| 1 |
Author(s):
Olajide P.O, Adeloye A.A.
Page No : 1-4
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Values Of Microbial Population In West African Dwarf Goats Fed On Corncob-Based Concentrate Diet With Cobalt Supplementation
Abstract
Inadequate feed supply and feeding is a major challenge in animal production. Corncob, an abundant by-product of maize production is seldom utilized for feeding purpose, though promising for ruminants. In a 90-day feeding trial conducted to study the response of West African Dwarf goats to corncob-based diet supplemented with varied levels of cobalt chloride. The study examined the effect of treatment on microbial population. Twelve West African Dwarf goats of similar body weights (8.42kg-8.51kg) and body conditions were allotted to three dietary treatment groups, of four replicates each in a randomized complete block design experiment. The goats were kept on corncob concentrate based diet with unrestricted access to clean drinking water throughout the period of the feeding trial. Results from the study showed that, diets supplemented with cobalt chloride caused an improvement (P<0.05) in microbial population and protozoa content, when compared with the control. It was concluded that supplementation at 0.75mg/kg DM in the present study, would be efficacious than at lower levels of 0.00 and 0.50mg/kg DM.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Claire B. Salvedia, Joemel A. Libres.
Page No : 5-12
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Growth Performance of Broiler Chicken Supplemented with Rice Washed Water Probiotic Drinks
Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rice washed water (RWW) probiotic drinks on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Following the Complete Randomized Design (CRD) a total of one-hundred-day-old broiler chickens were randomly distributed into four treatments: T1 – control (commercial supplements), T2 –5 ml probiotics, T3- 10 ml probiotics, T4 –15 ml probiotics. Supplementation of RWW probiotic drinks lasted for 35 days. Statistical analysis revealed significant (P≤0.05) improvements on the weekly weight gain of broiler chicken supplemented with different levels of RWW probiotic drinks. A significant difference (P≤0.05) on feed consumption was also observed during week 1, 2 and 3 of the experimental trial. Better FCR and higher net income was also detected on broilers supplemented with different levels of RWW probiotic drinks than the control. Based on the presented results and on the environmental condition where the study was conducted, it is therefore concluded that RWW probiotic drinks can significantly improve the weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Umar Dangiwa Modibbo, Aminu Muhammad.
Page No : 13-18
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Agrochemicals Usage by Farmers in Central Senatorial District of Gombe State, North Eastern Nigeria
Abstract
This study was conducted in the central senatorial district of gombe state in north eastern Nigeria with objective of determining the usage of agrochemicals among the farmers in the study area, demography and the level of utilizations of agrochemicals are all part of this study’s objectives in specific terms, however multi stage sampling technique was employed where by in the first stage three strategic agricultural towns (SAT) was randomly sampled from each of the local government in the study area, Akko : Kumo, Pindiga and Kembu while in Yamaltu deba : Deba, Kuri and Dadin kowa was selected The second stage involve a purposive selection of five villages from each of the SAT to make a total of 30 villages more so 25 different persons were randomly selected from 25 different household giving a total of 750 which was used as a sample size for this study. Focus discussion group was used to determine the level of utilization of agrochemicals in the area in which a descriptive statistics is used to analyzed the data generated, however the result of this study reveals fertilizer as the commonly use agrochemical in the study area with 80% of the respondent indicated the use of it and ranked first which is followed by herbicide (67%) and the least agrochemical used is the nematicide (4.0%). The level of utilization of the agrochemicals in the study area shows that the frequently used agrochemical is the herbicide (mean value = 2.350) and ranked first, pesticide (mean value = 2.233), insecticide (mean value = 2.126). The demography of the respondents indicated that the respondents are active population within the age range of 18 – 60 years (90%) and majority of them are married (73%) and male by gender (87%) with good formal education (80%), their household is comparatively bigger with at least 7 - 9 members (47%). In conclusion the most commonly use agrochemical is the fertilizer and the most frequently used one is the herbicide while the least use agrochemical is the nematicide. Community leaders and all the stake holders in agriculture should encourage farmers to imbibe good farming practices to maintain soil fertility in the study area, Extension agents should educate farmers on the proper usage of agrochemicals to make sure that it is not used to detrimental level for both the soil and the farmers themselves. Community leaders in the area should advice farmers to used other materials to boost their soil fertility instead of depending on fertilizer alone as it’s prolonged usage may affect other soil parameters.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Odo Sabastine Nnanna, Alozie E.C., Anyanwu E.D..
