International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019 Archives - Centre for Advanced Research & Development

September 4, 2019
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Ecological and Phytosocio-Economic Assessment of Undergrowth in a Community- Owned Rainforest Reserve in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

1Opeyemi Olajide, 1Idongesit M. Etuk & Comfort J. Essien2
1Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
2Directorate of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Mineral
Resources, Uyo, Nigeria
E-mail: solaolajide1967@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Sustainable natural forest management for multiple production of forest goods cannot be realized without quantitative and qualitative ecological data on the constituent plant species, particularly, those producing socio-economically valuable products. Accordingly, ecological survey of sundergrowth species producing edible and medicinal items in a community-owned rainforest reserve was carried out using transect and
quadrat sampling system. Data collected were analysed to determine the population density per/ha for each undergrowth species, and dominance concentration index (cover over space) of each plant life-form was also
determined. Thirty-eight (38) species were encountered with the distribution as follows: tree seedlings – 11, shrubs – 11, herbs – 12 and climbers – 4. The highest sum total population density of 1039 per/ha was
obtained by the herbs, while the least of 39 per/ha was recorded for the climbers. Similarly, herb life-form had the highest dominance concentration of 0.5906, while climber life-form had the least of 0.0008. The edible
and medicinal products from the undergrowth species vary from fruits, seeds, leaves, barks, tubers, roots and rhizomes. Drawing on the results, it is concluded that the forest should be managed for the production of
multiple forest goods as against the wood or timber alone management objective. Keywords: Rainforest, Undergrowth, Non-timber products, Edible, Medicinal, Sustainable management.

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September 4, 2019
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An Appraisal of Damages as a Remedy for Copyright Infringement in Agricultural Research Institutions of Nigeria

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

Abo C.H & 2Akande I.F
1Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Nigeria
2Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Kongo Campus, Zaria

ABSTRACT
Agricultural Institutes, just like other academic institutions are basically research institutes. They carry out researches on different crops, animals, soil, climate or even weather. Scientists in various agricultural research
institutes carry out research activities relating to quality, pest control and quantity of various agricultural produce. The research methodology adopted in this paper is doctrinal which involves relevant books on the
subject matter, articles, in journal publications, conference papers, judicial authorities, News Paper, magazines and internet materials. However, the statement of problem of this paper is that in most cases researchers in agricultural Institutes and other relevant stakeholders are not aware of the fact that they can make claims for damages when their copyright is infringed. In this like, the objective of this paper is to examine succinctly the extent of the rights of researchers in agricultural institutes with a view to understanding when and how their copyrights can be infringed and what constitutes their claim of assertion of infringement. In the course of research work resulting to this paper, it was found that most scientists in agricultural institutes are not even aware of their general Intellectual Property Rights which seeks to protect their literal works against infringement. Finally, this paper concludes by recommending that there should be continuous academic training in form of workshops and conferences for researchers in Agricultural Institutes on Intellectual Property Right issues so as to make them proactive and keep them a braced with the changing patterns of academic learning and agricultural researches particularly as relates to their Intellectual Property.
Keywords: Agricultural, Copyright, Infringement, Damages and intellectual.

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September 4, 2019
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Effect of Hydrocolloid Treatments on the Proximate and Nutritional Properties of Breads Produced with Wheat-Cassava Composite Flour

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

1Nwachukwu, C. A; 1Duru, F. C 2Nwanekezi, E. C; & 2Umezuruike, A. C
1Department of Food Technology, Federal Polytechnic Nekede P.M.B 1036. Owerri, Imo State
2Department of Food Science and Technology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria
Email: nwachukwu.bit@yahoo.com;

