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NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ENSILED CASSAVA (Manihot esculentus, Crantz) TOPS AND GUINEA GRASS (Panicum maximum) FOR THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP
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PHENOTYPIC AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF SOME AMARANTHUS ACCESSIONS AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF THEIR ETHANOL EXTRACT ON SODIUM ARSENITE-INDUCED TOXICITY IN MALE RATS
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Densities and Distribution of Vitellariaparadoxa C.F.Gaertn. and Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br.ex G.Don. in Agro-ecosystems in Oyo State, Nigeria
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Page will reload when a filter is selected or excluded.- 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) 2 results 2
- Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f.) is traditionally propagated by seeds, which have low viability after pod harvest, low percentage germination, and poor root development and often germinate during storage. The competition between use of seeds for consumption and propagation causes scarcity of propagules, necessitating development of more efficient propagation systems. Efficient protocols were developed for the induction of somatic embryos (SEs) and conversion into plantlets using cotyledons from mature zygotic embryos. This study evaluated the effects of 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (25 combinations) on the induction of SEs, and of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 2,4-D, and kinetin (7 combinations) on conversion of SEs into plantlets. Significantly more SEs (381.7; p<0.01) were obtained on medium with 0.5 mg l−1 2,4-D and 0.1 mg l−1 kinetin than from the other 24 treatments after 4 wk of cotyledon culture. All SEs were obtained through an intermediary callus. For the production of SE-derived plantlets, treatments with 0.01 mg l−1 IAA and 0.02 mg l−1 kinetin resulted in significantly more shoots and roots than other treatments (p<0.001 for each) and gave 100% conversion of SEs to plantlets. The mean numbers of roots and shoots on this treatment were 3.7 and 1.3, respectively, and the mean shoot length was 2.2 cm. The plantlets had broad leaves and good vigor, similar to the parent cultivar. Nearly all plantlets (98–100%) survived acclimatization. The production of SEs from cotyledons and the high rate of conversion into quality plants will allow development of a mass production system for Telfairia planting material to meet the increasing demand for this crop. 2 results 2
- Germination 2 results 2
- Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) 2 results 2
- Kinetin 2 results 2
- Micropropagation 2 results 2
- Vivipary 2 results 2
- 16S rDNA gene 1 results 1
- A general survey of phytoparasitic nematodes associated with yam (Dioscorea spp.) in the Mid-Western State of Nigeria showed that Seutellonema bradys and Meloidogyne spp. were the economically important nematodes of yam tubers. S. bradys was associated with the ’dry rot' of yam tubers causing storage losses estimated between 80 and 100%. Nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne were found associated with galling of tubers of water yam (D. alata). Studies on the rate of population build-up of S. bradys in storage showed that S. bradys increased 9-fold, 8-fold and 5-fold in the tubers of D. rotundata, D. cayenensis and D. alata respectively during 6 months of storage. These increases in population influenced the severity of ’dry rot’ disease. Results of investigations into the depth of penetration of S. bradys in 5 different varieties of D. rotundata showed that there were differences in varietal susceptibility. The bulk of the nematode population was found in the periderm to a depth of between 0-1.5 cm, but depth of penetration was greater in the head portions of each of the tubers than either the middle or bottom portions. Observations on the activities of the nematodes in tuber tissues (histopathology) suggested that the 'dry rot' was mainly due to mechanical damage to the cells and the host reaction to intracellular feeding by S. bradys. Studies on changes in the carbohydrate constituents of the yam tuber infected by S. bradys showed an increase in the percentages of monosaccharides and disaccharides like sucrose, glucose and galactose, fruobose with a concomitant decrease in starch, amylose and amylopectin when compared with healthy yam. Qualitative and quantitative determination of amino acid constituents of nematode-infected