Pre-breeding of sorghum [sorghum bicolor (L.) moench] for drought tolerance in the semi-arid zones of Nigeria.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a staple food crop serving millions of people in Africa and Asia's arid and semi-arid agro-ecologies. Sorghum is widely cultivated in Northern Nigeria, serving diverse value chains, including the food and feed sectors and the brewery industry. However, the potential production and productivity of sorghum in Africa, including Northern Nigeria, is constrained by severe drought stress associated with climate change. Furthermore, smallholder farmers in Nigeria still cultivate low-yielding and drought-susceptible unimproved sorghum landraces. Developing drought-tolerant sorghum cultivars adapted to semi-arid regions would enhance yield gains and stability with desirable product profiles according to the needs of the farmers and the marketplace. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to improve sorghum productivity in Nigeria by developing new generation, locally adapted and droughttolerant varieties. The specific objectives of this study were to: (1) present the current opportunities and constraints to sorghum production in Nigeria and make recommendations as a guide to new variety design and sustainable production, (2) determine drought tolerance and genotype-byenvironment interaction (GEI) effect on grain yield of a population of African sorghum genotypes to identify high-yielding and drought-adapted genotypes for production and breeding, (3) assess the genetic diversity and deduce the population structure among 200 sorghum accessions to guide the selection of contrasting parents for pre-breeding and breeding of drought-tolerant sorghum cultivars and (4) determine the combining ability, heterosis and gene action conditioning agronomic traits and grain yield among sorghum genotypes to select genetically superior and contrasting parental genotypes and new families for drought tolerance breeding, cultivar release and commercialization. In the first chapter, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) study was conducted in three selected sorghum growing zones in Northern Nigeria involving 250 farmers. Socio-economic data were collected through surveys and focus group discussions. Results showed that sorghum was cultivated mainly by males (80%) who had grade 6-12 level of education (31.3%), with a productive age of 21-45 years (75.7%) and a household family size of below five members (52.3%). Low-yielding landrace varieties such as Kaura (37.4%) and Fara-fara (29.3%) were the most widely cultivated types across the study zones due to their good grain quality. The major farmers' preferred traits from a sorghum variety were high yield, drought tolerance and Striga resistance. The study recommends integrated sorghum technology development incorporating the described preferences of the farmers for sustainable production and economic gains of the crop. The second chapter examined 225 sorghum genotypes assembled from diverse origins to determine drought tolerance and GEI effects on grain yield. The collections were evaluated under non-stressed (NS), pre-anthesis drought stress (PreADS), and post-anthesis drought stress (PoADS) conditions under field and greenhouse environments. The additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis revealed that genotype (G), environment (E), and GEI were significant (p<0.05) and accounted for 38.7, 44.6, and 16.6% of the total explained variation in grain yield, in that order. AMMI 4 was the best-fitting model for genotype selection with better grain yield. Based on AMMI 4 and the Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (BLUPs) analyses, genotypes Yar Lazau and Dangama Wulchichi, with a grain yield of 5.6 t/ha and 6.3 t/ha, were selected as being suitable for non-stressed conditions, respectively. Genotypes ICNSL2014-022-4 and Takumbo with BLUPs of 2.5 t/ha and 2.6 t/ha were best-suited for pre-anthesis drought stress conditions, whereas genotypes Danyar Bana and Gagarau - 4 with BLUPs of 4.2 t/ha and 4.3 t/ha are recommended for post-anthesis drought-prone environments, respectively. The identified sorghum genotypes are valuable genetic resources to develop novel drought tolerance cultivars or for production in dry