ABSTRACT
The flour samples studied contained moisture in the range of 11.10 11.90%. The cassava flour 0:100 (W-C) had a moisture content of 11.10 % while the wheat flour 100:0 (W-C) had a moisture content of 11.90%.The fat content of the flour samples were in the range of 0.60-1.50%. The cassava flour 0:100 (W-C) had the lowest (0.60 %) fat content while wheat flour 100:0 (W-C) had the highest (1.50 %) fat content. The ash contents of the flour samples were in the range of 1.94 – 2.96%. The highest (2.96 %) ash content was recorded for the wheat flour sample 100:0 (W-C), while the lowest (1.94 %) ash content was recorded for the cassava flour.The protein value of the flour samples were in the range of 0.59 – 12.20 %. Wheat flour 100:0 (W-C) had the
highest (12.20 %) protein content while the cassava flour 0:100 (W-C) protein values was the lowest (0.59%).The crude fibre contents of the flour samples ranged from 2.06 % to 3.18 %. The cassava flour 0:100 (W-C)
had the highest (3.18 %) fibre content while the wheat flour 100:0 (W-C) fibre content was 2.06%. The cassava flour sample 0:100 (W-C) had the highest (82.59 %) carbohydrate content and the wheat flour 100:0 (W-C)
recorded the lowest (69.38 %) carbohydrate content. The crude fibre contents of the bread loaves were in the range of 0.39 % -2.34 %. The highest crude fibre was recorded for the bread loaf from sample WC-EGCm
(1:1:2) while the lowest crude fibre was recorded for the bread loaf from control the (100 % wheat flour) sample.There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the ash contents of all the bread loaves from the flour samples
with exception of the bread loaves from samples WC-EGCm (2:1:1) and WC-EGCm (1:1:2) which had similar ash contents. The bread sample from sample 90:10 (W-C) had the highest (3.42 %) ash content while that
from sample WC-EG had the least (0.67 %) ash content There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the ether extract or fat content values of some of the bread loaves. Bread loaves from 100:0 (W-C) and WC-EG
flour samples had fat contents which were not significantly different (p<0.05) from each other. However, the bread loaf from sample WC-Cm had the highest fat content while that from the reference 90:10 (W-C) flour
sample had the least ether extract content. The protein contents of the bread loaves from all the flour samples differed significantly (p<0.05) from each other. The same were the carbohydrate contents of the bread loaves
which also were significantly different (p<0.05) from each other. The bread loaf from the gelatin treated 80:20 wheat-cassava flour sample (WC-G) had the highest (20.23 %) protein content and that was significantly
different (p<0.05) from the protein content (19.42 %) recorded for bread loaf from egg white treated 80:20 wheat-cassava composite flour sample (WC-E). The loaf with the highest carbohydrate content was obtained
from the reference 90:10 (W-C) flour sample and was followed by the bread loaf which was obtained from 80:20 wheat-cassava flour treated with a combination of egg white, gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose in the
ratio of 1:1:2, (sample WC-EGCm).
Keywords: Wheat, cassava, hydrocolloids, flour, bread.

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September 4, 2019
0

Women Empowerment and Microcredit: A Case Study of Tyosombo Mnyim “Bam” in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Nigeria

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

Maurice Tyokever
Department of Agricultural Education
College of Education, Katsina Ala, Benue State
Email: mauric4real1@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of microcredit as a women’s empowerment strategy. It draws empirical evidence from Tyosombo Mnyim Ban in Katsina-ala, Benue state to examine issues of socio-economic status,
wealth, autonomy, disapproval of violence and duration of membership. The study has provided evidence that members of ban clubs do not differ from non – members in terms of socio-economic characteristics such as age,
number of children and marital status but differ from non-members in terms of ownership of materials used as indicator of wealth status. The study further revealed that bam members had more autonomy in decision
making, fertility control and were more empowered than non-members. Based on these findings, it was recommended that government should lay more emphasis on encouraging the participation of women in microcredit clubs as a way of promoting women’s empowerment.Key words: micro credit, women’s empowerment, “Bam” Clubs.

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September 4, 2019
0

Heat Stress as a Source of Infertility in Cattle Production

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

Torrens, F1, Marahatta, S2, Duran, I.L3 and Ahaotu, E.O4,
1Department of Physical Chemistry, Universitat de València, Spain.
2Department of Biological Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal.
3College of Graduate Studies, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Philippines
4Department of Animal Production Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, Nigeria.
Email: vieng663@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
Climate change, with a constant increase in the Earth temperature, negatively affects livestock production and health. Cattle are an important contributor to milk, meat, draught power and leather production in many
developing countries. Due to ineffective cooling mechanisms like scanty sweat glands and hair coat they are more predisposed to heat stress causing huge economic losses to the cattle breeders as well as dairy industry.
The thermal stress primarily affects the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-ovarian axis and it is the interplay of endocrinological imbalances which affects the reproductive cycle causing seasonality and anoestrus. Hence
heat stress needs to be alleviated to maintain the reproductive efficiency in cattle and prevent economic losses.Keywords: Reproductive Efficiency, Heat stress, Anoestrus, Cattle, Infertility.

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September 3, 2019
0

Assessment of Cassava Production in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

1Jane Munonye; 1Joy N Obi & 2Okere Happiness Chikadibia
1Department of Agricultural Economics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University of Ndufu, Alike, Ebonyi State
2Department of Agriculture Economics, Ext. and Rural Development, Imo State University, Owerri
Email: munojane@gmail.com: Jnamaka1@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
The study assessed the production of cassava in a Government area of Imo State. The specific objectives were to: identify socio-economic characteristics of the farmers; identify their cropping system; determine cost and returns of cassava production; and identify problems of production. To achieve these, a sixty cassava farmers was selected. A set of structured questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that on socio-economic, the mean age of the farmers was 36.32 years, and they were mostly males (55%) and had mean house hold of 7 persons. They had mean farm size of 2.7 plots and were well educated. The cost and returns analysis showed that for every N1.00 invested they made 63kobo, which shows that cassava production was profitable and
economically viable. Their major cropping system was sole cropping. Sex variable, farm size and experience were statistically significant at 10%, 1% and 5% levels respectively. Major problems of production were high
cost of inputs and inadequate funds. It is recommended that farmers should form production cooperative society to forestall the problems of inadequate fund.