Page No : 19-26
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Comparative Assessment of Milt Quality of Three Populations of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Broodstock
Abstract
This study was aimed at assessing the semen characteristics of both wild and cultured Clarias gariepinus broodstocks and associated determinants. Fifteen (15) male broodstocks were selected from 3 study populations; with weight ranges of 500 to 900g. The fish were dissected and the gonads were removed. The gonads were assessed for pH, motility, volume, morphology, microbiological characteristics and sperm concentration. The data were analysed using ANOVA while Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate the means. The sperm characteristics (tapering head, long tails, weight of gonads and progressive motility) assessed had the best results from Joshua Fish Farm, followed by Michael Okpara University Fish Farm and the Wild Fish Stock. The microbial load was highest among the Wild Fish Stock compared to other populations. This study has shown that broodstock fed consistently with good quality feed had best sperm quality. Other environmental factors such as pH, temperature, and water quality may also affect the quality of the sperm.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Osesua Benjamin Anthony, Aliyu Adamu Kalgo, Anyekema Mikehael, Tsafe A.I..
Page No : 27-35
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Assessment of Chlorpyrifos Residues in Watermelon Fruits Sold in Birnin Kebbi Markets, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Abstract
Watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) samples were randomly collected from seven major markets in Birnin-Kebbi and environs. The samples were divided into three groups: unwashed, detergent-washed and washed with tap water. Samples were extracted with cyclohexane and ethylacetate (1:1) and the chlorpyrifos residues in the sample extracts were determined with GC-MS Perkin-Elmer model fitted with Electron Capture Detector (ECD 63Ni) and Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector (NPD). Results showed that 100% of the samples analysed contained chlorpyrifos pesticide residue. The unwashed watermelon fruits, detergent-washed and tap water washed have mean concentrations of 0.114±0.006µg/g, 0.006±0.002µg/g and 0.009±0.003µg/g respectively. The chlorpyrifos residue levels obtained in this work exceeded the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) established by FAO/WHO indicating a possible contamination of the fruits. Statistical analysis with one-way ANOVA (SPSS 20.0) showed that there is a decrease in the levels of chlorpyrifos pesticide residues significantly between the unwashed watermelon fruits and the detergent-washed, while there seem to be no difference statistically in residues levels between the detergent-washed fruits and the water-washed watermelon fruits (P ≤0.05).
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Author(s):
SK Manirul Haque, Ahmed Abu Judeah.
Page No : 36-43
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Determination and Quantification of Iron and Calcium in Different Types of Bell Pepper
Abstract
Simple and accurate ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and flame photometer were developed for the determination of iron and calcium in different types of bell pepper. The spectrophotometric method was depending on the intensity of the color product by using potassium thiocyanate for iron determination. But for calcium no need to make any reagent to make color, direct method utilizing flame photometer. Initially the moisture content of all types of pepper was determined. Overall the selectivity and specificity of the proposed methods were very excellent. This method can be applied for the determination iron and calcium in different fruits as well as in vegetables.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Johnwest E. K, Otobo L. A.
Page No : 44-56
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Enhancing Food Security Among Orashi People of Rivers State: Effective Agricultural Extension Service Delivery a Panacea
Abstract
The study examined enhancing food security among Orashi people of Rivers State using effective agricultural extension service delivery as a panacea. The study area was Orashi region of Rivers State. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consists of all farmers in Orashi region of Rivers State estimated at over 636,547 farmers. The sample size of was 1,200 respondents. Four research questions were posed to guide the study. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient were used to test the instrument and was found to have 0.81 reliability coefficient which was considered high enough to be used for the study. Data collected were analysed using mean statistics and standard deviation with an acceptance mean value of ≥2.50 whereas otherwise rejected. Result revealed that agricultural extension ensure that appropriate knowledge on innovation is implemented, help farmers in their decision-making, assess farmers properties and making technical recommendations, provide link between farmers and researchers; it also revealed that agricultural extension service delivery can enhance food security through radio and television programme, sending farmers text messages and personal letters, telephone contact; developing agricultural programme that will benefit farmers, encouraging farmers to embrace adult education programme, ensure that extension agents are qualified for the job, among others were some of the ways through which the government could help agricultural extension service delivery to achieve food security in the study are. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Government should encourage extension through on the in the job training for higher qualification and exposure; Increase funding of public extension system in order to revamp the extension system and mobilized extension agents for more effective extension work.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Soala Minima .O, A.B. Nwauzoma, Adeleke M.A, Wisdom U.G.