tubers of white yam (D. rotundata). yellow yam (D. cayenensis) and water yam (D. alata) showed that the relative numbers of free amino acids were not materially changed following infection by 5, bradys. but a reduction occurred in the number of 'essential' amino acids in the infected tubers. Eighteen ninhydrin positive amino acids were detected in the protein hydrolysate. Except in the case of white yam and in a few other cases, increases in protein amino acids were recorded in the infected tubers of yellow and water yam. The percentage protein was also increased by infection in all species except white yam (D. rotundata). Observations on the rate of weight loss (cumulative percentage weight and mean percentage weight loss) in 3 different species of Dioscorea stored in a yam barn showed that there was a significant difference in the rate of weight loss between nematode-infected and nematode-free tubers of D. rotundata and D. cavenensis, but no significant difference was recorded between the infected and healthy yam tubers of D. alata. Estimation of the edible portions in nematode-infected and nematode-free tubers of D. rotundata. D. cavenensis and D. alata showed a significant difference in the percentage peeling losses between the infected and healthy tubers. Chromatographic analysis of the incubation solution of S. bradys showed that 5 amino acids - aspartic acid, phenylalanine, hydroxylnol acetic acid, leucine and isoleucine were discharged by this nematode. The absence of the steroid group of compounds in the nematode-infected yam tubers revealed by spectrometrie analysis might be disease-related as evidenced by its appearance in the healthy tubers. Polygalacturonase and amylase activities were detected in homogenates of S, bradys. Studies on fungi associated with the dry rot disease of yam tubers showed Aspergillus niger. Penicillium sclerotigenum. Triohoderma viride. Rhizopus nigricans and Fusarium oxvsporum. Botrvodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium moniliforme as the main species. Studies on the possible interrelationshipsbetween S. bradys and 3 fungi A. niger. P. sclerotigenum and F. oxysporum showed that the presence of the nematode seemed to increase the degree of pathogenicity of Fusarium and Penicillium species on yams. But the presence of S. bradys did not increase the degree of pathogenicity of Aspergillus niger. In greenhouse experiments, the interaction between S. bradvs and A. niger was found to be disadvantageous to the nematode. The presence of the fungus seemed to have some effect on the number of nematodes that invaded the roots and tubers and subsequently on nematode development. This was thought to be due to an anti-biotic action of A. niger on S. bradys. A host range study of 30 crop plants and weeds revealed that beniseed (Sesamum indicum L.), cowpea (Vigna unguioulata (L.) Walp.), were good alternative hosts of S. bradys. Small populations of the nematode also survived endoparasitically in the roots of Bupatorium. avnedrella. roselle faib1scus sab dar if f a L.). kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), melon (Cucurbita pepo L.); jute (Corchorus olitorius L.); yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) (Hochst ex A Rich) Harms., soko (Oelosia araentia L.) and pigeon pea (Ca.lanus ca.ian (L.) Druce). Non-hosts included maize and tobacco. Dipping nematode-infected tubers of D. alata and D. cayenensis in hot water at temperatures ranging between 50 and 60°C for 40 minutes completely eliminated the nematode. However, at temperatures above 55°C for an exposure time of 1+0 minutes, the tubers so treated suffered a physiological damage and rotted very rapidly. Temperatures between 50 and 55°C had no adverse effect on percentage emergence, growth, yield and palatability of tubers of D. alata. Field trials on chemical and cultural control of S. bradys on D. alata showed that the yield of yam was increased and the nematode population suppressed by the application of organic manure at the rate of 1.5 kg/heap or 1 ,886.3 kg/ha. Although the application of nemagon at the rate of 35.2 kg/ha. considerably suppressed nematode population, the yield of yam was significantly reduced. The results showed that there is a good deal of potential for experimentation with various cultural methods of nematode control. Studies on the effect of gamma irradiation on S. bradys showed that dosages between 5 and 15 Krad did not eliminate the nematodes completely, but suppressed sprouting and signs of deterioration in tubers. Dosages between 20 - 30 Krad eliminated about 70 - 80% of the nematode population. 1 results 1
- AI 1 results 1
