International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

The heavy metal concentrations in Ebonyi River used for domestic purposes in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria was studied at the teaching and research centre, Department of Soil Science and Environmental Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. The river was sampled in a completely randomized design (CRD); with three months of the year serving as sources of variation and three replicate samples per sampling period. The harvested rain water for the corresponding months of investigation served as control. The heavy metals of interest were: zinc, lead, copper and chromium. Other physico-chemical properties of the water like colour, temperature, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, amongst other parameters were added. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) for CRD. The highest zinc concentration of 144.92 mg l-1 was in the month of September while there was no zinc in control (rainwater). The zinc order of increase was September>October>November>Control. Similarly, the highest lead concentration of 5.70 mg l-1 was in the month of October and nil in control; with the order of increase being September>November>October>Control. The highest copper concentration of 0.21 mg l-1 was in the month of September and none in control; with order of increase being September>October>November>Control. On the other hand, the highest chromium of 1.32 mg l-1 was in the month of November and 0.96 mg l-1 in control (rainwater). The order of increase in chromium was November>September>October>Control. It was found that copper and chromium failed the World Health Organization (WHO) standard; while zinc and lead concentrations passed the WHO test. The order of increase in total solids was September>November>October>Control; while the order for total dissolved solids was October>November>September>Control. That of total suspended solids was September>November>October> Control. The order of magnesium concentration was November>September>October>Control; while calcium was October>September>November>Control. That of phosphorus was September>October>November>Control; while total hardness was September>October>November>Control. The river passed WHO total hardness limits. The disposal of untreated wastes to ebonyi river was condemned. The occasional assessment of the river for biophysico-chemical properties and heavy metal concentrations was recommended in view of over 3 million citizens connected directly and indirectly to the river as major source of domestic water.

Keywords: Water quality, Fresh water pollutants, Industrial activities, Water ways, Heavy metal pollutants

Penman modified (PM), Priestly Taylor (PT), Blaney-Morin Nigeria (BMN), Jensen-Haise (JH), Hargreaves-Samani (HS) and Thornthwaite (TH) models were used to estimate Reference Evapotranspiration (RET) for Owerri, in South-Eastern Nigeria from 1990 to 2010. The Penman modified model was chosen as a comparison for evaluating the other five empirical models. Good correlation was found between the RET values, estimated by each of the five radiation and temperature based and the Penman modified model, although there were some discrepancies. The mean annual RET estimated by the Penman modified model as the standard tool for Owerri was fund to be 1045.0mm. While the mean annual RET estimated by other five models were found to be 579.3mm, 1490.7mm, 516.7mm, 1548.3mm and 1370.7mm respectively. Conversely, the weather parameters influencing this station were found to be high due to the flatness terrain of the site. In addition, from the statistical regression analysis, Priestly Taylor (PT) had the highest T-scores and lowest Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), in the ranking the Thornthwaite, Blaney-Morin and Hargreaves-Samani predicted best among the five models in the station. Good correlation was found by the temperature based models when evaluated RET with data for Owerri Station. The Penman modified estimates was used to develop correction factors for the three models that predicted best in the station for their potential use without sensitive error. This was done in order to achieve accurate and reliable evapotranspiration.

Keywords: Comparison, reliability, evapotranspiration, computing models, correction factors, Owerri, South-Eastern Nigeria

