Comparative Evaluation of Some Botanicals and Carbofuran in the Control of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne spp. on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

YAKUBU, L.B. AND IZUOGU, N.B.

Department of Crop Protection,

University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria.

E-mail: busybrain4sure@yahoo.com

Abstract: The nematicidal effect of leaves of three selected plants, Calotropis procera, Crotalaria retusa, and Hyptis suaveolens were compared with a  synthetic nematicide, Carbofuran 3G applied singly to control root knot nematode infecting cowpea. A ploughed, harrowed and ridged plot of land was divided into 3 blocks, each having 8 treatments but replicated 3 times in a randomized complete block design form to give a total of 24 subplots. All subplots received the same level of root knot nematode inoculation. The leaves of each test plant were applied at two rates (3.0 tonnes/ha and 1.5tonnes/ha) while the Carbofuran was applied at 3kgai/ha. All the test plant leaves applied at higher rates performed significantly higher (P=0.05) and were almost as effective as Carbofuran at 3kgai/ha in terms of plant height, leaf number, seed weight, and days to 50% flowering. At harvest, galling was significantly lower in Carbofuran treated plots. The control plants were most galled with poor yield. The lower rate of botanicals (1.5tonnes/ha) performed significantly better than control plants in suppressing the effects of root-knot nematode infecting cowpea. These suggest that the tested botanicals are effective in the management of root-knot nematode population. The application of the tested botanicals at 3tonnes/ha can be used as substitutes for Carbofuran or other nematicidal synthetic chemicals in controlling root-knot nematode population in farmlands.

Pattern of Meat Consumption in Jalingo Local Government Area in Northern Taraba State Nigeria

ABDULRAHMAN A.M., B.J. MUFWA, MUSA B. AND INNOCENT S.B.

Department of Animal Production

College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

E-mail: aamaigari77@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out in Jalingo local government area Taraba State, to determine meat consumption pattern in the area and factors affecting same. A well designed questionnaire of which one hundred and sixty three (163) copies were used in the survey served as a source of data collection which covered a period of two weeks. It is observed that 98.1% of the respondent in the study area were male and had formal education with 96.9% the household size is 10 and above which are the majority with 44.5%, their primary occupation are civil servants with 55.2%. And It was found that most (82.2%) of the people within the locality obtained their meat mainly from the market. Even though (98%) of the respondents kept domestic livestock, they rarely consumed what they kept, but rather used them for income generation, and for entertaining guests. Meat preference was in the order of fish, beef, chevon, poultry, pork and bush meat. It was found that most (63.8%) of the people consumed meat once daily. The consumption of meat was said to be high during festive periods such as Sallah, Christmas and New Year during which meat shortage occurred as a result of excessive demand. Most (83.4%) of the respondents sometimes preserved fresh meat by smoking for future consumption; taboos on consumption of meat (especially pig and dog) and self restriction by some people on the consumption of sheep and goat were also found among the people.  It is also found that majority of the people do not consumed disease/death carcass. Meat consumption pattern in the area was said to be better if the number of animals produced was high coupled with the high level of education among the people on the importance of consuming some of the animals they keep. Meat consumption in this area is influenced by a number of factors such as preference culture, economic and availability.

Quality Evaluation of Plantain Chips Sold in Makurdi Metropolis

IKYA, J.K.^1*, ABAH, J.O.¹ AND HAMID, A.F.² 

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

²Adamawa State College of Agriculture Mayo Belwa, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: aveyina2012@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

In this study, plantain chips sold in three selected locations (High Level, Wurukum and North Bank) in Makurdi metropolis were purchased and subjected to proximate composition, microbiological and nutritional quality analyses. Results obtained showed that; the proximate composition (on dry weight bases) ranged as follows: 5.76 – 6.25%, 3.20 – 5.08%, 0.44 – 0.52%, 2.23 – 2.38%, 85.85 – 88.36% and 405.28 – 414.12 Kcal for protein, fat, fibre, ash, carbohydrate and energy respectively. The mean microbial counts (CFU/g) for the samples of plantain chips purchased showed that they were all contaminated but safe for consumption. The values ranged from 1.71 × 10⁴ – 3.60 × 10⁴, 3.80 × 10³ – 1.82 × 10⁴ and 3.20 × 10⁴ – 1.48 × 10⁵ for total aerobic bacterial, coliform and fungal counts respectively. The result of nutritional quality evaluation indicated that casein (control) supported more gain in weight (5.42 g) of rats after 14 days of the feeding trial period than the test diets containing plantain chips (1.10 g, 1.25 g, and 1.15 g for High Level, Wurukum and North Bank respectively). The nutritional values of test diets especially in terms of PER (0.58, 0.65, and 0.51) and TND (98.95, 99.48 and 98.67) compared favourably to that of casein (control), with PER and TND of 0.69 and 99.87 respectively. No marked variation was observed in the overall quality of samples obtained from the different locations. Plantain chips sold in Makurdi metropolis was found to be of good quality and should be consumed as a nutritious and healthy snack.

