Response of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum): Growth and Yield, to Rates of Mineral and Poultry Manure Application in the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological Zone in Nigeria

The study was designed to evaluate the impact of different levels of poultry manures (PM) on the growth and yield of tomato in comparison to mineral fertilizer (MF) and the combine treatment of PM + MF. The combined analysis revealed that application of poultry manure at 150 kg N/ha gave the tallest plant height, but not significantly different from application of manure at 300 kg N/ha. These were however, significantly different from the inorganic fertilizer treatment; an indication that tomato responded better to poultry manure than mineral fertilizer, in respect of plant height. Application of inorganic fertilizer at the rate of 300 kg N/ha gave significantly taller crop than 150 kg N/ha. The shortest plant heights were observed in the control treatment in both cropping seasons as well as in the combined result. Application of organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced total number of harvested tomato and weight of harvest. Application of 150 kg PM/ha + 150 kg MF/ha gave the best yield, which was significantly different from other rates investigated, followed by 75 kg PM/ha + 75 kg MF/ha. While increasing poultry manure rate from 150 kg N/ha to 300 kg N/ha led to an increase in total number of harvested tomato and tomato yield / ha, increasing mineral fertilizer rate from 150 kg N/ha to 300 kg N/ha actually depressed tomato yield and number of tomato harvested per plot. Finally, application of inorganic nutrient at the rate of 150 kg N/ha yielded 88.15% return over the control, while applying 300 kg N/ha inorganic nutrient yielded only 74.68% return over the control. Application of organic nutrient at the rate of 150 and 300 kg N/ha yielded 81.93 and 85.98 percent returns, respectively over the control treatment. The highest return, however, was obtained with the application of 150 kg PM/ha + 150 kg MF/ha (90.17%) over the control, which was followed by application of 75 kg PM/ha + 75 kg MF/ha (89.42%) over the control. Based on the research outcome, it is recommended that if tomato is to be grown on inorganic fertilizer, application of N at the rate of 150 kg/ha is appropriate, while application of organic fertilizer at the rate of 300 kg N/ha is recommended. However, combine application of 150 kg PM/ha + 150 kg MF/ha is recommended for optimum tomato yield. Keywords: Height, plant gilt, growth, development, yield and economic

ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING LOAN DEFAULT AMONG POULTRY FARMERS IN OGUN STATE NIGERIA

This study is interested in determining factors infl uencing default in loan repayment among poultry farmers in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State. A total of 100 poultry farmers were randomly sampled from the study area. Probit model was employed to determine and analyse the factors infl uencing default in loan repayment in the study area. Descriptive statistics were also employed to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. Finding revealed that majority of the farmers in the study area are educated. About 55.0 percent of the farmers source their credit from formal fi nancial institutions. Result from the probit model revealed that fl ock size of the farmers signifi cantly infl uence default in loan repayment at (P<0.10) level. Age of the farmers signifi cantly infl uence default in loan repayment at (P<0.01) level, while Educational level and Income of the farmers also signifi cantly infl uence default in loan repayment at (P<0.05) level

Performance and economic consideration of broiler chickens fed enzyme supplemented cassava fibre meal

The search for alternative energy source to substitute for the expensive conventional energy feed resources in broiler chicken diet is the driving force of this study. Thus, the study assessed the performance and economics of the production of broiler chickens fed enzyme supplemented cassava fibre meal (CFM) in a 56-day feeding trial. A batch of three hundred and sixty (360) day-old Arbor acre broiler-chicks was allotted to twelve (12) diets replicated five (5) times of six (6) birds in a complete randomization. Cassava fibre was sun dried for 5 days with constant turning to prevent fermentation, reduce the moisture content and possibly reduce the cyanide content. Proximate composition, phytochemical components and cyanide contents were determined using appropriate standard methods. Cassava fibre meal was substituted for maize at 0, 20, 40, and 60% levels and Roxazyme® G2 supplementation was at 0, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Data collected on feed intake and weight gain were analysed using the General Linear Model (GLM), and differences in means where observed were separated using Duncan option of the SPSS 2006 version 15.0. The Economics of broiler chicken production was determined using economic tools such as gross margin and economic efficiency analyses. Results showed that CFM contained appreciable levels of nutrients that could promote broiler growth when substituted at optimum level as an energy source in broiler chicken diet. Substitution of CFM at 40 and 60% levels for maize led to a decrease (p&lt;0.05) in weight gain and feed conversion of broiler chickens. Feed intake and weight gain were not influenced by dietary substitution of CFM for maize in the broiler starter and broiler finisher stages of growth. The effect of enzyme supplementation was not significant in the birds’ physiological growth at both starter and finisher stages. The effect of interaction was not significant (p&gt;0.05) indicating that birds’ performance were not dependent on the two factors under investigation. Economics of broiler chicken production revealed that total cost was lower in birds fed CFM with or without enzyme supplementation compared with those fed the maizebased diets. Net revenue, economic efficiency and profitability ratio analysis showed better economic viability and profitability in birds fed CFM with or without enzyme supplementation compared with those fed maize-based diets

