Effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza and composted market waste on the performance of Tiannug 1 variety of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus Linn.)

This study determined effects of composted market waste and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) on Root Colonization (RC) and fibre yield of kenaf. The experimental design was 2 x 12 factorial in a Completely Randomized Design replicated three times. The treatments were with AM (AM+) and without (AM-) and twelve levels of soil amendment: 0, NPK 20:10:10 (60 kg N ha-1), purely composted market waste (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg N ha-1), and composted market waste fortified with superphosphate and  urea (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg N ha-1). Residual effect of the treatments was also determined. Data on RC and yield were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. RC ranged from 14.4 to 78.1%. Inoculated Tiannug 1 at 40 kg N ha-1 composted market waste fortified with superphosphate and urea had significantly (p < 0.05) higher RC (79.8%), bast (9.6 g pot-1) and core (19.9 g pot-1) yields. For the residual effect, inoculated Tiannug 1 at 100 kg N ha-1 purely composted market waste had significantly (p < 0.05) higher RC (69.0%), bast (2.7 t ha-1) and core (5.8 t ha-1) yields. Tiannug 1 was highly colonized by AM and the optimum yields observed at 40 kg N ha-1 composted market waste fortified with superphosphate and urea.Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, composted market waste, kenaf, performance

A Survey of Determinants of Decision-making by Managers in the Aviation Industry in Nigeria

This paper examined access to and use of information systems, personality traits and decision-making by managers in the aviation industry in Nigeria. The stratified random sampling technique, complemented with a questionnaire, was used to collect data from 1,238 managers in aviation parastatals in Nigeria. However, only 945 responded, giving a response rate of 76.3 percent. The study found that personality traits (r = 0.330, P< 0.05) and information systems access (r = 0.170, P<0.05) and use (r = 0.350, P<0.05) had significant relationships with decision-making of the respondents, when taken together, significantly determined decision-making of the respondents.  Use of information systems was found to make the greatest relative contribution (32.0 percent) in determining the decision-making of managers in the aviation industry in Nigeria. Personality traits should be considered when recruiting managers for the aviation industry. Keywords: information systems access, use, personality traits, decision-making, aviation industr

Influence of Biofertilizer-Fortified Organic and Inorganic Nitrogenous Fertilizers on Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum Linn.) and Soil Properties Under Savanna Ecoregion

Application of chemical fertilizers as supplement to the pre-existing soil nutrients has become inevitable for obtaining optimum crop performance in the tropics. However, persistent application of inorganic fertilizers affects soil physicochemical conditions and reduces crop productivity. Integration of mycorrhizal inoculum as biofertilizer and organic manure with little inorganic fertilizer input could improve crop performance and soil quality. However, there is little information on response of crops particularly Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to such integrated nutrient management approach. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Nigeria and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (I.A.R&T), Moor plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria to assess response of sesame to integrated nutrient management approach. Twelve factorial combinations each of integrated green tithonia biomass and urea, with and without Glomus clarum mycorrhizal inoculum were investigated. Trials were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters and analysed using ANOVA at p < 0.05. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly enhanced sesame growth (except number of branches) and yield with or without applied N-source(s), compared to their non-inoculated counterparts. Sesame responded best to inoculation of 75% tithonia + 25 % Urea + Glomus clarum which significantly enhanced plant height, stem circumference, number of leaves, biomass yield and seed yield. Soil physical and chemical properties significantly improved with increasing application of green Tithonia-biomass. At above 50 % of urea integration, values of growth and yield parameters were statistically similar but significantly higher than the control. Thus, green Tithonia-biomass integration at 75 % level with urea at 25 % level to meet up N-requirement of sesame + mycorrhizal inoculum is suitable for optimum growth and yield of sesame and improved soil quality under savanna ecoregion

Assessment of the Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (Glomus clarum) and Pigeon Pea Hedgerow on the Yield of Maize and Soil Properties in Degraded Ultisols

