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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
August 2013 | Vol. 8 No. 8 |
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Title: |
Weibull diameter distribution
and maximum likelihood estimators (mle) in pinus caribaea
plantation, enugu Ngwo, Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Oyebade
B.A, Ogu C.I and Ekeke B.A |
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Abstract: |
Maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) method
was used to generate the parameters for the Weibull diameter
distribution functions for data collected from Temporary
Sample Plots (TSPs) of Pinus caribaea plantation at
Enugu Ngwo, Nigeria. Major growth characteristics variables
such as mean diameter at breast height, mean basal area and
quadratic mean diameter exhibited a strong linear
relationship with all the Weibull parameters and also
emerged suitable as better predictors for Weibull
probability distribution models at 5% level of significance
with reasonable values of fit indices. The diameter Weibull
distribution models showed consistent predictability
potential and were recommended as parsimonious functions for
diameter distribution of the Pinus caribaea stand. |
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Title: |
Prevalence of indigestible
rumen and reticulum foreign bodies in achai cattle at
different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
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Author (s): |
Khurshaid Anwar, Ikhwan
Khan, Asim Aslam, Muhammad Mujtaba, Anwarud Din, Yasir Amin,
and Zubair Ali |
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Abstract: |
The present cross sectional
study was conducted on 350 Achai cattle (81male, 269 female)
from January, 2013 to May, 2013 at Livestock Research and
development Station Surezai, Peshawar, Peshawar Main
Abattoir and 10 butcher shops in different regions (Swat,
Malakand, Dir, Bajaur and Shangla) of the whole province to
document the prevalence of rumen and reticulum foreign
bodies and associated risk factors for the occurrence of
foreign bodies in Achai Cattle which is known as local breed
of the region, because many animals that have swallowed
foreign bodies are asymptomatic, veterinarian must maintain
a high index of suspicion in conducting post mortem
examination. The study animals were selected by using
stratified random sampling method from the study population.
From the total of 350 animals examined, 207 (59.14%) were
found positive for the occurrence of indigestible foreign
bodies in rumen and reticulum. From each 81 male examined 30
(37.03%) and 269 female examined 177 (65.8%) were found
Positive, respectively. The overall prevalence of foreign
bodies was 59.14%, the types of foreign bodies detected were
Clothes (14.49%), Plastic (12.85%), Nail (12.07%), Rope
(11.49%), Hair (11.11%), Plastic, Leather and Clothes
(7.24%), Wire ( 6.76%), Leather (5.89%), Nail, Plastics and
Clothes (5.89%), Wire and Nail (5.3%), Nail, Plastics and
Wire (3.38%), Plastic, Leather and Clothes (1.93%), Plastics
and Leather (1.44%). Prevalence of foreign body occurrence
recorded in ≤ 3 year 75 (36.23%), Adult 3-7 year 69 (33.33%)
and Old 7-11 year 63 (30.43%) respectively while the
prevalence rate recorded in thin, average, fat and obese
animals was 54.5, 77.14, 55.07 and 39.62 % respectively.
Younger cattle were more affected than adult and old cattle.
The present study revealed that inappropriate solid wastes
disposed in the study area not only pollute the environment
but also have adverse effects on healthy ruminants. The
prevalence of foreign body ingestion found in ruminants by
this study shows that littering the environment with plastic
bags and other indigestible materials could pose serious
health problem for free grazing ruminants , therefore
appropriate solid waste disposal system need to implement in
the study area to prevent health risk for ruminants and also
to protect the environment. |
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Title: |
Comparative analysis of the
economics of aquacultural fish production in some parts of
south south Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Bassey,
Nsikan Edet, Okon, Uwemedimo E., Ibok Otu William and Umoh,
Idaresit Uwem |
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Abstract: |
The study employs simple
descriptive statistics and budgetary analysis to compare the
production characteristics, profitability and challenges
associated with fish production in Akwa Ibom and Rivers
States, Nigeria. Primary data collected from 60 selected
fish farmers in six Local Government Areas with the aid of a
questionnaire were used for the study. From the outcome of
the research, male (85%), educated (95%) and married (63.3%)
with more than 5 years of experience dominated the study
area. Farmers in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States have a Net Farm
Income of # 998, 100 and #1, 435, 557.2 respectively,
implying that fish production was more profitable in Rivers
State than Akwa Ibom State. Apart from having a lower
average feeding cost and mortality rates than their Akwa
Ibom State counterpart, Rivers State farmers were also
better in terms of sound fish management practices, access
to extension service and frequency of harvest. Beyond this,
average rate of return on fish sales (ROS), rate of return
on variable cost (RRVC%) and operating ratio values of
0.613, 264.3, and 0.37 in Akwa Ibom State and 0.703, 349.9
and 0.28 in Rivers State all lend credence to the
profitability and prospect of fish production in the study
area. In addition, poor access to finance, high cost of
feeds and other inputs, lack of organized market, high cost
of storage and rampant incidence of theft were the major
fish production challenges identified in the study area.
