Agriculture

The effect of three different rates of poultry droppings (0kg/ha, 12kg/ha, 24kg/ha) and plant spacing (30cm x 50cm; 40cm x 50cm; 50cm x 50cm) and the soil chemical properties and yield of cucumber was studied in a field trial at Igbariam south eastern, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted as a 3x3 factorial laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications. The result of the study showed that poultry droppings and plant spacing significantly (p=0.05) increased the growth and yield of cucumber and improved the soil chemical parameters assessed. The values obtained increased as the rate of poultry droppings increased from zero level and decreased as the planting distance increased. The closest plant spacing (30cm x 50cm) and poultry droppings at the rate of 24kg/ha recorded the highest value in both crop and soil parameters assessed in this trial. Though the result of Mg2+ showed a decrease as the rate of poultry droppings increased and Ca2t result did not follow any particular trend. The spacing and poultry droppings interaction was significant for fruit yield (Weight of fruit), length of fruit and vine length, but generally showed non-significant for all the soil parameters measured. The result of the study showed that cucumber production could be enhanced at 24kg/ha poultry droppings and at a closer plant spacing of 30cm x 50cm for optimum yield.

Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott can provide a solution to the problems of hunger, inadequacy and food insecurity facing many developing countries such as DR Congo, as it is adapted to humid tropical climates and is richer in nutrients than most root and tuber crops. However, its large-scale culture is confronted with the unavailability of propagation material related to its mode of multiplication and growth. In fact, the pronounced dominance imposed by the terminal bud inhibits bud burst and the development of lateral buds that can be used during planting. To try to solve this problem, a study was carried out by experimenting the PIF method in Kisangani. It consisted in evaluating the longevity of the bulbs in relation to their size, to estimate the production of the offspring with regard to the longevity of the mother bulbs and to evaluate the temporal evolution of the vigor of the obtained shoots. The observations made were based respectively on the diameter of the mother bulbs, the neck diameter of the weaned offspring, the lifespan of mother bulbs and the order of weaning. It was then established the relationship between the longevity of the mother bulbs and their size, the number of offspring formed and the lifespan of the mother bulbs and finally between the diameter of offspring formed and the order of weaning. The results obtained showed that: The longevity of the mother bulbs was independent of their size (P = 0,905);There is a positive correlation between the longevity of mother bulbs and the number of offspring formed. This relationship was translated by the equation: Number of offspring formed = 0,847 + 0,004X (X = longevity of mother bulbs). This equation indicates that the number of offspring formed increases moderately with the longevity of the mother bulbs (r = 0,346). The longevity of the bulb explains to 10,9% the increase in the number of the offspring formed (R2 = 0,109);There were no significant differences between the tested substrates with respect to the longevity of the mother bulbs (P = 0,227);There is a close relationship between the weaning order and the vigor of trained and weaned offspring.

It is a perennial softwood tree with timber of low quality, but which for centuries has been advocated for traditional medicinal and industrial uses Moringa Oleifera is an ideal plant to promote at the household level because it is extremely resilient to harsh growing environments, including drought, poor soil quality and many pests and diseases. It is a complete food in itself. Everything about the moringa oleifera is nutritious. You can eat the cooked leaves, shoots, pulp and seeds. This study seeks to determine the profitability of Moringa oleifera production with a particular reference to the socio economic characteristics of the farmers in the study area. The area covered by this study is Isokan Local Government Area of Osun state. Data for this study were collected from primary source. primary data were colleted using structured questionnaires. A combination of analytical tools were employed. They include descriptive statistics such has mean. frequency and distribution, percentages, budgetary analysis and Tobit model. This study therefore recommends that more technologically improved methods of processing, packaging and preservations should be adopted and encouraged for economic efficiency.

