133 research outputs found
The Effect of Weather Factors on the Population Density of Oxycarenus spp. (Hemiptera: Lygaidae) on Roselle and Kenaf
Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Kenaf, Hibiscus cannabinus are two important fibre crops in most parts of Africa. Insect pests are one of the major constraints in the production of these crops. The cotton seed bug Oxycarenus spp. attacks Roselle and Kenaf during the seed formation stage and cause reduction in seed viability. This study examined the effect of weather factors namely, relative humidity, temperature, sunshine and soil evaporation on the population density of Oxycarenus spp. on Roselle and Kenaf during the planting seasons 2012 and 2013. The treatments consisted of two types of Roselle (Green-calyxed and Redcalyxed) and Kenaf. The experiment was laid out in the field using Randomized Complete Block Design and the treatments were replicated four times. The results showed that the population of Oxycarenus spp. was significantly (p<0.05) higher on green-calyxed H. sabdariffa and red-calyxed H. sabdariffa than on Kenaf in 2012 and 2013. The differences in the density of the bug per fruit on green-calyxed H. sabdariffa and redcalyxed H. sabdariffa were significant in the two planting seasons. Relative humidity in the morning and maximum temperature correlated positively and negatively, respectively with the density of Oxycarenus spp. during the two planting seasons. Sunshine hours per day correlated positively, while soil temperature and soil evaporation had a negative correlation with the bug density. This information on the seasonal variation in the bug density and its relationship with weather factors could be used in pest forecasting for these fibre crops which is an important tool in formulating a successful pest management programme.Keywords: Malvaceae, Fibre crops, weather factors, Oxycarenus spp., pest management, planting seasons, pest density
Does farmers’ entrepreneurial competencies explain their household poverty status? Evidence from rural areas of Kwara State, Nigeria
Ending poverty in all its forms and in all places by 2030 is number one of
the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in less than a decade to the
time set for actualizing this goal, poverty is still pervasive in Nigeria and more
endemic among farmers in rural areas. Entrepreneurship is seen as a veritable tool
to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in some developing countries
including Nigeria. Howbeit, little is known about the relationship between farmers’
entrepreneurial competencies and poverty. Thus, this study examined the effects of
farmers’ entrepreneurial competencies on household poverty status in rural areas of
Kwara State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was employed in selecting
272 farm households, with at least a member who was engaged in at least one
other means of livelihood (enterprise). Data were collected between February and
March 2019 and analysed with descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Foster, Greer,
and Thorbecke (FGT) weighted poverty indices and probit regression at p = 0.05. At a
daily poverty line of $1.90 (₦684.00) per capita, 55.15% of the households were poor. The findings indicate that poverty among farm households varied with their
level of entrepreneurial competencies. Perseverance competence significantly
increased household poverty, while social competence reduced it. The findings
suggest poverty reduction strategies that come directly from farmers’ own initiative
and their resilience which is rural focused regardless of other challenges that may
exist
Profitability of Watermelon to Farmers in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State
The study analyzed the profitability of
watermelon as an alternative crop to the melon
the farmers in Ibarapa Central Local
Government Area of Oyo state, Nigeria are used
to grow traditionally. Unfortunately, melon had
remained a poor marketing commodity over a
long period of time due to price fluctuation.
Data collected were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and gross margin. Budgetary analysis
revealed a profitability of watermelon with gross
margin of ₦2.18 is realized for every ₦1 invest
on watermelon per hectare. The result of the
analysis also showed that total cost was
N3254250 and the total revenue was N7109600.
This gave a gross margin of N3855350 of
watermelon produced it therefore recommended
that the local government should acquire more
tractors for hiring to the farmers while subsidy
is required in other to reduce the cost of land
clearing. Finally, government should as a matter
of urgency make credit facilities and fertilizer
available to farmer, grade and open up more
road network that will facilitating easy
transportation of farm produce and reduce cost
of transportatio
Squatter settlements and slums and sustainable development
Squatter settlement is defined as a low residential
area, which has developed without legal right to the land or permission from the concerned authorities to build, and as a result, of their illegal status, infrastructure and services are usually inadequate (UN-Habitat 2003). On the other hand, slums are contiguous settlements where inhabitants are characterized by insecure residential status, inadequate access to safe water, inadequate access to sanitation and other basic infrastructure and
services, poor housing quality, and overcrowding (UN-Habitat 2003). Both are form of informal settlements that are not formally planned
A Molecular Thermometer Based on the Delayed Fluorescence of C70 Dispersed in a Polystyrene Film
Carbon Dioxide Utilisation -The Formate Route
UIDB/50006/2020 CEEC-Individual 2017 Program Contract.The relentless rise of atmospheric CO2 is causing large and unpredictable impacts on the Earth climate, due to the CO2 significant greenhouse effect, besides being responsible for the ocean acidification, with consequent huge impacts in our daily lives and in all forms of life. To stop spiral of destruction, we must actively reduce the CO2 emissions and develop new and more efficient “CO2 sinks”. We should be focused on the opportunities provided by exploiting this novel and huge carbon feedstock to produce de novo fuels and added-value compounds. The conversion of CO2 into formate offers key advantages for carbon recycling, and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes are at the centre of intense research, due to the “green” advantages the bioconversion can offer, namely substrate and product selectivity and specificity, in reactions run at ambient temperature and pressure and neutral pH. In this chapter, we describe the remarkable recent progress towards efficient and selective FDH-catalysed CO2 reduction to formate. We focus on the enzymes, discussing their structure and mechanism of action. Selected promising studies and successful proof of concepts of FDH-dependent CO2 reduction to formate and beyond are discussed, to highlight the power of FDHs and the challenges this CO2 bioconversion still faces.publishersversionpublishe
Corporate Social Responsibility as Catalyst for Development: Prospects and Challenges in Nigeria
Pore size dependence of self-assembled type photonic crystal on dye-sensitized solar cells efficiency utilising Chlorine e6
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