1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 2 Departm... more 1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 3 Center of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textiles and Renewable Energy, Faculty of Science, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. 4 Department of Plant Science and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 5 Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Bomet University College, Kenya.
A study was undertaken to evaluate Mud Crab Meal as a partial replacement for Soyabean meal as pr... more A study was undertaken to evaluate Mud Crab Meal as a partial replacement for Soyabean meal as protein source in broiler chicken production. One hundred and eighty unsexed designed to four dietary treatment s in a completely randomized experimental design. Each of the treatments were replicated thrice with fifteen (15) birds per replicate. Different diets were formulated for broiler finisher phases of feeding. The diet for the starter phase contained approximately 22% crude protein while the finisher phase contained approximately 18% crude protein. Crab meal was used as a source of protein to replace soyabean meal at 10, 20, 30% in treatment II, III, and IV respectively, while treatment I, had 100% soyabean meal as source of protein and also served. Water and feed were supplied ad libitum. The parameters measured were feed consumption, body weight gain , feed conversion ra of feed/kg weight gain and % reduction of cost of feed. This study shows that soyebean can be replaced by crab ...
Two experiments were conducted to study the influence of planting date on three sweet potato vari... more Two experiments were conducted to study the influence of planting date on three sweet potato varieties (TIS-87/0087, TIS-8164 and TIS-2532.OP.1.13). Fodder yield peaked (P < 0.05) at July planting, while root yield and harvest index peaked at August planting. Leaf-to-stem ratio decreased (P < 0.05) from June to August plantings, while 48-h rumen DM degradation was lower for July planting and higher for June planting. Mean root yield and leaf-to-stem ratio were higher (P < 0.05) in variety TIS-8164, while TIS-87/0087 recorded lower root yield and TIS-2532.OP.1.13 gave lower leaf-to-stem ratio.
This paper discusses why c rop residues are important for the farmer, how dual-purpose groundnut ... more This paper discusses why c rop residues are important for the farmer, how dual-purpose groundnut varieties can make a difference in the smallholder farming system; a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the agronomic aspects of dual-purpose groundnut varieties as well as the complementary aspects of animal nutrition and socio-economics; the search for dual-purpose varieties, and testing farmer preferences for dual-purpose varieties. Variations in fodder and seed yields and leaf: stem ratio; relationships between seed and fodder yields; liveweight gain of West African Dwarf sheep fed fodder from three late-maturing groundnut varieties, and groupings of 38 late-maturing groundnut cultivars into high, medium, and low potential groups for fodder and seed production and presented in tabular form
The impact of waste discharge from Zoo abattoir, Port Harcourt, on the environmental quality of W... more The impact of waste discharge from Zoo abattoir, Port Harcourt, on the environmental quality of Woji Creek was studied from April 2001 to March 2002 using physicochemistry and diversity of benthic animals as indicators. Priority physicochemical parameters (total suspended solid, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand) indicated high organic enrichment, chiefly due to inputs of bloody effluent. The burning of animal skin with discarded car tyres to produce kpomo, a common local soup component, contributes to the creek's quality alterations. Ironically, diversity of zoobenthos was highest at the area receiving the abattoir effluents compared to areas upstream and downstream from that point. Possible explanations are provided for the inverted diversity trend using the Hutcheson Index, which indicated significant diversities in invertebrate species amongst the three sample sites. The inefficiency of ecosystem quality evaluations using isolated single indices is also discussed.