The trail was conducted from March 11- 17 May 2014 in the University of Gondar forage development garden. Water diluted Cattle Urine technology was examined for the current livestock rise vs feed shortage particularly in the dry season of the year. With the aim of improving the biomass yield of Maize (Zea mays L.). The used land was beforehand Elephant grass cultivated garden to reduce the residual effect of the soil. To address the aims 2m x10m trail was examined for 65 days; in all eight treatments each with three replications; the seed were local and traditionally used by farmers purchased and used to germinate. The seed were socked in water for 24 hours and germination was seen at six days of sowing. Treatments (T) were 10:1, 8:1, 6:1, 4:1, 2:1, and 1:1 (water: urine) ratio as well as Urea to DAP (Positive control) and the last with no urine, DAP & Urea fertilizer to (negative control).Treatments (Ts) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7and 8 each with three replications used respectively. Maize plant height in cm was 213.83; 199.39; 183.28; 181.38; 181.33; 166.28; 128.83 and 80.07 from 1 to 8 (Ts) respectively. Maize plant 2mx10m Biomass Yield in kg was 55; 38; 32; 31.33; 29.33; 22.67; 5.67; and 4.17 from 1 to 8 (Ts) respectively. The average over all treatments (Ts) maize plant estimated Biomass Yield in tons/ha was 82.5; 57; 48; 47;44; 34; 8.2; and 6.25 (Ts) respectively.. What has been observed from the trail was that; more diluted water to Urine ratio T1 (10:1) had much improved maize biomass yield; than the rest of treatments even from positive control trials. In the positive control trial drop-down biomass yield was pragmatic; this might be due to firing effect of the inorganic fertilizers; hence; jog-drop-watering was used that might not be sufficient enough to dilute like that of rainy water and causes to burn the roots. The harvested maize plant fodder was 100 percent palatable in feeding dairy cows. In conclusion ten parts of water with one part of cattle urine Technology can boost maize biomass yield. Urine collection method and storage technique to be further studied to exploit the cattle urine as nitrogen source is suggested.

The study analyzed the demand Analysis for household consumption of garri in Imo State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 180 garri consumers from the state and the primary data were collected with structured questionnaire from the respondents. Descriptive and Inferential statistical tools such as means, standard deviation, percentage, multiple regression and logit regression analysis were used to achieve the specific objectives of the study. The result showed total expenditure on garri and fufu was N2,056.75 of which yellow garri has the highest share of N1,092.88 (53.14%), followed by white garri that was N588.88 (28.63%), and fufu’s share was N375 (18.23%), It further showed that garri is a normal, price inelastic good that has strong degree of competitiveness and suitability with fufu and income elastic. Age of the household head, household monthly income and price of garri are important factors influencing preference of yellow garri consumption. It was recommended that Price of garri should be stabilized across the markets to ensure consumers’ greater access and affordability, Households should be encourage to aggressively engage in cassava production and processing into preferred types of garri, fufu and other cassava products to stem ensure all year round availability of garri and other products in the country. 

Liquid 13C-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) spectra of HA (humic acid) extracted from a Hanslope Soil, Writtle College, UK under five types of land management: grassland under permanent pasture on 5 y ley before stocking; grassland under permanent pasture sown with red clover a y before stocking; grassland under permanent pasture treated with N-fertilizer a y before stocking; arable land under barley and deciduous woodland showed four major fragments: the aliphatic (alkyl C) region between 10 – 48 ppm; the carbohydrate (o-alkyl C) region between 49 and 110 ppm; the aromatic (aryl C) region between 111 and 165 ppm and the carboxyl region between 166 and 195 ppm. The study also revealed carboxyl conspicuous spectra between 150 and 200 ppm. The highest concentration of humic acid was in deciduous woodland, 55.2 mg g-1, and least in permanent pasture on a 5 y ley before stocking, 33.8 mg g-1.. Since soil organic matter (SOM) influences soil structure and fertility, humic substances effects bioavailability of elements and chemical compounds in the environment. The degradation of humic substances are slow. Hence, they do not appear to be a major direct source of nutrients – carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur.