Cyperus Esculentus L. (Tigernut) Increases Estrogen Levelin

Female Albino Wistar Rats

AGBAI E.O¹. AND NWANEGWO C.O¹.

¹Department of Human Physiology, Madonna University Elele, Rivers State Nigeria.

²Department of Human Physiology, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria.

 E-mail: madonna3k5@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The effect of methanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus L. on follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and estrogen in twenty four albino wistar rats and in four control rats. After six weeks administration of extract of Cyperus esculentus L., results showed no statistically significant difference in LH levels at P > 0.05 between Group A (5.23 ± 0.92) compared with experimental Group B (5.55 ± 0.29), Group C (5.33 ± 0.74) and Group D (6.10 ± 0.15). FSH levels showed statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between Group A (12.20 ± 0.94) compared to Group B (11.30 ± 1.93) and Group C (12.18 ± 1.24). There was no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between Group A (12.20 ± 0.94) compared with Group D (14.18 ± 2.00). Prolactin levels showed no statistically significant differences at P > 0.05 between Group A (1.83 ± 0.38) compared with Group B (2.03 ± 0.05), Group C (1.88 ± 0.11) and Group D (2.25 ± 0.21). The estrogen levels showed statistically significant differences at P < 0.05 between Group A (16.83 ± 1.48) compared to Group B (19.85 ± 2.17). There was also statistically significant difference in estrogen levels at P < 0.05 between Group A (16.83 ± 1.48) compared to Group C (24.03 ± 4.31). There was a statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between Group A (16.83 ± 1.48) compared to Group D (31.40 ± 4.19). Our finding revealed that methanolic extract of Cyperus esculentus significantly increased serum estrogen level as the dose concentration of extract increased, but did not statistically increase follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels.

Smoke- Curing Indices of Some Frozen Fish Species Using Traditional Smoking Kiln in Abeokuta, Ogun State

¹AKINYEMI, A.A., ¹IDOWU, A.A., ¹OLAOYE, O.J., ²TAIWO AYANSANWO, ²A.O. KUDORO AND ²B.B. ADEKOYA

¹Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria.

²Ogun State Agriculture Development Programme, Olabisi Onabanjo Way, Idi – Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

E-mail: adeoluakinyemi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The preservative effect of the smoking process results from drying and the deposition in the flesh of natural wood-smoke chemicals. The smoke-curing indices of Hake – (Merluccius sp); Sardine – (Sardinella sp); Mackerel – (Scomberomerus tritor) and Herring – (Sardinella maderensis) were assessed using cut-out drum smoking kiln. The fishes were weighed before smoking and the weighing continued at 30 minutes intervals during smoking until constant weights for each fish species was attained. The temperature in the smoking kiln during smoking curing ranged between 40 – 70⁰C, there was a continual and gradual loss of weight in Hake – (Merluccius sp); Sardine – (Sardinella sp); Mackerel – (Scomberomerus tritor) and Herring – (Sardinella maderensis) examined as the smoking time increases until a constant weight was reached at different times. Sardine – (Sardinella sp) had the highest smoking curing index of 62.5% and Hake – (Merluccius sp) was least with 43.75%. Thus, the shelf life of this fish species become enhanced at these levels of smoking which, enable the processors  time before the sales of their

In vivo Efficacy of Aqueous Extractof Citrullus lanatus Leaf on Trypanosoma brucei Infected Albino Rats

¹BIU, A.A., ²BURATAI, L.B., ²ONWUATOGWU, J., ¹MOHAMMED, A., ²AGADA, N.O. AND ¹KONTO, M.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

² Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

  E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the In vivo activity of Citrullus lanatus leaf aqueous extract on Trypanosoma brucei infected albino rats. Parasitaemia was evaluated using the rapid matching technique.  The parasites were detected in the peripheral blood of infected albino rats 2 days post infection, with the level of parasitaemia in all graded doses of the extract decreasing significantly (p < 0.05) from day 4 up to the 10^th day post infection compared with the positive control which had a corresponding increase in parasitaemia. There was complete clearance of parasitaemia in rats administered diminazene aceturate (berenil^R) on day 4 post infection. In conclusion, the level of parasitaemia was positively correlated to the dose of extract.

Smoke- Curing Indices of Some Frozen Fish Species Using Traditional Smoking Kiln in Abeokuta, Ogun State

¹AKINYEMI, A.A., ¹IDOWU, A.A., ¹OLAOYE, O.J., ²TAIWO AYANSANWO, ²A.O. KUDORO AND ²B.B. ADEKOYA

¹Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria.

