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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
April 2013 | Vol. 8 No. 4 |
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Title: |
Growth
performance of weaner rabbits fed on dried pito mash as a
replacement for maize |
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Author (s): |
J. K.
Kagya-Agyemang, A. Nelson and C. Kagya-Agyemang |
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Abstract: |
Twenty four crossbred unsexed
weaner rabbits of about seven (7) weeks old with mean body
weight of 528.75 g were used in a feeding trial involving
four dietary treatments containing 0, 10, 15, and 20%
inclusion levels of dried pito mash (DPM) in a completely
randomized design study that lasted for seven (7) weeks. The
animals were randomly divided into four (4) treatment groups
consisting of six (6) animals per group. Each treatment
group was replicated three (3) times with two (2) animals
per replicate. The parameters studied were daily feed
intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass
yield, organ weights, haematological and biochemical
components of rabbits, and cost benefit analysis of
replacing maize with DPM in rabbit diets. The inclusion of
DPM in rabbit diets did not significantly (p>0.05) influence
the daily feed intake of the animals. There was a slight
reduction in the daily weight gain of animals with the
inclusion of DPM from 0% to 20%. The slaughter weight and
dressed weight decreased significantly (p<0.05) as the level
of DPM in the experimental diets increased. Rabbits fed the
control diet (0% DPM) and the diet containing 10% DPM had
significantly higher (p<0.05) dressing percentage than
rabbits fed diets containing 15% and 20% DPM inclusion
levels. However, there were no significant (p>0.05) dietary
treatment effect on the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and
kidney weights when they were expressed as percentage of the
live body weight of the rabbits fed the four treatment
diets. The feeding of DPM to rabbits did not show
significant (p>0.05) variation in both the haematological
and biochemical components of the rabbits studied and they
were within the normal physiological ranges for rabbits. The
total feed cost/kg was significantly reduced (p<0.05) as the
inclusion levels of DPM in the diets increased. Therefore,
the control diet (0% DPM) was more expensive than the diets
containing 15% and 20% DPM, respectively. Also, the cost of
feed/kg live weight gain was significantly higher (p<0.05)
for the control diet (0% DPM) when compared with the other
treatment diets. The results of this study suggest that DPM
could completely replace maize up to 20% without any
detrimental effect on the growth performance of rabbits. And
since the total feed cost was significantly reduced as the
inclusion levels of DPM in the rabbit diets increased,
indicate that it is possible to produce rabbits at
relatively cheaper prices when the maize component of the
diets is completely replaced by DPM up to 20%. |
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Title: |
Investigation of wheat grain quality characteristics under
water deficit condition during post-anthesis stage |
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Author (s): |
Farzad
Aslani, Mohammad Reza Mehrvar, Ali Nazeri and
Abdul Shukor Juraimi |
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Abstract: |
Nine wheat genotypes (DM-81-6, DM-82-1, Bahar,
DN-11, DN-7, Pishtaz, WS-82-9, C-85-6 and C-84-12) were
grown in research farm in Seed and Plant Improvement
Institute, Karaj (Iran), under two water regimes ( normal
irrigation and no irrigation in post-anthesis growth stage)
and in two growing seasons, to determine the effect of water
regime on quality traits. Quality analyses were performed on
grains: protein content, moisture content, hardness index,
falling number, wet gluten, dry gluten, gluten index, zeleny
sedimentation volume, bread volume and SDS sedimentation
volume. The quality traits have differences among the
genotypes. Water stress in grain filling period was found to
affect quality parameters. An increase in protein content, falling
number, gluten index, dry gluten and SDS sedimentation
volume, consistent with a decrease in grain yield, 1000
grains weight, bread volume and moisture content was
observed when a terminal water stress happened. Likely water
stress associated to high temperature which in generally
happens under Mediterranean conditions over grain
development, may have caused a higher accumulation of
quality parameters. |
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Title: |
Preparation and quality evaluation of sweet potato ready to
drink beverage |
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Author (s): |
Muhammad
Sohail, Rehman Ullah khan,
Shamsur Rehman afridi, Muhammad Imad and Bibi Mehrin |
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Abstract: |
Sweet potato ready to drink
beverage was prepared using different formulations. The
prepared beverage was formulated either with lemon juice (F1),
maize malt (F2) or both lemon juice and maize
malt (F3). While one sample (Fo) was
neither treated with lemon juice nor maize malt as control.
