Influence of agronomic practices on yield and profitability in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) fibre cultivation

Field trials were conducted in 2003 and 2004 at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan (7o 38’ N 3o 84’ E), Nigeria to determine the influence of some agronomic practices on yield andprofitability in kenaf bast fibre production. Three kenaf varieties, Cuba 108, Ifeken 400 and Ibadan local, were subjected to three agronomic practices in a split-plot experiment. The agronomic practicesinclude the farmers’ practice where no input was used and two levels of improved management practices (IMP) where the influence of pests and soil nutrition were ameliorated. The results showed that total dry matter, fibre and core yields increased by 150 – 170%, incidence of nematode reduced by 50% and severity scores of insects attack on foliage reduced by 83% in the improved management practice (IMP). The three kenaf varieties differ significantly in their leaf biomass, reaction to nematode and foliage pests attack. In the control treatment, Ibadan local had more leaf biomass and was tolerantto pests attack while other varieties were susceptible. Economic analysis showed that net return was higher in the local cultivar than in the improved varieties under the farmers’ practice. However,economic returns and marginal rate of returns were higher under IMP’s than the control in Cuba 108 and Ifeken 100 varieties than the local cultivar

Silage quality, Performance Characteristics and Blood Parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats Fed Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) Ensiled With Cassava Peels

Four week old vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) (VG) was harvested and ensiled with cassava peels (CPL) at different ratios viz: (A) 80VG:20%CPL, (B)70VG:30%CPL, (C) 60VG:40CPL, (D) 50VG:50CPL, (E) 100VG:0CPL. The various mixtures of VG and CPL were ensiled for 42 days after which the silage characteristics were determined. The silage from the different mixing ratios of VG and CPL were fed for 105 days. Silages with cassava peels had acceptable colour of olive green, pleasant alcoholic odour, and pH range of 4.23-4.50. While 100%VG ensiled without CPL had undesirable characteristics such as pungent odour, brownish colour, mouldy growth and pH of 5.5.Treatments E (100% VG:0%CPL) was unfit for feeding due to its undesirable characteristics, therefore sixteen West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. Weight gain, feed intake, digestibility and some blood parameters were determined. The feed intake (341.14 – 358.21g/DM) was not significant among the treatments while the weight gain (23.93 – 26.93g/d) and dry matter digestibility (63.91 – 66.81%) were significant across the treatments. Packed cell volume (31.0 – 33.0%), heamoglobin (10.3 – 12.7), total protein (8.40 – 9.04g/dl) and blood urea (12.08 – 12.32mg/dl) was significantly different among the treatments. It was concluded that feed intake, digestibility and body weight gain increased as level of cassava peels increased in the silage.Keywords: Vetiver grass, Cassava peels, silage properties, intake and digestibilit

Knowledge and awareness of orthodontics among Nigerian school children in selected private and public schools in Lagos

Objective: This study sought to assess the knowledge and awareness of Nigerian adolescents concerning orthodontics, to determine possible factors influencing their knowledge of orthodontics as well as to find out if socioeconomic status has any effect on their knowledge and awareness. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire based study was conducted in two secondary schools (one private and one public) in Lagos State. Result: A total of 408 students, participated in the study of which only 98 (24.0%) had ever heard the term ‘orthodontics’, and of this number only 16 could correctly explain the meaning of the term orthodontics. Majority of the respondents with correct responses attended a private school. Significantly more of the private school students correctly identified that orthodontists are involved in rearranging the teeth (p=0.006) and not involved in cleaning the teeth (p=0.008). There was a significant difference in the knowledge of the students from the public and private school concerning the impact of malocclusion on speech (p=0.002) and appearance (p=0.000). The overall orthodontic knowledge is deficient. However knowledge was better among the children from the private school compared to those from the public school. The results obtained from this study, clearly show that there is need to provide oral health education especially to improve the orthodontic knowledge of these adolescents especially about malocclusion and its consequences. It is expected that this would improve their knowledge and consequently increase the demand for and the uptake of the available orthodontic services.Nig Dent J Vol 20 No. 1 Jan - June 201