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Author(s):
Amadi N.S., Okagwa P.O..
Page No : 1-11
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Effects of Modern Agricultural Technology on the Teaching and Learning of Agricultural Science in Senior Secondary Schools in Emolga, Rivers State
Abstract
The study investigated the effects of modern agricultural technology on the teaching and learning of agricultural science in senior secondary schools in Emolga, Rivers State. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of modern agricultural input, methods and farm machineries on the teaching and learning of agricultural science in senior secondary school in Emolga. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study was all agricultural science teachers and students in senior secondary school in Emolga Rivers State. The sample size was 32 agricultural science teachers and 170 agricultural science students. The instrument for the study was structured questionnaire in the pattern of Likert 5-point rating scale. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha. Hence, the reliability coefficient of 0.97 was obtained. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while Z-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found that the use of modern agricultural inputs provides in-depth knowledge on principle of operation of modern agricultural inputs, updates students’ knowledge on current farm inputs, acquaint the learners with most profitable system of farming. Findings of the study also revealed that the use of modern farming methods in the teaching and learning of agricultural science acquaint students with relevant skills in the application of modern farm chemicals, enables the agric. teachers to see the need for workshop and in-service training among others. The study also found that the use of farm machineries in the teaching of agricultural science equips learners with farm mechanics skills, creates more interest among learners among others. The study therefore recommended that government should provide necessary inputs and farm machineries for teaching and learning agricultural science.
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Author(s):
Nasiru A.M., Dalhatu M.H.
Page No : 12-20
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Micro-Organisms Associated with the Spoilage of Garden Eggs Sold Within Sokoto Metropolis
Abstract
Solanum species (egg plants) belong to the family of Solanaceae and the plant genus Solanum with over 1,000 species worldwide. It’s represented in Nigeria by about 25 species including those domesticated; with their leaves, fruits or both eaten as vegetables or used in traditional medicine. This study was aimed to isolate and identify microorganisms associated with the spoilage of garden eggs. Samples were collected from the Market (Kasuwar Daji) and processed according to standard techniques. The isolates obtained were examined and identified using microscopic examination, colony morphology and biochemical characteristics. Six bacterial and fungal species were isolated and identified. The bacterial isolates include Staphylococcus aureus (50%), Bacillus spp (25%), Staphylococcus epidermis (12.5%), Listeria monocytogens (6.3%) and Closteridium botulinum (6.3%). The fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger (42.6%) Aspergillus flavus (21.4%), and Rhizopus stoloniferMucro racemosus and Microsporum audoinii with 7.1% respectively. Among the bacterial and fungal species isolated in this study, Aspergillus niger and Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest percentage frequency of occurrence, and these organisms are capable of causing food spoilage and cause harm to consumers, so measures such as proper handling and storage should be taken to control the contamination of garden eggs fruits.
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Author(s):
Aliu B.S., Ademiluyi A.G..
Page No : 21-28
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Substitution of Fishmeal with Blood Meal in the Diets of Clariid Catfish Heterobranchus bidorsalis Fingerlings
Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the effect of the substitution of fishmeal with blood meal (BM) in the Practical diets of Heterobranchus bidorsalis fingerlings for a period of 70 days (10 weeks). Five iso-nitrogenous diets containing varying levels of blood meal were formulated. Diet 1 (10%BM) Diet 2 (25%BM), Diet 3 (50%BM), Diet 4 (75%BM), Diet 5 (100%BM) as substitution for fishmeal were fed to three replicate of Heterobranchus bidorsalis with an initial mean weight of 11.02±0.01g, the feed were fed to satiation twice daily and water quality monitored. At the end of the experimenal period Diet 2, (25%BM)recorded the best mean growth rate of 2.019g but was not significantly different from other treatments (P>0.05), Diet 2 was also a better performer among all the other treatments with a feed intake valur of (2.112), feed conversion ratio of (2.119), relative weight gain of (13.58) and specific growth rate of (9.010). It is therefore recommended that blood meal can substitute fishmeal but will be best at 25% substitution in diets for Heterobranchus bidorsalis without compromising the growth and carcass composition.
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Author(s):
Ayoola P.B., Odeniyi M.A., Onawumi O.O.E..