- Adaptation Strategies 1 results 1
- Agricultural insurance 1 results 1
- Agricultural risk management behaviour 1 results 1
- Agricultural risks 1 results 1
- Agricultural risks constitute a fundamental challenge in Nigeria, leading to low productivity among farmers. Farmers risk management behaviour determines the extent to which they overcome risk types. Information on crop farmers’ risk management behaviour in Nigeria is however scanty. Therefore determinants of agricultural risk management behaviour of crop farmers in Nigeria were investigated. Multistage sampling technique was used. Of the agro-ecological zones, Coastal, Rainforest and Guinea savannah were randomly selected. Thereafter, 10% of the states in the zones (Lagos, Osun and Niger) and 10% of the Local Governments Areas (LGAs) in the states were selected. Two communities were selected from each of the LGAs and 15% of crop farmers were chosen in the selected communities to give 323 crop farmers. Interview schedule was used to collect data on respondents’ risks types, risk exposure levels and risk management strategies. Indices were used to categorise farmers on their risk types (production, marketing, financial and social) and risk behaviour (superior, active, di-function, mono-function and part-time risk managers). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression at p= 0.05. Most (90.0%) respondents were males, married (89.7%), and had at least primary school education (62.3%) with farm sizes of less than 5 hectares (72.3%). Age and years of farming experience were 53.2±10.5 and 28.3±12.1 years respectively. Majority (94.2%) identified inadequate cash-flow, pests and diseases (91.3%), ill-health of farmer/farm employee (89.0%) and volatility in output price (85.5%) as types of agricultural risks. Respondents were more vulnerable to production (9.85) and financial (9.84) risks. Majority (81.3%) were moderately or highly exposed to agricultural risks. Risk management strategies highly utilised were reducing leverage (2.94), maintaining good relations with contracting partners (2.73), use of fertilizers (2.65) and use of improved seedlings (2.57), while 73.9% of the farmers that had crop insurance coverage affirmed that it was effective in managing risks. Use of risk management strategies was low for 47.1%, with marketing strategies being the least (1.17) utilised. Superior agricultural risk managers accounted for 14.2%; active (26.8%); di-function (33.2%); mono-function (21.9%) and part-timers (3.9%), with the coastal zone having the highest percentage of superior (19.0%) and active (43.1%) risk managers. There were significant relationships between level of risk management and each of sex, marital status, educational level and farm size. While the Guinea savannah zone had the highest level (259.58) of agricultural risk exposure, the coastal zone had the highest level (75.89) of agricultural risk management. Significant predictors of agricultural risk management behaviour were farm size, organization membership and risk exposure level for mono-function and active managers. Di-function and superior managers were significantly predicted by farm size and risk exposure level respectively. Crop farmers in the zones encountered more of production and financial risks and lacked adequate risk management strategies. Their low level of insurance coverage indicated that factors other than awareness determined participation in insurance. Crop farmers should utilise more risk management strategies in order to reduce their risk exposure levels. 1 results 1
- Agriculture 1 results 1
- Agriculture, 1 results 1
- Although oil is the major source of Nigeria's revenue at present, agriculture is the single largest contributor to the well-being of the rural poor. Agriculture sustains 90% of the rural labour force, provides 60% of industrial raw materials, and contributes 30% to the GDP, with 90% of the output coming from the smallholder farmers. The Nigerian smallholder farmers face a lot of challenges. They are constrained from expanding their farm sizes due to limited labour supply. Poor farm transportation and severe post-harvest losses reduce their economic fortune while the productivity of the farmer and his livestock are reduced by inadequate housing. Farm structures' intervention in the provision of good access roads for farm machinery movement would enable farmers to expand their farm holdings, appropriate crop storage structures which reduce post harvest losses, and cheap but comfortable housing will provide an enabling environment for increased productivity and income. The present Farm Structures curriculum as taught in many institutions needs to be beefed up while farm structures workshops and laboratories should be provided and well equipped. The establishment of a farm structures network is suggested. 1 results 1
