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Sample sufficiency for epiedaphic fauna evaluation with Provid method
No full textO solo \ue9 habitado por milhares de organismos respons\ue1veis por
diversas fun\ue7\uf5es e processos no ecossistema. Por apresentar
uma grande sensibilidade \ue0s modifica\ue7\uf5es do meio, a
fauna do solo \ue9 considerada um bom bioindicador de qualidade do
solo. Entretanto, uma amostragem inadequada pode inviabilizar sua
utiliza\ue7\ue3o em estudos de impacto ambiental. Por isso,
s\ue3o necess\ue1rios estudos que determinem a sufici\ueancia
amostral para avalia\ue7\ue3o da fauna do solo. Esse trabalho teve
como objetivo calcular a sufici\ueancia amostral para o n\ufamero
de grupos de indiv\uedduos que comp\uf5e a fauna epied\ue1fica em
diferentes condi\ue7\uf5es de uso do solo. Foram realizadas
avalia\ue7\uf5es da fauna epied\ue1fica nas condi\ue7\uf5es
de mata nativa, campo nativo pastejado e lavoura azev\ue9m/soja, em
duas \ue9pocas distintas (inverno e ver\ue3o). Avaliou-se a
sufici\ueancia amostral para o m\ue9todo de coleta (Provid)
utilizado atrav\ue9s do m\ue9todo anal\uedtico, com v\ue1rios
n\uedveis de confiabilidade, e dos m\ue9todos n\ue3o
param\ue9tricos de Chao 1 e Chao 2. Concluiu-se que o uso do
n\ufamero m\uednimo de 14 amostras pelo m\ue9todo Provid (n=14)
para estudo da fauna epied\ue1fica \ue9 suficiente para garantir,
em qualquer \ue9poca do ano e tipo de uso do solo, uma precis\ue3o
de 10%, para estudos com levantamento de campo.The soil has thousands of organisms responsible for many functions and
processes in the ecosystems. Due to presenting a great sensitivity to
environmental modifications, the soil fauna is considered a good soil
quality bio-indicator. However, inadequate sampling may not permit its
use in environmental impact studies. Therefore, studies are required to
indicate the sample sufficiency for evaluating the soil fauna. This
study aimed to calculate the sample sufficiency for the number of
groups of individuals that composes the epiedaphic fauna in different
soil use conditions. Evaluations of the epiedaphic fauna were carried
out in native forest, native pasture and ryegrass/soybean farming, in
the winter and the summer. The sample sufficiency was evaluated for the
Provid method through analytical methods, with many levels of
reliability, and of the non-parametric methods of Chao 1 and Chao 2. It
was concluded the use of the minimum number of 14 samples by the Provid
method (n = 14) for the study of epiedaphic fauna is sufficient to
ensure, at any time of the year and type of use of the soil, a
precision of 10% for field survey studies
Biodegradation and phytotoxicity of crude oil hydrocarbons in an agricultural soil
No full textLand treatment of crude oil is used by the oil industry, since it has
been recognized that hydrocarbons (HC) can be metabolized by the
indigenous microbial community of soil. The crude oil biodegradation in
agricultural soil was studied for 12-mo to determine the HC
biodegradation and leaching, the effect of HC on barley productivity
and soil properties, and the potential for HC uptake in the plant.
Concentration and composition of HC in the soil were periodically
determined at a depth of 0 to 75 cm. The HC concentration decreased
over time due mainly to the microbial degradation. At the end, 12% of
the primary crude oil amount remained constant in the soil. A vertical
migration, leaching and metabolic products of HC into subsoil occurred.
The HC have changed soil fertility. Barley has been successfully
cultivated in soil but the HC reduced some plant growth parameters.
However, HC were not detected in plant seeds. Many of oil-utilizing
bacteria and fungi were isolated from soil. The HC biodegradation
potential of oil polluted soil (6% to 66%) were higher than of
unpolluted one (4% to 53%). The bacteria (22% to 66%) were more active
than fungi (4% to 46%) in HC biodegradation. The study demonstrated
that agricultural lands with low rates of oil contamination allows the
growth of plants. They ensure high efficiency of HC biodegradation.
Vertical infiltration plays an important role in HC removing from soil.