Hence, effort to ensure credit availability, minimizing cost
of feeds and other inputs, reducing storage cost, incidence
of theft as well as boosting fish marketing through
trainings, seminars, workshops and other awareness creation
forum should be encouraged. |
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Title: |
Chlorophyll-based screening
for salinity tolerance in wheat genotypes |
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Author (s): |
Tahir
Hussain, Aqib Iqbal, Imrana Amir and Zahoor Ahmed Swati |
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Abstract: |
Salinity is one of the major environmental
factors that reduce wheat productivity. Salinity causes
osmotic imbalance in the plant which in turn results in the
deterioration of many vital processes, including reduction
in the total chlorophyll content. In this experiment the
salt tolerance potential of selected wheat genotypes was
assessed at different level of NaCl concentration (0mM,
50mM, 100mM, and 200mM). Two wheat genotypes ZAS 42 and ZAS
08 were least affected by the higher NaCl concentration and
are reported as salt tolerant. |
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Title: |
Synthesis of zeolite from
natural diatomite Bao Loc district, Lam Dong province of
Vietnam and application for heavy metal removal (Pb and Cd) |
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Author (s): |
Pham Anh
Hung and Nguyen Xuan Hai |
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Abstract: |
Diatomite collected from Bao Loc district,
Lam Dong province of Vietnam has been used to serve as
amorphous Si for zeolitization. Synthetic zeolite was tested
for absorption of lead and cadmium. Hydrothermal reaction at
100oC and high concentration of sodium (NaOH 6N,
Al (OH) 3 3N) and reaction in 24 hours dissolved
diatomite and recrystallization process formed zeolite.
Synthetic zeolite has relatively high cation exchange
capacity (about 165 cmolc Kg-1), which
is 5.5 times higher than that of natural Bao Loc diatomite.
Lead and cadmium show high affinities with synthetic zeolite.
Maximum absorption of lead and cadmium are 1, 600 and 1, 500
mmol Kg-1, respectively. Thus, synthetic zeolite
from natural diatomite can be a promising candidate for
heavy metal removal. |
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Title: |
Assessment of botanical
features and crop field potentialities of (Sorghum
bicolor L. (moench) specific phenotype (barbarei) in
south darfur state, Sudan |
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Author (s): |
Ali H.
Bahar, Kamal I. Adam, Adam A. Mohammed, Abdulmutalab M.
Khatir and Siddig A. Mohammed Ali |
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Abstract: |
Two field experiments were
conducted in South Darfur State during 2006/2007 growing
season to investigate the morphological, physiological
features and crop potentialities of [Sorghum bicolor
(L.) Moench], (Phenotype barbarei). Field observations,
soil physical and chemical analysis, plant growth and yield
parameters were used for data collection, which were
presented after statistical analysis. The results showed
that barbarei crop was considered as a unique phenotype (may
be genotype) in comparison with other sorghum varieties that
the crop produces flowers and grain only during the cool
season (October - November). The barbarei plants seem to
have intensive growth of the main stem, leaves, tillers and
green heads while rains continue to fall and the temperature
and the relative humidity are keeping high (20 -35ēc and 60
-70% respectively), while grain starts filling when the
temperature decreases to 10-15ēc on October and the weather
gets cooler. Results showed that the soil moisture was
affected by the number of seedling/hole at different depths
one month after transplanting and at grain filling stage.
Four seedling/hole one month after transplanting showed the
highest soil moisture content (29.77%, 20.06%) at 0-20 cm
depth and (25.58%, 24.19%) at 20-40 cm depth for both
barbarei phenotypes locally named (Abu-ragaba and Abu-kunjara)
respectively. Two seedling/hole one month after
transplanting showed the highest soil moisture content
(40.48%) at 40-60 cm depth while it was the lowest (16.53%,
20.85%) at 0-20 and 20-40 cm depth respectively. Results of
the field experiments revealed that some local sorghum
varieties (Tabat and Wad Ahmed) showed good agronomic
performance, when transplanted and treated with the same
agro-techniques as practiced for barbarei but the
differences were not significant except the main difference
that the barbarei remains keeping vegetative growth till the
weather get cooler as in October -November before flowering
and grain filling, while the mentioned two varieties
produces flowers and grains even if planted in early July.
