Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Journal
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Effects of Shred Size, Storage Type and Age of Cassava on the Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) of Shredded Cassava Samples at 0.17 Water Activity Using Response Surface Analysis
No full textThis research investigates the effects of shred size, storage types and age of cassava on the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of shredded cassava samples at 0.17 water activity using response surface methodology. Peeled roots of TMS30572 cassava specie at three levels of maturity 6, 12 and 18 months were washed and steamed for 20-30 minutes. The steamed roots were allowed to cool for 12 hours. The cooled roots were shredded using a machine developed for the purpose. Three different shredding disc apertures of the machine 3, 6 and 10mm were used. The shredded samples produced were washed shortly after shredding and dried in the open direct sun for 3 days with occasional turning of the flakes to ensure uniform drying. The dried, edible brittle cassava flakes were packaged each in cellophane bags, Bagco sacks and baskets and stored for 12 weeks at room temperature. Equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) of samples were determined by allowing the dry samples to absorb moisture in an atmosphere of controlled humidity until a constant weight was reached at 0.17 water activity. Response Surface Methodology was used in the design of the experiments. Results of the regression and ANOVA of the data on the EMC of cassava shreds showed that none of the studied variables had significant effects (P ≤ 0.05). The variables accounted for only 35.3% of the total variation of the EMC. The response surface plots show that the EMC decreased with the age of the cassava samples, also the EMC increased with the shred size of the cassava shreds. This shows that the smaller the shred size of the sample, the slower the rate of its moisture absorption and the better the keeping quality. The EMC also increased as packaging material moved from Bagco sack to basket
Enrichment of Environmental Education Programme through Evaluation in Nigerian Universities
No full textThe study investigates enrichment of environmental education programme through evaluation in Nigerian Universities. Four research questions and two hypotheses were formulated for the study. A sample of 860 respondents comprising 60 Environmental Education lecturers/ 15 administrators and 785 Environmental Education students from five (5) Universities in three (3) geo-political zones vtz: South-East, South-west, South-South were obtained from a population of one thousand two hundred (1200) for the study using purposive sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire titled Enrichment of Environmental Education Questionnaire (EEQ) with forty two (42) research items. The instrument was subjected to reliability test. The Cronbach-Alpha (IX) coefficient was used and a reliability coefficient of the instrument was determined as 0.93. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (percentage (%)/ mean a: STD and t-test). Findings from the study revealed that 15(79%) of teaching methods were highly utilized and 11(79%) of evaluation methods were used. It was recommended among others that lecturers should be trained in the use of evaluation methods and facilities provided
Influence of Weight Group on Growth Performance of Sigmond Strain of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in a humid rain-forest zone of Nigeria
No full textThis study was conducted to investigate the influence of weight group on growth performance and linear body parameters of sigmond strain of Japanese quails. A total of 126 day old chicks were used for the experiment. After brooding for 2 weeks, the chicks were weighed and allotted into 3 different weight groups – heavy (HBW), medium (MBW) and light (LBW). Each group as a treatment was replicated 3 times with 14 chicks/replicate in a completely randomized design. Performance parameters measured were feed intake (FI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality. Linear body traits namely body weight, breast girth, shank length, keel length and wing length were measured at weeks 2, 4 and 6. Multiple regressions were fitted to the data to predict body weight of birds from the linear body traits at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The HBW had significantly (P < 0.05) higher FI (32.81 g) and DWG (2.48 g) whereas significantly better FCR (4.72) was noted for the LBW. Significant differences (P < 0.05) also existed among the groups for the linear body traits except for keel length. The HBW also had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight, shank length and wing length compared to the other two groups. Averagely, the values were 89.01 g, 6.38 cm, 3.64 cm and 9.07 cm for body weight, breast girth, shank length and wing length, respectively. The breast girth of HBW and MBW were statistically (P > 0.05) similar. The coefficient of determination (R2) values for the regression equations were all significant (P < .05; P < 0.001) for the weight groups at the various weeks. The R2 values were high for the HBW and MBW groups but ranged from medium to high for the LBW. The result of this study suggests that body weight is a major determinant of growth performance of the Japanese quail strain. It was also observed that the linear traits were good estimators of body weight of the Japanese quail
Protracted Herders and Crop Farmers Conflict in North Central Nigeria: the Imperative of Rejiging the Herding System
