American Research Journal of Agriculture

Josef Bamidele Bolarinwa1, FASAKIN,Emman A2, FAGBENRO,Adedapo O3

A study of the icthyofauna resources of the coastal waters of Ondo State of Nigeria conducted for 18 months (June 2011-December, 2012) revealed the presence of 67 finfish species with the clariids(especially Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus bidorsalis) and cichlids(especially Oreochromis niloticus and Coptodon zilli) dominating the stock accounting for 42% and 16% respectively. Other predominant families were A high ’Claroitedae’(Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) with 9.2% contribution, ’Channidae’(Parachanna africana) with 8.7%, Osteoglossidae (Heterotis niloticus) with 7.1%, Gymnarchidae( Gymnarchus niloticus), Mugilidae (Mugil cephalus) and Clupeidae (Ethmalosa fimbriata). Lausanne Index of Abundance was 89.7% while Margalef.s index( a measure of species richness) was 5.18. The Length-weight relationships of these predominant fishes showed negative allometric growth pattern. A high level of heterogeneity of stock was observed as revealed by Simpson Index and Shannon-Weiner Index of General Diversity (H i) which were 0.13 and 0.35 respectively. A lot of similarity in species composition existed as revealed by Evenness Index(E) of 0.20 and Berger-Perker Index of 0.88. There was comparatively higher catches of fish in the dry season than the wet season probably due to reduced water volume which concentrated the fishes for easier catchability. The author recommends the need to protect the existing stock especially the monospecific families like the Osteoglosidae and Gymnarchidae through regular monitoring of the physicochemical parameters of the coastal waters which are highly susceptible to crude oil pollution, Ondo State being a crude oil-producing area. More funds should be committed by the government to researches on population dynamics and biomass estimate of our coastal waters.

Oyediran, Wasiu Oyeleke1, Omoare, Ayodeji Motunrayo2

Postharvest losses (PHLs) and food insecurity are major threats to agricultural growth and development in Nigeria. The challenges are enormous, especially in rural areas where food insecurity, poverty and educational deprivation often create a vicious circle. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the potentials and challenges of Agricultural Education in reducing PHLs and food insecurity in Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-five (125) respondents were selected as sample size using simple random sampling technique. Data obtained were analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square. Results showed that majority of the respondents acquired knowledge of Crop Production and Management (83.20%), Cassava processing (48.00%), Poultry (57.60%), and fish production skills (41.60%). In the same vein, Agricultural Education has been identified as important driven force to reduce PHLs ( products and its availability all the year-round ( = 4.22; SD = 1.18) and facilitate quality farm = 4.16; SD = 0.92). Results of chi-square showed a significant relationship between the skill acquisition (χ2 = 13.26, df = 1) and perception of the respondents on Agricultural Education at p < 0.05 level of significance. However, effective Agricultural Education teaching and learning process was constrained by inadequate resource personnel (t = -2.492), epileptic power supply (t = 2.233), poor funding of agricultural education (t = 2.525), inadequate agricultural instructional materials (t = 2.286), poor support for agricultural researches and findings (t = 6.643), inadequate functional processing facilities (t = -4.543) at p < 0.05 level of significance. This study concluded that Agricultural Education contributed to skill acquisition in agricultural production and food security.

El-Hamamy M.M1, Amina A. Dessouki1, Rania.Hamad1, Manal M. A. Mahmoud2*

Thecurrent study investigated the role of commercialprobiotic(ROEMIN W2)on growth performance and in preventing or treating chicks challenged with E.coli.Three hundred one day- old mixed Cobb broiler chicks, divided into 5 groups and reared for 42 days. G1was the control group. G2 received probiotic (ROEMIN W2). G3challenged with E.coli. G4challenged with E.coli after receiving of ROEMIN W2. G5challengedfirstly with E.coli then received ROEMIN W2. Body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio calculated for the complete experimental period. Two birds from each replicate were taken and slaughtered (at the 3rd and 6th weeks) for determination of carcass weight. Duodenum collected for both histomorphological and scanning electron microscope studies.ROEMIN W2 significantly improved performance in G2andG4 in spite of the E. coli infection compared to control group. G5 had the same FCR and carcass weight as the control group in spite of the E. coli infection. There was a significantly decreased growth performance in the E coli infected non ROEMIN W2 supplemented group, G3 compared to all other treatments. The collected data revealed pronounced intestinal villi improvement in groups treated with probiotic,while infected non- treated group showed decrease length of villi and increase depth of the crypts recorded. Scanning Electron microscope of groups treated with probiotics showed normal length long finger-like projection.Crypt area showed a numerous number of proliferating enterocytes having longer microvilli. Whereas the E. coli infected group showed short distorted duodenal villi with massive destruction and loss. 

Matt Bell 1*, Jennie Pryce 2,3, Paul Wilson1

This is the first study to derive the economic value of enteric methane produced by a ruminant animal. There is considerable interest globally in selecting for low methane-emitting ruminant livestock, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas. However, before enteric methane can be included in a genetic selection index for breeding, the economic value for enteric methane needs to be derived. An animal model including a partial budget was used to derive economic values for a range of production and fitness (health and fertility) traits typically used in genetic selection of dairy cows with the addition of enteric methane. This study found that enteric methane (kilograms/lactation) has an economic value of -£1.68 per kg increase in methane per lactation. The economic value for enteric methane was of similar magnitude to the traits of milk fat yield (£1.14 per unit change in milk fat) and mastitis (-£1.55 per % incidence). Based on the variation seen in the dairy cow population in the UK, genetic selection on enteric methane has potential to increase herd profit per cow and reduce emissions. Even if the economic and abatement gains associated with selecting low methane producing livestock are relatively small, reductions in enteric methane emissions appear possible if a reliable and repeatable measure becomes available for use on commercial farms.