MODELING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON MALARIA PREVALENCE

&nbsp;Malaria is believed to be one of the deadly killers of humans worldwide and a threatto one-third of the world’s population. Based on this assertion, this study is used to determine the effect of Ibadan climatic variability on Ibadan malaria prevalence proportion since the city has a holoendemic malaria transmission. Multiple Trigonometric regression model was used to determine the effects of rainfall and temperature on Ibadan malaria prevalence since it can be used to model series that exhibit two or more types of variations simultaneously. From the results, the residuals of the fitted multiple trigonometric regression model are not serially correlated based on the value of the Durbin Watson Statistics. The coefficients of the fitted model were used to establish that for every unit increase or decrease in Ibadan city rainfall and temperature, there might be an increase or decrease in the malaria prevalence proportion over the years. The values of coefficient of determination &nbsp;revealed that Ibadan city monthly rainfall and temperature jointly explained the variations in Ibadan malaria prevalence proportion up to 61%. The fitted multiple trigonometric regression model as well as a good fit and high predictive power based on the value of the adjusted coefficient of determination Based on these results Multiple trigonometric regression model is suitable and adequate for modelling the effect of Ibadan monthly climatic variability on malaria prevalence proportion which can cause a high rate of morbidity and mortality if not curtailed or curbed

Ovarian morphology and estradiol-17beta concentrations in serum and follicular fluid of slaughtered zebu cattle in Ibadan, Nigeria

Over a period of three months (January to March), ovarian morphology and estradiol-17β concentrations in serum and follicular fluid were studied in 110 Bunaji (Bos indicus) cows slaughtered at Bodija abattoir, Ibadan, Nigeria, in order to determine the reproductive state and history of such cattle. Macroscopic examination of the ovaries revealed that 70 (63.6%) of the cows were undergoing active oestrous cycle. Of these, 42 (60.0%) had large ovarian follicles of greater than 3 mm diameter, while 22 (31.4%) had corpora lutea (CL). Six animals (8.6%) had corpora haemorrhagica. Of the 22 animals exhibiting CL, 12 (54.5%) had CL of pregnancy and were with calf, while 10 (45.5%) others had those of normal oestrous cycle. Corpora albicans (CA) counts showed that 90 (81.8%) of the cows had calved at least once, the mean being 4.5 calves per cow. Fifty-eight cows (52.7%) had calved 0-2 times, 34 (30.9%) 3-5 times and 18 (16.3%) 6-8 times. The mean estradiol-17β levels in follicular fluid (1669.6 ± 9.7 pg/mL) were significantly higher than that of the serum (85.5 ± 0.8 pg/mL). The non-pregnant cyclic with corpus luteum group had the highest follicular estradiol concentration (2558.8 ± 8.9 pg/mL), while the pregnant group had the lowest (858.5 ± 6.8 pg/mL). The mean serum estradiol level among pregnant cows was 115.7 ± 1.2 pg/mL. Low levels of serum estradiol-17β were consistently recorded among animals having active ovaries and good volume of follicular fluid, indicating that they were reproductively active and were being sold for reasons other than infertility

Bio-preservative activities of Lactobacillus plantarum strains in fermenting Casssava ‘fufu’

