the level of over-exploitation of the species and ensure its sustainability
Effects of Storage Condition and Time on the Microbiological Attributes of some Stored Yoghurts Marketed in Enugu Metropolis
No full textThis study comparatively investigated the effects of storage condition and time on the microbiological qualities of some stored yoghurts marketed in the Enugu metropolis. The experiment was factorial (2x6x4) involving a completely randomized design (CRD). A total of 96 samples comprising four samples of yoghurt coded A, B, C and D were sourced from different producers and designated as A – Food Science and Technology lab (FST), B – Aqua Rapha yoghurt, C – Chariot yoghurt and D – A.S yoghurt samples. The samples were stored for a period of seventy days under two storage conditions – refrigerated (50C) and room temperatures (28±20C). All samples were analyzed for microbiological parameters such as total viable count (cfu), coliform (cfu), fungal/yeast (cfu) . Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way ANOVA to determine the mean differences. The results showed that total viable count, coliform count, yeast /fungal counts increased with storage time but the rate of increase was significantly higher(<0.05) in room samples. The room samples contained higher total viable, yeast/fungal and coliform counts than the refrigerated counterpart at all storage time irrespective of sample. Deterioration with storage time in terms of total viable count, coliform count was found to be more in sample A and least in sample C .  
Proximate composition, minerals and anti-nutrients content of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Conditioned at Different Temperatures
No full textThis research evaluated the proximate, mineral and antinutrient properties of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) conditioned at different temperatures. The finger millet (Eleusine coracana) grains were obtained from a local farm in Jama’s local government area of Kaduna state, Nigeria and processed to flour after conditioning at 30, 60, 70 and 80 0C. The proximate, mineral and antnutrients analyses were carried out. For proximate composition, moisture ranged from 10.05 to 10.85 %, crude fat from 4.67 to 7.10 %, crude protein from 6.63 to 9.34 %, crude fiber from 2.63 to 2.84 %, ash from 4.54 to 5.88 % and carbohydrate from 66.21 to 68.19 % with the highest protein content in sample AOB (60 0C). Mineral compositions showed that calcium ranged from 351.65 to 366.17 mg/100g, magnesium from 117.52 to 143.72 mg/100g, iron from 0.99 to 1.98 mg/100g and potassium from 120.49 to 143.86 mg/100g. For anti-nutrients showed phytates content from 0.58 to 0.90 mg/100g, oxalate from 1.13 to 1.53 mg/100g, tannin ranged from 1.60 to 1.81 mg/100g and saponin from 0.33 to 0.38 mg/100g. Conditioning finger millet at high temperature lowers moisture and fat contents, increases protein, and a slight improvement in mineral concentration. These changes can enhance the overall nutritional value of finger millet, with moderate temperature between 60 0C to 70 0C conditioning offering the best balance of improved protein content and reduced anti-nutrients
Assessment of Infiltration Characteristics of Soil at Faculty of Agriculture Demonstration Farm, Ifite-Ogwari, Anambra State, Nigeria
No full textUnderstanding the infiltration potentials of soils could provide valuable insights on the water use efficiency that is site specific for an informed decision on agricultural conservation practices. The study assessed the infiltration characteristics of soil at Faculty of Agriculture demonstration farm, Ifite Ogwari. Auger and core soil samples were randomly taken from a mapped-out area of the farm measuring 360 sq/m at 0–20 cm depth. The collected soil samples were used to determine the selected soil properties in the laboratory. A double ring Infiltrometer was used to assess the soil infiltration at intervals of 2, 5, 8, 12 and 15 minutes. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive analysis while variation in selected soil properties were determined using coefficient of variation and ranked according to known standards. Results showed that the soils belonged to sandy loam textural class; bulk density was 1.74 mgm-3; total porosity was 34.51%, moisture content was 7.09%, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was 0.14 cm/hr, organic carbon was 1.36% while organic matter was 2.34%. The study observed that as time increased the infiltration rate steadily decreased hence the studied area can be categorised as moderate to moderately slow soils
Comparative Analysis of Profits of Organic and Non-organic Fluted Pumpkin Production in Rivers State, Nigeria
No full textThis study examines the profits of organic and non-organic farming among small holder fluted pumpkin farmers in Rivers State. A multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of location and respondents. The data were collected from 240 organic and non-organic small holder fluted pumpkin farmers. The primary instrument used for data collected was structured questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed with Enterprise budgeting method and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results indicated that the average profit realized by organic fluted pumpkin farmers in Rivers State was N 280,570, while the average profit realized by non-organic was N101, 050. The result of Analysis of Variance reveals that there is a statistically significant difference in the mean profit of organic fluted pumpkin production and non- organic (conventional system) of fluted pumpkin production in the study area at 1% probability level. The result indicates that the difference between the mean profit in organic farming technology and non-organic farming technology was not statistically different at 1% probability level. The mean profit in subset two which comprises organic and non-organic technology was also not statistically significant at 1% probability level. The study suggested that extension agents should train farmers frequently for easy adoption of the technology
Residual Effects of Selected Organic Mulches on Soil Physico-chemical Properties and Yellow Pepper (Capsicum chinese) Yield in Awka, South-Eastern Nigeria
