|
|
| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
July 2009 | Vol. 4 No. 4 |
|
Title: |
Effect of
storage methods and time on egg quality traits of laying
hens in a hot dry climate |
|
Author (s): |
Raji A. O., J.
Aliyu, J. U. Igwebuike and S. Chiroma |
|
Abstract: |
The effect of storage methods and time on the
external and internal egg quality traits of laying hens in a
hot dry climate was examined. The traits were: egg weight,
albumen and yolk height, albumen and yolk width, albumen and
yolk indices, Haugh unit, egg width, egg length and shape
index. The storage periods were 7, 14, 21 and 28 days while
the methods were: room temperature (320C), oiling,
refrigeration (50C) and high temperature (400C) storage. The
effects of storage method and time were found to be
significant (P<0.05) for all traits except egg width, egg
length and shape index. Egg weight (58.37 to 51.22g),
albumen (0.73 to 0.29cm) and yolk height (1.67 to 0.97cm),
Haugh unit (83.37 to 34.0%), albumen (10.40 to 3.6%) and
yolk indices (44.6 to 17.3%) decreased with increase in
storage time while albumen (7.02 to 8.96cm) and yolk width
(3.75 to 5.44cm) increased. Thus, lower egg quality was
recorded with increased storage time. Refrigerated and fresh
eggs gave comparable values respectively for Haugh unit
(79.58 vs. 83.37%), albumen (0.70 vs. 0.73cm) and yolk
height (1.64 vs. 1.67cm) indicating a minimal loss in
quality. While oiling method gave values which were better
than those of eggs stored at room temperature. Eggs stored
at high temperature were already spoilt and not fit for
consumption after 2 weeks of storage. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Synthesis of
promising bivoltine breed UP1 of the silkworm (Bombyx
mori L.) for Uttar Pradesh |
|
Author (s): |
S. K. Gangwar,
K. Jaiswal, P. Dwivedi and V. Gupta |
|
Abstract: |
In silkworm Bombyx mori L. for high
productivity and narrow range of adaptability in fluctuating
environmental condition depends upon genetic stability of
the breed. In tropical climate especially for Uttar Pradesh
climatic conditions, it is necessary to synthesize silkworm
breed with suitable genetic constitution. A breeding
experiment was initiated to isolate robust bivoltine line of
silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) by utilizing bivoltine
breed CSR2, NB4D2 and white multivoltine C. nichi by
inbreeding the hybrids of the above pure breeds, recurrent
back crossing followed by selection at each and every
generation, a hardy bivoltine breed with white oval cocoon
was isolated. This bivoltine line herein referred as UP1
(Uttar Pradesh-1) has been bred through over 25 generations
and revealed significant improvement in regard to viability
and productivity compared to the control breed. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Genetic
evaluation of roosters for fertility and hatchability
according to semen index and individual semen traits |
|
Author (s): |
Firas R. Al-Samarai,
Thamer K. Al-Ganabi, Ahmed M. Al-Nedawi, Kalid A. Al-Soudi |
|
Abstract: |
A study was conducted to evaluate the 24
roosters according to semen index (SI) which included
several semen traits and because of this method is time
consuming and technically difficult, other methods for
evaluation of roosters depend on individual semen traits
were applied as practical methods. Spearman's coefficients
of rank correlations were estimated between BLUP of semen
index and BLUP of several semen traits to investigate the
possibility of use one semen trait instead of semen index in
evaluation of roosters. BLUP values of mass motility had the
highest coefficient of rank correlation (0.71) with the BLUP
values of SI. The results of this study could consider good
evidence of using mass motility for evaluated roosters for
fertility and hatchability. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Agronomic
assessment of some sweet potato varieties for intercropping
with pigeonpea in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria |
|
Author (s): |
Egbe O. M. and
Idoko J. A. |
|
Abstract: |
Field experiments were conducted at the
National Root Crops Research Institute Sub-Station, Otobi in
2006 and 2007 to assess the suitability of improved Sweet
potato varieties for intercropping with pigeonpea and also
determine the planting pattern and productivity of this
intercropping system. Intercropping decreased total fresh
root and saleable root yields of sweet potato when mixed or
row-intercropped with pigeonpea. All intercropping
combinations of sweet potato varieties and pigeonpea had
land equivalent ratio above 1.0, except that with WA
Gabolige, signifying high intercrop advantages. TIS 87/0087
produced the highest total fresh root and saleable root
yields in both cropping systems, irrespective of the
planting pattern used. TIS 2532.O.P.1.13 and TIS 86/00356
sweet potato varieties had comparable yields with TIS
87/0087 in both cropping systems. Pigeonpea was the more
competitive component of the intercropping. Farmers’
willingness to adopt this technological option of sweet
potato + pigeonpea intercropping further assured its
potential benefits and sustainability in Southern Guinea
Savanna of Nigeria. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
The effects of
HIV/AIDS pandemic on agricultural production as perceived by
farmers in the central agricultural zone of Delta State,
Nigeria |
|
Author (s): |
P. C. Ajieh
and R.N. Okoh |
|
Abstract: |
This study examined the perception of the
effects of HIV/AIDS pandemic on agricultural production by
farmers. The study was carried out in the Central
Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria. A sample size of
100 respondents comprising of 50 randomly selected farmers
each from Udu and Ughelli South LGAs were involved in the
study. Data for the study were collected through the use of
a structured interview schedule. Trained field assistants in
addition to the researcher collected the data. Analysis was
done using the statistical package for the social sciences.
