Yields Components and 48-H Rumen Dry Matter Degradation of Three Sweet Potato Varieties in N’dama Steers as Influenced by Date of Harvesting

Two experiments were conducted to study the influence of harvesting date on three sweet potato varieties (TIS-87/0087, TIS-8164 and TIS-2532.OP.1.13). Fodder yields and leaf-to-stem ratio decreased (P < 0.05), while harvest index and 48-h rumen DM degradation increased with maturity from 12 to 20 weeks after planting (WAP). Mean root yields and leaf-to-stem ratio were higher (P < 0.05) in variety TIS-8164, while TIS-87/0087 recorded lower root yield and TIS-2532.OP.1.13 gave lower leaf-to-stem ratio

Pawpaw leaves supplemented with three calcium sources and their effects on the african giant land snail in humid Nigeria

The response of one hundred and thirty-two (132) grower African giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) with a weight range of 231.33-234.00 g and fed fresh pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaf-based diet supplemented with three mineral calcium sources was investigated in a humid tropical environment of Nigeria. The grower snails received either pawpaw leaves alone (T1: control), pawpaw leaf + egg shell (T2), pawpaw leaf + oyster shell (T3) or pawpaw leaf + periwinkle shell (T4). Each treatment groups was replicated 3 times in a Completely Randomized Design. The results showed that pawpaw leaf and calcium intakes differed (p 0.05), shell thickness was significantly different (p < 0.05) varying between 0.15 cm for T1 to 0.27 cm for T3. The study suggests that dietary calcium supplementation in the diets of the African giant land snail will improve the intake of a pawpaw leaf basal diet and mineral calcium, weight gain and feed conversion ratio with the oyster supplemented group performing better

Assessment of soil metals status in parts of Rivers State, Nigeria

The study evaluates levels of metals in soils of 9 locations in Port Harcourt and its environs in Rivers State in Nigeria. Composite samples were collected by random sampling from each of the 9 test locations, 3 control samples were also collected from each of the study areas. Concentration levels of (Lead) Pb, (Copper) Cu, (Cadmium) Cd, (Zinc) Zn, (Calcium) Ca, (Nickel) Ni, (Sodium) Na, (Potassium) K, (Chromium) Cr, (Magnesium) Mg, (Manganese) Mn, and (Sulphur) S in soil were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The obtained mean levels of Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ca, Ni, Na, K, Cr, Mn and Mg were 1.45±0.16, 0.22±0.04, 0.04±0.01, 2.61±0.51, 12.99±4.81, 0.75±0.08, 173.64±35.31, 6.06±1.58, 0.27±0.03, 4.21±0.61 and 11.87±2.10 ppm respectively. There were significant differences in levels of Pb among the test and control samples (p=.048). There was significant difference in levels of Cu among the test and control samples (p=0.001). There was significant difference in levels of Zn among the test and control samples (p=0.016). The study establishes that urbanization, industrialization and agricultural activities do affect the level of metals in the soils of the study areas. The pollution of soils with metals in the studied sites is within permissible limits, however, levels of Zn, Cd and Ni should be on close monitoring to in the industrial areas and urbanized areas. The study establishes that oil and gas activities variedly affect the levels of metal pollution in urbanized, industrialized and agricultural areas.Keywords: Anthropogenic activities, Metals, Impact, Ecosystem, Integrit

Evaluation of the Effects of Cadmium in Soil on the LC50 of Soil Bacteria and Fungi for Environmental Monitoring

Contamination of soil with heavy metals by is currently of global concern. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the metals of concern. In the current study, LC50 of Cd to soil bacteria and fungi was used to assess the impact of anthropogenicactivity in development of Cd tolerance in soil microorganisms. Levels of Bio-physicochemical parameters in soil were determined. Results show that the concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) and Cd in soil ranged between 5.09±0.33 to 9261.94±287.67, and 0.023±0.015 to 0.057±0.012 ppm respectively. There was significant difference (p = 0.001) in LC50 for fungi between the study and control samples. Pearson correlation showed that there was significant relationship (r = 0.30) between LC50 for bacteria and TPH. There was significant difference (p = 0.017) in LC50 values among the study and control samples for fungi. Anthropogenic activities influenced the concentrations of TPH soil but did not influence levels of Cd

Variation in growth performance characteristics of broiler finisher birds fed three different leaf meals as additive

