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| ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological
Science
September 2009 | Vol. 4 No. 5 |
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Title: |
Diversity of
lignicolous marine fungi recorded from Muthupet environs,
east coast of India |
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Author (s): |
C. Rani and A.
Panneerselvam |
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Abstract: |
The marine fungi occurring on the wood
samples were studied. Diversity of marine fungi colonizing
the lignicolous wood samples was assessed and their
distribution pattern was determined. Sixteen species of
marine fungi were recorded from the wood samples collected
from the intertidal regions of the Muthupet mangrove
environment. They are categorized in to common (31-40%),
frequent (21-30%), occasional (11-20%) and rare (1-10%).
Cystophora rhizophorae was recorded as common, Coronopapilla
mangrovei, Camarosporium sp., Lignincola laevis, Veciulina
enalia, Savoryella lignicola as frequent, Aigialus
sp.,Lulworthia sp. and Sphaerulina albispiculata as
occasionally and the remaining species as rare. |
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Title: |
Food security
among cocoa farming households of Ondo State, Nigeria |
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Author (s): |
Oluyole K. A.
, Oni O. A. , Omonona B. T. and Adenegan K. O. |
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Abstract: |
In Nigeria, it has been documented that cocoa
farmers devote most of their resources toward cocoa
production at the detriment of food crop production because
they derive more income from cocoa. There is, however, a
dearth of information about the consequence of this practice
on the food security status of cocoa farming households. In
this study, the food security status of cocoa farming
households of Ondo State, Nigeria was examined. Multistage
sampling technique was used to select 200 respondent
households from the study area in 2007. Information was
collected from the respondents with the aid of structured
questionnaire and the data obtained from the information
were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Food Security
Index Surplus/Shortfall Index and Probit model. The food
security line was N2500.50 per month per adult equivalent.
Based on this, 43% of the total sampled households were food
secure while 57% were food insecure. Food secure households
exceeded the calorie requirements by 12% while food insecure
households fell short of calorie requirements by 9%. A unit
increase in farming experience of household head (P<0.05),
output of roots and tubers (P<0.05), output of cereals
(P<0.05) and output of cocoa (P<0.01) increases the
probability of household to be food secure by 0.0088,
0.00021, 0.000087 and 0.00049, respectively while a unit
increase in household size (P<0.01) and agesquare of
household head (P<0.1) decreases the probability of
household to be food secure by 0.23 and 0.000074,
respectively. A high percentage of households was food
insecure, hence, cocoa farming households in the study area
could be said to be food insecure. |
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Title: |
Extension and
forestry development training for rural women on forest
exploitation |
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Author (s): |
Agbogidi O. M.
and Ofuoku A. U. |
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Abstract: |
This study examined the
extension and forestry development training for rural women
on forest exploitation with a view to enhancing their
participation in forestry activities in the Central
agro-ecological zone of Delta State, Nigeria. Three hundred
and fifty women involved in forest related activities were
randomly chosen from 10 forest communities purposively
selected. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit
information from the respondents about the necessary
preparation, pre-training, training and post-training steps
for the improvement of women’s participation in sustainable
forest activities. Data collected were subjected to
descriptive and inferential statistics using frequency
counts and percentages. Chi-square was used to test for
significant differences between the means. The results
showed that the training needs indicated by the respondent
included alley farming, controlled bush burning, chemical
application, financial management and record keeping.
Significant relationships were observed between the degree
of involvement in forest activities and preference of
training personnel (x2 = 88.05; P<0.05), time of training
(x2 = 52.21; P <0.05). Appropriate recommendations were
given along the findings. This study has established that
training of women in forest exploitation has a high
significant effect on increased forestry development by
enhancing their involvement in forest activities. |
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Title: |
Growth
performance, carcass characteristics and economic benefits
of supplemental ascorbic acid on broiler starters exposed to
heat stress |
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Author (s): |
ONU P. N. |
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Abstract: |
A 35-day feeding trial using 7-day old 120
Anak 2000 broiler chicks was conducted to evaluate the
growth performance, carcass characteristics and economic
benefits of supplemental ascorbic acid on broiler starters
exposed to heat stress. Dietary treatments were made up of a
basal diet which contained 0mg of ascorbic acid which served
as the control; while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 150mg,
300mg and 450mg of ascorbic acid per kilogram of feed
respectively. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences
among the treatments in body weight gain, feed conversion
ratio, net returns and mortality. Birds fed ascorbic acid
supplemented diets performed significantly (P < 0.05) better
than the control in terms of weight gain, feed conversion
ratio and net economic returns. Feed intake and carcass
characteristics were not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced
by the dietary treatment. The results of this study suggest
that ascorbic acid played positive role in alleviating the
adverse effects of stress on the performance on starter
broiler. |
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Title: |
Growth
responses of African nightshades (Solanum scabrum Mill)
seedlings to water deficit |
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Author (s): |
J. Muthomi and
D. M. Musyimi |
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Abstract: |
Solanum scabrum Mill is
widely distributed in Africa especially east Africa. Its
leaves and fresh shoots are widely used as a cooked
vegetable. Drought is a major abiotic stress factor limiting
crop productivity in many arid and semi arid regions of the
world. It causes reduction in plant growth, dry matter
accumulation, decline in plant water status of the plants or
even interfering with chlorophyll synthesis by the leaves. A
pot experiment was conducted at Maseno University, botanic
garden, to investigate the growth response of Solanum
scabrum Mill to water deficit. Individual plants were grown
in 5 litre plastic pots containing local soil, and watered
daily with 300ml of tap water until the start of the
treatments. The treatments were three watering regimes
[watering daily with 300ml of tap water per pot (X), once
per week (Y), and once after two weeks (Z)]. The treatments
were laid out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized
design with six replicates. Data on leaf number, leaf area,
leaf water content, shoot height, shoot and root dry
weights, leaf chlorophyll content and Root: Shoot ratio were
determined at the end of the experiment. Soil moisture
content under different watering regimes was also determined
gravimetrically at the end of the experiment. The data
collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA).