No full textApart from scourge of Boko-haram induced terrorism in Nigeria, another issue that had occupied public discourse and challenged national’s security and social stability in the recent times is the lingering of hostility between the nomadic herdsmen and farmers. Both groups at one times or the other have been on one another throat over access to land and water. On several occasions, particularly, in the north-central; thousands of people have been killed, farmlands and crops worth billions of naira have been destroyed, cows and other animals have been wasted and rustled, houses have been destroyed, the aged long social relationships and harmonious peaceful coexistence have been broken. Steps and efforts made by governments and civil society groups to midwife peace between the herdsmen and farmers through a mediation or dialogue mechanism elusive because conflict issues have not been fundamentally addressed. This study, therefore, advocates for a change of approach as it concerns cattle rearing and taking cognizance of what may work, and what steps have failed in the past with hindsight of global best practice
Effects of Poultry Manure and Cropping Systems on Chemical Properties and Productivity of Ultisol in Umudike, Southeastern Nigeria
No full textProblems of maintenance of soil properties and sustainability of crop yield have led to increased use of organic manure. Poultry manure (PM) at 0, 5, 10 and 15t/ha was used for this study as organic amendments on chemical properties and productivity of an Ultisol in Umudike, southeastern Nigeria. Topsoil (0-20cm) samples collected from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike farm before planting and after harvesting sole maize (SM), sole okra (SO) and maize-okra intercrop (MO) were used to determine soil properties. The properties determined were organic matter (OM), pH, available phosphorus (AP), total nitrogen (TN), exchange properties (Ca, Mg, K, Na), exchange acidity (EA), micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn) and particle size distribution. Fresh maize cob (FMC), weight and fresh okra pod (FOP) weight were measured. The experimental design was a split plot in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. The PM was the sub-plot treatment while the cropping system (CS) was the main-plot treatment. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and differences between means were detected by Fisher’s least significant difference (F-LSD) at 5% probability level (P£ 0.05). Correlation and regression (by the method of Little and Hills) were used to determine relationship among soil properties. The soil texture was loamy sand. Improvements in soil properties and crop performance due to PM application were significant (P£ 0.05) compared to the control. However, at 5t/ha, TN (0.39%), Mg (1.38cmol/kg) and EA (2.08 cmol /kg) were not significantly different from the control (0.31%, 1.36cmol/kg and 2.13cmol/kg). Regression of organic matter and pH showed that organic matter accounted for 25.4% reduction in acidity. The correlation of pH with Ca and Mg indicated a positive significant (P£ 0.01) relationship (r = 0.585) and (r = 0.501), respectively. Compared to the control, poultry manure application significantly (P£ 0.05) increased fresh maize cob and fresh okra pod weights, as sole or intercrop. At 10t/ha poultry manure, fresh maize cob weight from sole maize plots increased by 63.3% above the control, whereas fresh okra pod from sole okra plots increased by 149.8%. These results suggest that application rate of 10t/ha poultry manure will enhance the chemical properties and production of maize and okra in Ultisols in Umudik
Evaluation of animal manure sources and rates of application on the growth characteristics of Citrus rootstock variety in Southeastern Nigeria
No full textField trials were conducted at the citrus nursery of National Horticultural Research Institute, Mbato Out-Station Okigwe, Imo State during the late seasons of 2014 and 2015 respectively to evaluate the effect of different sources of animal manure and rates on growth characteristics of citrus rootstock variety, rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush). Factor A comprises of poultry manure, cattle dung and piggery waste, while factor B were the rates of application at 0, 10, 15, and 20 t/ha. The rootstock material was sourced from the institute’s collection block, processed and laid-out in prepared plots of size 5.5 m x 9.0 m with plant spacing of 0.75 m x 0.25 m between and within the row. The trials were in each case a 3 x 4 factorial experiment fitted into randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Soil samples were collected and processed for routine analysis at the on-set of the experiment. Data were collected on plant height (cm), number of leaves, plant girth (cm) and number of branches. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using JMB statistical software while means were separated using Fischer’s least significant difference (FLSD) at 5% probability level. Results obtained showed that the manure sources significantly (P<0.05) increased the measured growth parameters relative to the control. Cattle dung gave highest mean number of leaves (68.1 and 43.8) in 2014 and 2015 respectively and number of branches (3.48 and 4.22) at 8 weeks after treatment application (WATA). However, poultry manure showed best performance in terms of plant height in 2014 at 4 WATA (36.1 cm) and 8 WATA (49.8 cm) and in 2015 at both 4 WATA (47.5 cm) sand 8 WATA (60.0 cm). Application rate of 20 t/ha recorded highest mean value on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches as well as stem girth and is therefore, recommended to citrus nursery farmers in Okigwe zon
Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Development of the Nigerian Capital Market