agro-ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa characterized by pre-and-post anthesis drought stress. In the third chapter, diversity arrays technology (DArT) –derived single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and discern the population structure of 200 sorghum accessions to select complementary lines for breeding. The markers have moderate discriminatory power, with the polymorphism information content ranging between 0.09 to 0.38. The average gene diversity value (0.32) was high, while the average observed heterozygosity (0.15) was relatively low, a typical value for autogamous crop species like sorghum. The population structure and cluster analyses revealed four main clusters with a high level of genetic diversity among the accessions studied. The variation within populations (41.5%) was significantly higher than that among populations (30.8%) and between samples within a structure (27.7%). The high genetic variation within the population could be attributed to the preservation of sorghum landraces by farmers and differences in the genetic constitution, adaptation and parentage. The study identified distantly related sorghum accessions such as Samsorg 48, Kaura Red Glume (from Cluster 1); Gadam, AS 152 (Cluster 2); CSRO1, ICNSL2014−062 (Cluster 3); and Yalai, Kafi Mori (Cluster 4) useful in developing new gene pools and novel genotypes for the West and Central Africa (WCA) sorghum breeding programs. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic data, 12 contrasting parents were selected for breeding population development with high yield and drought tolerance. In the last chapter, 12 contrasting sorghum parents were selected from a diverse set of 225 genotypes exhibiting variable agronomic traits, including high grain and drought tolerance and farmer-preferred attributes. The 12 parents were crossed using a half-diallel mating design to create 66 F1 progenies. The F1 progenies, the parents, and two check varieties were evaluated under three environments in Nigeria. The results revealed the presence of significant variations amongst test genotypes allowing the selection of suitable parents and hybrids for traits of interest. The contribution of the specific combining ability (SCA) variance to total variance was higher than that of the general combining ability (GCA) for most of the studied traits, indicating that nonadditive gene action was more dominant in conditioning trait inheritance. GCA x environment and SCA x environment interaction effects were significant (p<0.05) for days to anthesis, aboveground biomass and grain yield. Parental genotypes Samsorg 7, Masakwa, and SSV2008091, recorded significant and positive GCA effects for grain yield and are useful germplasm resources for breeding high-yielding cultivars. Crosses AS 152 x SSV2008091, Samsorg 7 x Kurumbasau, AS 152 x ICNSL2014-022-8, and Masakwa x Hindatu exhibited high and positive SCA effects and were the top performers recording above-ground biomass yield of 29.3, 23.4, 27.2 and 16.5 t/ha and grain yield of 6.4, 6.6, 6.6 and 6.5 t/ha, in that order. The crosses exhibited high parent heterosis for grain yield and other agronomic traits, revealing that hybrid breeding is an effective strategy for boosting sorghum production. The newly selected F1 progenies had higher yields than the local checks and are recommended for hybrid or pure line breeding and variety release in Nigeria's drought-prone areas and similar sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) agro-ecologies after continuous selection and multi-environment testing. Overall, the study identified drought stress as the most critical sorghum production constraint in Northern Nigeria. Also, the study highlighted significant genetic diversity among the test genotypes. Best performing genotypes Yar Lazau, ICNSL2014-022-4 and Danyar Bana were selected as suitable for non-stressed, pre-anthesis and post-anthesis drought stress conditions, respectively. The selected genotypes are recommended for production or breeding in droughtprone areas. In addition, the study identified drought-tolerant and early-maturing genotypes (e.g., Samsorg 7, Masakwa, and SSV2008091) with good general combining ability effects for breeding population development and heterosis breeding in the semi-arid region of Northern Nigeria

