Review of Gully Erosion Control Measures in Nigeria


AJAYI A. S.1 AND EHIOMOGUE P.2
1Department of Agricultural Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural and Bio-resources Engineering,
Michael Okpara University of Umudike, Nigeria.
E-mail: ajayistan@gmail.com,
Abstract
Gully erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation in Nigeria.
Many of the gullies have developed as a result of inappropriate land use; poor termination of drainage outlet, inadequate storm drainage facilities, the geology and nature of soils underlying the areas, and anthropogenic influence (human activities). This paper is a review of the causative factors, development status and the effectiveness of the corrective measures. The study revealed that the initiation and development of erosion gullies is facilitated by natural processes and the activities of man, especially road construction, excavation, drainage structures, farming, animal grazing, etc. The corrective measures (Vegetative, runoff diversion, construction of temporal and permanent
structures), have various degrees of successes, taking into cognizance their ability to curb the erosion process, compatibility with the environment or farming practice and initial cost. A combination of two or more of the methods was found to also give great results in some areas, ultimately the combination of vegetative and construction of temporary structures like brush wood dams and sand bags have been found to be the best practice for a developing country like Nigeria


Aquaculture Production in a Malnourished Nation


NYAM, S.K. AND GWA, E.T
Department of Fisheries,
Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev.
E-mail: kpambernyam@gmail.com
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed an increase in awareness, interest
and growth in aquaculture in Nigeria. In spite of this misconceptions, about this thriving industry still abound. The aim of this paper therefore, is to review the aquaculture industry in order to bring to the understanding of many the meaning of aquaculture and the various processes and practices involved in aquaculture production.
Aquaculture has been defined. A brief history of aquaculture in
relation to its history in Nigeria has been discussed. The importance of aquaculture as a valuable source of protein was stressed and various reasons were advanced to show that aquaculture can make unique contribution to human nutrition, especially in developing nations. The systems of fish culture, facilities of fish culture, the characteristics of a culture species and the various practices adopted in the production and management of an aquaculture system have all been discussed. Constraints in to aquaculture production in Nigeria were also considered.


Effects of Combined Application of Plant Residues and NPK Fertilizers on the Yield of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata ‘c’v’ Ewura) in the Derived Savanna


of Ogbomoso
ADEGBENRO, R.O.1, BABATUNDE K.M.2., OJETADE J.O.1 AND FATUROTI O.M2
1Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural Technology,
The Polytechnic Ibadan, Saki Campus.
E-mail: Kemiadegbenro@yahoo.com, mbabatundekayode@yahoo.com,
Abstract
The field experiment was carried to determine the effect of Pueraria, Soyabean and NPK fertilizer combination with urea and Muriate of potash on the performance of yam (Dioscorea rotundata). The gap between plots was 1m while that between replicates were 2m.The plant residues were incorporated two weeks before planting, fertilizer rate of 90-50-75kg N.P.K/ha and 45-25-37.5kg N.P.K/ha was achieved using NPK 15-15-15 compound fertilizer and excess N and K rates were met using urea and muriate of potash respectively. The fertilizer was applied in ring method to the growing yam at 2 months after sprouting.
The experimental design was Randomized Complete block design with 4 replicates. There were nine treatments namely; Control (no residue, no fertilizer), No residues + 45-25-37.5kg N.P.K/ha (50% of the recommended NPK rate for yam in the zone),No residues + 90-50-75kg N.P.K/ha (Recommended NPK rate for yam in the zone), Incorporation of soybean residue alone, Soybean residue + 45-25-37.5kg N.P.K/ha, Soybean residue + 90-50-75kg N.P.K/ha, Incorporation of pueraria residue alone, Pueraria residue + 45-25-37.5kg N.P.K/ha, Pueraria residue + 90-50-75kg N.P.K/ha. There were significant differences between 90-50-75kg N.P.K/ha rate fertilizer application compared with control alone (no residue, no fertilizer) in terms of % N of yam leaves. Incorporation of pueraria with 45-25-37.5kg N.P.K/ha rate increased %
N of yam leaves compared with pueraria alone and pueraria with 90-50- 75kg N.P.K/ha. Analysis of variance indicate that Soybean incorporated into the soil alone and soybean with 90-50-75kg N.P.K/ha recommended rate fertilizer slightly increased %P compared with soybean with 45-25.37.5kg N.P.K/ha (50% recommended rate).


Studies on the Characteristics of Deep Fried Pretreated Cocoyam Slices


(Xanthosoma sagittifolium)
O. AKINLUA1*; S.S. SOBOWALE1; O.A. ADEBO1 AND O.P. OLATIDOYE2
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Nigeria
2Department of Food Science and Technology, Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria
E-mail: labisio2000@yahoo.co.uk
ABSTRACT
The deep fat frying of cocoyam slices was investigated to determine
the effect of pretreatments on the characteristics of deep fried
cocoyam slices. Three pretreatments were used; 40% w/w sucrose
solution for 4 hours, 20% w/w sodium chloride solution for 4 hours and blanching in hot water at 1000C for 1 minute. The slices were then fried at 1700C in a deep fat fryer for 7minutes. Sensory analysis, shrinkage total sugar, moisture content and oil uptake of the fried slices were determined. Results obtained showed that the oil uptake and moisture content of the pretreated slices were reduced. The percentage shrinkage followed the same trend with the blanched samples shrinking least. Sensory analysis results showed that the crispiness and sweetness showed significant difference (P<0.05) while the crispiness, crunchiness and appearance showed no significant difference (P<0.05).
It can be concluded that osmodehydration as a pretreatment to frying has a desirable effect on the product with salt or sugar.


