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| Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science
July 2008 | Vol. 3 No. 4 |
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Title: |
Vermiwash:
Biochemical and microbiological approach as ecofriendly soil
conditioner |
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Author (s): |
Zambare V. P.,
Padul M. V., Yadav A. A. and Shete T. B. |
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Abstract: |
Vermiwash
was found to contain enzyme cocktail of proteases, amylases,
urease and phosphatase. Microbiological study of vermiwash
revealed that it contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria like
Azotobactrer sp., Agrobacterium sp. and Rhizobium sp. and
some phosphate solublizing bacteria. Laboratory scale trial
showed effectiveness of vermiwash on Cowpea plant growth.
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Title: |
Testicular
biometry and its relationship with body weight of indigenous
goats in a semi arid region of
Nigeria
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Author (s): |
Raji A. O.,
Igwebuike J. U and Aliyu J. |
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Abstract: |
Records of
body weight and testicular measurements (scrotal
circumference, scrotal length and average testes weight)
were obtained from 296 (197 Red Sokoto and 99 Borno White)
indigenous goats of various ages (between one and three
years of age) in
Nigeria
. Red sokoto goats had significantly (P<0.05) higher body
weight than the Borno White. The Borno white had
significantly (P<0.05) longer scrotal length (15.12cm)
than the Red Sokoto goats (12.91cm) while scrotal
circumference and testes weight were significantly
(P<0.05) higher in the Red Sokoto. Within breeds, there
was a linear relationship between age, body weight and the
entire testicular dimension. As age increased, body weight
and testicular dimensions increased. Scrotal length had the
highest correlation coefficient (0.74 and 0.82) with body
weight which was significant (P<0.01) in both Red Sokoto
and Borno White goats, respectively. Consequently, scrotal
length in both breeds of goats was the best single predictor
of body weight (R2 = 0.602 and 0.794) for Red Sokoto and
Borno White goats, respectively.
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Title: |
Awareness of
cashew products potentials and market information among
farmers in Kogi state,
Nigeria
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Author (s): |
Agbongiarhuoyi
Anthony E., Aigbekaen E.O. and Akinbile L.A. |
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Abstract: |
The
inadequate recognition and exploitation of cashew potentials
pose serious problems to farmers and stakeholders in
Nigeria
in terms of sustainability of the sub sector. The study
investigated the awareness of cashew products potentials and
marketing information among farmers. Sixty respondent
farmers were sampled in
Kogi
State
, which accounts for a total cultivated area of above
30,000ha of cashew in
Nigeria
. A systematic random sampling technique was employed in
selecting the respondents. Data were collected with the use
of well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using
descriptive statistics as well as Pearson product moment
correlation co-efficient (PPMC). Average age of respondents
was 49 years and 88.3% were males. 90.7 percent had some
form of education and an average farmer had 17 years of
farming experience. 48.3 percent of the respondents
cultivates between 0.8-8ha. All the respondents were aware
of most cashew products: kernels, juice, wine, fuel wood and
Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL). 96.7 percent had access to
different market information. Farm size (0.0512), farming
experience (0.0001) and farmers’ knowledge (0.0025)
significantly (p<0.05) influenced awareness of cashew
products. To harness the enormous potential of cashew
products, the National cashew association of
Nigeria
and other bodies of cashew producers should adopt
sensitization campaigns.
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Title: |
Cohesiveness
of fish farmers groups in southern
Nigeria
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Author (s): |
Ofuoku A. U.,
Enalkle M. and Nnodim A. U.
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Abstract: |
This study
was carried out in
Southern Nigeria
to assess the cohesiveness of fish farmers; groups. Fish
farmers complained about their experiences with input
supplies, marketing, etc. this gave reason to investigate
the cohesiveness of the Fish Farmers; Association in
Southern Nigeria
. Fifty members were randomly picked from each of the Fish
Farmers’ Association in
Lagos
, Delta and Imo States which were also randomly chosen
earlier on Copies of Questionnaire were administrated to
collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive
statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation was used to
test the hypothesis. There was high cohesiveness in all the
Association and satisfaction of members had an almost
perfect correlation with cohesiveness of the groups some
members had problems with leadership, meeting venues, time
and information. It was recommended that meeting venues be
located for every members’ convenience, meeting notices
should be sent out early and farmers who have not subscribe
to these groups be sensitized and persuaded to do so by
extension agents.