Physico chemical analysis such as titratable acidity,
vitamin C content, PH, total soluble solids, reducing sugar,
non reducing sugar, total sugar, beta carotene content and
sensory evaluation (colour, flavor and overall
acceptability) was carried out in all the prepared beverage
samples. Results revealed that titratable acidity (0.196%),
vitamin C content (23.22 mg/kg), total soluble solids (13.92obrix),
reducing sugar (7.87%), non reducing sugar (5.99%), total
sugar (13.47%), beta carotene (39.24 mg/kg), colour (8.4)
and overall acceptability (8.7) values were highest for F3
while the pH value was high for F2 (4.29) and
flavour for F1 (8.7) as compared to the other
formulations. On the basis of results obtained it is
concluded that sweet potato ready to drink beverage prepared
with maize malt and lemon juice (F3) is more acceptable and
showed good quality attributes followed by F1 (Sweet potato
ready to drink beverage + lemon juice) as compared to the
other formulations used. |
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Title: |
Application of seasonal models in modeling and forecasting
the monthly price of privileged Sadri rice in Guilan
Province |
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Author (s): |
Petram
Akbari Pargami, Hamidreza Alipoor, Gholamreza Dinpanah and
Mohammad Hossein Ansari |
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Abstract: |
The present research has
considered modeling and forecasting the monthly price of
Privileged Sadri rice in Guilan province using time series
data for the years 2002-2011in Guilan province which is one
of the rice production poles in Iran. In this context, using
parametric and non-parametric models, monthly price of
Privileged Sadri rice for 2012-4 to 2013-3 was forecasted.
Non-parametric and parametric models used in this study are TES and SARMA, respectively.
Results from comparing the amounts of MAPE within sample
forecast error index between the two
TES and SARMA
models in this research showed that
SARMA parametric model enjoys the most
power in modeling the time series of monthly retail prices
of Privileged Sadri rice and, thus it is the most
appropriate model for forecasting the monthly retail price
of Privileged Sadri rice. |
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Title: |
Antioxidative and biochemical responses of wheat to drought
stress |
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Author (s): |
Mohammad
Reza Amirjani and Majid Mahdiyeh |
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Abstract: |
Drought stress is considered as an effective
parameter in decreasing crop production. Present study was
investigated to understand the effect of drought stress on
wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings under controlled
condition. The seeds of wheat were subjected to five levels
of water potential. 0 MPa (as control) and -2, -4, -6 and -8
MPa (as treatments) and germination percentage, mean
germination time, proline and sugar amounts, chlorophyll
contents, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII and
electron transport rate have been examined. In addition
enzymatic and non-enzymatic response of wheat seedlings to
drought have been explored. Germination percentage and mean
germination time were affected by different osmotic
potentials. The least germination percentage and MGT were
obtained from -8 osmotic potential. Drought caused
significant losses in relative water content. Total
chlorophyll content was reduced in all studied treatments.
Drought levels higher than -2 MPa resulted in significant
decrease of FV/FM value. ETR,
however,
observed no significant changes in drought
treated seedlings.
MDA, AsA
and GSH contents increased in relation to the drought
period. Activities of enzymatic antioxidants, such as SOD,
CAT, APX, POD and GR increased to manage the oxidative
stress. |
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Title: |
Biochemical evaluation of lima beans (phaseolus lunatus) in
alloxan induced diabetic rats |
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Author (s): |
Ojo
Rotimi Johnson, Segilola Lanre Isaac, Ogundele Olalekan
Michael, Akintayo Christopher Oloruntoba and Seriki Samuel |
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Abstract: |
This study was conducted to determine the
effect of heat- treated lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) on
the glucose level and some biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced
diabetic rats. Albino rats of wistar strain weighing between
125g to 150g were induced with single freshly prepared
alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes was
confirmed after seven-two hours in alloxan-induced rats
showing fasting blood glucose levels ≥ 200mg/dl. The rats
were randomly divided into four (4) experimental groups (n =
4). Group I (normal Control fed with normal rat chow), Group
II (Control diabetic group fed with normal rat chow), Group
III (Diabetic rats treated with test diet: 70% heat treated
lima beans + 30% rat chow) and Group IV, (Diabetic rats fed
with normal rat chow and 0.5g/Kg body weight of glucophage).
