Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Germination And Moisture Level Response Of Some Selected Leguminous Seeds To Various Storage Methods

2025-03-14T07:16:53+00:00

Leguminous crops such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), and soybean (Glycine max) play critical roles in food security, soil fertility, and economic sustainability due to their high protein content, nutritional value, and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. However, the viability of legume seeds during storage is significantly influenced by storage conditions. This study evaluated the effects of five storage using jute bags, cotton bags, plastic containers, hermetic storage, and underground storage on the germination rate and moisture level of these crops. Seeds were stored for three months under each method, and viability tests including germination rate, and moisture content were conducted. The results revealed significant differences among storage methods; Underground storage was the most effective, yielding the highest germination rates (82.67% for cowpea, 76.33% for groundnut, and 71.00% for soybean) and maintaining optimal moisture levels. Hermetic storage also performed well, with comparable germination rates and excellent moisture retention. The Hermatic storage system promoted germination across the three crops with cowpea recording the highest percentage of 82.33% followed by groundnut (72.33%) and Soybeans (63.00%). Plastic container gave 75.67% for Soybean and 65.67% for Cowpea but only 51% for groundnut. Cotton bag system of storage gave marginal germination of the three crops from 47.33% to 53.33%. In contrast, seeds stored in jute bags exhibited the lowest germination rates (14.00% for groundnut, 49.67% for cowpea, and 42.33% for soybean) due to high moisture absorption, pest infestations, and membrane damage, as indicated by low germination rate values. The study underscores the importance of proper storage techniques in preserving seed viability and highlights underground and hermetic methods as superior options.

Estimating the inheritance of drought-tolerance and yield-associated traits of groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) Using generation mean and variance analysis of parental, f1 and the segregating populations (backcrosses and f2)

2025-03-14T07:24:29+00:00

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a vital legume crop globally, particularly in semi-arid regions where drought stress significantly hampers yield and productivity. The inheritance of drought tolerance and yield-associated traits remains a key challenge in groundnut breeding programs. This study aims to estimate the genetic basis of drought tolerance and yield-associated traits using generation mean and variance analysis of parental, F1, and segregating populations (F2 and backcrosses). The study was conducted at the Department of Ecological Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Bolgatanga Technical University, Ghana. Hybridization activities were carried out in a screen house starting on August 2, 2022, to develop bi-parental crosses. Field evaluations of parental lines (P1 and P2), F1, F2, and backcross generations (BC1.1 and BC1.2) were conducted between January and November 2023 under two water regimes: well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The genetic material included the drought-tolerant landrace Chinese (M) and three other landraces, Sinkara (M), Ndogba (F), and Chaco-pag (F), selected for their high pod, seed, and biomass yields, as well as their farmer-preferred traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among generations for traits such as days to flowering, plant height, pod weight, seed weight, and biomass yield. Estimates of narrow-sense heritability (h2n) ranged from 0.07 (harvest index) to 0.96 (dry biomass), while broad-sense heritability (H2b) values were consistently high (>0.65), indicating strong genetic influence on these traits. Generation mean analysis suggested the predominance of additive gene action for most traits, though dominance and epistatic interactions were also significant for specific traits.

Estimation Of Water Requirements Of Early And Late Season Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) In Umudike Southeastern Nigeria, Using Penman’s Equation

2025-03-14T07:34:49+00:00

The estimation of water requirements of tomato was carried out based on 10 years meteorological data in Umudike Southeastern Nigeria, typical of the humid tropical zone. The climatic data used to calculate the crop evapotranspiration (ETo) for estimation of water requirement of tomatoes were obtained from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NOAA/NCEP) under the National Weather Service, United States of America using Penman’s equation. Results obtained showed that the crop evapotranspiration (ETo) value for early tomato (April - July) was 429.6mm while late season was 375.4mm. Irrigation water requirement was zero for tomato which shows that there was no water deficit. Therefore, no Supplementary irrigation is necessary for tomato in Umudike but there may be need for irrigation to guide against water stress of tomatoes to supplement rain water in late season in the study area.

Estimation Of Water Requirements Of Early And Late Season Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum) In Umudike Southeastern Nigeria, Using Penman’s Equation

2025-03-14T07:43:54+00:00

Crop Farmers’ Perception Of Flooding On Livelihood Activities In Ikom Agricultural Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria

2025-03-14T07:49:08+00:00

The study examined crop farmers’ perception of flooding on livelihood activities in Ikom Agricultural Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to; ascertain causes of flood in the study area, identify the types of flood prevalent in the study area, ascertain the frequency of occurrence of flood in the study area, examine the perceived effect of flood on respondents’ livelihood activities and identify the constraints encountered by crop farmers toward controlling flood. A Multi-staged sampling technique was used to select respondents and a total number of 245 crop farmers were sampled using structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that causes of flood in the study area were: Heavy and prolonged rainfall with mean score of 3.17 and construction of settlement in flood plains with mean score of 2.81. The flood types prevalent in the study area were river flood and surface water flood as it ranked 1^st with mean score of 3.60 and 2^nd with mean score of 3.05. The result on the frequency of occurrence of flood showed that a larger proportion (57.6%) experience flooding every year Some of the perceived effect of flood on livelihood activities as indicated by the respondents were loss of crops, loss of income and hunger and starvation as they ranked 1^st with mean score (2.88), 2^nd with mean score (2.76) and 3^rd with mean score (2.57) respectively. Major constraints encountered by respondents were inadequate fund for controlling flood with mean score of 3.55 and inadequate information on the occurrence of flood with mean score of 3.51. It is recommended that, the government should provide adequate infrastructures such as good drainage systems, crop resistance varieties should be made available to farmers in flood prone areas and construction of houses in flood plain area should be discouraged.

