Agro-Science

Farmers’ perspectives on pesticide usage in vegetable production in selected agricultural zones in Lagos State, Nigeria

O.F. Humphrey — 2024-11-01

Pesticide usage is an essential part of modern farming and its indiscriminate use poses a significant health risk to humans and the environment. This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of vegetable farmers on pesticide usage, attitude in handling, storage, use of personal protective equipment, and health symptoms they experienced. This investigation was conducted in some selected areas of the three agricultural zones of Lagos State (Far Eastern, Eastern and Western zones) using structured questionnaire. A total of 350 farmers provided adequate information needed for this study. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. Most of the farmers have some level of formal education (85.4 %) while 14.29 % have no education. The majority (96.86%) of farmers agreed to the use of various pesticides ranging from chemical to botanical. Most of the respondents stored their pesticides in their tool shed while 14 % stored their pesticides in their homes of residence. The respondents adopted unsafe practices such as littering their farm sites (11.14%), and burning of empty containers on-farm (14.29 %), while 3.43% reused empty pesticide containers. The majority of the farmers used personal protective equipment (81.70 %), though not appropriately. As a result, 13.14 % of the farmers experienced more than one health symptoms after pesticide application. Despite the level of the respondents’ formal education, 38.57 % were not trained. To limit the risk associated with the use of pesticides, it is important that adequate and comprehensive training on safe farm practices be given to farmers by the government.

Perceived effects of covid-19 lockdown on take-off of farming activities in Enugu State, Nigeria

E.C. Amaechina — 2024-11-01

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the government policy measures like travel restrictions, lockdowns, and bans on economic and social activities, designed to stop the spread of coronavirus affected the take-off of farming activities in Nigeria. However, few studies have examined the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on local agricultural production, with a focus on agricultural households. Using cross-sectional data collected from 74 farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria, the study examined the perceived effects of COVID-19 on the take-off of farming activities. Specifically, the paper elicits farmers’ perceptions and level of awareness of COVID-19, described the effects of COVID-19 on farming activities and the usage of labour and other inputs, identified interventions and support received by the farmers during the lockdown period. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results show that many of the farmers perceived cough as a symptom of COVID-19 and that they could contact it while carrying out their farm work. The level of awareness of COVID-19 was high (96%) and a majority (77%) got information on COVID-19 from radio only. About 51% perceived that COVID-19 affected their farming activities through post-harvest loss. The farmers rarely (8.11%) received any intervention or support from the government during the COVID-19 period. It can be concluded that COVID 19 pandemic had significant effects on the take-off of farming activities by farmers and little was done by government to support the farmers. The study recommends that during any lockdown, government and other development partners like non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should provide input support and short-term credit to farmer to enable them carry out their farming activities.

Influence of topography on pedologic forms of iron in basement complex soils of Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Y.A. Awwal — 2024-11-01

A toposequence formed on Basement Complex rocks in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State was studied with the aim of investigating the influence of topography on the distribution of pedologic forms of iron in the area. The area, which spanned 15.55 ha was delineated into upper slope (US), middle slope (MS) and lower slope (LS) positions. Two profile pits were sunk in each slope position and described following standard procedures. Soil samples were also collected for determination of selected physical and chemical soil parameters in the laboratory. The results showed that topography had significant influence on sand, silt and organic carbon (OC) contents across various slope positions. Sand content was highest on US (711.87 g kg^-1) and lowest on LS (671.20 g kg^-1).
Conversely, silt, clay and OC contents were higher on LS than on MS and US. This was attributed to translocation of finer particle sized and organic materials down the slope as preconditioned by topography. Si/C ratio was higher on LS, indicating advancement in soil development, compared to MS and US. Oxalate extractable iron (Feox) was highest in LS (0.26%), followed by MS (0.23%) and US (0.22%). Dithionite extractable iron (Fed) was highest in the US (0.85%), followed by LS (0.66%) and MS (0.65%). The Feox/Fed ratio varied thus MS (0.43), > LS (0.43) >e US (0.27). The higher ratio of Feox/Fed on LS and MS indicated long-term weathering and soil maturation, in comparison with US. Fed/Clay ratio indicated higher affinity of Fed to clay minerals on MS (33.66), compared to LS (25.27) and US (19.06). Suggestion for further studies include exploring clay mineralogy, organic matter decomposition and redox processes, as these factors may also affect iron dynamics in soils.