Common mulberry disease is occurring in Bangladesh due to the development of new varieties and climate changes. That’s why this study was undertaken to quantify the incidence of common mulberry disease under various cropping seasons in Bangladsesh. Three common mulberry diseases, viz., powdery mildew (Phyllactinia corylea), leaf spot (Pseudocercospora mori) and tukra (Meconellicoccus hirsutus) were studied for their occurrence in twelve mulberry varieties, namely, Black, BM-1, BM-3, BM-4, BM-5, BM-6, BM-7, BM-8, BM-10, BM-11, S-13 and S-30 during three crop seasons viz., summer (April-June), late autumn (October-December) and rainy season (June-August) in Bangladesh. Among the three disease and three cropping seasons, the infestation of powdery mildew disease in late autumn season was comparatively high and the infestation of tukra (mealy bug) disease was comparatively low almost all the three seasons. The BM-11, BM-8, and Black varieties to powdery mildew, BM-4, BM-11 to leaf spot and BM-8, BM-10, BM-11 and S-30 were comparatively resistant to tukra disease. This study demonstrated that late autumn season was comparatively more susceptible than other seasons for all the three diseases. It may be due to the favorable climatic conditions the infestation of foliar diseases were high in late autumn season. Genetical like anatomical and structural characteristics of various varieties viz. BM-11, Black, BM-4, BM-8, BM-10 and S-30 were more resistant to foliar diseases.

Keywords: Powdery mildew, leaf spot, tukra, Phyllactinia corylea, Pseudocercospora mori Meconellicoccus hirsutus

Coleus is one of the most interesting plants in Iran, for its attractive leaf color and easy propagation. The Leaf color variation in Coleus is strongly depended to light duration, quality and intensity. The changes occurring in the leaf color is related to conversion of plants pigments. To evaluate the consequence of different colors effects on the leaf surface of coleus (blumei), a study was done using different light including: yellow, red, blue, green and white in three replications, for two months. The results indicated that the minimum level of carotenoids, chlorophyll a and b was recorded in blue treated plants. The red color treated plants showed the highest amount of carotenoids, chlorophyll a. samples lighted by green, white and yellow Lamps indicates intermediate amount of pigments among blue and red light treated plants. The results related to the leaf beauty index indicated that lights between 500 to 600 nanometer will increase green color which is because of chlorophyll a increase and under 500 nanometer will directed to less green and amethyst purple color in the leaf surface. By increasing the light influence from 500 to 700 nanometer, using red and yellow lamps, the color range on the leaf exterior part changed to dark green corner, amethyst purple surface and dark pink in the center, which can increase the Marketable efficiency of the produced plants.

Keywords: Carotenoids, Chlorophyll a, Light

Salicylic acid (SA) is a signaling or messenger molecule in plants and induces plant tolerance against various biotic and abiotic stresses. SA also plays an important role in the regulation of some physiological processes in plants such as effects on growth and development, ion uptake and transport and membrane permeability. Flowering is another important parameter that is directly related to yield and productivity of plants. Salicylic acid has been reported to induce flowering in a number of plants. The field experiment was laid out factorial with randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included varieties (a1: Bam, a2: Sistan, a3: Hirmand, a4: Hamun) as factor a and factor b consisted of salicylic acid (b1: 0 μM, b2: 900 μM, b3: 1800 μM, b4: 2700 μM). Analysis of variance showed that the effect of varieties on all characteristics was significant (Expected grain yield). Effect of salicylic acid on all characteristics was not significant (Expected spike length).

Keywords: Plant height, Spike length, Harvest Index, Grain yield

Worldwide, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one the most important agricultural crops both economically and strategically. Because of its relatively good adaptation to different regions of the world with tropical climate and low water irrigation, it is usually considered as more resistant to abiotic stresses than the hexaploid wheat plants. Salicylic acid (SA) is an endogenous growth regulator of phenolic nature and also an important signaling molecule regulates physiological processes in plants such as growth, photosynthesis and some other metabolic processes. Several studies support a major role of SA in modulating the plant response to various abiotic stresses. In addition, it has been found that plants treated with SA generally exhibited better resistance to drought stress. The field experiment was laid out split plot with randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included drought stress (I0: control, I1: Irrigation cut in pod stage, I2: Irrigation cut in flowering) as main plot and sub plot consisted of foliar application of salicylic acid (S1: control, S2: 4%Mm, S3: 7%Mm and S4: 1 Mm). Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought stress and salicylic acid on all characteristics was significant.