The growth of three pathogens, namely Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhii were investigated in fermenting and non-fermenting cassava. The pH of the steeped cassava was also examined during fermentation. Antimicrobial effects of the Lactobacillus plantarum on the pathogens were also determined by agar diffusion method. All the pathogens were inhibited by L. plantarum strains with Staph. aureus having the highest inhibitory zone followed by E. coli and S. thyphii. However, in the fermenting cassava, the pathogens increased in population within the first 36 h of the process and decreased to complete extinction after the 96 h of fermentation. The L. plantarum exhibited high but varying degree of inhibition on the pathogens. The findings justify the bio-preservative roles of lactic acid bacteria in traditional cassava products.Key words: Bio-preservation, Lactobacillus plantarum, fermentation, cassava and pathogens

Effect of Working Capital Management on the Profitability of Selected Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

There is no doubt that the ultimate objective of any firm is to maximize profit. However, the preservation of the liquidity of a firm is an important objective too and it is the efficient management of the various components of working capital that helps to preserve liquidity. This paper therefore examined the effect of working capital management on profitability of selected manufacturing companies. Secondary data gathered from the annual reports of six selected companies in Nigeria covering the period between 2006 and 2013 was used for the study. Purposive sampling technique was adopted and data collected was analysed using panel data least square method of regression. The study found a significant negative relationship between the components of working capital (DCP, APP and ITID) and profitability (ROI). The study therefore concluded that working capital management has significant impact on profitability of manufacturing companies and recommended that companies should manage their cash, accounts receivables, inventories and accounts payable with a view to reducing the cash conversion cycle so as to increase their profitability amongst other things

Threats to E-Government Implementation in the Civil Service: Nigeria as a Case Study

The rapid advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has undoubtedly influenced positive changes in carrying out administrative functions in government institutions. The ICT adoption rate in Africa is not impressive when compared to the more developed countries of the world. Nigeria, as a case study in this scenario, has also not implemented E-Government impressively, according to the required standards set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). A comprehensive study conducted on the application and implementation of E-Government in Nigeria has provided some metrics that examine the stumbling blocks for realization of adequate and efficient E-Government implementation in the civil service. The research was carried out in the federal civil service in Nigeria in two phases namely, pre-IT implementation phase and post-IT implementation phase. Our findings reveal that ICT implementation will remain elusive in the civil service as long as the as threats explained below remain unaddressed. It has therefore been asserted that the need to overcome these threats is a precondition for realization of E-Government implementation in the federal civil servic