No full textIt is now well recognized that an efficient capital market is indispensable for mobilizing both domestic and international capital. In many developing countries, however, paucity of capital has constituted a major constraint in economic development. Attempts have been made by developing countries to fast forward this important function of capital mobilization for development. This is a major rationale for the concluded first phase of banking reforms in Nigeria. This paper presents research findings on factors affecting the development of the capital market during a period characterized by bank reforms and significant capital market development in a fast growing emerging economy. The findings support the unanimous conclusion of economic theory that a well organized capital market supports the mobilization of domestic and international capital. Specifically the paper reports a positive relationship between bank sector reforms, as proxied by bank total deposits, and market capitalization. Again gross domestic product postively and significantly impacts on capital market development.It is recommended that to sustain the tempo of economic development in Nigeria strong regulations and robust governance mechanisms should be entrenched in capital market institution
Extrinsic Motivation as a Strategy for Enhancing Performance of Agricultural Science Undergraduate Students in Teaching Practice and Research Project: Implications for Counseling
No full textThe study investigated the use of extrinsic motivation as a strategy to enhance education students’ performance in teaching practice and research project. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Two research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. A total of 100 B.Ed Agriculture undergraduates in their 300 level and 400 levels of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike made up the sample for the study. A – 24 item designed questionnaire titled Extrinsic Motivation for High Performance Questionnaire (EMHPQ) was used to collect data for the study. Mean scores and t-test statistics were used for data analysis. The findings were that extrinsic motivation strategies to a high extent could enhance the students’ performance in teaching practice and research project. The difference in the mean ratings of the male and female undergraduates on the perceived impact of extrinsic motivation strategy was not significant. Based on the findings, discussion, counseling implications, conclusion and recommendations were made. One of the recommendations was that professional counseling unit should be established in educational institutions (colleges/facilities) for proper sensitization of lecturers and students on the use of extrinsic motivation strategies in enhancing students performance
Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Counter Insurgency Operation in Borno State, Nigeria
No full textThe mandate of Military and Para-military Joint Task Force (JTF) to restore normalcy in the North-eastern part of Nigeria where Boko-haram insurgency is prevalent, is recently complemented by a vigilante group called Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) due to some inherent lapses requiring civilian efforts. This study, therefore, assessed the roles and relevance of informal counter insurgency operation in Borno State. It employed qualitative approach in sourcing for its data. Findings revealed that involvement of Civilian Joint Task Force has helped to curb insurgency positively in restoring peace in Borno State. Its impact led to the reduction of destructive activities of the Boko-haram insurgents, protection of lives and property, arrest and handing over of the suspected insurgents to the Police and Military. It was discovered that though the involvement of Civilian Joint Task Force in counter insurgency operation has recorded some effects in Borno state, there is need for adequate training of Civilian Joint Task Force. Governments should design a Para-military training programme for them in order to improve their performances, and also enact a law that will permit civilians to be involved in the counter insurgency operations in Nigeri
Effect of Solar and Open Sun Drying on the Microbial Loads and some Nutrients of Tomato
No full textFarmers in Nigeria still preserve tomato by traditional open sun drying with its inherent problems. In a way to combat this short fall, simple inexpensive passive solar dryer for sliced tomato was constructed, tested and the qualities of the dried tomato samples analyzed. ANOVA of tomato samples dried with the solar dryer indicated that there were no significant difference (P<0.01) between the fresh tomato samples and the tomato samples dried with the solar dryer when the Protein content, total fungi count, total bacterial count, vitamin C content and the colour qualities were considered. On the other hand, the fresh tomato samples and the tomato samples dried in open sun exhibited highly significant difference. The solar dryer achieved 64.5 % savings in drying time when compared with the open sun drying method. The solar dryer took a total of 54 hours to dry the sliced samples of tomato, while the open sun took a total of 152 hours to dry the sample to self-storage moisture content level. The sliced tomato samples in the solar dryer and open sun dried from initial moisture content (M.C.) of 94% wet basis to final M.C. of 5 % wet basis. Genstat statistical software and Microsoft excels packages were used and the analysis of the performance of solar dryer and open sun drying methods showed that the solar dryer achieved 27.14 % drying efficiency while the open sun indicated 2.02 % drying efficiency. Also the solar dryer raised the ambient temperature on the average from 30.6 oC to 46.5 oC