Keywords: Biological yield, Grain yield, 1000seed weight

Salicylic acid (SA) is part of a signaling pathway that is induced by a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. It has been recognized as an endogenous regulatory signal in plants mediating plant defense against pathogens. The field experiment was laid out split plot with randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included drought stress (I0: control, I1: Irrigation cut in pod stage, I2: Irrigation cut in flowering) as main plot and sub plot consisted of foliar application of salicylic acid (S1: control, S2: 4%Mm, S3: 7%Mm and S4: 1 Mm). Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought stress and salicylic acid on all characteristics was significant.

Keywords: Plant height, Protein (%), chlorophyll

Water deficit elicits several morphological responses in crop plants. Most of these responses are adaptive mechanisms to withstand water deficit or drought and to ensure both survival and reproduction under conditions of water deficit stress. There are three main aspects of plant morphological behavior in relation to drought: the modulation of root growth. Application of organic manures has various advantages like improving soil physical properties, water holding capacity, and organic carbon content apart from supplying good quality of nutrients. The field experiment was laid out split plot with randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included drought stress (a1: control, a2: Irrigation cut in flowering, a3: Irrigation cut in Podding) as main plot and sub plot consisted of biological fertilizer (b0: Conventional chemical fertilizers inside the area, b1: no biological fertilizer, b2: 30 ton/ha manure, b3: 10 ton/ha vermicomposting, b4: 30 ton/ha manure + 100% nitrogen). Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought stress and biological fertilizer on all characteristics was significant.

Keywords: Pant height, Harvest Index, Grain yield, Biological yield

In drip irrigation, different numerical and analytical models such as Hydrus are used for estimation of wetting pattern. In these models, different parameters are considered as inputs which one of these parameters is pounded area. Amount of this parameter could be obtained by experiment or trial and error methods. Therefore, presenting a model that is able to simulate the pounded area in different time steps and is adaptable to the subsurface flow can increase simulation accuracy and reduce the costs of empirical experiments to determine the pounded area in the numerical models in order to specify wetting pattern. In this paper, a new model for coupling surface (Navier-Stokes, VOF) and subsurface flow equations (Richards) is presented. The method can be used for simulation of the both two phase air-water surface and subsurface flows for determining wetting pattern in the soil in surface drip irrigation. In this model, Richards’ equation is discretized with finite volume method and coupled with two- phase Navier-Stokes equations based on a new coupling algorithm. To demonstrate the accuracy of the model, simulation results of soil pounded area in four soil textures and in different discharges were compared to the filed experimental results based on three statistical indices including Mean Error (ME), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Model Efficiency. The results showed that the proposed model has high accuracy to estimate the pounded area and wetting pattern on the soil without field experiments and provided complete data about the velocity, pressure and interface of superficial two-phase flow.

Keywords: Drip Irrigation, Equations Coupling, Navier Stocks Equations, Richards Equation, Wetting Pattern

Twelve West African dwarf goats with an average weight of 7kg were used to study the effect of guava leaf meal on body weights and measurement (body length, chest width, chest depth and wither height), haematological and serum biochemical parameters of the animals. The goats were divided into two dietary treatments and fed for a period of eleven (11) weeks. Goats maintained on guava leaf meal had better growth performance compared with the goats fed solely with basal diet. The results of the body measurements analyzed showed significant difference (P<0.05) between dietary treatment. No significant influence (P>0.05) of diet was observed on all the haematological parameters studied. Serum biochemical values did not show significant effect (P>0.05) of diet except alkaline phosphatase and albumin whose values were however, within the normal range for healthy rabbits. Results of this study suggest that Psidium guajava leaf meal can be used to feed small ruminants most especially the WAD goat.

Keywords: Body measurements, Guava leaf, Growth performance, Haematology, Serum biochemistry, West African Dwarf goats

Freezing preservation of fish has been used for thousands of years because of high product quality. The concept of frozen storage relies on the lowering of the products temperature to slow down spoilage so that the thawed fish can retain the freshness. The freezing point is often referred to as ‘the equilibrium freezing point’, and can be defined as the temperature at which a minute ice crystal is about to dissolve in melting. Due to lipid hydrolysis, FFA accumulates in the tissue during frozen storage, especially at high temperatures around -10 to -20 °C Slow freezing rates or fluctuating s temperatures may result in the lysis of lysosomes and thereby increased activity of some endogenous lipases resulting in increased rates of FFA accumulation. Accumulation of FFA does not in itself affect quality attributes of the product but have been shown to interrelate with lipid oxidation and have been proposed to have a pro-oxidant effect on lipids.