Ergonomic evaluation of subjects involved in orange (Citrus sinensis) handling operations in Yanlemo Market Kano State

Ergonomic evaluation of subjects involved in orange handling operation in Kano State was conducted. Anthropometric parameters were evaluated, where they were found to vary with age amongst the subjects selected. 20th and 80th percentiles of the dimensions were computed and recommended for usage in design of the relevant orange handling equipment. To evaluate the Physiological parameters, sorting/grading operations and washing operations were selected for this study. Results obtained revealed that, heart beat rate, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure varied amongst the subjects with age. Muscular stress and postural disorder were also studied. Comparing the parameters obtained during sorting/grading operation and that obtained during washing operations revealed that orange operations resulted to superior drudgery and musculoskeletal disorders.Keywords: Anthropometrics, Energy expenditure, Drudgery, Operations and Musculoskeletal disorde

Assessing the Purchasing Behaviour in S-commerce among Indonesian Students in Malaysia

Social commerce (s-commerce) can completely transform Malaysia's economic structure, spur economic expansion, increase overall income, protect the welfare of the populace, and help the country achieve high-income status. However, s-commerce is still in its infancy in Malaysia, and there needs to be more research in the literature regarding the critical elements determining effective purchase behaviour in this technology field. Regretfully, should Malaysia fail to seize the chances presented by consumer behaviour in contemporary s-commerce technology, it will become increasingly susceptible to economic upheavals and ultimately unable to compete worldwide. Therefore, research on the variables influencing purchase behaviour in s-commerce is imperative. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between advertising value, perceived value, and trust for purchasing behaviour in s-commerce. The study was quantitative, and 105 Indonesian students in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, provided primary data using a self-administered questionnaire. After applying SPSS to analyze the data, it was found that 56.1% of the variance in the dependent variable could be explained by the suggested model. The findings show that there is a positive significant relationship between advertising value, perceived value, and trust for purchasing behaviour in s-commerce. The limitation of this study is inherent in the sample used, which involves one state in Malaysia only, which are Kuala Lumpur. The study's implications are intended to support information technology professionals who may utilize the research findings to step up their efforts to implement s-commerce technology in commercial settings. The results of this study will also help aspiring business owners create successful business plans and invest in s-commerce technology. When they choose to employ and keep adopting s-commerce in their business, this research's findings will shed light on the advantages of doing so. The sample employed in this study, which only included Kuala Lumpur as a state in Malaysia, had inherent limitations

Mekanik bahan edisi ketiga

Buku ini mengandungi beberapa bab iaitu kandungan, senarai simbol, abjad greek, bab 1 tegangan, mampatan dan ricihan, tegasan dan terikan, gambar rajah tegasan-terikan, keanjalan dan keplastikan, keanjalan lelurus dan hukum hooke, bab 2 anggota bebanan paksi, anjakan anggota bebanan paksi, struktur tak boleh tentu secara statik, kesan suhu dan praterikan, tegasan di atas keratan condong, bab 3 kilasan kilasan bar bulat, kilasan tak seragam, ricih tulen, hubungan di antara modulus keanjalan E dan G, bab 4 daya ricih dan momen lentur, jenis-jenis rasuk, daya ricih dan momen lentur, hubungan di antara beban, daya ricih dan momen lentur, gambar rajah daya ricih dan masalah, bab 5 tegasan-tegasan dalam rasuk, bahagian a asas, terikan normal dalam rasuk, tegasan normal dalam rasuk, reka bentuk rasuk, tegasan ricih dalam rasuk, bahagian b tajuk-tajuk istimewa, rasuk rencam, rasuk dengan beban pencong, pusat ricih, rasuk nipis keratan rentas terbuka, bab 6 analisis tegasan dan terikan, tegasan satah, tegasan utama dan tegasan ricih maksimum, bulatan mohr untuk tegasan satah, hukum hooke untuk tegasan satah, bab 7, mendapatkan pesongan dengan kamiran persamaan daya ricih dan beban, kaedah momen luas, bab 8 rasuk tak boleh tentu secara statik, analisis dengan menggunakan persamaan kebezaan lengkung pesongan, kaedah momen luas, kaedah tindihan (kaedah kebolehlenturan), rasuk selanjar, bab 9 tiang, ledingan dan kestabilan, tiang dengan hujung bercemat, tiang dengan keadaan sokong yang lain, tiang dengan beban paksi sipi, bab 10 kaedah tenaga, prinsip kerja maya, menentukan anjakan dengan menggunakan kaedah beban-unit, teorem salingan, tenaga terikan dan tenaga pelengkap, rujukan dan nota sejarah, lampiran, jawapan kepada masalah terpilih, indeks nama, indeks perkara