- Amaranth is an underutilised crop with great potential as a source of essential nutrients. It also contains bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. However, its characterisation for agronomic and nutritional traits is limited. Likewise, information on its hepatoprotective potential is scarce. In this study Amaranthus accessions were characterised using phenotypic and molecular markers. The quality of its seed protein and hepatoprotective activity of its Ethanol Seed Extract (ESE) on sodium arsenite (NaAS)-induced toxicity in male rats were also investigated. Twenty-nine accessions (27 from the United States Agricultural Research Station and 2 from National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan) were characterised using 27 phenotypic traits and 16 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Protein quality was assessed using Kjedahl method, amino acid analyzer and one-dimensional electrophoresis. The ESE of all accessions were analysed for phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities. Two out of the 29 accessions with the highest nutritional contents were used for hepatoprotective study. Experimental design consisted of two main groups (representing the two accessions), each consisting of eight treatment groups of 5 rats each. Treatment groups comprised of control, NaAS (2.5mg/kg body weight), amaranth seed extracts (100, 200, 300 mg/kg body weight) and NaAS plus amaranth seed extracts (100, 200, 300 mg/kg). After 14 days of treatment, serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) activities were assayed spectrophotometrically. Hepatic Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) activities were assayed likewise. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Cluster at p=0.05. For phenotypic traits, 57.5% variability was observed and accessions were grouped into five clusters. The RAPD analysis yielded 193 loci. Genetic similarity coefficient ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 while dendogram grouped accessions into nine clusters. Total protein contents ranged from 11.8 to 19.0%. Total essential amino acids ranged from 31.2 to 44.9% and were limited in tryptophan and leucine. Albumin, globulin and glutelin were the major protein fractions. Phytate, total flavonoid, total polyphenol, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant and 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) values ranged from 0.8-1.9%; 7.8-11.0mg/100g; 23.9-35.4mg/100g; 82.8-95.4%; 111.3-271.6%; 157.6-208.8mM Trolox Equivalent (TE), respectively. Accessions A23 (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, AHC) and A28 (Amaranthus hybridus, AHB) had higher protein and phytochemical contents than the other accessions. The activities of ALT (16.7±1.0U/L) and GGT (3.5±0.9U/L) in NaAS-treated group were significantly higher than control (ALT - 9.4±1.3U/L, GGT - 1.7±0.7U/L) and lower in groups treated with AHC plus NaAS (100mg/kg - 14.1±0.8U/L, 3.2±0.6U/L), (200mg/kg - 12.6±0.3U/L, 2.6±1.1U/L) and (300mg/kg - 9.2±0.2U/L, 1.7±0.7U/L). Activities of ALT and GGT were also lower in AHB plus NaAS treated groups (100mg/kg - 12.5±1.4U/L, 2.9±0.7U/L), (200mg/kg - 11.8±0.8U/L, 2.3±0.9U/L), and (300mg/kg - 8.6±2.7U/L, 1.8±0.6U/L) when compared with NaAS-treated group. Hepatic SOD, Catalase and GPx activities were significantly lower in NaAS-treated group when compared with control and groups administered different doses of the amaranth extracts. Amaranth accessions A23 (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) and A28 (Amaranthus hybridus) contained a good balance of essential amino acids and the ethanol extract showed dose-dependent hepatoprotective activity. The diverse clusters can be used as parents in hybridization programmes. 1 results 1
- Amaranthus 1 results 1
- Bell pepper yield 1 results 1
- By-products 1 results 1
- CEA 1 results 1
- COVID-19 1 results 1