Studies on the taxonomic characteristics of Cythula prostrata (L.) Blume (Amaranthaceae)

C. Wahua — 2024-11-01

Cythula prostrata (L.) Blume is used in tradomedicine for calming and treating heart palpitation, and as animal feeds in Nigeria. It is a potential vegetable for health needs. This report highlights the morphological and anatomical properties, and phytochemical analysis of C. prostrata which belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. It is an annual trailing to semi erect, severally branched weed attaining up to a height of 55 ± 35 cm. The samples were fixed in standard fixative (Formaldehyde Glacial Acetic acid Alcohol in the ratio of 1:1:18) and standard methods were used for the epidermal, anatomical and phytochemical properties. The results revealed presence of anomocytic stomata which are amphistomatic, numerous specs of calcium oxalate crystals in epidermal cells, glandular and uniseriate trichomes. Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, Cardiac glycosides and steroids are observed present, except that flavonoid was absent in the crude extract but present in the ethanol extract. This information would assist in improving already existing knowledge of the plant.

Agricultural entrepreneurship education and youth development: a case study of graduates of higher institutions in South-East, Nigeria

J.M Chah — 2024-11-01

This study assessed agricultural entrepreneurship education and youth development among graduates of higher institutions in Southeast Nigeria. Data were collected from 123 corps members proportionately selected in a multistage procedure. The tool used for data collection was questionnaire and the data were presented in percentage, mean score, and bar charts. Some corps members favourably perceived that there are good opportunities in Nigeria to start up own agricultural business enterprise while others perceived agriculture as a high-risk enterprise. Skills acquired from the programme include communication, team work, and interpersonal skills. Respondents showed dissatisfaction in the proportion of theory to practical exposure, feedback mechanism employed by resource persons and learning environment. Only 52% of the corps members indicated intention for agricultural entrepreneurship. Respondents’ intention varied with the personal, demographic and institutional factors. Government should provide and support follow-up trainings for graduates with interest and strong aspiration for entrepreneurship in agriculture.

Growth performance of three fishes as compared between monoculture and polyculture rearing systems under high-altitude conditions in Rwanda

R. Mwimba — 2024-11-01

A 240-day experiment was conducted to compare the growth performance of common carp, Nile tilapia, and African catfish reared in monoculture and polyculture conditions at the Rwasave Fish Farming and Research Station, Rwanda. Fish juveniles of 67.00±1.90, 50.00±2.10 and 10.00±1.10 g respectively for common carp, Nile tilapia, and African catfish were randomly distributed and stocked at 400 fish per pond of 200 m2. Seven experimental variants were undertaken as follows: T1, carp monoculture: T2, tilapia monoculture: T3, catfish monoculture: T4, carp-tilapia polyculture: T5, carp-catfish polyculture: T6, tilapia-catfish polyculture: T7, carp-tilapia-catfish polyculture. The total weight gain (TWG), daily weight gain (DWG), relative growth rate (RGR), specific growth rate (SGR), coefficient of condition (Km) was calculated during the experimental period. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Globally, treatment groups in the polyculture showed higher TWG, DWG, RGR, SGR but not significantly different (p ≥ 0.05) from the monoculture groups. Nevertheless, T7 had higher TWG, DWG, RGR, SGR followed by T6 and T4. The African catfish followed by the common carp demonstrated a better growth performance than the Nile tilapia in T1, T3, T4, T6, T7. SGR and RGR for the African catfish in monoculture and polyculture groups were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from the common carp and the Nile tilapia. The African catfish and the common carp suit to low temperature conditions of high altitude of Rwanda. The polyculture of carp-tilapia-catfish, tilapia-catfish and carp-tilapia can be recommended in the Rwandan aquaculture industry.

Assessment of potentially toxic metals and physico-chemical properties of soils of a Sandstone landscape in Cross River State, Nigeria

