EFFECT OF INORGANIC FERTILIZER (N-P-K) ON THE GROWTH OF A NAMED CEREAL (MAIZE)

Ikelle Issie Ikelle¹, Anyigor Chukwuma¹ and Ndukwe Cornelius Chukwe²

Department of Industrial Chemistry

Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture

Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This work examines the effects of inorganic fertilizer (N-P-K) on maize. The preliminary soil analysis tests were carried out and the results include temperature of 28^oC, pH value of 7.4, moisture content of 14.7%, soil texture values are: sand 17.05%, silt 4.55%, clay 18.8%, while water constitutes 60.23%. The results of the soil analysis after the harvesting of the plant shows temperature of 29^oC, pH value of 8.0, moisture content of 17.5%, soil texture values are: sand 15%, silt 3.80%, clay 16.1%, while water constitutes 65.1%.  The control sample was analyzed for micronutrients with Ca – 0.0242, Mg – 0.4179, Fe – 2.4946, Zn – 3.2846, while the test sample has Ca – 0.0189, Mg – 0.0892,     Fe – 1.8914, Zn – 1.4858. The proper and daily observation of the plants’ growth were observed and recorded. The results suggest that the preliminary soil analysis are acceptable, hence, the soil supports plant growth. From the observation and plant analysis, the applied inorganic fertilizer made great impact in the plants in bed-B as they had faster growth rate, broad leaves and larger stems than the plants in bed-A.     

Keywords: Fertilizer, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, Germination                                                            

ECONOMIC SURVEY OF HOMESTEAD FISH FARMING IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF BAYELSA STATE

¹Kainga, P.E. and ²Adeyemo, A.O.

¹Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology

²Department of Fisheries Technology

Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State

ABSTRACT

The paper surveyed the economics of Homestead Fish Farming in selected communities in Bayelsa State. The study was conducted in selected communities in Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, based on the availability of fish farmers as a result of its suitable soil and climatic nature, as well as the easy access of road and market. The two LGAs both existed before the creation of Bayelsa State on 1^st of October 1996. A three-stage sampling technique was used in collecting the data for this study between January –April, 2009 through structured questionnaire, personal interview, observation and focus group discussion.  Average estimated output was 1, 200 table size fish of an average  weight of 1kg each sold at N690/kg. Total fixed cost and total operating cost was estimated at N377, 150 and N332, 910 respectively; net return was estimated at   N117, 940. Farmers can be encouraged to invest in HSFF in that it returns N1.17 to every N1.00 invested. Peculiar problems associated with all the respondents include the following: No access to credit facilities by genuine farmers; low quality fingerlings due to lack of reliable source of fingerlings/hatchery; steady rise in price of fingerlings as suppliers are outside the state; high cost of labour with average labour cost of N1,700 per man day; high cost of fish feed; lack of storage facilities; inadequate electricity;  inadequate land; flooding on earthen ponds; and lack of political will by government in encouraging the fisheries subsector.   

Keywords: Homestead Fish Farming (HSFF), Economic Survey.

INCIDENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS OVA OF NIGERIAN LOCAL DOGS (CANIS FAMILIARIS) RESIDENT ON UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI CAMPUS, MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA

Biu, A.A., Aitiya, G., Paul, B.T. and Konto, M.

Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology

University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri

E-mail Address:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

An incidence study of gastrointestinal helminth parasites of dogs (Canis familiaris) resident on the University of Maiduguri Campus was conducted between June and September, 2009.

Faecal samples collected from 138 dogs were processed using the saturated salt floatation technique and faecal egg counts made using the Modified Mac Master technique. Out of the One hundred and thirty eight (138) dogs sampled, 77 (55.8%) were infected with Ancylostoma caninum 40 (51.9%), Toxocara canis 21 (27.3%), Filaroides osleri 12 (15.6%) Spirocerca lupi 2(2.6%), Ligula serrata 1 (1.3%) and Toxocara leonina 1(1.3%) (p<0.05). Significant differences (p< 0.05) in incidence and intensity of infection were also recorded based on the age, sex, mode of life and feeding methods of the dogs studied.