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Title: |
Modeling of
soil exchangeable sodium percentage based on soil sodium
adsorption ratio |
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Author (s): |
Majid Rashidi
and Mohsen Seilsepour |
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Abstract: |
Despite the
increasing prevalence of salinity word-wide, the measurement
of exchangeable cation concentrations in saline soil remains
problematic. In this situation, it is desirable to determine
relationships among indices of soil salinity. For example,
soil Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) are often
determined using laborious and time consuming laboratory
tests, but it may be more appropriate and economical to
develop a method which uses a more simple soil salinity
index. In this study, a linear regression model for
predicting soil ESP from soil Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
was suggested and the soil ESP was estimated as a function
of soil SAR. The statistical results of the study indicated
that in order to predict soil ESP based on soil SAR the
linear regression model ESP = 1.95 + 1.03 SAR with R2 = 0.92
can be recommended.
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Title: |
Comparative
analysis of enterprise combination costs and returns in
cassava-based food crop farming systems in Delta state,
Nigeria
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Author (s): |
Chukwuji
Okeleke Christopher |
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Abstract: |
Comparative
analysis of Enterprise combination costs and returns in
cassava–based food crop farming systems in Delta State,
Nigeria were studied with the purpose of establishing the
most profitable number and types of enterprises (in terms of
net farm income generation) to combine Cross sectional data
were collected from a sample of 443 farmers, selected using
multi-stage sampling technique during the 2004/2005 and
2005/2006 cropping seasons. The results showed that cassava
production is basically carried out on small-scale basis,
with average holding, net farm income and returns to
investment of about 1.69 hectares, N16711 and 24%
respectively. Labour constituted the single most important
cost item, accounting for about 79% of total cost of
production on the average. Generally, all forms of
enterprise combinations generated higher net farm income per
unit of land cultivated than cassava sole cropping. In all,
combining four enterprises significantly generated the
highest net farm income, with Cassava + Yam + Maize +
Vegetable combination giving the highest of about N21514 per
hectare. It is recommended that appropriate spatial
arrangements of crop should be worked out to make possible
the profitable use of mechanised devises so that mixed
cropping can be practiced on large scale basis thereby
reducing labour cost and increased volume of output per
resource. Also, appropriate policies to enable the farmers
have easy access to sufficient land for cultivation and
affordable production credit should be put in place. The
study has shown that combing two or more enterprises is more
profitable then sole enterprises.
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Title: |
Nutrient
digestibility, haematological and serum biochemical indices
of rabbits fed graded levels of Acacia Albida Pods |
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Author (s): |
Igwebuike J.
U., Anugwa F. O. I., Raji A. O., Ehiobu N. G. and Ikurior
S.A. |
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Abstract: |
In a
12-week feeding trial, the nutrient digestibility and blood
parameters of crossbred (Dutch x
New Zealand
white) rabbits fed graded levels of Acacia albida pods (AAP)
were investigated during weeks 8 and 12 of the study period.
The AAP were included at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels in
diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The digestibility for
dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE)
were 66.69 to 75.69% Vs 68.16 to 77.19%, 74.62 to 82.74 % Vs
71.06 to 80.38% and 68.95 to 81.23% Vs 75.45 to 86.35% for
weeks 8 and 12, respectively. DM and crude fibre (CF)
digestibility did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among
the treatments in week 8 but differed in week 12 of the
study. CP and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) of 82.14 and
81.23% respectively for diet 1 were higher and significantly
(P<0.05) different from the other treatments in week 8.