Studies were conducted to screen newly collected sweetpotato germplasm for starch, flour, and fee... more Studies were conducted to screen newly collected sweetpotato germplasm for starch, flour, and feed quality traits. Fresh tuber and forage yields were evaluated in the first study using 13 genotypes while in the second study tuber dry matter (DM) and starch contents were investigated using 17 genotypes both in augmented incomplete block designs. In the third study, voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) was determined in White Fulani cows fed with sole fresh sweetpotato forage in early lactation, and potential degradation trial in three rumen-fistulated N'Dama steers using the in-sacco technique in a completely randomized design. Mean (±SE) fresh tuber yield (13.00 ± 0.471 t/ha) was higher (P < 0.01) in control than test genotypes (13.20 versus 12.94 t/ha) while, flour yield (35.71 ± 1.351) was lower in control than test genotypes (34.80 versus 38.74 g/100 g). Tuber DM ranged (P < 0.01) from 44.27 to 67.11 g/100 g, and starch content from 19.80 to 30.60 g/100 g, with a negative...
A total of 40 farmers in Emohua and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State were... more A total of 40 farmers in Emohua and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State were investigated to determine their extent of crop residues utilization as livestock feed. The Participatory Rural Appraisal method was adopted in the administration of questionnaires to respondents during the study while, collected crop residues were later analysed for proximate composition. Maize sievate was the most preferred (30.0%), while, cassava leaves (1.7%) were the least preferred based on affordability (51.4%), availability (34.3%), and shelf life (11.4%). About 57.1% of the farmers utilized crop residues as feed and incorporated it at 20.0% inclusion level. The recorded dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in banana peels and higher in groundnut haulms. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 0.9 g 100 g -1 DM for cassava peels to 8.8 g 100 g -1 DM for cassava leaves while, crude fibre (CF) content ranged (p<0.05) from 15.2 g 100 g -1 DM for yam...
High feed cost resulting from the use of conventional feed ingredients represents a major challen... more High feed cost resulting from the use of conventional feed ingredients represents a major challenge in broiler production in South-East Nigeria. Feed constitutes 70% of the cost of production of broiler chickens hence, the replacement of unconventional feed ingredients holds the key to sustainable poultry production. This trial was aimed at determining the optimum inclusion level of palm kernel cake as a partial replacement of soya bean and maize in a broiler finisher diet during a 28-day trial. The PKC was included at 0%, 35%, 40% and 45% of total feed composition and birds were fed ad libitum. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) four week-old broilers were used for the measurements. Birds were allotted to four treatment groups of 10 birds each with three replications in a completely randomized design (CRD). The growth performance and haematological characteristics were evaluated. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the final weight gains, average weight g...
Growth of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) was examined in a plot study. Forage yield and leaf: ste... more Growth of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) was examined in a plot study. Forage yield and leaf: stem ratio decreased (P 0.05) as harvest age increased, while leaf yields declined. In a feeding study with Bunaji cows in mid-lactation, dried brewers’ grains (DBG) and sweet potato forage (SPF) were compared as supplements to a diet of green panic (Panicum maximum) (9.3% crude protein). Dry matter (DM) intake of green panic was similar (P > 0.05) in both groups, while intakes of supplement, total DM, crude protein and ME for DBG were higher (P 0.05) than for the SPF group but milk composition was similar in both groups. Rumen dry matter (DM) degradation characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) for the two rations. The study suggests that sweet potato foliage could be used as an alternative supplement to DBG for feeding lactating cows but that low levels of milk yield could result. Similar studies covering a full lactation are needed to verify whether the lactation levels could be sus...
The paper explored how agriculture can be made more attractive for youth employment for attainmen... more The paper explored how agriculture can be made more attractive for youth employment for attainment of economic diversification in an oil-based economy. It took a quick x-ray of the nation’s agricultural policies vis-a-vis youth employment in agriculture, identified some challenges militating against youth interestedness in agriculture and proffered workable solutions that could drive youth interest in agriculture. It is argued that, agriculture should be promoted as a sustainable livelihood source and as an initial entry point to propel Nigeria into a green economy where there is inclusivity and equity, resource use efficiency and minimal environmental risks in line with United Nations (UN) Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. In an era where the world economies are driven by knowledge, integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and agro-tourism into agricultural activities as obtainable in any truly business venture will make agriculture attractive to the ...