No full textA study on the residual effects of selected organic mulches on soil physico-chemical properties and yield of yellow pepper (Capsicum chinese) was conducted in the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management (LRM) Research farm, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Oil palm fiber (OPF), rice husks and neem leaves (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) were used as mulching materials and the residual effects were evaluated on the second year. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Least Significant Difference at 5% level of probability. The physical properties of the plots mulched with oil palm fiber had the least value for moisture content (22.98), hydraulic conductivity (14.4) and total porosity (49.54) among the mulched plots, while the least value for bulk density was found in soils mulched with Neem leaves (1.30). The soil mulched with neem leaves tended towards neutrality (pH = 6.2) compared to the others; had the highest values for available phosphorus (24.14), nitrogen (0.33), calcium (9.02), magnesium (4.46), effective cation exchange capacity (15.7) and base saturation (93.59) and the least values for aluminum (0.32) and hydrogen (0.64), which are indicators of a healthy and productive soil. The plots mulched with rice husk produced the highest value (2.2kg/2m) on yield among the mulched plots. Among the organic mulches tested in this work, neem leaves and rice husk proved to be better for the production of yellow pepper
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA
No full textThe work examined the impact of Industrialization and Economic Growth in Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to examine the examine impact of industrialization on economic growth in Nigeria, to ascertain if there is long run relationship between industrialization and economic growth in Nigeria and to determine the causality relationship between industrialization and economic growth in Nigeria. The variables used for the research used for the research are Real Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (GDPGR), Industrial Sector Output (ISO), Inflation (INFL), Exchange Rate (EXCH) and Interest rate (INT). The researcher employed OLS regression techniques. The result shows that ARDL Cointegrating and Long Run Form shows that industrialization has a major impact on Nigeria\u27s economic growth. Bound test guidelines, the F-statistic, at 8.338998, is larger at the 5% level of significance than the lower limit (2.86) and upper bound (4.01). There is a causal relationship between Nigeria\u27s industrialization and economic growth according to the Granger Causality test. The Research support the government to Support industries that have export potential to increase foreign exchange earnings. Provide incentives for industries to meet international quality standards, making Nigerian products more competitive in the global market. Advance a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship through supportive policies and incentives. Invest in R&D to adopt and develop new technologies that can improve industry productivity and efficiency.
 
THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPORAL AND BEHAVIOURAL BOUNDARY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON EMPLOYEE WORK-LIFE BALANCE: EVIDENCE FROM DELTA STATE CIVIL SERVICE, NIGERIA
No full textThe purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of temporal and behavioural boundary management strategies on employees work life balance in Delta state civil service. Cross sectional survey research design method was adopted in this study and this study focused on Delta state civil servants with a total population of 39,648. Applying Taro Yamane’s formula of sample size determination, the sample size was 396 respondents. The instrument of data collection was questionnaire while stratified random sampling was the sampling technique used in this study. Out of the 396 copies of questionnaire administered, 324 copies were properly filled and returned accounting for 81.82% retrieval rate. The data collected was subjected into statistical analysis using both descriptive and multiple regression. The findings showed that temporal boundary management strategy has positive and significant influence on employees’ work life balance with regression coefficient values, (β = 0.117, t =4.563, P = 0.000< 0.05). Results equally revealed that behavioural strategies is positively and significantly related to employees’ work life balance with regression coefficient values; (β = 0.880, t =34.465, P = 0.000< 0.05). It was concluded that civil servants who practice temporal and behavioural boundary management strategies would inevitably achieve work-life balance. Job autonomy, work flexibility and permeability were recommended.
 
INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY IN CARBONATED SOFT DRINKS INDUSTRY: EVIDENCE FROM LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
No full textThe study examined integrated marketing communication and customer loyalty among carbonated soft drinks consumers in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted cross sectional survey research design with the use of research questionnaire to gather data. The population of the study consisted of 192 consumers of Carbonated soft drinks in Lagos state, as provided by Nigerian Botling company, with a Sample size of 142 using Taro Yamane formula. The sampling technique used was simple random technique. A sample size of 142 respondents drawn from consumers in Lagos state. The study hypothesis was subjected test to achieve the research objective and determine the relationship between the independent variable on the dependent variable. Data collected were analysed through the use of regression analysis to determine the relationship between the two studied variables. The study findings show that integrated marketing communication through Advertising, sales promotion and personal selling have significant influence on customer loyalty for the consumption of Coca-Cola in Lagos state. The study concluded that Nigeria bottling company has successfully used integrated marketing communication strategies to become market leader in the carbonated soft drinks sector in Lagos state. Also, the firm has captured people’s perception for its product through integrated marketing communication in Lagos state. This has enabled the firm to remain competitive in the Nigeria market, and enjoy increase in customer loyalty for its product. The study recommended the need for soft drinks manufacturers to embrace the use of effective integrated marketing communication that is culturally incline or adapt strategically to local culture so as to gain customer loyalty.