Alkanes were completely assimilated by microorganisms and polar
compounds were more resistant to microbial attack
Nitrogen use efficiency and forage production in intraspecific hybrids of Paspalum notatum Flu\u308gg\ue9
No full textThe rational use of N fertilization is essential to increase the
recovery efficiency and crop productivity and decrease the cost of
production. The objective of this study was to assess forage yield
(TDM), tillers population density (TPD) and N use efficiency (NUE) in
six Paspalum notatum Flu\u308gg\ue9 genotypes in response to N
fertilization. The experimental design involved randomized blocks on a
subdivided plot design. In 2014-2015 the TDM was higher for the C22 and
B26 hybrids (P < 0.0001), which were similar to each other, with an
average of 6173 kg DM ha-1 yr-1. In 2015-2016 the TDM of the genotypes
ranging from 7053 to 13773 kg DM ha-1 yr-1, for pastures fertilized
with 0 and 480 kg N ha-1 yr-1, respectively. An interaction was found
between Genotype
7 N fertilization level (P = 0.0155) for TDM in
2016-2017. In the years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 the C22 hybrid standed
out as the genotype with the highest tiller production in response to N
fertilization. In the year 2014-2015 NUE was higher (P = 0.0015) in the
N fertilization levels N60, being of 15.5 kg DM kg-1 N. In the years
2015-2016 and 2016-2017 the NUE was higher at fertilization level N120
(P < 0.05), being of 21.1 and 31.5 kg DM kg-1 N, respectively. The
C22 hybrid was distinct as the genotype with the highest DM yield and
superior tillering characteristics. The N fertilization level of 120 kg
N ha-1 yr-1 promoted greater NUE in all P. notatum genotypes
Effect of Tamsulosin Use on Plasma Insulin Status in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients in Sokoto, Nigeria
No full textThe objective of this paper was to determine the effect of tamsulosin
use on plasma insulin status in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
patients in Sokoto, Nigeria. Standard methods and procedures were used.
At 2nd and 3rd months of tamsulosin use, there was a significant
increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values compared to baseline.
Likewise, at 4th month of tamsulosin use, a significant increase
(P<0.05) in plasma insulin values was revealed compared to baseline
and 2nd month values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not
significantly different (P>0.05). Plasma insulin at 4th months of
the study in BPH patients (45-54 years) treated with tamsulosin
revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to baseline
values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not significantly
different (P>0.05). BPH patients (aged 55-64 years) at 3rd month
showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values
compared to baseline values. Likewise, at 4th month of tamsulosin use,
a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values was seen
compared to baseline and 1st month values. Other inter-mean values
comparisons were not significantly different (P>0.05). In BPH
patients aged 65 and above, there was no significant difference
(P>0.05) in plasma insulin values from 1st through 4th month
compared to baseline and other inter mean values comparisons. Plasma
insulin at 0th , 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th months of BPH patients of
different age groups treated with tamsulosin revealed no significant
differences (P>0.05). This study revealed that tamsulosin use in the
patients lead to significant increase in plasma insulin level
(hyperinsulinemia). Careful and routine monitoring of BPH patients
should be done. Patients need enough exercise activities and some drugs
can be administered to alleviate elevated glucose or insulin
Structure and Efficiency of Trade in Wild Snail in Selected Markets in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined the structure and efficiency of trade in wild snail
in Selected Markets in five purposively selected popular markets in
Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from a
hundred and twenty (120) snail marketers with the use of structured
questionnaire and analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Gini
coefficient and budgetary analysis. According to the study, 80% of the
respondents sourced their goods (snails) from the wild and the selling
price is largely determined by the socio economic status of the buyer
(40%). Also the enterprise is dominated by females (83.3%), more
profitable in Apata market with a profit margin of \u20a6167,000 and
generally efficient. Furthermore there is high inequality in the
structure of the market as the gini coefficient (0.59) tends towards
one while the major constraints to marketing include transportation
(from the wild to the market) competition among marketers and storage.
The study therefore recommends that snail farming (heliculture) should
be encouraged so that there will be massive production and availability
of snails all year round. This would mitigate the identified problems
and increase the benefits accruing to players in the snail value chain
Mitigating Impact of Soil Salinization on Growth, Yield and Fruit Nutritional Quality of Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Okra) Using Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungus (Glomus clarum)
No full textSoil salinity is a severe environmental stress that limits crop growth
and productivity. Mycorrhizal fungi association has the potential to
minimize environmental stress like soil salinization in some plant
species. Hence, an experiment was conducted to examine the potential of
an Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), Glomus clarum, to reduce salt stress in
Abelmoschus esculentus L. (okra). Seedlings of A. esculentus were
raised in perforated plastic pots filled with 3 kg top soil; treated
with 0 (control), 35, 70, 140, 280 or 560 mM NaCl solution; and grouped
into two. Each pot in the first group was inoculated with 20 g of AM
spawn while pots in the second group were not inoculated with the
mycorrhizal fungus. The experiment was laid out in a completely
randomized design with each treatment replicated 5 times. Growth
parameters in plants without AM including plant height, stem girth,
leaf area and number of leaves decreased significantly with increasing
salt concentration compared to the control. Salinity also reduced the
growth parameters in plants with AM but did not differ significantly
from the control. Fresh and dry weight of plant parts, total biomass,
number of fruits, fruit fresh and dry weights as well as leaf total
chlorophyll were reduced by salinity, but significant differences were
recorded only in plants without inoculation with AM. Salinity with or
without AM did not significantly affect fruit nutritional and proximate
composition of A. esculentusn except Na+ that increased with increasing
soil salinity. Inoculation of saline sites with arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungus, Glomus clarum, could serve as a sustainable and environmentally
safe treatment to enhance salinity tolerance in okra for improved
productivity
A Geochemical Approach and Industrial Utilization of Some Marble Bodies from Ubo River Area and Environs, Southwestern Nigeria
No full textMarble bodies occur in Ubo River Area as lenses of rocks. Seven (07)
marble samples were obtained, analyzed and subjected to X-Ray
Flourescence (XRF) analysis to determine both the major and trace
elemental composition of the samples. The analysis revealed high CaO
values (52.23-58.10 wt. %) and moderate values for SiO2 (7.50-10.43wt.
