Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science       ISSN 1990-6145
 
 
 

 
Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science                      July  2008 | Vol. 3  No. 4

 

Title:

Vermiwash: Biochemical and microbiological approach as ecofriendly soil conditioner

Author (s):

Zambare V. P., Padul M. V., Yadav A. A. and Shete T. B.

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Testicular biometry and its relationship with body weight of indigenous goats in a semi arid region of Nigeria

Author (s):

Raji A. O., Igwebuike J. U and Aliyu J.

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.   

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Awareness of cashew products potentials and market information among farmers in Kogi state, Nigeria

Author (s):

Agbongiarhuoyi Anthony E., Aigbekaen E.O. and Akinbile L.A.

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Cohesiveness of fish farmers groups in southern Nigeria

Author (s):

Ofuoku A. U., Enalkle M. and Nnodim A. U.

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Modeling of soil exchangeable sodium percentage based on soil sodium adsorption ratio

Author (s):

Majid Rashidi and Mohsen Seilsepour

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

 

Title:

Comparative analysis of enterprise combination costs and returns in cassava-based food crop farming systems in Delta state, Nigeria

Author (s):

Chukwuji Okeleke Christopher

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Nutrient digestibility, haematological and serum biochemical indices of rabbits fed graded levels of Acacia Albida Pods

Author (s):

Igwebuike J. U., Anugwa F. O. I., Raji A. O., Ehiobu N. G. and Ikurior S.A.

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Modeling of soil cation exchange capacity based on soil organic carbon

Author (s):

Majid Rashidi and Mohsen Seilsepour

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Effects of household processing on reduction of pesticide residues in vegetables

Author (s):

Beena Kumari

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

Title:

Determination of appropriate model for the estimation of body weight in goats

Author (s):

Alade N. K., A. O. Raji and M. A. Atiku

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.

 
 
 
Full Text  

 

     

  

   

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
       arpnjournals.com                                                       Publishing Policy                                                  Review Process                                           Code of Ethics