Agriculture

In determining meat yield and sensory attributes of 12 weeks old guinea keets, ninety guinea fowl keets (Numida meleagris) at one-week old and of equal weights were fed conventional diet based on maize, sesame and groundnut meals (210.4 gkg-1 crude protein and 11.95 mJKg-1 ME) up to 12 weeks of age, then their meat parts yield, skin colour measurements and sensory characteristics were determined. The dressing percentage gave a mean value of 68.28, while the mean carcass parts yield showed he highest relative weights for the breast (28.1) followed by the back and neck (27.9), drum sticks and thighs (27.54) and the lowest for the wings (14.86). Hunter guinea fowl’s skin colour measurements showed higher values, coinciding with the observed dark dressed carcass skin colour. Sensory properties scores for the tasted attributes showed that guinea meat have slightly desirable colour, moderately desirable flavor with moderate juiciness and tenderness.

In recent times, among of the major problems in oil palm plantations is the lack of proper interpretation of yield maps for site-specific management. The ability to determine and diagnose leaf factors that influencing yield variability of oil palm will benefits in managing the plantation for better yield. A study on spatial variability of N, P, K, Mg and Ca in oil palm leaf was carried out at the Dusun Durian Estate of Golden Hope Plantations Berhad in Selangor, Malaysia. The aim of this study is to obtain accurate and timely information on the spatial distribution and status of N, P, K, Mg and Ca in leaf using semivariogram analysis and geographical information system (GIS), and its correlation to oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield. The collection of leaf tissue data was conducted using systematic sampling. A GPS device (AgGPS Trimble) was used to precisely determine samples locations. Geostatistics software and classical statistics were used for data analysis. Correlation analysis was used to determine the strength of the relationship between nutrient content in leaf tissue and FFB yield. From kriged map, results indicate that about 32.2% of the area is low in yield, 51.6% is moderate and 16.2% is high in yield, respectively. Correlation analyses shown the total of N and available of P in the leaf have strong positive relationship (r2 = 0.84 and 0.83) with FFB yields. Thus, result implies that N and P in leaf tissue can be used to determine the FFB yields for oil palm production.

Life is a journey. The way time flies. Three decades of academics, research and charity packed life. From 1984 – 2014 the pedestal has been on to shape tropical agriculture, capture temperate agriculture, and serve humanity in all spheres of life. Most rewarding is the metamorphosis in academics and charity at local and cross-country levels. There can be no better tribute to my lecturers, supervisors, students, bosses, schools, colleges and universities than to review this personal three decades of experimentation in tropical Nigeria.

The size and aggregation state of soil can be influenced by different soil management processes. The objective of this work was to determine the influence of three tillage practices; Manual clearing (MC), Plough tillage (PT) and Conventional tillage (CT) with vetiver grass strips (VGS) spaced at surface interval of 0 m (control), 5 m and 10 m. Soil samples were collected at (0-0.05 m) depth after each growing seasons in 2004 to 2006. Soil organic carbon was determined in the laboratory. Water stable aggregates (WSA) and mean weight diameter (MWD) were determined by wet sieving in 2004 to 2006. Soil organic carbon was significantly higher by 3.7 and 4.8%, respectively on both PH and CT than MC in 2005. Mean weight diameter was significantly increased on 10 m VGS than the control by 3.5% but similar to 5 m VGS. The result showed that tillage both (MC and PT) significantly increased water stable aggregate only in 2004 growing season by 20 and 16%, respectively. Appreciable but not significant increases in mean of WSA over the three years were 1 and 2.7% on 5 m and 10 m , respectively. The study showed that tillage and vetiver grass strips may have immediate and subsequent effects on soil aggregation.

A variability analysis of some pedons formed on sedimentary parent materials in south-western Nigeria was made, and their potential for sustainable crop productivity was evaluated. Three locations (Eggua, Esan and Papalanto) were surveyed and sampled for the experiment. Three landscape positions (Upper, Middle and Lower Slopes) were identified and soil sample was collected at the depth of 0-30cm and 30-60cm for each landscape position for physical and chemical analysis in each of the location. Data collected were subjected to 2-Way Analysis of Variance arranged in a randomized completely block design with Location, landscape position and soil depth as factors and soil physical and chemical properties as variables. Significantly different means were separated using LSD at (P ? 0.05) level of probability. Descriptive statistical analysis was also carried out to evaluate measure of dispersion and mean for all variables. The variability of soil properties within and among pedons was measured by estimating the percentage coefficient of variation (%CV). The results of this study revealed that pH in water, pH in KCl, BS and BD had the least variation when compared with Na, ECEC and sand which showed low to moderate variation and TN, OC, P, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, silt and clay which shows low, moderate, high to very high variation. Also results from the analysis of variance also show that landscape positions have significant (P ? 0.05) effects on P, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, BS, Mg, Na, ECEC and silt, whereas, TN, OC, Ca, K, pH in water, pH in KCl, sand, clay and BD were not significantly influenced by landscape positions. Soil depth did not significantly (P ? 0.05) affect the availability, distribution and concentration of TN, P, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, BS, Ca, Mg, K, Na, ECEC, sand and silt. Significant (P ? 0.05) differences in OC, pH in water, pH in KCl, Clay and BD were observed with soil depth in all the three locations investigated.

Mineral nutrient Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Calcium showed increasing trends with increasing nematode inoculum. However, Nitrogen and Phosphorus showed significant increase at 100 nematodes and above per pot where as Ca increase significantly at 10 nematodes and above levels per pot .Potassium and Magnesium did not showed inconsistent trends, more over Mg declined at higher nematode inoculum .Meloidogyne incognita increased macro nutrient levels in roots which left adverse impact on plant physiology.

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.