Estimation of pH and MLSS using Neural Network

The main challenges to achieving a reliable model which can predict well the process are the nonlinearities associated with many biological and biochemical processes in the system. Artificial intelligent approaches revolved as better alternative in predicting the system. Typical measured variables for effluent quality of wastewater treatment plant are pH, and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). This paper presents an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and feed-forward neural network (FFNN) modeling applied to the domestic plant of the Bunus regional sewage treatment plant. ANFIS and feed- forward neural network techniques as nonlinear function approximators have demonstrated the capability of predicting nonlinear behaviour of the system. The data for the period of two years and nine months sampled weekly (140 week samples) were collected and used for this study. Simulation studies showed that the prediction capability of the ANFIS model is somehow better than that of the FFNN model. The ANFIS model may serves as a valuable prediction tool for the plant

[Impact of Digital Adoption in Rural Sme of Taman Negara, Malaysia]

The issues and challenges of entrepreneurship especially after the 2019 pandemic saw a shift towards digital entrepreneurship. Whereas in such a transition, it requires a change approach that encompasses organizational changes, priorities, expertise, practices as well as business management values referred to as digital transformation. Yet digital transformation requires cost, role, understanding, awareness, and complex entrepreneurial experience. It also has a wide range of backgrounds and capabilities in the effective adoption of digital technology and business digitalization. This problem needs to be examined and studied because SME represent most business bodies in Malaysia. Highlights of previous studies found a lack of focus on the integration of digital platforms in the business digitalization, particularly SMEs. this study aims to look at the factors and patterns of desire for the use of digital platforms in the business digital adoption (DA) in SME entrepreneurship. Therefore, this study aims to bridge the gap and explore new fields in the digitization of the business digitalization of rural SME entrepreneurship (RE). This study uses a sampling technique through statistical power strength with G-Power application. The study found that RSME&nbsp; have started using internet platforms in their business operations. However, they do not yet have the preparedness in terms of costs and risks that may arise from the development of their infrastructure and digitalization upgrade management. This study suggests further research be done with a more comprehensive triangulation methodology, as well as broader study subjects, to see and evaluate the capabilities of entrepreneurs and their business digitization in more depth, as well as to assist them in a more effective digitalization strategy and development

Kedudukan dan implikasi Perkara 3(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan ke arah memartabatkan kedaulatan Islam

Islam bukan sekadar agama ritual, tetapi ia merupakan al-din iaitu satu sistem yang lengkap, berimbang dan menyeluruh dalam menyusun segenap aspek kehidupan. Dalam menelusuri hakikat ini, Tanah Melayu sejak sekian lama telah memperjuangkan ketinggian Islam sehingga akhirnya ia didaulatkan pada Bahagian I di bawah Perkara 3(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan (PP). Malangnya, sekalipun peruntukan tersebut sudah jelas dikanunkan, namun masih mendapat pentafsiran berbeza sehingga memberi implikasi yang berlainan daripada tujuan sebenar pemaktubannya. Malah, keputusan mahkamah yang membabitkan Perkara 3(1) PP juga setakat ini hanya membantu sedikit sahaja, kecuali dalam beberapa keputusan mahkamah yang mutakhir. Justeru, artikel ini bertujuan untuk menilai kedudukan dan implikasi Perkara 3(1) PP dengan cara membebaskan tafsiran sempit di bawah belenggu penjajah kepada tafsiran yang jelas sebagaimana ia dimaktubkan dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan bersesuaian dengan keluasan konsep Islam yang komprehensif dalam mencakupi seluruh aspek kehidupan sekali-gus mengangkat unsur-unsur tradisi Tanah Melayu yang telah sekian lama mendaulatkan Islam sebagai agama negeri-negeri. Bagi mencapai objektif tersebut, kaedah kualitatif berdasarkan reka bentuk kajian analisis kandungan dimanfaatkan dengan merujuk kepada kajian kepustakaan melalui analisis dokumen yang kemudiannya data-data dianalisis menggunakan kaedah deskriptif. Hasilnya, Perkara 3(1) PP jelas menunjukkan bahawa Islam bukan sekadar menjadi agama untuk upacara-upacara keraian atau upacara rasmi sahaja, tetapi Islam menjadi agama negara dan seterusnya hendaklah berpengaruh dalam membentuk polisi pentadbiran dan hala tuju negara. Implikasi pengesahan Islam sebagai agama Persekutuan dan penafian pemisahan antara agama Islam dan pentadbiran negara juga telah menuntut anjakan hijrah minda supaya kedaulatan Islam sebagai agama negara sebagaimana yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan dapat diimplimentasikan secara menyeluruh selaras dengan tuntutan Islam yang sebenar