There were significant differences (p≤0.05) among treatments
in leaf number, leaf area, leaf water content, shoot height,
shoot dry weights, root: shoot ratio and chlorophyll a and b
concentration among the watering treatments. There was no
significant difference in root dry weight. The results of
the study demonstrate that Solanum scabrum Mill. Seedlings
are very sensitive to drought since the stressed seedlings
exhibited about 97%reduction in leaf area, 84%reduction in
shoot height, 88% reduction in shoot dry weight, and about
29.4% and 63% reduction in chlorophyll a and b contents
respectively relative to control plants. |
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Title: |
Exopolysaccharides and lipopolysaccharide production by
sinorhizobiobium fredii Tn5 Mutants infecting Vigna radiata
L. |
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Author (s): |
Neeraj, Gaurav
S. S., S. C., Chatterjee Sachin and Mahesh Chandra |
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Abstract: |
Mutant of S. fredii R0132 were developed by
gene mutation with the help of transposon Tn5 mediated
mutagen sixteen hundred mutants were developed.
Significantly, influenced production level of
lipopolysaccharidesand exopolysaccharides as observed in
different S. fredii mutants. Maximum mutants showed the
increased level of lipopolysaccharides than the wild type.
Rhizobial mutants also varied in lipopolysaccharides content
ranging from lowest value 72.3 µg/mg (S. fredii R0132
(1116): Tn5) to highest value 183.3 µg/mg (S. fredii R0132
(0123): Tn5) of fresh weight of cell wall. About 10-15
percent reduction in production in LPS was observed in all
the mutants including parent strain at 32oC and 36oC. The
mutants were also differed from wild type S. fredii R0132 in
their capability to produce exopolysaccharides.
Significantly, increased production was noticed in case of
mutants R0132 (0521): Tn5, R0132 (1106): Tn5, R0132 (1112):
Tn5 and R0132 (1421): Tn5 where 49.1, 61.0, 59.2 and 44.4
percent increase was observed over the parent isolate. In
presence of mannitol and sucrose higher EPS production was
observed in all mutant strains as well in wild type. Mutant
R0132 (1106), showed higher EPS production (156.8 µg/mg of
FW of cell wall) while lower was observed in case of R0132
(0923): Tn5 (96.5 µg/mg FW of cell wall) in the presence of
mannitol. On other hand sucrose increased EPS production in
R0132 (1106): Tn5 up to 178.3 µg/mg of FW of cell wall, which
was the highest in all the exogenous sugars applied. |
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Title: |
Influence of
environmental and nutritional parameters on lipase
production |
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Author (s): |
C. Rani and A.
Panneerselvam |
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Abstract: |
The important developments in industrial
fermentation lead to the utilization of microbial enzymes in
different applications. Selected organisms Aspergillus
fumigatus, A. terreus, Penicillium chrysogenum, P.