CF and ash did not show any clear cut trend in week 12. DM
digestibility increased with age while CP decreased. Packed
cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC),
haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin
(MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular
haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) did not differ
significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments in week 8. A
similar trend was observed in week 12 except for RBC, Hb and
MCH. Hb and MCH (9.75g/100ml and 13.01pg) for diet 1 were
significantly (P>0.05) different from the other
treatments and lower than reference values. Globulin, uric
acid, urea and cholesterol did not differ significantly
(P>0.05) throughout the duration of the experiment and
were consistent with reference values. Total protein
(6.13 to 7.33g/dl), albumin (3.53 to 4.20g/dl) and glucose
(86.25 to 127.50mg/dl) were significantly (P<0.05)
different among the treatments but with no clear cut trend
except for glucose which increased with increasing levels of
AAP beyond the 20% inclusion level. Thus, up to 40% AAP can
be included in rabbit’s diet without adverse effect on
nutrient digestibility and blood parameters.
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Title: |
Modeling of
soil cation exchange capacity based on soil organic carbon |
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Author (s): |
Majid Rashidi
and Mohsen Seilsepour |
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Abstract: |
There are
many instances in which it is desirable to determine
relationships among soil physical and chemical properties.
For example, soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) are often
determined using laborious and time consuming laboratory
tests, but it may be more suitable and economical to develop
a method which uses some soil physical and chemical
properties. In this study, five linear regression models for
predicting soil CEC from some soil physical and chemical
properties i.e. sand (SA), silt (SI), clay (CL), organic
carbon (OC) content (% by weight) and pH (PH) of soil were
suggested. Statistical results of the study indicated that
organic carbon is the most important factor, which affects
soil CEC, and in order to predict soil CEC the linear
regression soil CEC model CEC = 7.93 + 8.72 OC with R2
= 0.74 can be recommended.
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Title: |
Effects of
household processing on reduction of pesticide residues in
vegetables |
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Author (s): |
Beena Kumari |
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Abstract: |
In a
monitoring study residue levels of organochlorines (OC),
synthetic pyrethroids (SP), organophosphates (OP) and
carbamates were determined in unprocessed and processed
three vegetables viz. brinjal, cauliflower and okra to know
the residue levels and evaluate the effect of different
household processes (washing and boiling/cooking) on
reduction of residues. Samples were procured from local
market at different interval of time. Residues were
estimated by using multi residue analytical technique
employing gas liquid chromatograph (GC), with electron
capture detector (ECD) and nitrogen phosphorous detector (NPD)
equipped with capillary columns. In all the three
vegetables, washing reduced the residues by 20-77 percent
and boiling by 32-100 percent. Maximum (77%) reduction of OP
insecticides was observed in brinjal, followed by 74% in
cauliflower and 50% in okra by washing. The same trend was
observed by boiling process where maximum (100%) reduction
of OP insecticides was observed in brinjal followed by 92%
in cauliflower and 75% in okra. Boiling was found
comparatively more effective than washing in dislodging the
residues.
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Title: |
Determination
of appropriate model for the estimation of body weight in
goats |
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Author (s): |
Alade N. K.,
A. O. Raji and M. A. Atiku |
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Abstract: |
A total of
194 kids’ monthly body weight and body measurements (heart
girth, height at wither and body length) records were
analysed at the University of Maiduguri to determine the
appropriate model for estimating body weight at both
preweaning and postweaning ages. The average weights at
birth were 1.8kg and 1.67kg for males and females,
respectively. The corresponding values for heart girth (HGT),
height at wither (HWT) and body length (BLT) were 25.14 and
30.26cm, 28.03cm and 27.28cm and 31.76 and 30.96cm,
respectively. Heart girth, BLT and HWT at this age were
47.46 and 46.34cm, 66.99 and 65.51cm and 51.07 and 49.27cm,
respectively for both sexes. The correlation coefficients
between body weight and body measurements at all ages were
high. Body weight predictions based on the coefficient of
determination (R2) of the regression equations varied among
body measurements, sexes and ages. Heart girth had the
highest followed by BLT and lastly, HWT. However, a
combination of HGT with any of the other measurements (BLT
and HWT) or both gave a better prediction than HGT alone. In
addition, prediction of body weight using body measurement
was better among the males while the efficiency improved
with age. It could be concluded that HGT can be used to
predict body weight in kids, though its combination with
body length or height at wither would give a better
prediction at postweaning.
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