International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Twenty groundwater samples from functional wells within Akure metropolis were collected and analysed for physiochemical parameters using standard field and laboratory procedures. The water samples were taken in February (Dry season) and in July (Rainy season) and analysed. The study area (Akure metropolis) was demarcated into ten zones; two (2) hand-dug wells were selected in each zone for physical measurement of well depth, water depth and diameter of the wells. The result obtained showed the following mean values during the dry season; PH of 6.59, TDS 210.9 mgL-1,TS 227.8 mgL-1, Turbidity 5.16NTU, Chloride 69.3 mgL-1, Sodium 23.77 mgL-1, Electrical conductivity 564.55 us/cm, Temperature 28.670C, Total Hardness 219.5 mgL-1, Total Alkalinity 104.9 mgL-1, potassium 42.21mgL-1, Iron 0.48mgL-1, Sulphate 51 mgL-1, Manganese 0.48 mgL-1and Nitrate 0.38 mgL-1.The mean values during the rainy season were PH 6.85, TDS 230.3 mgL-1,TS 281.65 mgL-1,Turbidity 4.46NTU, Chloride 67.7 mgL-1, Sodium 22.21 mgL-1, Electrical Conductivity 556.76 us/cm, Temperature 23.10C, Total Hardness 218.42 mgL-1, Total Alkalinity 121.0 mgL-1, potassium 42.91 mgL-1, Iron 0.56 mgL-1, Sulphate 51.6 mgL-1, Manganese 0.12 mgL-1and Nitrate 0.27 mgL-1. When compared with the World health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) standards, the result showed that 85% of the well water samples were suitable for drinking and domestic uses, while the samples from Ijoka, Araromi and Obanla (Abattoir) areas were found to be polluted and unsuitable for drinking due to their physiochemical parameters. Such pollution posed a great threat to well water quality and could lead to an increase risk level of water borne diseases outbreak, therefore these wells require urgently certain levels of treatment before use. I will recommend that wells especially for groundwater portability should be situated far away from Abattoir dirty drainage channels, deep erosion channels, and septic tanks, since they can contaminate them.

Keywords: Chemical parameters, Groundwater, Physical parameters, Water quality

Potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) are essential nutrient for plants which are found in different forms in the soil. Their significance influence on crop production that is controlling by available form of these two primary elements specifies importance of study through chemical and physical analysis. In this study, fifty surface samples collected from agricultural soils were mainly under cultivation of wheat, alfalfa, canola and barley in south eastern part of Tehran province, Varamin. The amount of available Phosphorus (Pa) and Potassium (Ka), organic carbon (OC), percentage of clay, silt and sand of the soil, pH and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) in collected samples were measured and their correlation was evaluated. Moreover, five profiles were selected to study distribution of highlighted parameters along depth of the soil. The results showed that amount of silt, clay and OC positively correlated with Ka and were the most important factors influencing potassium availability. Pa showed negative correlation with CCE and positive with OC. Soil profiles classified in Aridisols (Haplocambids). Depth distribution of available P indicated that surface horizons due to more fertilization and organic matter had more P while deeper horizons had less P mainly organic matter and fertilizer are not mixed with the soil. The amount of available K in the surface horizons were higher but deeper horizons showed considerable amount, too that can be related to minerals containing high potassium in studied soils. According to the results, in soils with a high amount of clay, silt and lime, application of K and P should be regulated by soil conditions to optimize elements intake by plants.

Keywords: Aridisols, Calcium carbonate, Clay, Phosphorus, Potassium

Studies have shown that oxygenated compounds are important in food products. It seems that extraction methods have a profound influence on this factor. The goal of the present study is to investigate on flavor components of sweet orange obtained using cold-press and hydro distillation. In the last week of January 2012, at least 50 mature fruit were collected from many parts of the same trees. Peel components were extracted using cold-press and hydro distillation method. Then all analyzed using GC and GC-MS. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range tests. The amount of aldehydes ranged from 0.30 to 0.68%. Between two methods examined, cold-press showed the highest content of aldehydes. As a result of our study, we can conclude that the extraction methods used can influence the quantity of oxygenated compounds present in the oil.