GROWTH PATTERNS AND CONDITION FACTORS OF FOUR DOMINANT FISH SPECIES IN LAKE ONA, SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Ekelemu, K. Jerimoth and Samuel, A. A. Zelibe

Department of Fisheries Science

Delta State University, Asaba, Nigeria

Email: jerimothekelemu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Growth patterns involving evaluation of Length-Weight Relationships (LWR) of four dominant fish species in Lake Ona, Southern Nigeria, were studied. The fish species, Heterotis niloticus (Osteoglossidae), Syndontis nigrita (Mochokidae), Citharinus citharus (Citharinidae) and Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Clariidae) were caught from 2001 to 2003, using varied fishing gears. The gears were-three bottom set and three surface set gill nets of mesh sizes 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 cm, with each having a length of 25.0m and a depth of 3.0m; cast net with stretched mesh size of 6.4cm; fish baskets, locally called manly; non-return value traps and a set of long-lines of length 35.0m while Fish  Aggregating Devices (FAD) and fences were equally used to aggregate  fishes. The LWR was determined from the formula, w= aL^b with the parameters a and b in that formula estimated through logarithmic transformation in the form of Log W = Log a + bLog L. The condition factor (k) was estimated from the relationship, k = W100/L³. The results obtained from LWR are presented for the four species and the values of the growth exponent “b”ranged from 1.92 to 3.04 for H. bidorsalis; 2.47 t0 3.03 for H. nitoticus; 1.39 to 2.11 for C. citharus and 1.01 to 1.97 for S. nigrita. Fish species in the lake were generally healthy and in good condition. Overall mean condition factor (k) were 1.21 for H. bidorsalis; 1.57 for H. miloticus; 2.40 for C. citharus and 1.60 for S.nigrita.

Keywords: Length-weight relationship, Condition factor, Growth exponent, Isometric-allometric growth patterns, Lake Ona.

FISH FAUNA IN LOWER RIVER NIGER AT IDAH IN KOGI STATE

*Solomon S.G. Okomoda V.T. and Aladi. S.L.

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

 University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria

*e-mail: solagabriel@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Fish stock assessment is an integral part of the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and a major key for planning, formulation and execution of fisheries policies and programmes especially in the artisanal sector, the rapidly declining catch from fish landing is a possible indication that the fish yields of most Nigerian inland waters are generally low for causes that may range from inadequate management of fisheries to degradation of water bodies. Fish fauna of lower river Niger at Idah in Kogi State was investigated in the present study. 250 fishes were obtained from contracted fishermen within five months, covering 13 families and 26 species with the Mochokidae having the highest dominance of 18.07%, followed by the Cichlidae (16.47%) and Mormyrydae (12.05%). However the dominant fish species observed during the study was Synodontis budgetti (12.05%) and preceded by Tilpia zilli (8.43%) and Mormyrus rume (8.03%).The least abundance fish species were Clarotes macrocephalus (1.2%), Clarotes laticeps (1.2%) and Gymnachus niloticus (0.8%) least condition factor of 0.5 were recorded for Gymnarchus niloticus while Schilbe mystus had the highest condition factor of 3.99. Conservation policies are urgently needed to protect some species from going into extinction.

CONSUMPTION AND SAVING PATTERN AMONG RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN ABEOKUTA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE

Akerele, E.O. and *Ambali, O. I. 

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management

Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus,Ogun State, Nigeria

E-mail: everlastingamtoyo@yahoo.co.in 

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the consumption and saving pattern among rural farming households in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State. One hundred and twenty (120) rural farming household heads were sampled in a two-stage sampling process. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses. The findings revealed that most household heads are in their active age, had formal education, married, farmers, earn little income but save very little. The household size, marital status, cooperative society, occupation and education are the significant determinants of savings among the rural farming households. The significant determinants of consumption among rural household heads include income, savings and education. The study revealed that the consumption of the household will increase by 38kobo if their income increases by 1N while the consumption of household will decrease by 18kobo if their savings increase by 1N, ceteris paribus. The policy option requires the household heads to diversify their economic activities in order to earn more income and increase their savings so as to cover their present and future consumption. Household education should be strengthened as education has positive effect on savings and consumption. Lastly, Rural farming households can use cooperative societies as a means of securing economic investment and income diversification.