This study investigated the growth performance characteristics of broiler finisher birds fed three different leaf meals at 5% inclusion level in a 28-day trial. The leaf meals obtained from three forage plants namely, Moringa oleifera, Pueraria phaseoloides, and Pennisetum purpuruem were added as protein substitutes and partial supplements for soya bean in the diet and birds were fed ad libitum. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) 4 week old broiler birds were allotted to four treatment groups of 10 birds each with three replications in a completely randomized design (CRD). The results showed significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in the feed intake, final weight gain and average weight gain but no significant differences were observed in feed conversion ratio. The control diet had the highest average weight gain of 1706.67g and Pueraria phaseoloides having the least value of 1208.33g. Pennisetum purpuruem exhibited the highest weight gains amongst the leaf meals under study. The shank and skin colouration was more apparent in the birds fed Moringa oleifera leaf meals showing that it may contain higher levels of xantophylls and other beneficial antioxidants. It could be concluded that Pennisetum purpuruem leaf meal in broiler finisher diet provided better results for optimum weight gain and productivity and is therefore recommended above Moringa and Pueraria

Assessment of Ni Toxicity to Fungi and Bacteria in Oil Tainted Soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area, Nigeria

Intensified urbanization and industrialization are rapidly triggering the release of pollutants to the environment. This study determined the extent of soil contamination with Nickel (Ni) in oil mining areas and its effect on the levels of Ni tolerance by fungi and bacteria. The total CFUs/g of soil were enumerated after a culture period of 7 days at 28°C and LC50 was determined using probit and regression analysis. The mean values of Ni were 1.38±0.23 in industrial area, 1.41±0.36 ppm in agricultural area and 1.02±0.64 in urban area. The mean values of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) were 4,405.46 ppm in industrial area, 55.65 ppm in agricultural area and 1,304.53 ppm in urban area. Nickel’s peak concentration indicating growth of both fungi and bacteria at 150 ppm. There was significant difference (p ≤ 0.000) in the mean levels of LC50 for fungi among the study sites. There was no significant correlation between the concentration of TPH in soil and LC50 of fungi (r = -0.169) and bacteria (r = 0.042). In conclusion, TPH influenced the levels of fungi and bacteria tolerance to Ni in soils. Moreover, it was observed that LC50 can be a reliable method for monitoring chemically resistant microorganisms directly in the environment to improve the use of microorganisms for the bioremediation of oil contaminated soils and in monitoring of antibiotic resistant microorganisms in natural ecosystems

Crop residues utilization as livestock feed in Emohua and Obio-Akpor Local Government areas of Rivers state, Nigeria

total of 40 farmers in Emohua and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State were investigated to determine their extent of crop residues utilization as livestock feed. The Participatory Rural Appraisal method was adopted in the administration of questionnaires to respondents during the study while, collected crop residues were later analysed for proximate composition. Maize sievate was the most preferred (30.0%), while, cassava leaves (1.7%) were the least preferred based on affordability (51.4%), availability (34.3%), and shelf life (11.4%). About57.1% of the farmers utilized crop residues as feed and incorporated it at 20.0% inclusion level. The recorded dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in banana peels and higher in groundnut haulms. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 0.9 g 100 g-1 DMfor cassava peels to 8.8 g 100 g-1 DM for cassava leaves while, crude fibre (CF) content ranged (p&lt;0.05) from 15.2 g 100 g-1 DM for yam peels to 44.2 g 100 g-1 DM for groundnut haulms. The least preference for cassava leaves, despite its higher CP content, underscores the need forawareness creation for the use of crop residues to achieve optimum productivity during the dryseason.Keywords: Farmer attitudes, farming systems, feed utilization, nutrient analysis, residue

Chemical Composition, Dry Matter Intake by West African Dwarf Goats and In Vitro Digestibility of Panicum maximum and Palm Kernel Cake Mixtures

The experiment was conducted to determine dry matter intake (DMI) by West African dwarf (WAD) goats, chemical composition, in vitro gas production and dry matter digestibility of Panicum maximum (common  name: Guinea grass or Panicum) with graded levels of palm kernel cake (PKC). Five diets were evaluated: Treatment 1 (100% Panicum), Treatment 2 (75% Panicum plus 25% PKC), Treatment 3 (50% Panicum plus 50% PKC), Treatment 4 (25% Panicum plus 75% PKC), and Treatment 5 (100% PKC). Treatments 1 to 4 were offered to 16 goats at random with four goats per treatment in a 14-d experiment (7-d adaptation and 7-d data collection periods). Proximate composition, feed intake and in vitro gas and methane production were determined. No significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) in dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) contents while, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ash contents varied (P &lt; 0.05) amongst treatments ranging from 37% to 47% (43 ± 1.5%) and from 3.0 to 7.0% (5 ± 0.5%), respectively. Also, Treatment 1 recorded the highest daily DMI (781 g/day) while, Treatment 4 gave the least DMI (485 g/day). Also, Treatment 3 gave the highest (P &lt; 0.05) gas production rate (0.0053%/h), methane production (17.0 mL/200 mg DM), in vitro DM digestibility (43 g/100 g DM) and effective gas production (42.2 mL/200 mg DM) while, Treatments 1 and 2 gave the least methane gas production (12 mL/200 mg DM). Based on observed parameters, diet with 75% Panicum plus 25% PKC appears optimum.Key words: Chemical composition, dry matter intake, gas production, palm kernel cake, supplementation, WAD goat

Dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) straw as sole diet for west African dwarf rams

The study investigated straw quality of four cowpea varieties (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) (IT89KD-391; IT86D-716; IT86D-719; IT81D-994) using 24 West African dwarf (WAD) rams solefed the straw over a 60-d period. Voluntary dry matter (57 to 88 g kg-1 W0.75 d-1), organic matter(OM) ranged from 50.5 to 78.9 g kg-1 W0.75 d-1, crude protein (CP) from 6.8 to 14.7 g kg-1 W0.75 d-1, and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake between 30 and 39 g kg-1 W0.75 d-1 (p&lt;0.05) among the varieties; but acid detergent fibre (ADF) did not vary (p&gt;0.05). In vivo digestibility values of DM (390 to 590 g kg-1 DM), OM (377 to 591 g kg-1 DM), and NDF (469 to 646 g kg-1 DM) varied (p&lt;0.05) among the varieties. The soluble and degradable DM and the potential and effective degradability values also varied (p&lt;0.05) among the varieties. Variety IT81D-994 gave the highestmetabolizable energy (ME) intake of 7.80 MJ, while variety IT86D-716 recorded the lowest ME intake of 3.15 MJ. Average daily gains of rams and grain yields varied significantly (p&lt;0.05) from less than 10 g and 2,800 kg ha-1 in variety IT86D-716 to more than 50 g and 5,500 kg ha-1 in IT81D-994, respectively. Straw of cultivar IT81D-994 was found to have greater potential as sole diet for rams than the other varieties, based on grain yields and average daily gain which is a better measure of forage quality.Keywords: Cowpea, fodder, grain yields, rumen degradation, West African dwarf ram

Utilization Of Stover From Six Improved Dual-Purpose Groundnut ( Arachis Hypogaea L.) Cultivars By West African Dwarf Sheep

The study was set up to evaluate fodder from six dual-purpose groundnut ( Arachis Hypogaea L.) cultivars for animal performance and rumen dry matter (DM) degradability characteristics. Thirty-six West African dwarf (WAD) sheep were used to evaluate the utilization of groundnut stover from six improved dual-purpose cultivars (M170-80I; M554-76; M572-80I; RMP-12; UGA-2; UGA-5) as sole diets over 70 d. Rumen DM degradability characteristics were studied using four WAD sheep in a completely randomized design. Dry matter, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and metabolisable energy (ME) contents were similar while, cultivar RMP-12 recorded the highest (P < 0.05) hemicellulose (64 g/kg DM and cellulose (396 g/kg DM) contents. Organic matter (58.1 to 71.9 g/kg metabolic weight (W0.75)/d) and NDF (32 to 41 g/kg W0.75/d) intake were significantly different (P < 0.05). The digestibility of DM (508 to 623 g/kg DM), OM (498 to 626 g/kg DM) and CP (488 to 588 g/kg DM) differed (P < 0.05). Similarly, NDF digestibility (488 to 635 g/kg DM) and ADF digestibility (406 to 572 g/kg DM) were significantly different (P < 0.05). Nitrogen balance (3.0±0.98 g/d) was similar (P > 0.05) among cultivars, whereas available protein ranged (P < 0.05) from 2.5 g d-1 for RMP-12 to 29.0 g d-1 for M170-80I. Liveweight changes (LWC) varied between 6 g/d weight loss by sheep on UGA-2 fodder and 46 g/d in M170-80I. Soluble fraction ( a ) differed significantly (P < 0.05) ranging between 197 and 351 g/kg DM, while degradable fraction ( b ) and rate of degradation of b (c) were not significantly different. The 48-h degradation (501 to 596 g/kg DM), potential degradability; PD (584 to 687 g/kg DM) and effective degradability; ED (415 to 489 g/kg DM) varied (P < 0.05). Groundnut stover could be fed as sole diets or supplements to WAD sheep, and the cultivars ranked in decreasing order of stover quality as: M170-80I > UGA-5 > M572-80I = UGA-2 > 50 RMP-12 > M554-76. While sole-feeding groundnut has been illustrated to result in improved weight gain in WAD sheep, it might also be economical to use the fodder as a supplement