Keywords: Cold-press, Extraction method, Flavor components, Hydro distillation, Peel oil

The study analyzed the extension service needs of the livestock farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. The study used primary data from a cross section of livestock farmers. In all, 100 respondents were collected for the study using multistage sampling procedure. Data was obtained with the aid of a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that farmers average age, house hold size, years spent in school and farming experience were 42.6years, 7 persons, 13 years and 8 years respectively. Seventy two percent (72.00%) of the farmers were females and had access to credit respectively; about 58.00% of them were married while 70.00% of the farmers had received an extension visit in the year 2011 and also were aware of improved technologies associated with livestock production. Personal sources were ranked highest by farmers as a means of financing their business. In the aspect of information dissemination, the extension workers were ranked highest (30.00%), followed by community leaders (20.00%) and then family members and radio (10.00%). Despite these, majority of the farmers (98.00%) needed the services of the extension agents in administering medications to their animals and brooding system in poultry production respectively. Overwhelming percentages of 96.00, 88.00 and 82.00% of the farmers needed education on feed formulation, major disease of poultry and sanitation respectively. Also, 76.00 and 74.00% of the farmers needed information regarding sources of hybrid as well as knowledge on hatching eggs respectively. However, the study recommended that the efficiency of the extension services should be improved through continuous training and evaluation of the impact of training should receive a high priority.

Keywords: Analysis, Extension, Livestock farmers, Nigeria

Studies were carried out to investigate the diversity of higher invertebrate fauna living in close association with horse-radish plant, Moringa oliefera Lam (Moringaceae) in Awka metropolis of Anambra State, Nigeria. Moringa shrubs growing in backyard gardens along compound fences and hedge rows were sampled. Pyrethroid knockdown insecticide (PKD); Raid® was sprayed on the trees to dislodge the animals from the trees. Broad white cotton linen sheets were spread on the ground around the plants before insecticide spraying. The organisms that fell on the spread linen following PKD application with jarring of the trees with sticks were collected and placed in glass jars containing FAA (10% ethanol, 5% formalin and glacial acetic acid). They were subsequently identified in the laboratory by aid of a hand lens and stereo microscope and classified into broad taxonomic hierarchies down to their order and family, as much as possible. Results showed that several invertebrate belonging to various taxons were associated with M. oliefera plant growing in Awka environ. The groups included (Class: Arachnida, orders: Araneae and Acarina) spiders and mites respectively, (Mollusca: Gastropoda) land and tree snails mainly Achatina and Helix spp., (Class Insecta: Hymenoptera) black and orange-yellow ants; (Lepidoptera) hairy black/pink caterpillars; (Coleoptera) adult weevils; (Homoptera: Aphididae); lady beetles, green and brownish-black aphids, (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) whiteflies. Others included (Dictyoptera: Mantidae) mantids; (Dictyoptera) cockroaches and (Odonata) dragonflies. The potentials of these large groups of invertebrates both as beneficial or potential pest of the moringa crop are pointed out. The need for further investigations and identification was however suggested.

Keywords: Invertebrate fauna, Moringa oleifera, Rainy season

The study evaluated the estimates of genetic parameters using correlation and regression models in extensively reared Yoruba and Fulani Indigenous chickens. Data collected on body weight and fourteen metric traits from 2041 chickens were analyzed using SAS statistical package. Correlation coefficients were generally significant (P<0.05) and positive, It ranged from low to high, the value were between 0.30-0.89 and 0.4-0.99 in male and female Fulani Ecotype respectively while in Yoruba Ecotype, the value were between 0.2-0.88 in female and 0.15-0.85 in male. Highest correlation coefficient estimate was obtained between body weight and chest circumference in both populations. Coefficient of determination R2 were also generally significant (P<0.05), the value were between 0.2-0.91, 0.10-0.76 and 0.22-0.94 for Linear, Quadratic and Cubic functions in Yoruba Ecotype Chicken while 0.55-0.94, 0.64-0.81 and 0.55-0.86 was observed in Fulani Ecotype Chicken for the three functions respectively. The prediction functions do not follow any significant trend. However, linear and cubic functions appeared to be superior to quadratic function. Strong discriminatory power (98.29%) was obtained between the two populations while low genetic distance measured by Euclidean genetic distance (11.2) was obtained. Conclusively, the relationship that existed within and between the two populations indicated that morphological trait such as chest circumference and body lengths are reliable to estimate bodyweight for improvement, especially in Nigeria where no purposive selection has been made. Also, the two populations are closely related at this level of study, further study should be extended to molecular level.