T-test was used to determine differences between the
perceptions of respondents in the two LGAs used for the
study. Descriptive statistics such as mean perception
scores, standard deviations and percentages were used to
summarise data. Results reveal a low educational status and
high level of polygamy among respondents of the study. The
knowledge level of respondents regarding the concept,
symptoms causes and predisposing factors to the spread of
HIV/AIDS was generally low. Respondents had the right
perception of the effects of HIV/AIDS on agricultural
production. The study concludes that the ability of
respondents to rightly perceive the effects of HIV/AIDS may
be due to a general understanding among the farmers that
disease infestations affect production activities. The study
therefore recommends HIV/AIDS education to further enlighten
the farmers on the risks of contacting the disease and the
potential factors that may be fueling its spread. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Evaluation of
some improved bread wheat varieties at Chiyako, Jigawa
State, Nigeria |
|
Author (s): |
Falaki A. M.,
S. Miko, I. B. Mohammed, I. U. Abubakar and J. A. valencia |
|
Abstract: |
Investigations were conducted at Chiyako in
Jigawa State situated in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone
of Nigeria, during 2001/02 and 2002/03 dry seasons to
evaluate the performance of some improved heat tolerant
wheat varieties. The treatment consisted of thirteen wheat
varieties laid out in randomized complete block design with
three replications. The results indicated that most
varieties exhibited similar characters examined while for
few others they exhibited superior characters. Linfen, Gen/Rabe
and Trigo produced significantly taller plants while Seri/Buc/weaver/PFau
had the shortest height. Similarly Linfen had the highest
number of spikelets/spike. All the varieties produced
statistically similar number of tillers/plant, except Seri/Buc/weaver/PFau.
Ster//TR had the longest spikes and highest number of
grains/spike. Variety SeriM82 recorded the heaviest
1000-weight while Seri/Buc/weaver/PFau had the lightest
grains. The results further revealed that varieties CNDO
and Ster//TR had superior grain yield compared to the other
varieties. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Genetic
divergence in exotic maize germplasm (Zea mays L.) |
|
Author (s): |
S. Marker and
A. Krupakar |
|
Abstract: |
The genetic divergence among exotic maize
germplasm was assessed by employing Mahalanobis D2
analysis based on 14 characteristics. The genotypes were
grouped into five clusters. Cluster V was the largest with 5
genotypes followed by cluster I and IV containing four
genotypes each. The highest inter cluster distance was
observed between cluster II and cluster V followed by
cluster I and V suggesting more variability in genetic make
up of the genotypes included in these clusters. Cluster II
had highest mean values for days to 50 percent tasseling,
days to 50 percent silking, plant height, ear height, ear
length, grains per row, harvest index and protein content.
Qualitative characters contributed maximum to wards genetic
divergence. Based on inter cluster distances genotypes
present in cluster I, II and IV are advisable to used as
parents for hybridization programme to develop desirable
types in maize. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
A study of the
relationship between land management and soil aggregate
stability (A case study near Albersdorf, Northern-Germany) |
|
Author(s): |
Iraj Emadodin,
Stefan Reiss and Hans Rudolf Bork |
|
Abstract: |
Soil aggregate stability is an important
indicator of soil physical quality. In this study we
hypothesized that land use and management influence soil
aggregation and aggregate stability. The comparison between
instability index in different land- use systems at the time
of sampling, clearly indicates that soils under agricultural
land use (0-30cm) have an instability lower than forest
soils. Therefore the results confirm that land use has had a
significant effect (P<0.05) on aggregate stability. A
positive relationship (R2 = 0.85) was found
between soil instability index (Is) and depth (0-85 cm) in
investigation sites under forest. A sharp change of the
instability index between depths of 10-20 cm is important.