Malaria Prevalence and Treatment Seeking Behaviour of Young Nigerian Adults

Background: Malaria is a cause of poverty in Africa, therefore its appropriate treatment and prevention is a key strategy for control. This study was designed to determine the preferred treatment and control methods adopted by young adults in an urban setting, and the presence and levels of antimalaria antibodies as an indication of exposure. Method: During a high transmission period in Ibadan, questionnaires on malaria management and treatment practices were administered to 307 undergraduate science majors. Follow up questionnaires were also administered to some of the students. Microscopy was done to determine parasitaemia, and antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum MSP 1 were measured by ELISA. Results: In this population, malaria prevalence was 17 % (19/109) and parasite burden was generally low. Anti malaria antibodies present in 93.6% of the volunteers confirmed malaria exposure. Analysis of data from questionnaires administered to the volunteers revealed that self treatment at home was common; approximately 25% of the volunteers self treated the initial symptoms at home and this included the use of herbal remedies. The use of multiple drug types to treat a single episode of malaria was common practice and chloroquine\uae and maloxine\uae (Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine) were most often used in treatment. The study showed that 97.5% of the respondents had malaria at least once in the preceding three months. There was no significant difference in malaria prevalence and antibody levels between those living on the university campus and non-residents. Conclusion: Most of the volunteers had been exposed to the malaria parasite during transmission, but did not translate into illness. This may be due to their knowledge of malaria transmission and prophylactic use of antimalarial medication. We show that many episodes of malaria are treated outside the formal health system.Introduction: La malaria est une cause de la pauvret\ue9 en Afrique, donc son traitement appropri\ue9 et pr\ue9vention est une strat\ue9gie cl\ue9 pour un contr\uf4le. L'objet de cette \ue9tude est de d\ue9cider le traitement pr\ue9f\ue9r\ue9 et une m\ue9thode de contr\uf4le adopt\ue9e par des jeunes adultes dans un milieu urban, et la pr\ue9sence et les niveaux anticorps d'antimalaria comme un indication d'exposition au risques. M\ue9thodes: Au cours d'une p\ue9riode de transmission tr\ue8s \ue9lev\ue9e \ue0 Ibadan, questionnaires sur les pratiques de la prise en charge et le traitement ont \ue9t\ue9 donn\ue9s aux 307 \ue9tudiants qui pr\ue9parent la licence en science comme mati\ue8re majeure. Des questionnaires de deuxi\ue8me entretient ont \ue9t\ue9 donn\ue9s aux quelques uns des \ue9tudiants. La microscopie a \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9e afin de d\ue9cider la parasit\ue9mie, et des anticorps au plasmodium falciparum MSPI \ue9taient mesur\ue9 \ue0 travers ELISA. R\ue9sultats: Dans cette population, la fr\ue9quence du palaudisme \ue9tait 17% soit (19/109) et dans l'ensemble, la charge du parasite \ue9tait peu \ue9lev\ue9. Des anticorps d'antimalaria qui sont pr\ue9sent chez 93,6% des volontaires avaient confirm\ue9 l'exposition au palaudisme. L'analyse de donn\ue9es bas\ue9e sur des questionnaires fournis par des volontaires avait indiqu\ue9 qu'auto traitement dans la maison \ue9tait ordinaire, approximativement 25% des volontaires autotraitement des sympt\uf6mes de stade initial dans la maison et y compris l'utilisation de la m\ue9decine par les plantes. L'utilisation des drogues diverses afin de soigner un seul \ue9pisode du palaudisme \ue9tait courant et chloroquine\uae et malaxine\uae (sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine) \ue9taient le plus souvent utilis\ue9 pour traitement. L'\ue9tude a montr\ue9 que 97,5% des sond\ue9s \ue9taient atteints du palaudisme une fois du moins au cours de trois mois pr\ue9c\ue9dents. Il n y avait aucune diff\ue9rence importante dans la fr\ue9quence du palaudisme et niveau d'anticorps entre ceux qui vivent sur le compus et les externes. Conclusion: La majorit\ue9 des volontaires ont \ue9t\ue9 expos\ue9s aux parasites du palaudisme pendant la transmission, mais n'avait pas conduit \ue0 une maladie. Ceci pourrait \ueatre attribuable \ue0 leur connaissance de la transmission du palaudisme et l'utilisation du m\ue9dicament prophylactique d'antimalaria. Nous tachons de montrer que beaucoup d'\ue9pisodes de la malaria sont trait\ue9s en dehors d'un centre h\uf4pitalier

Carcass characteristics and cost benefits of two broiler strains as affected by duration of feed withdrawal at finisher phase

The present study was undertaken to examine the before and post-slaughter characteristics of two broiler strains under feed withdrawal regime during the hot weather conditions. 180 day-old broiler chicks comprising 90 chicks each of Arbor Acre and Ross 308 were procured from reputable hatchery, and were raised for four weeks before being distributed randomly to three groups of feed withdrawal regime. The treatments are: T1= ad libitum (control), T2= 8-12noon feeding (morning) and T3= 12noon-4pm feeding (afternoon). Each treatment was replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate. At 49th day, three birds per treatment were randomly taken after starving them overnight for carcass evaluation. Analysed data showed that there was no significant effect of strain on live weight, carcass and non-carcass traits regardless of feed restriction employed. But Arbor Acre recorded higher net profit than Ross308 in terms of cost of production on strain basis. With regard to duration of feed withdrawal, dressed weight, eviscerated weight, carcass weight and back weight were significantly affected by the feeding regime imposed on the birds. Birds on ad libitum and afternoon feeding groups had higher and superior mean values to morning group. This implies that feeding birds in the afternoon under favourable conditions and improved management practices is beneficial and economically viable and profitable