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Author(s):
Ibrahim Tafida, Buhari Nazifi, Kachallah Muhammad.
Page No : 1-10
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Assessment of Sesame Farmers’ Perception and Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change in Machina Local Government Area, of Yobe State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study was conducted to assess sesame farmers’ perception and adaptive measures to climate change in Machina Local Government area of Yobe State, Nigeria. The data was collected from randomly sampled 63 sesame farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics and Likert scale tools were used to analyze the collected data. The results’ findings show that sesame production is dominated by married male farmers (92.1%) that have an average age of 42 years, farm size average of 1.14 hectares, and an average farming experience of 15 years in the study area. The farmers were also found to have a household size average of 11 members; as well majority of them were found to have formal education ranging from Primary (31%), secondary (28%) and tertiary education (20%). The study findings further revealed farmers in the study area strongly agreed to perceive climate change majorly through an observed change in pattern of temperature (61.9%), and change in the pattern of temperature (46%). Meanwhile, climate change adaptive strategies used by farmers were majorly increased soil water conservation (3.17), use of chemicals, fertilizers, manure and pesticides (2.65) and using different tillage systems (2.52). The sesame farmers faced challenges of inadequate capital (69.8%), pest and disease attack (55.6%) as well as high cost of production inputs (54%). It can therefore be recommended that inputs subsidies and training on early warning systems of climate change shall be given to the farmers so as to improve their control measures to climate change.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Okoror P. I., Okonokhua B. O., Amanze C. T..
Page No : 11-20
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Physical Properties of Soil in Relation to Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Soils Under Selected Land Use Practices in Akwa Ibom State
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of land use types on selected physical properties of soil in Akwa Ibom State, south-south Nigeria. Four land use types, intensive cultivated land (ICL), natural forest (NF), oil palm plantation (OPP) and gmelina plantation (GP), were considered. Each land use was represented by three profile pits which were sampled according to genetic horizons for laboratory analysis. Data generated were analyzed statistically using descriptive and regression analyses. The results showed that ICL had the highest bulk density (Bd) ( 1.7g/cm3) followed by NF and OPP (1.6g/cm3) while GP had the least (1.5g/cm3), OPP had the highest total porosity (Tp) (43.7%) followed by GP (42.6%), NF (41.1%) while ICL had the least (36.2%), ICL and NF had the highest water stable aggregates (WSA) (12.9%) followed by OPP (8.3%) while GP had the least (4.3%). However, OPP had the highest saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) (8.4cm/h) followed by NF (8.2cm/h) while ICL and GP had the least (4.3cm/h). Result further showed that Ksat was significantly correlated with clay with r2 value of 0.53 (Ƿ˂ 0.01). Across the four land use types, Ksat was moderately rapid. Irrespective of land use type, soils were dominated by sand-sized fraction which generally decreased with depth, reflecting the influence of the parent material(coastal plain sands). This study shows that the land use types were similar in their effects on Ksat but there were no significant differences.
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Author(s):
Amanze C. T., Eluagu K. F., Nwosu O. C., Ukabiala M. E., Okoror P. I., Okoroafor C. K..
Page No : 21-35
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Organic Carbon Storage and Structural-Hydraulic Properties of Ultisol under Agricultural Land Use Systems at Umuahia
Abstract
The extent and pattern of interaction among organic carbon, structural and hydraulic properties of soils under varying land use systems are of great concern in the overall management of soil fertility and productivity. This study was conducted to examine the relationship among soil organic carbon storage, structural and hydraulic properties of soils under different agricultural land use systems at Umuahia, Abia State. The treatments were the four (4) land use systems (continuously cultivated arable farmland, 3 – year fallow land, oil palm plantation, and forest land) in which nine (9) replicates each of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were randomly collected to give thirty six observational units laid out in a randomized complete block design. The soil samples were prepared and analysed in the laboratory. Analyses of variance, regression and correlation analyses were conducted on the data collected using Genstat version 14 and SPSS version 20. Results show that organic carbon had significant positive relationship with saturated hydraulic conductivity, macro porosity and total porosity but significant negative relationship with bulk density at all the land use systems. However, the influence of organic carbon on the other parameters was greatest at continuously cultivated arable land followed by the 3 – year fallow land. There is need to increase organic matter input at the continuously cultivated arable land and 3 – year fallow land through increased organic manuring and extension of the fallow period, respectively.
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Author(s):
Mayaki Olutayo Moses, Akinwande Bolanle Aishat, Oke Moruf Olanrewaju.