After 21 days the animals were sacrificed and blood were
collected for serum glucose and other biochemical parameters
evaluation. Changes in animal weight were also measured
within the period. From the results it was observed that
treatment of rats with Lima beans
compensates for the reduction of body weight, and caused an
increase in the body weight of the treated rats
(+11.5%) in contrast to 24.8% reduction observed in diabetic
control. In the same order, serum glucose significantly
decreased (p<0.05) after the 21-day treatment compared to
diabetic control. The extent of reversal of hyperglycemia in
the lima beans treated animals compared well with the
glucophage treated group. The results therefore showed that
heat treated Lima beans has a significant (p<0.05)
hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic rats and elevations in the
measured biochemical parameters were significantly (p<0.05)
attenuated in rats fed with heat treated lima beans. It was
concluded that the consumption of heat treated lima beans
produced a significant hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic effects
in diabetic rats and in addition heat treated lima beans is
capable of protecting the liver and the kidney functions in
alloxan-induced diabetic rats as shown in the activities of
serum enzymes and other biochemical parameters examined. |
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Title: |
Relationship between hypothalamic neuropeptide y and food
intake in the lactating laboratory mouse,
mus musculus |
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Author (s): |
J. K. Kagya-Agyemang, C.
Hambly, M. E. Sharon and J. R. Speakman |
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Abstract: |
The laboratory mouse (strain MF1) was used as
a model animal to study the hypothalamic mechanisms
underlying food intake in lactating animals. Sixty female
mice exposed to 21 °C were fed high fat (HF), medium fat
(MF) and low fat (LF) diets ad libitum between days 4
and 18 of lactation. Also fifteen (15) non-reproductive
females exposed to 21 °C but used as controls were fed ad
libitum on the same diets (HF, MF; and LF) for 14 days.
Fifteen (15) lactating/reproductive females each from HF, MF
and LF-fed groups and 5 non-reproductive controls each from
HF, MF and LF-fed groups were weighed and killed by CO2
inhalation on day 18 of lactation. Brains from both the
reproductive and non-reproductive females were processed for
studies on hypothalamic neuropeptides. Results indicated
that lactation decreased pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and
increased neuropeptide y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP)
gene expression determined by in situ hybridisation
in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). There was no
significant change in suppressor of cytokine signalling-3
(SOCS-3) expression (P>0.05) in the ARC during lactation.
Activated NPY and AgRP orexigenic pathways and attenuated
anorexigenic POMC pathways in the hypothalamus probably
promoted the hyperphagia of lactation in the MF1 mice. Since
NPY and AgRP increased (P<0.05) while POMC decreased
(P>0.05) but SOCS-3 was unchanged probably
indicate that the MF1 mice were sensitive to the action of
leptin. |
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Title: |
Breeding
value estimation of fifteen related cassava genotypes using
blup |
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Author (s): |
Kartika
Noerwijati, Nasrullah, Taryono and Djoko Prajitno |
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Abstract: |
The cassava
tuber yield
is strongly influenced
by
environmental conditions,
clones,
harvest
time
and
harvest
age.
Because of the
existence of
genotype
x
environment
interaction,
the cassava
plant
must
be planted
in
a suitable
environment
for
maximum
yield
potential.
Therefore,
genotype
testing
in
various
environments
will
help to
identify
both
specific
and
wide
adaptation
of varieties.
The yield stability of 15 cassava genotypes was estimated
using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) across five
locations. In this study, locations are treated as fixed
factor while genotypes as random factor. The BLUP procedure
was used to estimate random effects.
Both matrix A contains
coefficient of coancestry and matrix A is assumed not to be
related, the result indicate that the lowest expected yield
is in Ponorogo and the highest in Kediri. The use of
coefficient of coancestry causes lower
value of fixed factors, but enhance
value of random factors. In general,
breeding values that are achieved using coefficients of
coancestry are higher than breeding values that are achieved
if matrix A is equal to identity matrix (assumed genotypes
are not related). Among the cassava promising clones, CMM
03038-7 had the highest breeding value and higher than
control clones UJ 5, Malang 6, Adira 4, but slighty lower
than Malang 4. |
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Title: |
Conservation of banana cv. ambon kuning on various media in
vitro formula |
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Author (s): |
Sunyoto
Makful dan Nofiarli |
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Abstract: |
Sunyoto,
Makful and Nofiarli. 2012. Consevation
of Banana cv.