K.I. Ofem — 2024-11-01

The presence of metals in concentrations that exceed safe thresholds have the capacity to endanger food production and human health security through bioaccumulation in animals and plants. The antagonistic effects of the potentially toxic metals (PTMs) may potentially cause a decline in soil fertility which eventually results in crop growth decline, impaired development and decreased productivity. This study seeks to evaluate the concentration of PTMs in soils of sandstone origin in a tropical rainforest in Cross River State, Nigeria. A profile pit was sunk in each of crest, middle slope and valley-bottom along a landscape in the Agoi Ibami-Mfamosing area. The landscape extended from the Agoi Ibami area to Mfamosing. Soil samples were collected and subjected to physico-chemical analyses and heavy metals extraction by aqua regia mixture of 3 parts of HCl and 1 part of HNO₃. The extract was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical electron spectroscopy (model iCAP 7000). The particle sizes were dominated by sand with amounts exceeding 600 g kg^-1, while bulk density was lower than 1.6 Mg m^-3 and soil pH ranged from strongly acid to neutral (5.3-7.2) across all sampled locations. Amongst the potentially toxic metals studied, arsenic (As), boron (B), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) were reported in the study area, however, only Be (1.85-4.16 mg kg^-1), Cd (0.21-1.88 mg kg^-1) and Sb (1.87-4.48 mg kg^-1) exceeded the required threshold across the entire study area. Lead concentration was found to exceed the required threshold only in Agoi Ibami. Hence, Be, Cd, Sb and Pb are most likely to be a threat to the activities of micro and macro fauna and flora in the area. There is therefore the need to embark on a full-scale evaluation with larger sample size to ascertain the status of potentially toxic metals’ concentration in the Cross River State tropical rainforest soils.

Effect of Meloidogyne incognita on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in JOS North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

I.H. Lawal — 2024-11-01

Meloidogyne incognita, commonly known as root-knot nematode, is a microscopic pest that inflicts substantial damage to various crops, including okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Understanding the impact of M. incognita on the growth and yield of okra is crucial for devising effective management strategies against the pest. This research work was conducted to determine the effect of M. incognita on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.). The experimental design used was Complete Randomised Design comprising of four treatments; control (I0), Inoculum (I10), Inoculum (I20), and Inoculum (I30). Data were collected on the number of galls, plant height, number of branches, number of flowers, and yield of okra. The data was analyzed using ANOVA with the aid of Mini-Tab 17 statistical package and where significance was declared on the result, Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate the means. The result shows that no significant difference in inoculum level was recorded on plant height, number of branches, and number of flowers, However, a significant difference was recorded on number of galls, and yield with I10 significantly gave the highest (P ≤ 0.01) number of galls of (6.50) followed by I20 with (6.25) while I0 recorded no galls. Similarly, I0 significantly (P ≤ 0.05) recorded the highest yield of (okra) 1314.64 kg ha^–1 followed by I20 with 538.16 kg ha^-1. From this study, it can be concluded that larger variations in growth and yield variables of okra were found in response to M. incognita infection. Based on the result of the study, it is recommended that proactive and integrated management approaches are essential to sustainably address this nematode infestation and ensure the continued success of okra cultivation in affected regions.

Farmer’s willingness to adopt bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) in agroforestry along selected areas in Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

F.B. Okanlawon — 2024-11-01

This study was carried out to investigate the adoption of Bambusa vulgaris in agro-forestry practices along some selected farms in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A simple random sampling method was used, while 50 pieces of semi-structured interview schedule were randomly administered among agro-forestry farmers in the local government area. The data collected was analysed using SPSS version 20 and was presented using Tables, Pie charts, and Bar charts. The results indicate that farming practices in the study area are predominantly male-dominated (90.0%) and at their prime and active age (86.0%) with little or no formal education (54.0%) coupled with marital responsibility (100.0%). The majority (86.0%) of the access to land ownership for the agro- forestry farmers was mostly communal and owned showing family attributes still exist. The regular farming method adopted there is basically to feed their family (60.0%) and to generate income from sale of products (40.0%) and this has been on for between 0-21 years but their willingness to adopt agro-forestry was observed (100.0%), while citing access to fertilizer was seen as a major problem. But adoption of agro-forestry farming was made to be seen as a means in this study as indicative of soil fertility. There is an indication that most of the farmers (83.0%) have either planted Bamboo before or seen people use it for several other purposes apart from agroforestry hence the adoption of Bamboo for agroforestry farming must be given an urgent attention so as to provide income and ecological stability.

Chemical composition of processed fresh and dried garden egg (Solanum macrocarpon L.) and unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) fruits chips

