Sumerianz Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary
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Online ISSN: 2617-3077
Print ISSN: 2617-3131
Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)
Journal Website: https://www.sumerianz.com/?ic=journal-home&journal=30Archive
Volume 1 Issue 2 (2018)
Effect of Soil Conservation Practices on Soil Chemical Properties and Growth of Maize in Makurdi, Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria
Authors : Ali A. ; Agber P. I. ; Adekeye A. S.
Abstract:This research was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons to assess the potentials of selected soil conservational practices on soil fertility and yield of maize. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments namely: zero tillage + soybean, zero tillage + cowpea, zero tillage + mulch, zero tillage + maize-only, surface-hoeing + soybean, surface-hoeing + cowpea, surface-hoeing +mulch, surface-hoeing + maize-only, manual ridging + soybean, manual ridging + cowpea, manual Ridging + mulch and manual Ridging + maize-only which were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Composite soil samples were taken before cultivation and after harvest for physical and chemical soil properties determinations. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and seed yield were taken. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA and the significant means were separated using F-LSD. From the study it was observed that tillage and agronomic practices significantly affects soil chemical and physical properties, growth and yield of maize. Manual ridging and surface hoeing enhanced better crop growth and maize seed yield compared to zero tillage practice. Surface hoeing + Soybean produced the highest yield followed by manual ridging + soybean and surface hoeing + cowpea, with improved soil nutrient content. Zero tillage treated plots and surface hoeing +Mulch plot had the least values of maize plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and yield. For sustainable maize production, surface-hoeing and manual ridging tillage methods are hereby recommended. Soybean or cowpea should be inter-cropped with maize, the combination will ensure maintenance of soil fertility and increased yield of maize.
Morphological Indices in Evaluation of Type and Function and Stepwise Regression Analysis in Balami Sheep
Authors : Dauda, A
Abstract:A total of 227 Balami breeds (50 males and 177 females) were randomly sampled from the population of Balami sheep for body characterization. The morphometric trait measured were; body weight (BW), body length (BL), height at wither (HW), chest circumference (CC), head length (HDL), head width (HDW), ear length (EL), horn length (HNL), horn circumference (HNC), tail length (TL), rump width (RW), rump length (RL), foreleg (FLG), hind leg (HLG), height at rump (HTR) and neck length (NL). From the morphometric traits morphological indices were calculated such as Length Index (LI), Pelvic Index (PI), Body Index (BI), Proportionality (Ipr), Thoracic Development (TD), BC=Baron Crevet (BC), Compact Index 1 (CI1), Area Index (AI) and Relative Cannon Thickness Index (RCTI). SPSS was used for stepwise regression and Excel was used for calculation of morphological indices. The result of average value of morphological indices for LI, PI, BI, Ipr, TD, BC, CI1, AI and RCTI are 1.65, 73.92, 64.37, 155.22, 1.01, 2.01, 0.01, 653.80 and 676.23 respectively. The result of correlation among morphological indices of Balami showed that LI was significantly (p<0.01) and positively correlate with most of the morphological indices except Ipr and PI . The highest correlation was between TD and BC (1.00) and least between LI and PI (-0.01). There was a significant relationship between body weight and morphological traits with coefficient of determination range from (R2 = 92.61 to 96.60) except the relationship between body weight and body length with coefficient of determination R2=56.30. Information emanating from this study will be useful in classifying Balami sheep into type and function.
Soil Properties and Rainfed Maize Yield as Influenced by Tillage Practices Integrated With Soil Conservation Practices in Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors : Agber P. I. ; Gani A. T. ; Adekeye A. S.
Abstract:
This research was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons to assess the effect of different tillage practices combined with some agronomic soil conservation practices on soil physical properties and maize yield. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments namely: zero tillage + soybean, zero tillage + cowpea, zero tillage + mulch, zero tillage + maize-only, surface-hoeing + soybean, surface-hoeing + cowpea, surface-hoeing +mulch, surface-hoeing + maize-only, manual ridging + soybean, manual ridging + cowpea, manual Ridging + mulch and manual Ridging + maize-only. These treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA and the significant means were separated using F-LSD. Tillage and agronomic practices significantly affect soil physical properties and maize seed yield during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons. Tilled plots lowered surface soil bulk density and increase soil porosity compare to the untilled plots. The magnitude of variations of results obtained however depends on the agronomic practice involved. Tilled plots combined with either soybean or cowpea gave better maize seed yield compare to untilled plots. Soybean or cowpea should therefore be inter-cropped with maize as the combinations will improve soil fertility and increased yield of maize.
Phytochemical and Trace Heavy Metal Composition of Manihot Esculenta (Crantz) and Manihot Glaziovii (Muell. Arg) Complex in Nigeria
Authors : Nduche M. U. ; Edeoga H. O. ; Omusun G.
Abstract:The phytochemical and trace heavy metal composition of four varieties of Manihot esculenta (NR-8082, NR-8083, NR- 8212 and NR- 30572) and M. glaziovii were determined. Saponin, alkaloid, HCN and tannin content were investigated in the leaves, stems and tubers of plants studied. NR-8083 had the highest amount of the phytochemicals in the leaf (saponin, 5.6400a; alkaloid, 1.5110a; HCN, 68.6100a; tannin, 1.2250a). Saponin and tannin were found to be the least in the leaf of NR-8082(0.9860d and 0.4760b) respectively. Alkaloid and HCN were more in the stems of NR- 8212(1.6040a and 8.9290a) respectively, while saponin(0.3840c) and alkaloid (0.5240c) were least in the stem of M. glaziovii. Saponin and HCN were high in the tuber of NR- 8082(2.1400a and 11.7500a) respectively. Apart from Zn (85.7500b), all the trace heavy metals were high in the leaf of NR-8082(Mn, 91.7500a; Cu, 169.000a; Fe, 142.2230a). The highest mean content of manganese was found in the stem of NR-30572 (176.0000a) while copper (149.0000a) and Zinc (135.7500a) were more in NR-8083 and NR-8082 respectively. All the trace heavy metals were also low in the tubers of NR-30572(Mn, 32.0000d; Cu, 130.5000c; Zn, 57.0000e; Fe, 98.1260d). The presence of tannin and alkaloids shows that they can be used not only for nutrition purposes but also for therapeutic, both as food and in drug formulation and production.
Measuring Efficiency of Farm Productive Resources Used in Yam Production in Benue State of Nigeria: Implication for Sustainable Farm Economy
Authors : Sadiq M. S. ; Singh I. P. ; Singh N. K. ; Eije O. C.
Abstract:The present research empirically determined efficiency of productive resources committed to yam production in Benue State, Nigeria using cross-sectional data elicited from 120 active farmers via multi-stage sampling design. The ex-post data for 2016 cropping season were collected during the years 2016/2017. Structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule were the instruments used for data collection and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive, pseudo-inferential and inferential statistics. The results revealed an economic viable farming population with adequate literacy level which is healthy for yam value chain if enable environment is provided. However, the farm families in the studied area were unproductive given that it is composed of weak and vulnerable people, thus draining farmers’ income stream. The enterprise is found to be profitable both from the accounting and economic point of view. Findings further showed that the farmers were operating at stage I of the production surface which is the reason for under-utilization of almost all the productive resources employed in yam production. The study recommends provision of viable extension services in order to enhance rationalization of yam farm resources by the farmers in the studied area.