This confirms that after the removal of the surface horizon
soil is highly erodible; in this case intensive soil erosion
may take place. The investigation also suggests that the
soil aggregate stability is important to provide a condition
for the stabilization of organic matter in soils and also
for chemical, physical and biological activities.
|
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Evaluation of
pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) millsp.] genotypes for
intercropping with tall sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.)
moench) in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria |
|
Author (s): |
O. M. Egbe and
B. A. Kalu |
|
Abstract: |
Improved pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]
genotypes of short (≤ 150 days, usually erect, medium (151-
180 days) and long (≥ 181 days) duration with semi-spreading
or spreading habits were intercropped with traditional red
sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The aim was to
identify the suitable genotype (s) of pigeonpea for
intercropping with the traditional red sorghum and to
determine the productivity of pigeonpea/sorghum
intercropping systems in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
(SGS). The treatments consisted of three cropping systems
{sole pigeonpea, sole sorghum and intercropping (pigeonpea
and sorghum) }as main plot, combined with 15 pigeonpea
genotypes [ICPL 85010, ICPL 84031, ICPL87, ICPL 161 (short
duration), ICPL 8863, ICPL 85063, ICPL 87119, ICPL 7120,
ICEAP 00068 (medium duration), ICPL 8094, ICPL 7035, ICPL
87051, ICPL 9145, ICEAP 00040 (long duration) and ‘Igbongbo’
(traditional cultivar-control)] as sub-plot, laid out as a
split-plot in randomized complete block design with three
replications. The experiments were established at the
National Root Crops Research Institute Sub-station, Otobi,
Benue State, Nigeria, in 2002 and 2003. Intercropped sorghum
were taller (≥ 180 cm) than both intercropped and sole
cropped pigeonpea (≤ 150 cm) at 12 weeks after planting (WAP),
except ICPL 8094 and ICEAP 0068, which maintained similar
heights with sorghum component. Intercropped pigeonpea
produced significantly lower mean number of branches.
Plant-1 (21.32) and mean dry pod weight (2.82 t.ha-1) and
mean dry grain yield (1.59 t.ha-1), as compared to sole
cropped pigeonpea with 25.09 (branches. plant-1), 4.58
t.ha-1 (dry pod weight) and 2.72 t.ha-1 (dry grain yield) in
2002 and 2003 combined. The high land equivalent ratio (LER)
values (1.47-2.07) exhibited by the improved pigeonpea
genotypes under intercropping with the traditional red
sorghum clearly proved the suitability of these pigeonpea
genotypes for intercropping with the traditional red
sorghum. |
| |
|
|
|
Title: |
Enhancement of
anaerobic digestion of sisal leaf decortication residues by
biological pre-treatment |
|
Author (s): |
Mutemi
Muthangya, Anthony Manoni Mshandete and Amelia Kajumulo
Kivaisi |
|
Abstract: |
In recent years, the use
of agro-industrial residues as feedstocks for biogas
production has gained great attention worldwide due to
limited reserves of fossil fuels. The sisal industry in
Tanzania generates large quantities of sisal leaf
decortication residues (SLDR) with good potential for
biomethane production. However, the process is limited by
the lignocellulosic nature of SLDR, making it not
effectively degraded under anaerobic conditions. The effects
of biological pretreatment of SLDR under solid state
fermentation with a ligninolytic CCHT-1 strain
and Trichoderma reseei at different inoculation rates and
incubation periods to improve methane production were
investigated. The methane production potential of the
pretreated substrate was determined in batch anaerobic
bioreactors. SLDR was pre-treated with CCHT-1 for 4 days at
an inoculation rate of 10 % (wet weight inoculant/ SLDR)
gave methane yield of 0.203±0.019 m3 CH4/kg VSadded, while
pre-treatment of SLDR with T. reseei for 8 days at an
inoculation rate of 25 % (wet weight inoculant/SLDR) gave
methane yield of 0.192±0.024 m3 CH4/kg VSadded. This was an
increment of between 24 to 30% in methane yield, compared to
0.145±0.015 m3 CH4/kg VSadded obtained for the untreated
samples. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the
suitability of biological pre-treatment method using fungi
for enhanced anaerobic digestion of SLDR. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