²Ogun State Agriculture Development Programme, Olabisi Onabanjo Way, Idi – Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

E-mail: adeoluakinyemi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The preservative effect of the smoking process results from drying and the deposition in the flesh of natural wood-smoke chemicals. The smoke-curing indices of Hake – (Merluccius sp); Sardine – (Sardinella sp); Mackerel – (Scomberomerus tritor) and Herring – (Sardinella maderensis) were assessed using cut-out drum smoking kiln. The fishes were weighed before smoking and the weighing continued at 30 minutes intervals during smoking until constant weights for each fish species was attained. The temperature in the smoking kiln during smoking curing ranged between 40 – 70⁰C, there was a continual and gradual loss of weight in Hake – (Merluccius sp); Sardine – (Sardinella sp); Mackerel – (Scomberomerus tritor) and Herring – (Sardinella maderensis) examined as the smoking time increases until a constant weight was reached at different times. Sardine – (Sardinella sp) had the highest smoking curing index of 62.5% and Hake – (Merluccius sp) was least with 43.75%. Thus, the shelf life of this fish species become enhanced at these levels of smoking which, enable the processors  time before the sales of their products.

In vivo Efficacy of Aqueous Extractof Citrullus lanatus Leaf on Trypanosoma brucei Infected Albino Rats

¹BIU, A.A., ²BURATAI, L.B., ²ONWUATOGWU, J., ¹MOHAMMED, A., ²AGADA, N.O. AND ¹KONTO, M.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

² Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

  E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the In vivo activity of Citrullus lanatus leaf aqueous extract on Trypanosoma brucei infected albino rats. Parasitaemia was evaluated using the rapid matching technique.  The parasites were detected in the peripheral blood of infected albino rats 2 days post infection, with the level of parasitaemia in all graded doses of the extract decreasing significantly (p < 0.05) from day 4 up to the 10^th day post infection compared with the positive control which had a corresponding increase in parasitaemia. There was complete clearance of parasitaemia in rats administered diminazene aceturate (berenil^R) on day 4 post infection. In conclusion, the level of parasitaemia was positively correlated to the dose of extract.

Preservation Methods and Marketing Channels of Poultry Meat in Zing Local Government Area, Taraba State

¹NYAMEH, J., ²ANITA, D., ²WACHAP, E.D., ²MICHAEL, C. K. AND ³ALABI, J.

¹Department of Animal Production Technology, College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State.

²Department of Home and Rural Economics, College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State.

³Department of Animal Science Federal University Kashere, Gombe State.

E-mail: juliusnyameh@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study attempts to assess the preservation methods and marketing channels of poultry meat in Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State, where eight wards were randomly selected with 10 households selected from each ward. A total of 80 structured questionnaires were administered in all the selected households through random sampling techniques. The results shows that majority of the respondents are within the youthful ages (38.75% and 36.25%) respectively. Most of the respondents are males (61.25%) and most of them (48.75%) are married. The result shows that majority of them (48.75%) were secondary school leavers and most of them (47.50%) are applicants. Majority of them preserved their meat through frying (22.50%). The overall marketing channels are market place (33.75%) and the cooperative groups mostly (68.75%) sell their meat through credit and contact supply is mostly supplied to the restaurants (52.50%). It was concluded that more methods of preserving and marketing poultry meat should be explore to avert the issue of delay in selling the chickens when they have reached the market period which may increase the cost of producing the meat.

Growth Parameters as a Function of Sex Prediction in Telfaira occidentalis in Southern Nigeria

NMOR E.I AND OYEFIA V.E

Department of Agricultural Technology

Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria.

Email: nmoredith@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The study on the growth performance as a function of sex determination was carried out in Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro between March – September 2005. There are two sexes of Telfairia which could be identified on the field. The need to identify Telfairia sexes at seeding necessitated this study. The seeds were separated into male and female using some predictive features like size and shape of the seeds. The identified males are large and flat while the female are small and oval in shape. These seeds were planted into Complete Randomized Design with three replications. The performances of the two identified sexes were accessed using growth parameters like seedling emergence, number of leaves, number of branches and plant height. Data was collected on the interval of two weeks. The results indicated that the identified male had better seedling emergence of 148 and 203 as against 110 and 175 for the female. However, the female had more number of branches of 12, 21:33, 31.33 and 31:67 as against 8.33, 12.00, 14.00 and 18.67 for the male. The number of leaves followed the same trend of the female having more leaves of 130.00, 156.00, 412.20 and 429.70 as against 108.00, 115.33, 323.40 and 338.40 for the male. For the plant height, the female had 179.60, 194.33, 250.00 and 259.67 as against 175.66, 176.66, 200.00 and 244.33. Conclusively, predicted female perform better than the male in terms of number of branches, leaves and plant height. It is therefore recommended that Telfairia farmers should use size and shape to identify Telfairia sexes at seeding so as to boost productivity.