International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

The existence and impact of food insecurity problem is severe in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to estimate the food insecurity situation and identify its determinants. The study was conducted in 2014 at Libo Kemkem District of Amhara National Regional State in Ethiopia by a survey of 213 sample households. Descriptive statistical analysis and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The minimum level of food expense required per adult equivalent (AE) per year was used to measure the food insecurity situation. Based on the local market, this level was determined as 2,700 Birr per AE per year. The result of the survey revealed that half of the households covering 50.7 percent were food insecure. Out of the 12 variables included in binary logistic regression model, 5 variables were found with significant impact on determining the household food insecurity situation. These variables were soil fertility problem, participation in safety net program (PSNP), age of the household head, total assets and income. Based on the study findings food security building interventions recommended focusing on statistically significant areas.

Keywords: Food insecurity, Food expenditure, Binary logistic regression, Birr, Ethiopia

Amaranthus is an important leaf and seed vegetable crop in Nigeria and in the tropics. Field experiment was conducted in the research field of the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, between September and November 2011 to determine the effect of poultry manure application at 2.5 tha -1 on the growth and yield of seven accessions of Amaranthus, and also on microbial dynamics. One accession of Celosia argentum was also added as a check crop. The eight accessions of amaranthus were subjected to two levels of fertilizer treatment: 0 and 2.5 tha -1 poultry manure application. These were assigned randomly into three replicates and fitted into factorial experiment in a split plot design. Data collected on the growth and yield parameters were analyzed using ANOVA. There were significant differences between means of the various accessions both at 2 and 6 week after transplanting for plant height, however there were no significant differences between means gotten for number of leaves and stem girth both at 2 and 6 weeks after transplanting (P≥0.05). The crown and total biomass production also differ significantly at 8 weeks after transplanting while there were no significant differences at 10 weeks after transplanting. The combined effect of fertilizer and accession was only significant for crown weight at 8 weeks after transplanting while other parameters were not significant. The population of both bacteria and fungi were also increased through the application of poultry manure. Accessions 2 and 5 responded optimally to poultry manure application at the rate assayed. Therefore, Accessions 2 and 5 are adjudged best and are more reliable in terms of production in South Western Nigeria.

Keywords: Amaranthus accessions, poultry manure, microbes, soil fertility, yield

Effects of cooked Mucuna sloanei seed meal on the performance, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility of finisher broiler were investigated. Four broiler finisher diets were made such that diet T0 (control) contained no Mucuna sloanei meal while diets T5.0, T10.0 and T15.0 contained 5.0%, 10.0% and 15.0% Mucuna sloanei meal respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 broiler finishers at 5 weeks old for 28 days, using completely randomized design. Each group was further sub-divided into three replicates of 10 birds each. There were no treatment effect (P>0.05) on average daily body weight gain, body weight changes, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Economics of production showed that feed cost decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the dietary Mucuna sloanei meal increased. The organ weight (liver, kidney and heart) were not affected by treatments (P>0.05). The length of intestine and weight of gizzard were decreased significantly as the Mucuna sloanei meal increased. The carcass characteristics showed a superior treatment effect (P<0.05) on the control as compared to Mucuna sloanei groups for plucked weight, eviscerated weight, dressed weight, breast muscle and drumstick. There were no treatment effect (P>0.05) on the haematological and blood biochemical indices measured. The apparent nutrient digestibility showed no significance difference (P>0.05) for ether extract and nitrogen free extract between the control and the Mucuna group. The crude protein and crude fibre nutrient digestibility for Mucuna group were significantly higher than the control group. It is concluded that 10 – 15% inclusion level of Mucuna sloanei meal in the ration of broiler finishers will bring about optimum cost benefit.

Keywords: Cooked Mucuna sloanei, performance, carcass characteristics, apparent nutrient digestibility, broiler finisher

Effect of brewers dried gain (BDG) on The Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Finishers were investigated. Four broiler finisher diets were made such that diet T0 (control) contained no brewers’ dried grains (BDG) while diets T18.0 T36.0 and T54.0¬ contained 18.0%, 36.0% and 54.0% BDG respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 broilers at 5 weeks old for 28 days using completely randomized design: Each group was further subdivided into three replicates of 10 birds each. There were no treatment effect (P>0.05) on the average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The average daily feed intake decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 54.0% dietary level. Feed cost decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the dietary levels of BDG increased. The organs; heart, liver, gizzard and length of intestine showed no treatment effect (P>0.05). There were no treatment effect on the carcass parts; plucked weight, eviscerated weight, thigh, drumstick, breast muscle, back, neck and wing. The shank and head circumference showed significant difference (P<0.05). it is concluded that 38% - 54% dietary levels of BDG has no negative effect on the broilers and therefore could be used within this levels to reduce cost of production and enhance productivity.