More attention should be drawn to barbarei cultivation in
the present production areas (West and South Darfur States),
in addition to other promoting areas in the country with
similar environmental conditions (Kassala State), so as to
make use of the wide potentialities of the crop such as
vigor growth and high grain yield. |
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Title: |
Increasing leaf harvest
intensity enhances edible leaf vegetable yields and
decreases mature fruit yields in multi-purpose pumpkin |
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Author (s): |
D. K.
Isutsa and S. O. Mallowa |
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Abstract: |
The popular pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata
Duchsene) in Kenya is the multi-purpose type, grown for
its edible tender leaves, mature fruits and seeds. It
requires appropriate management to realise high yields.
Pumpkin is an important crop because most plant parts are
rich in nutrients and are edible. Leaves are preferred in
African countries. In West Africa, seed consumption is
common. In Asian countries, pumpkin seeds have several
medicinal applications. Pumpkin is rich in carotenoids that
keep the immune system strong and healthy. Its beta-carotene
is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that
helps prevent build-up of cholesterol in arteries, thus
reducing chances of strokes. Its alpha-carotene slows down
aging, prevents cataract formation and reduces the risk of
muscular degeneration that usually results in blindness. Its
high fibre improves bowel health, potassium lowers
hypertension risk, and zinc boosts immune system and bone
density. The high demand for tender pumpkin leaves consumed
as a vegetable accompanying the main meal brings about
excessive defoliation that terminates the life of the plant
prematurely. This research established optimum leaf harvest
intensity (LHI) that maximizes either the tender leaf or
mature fruit yields. Pumpkin seeds were grown for 3 weeks in
a nursery bed followed by transplanting and growing each
seedling singly at a spacing of 2 m x 4 m. The layout was
completely randomized design with 4 LHI (0, 1, 2 and 3),
replicated four times and repeated once. Data collection
started when plants had 5-true leaves and it continued for
29 weeks (season 1) and 21 weeks (season 2). Data collection
entailed defoliating up to 3 tip-most leaves, with the
entire leaf stalk attached, from each vine once per week and
then counting. Mature fruits were harvested as their colour
started to turn yellowish-brown, counted and weighed. Data
were subjected to analysis of variance and regression using
Minitab version 15 program. Leaf yield significantly
(P<0.05) increased with increase in LHI, but fruit yield
significantly decreased. The highest yields were 580 edible
leaves for 3-LHI and 20 kg fruits (25 t/ha) for 0-LHI. Fruit
yield had a significant (P<0.05) negative relationship with
LHI.
Thus, the pumpkin leaf and fruit yields depend on leaf
harvest intensity. If fruit production is desired, then LHI
should be kept to a minimum. If edible leaves are desired
then fruit yields should be forfeited. Maximum fruit
productivity requires minimum leaf defoliation. |
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Title: |
Effect of varying species
ratios of silver carp (hypophathalmicthys molitrix) and
mrigal (cirrhinus mrigala) at constant density on pond
fisheries in composite fish culture |
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Author (s): |
Imrana
Amir, M. Afzal, Tahir Hussain, Asmara Iram, Sumara Naz
and Fakhra Saif |
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Abstract: |
Composite culture of Indian
major carps and Chinese carps result in high yield as they
better consume the existing natural food resources due to
differences in their feeding behavior. Silver carp is a
filter feeder, feeding on phytoplankton dominantly while the
Mrigal carp is a bottom feeder, living on debris that settle
to the bottom. During this project two ponds were stocked
with different ratios of Indian Major Carps viz; Labeo
rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Catla catla,
and Chinese Carps viz; Hypophathalmicthys molitrix
and Ctenopharyngodon idella. NH4NO3
and SSP (0.01gm N/cm) were used as inorganic while poultry
manure (0.1% N) was used as organic source of fertilizer.
Various fish growth parameters such as body weight, total
length, fork length of fish and the yield were taken into
consideration to assess the effect of varying species
ratios. Pond stocked with lower ratio of Labeo rohita
produced higher production of Hypophathalmicthys molitrix.
The pond where Hypophathalmicthys molitrix were
greater in number, the production of Cirrhinus mrigala
was lower. This indicates that there might have been
competition for food resources and so a lower stocking ratio
of Hypophathalmicthys molitrix is more favorable.
Most of the ecological parameters such as temperature, light
penetration, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, carbonates,
bicarbonates, chlorides, and total hardness and calcium
showed significant seasonal differences. |
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