funiculosum and Fusarium moniliforme. Various environmental
parameters like pH, temperature and nutritional parameters
such as carbon and nitrogen sources were investigated to
optimize the production of lipase. The optimum assay
parameters for lipase activity were found to be pH 7 to 8,
temperature 30°C, carbon source 2.0% and nitrogen source
3.0%. |
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Title: |
Evaluation of
source separated human urine (ALW) as a source of nutrients
for banana cultivation and impact on quality parameter |
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Author(s): |
G. Sridevi, C.
A. Srinivasamurthy and S. Viswanath |
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Abstract: |
The recent approach is to
go for productive sanitation technology to achieve food
security. Ecosan systems that produce a safe human derived
liquid fertilizer can potentially contribute to improvement
in quality of life and life expectancy by enabling
sustainable food production as well as proper waste water
management. In this context, field experiments were
conducted in farmers’ fields at Nagasandra village,
Doddaballapura Tq, Bangalore district for one year to study
the source separated human urine as a source of nutrients
for banana cultivation (Musa paradisica) to meet the
nitrogen requirement of this crop. The treatments were
absolute control, recommended dose of fertilizers,
recommended dose of nitrogen through human urine with and
without gypsum and fertilizer applied to soil and different
combinations of human urine and fertilizers. The results of
the field experiment revealed that the highest bunch yield
(30.0 t ha-1) of banana was recorded in the
treatment which received RDN through human urine (After 30
days of planting) + Gypsum applied to soil when compared to
control, and other treatment combinations. The available
nutrients content of harvest soil viz., N, P and K had
significant influence on it. Significant increase in the
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of plant samples
was observed in the crop. The highest total soluble solids
(25.85 percent), reducing sugars (20.93 percent) and total
sugars (23.87 percent) were recorded in banana grown using
human urine. The outcome of the present investigation
revealed that Ecosan system helps to provide better
sanitation, help farmers to save the cost on fertilizers
without affecting the crop yields and thus help to achieve
food security. |
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Title: |
Effects of
sodium chloride solution stress on germination and growth of
Passion fruits seedlings |
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Author (s): |
Nyagah A. W.
and D. M. Musyimi |
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Abstract: |
Soil salinity can lead to
reduced emergence and poor seedling growth. A study was
conducted to investigate on the effect of NaCl salinity
treatment on germination and seedling growth of passion
fruit (Passiflora edulis) under different NaCl
concentrations 0 (control), 1.8, 3.6, 5.4 and 7.2 dSm-1).
Germination of seeds was determined under different NaCl
concentrations. Fifty seeds were germinated at room
temperature in Petri dish lined with two layers of whatman
no.1 filter paper, moistened with 7.5 ml of each of the NaCl
solutions (0 (control), 1.8, 3.6, 5.4 and 7.2 dSm-1)
and replicated four times in a completely randomized design
.The Petri dishes were placed on benches in Botany
laboratory. Number of seeds germinating every day after the
initiation of the NaCl treatments was counted, and final
germination percentage established. The radicle and plumule
length was determined at the end of the experiment. Data
obtained from the study was subjected to analysis of
variance (ANOVA) using COSTAT statical computer package and
treatment means compared for any significance difference at
(P = 0.05). The results indicated significant differences
among treatments. Sodium chloride solution treatment reduced
germination percentage of Passion fruit seeds, radicle
growth and plumule growth. There was no germination at NaCl
concentration levels 3.6, 5.4 and 7.2 ds.m-1.The
control treatment had higher germination percentage, plumule
growth and radicle growth compared to NaCl concentration
level, 1.8 ds.m-1. The findings from the study
indicate that Passion fruits seeds are very sensitive to
salt stress. It is recommended that the cultivar used in the
study should not be grown in saline environments since it
will give poor germination and seedlings growth. |
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Title: |
Libido test
scores, body conformation and testicular traits in Boer and
Kiko goat bucks |
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Author (s): |
D. Ford Jr.,
C. Okere and O. Bolden-Tiller |
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Abstract: |
Independent of whether
natural mating or artificial insemination is used for
breeding, libido (sex drive) is evidently crucial to
reproductive competence in all male meat animal species.
Breeding goat bucks vary in their levels of libido;
therefore, there is a need for the development of a
predictive standardized test for estimating sex drive. The
objective of this study was to evaluate libido (sex drive)
and examine its relationship to body conformation (body
condition scores-BCS, chest girth-CG, height at withers-HTW,
body length-BL, body weight-BTW) and testicular traits
(scrotal circumference-SC and testicular consistency-TC) in
two breeds of goat bucks. Eight sexually mature Boer and
Kiko bucks (four from each breed) were trained to mount and
service a teaser buck. Results show that reaction time in
seconds did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between breeds
(65.1 ± 11.1 vs. 49.2 ± 7.1 seconds for Boer and Kiko bucks,
respectively. Mounting enthusiasm (total mounts), although
not significantly (P>0.05) different between the two breeds,
appeared to be more evident in Kiko bucks. Mean values for
body conformation and testicular traits were 4.25 ± 0.47 vs.
3.43 ± 0.21 (BCS), 51.2 ± 7.1 vs. 45.1 ± 3.6 kg (BTW), 64.1
± 3.0 vs.65.1 ± 2.2 cm (HTW), 62. 8 ± 5.7 vs. 60.9 ± 3.2 cm
(BL), 27.3 ± 3.3 vs.22.8 ± 1.03 (SC) and 4.25 ± 0.25 vs.
3.75 ± 0.23 (TC) for Boer or Kiko bucks, respectively. A
highly significant correlation coefficients were established
between scrotal circumference and reaction time (r = 0.555,
P < 0.01). However, reaction time was not significantly
(P>0.05) correlated to any body conformation traits (RT vs.
BWT, r = 0.048; RT vs. BCS). This study has demonstrated for
the first time a relationship between scrotal circumference
(testicular size) and libido in male meat animal specie. |
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