Response of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) Varieties as Influenced by Sole Application of NPK (15:15:15) and Poultry Manure on the Growth and Yield in Zuru Area of Kebbi State

Field experiments have been carried out at Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture Zuru (lat. 12012.99\u27 N; long. 40 21.90\u27E; 197m above sea level), at some point of 2020/21 and 2021/22 rainy seasons withinside of the Northern Guinea Savannah area of Nigeria. The region has a protracted dry season this is characterized via way of means of cool dry air (harmattan) that prevails from November to February; and warm dry air extending from March to May. The place has been used for cultivation of vegetable and cereal crops. The purpose of the test turned into to look at the reaction of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties to poultry manure and NPK (15:15:15). Treatments consisted of three (3) cucumber varieties (Darina, Market-more and Poinsett-75) and two (2) nutrient sources (NPK [15:15:15], poultry manure and the untreated control; each designed to deliver the endorsed nitrogen dose of 120kg N ha-1. Treatments have been specified in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results found out that vine length, crop growth rate, imply fruit length, imply fruit diameter, total number of fruits per plant and fresh fruit yield of Market-more and Point sett varieties have been better with the application of either poultry manure or NPK fertilizer. Result, similarly discovered that all the three varieties (Darina, Market-more and Pointsett-75) attained maximum growt

Seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease virus infection in pigs from Zuru, Nigeria

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and distribution of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in pigs from Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional serological surveys were conducted between May and December 2013 using the immunochromatography assay technique. Structured questionnaires were administered to households identified at pig rearing areas to obtain the population structures and some information on managemental practices. Results: A total number of 849 pigs were enumerated at 37 pigs rearing households. Tudun wada had the largest concentration of pigs (237 pigs), while Dabai has the least (38 pigs). A total of 250 blood samples were collected, of which 45 (18%) were positive; Zango has the highest seroprevalence (1.6%), while Dabai recorded the least (0.4%). Based on sex and age, the infection was higher in female (10.4%) and young pigs (11.6%) than male (7.6%) and adult pigs (6.4%), respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) association between infection and pig rearing areas, sex, and age. Furthermore, none of the 250 pigs examined for classical FMDV lesions was positive. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that FMD is an important disease of pigs in the study areas. This result justifies the need for more attention and subsequent molecular study to identify the circulating FMDV in the area, which will help in the implementation of effective control measures