The use of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus clarum) in ecological restoration enables its host plant to be established in degraded soil. Two years field experiment was conducted at  Ekpoma, Nigeria to assessed the effects of Glomus clarum and pigeon pea hedgerow on soil properties, yield of maize and nitrogen fixation. A factorial experiment set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Soil was analysed for both chemical and physical properties before planting and after harvest. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at p = 0.05. Mycorrhizal pigeon pea hedgerow significantly (p< 0.05) increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium content of the soil.  Maize cultivated with the inclusion of mycorrhiza with or without pigeon pea hedgerow was higher in growth compared to non mycorrhizal maize. Inclusion of mycorrhiza to hedgerow significantly increased the grain yield of maize which was 2,040 kg / ha compared to control with an average yield of 1,406.8 kg/ha. The grain yield of mycorrhizal hedgerow was increased by 48 % compared to non-mycorrhizal pigeon pea. Inoculation of mycorrhiza to sole pigeon pea and maize had significant higher grain yield of 2,581.4 kg / ha and 2,349.2 kg / ha respectively in the residual experiment. The residual effect of Glomus clarum on maize and pigeon pea hedgerow significantly (p < 0.05) increased their grain yield by 41 % and 56 % respectively compared to the control. Also, inclusion of Glomus clarum significantly increased the nitrogen fixation of hedgerow pigeon pea compared to the hedgerow without Glomus clarum. The results showed the beneficial contribution of mycorrhiza and pigeon pea hedgerow on the growth and yield of maize as well as the  nutrient content of the soil. Keywords: Glomus clarum, hedgerow, maize, soil properties, degraded soi

Electronic Resources Access and Usage for Scholarly Research Work by Postgraduate Students at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

This study investigated the extent of electronic resource access and usage for scholarly research work by post graduate students at University of agriculture in Abeokuta. The thrust of this paper is to discuss the points of accessing, frequency of use, usefulness and strategies to improve students’ use of electronic resources. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target populations for this study are postgraduate students of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The participants sampled numbered 350 postgraduate students using stratified random sampling method. Out of 350 questionnaires distributed, a total of 210 were collected representing 60% return. Based on the analysis of the data, it was found that the postgraduate students use email as a means of communication while other electronic facilities that can aid their research works were not adequately used by them. Recommendations were made for improvement.  Data collected were analysed using simple percentage, frequency counts and the mean. Keywords: Electronic resources access, usage, scholarly research, University of Agriculture, Nigeri

HISTOGRAM NORMALIZATION TECHNIQUE FOR PREPROCESSING OF DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Digital mammogram has become the most efficient tool for early breast cancer detection modalities and pre-processing these images requires high computational capabilities. Pre-processing is one of the most important step in the mammogram analysis due to poor captured mammographic image qualities. Pre-processing is basically used to correct and adjust the mammogram image for further study and classification.  Many image pre-processing techniques have been developed over the past decades to help radiologists in diagnosing breast cancer. Most studies conducted have proven that a pre-processed image is easier for radiologist to accurately detect breast cancer especially for dense breast. Different types of techniques are available for pre-processing of mammograms, which are used to improve image quality, remove noise, adjust contrast, enhance the image and preserve the edges within the image. This paper acquired 20 digital mammograms from Mammographic Image Analysis Society (MIAS) database and uses Histogram Normalization algorithm for pre-processing of the mammograms. A percentage of 95% was obtained. It was observed that the pre-processed mammographic images displayed breast abnormalities clearer with little or no noise

SPARC 2017 retrospect & prospects : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2017 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the 50th anniversary of Salford as a University, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 130 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to exploit this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas to your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers

Influence of Locus of Control, Work Motivation and Information Use on Decision- making of Managers in the Aviation Industry in Nigeria.

This study discusses the influence of locus of control, work motivation and information use on decision making of managers in the aviation industry in Nigeria. Stratified random sampling method was used to select 1238 managers from five aviation parastatals in Nigeria out of which 945 responded. The response rate achieved was 76.3 percent. The study found that locus of control, work motivation and information use significantly influence decision making of the respondents. It is therefore recommended that aviation industry administrators and most especially policy makers in the industry should give due attention to locus of control, work motivation and information use in order to improve the decision making of managers in the industry. From the managerial context, being aware of your employee’s internal-external locus of control can be very helpful in that individuals with high external locus are less likely to be committed to their organisation, they may feel unable to influence organisational decision making

Growth and yield response of some maize cultivars to organomineral fertilizer application in simulated degraged soil under greenhouse conditions.

A3x5 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted under screen house condition to evaluate the responses of maize cultivar to organomineral fertilizer. The factors were fertilizer application (0,4.0 and 6.0 tha-1) and maize cultivar (ACR30T21 COMP3c3; Oba Super1; AK950MRESRW(YELLOW) and ACR91SUWANI –SRCI). All treatments were replicated three times. The crop parameters monitored included height, leaf length, number of leaves and biomass yield. Data analysis was through ANOVA and means were separated using the Duncans\'s Multiple Range tests (DMRT) at 5% probability level. Plant height, leaf length and biomass yields of all maize cultivars responded to organomineral fertilizer applications. Generally, the order of response was 0.