Ambon Kuning on Various Media in Vitro Formula.
Genetic resources should be sustained to support the genetic
improvement in the future. One of the efficient techniques
to conserve the banana germplasm collection is the in
vitro culture using the modification of MS media (Murashige
and Skoog). Formulas created by modifying the concentration
of salt and sucrose (GS) in the MS media. The research objective is to obtain storage media of banana’s explants
on the in vitro.
The Research has done in tissue culture, breeding and
germplasm laboratory Indonesian Tropical Fruits Research
Institute, from July 2004 to March 2005. Research was used
completely randomized design with 7 media storage treatments
such as GS0 =MS + sucrose 3% (control medium) that always
used for the in vitro of banana multiplication and GS1 = ½
MS + sucrose 3%, GS2 = ½ MS + sucrose 6%, GS3 = ½ MS +
sucrose 9%, GS4= ¼ MS + sucrose 3%, GS5 = ¼ MS + sucrose 6%,
GS6 = ¼ MS + sucrose 9%. The experiment results indicated
that modification of salt and sucrose in the MS media were
can inhibit the vegetative plantlet growth, so it possible
to used for conservation of banana genetic resources. GS2
that contains ½ MS of salt + 6% sucrose was potential for
storage of the ambon bananas clones on the in vitro.
Planlets that come from GS2 storage media were having the
smallest inhibition during acclimatization (in vivo). |
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Title: |
Nutritional status assessment of hemodialysis patients at
Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar |
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Author (s): |
Bibi
Hajira, Muhammad Samiullah and Rattan Kaur Chawla |
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Abstract: |
A study was conducted to assess the
nutritional status of hemodialysis patients visiting Rehman
Medical Institute, Peshawar. A total of 66 subjects from
both sexes having mean age 49.61±15.28 years undergoing
hemodialysis were enrolled for the study. Information
regarding disease history and associated comorbidities were
collected from patient’s files. Nutritional status was
assessed by anthropometric measurements using body mass
index (BMI). The biochemical results including kidney
profile, serum electrolytes and hemoglobin were recorded
from the patient’s files. Dietary data was obtained by using
24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire. The
results indicated that age, familial predisposition,
hypertension, diabetes and heart disease increased the risk
for renal failure. Renal failure was more prevalent among
male than in female. Actual intake of calories, protein,
fats and minerals was lower than the recommended intake for
hemodialysis patients. More than 50 percent of patient on
hemodialysis were at risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition was
related to low nutrient intake. This study suggests that
assessment of nutritional status and nutritional management
of hemodialysis patients play a central role in preventing
malnutrition. |
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Title: |
Effect of
different concentrations of nitrogen and zinc on the growth
of pecan nut seedlings |
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Author (s): |
Nishat Lal
Badshah and Gohar Ayub |
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Abstract: |
An
experiment "Effect of different concentration of nitrogen
and zinc on the growth of pecan nut seedlings" was carried
out at Agricultural Research Institute, Tarnab, Peshawar
during 2001. Four different concentrations of nitrogen (0,
1.25, 2.5, and 5%) and zinc (0, 0.12, 0.25 and 0.5%) were
used as foliar application. The Experiment was laid out in
Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two factors.
The foliar sprays of nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) were done on
1st June and 1st, July, 2001 on three
months old pecan nut seedlings. Significantly maximum
seedling height (48.04 cm), stem diameter (0.79 cm), number
of leaves plant-1 (21.6), leaf area (99.19 cm2)
root diameter (0.83 cm), root weight (37.23 g)
roots/seedling (76.08) and biomass weight (56.35g)
were recorded when seedlings were sprayed with 5% N and
minimum in control. Root
length was maximum (45.78 cm) with 2.5% foliar application
of nitrogen compared to the minimum of 41.34 cm in control
(no spray). The seedlings sprayed with 0.25% zinc
gave maximum seedling height (46.14 cm); number of leaves
plant-1 (19.25), leaf area,
root length (44.04 cm),
root diameter (0.76 cm), root weight (35.40 g) and biomass
weight (53.25 g) while all parameters were low in values
without application of zinc. Stem diameter and number of
roots were significantly more (0.76 cm, 74.95) with 0.5%
foliar spray of zinc.
