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Assessment of dietary mannaoligosaccharides and β-glucan on the growth, somatic indices and haematological parameters of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

2023-10-01T11:18:35+00:00

The effects of dietary mannaoligosaccharides (MOS) and β-glucan on the production performance of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, was examined in this study. Three (3) trial diets were produced viz-a-vis., Control (basal diet, BD), MOS (BD + 0.2% MOS) and β-glucan (BD +0.02% β-glucan) and fed to catfish (11.77±0.05 g fish-1) for 63 days. Nine circular tanks were distinctly assigned into 3 dietary groups in triplicate, stocked with 100 fish per tank (85 L), and fed twice daily (8:00 - 9:00h and 17:00 - 18:00h). The results indicated that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the mean final body weight, specific growth rates, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratios, and survivals among the various treatments groups. Similarly, somatic indices (condition factors, hepatosomatic indices, and viscerosomatic indices) measured were not significantly different (p>0.05) across the experimental groups. However, the haematological parameters such as packed cell volume, haemoglobin as well as the erythrocyte and leucocyte counts were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the catfish fed MOS diet. It could be concluded herewith that dietary supplementation of MOS and β-glucan do not have a deleterious effect on African catfish production. Further study is however warranted to establish dose-response effect of MOS and β-glucan on innate immunity of African catfish (C. gariepinus).

Heterosis and combining ability estimates for okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) varieties for yield attributing characters in Sudan savanna of Nigeria

2023-10-01T11:24:03+00:00

Two location trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Maiduguri and screen house of the Faculty of Agriculture during 2018/2019 dry season to estimate the combining ability variance, general combining ability (GCA) effects of parents and specific combining ability (SCA) effects of crosses with six okra genotypes. They include: three improved varieties NHAe 47-4, LD-88, Clemson spineless and three locals, Chalawa, Syria and Sola, crossed in a 3 x 3 line x tester mating design to generate nine F1 hybrids. All the F1s along with their parents were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and Completely Randomise Design (CRD), with 3 replications. Positive heterosis were observed for number of fruits per plant in the crosses Chalawa x NHAe47-4, Chalawa x Clemson Spineless, this directly indicated their important contributions toward total fruit yield in okra. The variance of GCA and SCA revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions were important in the control of most agronomic.The ratio of GCA/ SCA indicates greater preponderance of non-additive gene action for the characters in all the traits except number of leaves per plant and days to 50% flowering which were controlled by additive gene actions. The parent Syria was the overall best general combiner among the lines for all characters in the field and Chalawa was the overall best general combiner for all characters measured among lines in the screen house. LD88 recorded the highest GCA effects for all of the characters among testers in both experiments. Similarly, in the field, the hybrid Sola x NHAe47-4 recorded the maximum SCA effect for all characters except days to 50% flowering; Syria x NHAe47-4 was the best SCA for most characters except plant height and also the cross between Syria x Clemson Spineless was the best SCA for most characters except number of fruits per plant. In the screen house, the cross between Chalawa x NHAe47-4, showed superior SCA for all characters measured. Appreciable level of heterosis was observed for most of the characters studied, the overall maximum positive significant heterosis for total fruit yield (kg/ha) was observed in crosses Syria x LD88 (52.80) and Chalawa x NHAe47-4(123.30) over better parents. The preponderance of non-additive genetic effect and the tremendous level of heterosis observed among the characters in the parents and their crosses studied would be great asset in choosing the okra varieties for intercrossing and development of hybrids varieties for commercial production of okra.

Assessment of the sustainability of agricultural livelihood activities among rural women in Kwara State, Nigeria

2023-10-01T11:27:22+00:00

Women play important role in the agricultural sector of the economy. They engage in different agricultural livelihood activities so as to sustain the economic life and wellbeing of their households. Issues affecting the sustainability of their livelihood activities should therefore be given the necessary concern. The study assessed sustainability of agricultural livelihood activities among rural women in Kwara State. The data for this study were collected through a two-stage sampling technique from 369 rural women using structured questionnaire. The analytical tools used were descriptive statistics, 5- point Likert - type scale and sustainability index. The study reveals that the agricultural livelihood activities of the majority (75%) of the rural women were economically unsustainable. The perceived constraints to economic sustainability of agricultural activities identified were cattle invasion, unavailability of credit facilities, inadequate input, inadequate transportation facilities and high cost of labour. The study concluded that agricultural livelihood activities among rural women are not economically sustainable. It is therefore recommended that measures including improved technology and provision of credit facilities are required to ensure economic sustainability of agricultural livelihood activities.

