ABSTRACT Increasing agricultural productivity is now a popular subject across nations as a result of increasing population and an increase in demand for food. Consequently, there is an urgency to adopt modern agricultural technologies which will affect the growth of agricultural output, especially among smallholder farmers. The adoption of innovative strategies to help boost banana production is still low and they are not readily visible in most smallholder farms. The study looked at key inn...
Abstract A twelve-week feeding trial was carried out to assess the nutritive potentials of kola pod husk and to assess the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus juveniles on varying levels of kola pod husk- supplementation. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritive potentials of kola pod husk on the penance of C. gariepinus and its level of incorporation in such diets. Eight acpaimental bowls (6Ox30x30cm~ were used for the experiment There were four treatments with each treat...
Abstract A 49-day feeding trial was carried out with feeds supplemented with microgram quantities of the defatted seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus in the diets of Clarias gariepinus at the post juveinile stage. Five diets at 40% crude protein were formulated containing 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60x106 µg DAH seed as additive. Each dietary treatment was replicated three times with 10 fish per replicate. Proximate composition of the defatted seed showed that it was rich in protein, carbohydrate and ...
ABSTRACT Successful land management for tree crop production requires good knowledge of the soil variation and suitability for specific tree crops. Most of the traditional rubber growing areas in Nigeria have not been evaluated for their suitability and production potential. Characterisation and evaluation of the land for rubber production was therefore conducted. Soils of two rubber producing areas: Iyanomo, Edo State and Akwete, Abia State were characterised and evaluated using local, Unit...
ABSTRACT Research on markets and marketing of some non-timber forest products (NTFPs) was carried out in selected locations of Osun State. The NTFPs considered are chewing sticks such as Massularia acuminata and bush meat like Thryonomys swinderianus, representing both the flora and fauna aspects of NTFPs, respectively. Five Local Government Areas were randomly selected, namely; Odo-otin, Boripe, Iwo, Irewole and Atakunmosa for the research purpose. A total of 300 questionnaires were administ...
Abstract Selected physical and mechanical properties of 28 years old Eucalyptus grandis planted as municipal trees were evaluated to determine its utilization potentials. Five trees were selected and felled. Test samples were then taken at four different levels along the bole. The properties of the wood evaluated were moisture contents, calorific energy, impact and static bending properties. Data collected were statistically analysed using ANOVA. Statistical analysis of the results showed si...
ABSTRACT The study investigated the fibre characteristics and chemical composition of Vitex doniana towards determining its potentials for pulp and paper. Fibre dimensions are of great importance because of the strong correlation between it and the strength properties of wood and paper. Axial and radial examinations of fibre characteristics of naturally grown wood of Vitex doniana were investigated to determine its suitability for paper production. Wood slivers were prepared from slices, int...
Abstract Rural livelihoods, incidence of poverty and climate change are intricately connected in the Offinso Municipality in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Conscious of the vagaries of climate change, smallholder farmers have developed adaptation measures to sustain their subsistent livelihoods. This paper examines the various on-farm adaptation measures among smallholder farmers in the Offinso municipality with the view to drawing lessons for effective policy making and implementation. A tria...
Abstract In Nigeria, as in many other countries, wastewater use in agricultural production by farming households is on the rise and there is a need to draw the attention of key players and urban authorities in fostering appropriate planning initiatives. For this reason, the perception and knowledge of vegetable farmers becomes necessary to improve their production activities and yield. While previous studies have confirmed limited or no awareness information and education to vegetable farmers...
Increase in population and change in lifestyle has created water scarcity in many parts of the country. Microstructures for rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge and reuse of water are becoming more and more popular to solve the local water problems, to mitigate water shortage and improve water quality. The study was conducted to investigate the challenges influencing the implementation of water sector reforms in Cross River State Water Board Limited and to address the poor water quality ...
ABSTRACT Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically and nutritionally important crop in Rwanda. However, its production is threatened by the invasive tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta Meyrick) since 2015. Options for integrated pest management (IPM) for its control under Rwandan conditions have not been developed. The main objective of this study was to contribute to enhanced tomato productivity and fruit quality in Rwanda through evaluation of entomopathogens and plant extracts as o...
ABSTRACT In an attempt to address the insect pest menace in Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.), a study was conducted to document the major insect pests of Jatropha in Kenya and evaluate the bioactivity of aqueous T. vogelii and L. camara extracts against adult golden flea beetle (GFB). A stratified simple random sampling procedure was used to gather information on the major insect pests of Jatropha in Bondo and Kibwezi districts. In the laboratory and field studies, aqueous crude extracts, at fo...
ABSTRACT East Coast Fever (ECF) is a tick borne disease endemic in the North Rift region of Kenya. The ECF infections lead to substantial economic loss to smallholder dairy farmers from veterinary costs incurred in using prophylactics and value loss associated with animal mortality and production decline during disease infection. Traditionally, prophylactic strategy of choice is application of acaricide in communal dips and hand spraying, but effectiveness of the strategy is a factor of good...
ABSTRACT In recent times, dairy farming has become a major economic activity for many smallholder farmers in Kiambu County. This has been encouraged by the rising demand for milk and dairy products by the growing population. Following this, there has been an increased demand for dairy cow feeds by the small-scale farmers and therefore the need to do this study. The general objective of the study was to contribute to improved livelihood by determining level of demand of dairy cows feed and pr...
ABSTRACT Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an indigenous legume crop in Kenya. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp voandzeia is a destructive fungal pathogen affecting Bambara nut in Kenya. An experiment was carried out in the green house and field to determine the incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt on local landraces and evaluate its management using goat farm yard manure (FYM). The field experiment was carried out in Busia County, where four villages (Bufisi, Bukati, Madola and Butun...