In interaction foliar
application of 5% nitrogen and 0.25% zinc significantly
increased seedling height (52.56 cm), number of leaves
(25.0), leaf area (119.20 cm²), root diameter (0.91 cm), and
number of roots (76.76) while non significant difference was
found in root length, root weight and biomass weight in
various interactions. The overall performance of
pecan nut seedlings was best with foliar application of 5%
nitrogen and 0.25% zinc under the agro climatic conditions
of Tarnab, Peshawar. |
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Title: |
Socio-economic factors affecting adaptation strategies of
selected horticultural farmers to climate change in Osun
State, Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Adebisi-Adelani O and O.B. Oyesola |
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Abstract: |
Climate change is a reality
and of truth farmers all over the world are adapting to
changes in climate to get better production and to better
their livelihood option. Therefore, the study was carried
out to investigate the socio-economic factors influencing
the adaptation strategies of selected horticultural farmers
in Osun state Nigeria. Data for the study was collected with
the aid of both qualitative and quantitative instruments.
Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential
statistics. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in
which sixty farmers were sampled. The results showed that
96.8% of the horticultural farmers are married and 93.3% are
male with family size (46.7%) of 9-12 members. Also 63.3%
are to be classified as better-off while 76.7% practiced
mixed cropping. Furthermore the results showed that shading
and shelter (93.3%), altering the timing and location of
cropping activities (90%), different planting dates (80%),
use of varieties and species resistant to pest and
diseases(76.6%) and change use of chemicals, fertilizers and
pesticides (66.6%) are the order of adaptation strategies.
Linear regression model showed that there is significant
relationship between farmers’ income, and adaptation
strategies at p<0.05. The study concluded that farmers under
consideration due to their age and the nature of the study
still have large family size. It is recommended that there
is the need for serious awareness campaign on the causes of
climate change in the study areas and several adaptation
strategies that can be put in place. |
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Title: |
Credit
access and productivity growth among subsistence food crop
farmers in ikole local government area of Ekiti State,
Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Ugwumba C.
O. A. and Omojola J. T. |
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Abstract: |
This study examined credit access and
productivity growth among subsistence food crop farmers in
Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. It
utilized data obtained through personal administration of
pre-tested questionnaires to 78 respondents selected by
purposive, multi-stage and random sampling methods.
Non-inferential and inferential statistical tools were used
to analyze the data. Majority (91%) of the respondents were
literate youths aged 50 years and below, and who depended on
personal savings to finance the production activities.
Credit access was statistically and significantly determined
by educational level, interest rate charged, farm size and
net farm income, while marital status, farm size and cost of
production significantly influenced net farm income. Credit
access was most seriously constrained by high interest rate
charged and cumbersome loan processing procedures.
Improvement in farmers’ access to loan for enhanced
productivity and food security would be achieved through the
introduction of concessionary interest rates and removal of
cumbersome loan administrative procedures. Strengthening the
extension services delivery system will ensure availability
and affordability of inputs, and enhance productivity and
sustainability of the enterprise. |
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Title: |
Structural changes in the kidney of barbus sharpeyi (cyprinidae)
youngs adapted to brackishwater |
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Author (s): |
Basim M. Jasim |
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Abstract: |
Youngs of Barbus sharpeyi
were exposed
for 14 weeks to brackishwater at a concentration of 2.1 and
2.5 ppt. The fish showed marked histopathological changes in
kidney tissues, which were characterized by intracytoplasmic
vacuoles of the proximal tubules with narrowing in the
tubular lumen, degeneration of the distal tubules which were
less influenced than proximal tubules, and contraction and
melanization of glomerulus with expansion of intracapsular
space. Macrophage centers were recorded in an increasing
order towards the longer tested period. The kidney structure
showed worthless alterations in relation to captivity in
fresh water. |
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