%), fairly low values for Al2O3 (2.30 \u2013 4.21 wt. %), Fe2O3 (2.62
\u2013 5.15 wt. %), MgO (0.42 \u2013 0.7 wt. %), MnO (0.01 \u2013
0.06 wt. %), K2O (0.32 \u2013 1.55 wt. %) and Na2O (0.01 \u2013 0.03
wt. %), respectively. Variation plots involving Na2O/Al2O3 vs K2O/Al2O3
reveal sedimentary progenitors for the rocks. The fairly high SiO2 and
low K2O content is an indication of the environment of deposition and
may have been in a shallow marine environment with fair input of
classic sediments into the system. The relatively high CaO content,
moderate SiO2 content and fairly low Al2O3 and Fe2O3 values indicates a
fair degree of purity of the parent rock, hence its suitability as a
raw material in the industrial sector
Physicochemical Assessment of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with a Mixture of Ginger, Garlic and Cinnamon
No full textSome physicochemical changes in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented
with a mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon was evaluated. During
starter phase, 150 broiler chicks were divided into groups A and B of
75 birds each, and were randomly fed diets 1 and 2 respectively for 3
weeks. The average weekly weight gain by the chickens maintained on the
mixed spices supplemented diet (235.15\ub115.55g) was significantly
lower (p<0.05) compared with the weight gain by the control
(274.26\ub120.23g) in the Starter phase. In the Finisher phase, group
A was sub-divided into groups C and D while group B was subdivided into
groups E and F and fed for additional 3 weeks. The average weekly
weight gain by groups C (242.31\ub14.97g), D (282.46\ub115.04g), E
(260.14\ub181.11g) and F (236.67\ub124.29g) did not vary
significantly. The evaluated carcass characteristics and haematological
indices when compared with the control did not vary significantly. The
serum cholesterol levels (mg/dl) in groups D (101.40\ub14.13), E
(106.60\ub14.59) and F (100.20\ub19.83) were significantly lower
(p<0.05) in comparison with the level in group C (127.00\ub18.83).
Groups E (46.96\ub18.62mg/dl) and F (47.44\ub16.35mg/dl) had
significantly (p<0.05) lower LDL-C compared with the control
(70.56\ub18.75mg/dl). Therefore, mixture of ginger, garlic and
cinnamon may have no effects on the overall weight gain, carcass traits
and haematological profiles but could decrease the risk of
atherogenesis and CVD in broiler chickens
Soil Properties and Fertility Management within Ruiru Peri-Urban Area in Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textPeri-urban agriculture is a common practice around many towns and
cities in Africa because of the ready urban market for farm
commodities. However, it is constrained by a myriad of factors like
lack of land tenure and poor soil fertility management strategies. This
study focussed on soil physicochemical properties and fertility
management in Ruiru Sub County, which is a peri-urban area, in Kiambu
County of Kenya. Data was obtained from soil samples that were
collected from ten small contact farms identified by the Sub-County
Ministry of Agriculture and analysed for selected physicochemical
parameters critical in soil fertility management. The results from this
study indicated that most farmers were tenants growing leafy vegetables
on small farms ~0.1 ha. Soil fertility was mainly maintained using
organic manures, while tillage was done by hand. Both practices signal
the limitations imposed by the small farm size and lack of land
ownership. The soil pH was 6.3 \ub10.87, which was ideal for proton
transfer reactions in the soil and availability of nutrients for plant
uptake. Soil fertility was mostly limited by the interaction of soil
pH, K and Ca (30%), total N, OC and Zn (27%) and Cu (15%), Mg (10%) and
P (9%). Therefore, the management of Ca fertilisation in this area is
key because it is the Ca concentration of the soil solution that
influences K and pH through ion exchange and K release
Comparative Assessment of Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water using Membrane Filtration and Multiple Tube Fermentation Methods
No full textComparative assessment of 13 different drinking water sources (sachet,
bottled, pipe borne and borehole) was carried using the conventional
direct coliform plate count (CPC), multiple tube fermentation (MTF) and
membrane filtration (MF) techniques. Physicochemical analyses indicated
that the water samples meet WHO guidelines for pH, temperature and
turbidity. However, the bacteriological analyses showed that none of
the drinking water source is potable according to WHO guidelines. The
confirmatory and completed tests revealed the presence of faecal
coliforms in some of the samples. Findings of this study demonstrate
that CPC is a poor method to assess water potability while MTF and MF
techniques compared relatively well. There is need to intensify effort
at the monitoring of activities in the rapidly expanding packaged water
industry with a view to improving the standards