- Cassava Tops (CT), a crop residue, is available all year round but its potential utilisation is low. The Crude Protein (CP) and other nutrients in CT could be beneficial to ruminant livestock. Information on CT preservation and nutritive value is scanty. Therefore, the nutritive value of ensiled CT with Guinea grass to the West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep was investigated. Cassava tops and Guinea Grass (GG) of eight weeks re-growth with four energy additives were combined in ratio 3:6:1 into five treatments: 1 (CT + GG + cassava chips), 2 (CT + GG + Sorghum), 3 (CT + GG+ millet grains), 4 (CT + GG + sugar ) and 5 (CT + GG + no additive). After 42 days of ensiling, silage characteristics, chemical composition: Dry Matter (DM), CP, ash, Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) and acceptability by 8 WADS using Coefficient of Preference (CoP) procedure were determined. In a completely randomised design, 25 WAD sheep were fed with the five silages for 135 days to evaluate Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Daily Weight Gain (DWG), Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Serum Total Protein (STP) using standard procedures. Carcass characteristics: dressing percentage, prima cuts, internal organs and external offals were measured. Further, effect of Length of Storage (LS) (72, 102, 132, 162, 192 and 222 days) on silage characteristics, chemical composition and the nutritive value of silage were assessed using in vitro fermentation technique to obtain potential extent of gas production (a+b), potential gas production (b), rate of gas production (c), Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD), Metabolisable Energy (ME) and Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at p=0.05. The colour of the silages was olive green with pleasant odour, firm texture and pH range of 4.3 to 5.1. Dry Matter (27.1-28.8%), CP (21.8-24.9%), ash (7.6-9.4%), NDF (68.8-71.7%) and ADF (40.6-48.1%) of the silages differed significantly among treatments. Silages with cassava chips (1.19), sorghum (1.11) and millet (1.09) additives were more acceptable as CoP was above unity. The DMI (472.6-530.0 g/d) and DMD (75.8-84.7%) differed significantly while DWG was similar among treatments. The PCV and STP varied significantly and ranged from 27.0 to 33.7% and 6.08 to 8.20g/dl respectively. Dressing percentages ranging from 50.8 to 53.8% were significantly different. The Prima cuts (loin; 12.0-14.9%, rack; 15.6-18.9%, neck; 10.3-12.1%), liver (7.4-8.1%) and skin (1.5-1.8%) were significantly different. Relative weight of leg, shoulder, head, feet and other organs were not significantly different. The DM (28.0-29.6%), CP (23.7-27.1%), ash (8.8-10.0%), NDF (57.9-71.5%), and ADF (44.1-49.8%) were all significantly influenced by LS. Gas production (17.67-30.07 ml/96 hours), b (16.20-28.00ml), ME (6.09-7.68 MJ/kg DM), OMD (62.9-73.2%) and SCFA (0.48-0.78 mmol) were also significantly influenced by LS.Cassava tops and Guinea grass ensiled with all additives used, had good silage properties and enhanced nutritive value. Preservation of silages was possible for seven months without loss of nutrients 1 results 1
- Cassava tops 1 results 1
- Challenges 1 results 1
- Clays have some properties which make them good adsorbents. The adsorption of heavy metal ions by clay usually affects its thermal properties and these properties have direct influence on seed germination and crop growth. In this study, the variation of thermophysical properties of clay with adsorption of some heavy metal ions at different concentrations was investigated. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the concentrations in the samples. A known mass of clay sample was mixed with certain volume of already prepared Pb (II), Cd (II), Cu (II), Ni (II), and Zn (II) solutions of different concentrations; after which some cylindrical pellets were made from the mixture of the clay sample with aqueous solutions of different concentrations and the thermal properties determined. The transient measurement technique was used in this work to determine the thermal properties of doped clay. Results showed that Copper had the highest ion exchange in the clay, while Cadmium had the lowest ion exchange. The thermal conductivity of clay increases with increase in the concentration of heavy metal being adsorbed by the clay to a considerable level. The lowest thermal conductivity was found to be 9.5824W/mK (preliminary study) and the highest was found to be 10.5010 W/mK. Thermal diffusivity ranged from 2.69674x 10-6m2/s to 3.47991x 10-6m2/s. However, For all the samples, thermophysical properties increases as the concentration increases to a certain optimum level above which cation exchange is no longer possible. From the results, it can be concluded that the concentration of heavy metals being adsorbed by clay affects its thermal properties. Increase in the rate of heat being conducted by clay usually leads to poor seed germination, poor crop growth, rotting, etc. in agricultural sector. 1 results 1
- Climate change 1 results 1
- Crop Diversification 1 results 1
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