Crude protein digestibility in broiler chickens fed rice husk-based diets supplemented with phytase

2023-10-01T11:30:27+00:00

A total of 288, one day-old Arbor acres broiler chicks (BC) fed broiler starter till day 20 were used to investigate the effect of phytase on the digestibility of crude protein. On day 21, the chicks were weighed and allotted to 6 treatments with 6 replicates of 8 birds each using a 3x2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Between days 25 and 27 post-hatch, samples of fresh excreta were collected once daily, bulked and stored in the freezer at -4ºC. On day 28, the birds were euthanized with carbon (IV) oxide asphyxiation and dissected to obtain digesta from the distal two-third of the ileum. Six semi-purified diets with 150, 300 and 450g/kg rice husk (RH) and 0 or 1000 units of phytase (Natuphos) were formulated. Ileal crude protein (CP) of the birds was significantly (P< 0.05) reduced by feeding graded levels of RH, while interaction of phytase and CP had no significant effect on the excreta CP (P>0.05). Apparent CP digestibility and retention of the birds had no linear and quadratic (P>0.05) responses as the dietary supply of protein from RH increase. Increasing dietary concentration of protein intake from RH, addition of phytase and the interaction, influenced digested and retained CP significantly (P<0.05). Therefore, digestibility of crude protein by broiler chickens fed RH-based diets supplemented with phytase improved digested and retained crude protein in broiler chickens.

Prospects of platform cooperatives among agripreneurs in Lagos State, Nigeria

2023-10-01T11:32:56+00:00

Ceaseless efforts have been on to improve the livelihood of rural-urban people through many channels. One medium is the exploitation of the growing application of internet-based facilities. This study investigated the feasibility of a platform cooperative; a website, mobile application, or another kind of online platform that is structured as a cooperative being owned democratically by the users and other stakeholders, as a medium of improving rural-urban income. A survey design was adopted while primary and secondary data were used. A questionnaire was administered to 210 agripreneurs using a simple random sampling technique but 170 were successful for analysis. Data were analysed using content analysis, descriptive statistics, net present value, and internal rate of return. Findings revealed that platform cooperative promotes the exchange of goods and services in agribusiness and boosts the income of members. Also, 38.82% were aware of platform cooperatives. The requirements, such as internet, computer gadgets, and software, for setting up platform cooperatives are available in the study area. It is financially feasible with a net present value of N1,407,150:00 and an internal rate of return of 95.66% over a 5 years period at a 14% discount rate. It is recommended that investment in platform cooperative establishment should be given top priority by entrepreneurs and the supervisory agency of cooperatives. Platform cooperatives should be encouraged through public enlightenment programmes to promote inclusive income growth.

Response of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to moisture regime and nitrogen fertilizer in Ilorin, Nigeria

2023-10-01T11:38:48+00:00

A potted experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture screen house, University of Ilorin, Nigeria in 2018 and 2019 planting seasons to evaluate the performance of sesame to different moisture regimes and nitrogen fertilizer application. The experiment was a factorial fitted into a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. The treatments consisted of four nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha) and four moisture regimes (every day, every five days, every ten days, and fifteen days). Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves per plant as well as yield component (seed yield per plant) Data were analyzed by the analysis of variance, using the GenStat 17th edition and significant means were separated by the least significant difference at 5% probability level. The result of the study revealed that increasing nitrogen levels from 0 to 90kgN/ha and moisture regimes from 15 days to every day resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in plant height, number of leaves and yield per plant and farmers are therefore encouraged to cultivate sesame crop using these rates for maximum yield. From the result of the study, using Nitrogen fertilizer at the rate 60 kgha^-1 increased the growth and yield attribute of sesame and therefore should be encourage among farmers.

Gender-based analysis of risk management and improved technology adoption among small-scale maize farmers in Kwara State

2023-10-01T11:43:24+00:00

This study examines the gender-based analysis of risk management strategies and improved technology adoption among small-scale maize farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are to: compare the risk management strategies by gender; analyze the gender-based effect of the adoption of improved varieties on output and evaluate factors influencing the adoption of improved technologies among male and female farmers in the study area. A random sampling procedure was used to select a total of 250 male and female farmers in the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data for the study. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Propensity score matching, and logit model. The findings of the study were that: early planting was the most common risk management strategy among the men (79.86%) and women (73.12%) farmers followed by diversification, use of improved varieties and bush fallowing. The result also showed that the adoption of improved varieties increased the yield (productivity) of both male and female farmers. The factors influencing the adoption of improved among the men farmers include extension access, educational level, output and labour while for the women farmers, the price of improved seed, output, herbicide and credit availability were the factors that significantly influenced their adoption of improved varieties. The study recommended that the price of the improved seed should be made affordable for women farmers, information sharing should be encouraged among male farmers and the government should empower extension agents in sensitizing farmers on risk management strategies especially the adoption of improved crop varieties and diversification into other agricultural related activities towards improving their livelihood.