EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF QUARRY ON MAIZE PRODUCTION IN MPAPE, FCT ABUJA, NIGERIA

Iliyasu M. Anzaku¹, Chunwate B. Thomas^2, & Ahmed Y. Ubangari^3,

¹Department of Science, School of Continuing Education, Bayero University, Kano

 ²Department of Environmental Management, Nasarawa State University, Keffi

 ³Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia

Email: mmaman.iliyasu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: This paper evaluates the effect of Quarry on maize production in Mpape area of FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. Date for the study area gathered from primary and secondary data collected through questionnaire were presented using table and charts, and Interpretation with the aid of statistical package for social science (SPSS) analysis. This finding revealed that 100% of the respondents affirm their knowledge about quarrying in the study area. The results also shows that 95.6% of the respondents agreed that quarrying serves as a means of livelihood in the study area. The results also confirmed that 87% of respondents of the study agreed that before the commencement of quarrying in the study area, lauduse for majorly for agricultural purposes. The result revealed that 91.1% of the respondents agreed that earnings from quarrying are higher than agriculture. The study shows that 85.5% of the respondent believed that agricultural activity in the area has been reduced as a result of quarrying. Most of the respondents agreed that maize production has been hampered by quarrying through degradation of agricultural lands due to increasing activities in the area. 61.1% of the respondents were in support of this fact. The issue of land degradation in the study area is as a result of pressure on land for rock materials extraction which is done by open pit cast method. The study recommends that stringent law should be spelt out which will mandate that quarrying companies and groups of individual to reclaim the land property after quarrying activity. The reclamation should go beyond sand filling with clay.                                       

Key Words: Evaluation, Effects, Kaolin, Quarry, Environment.

MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ENUMERATION OF GRAM-POSITIVE PATHOGENS IN SOME POWDERED INFANT FOODS IN IKOT EKPENE METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

 Uko, E.A.¹& Adenugba, I.T.²

 Department of Science Technology

 Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: The present  study was conducted to detect and enumerate Gram positive bacteria in some powdered food sold within Ikot Ekpene metropolis using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) based method. Ten different samples were obtained from different supermarkets and pharmaceutical stores and were tested for Gram positive bacteria. The results obtained using the culture based method indicated that samples were contaminated by Gram positive bacteria (spore forming and non-spore forming). The PCR based method was further used for identification and the results revealed the identity of Lactobacillus sp, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus. The use of molecular method has facilitated pathogen detection in powdered food as they have posed some health challenges to consumers. From the result obtained, greater emphasis are  placed on good manufacturing practices with careful attention to heat inactivation of bacterial spores, hygienic conditions, sanitation of equipment and processing plants. Implementation of food safety policy by government with the objective of reducing food-borne illness among consumers is recommended. This will ensure microbial quality, food safety and standards of powdered infant foods. Further study should be carried out on bacterial spores, their ability to survive during processing in food industries and the step to kill the vegetative cells.

Keywords: Gram positive bacteria, contamination, Polymerase chain reaction, pathogen.

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF VARYING STOCKING DENSITIES ON THE LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND MORPHOMETRICS OF HETEROCLARIAS

Afia, O. E.

¹Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environmental Management

University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.

Email: ofonimeafia@uniuyo.edu.ng

ABSTRACT: Length-weight relationships and morphometrics are crucial indices for assessing the healthiness of a fish under varying stocking densities. Hybrid fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus x Heterobranchus longifilis were assessed for length-weight relationship and morphometric indices influenced by varying stocking densities for 12 months. Fifteen (15) improvised tarpaulin tanks measuring 1×1×1 m³ and filled with 250L of water were employed for this study. The study was designed to have five different stocking densities (SD), T₁ = 100fish/m², T₂ = 75fish/m², T₃ = 38fish/m², T₄ = 18fish/m² and T₅ = 9fish/m² as treatments and were in triplicates. The fish was fed three times daily (08:00, 13:00 and 18:00 hours) using commercial feed at 2.0% body weight. The feed was adjusted monthly with increase in body weight. The initial weight (2.06 ± 0.48 g) and total length (4.13 ± 0.25 cm) of the fingerlings were taken before stocking them in the various tanks which were randomly positioned. At the end of the study, T₁ had the best growth function (2.91) which was closely followed by T₂ (2.81). Condition factor was highest in T₂ (1.04). There was significance (p<0.05) in morphometrics such as total weight, standard length, head length and dorsal fin length while total length and anal fin length were insignificant (p>0.05) across the different stocking densities. This study recommends 75-100 fish/m² stocking densities and proper management of water quality parameters to obtain best growth for aquaculturists interested in raising hybrid catfish.

Keywords: length-weight relationship, morphometric parameters, condition factor, hybrid catfish, Heteroclarias, stocking densities

EFFECT OF RATION LEVEL ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS

¹Ugwaka Kingsley Anene & ²Igbokwe Samuel O 

¹Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam,

²Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Okoh,

ABSTRACT: This investigation was carried out to study the effect ration level will have on the growth and development of African catfish (clarias gariepinus). The research was carried out in the hatchery section of Zoology department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and it lasted for eight weeks. The fish were subjected to different levels of ration feeding, (3%, 5%, 7% and 9% body weight ration level). The results show that those fed on 5% body weight ration level recorded the highest weight increase (106.64g) while those fed on 3% body weight ration level recorded the least weight increase (79.67g). The results also show that those fed on 5% body weight ration level recorded the highest value of specific growth rate (0.103) while those fed on 3% body weight ration level recorded the least value (0.083). ANOVA statistical method was used to analyze the results and I discovered that there was no significant difference among the treatments in both cases. The P values 0.091 and 0.075 recorded respectively are greater than 0.05, i.e. (0.091 > 0.05) and (0.075 > 0.05). Based on the results we recommended that feeding the juvenile of Clarias gariepinus on 5% body weight ratio is the best ration level to feed in order to reduce cost of culture, get the highest maximum size of fish and also maximize profit.