1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 2 Departm... more 1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 3 Center of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textiles and Renewable Energy, Faculty of Science, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. 4 Department of Plant Science and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 5 Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Bomet University College, Kenya.
A study was undertaken to evaluate Mud Crab Meal as a partial replacement for Soyabean meal as pr... more A study was undertaken to evaluate Mud Crab Meal as a partial replacement for Soyabean meal as protein source in broiler chicken production. One hundred and eighty unsexed designed to four dietary treatment s in a completely randomized experimental design. Each of the treatments were replicated thrice with fifteen (15) birds per replicate. Different diets were formulated for broiler finisher phases of feeding. The diet for the starter phase contained approximately 22% crude protein while the finisher phase contained approximately 18% crude protein. Crab meal was used as a source of protein to replace soyabean meal at 10, 20, 30% in treatment II, III, and IV respectively, while treatment I, had 100% soyabean meal as source of protein and also served. Water and feed were supplied ad libitum. The parameters measured were feed consumption, body weight gain , feed conversion ra of feed/kg weight gain and % reduction of cost of feed. This study shows that soyebean can be replaced by crab ...
Two experiments were conducted to study the influence of planting date on three sweet potato vari... more Two experiments were conducted to study the influence of planting date on three sweet potato varieties (TIS-87/0087, TIS-8164 and TIS-2532.OP.1.13). Fodder yield peaked (P < 0.05) at July planting, while root yield and harvest index peaked at August planting. Leaf-to-stem ratio decreased (P < 0.05) from June to August plantings, while 48-h rumen DM degradation was lower for July planting and higher for June planting. Mean root yield and leaf-to-stem ratio were higher (P < 0.05) in variety TIS-8164, while TIS-87/0087 recorded lower root yield and TIS-2532.OP.1.13 gave lower leaf-to-stem ratio.
This paper discusses why c rop residues are important for the farmer, how dual-purpose groundnut ... more This paper discusses why c rop residues are important for the farmer, how dual-purpose groundnut varieties can make a difference in the smallholder farming system; a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the agronomic aspects of dual-purpose groundnut varieties as well as the complementary aspects of animal nutrition and socio-economics; the search for dual-purpose varieties, and testing farmer preferences for dual-purpose varieties. Variations in fodder and seed yields and leaf: stem ratio; relationships between seed and fodder yields; liveweight gain of West African Dwarf sheep fed fodder from three late-maturing groundnut varieties, and groupings of 38 late-maturing groundnut cultivars into high, medium, and low potential groups for fodder and seed production and presented in tabular form
The impact of waste discharge from Zoo abattoir, Port Harcourt, on the environmental quality of W... more The impact of waste discharge from Zoo abattoir, Port Harcourt, on the environmental quality of Woji Creek was studied from April 2001 to March 2002 using physicochemistry and diversity of benthic animals as indicators. Priority physicochemical parameters (total suspended solid, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand) indicated high organic enrichment, chiefly due to inputs of bloody effluent. The burning of animal skin with discarded car tyres to produce kpomo, a common local soup component, contributes to the creek's quality alterations. Ironically, diversity of zoobenthos was highest at the area receiving the abattoir effluents compared to areas upstream and downstream from that point. Possible explanations are provided for the inverted diversity trend using the Hutcheson Index, which indicated significant diversities in invertebrate species amongst the three sample sites. The inefficiency of ecosystem quality evaluations using isolated single indices is also discussed.