Page No : 36-53
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Effect of Degree of Milling on Proximate and Mineral Composition, Physicochemical, Colour Characteristics and Pasting Properties of Broken Brown Rice Fraction from a Selected Variety (FARO 64)
Abstract
The effect of degree of milling (DOMs) between 0 and 12% on proximate and mineral composition, physicochemical, colour, and pasting properties of broken brown rice from the FARO 64 rice variety were evaluated. Each milling level reduced the ash, protein, fat, and fibre content. Ash and fibre were removed most at 9% DOM. Maximum fat loss was observed at 3% DOM. The levels of Ca, Na, Mg, and K were not significantly different (p< 0.05) at 9 and 12 DOM. The starch and the amylose contents increased from 0 to 12% DOM. The least values were at 0 DOM for L* and h, while the highest were at 12 DOM for a*, b*, and c. WAC and WBC increased as the DOM increased from 0 to 12%. Pasting properties differed significantly (P<0.05) for BDV at 0-12% DOM, while PV, TV, FV, and SBV differed significantly (P<0.05) at 0-6% DOM.
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Author(s):
Gbarabe Roland, Daye Barago.
Page No : 54-65
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Effect of Different Mulch Materials on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays) on Coastal Plain Sand in Southern Nigeria
Abstract
The presence of residue mulches in farm has been known to effectively save the soil surface, prevent soil erosion on slopes, help reduce soil moisture loss through evapotranspiration and insulates soil, protect roots from extreme temperature, improve soil biology, aeration, aggregation of soil particles and reduce drainage over-time, improve soil fertility as certain mulch type decompose, inhibit plant diseases, give planting beds a uniform and provide favourable preservation of ecological stability. This experiment was conducted in Teaching and research farm of Akwa ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus to assess the effect of sawdust, calopogonium leaves, and siam weed on microbial, physicochemical properties and performance of White Maize (Zea mays) on a coastal plain sand of Obio Akpa in Southern Nigeria. Results showed that soil mulches with calopogonium mucunoides recorded highest in the following parameters measured; ECEC 10.35%, Cmol and AV.P323mg/kg-1,% base saturation (91.11),100% seed emergence and less leaf area, the highest moisture(35%) was obtain in the soil mulched with saw dust. The highest moisture content in Zea mays ,(5.63%) crude fibre (3.91), lipid (4.71), Total Ash(4.42) and carbohydrates (61.98%) were obtained in the soil mulched calopogonium mucunoides while the highest bacterial count 37x105cful/g-1 and fungi counts 5.1x103cfu/g_1 which gives rise to typical adult characteristics of soil derived from coastal plain sand.
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Author(s):
Adebayo Oluwaseun Adetomiwa, Gladys Abiemwense Ibhaze, Atansuyi Johnson Adewale, Onibi Gbenga Emmanuel.
Page No : 66-78
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Feed Intake and Reproductive Performance of Gravid Wad Does Fed Guinea Grass (Panicum Maximum) Substituted with Mulberry Leaves (Morus Alba)
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of substituting fresh Panicum maximum with fresh mulberry (Morus alba) leaves at different levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) on feed intake, and reproductive performance of intensively managed gravid West African Dwarf (WAD) does. Twenty-five gravid WAD does were divided into five groups, each consisting of five does, and were subjected to a 150-day experiment. Feed intake results indicated that does fed on a diet containing 50% Panicum maximum and 50% mulberry (P50M50) had the highest total dry matter intake (TDMI) across three trimesters (356.63, 488.69, and 539.63 g/day). Weight gain was notably higher (p<0.05) in does on a diet of 100% mulberry (P0M100). Offspring weaned from dams fed a diet with 75% mulberry substitution exhibited higher weaning weights and daily weight gains. The study concludes that substituting mulberry in the diet of traditionally managed WAD goats enhances pregnancy development without health concerns and contributes to improved udder development and potential milk yield enhancement.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Oyebamiji Isaac Tunde , Adetayo Seun Ayodele , Adeoye Mercy feyisara, Ayilara Taofeeqat Jumoke, Adamu David Ahmed , Olatilewa Mufuliat Oladuntan.
Page No : 79-90
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Production Activities and Challenges Encountering By Sweet Potato Farmers in Kwara and Osun States
Abstract
Production of agricultural crops cannot be over emphasized for food security, poverty eradication and sustainability of life and its existence. Therefore, agriculture is the bedrock towards economic growth and rural development. This study examined production activities of sweet potato in Kwara and Osun States It also identified the challenges faced by the sweet potato farmers in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 496 sweet potato farmers. An interview guide was used through structured questionnaire to obtain primary data which were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency table, percentage and mean). The study revealed that majority practiced self labour (42%) in Kwara State while family labour (47%) was majorly practiced in Osun State, with the mean labour used of 3.84 and 3.23 in Kwara and Osun States respectively. Majority inherited land acquired from their parents, occupying less than six hectares of land for production of sweet potato. It was also shown that land conflict, inadequate vine, insect infestation, spoilage and access to credit were the major challenges facing farmers during production of sweet potato. The study concludes that sweet potato farmers encountering a lot of challenges which causes reduction in production of sweet potato in the study areas. It is therefore recommended that, settlement of land conflict issues should not be delayed, particularly when it comes to the use of agricultural purposes. Then the research institute(s) saddled with the responsibilities of storage and preservation of agricultural produce should come-up with methods of preserving this crop to extend it shelf-life and reduce postharvest loss of this vital crop.