E-RECYCLING SYSTEM MODEL AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO PLASTIC, PAPER AND DISC

Lately, Malaysians tend to generate wastes at an alarming rate, for instance; discs, paper and plastics. Abreast of that, the conventional recycling systems that have been constructed in Malaysia typically are not widely marketed and are lacking of practical applications. This study comes with an intention of concentrating on the improvement of this particular conventional renewed Erecycling system model that includes database system (generally known as Merit Point Incentive (MPI) system) and CAD model. Due to its applicability, the model is examined by Linear Static and Fatigue analyses. The comparison (cost efficiency) amongst the conventional and E- recycling systems are shown throughout this study

Control of microbiologically influenced corrosion using ultraviolet radiation

Baram Delta Operation had been producing oil and gas since 1960’s and serious pipelines failure was reported in the year of 2005. The final investigation has concluded that one of the species of bacteria that has been identified to cause microbiologically influenced corrosion, specifically known as sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) was found to be one of the potential contributing factors to the incidents. This work investigates the potential use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to inhibit the SRB consortium that was cultivated from the crude oil in one of the main trunk lines at Baram Delta Operation, Sarawak, Malaysia. The impact of UV exposure to bio-corrosion conditions on carbon steel coupon in certain samples for 28 days was discussed in this study. The samples were exposed to UV radiation based on variations of parameters, namely: time of UV exposure; and power of UV lamp. The significant changes on the amount of turbidity reading and metal loss of the steel coupon were recorded before and after experiment. The results showed that SRB growth has reduced rapidly for almost 90% after the UV exposure for both parameters as compared to the abiotic samples. Metal loss values were also decreased in certain exposure condition. Additionally, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was performed to observe the biofilm layer formed on the metal surface after its exposure to SRB. The evidence suggested that the efficiency of UV treatment against SRB growth could be influenced by the particular factors studied

Principles regarding the use of haram (forbidden) sources in food processing: a critical Islamic analysis

Islam has prepared and outlined clear rules and regulations regarding all types of food, including food from haram sources (forbidden based on the Islamic religion) derived from animals and other bases. This article critically reflects on general Fiqh principles that have been debated by Islamic clerics and renowned experts on Islamic Fiqh regarding this thorny issue. Fiqh scholars, for instance, argue that the halal status of each and every food product could easily be determined by examining how that product was processed from the very beginning. In this sense, if the original source of the product is halal then the final processed product is also deemed halal. Contrarily, if the original source of the product is haram then the final processed product will be considered haram, if the source is dirty, illicit and/or unclean in the eyes of Islam. Even though the final processed product has changed so much in its basic constituents, this product will still be considered haram. Jurists from the Maliki and Hanafi, on the other hand, every item that is considered haram and unclean can be considered halal and fit for consumption or use in the eyes of Islam provided the original item has changed so much from its original make up. That said, jurists from all four sects seem to agree that any new products that can cause detriment and harm to human beings, either directly or otherwise, should be considered impure and haram for consumption and other indirect uses