Keywords: Ecotype, Genetic parameter, Population, Regression and correlation

The experiments were undertaken to assay the effects of light, pH and osmotic potential on early seedling growth of hoary cress (Lepidium draba L.) an invasive species in dry-land farming in East-Azarbaijan, Iran in 2012. Effects of light/dark regimes (0/24, 10/14, 12/12, 14/10, and 24/0), pH levels from 2 to 12 and osmotic potential from -0.1 to -0.8 MPa were evaluated on seedling growth of L. draba. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. Results indicated that germination (%) and rate of L. draba was the highest at 20/15 day/night temperature. Seedling growth of L. draba was influenced by different light/dark regimes, as the seedling length and weight was the highest at 12/12 h photoperiod. The seedling length and weight were not significantly different over a range of pH 4-8 and 5-9, respectively. Also increasing the pH beyond 12 reduced the seedling length and weight. The effect of osmotic potential was significant on seedling length and weight. The seedling length and weight of L. draba decreased with increasing osmotic stress form 0 to -0.8 MPa and the reduction in seedling length was greater than that of seedling dry weight. These results indicate that the osmotic potential (drought stress) was the main limiting factor for L. draba growth and could be used for its management in the wheat fields.

Keywords: Invasive, Hoary cress, Osmotic stress, Photoperiod, Seedling growth

Seasonal bioaccumulation of heavy metals namely, Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As) in the shellfish of Macrobrachium rosenbergi from Niger River at Onitsha were studied using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed presence of all the analysed metals in the shellfish tissue. Mean concentrations of Zn (4.35±1.2mg/l), Cu (1.35±0.43), Cd (0.31±0.0421), Hg (0.16±0.0011) and As (0.04±0.001) in mg/l complied with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards in aquatic foods. However those for Fe (9.73±1.30) and Pb (0.24±0.04) mg/l exceeded the WHO standards. Furthermore, mean concentrations for Zn (0.321±0.09), Fe (1.52±0.07), Cu (0.035±0.006), Hg (0.076±0.007), As (0.016±0.007) and Cd (0.012±0.006) mg/l in the water columns were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the concentrations in the shellfish. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the shellfish studied indicated that Niger River at Onitsha is experiencing impairment. The result implies that prolonged consumption of shellfish and other aquatic foods contaminated with heavy metals, and through observed indiscriminate dumping of waste in the river, may constitute public health risks.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Health risks, Heavy metal, Macrobrachium rosenbergi, Niger River

This study investigated those factors which influenced the adoption of agricultural innovation by the farmers in Kaduna state Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from 30 respondents. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression model. Adoption of technology was found to be higher among the large household than the small-sized household. This may be due to the fact that farmers with large household have many families to care for. About 90% of the respondents were married men while 10% were single. This shows the farming as that of settled minds and that it contributes to household economic stability in one way or the other. Most of the respondents (43.3%) had Arabic education, 26.7% had secondary education, 13.3% had primary education, 10% had tertiary education, while 6.7% had no formal education. 95% of them are literates and had one form of education or the other. Also, 70% of the respondents adopted innovation, while 26.6% did not adopt the improved innovation. Therefore, the Socio-economic factors influencing adoption of innovation were age, education, extension contact and membership of cooperative. The study therefore recommends that farmers should form themselves into association because such association will aid in collective soliciting for assistance from government, Non Governmental Organisations and other funding agencies. Also, more awareness should be created by the extension agents on the importance of research work.

Keywords: Agricultural innovation, Extension agents, Extension contact, Household, Socio-economic factors

To identify genomic regions, which determine the level of LT tolerance in hexaploid wheat, F2:3 populations produced from the cross spring-type, susceptible parent, Zagros (LT50 =-6ºC) and winter-type tolerant parent Norstar (LT50 = -20.7ºC) were examined. The result of the phenotypic analysis showed continuous distribution of trait values (LT50 = -1 to -23ºC). The relationship between LT tolerance (LT50= Low temperature for 50% killed) and genotypic data was analyzed using composite interval mapping, interval mapping and single marker analysis methods. Twenty SSR from 170 SSR and from 22 combinations AFLP, ten combinations between parents were polymorphic and in total, 75 loci were polymorphic. For all the loci, the deviations from the expected Mendelian ratio were evaluated using the chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Because of deviation from segregation may affect the recombination coefficients, very vague markers, were excluded from analysis. Thus, from 75 markers, 27 markers on six linkage groups with an average distance of 8 cM between adjacent markers were assigned and approximately 224 cM of the wheat genome was covered.

Keywords: Low-temperature tolerance, LT50, QTL mapping, Triticum aestivum