A study is conducted to investigate the effects of socio economic factors on agricultural land use in Malaysia. Relevant socio – economic variables for the study were aggregated from the databases of various international and national agencies such as FAO, Index Mundi and Malaysian Departments of Agriculture and Statistics. These data were subjected to statistical analysis using stepwise regression method in SPSS version 18. Findings indicated that, relevant socio – economic factors in agricultural land use in Malaysia are available workforce in the population and their working conditions in the agricultural and non – agricultural sectors. This study has revealed that labour supply and their conditions of service are major factors in agricultural land use in Malaysia. This study further underscores the need for greater application labour saving technology in agricultural practices given the competition between agricultural and non – agricultural uses of available workforce in the population.

Gypsum, pressmud, farm yard manure, ETP sludge were tried to ameliorate the textile and dye effluent polluted soil habitat, using sunflower (CO4) as a test crop. The sludge along with effluent irrigation added considerable quantities of cations (calcium, magnesium and sodium) to the soil system. Application of pressmud @ 5 t ha-1 along with 100 per cent GR + NPK reduced the soil ESP by 44.96 per cent. The heavy metal content were also reduced due to addition of pressmud. Higher microbial population was also observed under effluent irrigation than well water. Application of 100 per cent GR + pressmud @ 5 t ha-1 + NPK under effluent irrigation increased the crop growth, yield attributes (head diameter, head weight, seed test weight) and yield of sunflower in effluent polluted soil habitat. The yield under pressmud amended plots was 36 per cent higher over control. Reclamation and restoration of textile dye effluent polluted soil habitat is possible by leaching the soil with 100 per cent GR followed by application of pressmud @ 5 t ha-1 and recommended NPK.

This paper analysed cowpea markets and consumers’ preferences in Ogbomoso metropolis using a household hedonic approach. 60 cowpea sellers were selected by a purposive random sampling technique in four major markets from Ogbomoso North (Sabo market and New Waso market) and Ogbomoso South (Arada market and Caretaker market) Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. 50% of the cowpea sellers were male and female respectively. 96.67% of them sell more than one varieties. 96.67% of respondents sell a combination of varieties i.e. Peu/Drum, Sokoto, Mala, Olo and Oloyin for their nutritive value, popularity and availability which may be used for boiled whole grain cooking, fried cowpea balls (akara), and steamed cowpea cake (moin-moin). Over 50% of respondents (cowpea marketers) use storage chemical which reduces the attack of weevils to be able to sell cowpea that has no or few numbers of bruchid holes. The mean prices of peu/drum cowpea, sokoto cowpea, mala cowpea, olo cowpea and oloyin cowpea are ?359.67, ?291.83, ?324.00, ?376.00, and ?394.17. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) which was used capture price-quality relationship of the type of cowpea purchased by consumers revealed that there is a significant relationship between the number of holes in each of the cowpea varieties and their respective prices in the various markets sampled in the study area. Hence, the numbers of holes appear to be the major determining factors affecting the prices of various cowpea types in the study area.

Thirty-two male male Large White weanling pigs of 8-9 weeks of age averaging 7.50 + 0.36kg were used to evaluate the effect of dietary copper on fertility of pubertal sows. The animals were randomly assigned in a Completely Randomized Design experiment to 4 diets containing 0, 100, 200 and 300ppm Cu/kg constituting the control(diet 1), diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively, in a 6-month feeding trial such that each treatment had 8 animals. The feeding trial was divided into 3 physiological phases [weanling (starter), pre-pubertal (grower) and pubertal (finisher)]. At the end of the feeding trial, 4 treated boars selected at random from each treatment were mated to 8 gilts (i.e. 1 boar to 2 gilts) following the gilts’ synchronization to determine the fertility rate of the boars. The mated gilts were sacrificed at the end of the 1st trimester and their uteri cut open longitudinally to check for conception, count the number of embryos therein and the embryo survival rate determined. The results showed significant (p<0.05) difference on fertility parameters assessed except foetal crown-rump length and litter weight. The conception rate tended to be constant across the treatment except for treatment 3 with 75%. The study revealed that male weanling pigs for breeding can be fed dietary Cu of between 100-300ppm for optimum reproductive performance.