Keywords: Oil, Modified atmosphere, Fatty acids

Water in muscle is distributed throughout the tissue with approximately 90 % located intracellular and 10 % extra-cellular. The water is physically separated by cellular structures such as membranes, but as these are water permeable, the intra- and extra-cellular water can exchange, for example due to changes in osmotic pressure. Intra-cellular water or muscle water is thought to be distributed between different states or populations of water (‘pools’) characterized by differences in water mobility due to different degrees of binding or association to proteins. The quality of fish products after freezing and frozen storage is affected by factors such as fish species, temperature and handling before slaughter, slaughtering stress, the biological status of the fish, temperature of the pre-rigor storage, freezing rate, frozen storage temperature and time, temperature fluctuations, thawing procedure and prevention against oxidation (light and oxygen). If fish is frozen quickly, stored at low, non-fluctuating temperatures and thawed in the best way according to its rigor-state, the quality can be as good as or better than fresh fish stored for a few days at 0°C.

Keywords: Muscle, Quality, Frozen, Protein

There is now extensive literature on the physiological and endocrine basis of stress in fish, largely constructed from studies of captive or cultured fish, and within this, largely examining the effects on teleosts fishes. The effects of stress resulting from aquaculture practices on fish and methods of minimizing such effects have received considerable attention through the years. Glucose is a carbohydrate that has a major role in the bioenergetics of animals, being transformed to chemical energy (ATP), which in turn can be expressed as mechanical energy. Cortisol is the principal glucocorticoid secreted by the inter-renal tissue (steroidogenic cells) located in the head-kidney of teleost fish. This hormone is released by the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis (HPI axis).

Keywords: Salt stress, Glucose, Cortisol, Environment

This study presents an empirical study of resource use efficiency of plantain farmers in Ise/Orun and Ekiti South-West Local Government Areas of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 120 plantain farmers that were randomly selected among the plantain farmers in villages and hamlets within the study area using well-structured questionnaires. Percentages and frequency counts were used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. Regression analysis was used to obtain the determinants of plantain output in the study area. The result revealed that farm size, labour, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer usage, all have positive significant relationship with the output. Farmers who utilizes their resources efficiently especially capital (pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers), labour (either hired or family) are found to obtain higher yields than those who did not use the resources efficiently. Gross margin in percentage (%) was used to analyze the respective profit of the farmers. It was shown that the farmers make profit as 16.5% was calculated. From the regression result it was shown that the coefficient of the variable of farm size, use of tractor, amount of hired labour use, amount of family labour used, amount of herbicides used, amount of fertilizers used were significant at 1% and 5% levels. R2 Value was 0.808. For the farmers in the study area to obtain higher profit in plantain enterprise, farmers should be encouraged to increase their farmland and use more appropriate modern technology and pesticides. If productivity must increase, small scale farmers must improve their use of modern inputs and practice better soil conservation techniques.

Keywords: Resource use, Efficiency, Plantain, Farmers, Ekiti

Fish is one of the principal protein sources in the human diet. From an economic standpoint, people want to meet their need for animal proteins from cheaper food. As a result of the increasing number of working women and rapid urbanization, the demand for ready-to-serve food products is rising. Ready-to-serve food products do not spoil for a period of time due to the processing techniques used. The natural antioxidant system is divided into two ma¬jor groups, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Regarding enzymatic antioxidants they are divided into primary and secondary enzymatic defences while the primary defence is composed of three important enzymes that prevent the formation or neutralise free radicals: glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and the secondary enzymatic defence includes glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehy¬drogenase.

Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Antimicrobial, Rosemary, Extracts, Antioxidants