Agrosearch

Effects of substituting melon seed peel meal for yellow maize meal on haematological and serum biochemical indices in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

S.A. Adesina, A O. Ajibare, G.O. Ebimowei — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of substituting melon (Citrullus lanatus) seed peel meal (MSPM) for yellow maize meal on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings for 56 days. Fifteen fish each were stocked in eighteen plastic bowls (50-litre capacity) and fed six iso-nitrogenous diets at graded MSPM levels of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% twice daily at 5% of their body weight. Selected haematological and serum biochemical parameters were determined by standard procedures and data analyzed using analysis of variance at p = 0.05. The results showed that the fish fed with diet 6 had the highest PCV (45.00%), Hb (15.03 gm/100mL), RBC (4.81 x 10¹²/mL), Platelets (34.73 x 10⁹/mL), MCH (31.32 μg/mL), total protein (74.00%) and albumin (40.00%). The fish fed with diet 4 had the highest WBC (12.68×10⁹/mL) and globulin (35.00%) while those fed diet 3 had the least WBC (9.36×10⁹/mL) and globulin (33.00%). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased and varied (p < 0.05) between 10.00 - 30.67 mg/dL and 11.00 –17.05 mg/dL respectively. Blood glucose significantly (p < 0.05) increased in fish fed with diets 3 to 6. This study revealed that melon seed peel meal can replace yellow maize meal in the diet of C. gariepinus without adverse effects on its haematological and serum biochemical indices.

Effect of training of women beekeepers on production of beehive products in Ogun State, Nigeria

I.H. Ojo, H.A. Yusuf, S.O. Sennuga — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated the effect of training on production of bee-hive products by women beekeepers. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the women beekeepers in the study area, examine beekeepers’ access to training, determine the percentage of the beekeepers producing each of the bee hive products, and determine the influence of training on production of bee-hive products. A total of 107 women beekeepers were randomly selected as respondents for the study. Data were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and logit regression analysis. Results on socioeconomic characteristics show that the beekeepers were relatively educated. Friends and relatives, respectively were the most reported marketing outlets and source of information used by the beekeepers. The majority of the beekeepers did not belong to beekeeping cooperative group and lacked access to extension services. About 68% of the beekeepers had access to training. Apart from honey and bee-wax only very few beekeepers produced other bee-hive products and secondary products. At P>0.01, training positively affected the production of honey (0.100), bee-wax (0.116), bee venom (0.584) and number of secondary products produced (1.378). It however negatively influenced the production of propolis (-0.423) and pollen (-0.298). On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that intensive training programmes on production of different bee-hive products should be given topmost priority for profit maximization and economic diversification.

Analysis of gender dynamics in cassava production for resource empowerment among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

T.O. Awotona, Y.U. Oladimeji, M.A. Damisa — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

One of the key hindrances to agricultural advancement is the wide gender gap in agricultural productivity. This study focused on gender dynamics in cassava production towards resource empowerment among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the level of involvement of cassava farmers based on gender and to determine the empowerment status and gender parity of women and men cassava farmers. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to randomly selected 245 cassava farmers made up of 68 adult male, 58 adult female, 61 youth male and 58 youth female cassava farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and empowerment in agriculture index. Both genders were highly involved in cassava farming. However, results further showed that adult males and females were more involved (x̅ = 2.28 and x̅ =2.3) than the youth male and female cassava farmers (x̅=2.18 and x̅=2.07 respectively). The disempowered headcount ratio was 60.3% for women as against 40.5% for men. This can be attributed to a number of indicators and domains of the 5DE sub-index in which women were considerably disadvantaged. The average adequacy score reveals that men achieved adequacy in 64% of dimensions of 5DE, while the 5DE adequacy score was 53% for women. The 5DE disempowerment index disaggregated by gender establishes that the domain of production and control over resources were the major contributors to the disempowerment index for both women and men. Within the domain of the resources, the combined influence of ownership of assets and access to credit and associated decisions contributed 26.86 and 31.52 % respectively to women and men disempowerment. Formulation of policies, planning and preparation of projects/programmes that would encourage gender sensitivity on cassava production by relevant agencies is advocated.

Market participation behaviour among urban okra producers in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

O.L. Balogun, C F. Abasilim, K. Ayantoye — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The study examined market participation behaviour among urban okra producers in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 120 vegetable farmers during the dry season extending from November to March 2018/2019. Data on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, farm-specific factors, and marketing and production output activities were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (such as mean, standard deviation and percentage) and a Tobit regression model. Most of the urban farmers were young and educated and in their economic active age. The mean market share of okra marketed by the respondents was 7,662.17kg (representing 89.8% of okra produced). Sex, primary occupation, per capita land size, cost of seed, price of okra per unit, distance to nearest market and cost of labour significantly determined market participation (p<0.05). The study recommends policies that facilitate access to production resources like land, seed or planting material and farm labour at lower costs. The land policy that makes access to marginal land in an urban area available for agriculture should be as a form of empowerment to the vulnerable in society. Also, upgrading farm-to-market roads to reduce transportation costs to distant urban markets which offer better prices and encourage farmers to produce more marketable produce.

Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Sarotherodon melanotheron and Tilapia guineensis in Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

A.O. Ajibare, O.O. Loto — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The length-weight relationship and condition factor of Sarotherodon melanotheron and Tilapia guineensis inhabiting Lagos lagoon were examined and the relationship among the parameters was determined by correlation. The mean total length and weight was 16.33±2.24cm and 71.44±30.04g for S. melanotheron and 16.08±2.92cm and 84.93±44.24g for T. Guineensis, respectively. The regression coefficient (b) of length and weight revealed that S. melanotheron exhibited negative allometry (b=2.36; a=-2.39; R²=0.67) while T. guineensis exhibited positive allometry (b=3.19; a=-4.54; R²=0.87). The condition factor which measures the physiology (wellbeing) of fish was greater than 1 for the two species although, it was higher in T. guineensis (2.04) than S. melanotheron (1.64). This difference may be due to variation in the weights of the two fish species as well as environmental factors in the lagoon. The study revealed that both species were healthy despite that Lagos lagoon receives wastewater from different anthropogenic sources. This shows that the study area is conducive for the development and sustenance of fisheries resources.

Evaluation of dry matter accumulation and competition indices of grass-legume mixtures in the semi-arid Kano Nigeria

M.A. Oladele, M. Baba, A.M. Abdussamad — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

An experiment was conducted from April to September 2018 at Bayero University Kano, to determine the nature of competition between Sorghum almum (Columbus grass) and three forage legumes namely Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea), Lablab purpureus (lablab) and Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) on the basis of dry matter accumulation and competition indices. The treatments were (Sorghum almum sole, three legumes sole and mixtures of grass with legumes at 50:50 replicated in four blocks in randomized complete block design. Seeds of grass and legumes were sown in 3.5m *2m plots. The results showed that sole lablab produced higher (ρ <0.05) cumulative total dry matter (42.07 t ha^-1) than sole grass, monoculture of other legumes and mixtures. The cumulative total plant biomass and mean relative yield total of mixtures were not significantly different. Sorghum-Mucuna mixture with mean relative yield total value (1.11) appeared to be more advantageous in terms of efficient resource sharing than other mixtures. Sorghum-Mucuna mixture was recommended as the most compatible combination.

Effects of some botanical extracts on the control of major insect pests of okra in the Sudan Savannah Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

B. Yohanna, L. Muhammad, Duna M. Mailafiya — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Two location trials were conducted in 2018 dry season at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri (Unimaid) and demonstration site of the Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture (MOLCA) Maiduguri to assess the insecticidal potentials of three botanicals and a control in the management of Attractomorpha acutipennis, Amarasca biguttula biguttula, Aphis gossypii and Bemisia tabaci infestation on okra. These treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Data collected include the number of damaged and undamaged leaves and the number of insect pests. Using Analysis of variance (ANOVA), results showed that the extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the population of the insects and the number of damaged leaves when compared with control in both locations. Plots treated with Balanite aegytiaca extract recorded the lowers population of Attractomorpha acutipennis, A. biguttula biguttula, A. gossypii and B. tabaci. Similarly, Balanite aegytiaca extract recorded the lower leaves damaged than plots treated with Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract in both locations. Among all the treatments evaluated, Plots treated with Balanite aegytiaca extract significantly recorded the least number of A. gossypii and A. biguttula biguttula in both locations. However, plots treated with Balanite aegytiaca extract significantly gave the least number of B. tabaci at MOLCA while plots treated with Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract gave the least number of the insect at UNIMAID. There was no significant difference in the performance of Balanite aegytiaca and Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract. Balanite aegytiaca extract also recorded the least number of damaged leaves in both locations.

Chemical composition, physicochemical, and sensory properties of fermented maize and defatted baobab seed flour blends

O.O. Ezekiel, O.E. Adedeji, N. Umuokeke — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the chemical composition, physicochemical, and sensory properties of fermented maize and defatted baobab seed flour blends. Fermented maize (ogi) and defatted baobab seed powder (DBSP) were blended at ratios (%, w/w) 100:0 (control), 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50. Proximate, minerals, tannin, pasting, and colour order properties of the blends were determined. The sensory properties of gruels prepared from the blends were also determined. Protein, ash, fibre, vitamin C, K, Ca, and Fe of ogi increased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increasing level of DBSP while fat, carbohydrate, calorific value, and tannin decreased. Peak, breakdown, final, final viscosity, colour intensity, measures of lightness, redness, and yellowness of fermented maize decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an increasing level of DBSP. The incorporation of ≤ 20% DBSP did not cause a significant change in pasting temperature and time. Gruels produced from blends that contained ≤ 20% DBSP compared favourably with the one prepared from the control. The study showed an improvement in the quality of ogi following the incorporation of 20% DBSP.