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September 3, 2019
0

Effects of Some Indigenous Ectomycorhyza and Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. moench) in Bauchi State Nigeria

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

1Shuaibu, Y. M. & 2Buba, T.
1Department of Crop Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
2Department of Ecology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
Email: ymshuaibu@atbu.edu.ng

ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and ectomycorhiza on the growth and yield of sorghum at the teaching and research farm of the Faculty of agriculture and agricultural technology,
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (10o22′ N and 9o47’E). The treatments consisted of two species of mycorhiza (Glomus and Gigaspora spp.) and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 kg/ha). These
were factorially combined to give six treatments combination and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Data was collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem
girth, number of prop root and panicle length. Others are number of spikes per panicle, 1000 grain weight and grain yield. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was adopted during the analysis to separate significantly different treatments means.The result of the experiment revealed a significant (P=0.05) difference among the various treatments used
throughout the study period. The result further indicated that, application of 30 and 60 kg N/ha produced statistically (P=0.05) similar result but significantly (P=0.05) better than the control in promoting growth
and yield of sorghum. The result also showed that, among the two species of mycorhiza used, Glomus spp. was found to be statistically (P=0.05) better than Gigaspora spp. in promoting growth and yield of sorghum.
Study on the interaction revealed that, application of 60 kg N/ha to sorghum inoculated with Glomus spp.gave significantly (P=0.05) higher growth and yield of sorghum than the other treatments combination and
all the treatments were better than the control. Based on the result of this findings, application of 30 kg N/ha to sorghum inoculated with Glomus spp. can be adopted by farmers in the study area for sorghum production.
Keywords: sorghum, nitrogen, mycorhiza, inoculation, growth and yield

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September 3, 2019
0

Assessment of Surface Water Quality in Rivers and Ponds for Sustainable Irrigation Practice in Nigeria

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

Samaila Kunden Ishaya1, Marcus Nengak Danjuma1 & Kwarfwang Kevin Jack2 1Department of Geography Nasarawa State University, Keffi
2Department of Geography Plateau State University, Bokkos
Email: ikunden@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Nigeria is blessed with abundant surface water in rivers, streams, rivulets and ponds. However one of the greatest problems faced in the country is assessment of water quality from the numerous receiving surfaces
for irrigation. This has resulted in the use of water likely to be injurious to the soils and plants, causing serious implications on the productive capacity of soils and the developmental processes of many crops. It is in this
respect that this study undertook a review on assessment of water quality for irrigation and its application to Nigeria. The study used content analysis and reviewed relevant works on water quality for irrigation. The
study examined major issues that affect the safety in the use of water for irrigation. These included issues associated to application of water high in salinity that may result in the built-up of salts in the soils, which
cause difficulty in plants uptake of water a condition that causes plants to become stunted even when water is sufficient. High sodium ion in the irrigation water may raise exchangeable sodium percent in the soil and
may impede the free flow of water and aeration in the soil thus interfering with normal developmental processes of many plants. Low or high pH in water affects the solubility of the soils and plants performance during irrigation. Other specific ion toxicity also have significant effect on water quality at levels that cause ailment to human health, for example the presence of trace elements in irrigation water can bio-amplify in due
course within the food chain thus affecting the consumers of crops from such water. To use water wisely the study recommends that there is the need for intensive assessment of water quality for most surface sources
and that research institutes be set in each state to monitor the quality of water to ensure standards recommended for a variety of uses are met.
Keywords: Salinity, Sodicity, Toxicity, Assessment and Irrigation

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September 3, 2019
0

Effect of Main Stem Cutting Height and Branch Purning on Seed Yeild and Quality of Corchorus Olitorius ev. ‘Oniyaya’

Category : International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019

Ndatsu Isyaku Alaba
Federal University of Technology
P.M.B 65 Minna, Nigeria
E-mail: isyakualaba4u@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The effect of main stem cutting height and branch and pruning back on seed yield and quality of Corchorus olitorius (Cv. “Oniyaya”) was studied at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology Minna, during 2009 cropping season, seed of “Oniyaya”, variety of Corchorus olitorius were steeped in hot water (at about 97oc) for five seconds to break dormancy. The seeds were then sown in plastic
pots filled with top soil. Seedlings were in the nursery for four weeks before they were transported to the field. There were seven treatment viz: (i) uncut (control), (ii) 30cm stopping without pruning of primary branches, (iii) 30cm stopping plus cutting back of primary branches, (iv) 30cm stopping plus pinching of primary branches (v) 50cm stopping without pruning of primary branches, (vi) 50cm stopping plus cutting back of primary branches, and (vii) 50cm stopping plus pinching of primary branches. The treatments were arranged in the field. Using the Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Stem cutting significantly hastened flowering and reduced number of fruits from the main stem. Unpruned (control) plants produced significantly more primary branches and more fruits on the main than the cut plants. Generally, significantly higher number of fruits and greater seed yield were recorded in the unpruned plants. Next in performance were plants which main stem were cut at 50cm in combination with cutting back of primary branches.

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Category Archives: International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production 2019