Influence of Feed Manipulation on the Growth of Dutch Rabbit


B.I.O. AKPOBASA
Dept of Agricultural Technology, School of Agriculture,
Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Delta State
Email: akpobasaaben@yahoo.com / lawakpobasa@gmail.com
Abstract
The phenomenon of compensatory growth has been relatively applied and successful both experimentally and due to natural occurrences common among ruminant. Rabbit a pseudo-ruminant was therefore chosen in this study to determine the influence of feed manipulation on the growth of Dutch rabbit by restriction of feeds at age 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. Thirty-Six bunnies were randomly allocated to four (4) feeding regimes were 185g of diet was continually fed for 12 weeks except for manipulation by restriction. The feed manipulation were (R0)
no restriction, (R1) Restriction from the 16th weeks (R2) Restriction from the 12th weeks and (R3) Restriction from 8th weeks of age. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 3 rabbits per replicates. The rabbits were tagged and their body weight were taken weekly from weaning to maturity. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance. Results obtained showed that feed manipulation influenced body weight at 3rd and 4th months in post weaning rabbits. However, from the study , it can be suggested that feed restriction shortly after weaning leads to weight lost as observed in (R3) were body weight gain was significantly (P≤ 0.05) reduced in Dutch rabbits restricted from feed at 2 – 3 month post weaning age. Thus feed manipulation by restriction should be discouraged at early post weaning age in growing Dutch rabbits. Although, growing rabbit adapts very well to an intake limitation strategy, without any aggressive behaviour for congener. In conclusion, restriction strategies could improve profitability of rabbit breeding, but they should be adapted to any specific breeding situation, according to the market, feed, prices, etc


Perception of Fisheries Students of Niger Delta University to Fisheries as a Profession


ADEYEMO, A.O.
Department of Fisheries/Livestock Production Technology
Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Email: text2abiodun@yahoo.com
Abstract
A narrative study on the perception of the Fisheries Students in the
Niger Delta University on their course of study and their expectation about the profession was carried out. A normative selection of respondents was done and 50 questionnaires successfully administered irrespective of the student’ level of study. The credits obtained at Secondary School Certificate examination had the highest point of what determined the choice of study. Although, 54% of the respondents did not initially chose Fisheries as a course of study, the highest point of 4.44±0.95 on a scale of 5 showed they have great expectations about the profession and perceived that it is a promising profession. The role of the Professionals should be to encourage recruitment to sustain the profession with the collaborative efforts on the part of the Government.


Offtake from Smallholder Village Poultry Flocks: The Case of Hawkers of Fowls and Eggs along Major Roads in Sokoto State UMAR I.M1 AND HASSAN, W. AKIN2 1School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State 2Department of Animal Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State E-mail: ibrahimumar164@gmail.com

Abstract
Twenty-nine (29) copies of an open ended questionnaire were
administered at Gangaren Dange and Dogon Karfe from October to
December 2010 to determine the sources of indigenous poultry and eggs and various distributions from flocks to consumers. Items covered in the questionnaire included: the respondent’s particulars, species of poultry and eggs supply, and motivation, challenges and prospects. The two locations were under Dange Local Government and Bodinga Local Government, respectively. Information obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results obtained showed that about 60% of the hawkers had an experience of about 20 years in the business; the average capital outlay was about #18,000; most of them generated less than #2,000 per week. Almost all the respondents hawked both domestic fowl and guinea fowl; barely three-quarters sourced their fowls and eggs through rural collectors in about a dozen villages.


Table of contents

Fighting Corruption in Nigeria (Titus 2:7-13): A Hermeneutico-Theological Approach

John Arierhi Ottuh                                                                                                                   1-21    

The 21st Century Scramble for Africa’s Resources: Issues and Problems

Adesanya, Olusegun Paul                                                                                                        22-34

Trapped in the Spider’s Web: Black Man’s Experience in The Lonely Londoners and

in Native Son

Maureen Amaka Azuike,                                                                                                         35-43


The Wedlock of Necessity: African Literature and Popular Nigerian Music as Potent Weapons against Corruption and National Insecurity


Longdet, P.S.
Department of English
Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria.
E-mail: peacelongdet2011@gmail.com
Abstract
The author of this paper adopts a sociological critical approach to study selected novels, poems and Nigerian popular music. The selected works have as thematic concern, the socio-political state of the Nigerian politics. The author highlights the trajectory bonding between popular music and African literature in, language,
issues, biting sarcasm, reactionary effect from the society and a desire for revolution and re-evaluation. The findings reveal that a holistic conscious combination of these art forms can be an effective tool in combating the monstrous canker-wormic corruption and national insecurity that seem woven into
the fabric of the nation. The paper concludes that, scholars, critics and writers (literature and songs) should foster a common conscious movement that will integrate these art forms in positive ways to combat these ills that threaten our sanity and the foundation of our nationhood.


Biblical Teaching on Holiness and its Social Significance in Contemporary Society


1Adesegun, A.A. and 2Ogunewu, M.
1Department of History and International Studies,
Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria
2Faculty of Theological Studies,
Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
E-mail: abiodunadesegun@gmail.com
Abstract
The contemporary significance of the biblical message is subject to controversy in many quarters. While some believes that the lessons they teach are relevant in a postmodern world, there are others who contend that they are outdated and so has no implications for societies such as ours. This article examines the Holiness message, one of the moral teachings of the Bible and states emphatically that just as the social teachings of the Bible and the standard of ethics they represent were relevant to the social needs of their time, so also are they relevant today and will continue to be relevant in the foreseeable future. It gave an analysis of the lessons and highlights its social significance emphasizing that any community which
adhere to this teaching will enjoy a great deal of peace and quiet.


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