Changes In Stress Markers And Thermoregulatory Response Of Broilers, Noilers, And Native Chickens To Transportation Stress

2025-03-14T07:59:14+00:00

The present study evaluated the changes in stress markers and the thermoregulatory response of broilers, noilers, and native chickens to transportation stress. A total of 45 chickens of three breeds (matured native chicken, noiler chicken, and broiler chicken) were used in this study and each breed had 15 chickens respectively and the breeds served as the treatments. The chickens were randomly placed in the transportation crates in a completely randomized design. The birds' rectal temperature (RT) and body temperature (BT) were measured before, during, and after transportation. Five (5) ml of blood was collected from the wing vein of five birds of the three strains, respectively, chosen randomly, into sample bottles/tubes for haematological and changes in the evaluation of stress markers. Data obtained from the study was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. The result showed that the body temperature of the broiler before, during, and after transportation was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of noiler and the local chicken. Cortisol concentration in the broilers was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than cortisol levels in the noilers and Local chickens. Cortisol levels recorded after transportation were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than before. Most of the haematological parameters of the three breeds of birds significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased after transportation. The values of the stress markers were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the Broiler and Noiler chickens than in the Local chickens. After transportation, the serum glucose of the noiler significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased while the calcium and sodium decreased. It was concluded that broilers were susceptible to transportation stress at a short distance while noilers and local chickens were prone to transportation stress at a longer duration.

Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Of Small-Scale Fisherfolks In Cross River State, Nigeria

2025-04-25T12:56:59+00:00

This study assessed the multidimensional poverty status of small-scale fisherfolk in Cross River State, Nigeria. Using the Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Tool (MPAT) and data from 175 households. The methodology employed a multi-stage sampling technique, and data were collected through structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The study revealed a high incidence of multidimensional poverty, with 76% of households experiencing deprivation in at least three essential dimensions. The Alkire-Foster method was used to derive the multidimensional poverty index. The results show that the aggregate multidimensional poverty index (MPI) was 0.388 and 0.345 for K=0.3 and K=0.5, indicating that many respondents were multidimensionally poor. The intensity of poverty was 0.510 and 0.538 for K=0.3 and K=0.5, respectively. The study identifies domestic water supply, gender and social equality, housing, clothing, energy, and farm assets as key dimensions of poverty. Pearson's correlation analysis reveals significant relationships between these dimensions and healthcare (r = 0.377, p < 0.05), education (r = -0.220, p < 0.05), and non-farm assets (r = 0.181, p < 0.10). Binary logistic regression analysis identifies age (Exp(B) = 0.968, p < 0.05), agricultural zone (Exp(B) = 1.987, p < 0.01), and possession of fishing assets (Exp(B) = 0.391, p < 0.10) as significant factors influencing multidimensional poverty. Based on the findings, this study recommends that policymakers and development organizations prioritize interventions aimed at improving domestic water supply, promoting gender and social equality, and enhancing access to farm and non-farm assets (fishing assets).

Determinants Of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Employed By Arable Crop Farmers In Cross River State, Nigeria

2025-04-30T11:55:06+00:00

This study investigated the climate change adaptation strategies employed by arable crop farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria. It adopted a multi-stage and random sampling procedure to select 318 registered arable crop farmers from three agricultural zones in the State. Primary data were collected using a set of structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, and a multinomial logit model (inferential statistics). The results indicate predominance (63%) of male arable crop farmers, with an average age of 48±10.91years. A majority (96.54%) had attained some level of education and had a mean farm size of 1.02±0.10 hectares. The adaptation strategies employed by the respondents included; crop diversification (77.04%), off-farm employment (73.90%), adoption of enhanced crop cultivars (69.50%), land fragmentation (68.55%), and planting of early maturing crops (57.23%). The multinomial logit analysis which revealed that education (0.052; 0.065) positively and significantly influenced the adoption of enhanced cultivars (P<0.01) and early-maturing crops (p<0.05) respectively, while access to extension services (0.025) positively and significantly (p<0.05) influenced the adoption of enhanced cultivars. On the other hand, the coefficients of farm size (0.033, 0.0312 and 0.013) were positive and significantly influenced, use of enhanced cultivars, planting early maturing crops and off-farm employment respectively. Conversely, age (-0.054, -0.012, -0.021 and -0.031) negatively impacted use of enhanced cultivars, planting of early-maturing crops, off-farm employment and land fragmentation strategies respectively. It is recommended that government and non-governmental organisations should create and implement policies supporting sustainable land management practices, encouraging off-farm employment, improving financial access for farmers, promoting climate-smart agriculture educational programs, and advancing research on climate-resilient crops.