Page No : 57-67
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Evaluation of Botanicals as Extracts for the Management of Meloidegyne Species on Telfaria Ocidentalis
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate (as well as compare) the effects of botanicals as extracts and soil amendments for the management of Meloidogyne species on Telfaria occidentalis in Nigeria. The following three indigenous plants were selected and used for the study: Carica papaya (pawpaw), Jatropha curcas (Belly ache bush) and Eichhorniacrassipes (water hyacinth). The soil used for the experiment was a loamy soil collected from a horticulturalist at AIT in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The experiment adopted a 9x4 (column by row) arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated 4 times. Four (4) pumpkin seedlings were planted in each of the experiment bag. The seedlings were measuring 2cm apart from each other and 6cm deep into the soil. This was done after 2 weeks of fertilizing the soil. A total of 256 seedlings were used for the experiment. Graphical charts from Excel in Windows 7 version were used to illustrate observable differences in the experiments, while the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) in SPSS (Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 22) was used to further test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that: the fluted pumpkin (Telfaris occidentalis) is susceptible to attack by Meloidogyne species (prior to application of the Nematicides). This is true as the Control experiment showed observable differences and relative low performance in growth and yield parameters when compared with the results and performance of the Treatment and Amendment plants. And, although no statistical significant difference was observed between the botanicals , Carbonfuran , and Control on the growth parameters of Telfaria occidentalis, however, a remarkable and significant difference was observed between the growth parameters of the Control and the Pawpaw leaf extracts and amendment which happened to have yielded the highest growth parameters in all. Also, by way of method of application, there was no enough statistical evidence to show that there was any significant difference between the growth parameters obtained from the Amendment, Treatment and the Control. Although, the Control (at a mean of 16.69) did show evidence of having the lowest performance in this regard while the Amemdement had the best performance being slightly better than the Treatment. The study therefore recommended that agriculturalists seek more solutions in botanicals rather than depending on expensive synthetic nematicides which may have considerable side effects on some of the growth and yield parameters of agricultural crops.
| 9 |
Author(s):
Okwunodulu I. N., Uluocha D. M., Okwunodulu F.U, Ukom A. N..
Page No : 68-81
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Calorific Value and Consumers’ Subjective Knowledge of Complementary Puddings from two Cocoyam Varieties Blended with Ripe Plantain and Sprouted Soybean Pastes
Abstract
The authors studied the dietary energy levels and consumers’ acceptability of puddings from Xanthosoma sagittifolium (ede-ocha) and Colocasia esculenta (ede-cocoindia). Dietary energy was calculated using Atwater General Factor System (AGFS) and Atwater Specific Factor System (ASFS). Wet paste of each cocoyam variety was blended separately with ripe plantain and sprouted soy bean pastes into four different blends in the ratio of 100, 90:10, 25: 65:10 and 45:45:10 respectively. Puddings from 100% cocoyam served as the control for each variety. The blends were mixed with equal quantities of seasonings, wrapped in plantain leave and boiled for 30 minutes separately. The puddings were evaluated using standard analytical procedures. The ede-ocha puddings had crude protein (3.35% to 4.51%), fat (1.94% to 2.46%), fiber (0.94% to 1.84%) and carbohydrate (34.34% to 35.46%).The ede-cocoindia puddings had protein (3.22% to 4.29%), fiber (1.21% to 1.49%), fat (1.64% to 2.11%) and carbohydrate (37.86% to 39.28%).The dietary energy levels of all the ede-cocoindia pudding samples were higher than their counterparts from ede-ocha in both methods of energy calculations used. The ede-ocha puddings were preferred to ede-cocoindia.