Studies were conducted to screen newly collected sweetpotato germplasm for starch, flour, and fee... more Studies were conducted to screen newly collected sweetpotato germplasm for starch, flour, and feed quality traits. Fresh tuber and forage yields were evaluated in the first study using 13 genotypes while in the second study tuber dry matter (DM) and starch contents were investigated using 17 genotypes both in augmented incomplete block designs. In the third study, voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) was determined in White Fulani cows fed with sole fresh sweetpotato forage in early lactation, and potential degradation trial in three rumen-fistulated N'Dama steers using the in-sacco technique in a completely randomized design. Mean (±SE) fresh tuber yield (13.00 ± 0.471 t/ha) was higher (P < 0.01) in control than test genotypes (13.20 versus 12.94 t/ha) while, flour yield (35.71 ± 1.351) was lower in control than test genotypes (34.80 versus 38.74 g/100 g). Tuber DM ranged (P < 0.01) from 44.27 to 67.11 g/100 g, and starch content from 19.80 to 30.60 g/100 g, with a negative...
A total of 40 farmers in Emohua and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State were... more A total of 40 farmers in Emohua and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State were investigated to determine their extent of crop residues utilization as livestock feed. The Participatory Rural Appraisal method was adopted in the administration of questionnaires to respondents during the study while, collected crop residues were later analysed for proximate composition. Maize sievate was the most preferred (30.0%), while, cassava leaves (1.7%) were the least preferred based on affordability (51.4%), availability (34.3%), and shelf life (11.4%). About 57.1% of the farmers utilized crop residues as feed and incorporated it at 20.0% inclusion level. The recorded dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in banana peels and higher in groundnut haulms. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 0.9 g 100 g -1 DM for cassava peels to 8.8 g 100 g -1 DM for cassava leaves while, crude fibre (CF) content ranged (p<0.05) from 15.2 g 100 g -1 DM for yam...
High feed cost resulting from the use of conventional feed ingredients represents a major challen... more High feed cost resulting from the use of conventional feed ingredients represents a major challenge in broiler production in South-East Nigeria. Feed constitutes 70% of the cost of production of broiler chickens hence, the replacement of unconventional feed ingredients holds the key to sustainable poultry production. This trial was aimed at determining the optimum inclusion level of palm kernel cake as a partial replacement of soya bean and maize in a broiler finisher diet during a 28-day trial. The PKC was included at 0%, 35%, 40% and 45% of total feed composition and birds were fed ad libitum. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) four week-old broilers were used for the measurements. Birds were allotted to four treatment groups of 10 birds each with three replications in a completely randomized design (CRD). The growth performance and haematological characteristics were evaluated. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the final weight gains, average weight g...
Growth of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) was examined in a plot study. Forage yield and leaf: ste... more Growth of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) was examined in a plot study. Forage yield and leaf: stem ratio decreased (P 0.05) as harvest age increased, while leaf yields declined. In a feeding study with Bunaji cows in mid-lactation, dried brewers’ grains (DBG) and sweet potato forage (SPF) were compared as supplements to a diet of green panic (Panicum maximum) (9.3% crude protein). Dry matter (DM) intake of green panic was similar (P > 0.05) in both groups, while intakes of supplement, total DM, crude protein and ME for DBG were higher (P 0.05) than for the SPF group but milk composition was similar in both groups. Rumen dry matter (DM) degradation characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) for the two rations. The study suggests that sweet potato foliage could be used as an alternative supplement to DBG for feeding lactating cows but that low levels of milk yield could result. Similar studies covering a full lactation are needed to verify whether the lactation levels could be sus...
The paper explored how agriculture can be made more attractive for youth employment for attainmen... more The paper explored how agriculture can be made more attractive for youth employment for attainment of economic diversification in an oil-based economy. It took a quick x-ray of the nation’s agricultural policies vis-a-vis youth employment in agriculture, identified some challenges militating against youth interestedness in agriculture and proffered workable solutions that could drive youth interest in agriculture. It is argued that, agriculture should be promoted as a sustainable livelihood source and as an initial entry point to propel Nigeria into a green economy where there is inclusivity and equity, resource use efficiency and minimal environmental risks in line with United Nations (UN) Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. In an era where the world economies are driven by knowledge, integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and agro-tourism into agricultural activities as obtainable in any truly business venture will make agriculture attractive to the ...
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