I Bushara

The experiment was conducted with cattle production in North Kordofan, which was closely monitored through a period of 365 days. Seven groups of cattle herders were selected randomly. The recently calved cows were monitored till next conception following post-partum ovarian activity using milk progesterone radioimmunoassay. Days to conception were taken as non-return to oestrus. Regression analyses were done for days to first progesterone rise and days to conception against season of calving and type of breed and correlation between them and body weight and milk yield. The results revealed that there was a wide variation in both days to first ovulation and days to conception. Dry season showed an adverse effect on fertility compared with the rainy season. Cows that had been calved during wet season showed delayed post-partum activity and days to conception with longest days to resumption of ovarian activity showed in dry season (87.66±52.25). The interval to conception was longest in dry season (149.60±69.52 days) and lowest in wet season (113.00±73.80 days) with higher conception rate. Regression analyses showed significant negative correlation obtained during the wet season between days to progesterone rise and body weight at calving, milk yield, Similary days to conception were found to decrease by 38 days for each increase of 1 kg milk yield at 60 and 90 days. Cross breeds, had longer days to ovulation and days to conception compared with local ones, but showed lower pregnancy rates. Local breed showed lowered days to reproductive parameters studied during wet season compared with dry season. Also local breed showed weak negative correlation between days 1st P4 rise and body weight at calving and Milk yield with decline in days. Significant negative correlation were obtained between days to conception and milk yield with corresponding decrease in days for each increase in 1 kg of milk yield. It could be concluded that, poor reproductive performance in cows kept under extensive traditional system was due to poor management practices, which ignored high-energy supplementation during late pregnancy and early lactation, especially during the dry season. Improving feeding strategies may greatly enhance reproductive performance of cows kept under extensive systems of management.

Abdalla N. Elawad, Ramadan A. S. Ali, Manal M. Khalipha, Mohammed A. El-Mabrouk and Eman S. AlFergani

 Age, mortality rate (fishing and natural mortality), exploitation rate, survivor rate and Yield per recruit for the species Liza ramada were established in Benghazi coast eastern coast of Libya. four age groups were determined, the Von Bertalanffy growth equation of all individuals were estimated at 35.4 cm, 0.187 per year, -1.14 years and 2.4 for L∞, k and t0 ,respectively. Total mortality estimated from linearized catch curve was equal = 0.4 per year, the natural mortality coefficient “M” and the fishing mortality coefficient “F” were estimated at 0.2 and 0.2 year respectively. The exploitation rate “E” was estimated 0.5 and survival rate “Z” was 0.7. Yield per recruit obtained was 46.8 gm at fishing mortality 0.2 and the maximum yield per recruit was 50.1 gm at maximum fishing mortality 0.4 per year.

Hinmikaiye, A.S., 1Abolusoro, S.A.,Oloniruha, J.A.,*Ogundare, S.K.,Babalola, T.S.,Kadiri, W.O.J, Ayodele, F.G

The efficacy of carbofuran and plant extracts from Jartrophacurcas in the control of root knot nematode, Meloidogynesppwas investigated in screen house experiments using potted plants. The carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide was applied at the rate of 3kg ai/ha (0.5g/stand). The plant powder material were applied as soil amendment and was incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons/ha (25g per stand). While the test plant liquid extracts were applied to the soil at the rate of 30ml per pot. Also the test plant ethanoic-extract was applied to the soil at the rate 30ml per pot. There were also untreated controls which serve as standard check. The experiment was carried out as a 5 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that the plant materials used in this study was effective to different extents against the target nematode Meloidogynespp. as it reduced the incidence and adverse effects on the growth and yield significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control). those of the control. performance of sweet pepper Capsicum annum. All the measured parameters except root gall rating were significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control).The result further showed that the treatments had significant effect on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, days to 50% plant flowering, shoot weight, root weight, fruit weight, number of fruit/pot and gall indices compared to untreated control plant. The roots of the treated plants were significantly less galled than those of the controlPhytochemical screening showed that the plant materials contained carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins which are known to be effectively lethal to most micro-organisms, nematode inclusive.

1Babatunde, I. J, 1Ewulo, B. S, 1Agele, S. O and 2Ogundare, S. K.

Field experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of reduced tillage methods on soil properties and maize performance on Ultisol and Glysol of Kogi State. The sites of the experiments were on ultisol at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ejiba anda glysol at AhmaduBello University,Division of Agricultural Colleges, College of Agriculture, Kabba. Treatment consisted of five tillage methods namely; Zero Tillage(ZT), Mannual Tillage (MT), Plough Alone (PA), Plough +Harrow (PH), and Plough +Harrow + Ridge(PHR). The treatments were replicated three times. Soil physical properties such as bulk density, porosity, moisture content, temperature, macro and micro porosity and chemical properties such as soil pH, Organic matter, N, P,K,Ca,Mg, CEC and Base Saturationwere examined before and at the end of the experiment.Maize growth parameters (stem girth, leaf area and plant height) were collected at two weeks interval.Days to 50% tasseling were taken. Yield parameters (seed weight, 1000seed weight,number of seed per cob and seed yield t/ha) were collected at harvest. Leaf tissue analysis was carried out on leaves collected at tasseling to determine leaf nutrient. The results showed that tillage significantly (P