Page No : 29-37
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Comparative Study on the Medicinal and Food Values of Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaf), Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) and Telfaria occidentalis (Ugu leaf)
Abstract
Vegetable possesses both nutritional and medicinal properties and are daily consumed as food in form of beverages or health supplement. The aim of this study is to compare the medicinal and food values of the three vegetables used and the following parameters were determined these are; proximate, mineral, vitamin and phytochemical (secondary metabolites) compositions. Standard analytical methods of analysis were used. Results revealed that moisture, ash and crude fibre contents were higher in (Ugu leaf) Telfaria occidentalis (80%, 13.48% and 14.77% respectively). Crude protein was the highest in (Bitter leaf) Vernonia amygdalina (13.38%). Ocimum gratissimum (scent) had the highest amount of crude fat and carbohydrate contents (14.93% and 53.74% respectively). The mineral analysis showed that Ocimum gratissimum contained the highest concentration of calcium (55.65±0.02 mg/g), while other minerals were present in traces from iron to manganese. Vitamin analysis revealed that vitamin A and C were present in highest concentrations in Ocimum gratissimum (41.72±0.1 mg/g and 2.19±0.02 mg/g respectively). All other vitamins were present in traces in the three vegetables except vitamin E that was not detected in Telfaria occidentalis. The presence of minerals and vitamins in the vegetables are indications that the studied vegetables (especially Telfaria occidentalis) could enhance blood production in the human body system and could serve as anti anaemic agents.
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Author(s):
Aderinola O.J., Adeboyejo O.A., Mekuleyi G.O..
Page No : 38-46
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Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factors of Some Fish and Crab Species from Badagry Creek, Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
This study was carried out in Badagry creek, Lagos, Nigeria, between January and December 2018, to assess the health status of some species of fish (Kribia nana, Sarotherodon galilaeus, Eleotris vitata, Cynoglossus senegalensis, Kribia kribensis, Chrysichthys filamentosus, Tillapia zilli, Monolene mertensi, Sardinella maderensis, and Pellonula leonesis) and Crab (Nematocarcinus africanus, Solenocera africana, Callinectes pallidus, and Pegusa lascaris) using their Length-Weight Relationship (LWR) and Condition Factor (K). Length and weight of four hundred and fifty-four (454) fishes and crabs belonging to nine (9) families, 13 (thirteen) genera and 14 (fourteen) species were measured in standard units. The results obtained showed that the growth pattern of the species was negative allometric. Sardinella maderensis and Monolene mertensi had the lowest and highest b value of -0.62 and 0.94 respectively. The least Intercept (a) value of 1.29 was recorded for M. mertensi while highest (a) value (12.83) was recorded in Sarotherodon galilaeus. The peak correlation value (R2) (0.75) of the length-weight relationship was obtained in M. mertensi and the least (0.00) in Tilapia zilli. The condition factor (K) ranged between 0.81 and 2.30 with Pellonula leonesis and Kribia kribensis having the lowest and highest k factors respectively. 57% of the specimens had their k factor greater than 1 and this indicated that majority of the fishes and crab’s species were thriving well in the water body. The results of the present study could serve as baseline data for these species and for comparisons with future studies.
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Author(s):
Oyedele O.A., Yusuf A., Adedeji M.A..
Page No : 47-61
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Development of a Solar Dryer for Small-Scale Food Processors
Abstract
Drying has been widely applied as a preservative measure for agricultural and food products. The common method of open sun-drying can pose a danger to the spread of deadly diseases, such as Lassa fever. This study, therefore presents an innovative design, construction and preliminary testing of a forced air convection solar dryer. The dryer consisted of a solar collector and the drying chamber. The dryer was constructed using locally available materials, and at the workshop, level cost 184, 810.00 Naira. Under no-load, maximum temperatures of 52.200C were recorded at the solar collector unit and 48.600C were obtained in the drying chamber, top of tray four. The dryer was used to dry blanched yam chips (10 mm thickness). Results revealed that the chips were dried from an initial moisture content of 70 % to 12% (wet basis) in 13 hours (two days of drying). Under loading conditions, the average maximum drying temperature obtained in the collector unit and the dryer cabinet were 54.71 and 47.030C, respectively. The results of the preliminary test suggest that the dryer has some drying potential, making it suitable for small-scale food processors.