F.M. Gbeyonron — 2024-11-01

The study examined the chemical composition of fresh and dried garden eggs (Solanum macrocarpon L.) and unripe pawpaw chips (Carica papaya L.). Unripe processed caricapapaya and garden eggs fruits chips in some Nigerian communities especially Benue State are utilised as ingredients in soups, however it’s unclear how nutritious the variably processed versions are. This study’s main focus was to determine the nutritional quality of traditionally processed unripe C. papaya and garden egg fruit chips.The fruits were processed and sundried for 72 h. Proximate and micronutrient compositions were determined using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Duncan’s new multiple range test at 5% probability was used to separate and compare means and was accepted at (p ≤ 0.05). Proximate composition for fresh uncooked pawpaw fruits had higher carbohydrate 20.55± 0.01 mg, crude fibre 2.68±0.01 mg, protein 1.65±0.01 mg, ash 1.45±0.01 mg and fat 1.10±0.01 mg except for moisture relative to those of garden egg fruits moisture 90.54±0.01 mg, carbohydrate 3.92±0.01 mg, fibre 2.55±0.01 mg, protein 1.52±0.01 mg, ash 1.36±0.01 mg and fat 0.11±0.01 mg%, respectively. Dehydration increased nutrient values for garden egg fruits relative to pawpaw fruits. Vitamin profiles for fresh and sun-dried pawpaw and garden egg fruits had differences. Dehydration decreased β-carotene, thiamin and vitamin C values for pawpaw. It increased thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and pyridoxine values for garden egg fruits. Both fruits were rich in nutrients; traditional processing may not adversely affect their proximate composition. Since these fruits are typically processed with soup thickness before eating, the evident loss of vitamins and minerals should be mitigated by adding extra high-quality sources.

Comparing soil colour using colour chart and colour app: A semi-quantitative approach with data transformation Using pedometric methods

A.B. Shobayo — 2024-11-01

This study aimed to explore an affordable and easily accessible alternative to the Munsell colour system, while also assessing the reliability of data output from the Munsell colour chart when used by two different individuals. The research involved the reevaluation of 28 stored soil samples using both the Munsell colour system and a soil colour app installed on an android phone. The resulting data was then analyzed and compared with the existing soil colour data. Three models emerged from this study: the existing soil colour data generated using the Munsell colour system (referred to as MCS1), the data produced by this study using the Munsell colour system (referred to as MCS2), and the data generated using the soil colour capture (referred to as SCC) app. All three sets of data were transformed from qualitative to semiquantitative and ultimately to quantitative data using pedometric techniques. These transformed data sets were subjected to both semiquantitative and statistical analyses. Comparison between MCS1 and MCS2 revealed that 46.43% of samples shared the same colour family, 25% had a similar colour family, and 28.57% displayed dissimilar colours. Similarly, when comparing MCS1 and SCC, 21.43% shared the same colour family, 42.86% had a similar colour family, and 35.71% exhibited dissimilar colours. Comparing MCS2 and SCC, 35.71% shared the same colour family, 39.29% had a similar colour family, and 25% showed dissimilar colours. Further analysis indicated a significant non-linear association between MCS1 and MCS2, suggesting that their mean values were not directly comparable. Similarly, MCS1 exhibited a significant negative correlation with SCC. The calculated p-values for these relationships were below 0.5, specifically 0.2908, 0.3848 and 0.4843 for MCS1, MCS2 and SCC, respectively. Therefore, the null hypotheses were rejected. With a significance level (p-value) greater than 0.05, the study concluded that the mean values derived from MCS1 versus MCS2, MCS1 versus SCC, and MCS2 versus SCC were not identic .

Nutritional assay and growth performance of West African dwarf goats fed with fresh, wilted and ensiled cassava leaves-based diet

G.C. Olalere — 2024-11-01

The study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro digestibility and growth performance of West African dwarf goats fed with fresh cassava leaves + concentrate mixture, wilted cassava leaves + concentrate mixture and ensiled cassava leaves + concentrate mixture. Six goats were allotted to three treatment groups with two goats per treatment for eight weeks in a completely randomized design. Ensiling of the cassava leaves was done for 21 days and wilting of the leaves was done for 2 days on a concrete floor. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) amongst the values of the chemical composition of cassava leaves. Macro and micro mineral profile differed significantly across treatments (p < 0.05) and values were within the normal range for cassava leaves. The results obtained showed significant (p < 0.05) differences on total weight gain across the treatments. Goats fed wilted cassava leaves + concentrate mixture had the highest weight gain. The values for the post in vitro gas production parameters were significantly different (p < 0.05). Ensiled cassava leaves produced the highest methane gas volume (14.67±2.2 ml) during 24 h of incubation, while, wilted cassava leaves recorded the least gas volume (10.00±2.2 ml). Reduction in methane was highest in wilted cassava leaves (20.00±12.8%) and lowest in fresh cassava leaves (20.00±12.8%). The results showed that wilted and ensiled cassava leaves can promote growth performance and will ameliorate the negative impact of methane emission from West African dwarf goats for sustainable livestock production.