Keywords: Brewers’ dried grain, performance, carcass characteristics, broiler finisher

The experiment was conducted at the Kogi State University Research and Student Demonstration Farm, Anyigba, Kogi State. The objective of this study was to examine effects of biochar and cowdung on nodulation, growth, yield of soybean and nutrient contribution of organic fertilizer used to soil. The study consisted of 5 treatments: combined biochar and cowdung (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 5 replicates in plots of 2 m × 1 m. Soybean variety TGX 1448-2E was used in the trial. Growth (number of leaves, height, and stem girth), nodulation (nodules number, nodules weight), yield (number of pods, pod dry weight, number of seeds, seed weight per plant, grain yield) and post cropping soil analyses were determined. Analysis of variance showed that biochar and cowdung increased growth and yield of soybean while nodulation decreased. Soil pH, organic carbon, soil nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and CEC significantly increased; available phosphorus insignificantly increased, while exchangeable acidity decreased significantly. Soybean responded well to the application of combined biochar and cowdung. These results showed the potential role of combined biochar and cowdung in improving soil fertility and soybean yields.

Keywords: Biochar, cowdung, nodulation, soil fertility, yield

Two pilot studies were conducted. The first pilot study was to determine the effect of feeding graded levels of raw castor seed (Ricinus cummunis) meal to broilers. The second pilot study was to determine the effect of different replacement levels and differently processed castor seed meal on the productive performance of broilers. The processing of the meal was aimed at detoxifying the seed meal. The processing methods employed include boiling for 30 minutes; boiling for 30 minutes and fermentation for 3 days; soaking for 72 hours; and soaking for 72 hours and boiling for 20 minutes. All the birds fed graded levels of raw castor seed meal died within 7 to 14 days. Among the four processing methods employed the birds fed on castor seed meal boiled for 30 minutes and fermented for 3 days appeared to improve the daily feed intake, daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio more than the other methods. Both studies lasted for 10 weeks each. In both pilot studies, the experimental diets and water were provided to the birds ad libitum. It was concluded that the castor seed meal (CSM) for subsequent experiments should be detoxified by boiling and fermentation.

Keywords: Castor seed meal, detoxification, boiling, fermentation and soaking

The carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is one of the top-selling commercial cut-flower crops worldwide, which is very susceptible to infections. Micro propagation is an advanced biotechnological system for producing free of pathogen colonies. Too many factors may limit micro propagation of plants, which the most important of them is contamination (e.g., fungal, bacterial and viral infections). There are some methods and chemicals which are available to control in vitro contaminations. However, the efficiency of some of these methods is low, and/or some of them are too toxic. Mercury chloride as an example is very effective, but it is very toxic. Nanotechnology is relevant to diverse fields of science and technology. Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (new and nontoxic material) is important to control conventional microbial agents. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the potential of Nano–silver particles on decontaminations of nodal segments of carnation in in vitro propagation. In this experiment the effects of application of different rates of Nano-silver (0,100,200 and 300 ppm) through immersion in Nano-silver solution for 10 minutes after surface sterilization were evaluated. Surface sterilization by immersion explants in 70% ethanol for 30 seconds and following by immersion in 2.5% Clorox for 2 minutes were done. The experimental design was a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with five replications and 3 explants per vessel. Results of disinfestations of Carnation single nodes demonstrated that treatment of 200ppm was effective to control bacterial contaminations and had no harmful effects on regeneration of explants. Higher rates of Nano-silver caused severe injuries to the explants. We observed that using low concentrations of Nano-silver can be used as a low risk bactericide in Carnation single node tissue culture, but, had no effects on controlling fungal contaminations.

Keywords: Micro propagation, bacterial contamination, nano-silver particles

The purpose of the study was to identify the most appropriate goals for waste management extension system for wheat farmers in Khouzestan province of Iran. The research methods were correlative descriptive and causal comparative. The population of study was wheat farmers of Khouzestan province with population size of 12450 (N=12450). The sample size was 220 (n=220), based on Cochran formula. A questionnaire was developed to gather information regarding favorable goals of agricultural extension for supporting waste management in wheat production. Content and face validity were established by a panel of experts. Questionnaire reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Reliability was 0.75 (Cronbach’s alpha=0.75), which can be regarded as sufficient. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS19). Based on the results four most important extension goals according to the wheat farmers in favorable conditions, were: Problem solving and decision making right spirit in the face of problems, the expertise of farmers in crop losses, strengthening social organizations for action to reduce, institutionalization of culture and improving of participation in waste reduction by wheat farmers. In inferential analysis, Wilcoxon signed ranks were used for analyzing causal comparative of waste management, between current and favorable extension goals. Based on the results in each there were significant differences between current and favorable extension goals. The obtained results from the factor analysis revealed that the five factors explained 86.623% of the variation of extension goals for supporting of waste management.

