Continuous-Flow Depulping Machine for Treculia Africana

A continuous flow machine for the depulping of partially fermented fruit of Treculia Africana is presented. The machine is designed to improve upon an existing batch depulper, and consists of four main units, namely the hopper/depulping chamber, the connector-pipe, the separation chamber and power system. The machine operation involves the introduction of fermented breadfruit into the hopper from where it falls under gravity into the de-pulping chamber for further processing. The combination of crank and separation chamber is idealized as a six-member crank-rocker mechanism. Detailed kinematic and dynamic analysis of the idealized system is undertaken using an existing computer programme, SIXBAR. In this way, appropriate dimensions of each element are determined. A laboratory scale model of the machine is constructed and tested. Preliminary results indicate that 69–93% of the seeds could be effectively depulped. Further work is continuing to improve on the system performance and its acceptability by the stakeholders

Continuous-flow depulping machine for Treculia Africana

continuous flow machine for the depulping of partially fermented fruit of Treculia Africana is presented. The machine is designed to improve upon an existing batch depulper, and consists of four main units, namely the hopper/depulping chamber, the connector-pipe, the separation chamber and power system. The machine operation involves the introduction of fermented breadfruit into the hopper from where it falls under gravity into the de-pulping chamber for further processing. The combination of crank and separation chamber is idealized as a six-member crank-rocker mechanism. Detailed kinematic and dynamic analysis of the idealized system is undertaken using an existing computer programme, SIXBAR. In this way, appropriate dimensions of each element are determined. A laboratory scale model of the machine is constructed and tested. Preliminary results indicate that 69– 93% of the seeds could be effectively depulped. Further work is continuing to improve on the system performance and its acceptability by the stakeholders

Effect of plant population and N fertilizer on the growth and yield of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc.)

Responses of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) to 3 levels of fertilizer N (0, 50, and 100 kg N/ha) and seven plant populations (55555, 63492, 74074, 88888, 111111, 148148 and 222222 plants/ha) were studied under field conditions in Nsukka, Nigeria. The experimental design was a randomized complete block and there were three replications. Seed yield progressively increased with increasing plant population, being significantly highest at 222,222 plants/ha. The application of 100 kg N/ha increased the total dry matter per plant compared with no application or with 50 kg N/ha, although seed yield benefits were not readily apparent. Nodulation was not statistically influenced by N treatment although zero or- low N application showed a slight increase in nodulation, suggesting a lack of adequate population of the effective rhizobium in the location. Innoculation of bambara groundnut seeds with effective rhizobium strain before planting becomes necessary for good nodulation and production of the crop under Nsukka agro-ecological conditions.Key words: Vigna subterranea, nodulation, N-fertilizer, plant population, seed yield, drymatter yield

Reactions of bambara groundnut accessions to photoperiods

In two light-controlled experiments conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the effects of six photoperiods (8, 10, 12, 14, 16 hours and natural photoperiod) on growth and flower induction in six accessions of bambara groundnut (TVsu 1023, TVsu 745, TVsu 323/764, TVsu 11, TVsu 9 and Yaudu (local) were studied at two different periods of the year. In experiment one, the design used was a 6 x 6 factorial arrangement laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications. The second experiment was a 5 x 6 factorial in CRD with three replications. In the first photoperiodic experiment (May 9, 1992 and August 10, 1992), Yaudu (local), TVsu 745, TVsu 11, TVsu 1023 and TVsu 9 showed a quantitative short day response to the number of leaves produced per plant, number of days to flower bud emergence and to anthesis. In the second growth chamber experiment (October 1992 to January 1993), TVsu 745, TVsu 764, TVsu 11, TVsu 1023 and Yaudu local exhibited a quantitative short day response in their number of days to flower bud emergence and to anthesis. As a result, they could be planted around July to take advantage of the short photoperiods of October to December for good crop.Key words: photoperiodism, bambara groundnut, accessions, anthesis, number of flowers, leaf are