Keywords: Income, savings, consumptions, occupation, farming households

ACCESSIBILITY OF FORMAL SOURCE OF CREDIT BY RURAL WOMEN AND THE IMPLICATION ON NIGERIA AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT: CASE STUDY OF JEMA’A AND KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE

Grace Hezekiah Isa

Department of Economics

Bingham University Karu, Nasarawa State

ABSTRACT

The rural women who constitute the bulk of the agricultural population in Kaduna State are poor and the only alternative for raising capital has continued to elude them. Low investments in agriculture have been traced largely to banks unwillingness to make credit available to women farmers who are perceived by banks as high- risk investors. This problem of inadequate finance has made them to produce at subsistence level. Therefore this study investigated rural access to credit and also the impact on agricultural output in Kaduna State. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were selected.  They are Jema’a and kaura Local Government Areas of Kaduna state. The selection was based on women involvement in agricultural activities. A multi-stage random sampling technique-was applied in the selection of eighty (80) women farmers. Each Local Government Areas had (40) respondents. The analytical tools used include among others frequencies, means and percentages. The chi-square was also used to test the null hypothesis that there was no significant relationship between amount accessed from formal source and output. It was discovered that 17% of these rural women sourced credit from formal sources like commercial banks, agricultural banks) and 83% of them got theirs from informal sources like friends, relatives, NGOs and personal saving. Women in the study area generally encountered problems in accessing the two sources of credit. The women in the study area encountered problem like inaccessibility of credit institution, lack of collateral security, administrative bureaucracy in accessing formal sources of credit. Therefore, establishment of banks in the rural areas, minimization of procedure in getting loans and implementing programmes that will facilitate women access to credit facilities were solutions preferred to improve women access to credit and increased agricultural output in Nigeria.

Keywords: Accelerator, Adashe, Chi-Square

GOVERNVERMENT EXPENDITURE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL OUPUT IN NIGERIA (1975-2010)

¹Itodo Ahmed Idoko; ²Apeh Sunday and Adeshina Sheri

^1&2Department of Economics

University of Mkar, Mkar, Benue State

ABSTRACT

The study examined the impact of Government Expenditure on Agricuture on Agricultural Output in Nigeria (1975-2010). Cob-douglas Production Function, which states that potential output is primarily determined by measurable inputs, was used as the theoretical framework. The methodology employed was the linearized Cob-Douglas function. The variables of the model include Government Expenditure on Agricultural sector, Commercial banks loans and advances to the Agricultural sector, Foreign direct investment on the Agricultural sector, Annual rainfall and Agricultural credit quarantee scheme fund. Odinary Least Squares econometric tecnique was used to estimate a multiple regression of Agricultural output against its above listed explanatory variables. The result of the estimated model revealed a positive both insignifacant relationship between Government expenditure to the agriculural sector and Agricultural output within the scope of this research. Based on this finding, the researcher make relevant recommendations that would help improve the statusquo.

HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA) FED GRADED LEVELS OF CASSAVA PEEL MEAL FORTIFIED WITH DRIED BREWERS GRAINS.

F.T. Akade²; Antyev.m¹; B.J. Mufwa¹; Nyameh. J. ¹ and D.U. Zaklag¹

¹Department of Animal Production College of Agriculture. Jalingo, Nigeria.

²Department of Animal Health College of Agriculture. Jalingo, Nigeria.

E-mail: mufwa@yahoo.com.

ABSTRACT

One hundred and thirty two (132) Japanese Quails aged four weeks were used for the study. They were divided into four (4) groups of 33 birds each used in a 6 weeks feeding trails to evaluate the blood biochemistry and haematology of Japanese Quails fed cassava peel meal fortified with Dried Brewers grains (CPMFBDG). The CPMFDBG which contained 20% crude protein was included at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% level in diets 1, 2,3 and 4 respectively to replace maize in the diets. The haematological indices measured include packed cell volume (PCV) haemoglobin Concentration (Hb) red blood cells (RBC) white blood cell (wbc) mean corpuscular volume (mcv) mean haemoglobin concentration (MHC) and Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The result indicated insignificant difference (p> 0.05) among the groups.  Biochemical indices such as total protein, globulin and Albumin were equally not effected (p>0.05) by the treatment diet. The result of cholesterol showed no significant different (p>0.05) among treatment. These results underline the usefulness of CPMFDBG for Japanese quails feeding. The normal indices obtained in this study indicated that up to 30% CPMFDBG could be incorporated into the diets of Japanese Quails without compromising the health status of the birds.

Keywords: Cassava peel meal fortified with Died Brewers grains, Japanese Quails, blood parameters.