Keywords: Waste management, favorable extension goals, wheat farmers, Khouzestan province

The purpose of the study was to analyzing the favorable methods of agricultural extension for supporting waste management in Khouzestan province of Iran. The research method was correlative descriptive. The population of study was wheat farmers of Khouzestan province (N=12450). The sample size was (n=220), based on Cochran formula. A questionnaire was developed to gather information regarding favorable methods of agricultural extension for supporting waste management in wheat production. Content and face validity were established by a panel of experts. Questionnaire reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Reliability was (Cronbach’s alpha=0.75), which can be regarded as sufficient. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS19). Based on the results four most important extension methods according to the wheat farmers in favorable conditions, were: 1) Emphasizing the use of tests in the field (field training) (M= 4.32, Sd= 0.47), 2) Mass education (educational films, radio and television programs, posters and leaflet) (M=4.5, Sd= 0.50), 3) Teamwork and networking to share and exchange information (M= 4.41, Sd=0.49), 4) Collaborative learning (participation and more involvement of farmers ) (M=4.16, Sd= 0.50). For analyzing causal comparative of waste management between current and favorable conditions of extension methods, Wilcoxon signed ranks were. Based on the results in each and overall items (Z=13.670, P=0.000), there were significant differences between current and favorable extension methods.

Keywords: Current and favorable extension methods, waste management, wheat farmers

The length weight relationship and condition factors in three cichlid fishes from two aquatic eco-ecosystems (pond and river) in Imo state were studied between May and July 2013. The species studied include Tilapia Zilli, Hemichromis fasciatus and Oreochromis niloticus. The length weight relationship of the three Cichild fishes from two different aquatic environments in Imo state was: from pond, Tilapia Zilli, W= 0.030L 2.75 , b=2.750, a =0.030, r = 0.100. Hemichromis fasciatus, W = 0.050L 2.45 b = 2.45, a = 0 .050, r = 0.78. Oreochromis niloticus, W = 0.075L 3.020 ,b = 3.020, a = 0.075, r = 0.82. From River, Tilapia Zilli, W = 0.015L 2.250, b = 2.350, a =0.015, r = 0.50. Hemichromis fasciatus, W= 0.045L 2.85, b = 2.350, A = 0.045, R = 0.64. Oreochromis niloticus, W= 0.045L 3.00, b = 3.00, a = 0.045, r = 1.00. Their pattern of growth for fishes from the pond, b for Tilapia Zilli was 2.750, Hemichromis fasciatus (2.450), and Oreochromisniloticus (3.020), whereas Oreochromis niloticus exhibited isometric growth rate (3.020), Tilapia Zilli and Hemichromis fasciatus exhibited allometric growth pattern. The growth pattern was also true for species caught from the river with ‘b’ as follows:Tilapia Zilli (2.350), Hemichromis fasciatus (2.850) and Oreochromis niloticus (3.00). The results of the correlation coefficient (r) showed that in all the pond fish, lengths were positively but insignificantly correlated with weight (Tilapia Zilli r = 0.20. Hemichromis fasciatus, r = 28) except Oreochromis niloticus in which length and weight were positively and significantly correlated (r = 1.00). For fishes from the river, the growth followed the same pattern as in those from the pond. For Tilapia Zilli, b = 2.350, Hemichromis fasciatus (b = 2.850) and Oreochromis niloticus, (b =3.00). Whereas Tilapia Zilli and Hemichromis fasciatus exhibited allometric growth rate, from the pond, condition Oreochromis niloticus exhibited isometric growth pattern (b = 3.00). However, the lengths of fishes from the river were positively and significantly correlated. For Tilapia Zilli (r = 0.40) were however, positively, but insignificantly correlated. For fishes sampled from the pond, condition factor K for Tilapia Zilli was 1.150. Hemichromis fasciatus (1.06) Oreochromis niloticus(1.50) For fishes from the river, condition factor K for Tilapia Zilli was (1.20), Hemichromis fasciatus (1.40) and Oreochromis niloticus (1.48).

Keywords: Hemichromis fasciatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia Zilli, Cichlid Fishes, Aquatic environments