NUTRIENT INTAKE, GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS YIELD OF WEANER RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF DRIED CITRUS (C. sinensis) PULP

A study was conducted to investigate the response of weaner rabbits to graded dietary replacement of wheat offal with dried citrus pulp (DCP) at 0, 10, 20 and 30% (weight/weight) respectively .A total of Sixty-four, male and female weaner rabbits of 56 days old, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with sixteen rabbits each and consisting of four rabbits per replicate in a completely ran- domized design. The study lasted for 112 days during which data was obtained on nutrient intake, performance characteristics and carcass yield. The crude protein intake of the rabbits decreased (P<0.05) significantly as the DCP inclusion in the diets increased. There were significant (P<0.01) differences in the values obtained for the final weight, total weight gain, average weight gain, meta- bolic weight gain and growth rate across the treatment groups. The growth rate was 10.29 g/d in the control fed rabbits but further decreased with increasing level of DCP in the diets with values of 11.29, 6.30 and 5.80g/d obtained respectively for rabbit fed with 10%, 20%, and 30% DCP inclusion level. The lowest feed conversion ratio was obtained at the 0% level of DCP inclusion. The retail cut parts indicated a significant (P<0.05) difference in the values for rack and ranged from 11.92 to 18.06g. It was concluded that although, rabbits fed with control diet had the highest overall performance, 10% dietary inclusion of DCP supported improved growth and better carcass yield

Prevalence of Parasites Infection of Resident Fish Species in a Tropical Reservoir

This study detected, identified and determined the incidence of parasites present in and on Clarias gariepinus, Sarotherodon galilaeus, Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zillii in Ero reservoir, a tropical reservoir situated in Ikun-Ekiti, Nigeria. Fish species were randomly obtained from fishermen at the reservoir during the rainy season. Out of 55 fish samples examined, 17 (30.9%) fishes were invaded. 11(20.0%) were infected by Protozoans (Ciliates and Flagellates) and 6(10.9%) were infected by Metazoans (Myxosporean and Nematode). Parasitological examination of the 55 fish samples showed 41.2% incidence for C. gariepinus, 17.6% for S. galilaeus, 29.4% for O. niloticus, and 11.8% for T. zillii. A total of 59 parasites were recovered comprising 36 protozoans and 23 metazoans. Parasite infections were found on the skin, fins, gills, intestine, liver and kidney. Total number and percentage of parasites recovered were tabulated in relation to their host prevalence and location of specificity

MORPHOMETRIC AND MERISTIC STUDY OF ETHMALOSA FIMBRIATA (BOWDICH) FROM BRACKISH WATER AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT

A study of Ethmalosa fimbriata (Bowdich) from Lagos lagoon (brackish water) and Lagos coast (marine environment) using meristic and morphometric characteristics was carried out. Length frequency distribution method was used to separate the sample fish to three age groups. One year old specimens from both the brackish water and marine environments were compared. The total lengths ranged from 9.9cm to 16.0cm. Variations were also studied for one year, two years and three year old specimens in the marine environments. Among the meristic and morphometric characters investigated dorsal rays, anal rays, left gill rakers and right gill rakers showed some differences that were statistically different among the three age groups.  It is therefore concluded that E. fimbriata strains from brackish water and marine environment are genetically inseparable, since environmental factors such as salinity have effect on the migratory habit of the fish.Â

Mapping of aquifer units in a complex geologic terrain using natural electric field and electrical resistivity techniques

Aquifer mapping in a typical complex geologic terrain like Kobape, Southwestern Nigeria is essential to meet the needs of freshwater for domestic and industrial purposes. Natural Electric Field (NEF) measurements over eight traverses and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) at ten points were carried out for aquifer mapping in the area. PQWT-TC150 model of a typical water detector, which works by integrating the principle of nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetotelluric and induced polarization methods is used for the NEF measurement. It images the subsurface to a depth of 150 m while the VES was carried out to show the geoelectric layers. The results of NEF revealed the presence of confined aquifer units while the VES showed the subsurface structure to be of 3 to 4 layers viz: topsoil, sandstone, fractured layer, and fresh basement. The corresponding resistivity ranges of the geoelectric layers are 341–3596 Ωm, 1378–4333 Ωm, 635–1000 Ωm, and 3721–56382 Ωm while their thicknesses ranged from 0.5–1.6 m, 0.8–25.4 m, 2.2–19.8 m, and undeterminable fresh basement. The overall aquifer mapping in the complex geologic terrain that straddles the boundary of crystalline basement rocks and a sedimentary basin using integrated technique of NEF and VES revealed various confined aquifers. The NEF significantly showed station twenty on traverse three has a good aquifer within a fractured zone at a depth of 15 m and the same region is verified by the result obtained at VES 3, which has a fractured layer of 19.8 m thickness

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF RAINWATER HARVESTING FROM ROOFTOP CATCHMENTS: CASE STUDY OF OKE-LANTORO COMMUNITY IN ABEOKUTA, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of Rainwater harvesting system from rooftop runoff from acatchment at Oke-Lantoro Community in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria was determined using eightroof designs in respect to slope and six selected roofing sheet materials respectively. The resultshowed that the steeper the roof slope the more the rainwater harvested irrespective of rainfall amountand duration. The roof pattern with a large and steep slope designed with gutter tends to harvest morewater and at a higher rate. Physico-chemical analysis of the harvested water samples gave resultswhich varied from various drinking water quality regulatory standards. Sample from galvanized roofingsheet was influenced by zinc and lead in quantity beyond human consumption level, while the asbestosroofing sheet water sample gave higher calcium and magnesium contents which reflected in thetotal hardness value. Sample from the aluminum roofing sheet gave the best result but it was alsoaffected by the influence of atmospheric dust particles and faecal materials of birds, lizards and othersmall organisms. Considering the results of the physico-chemical tests, the harvested water samplescould be put to other domestic uses, as they cannot be consumed directly

Bot Canker Pathogens Could Complicate the Management of \u3ci\u3ePhytophthora\u3c/i\u3e Black Pod of Cocoa

Black pod is a major hindrance to cocoa production in Nigeria. It is caused by three different Phytophthora species with Phytophthora megakarya as the most important species in Nigeria and West African subregion. Phytophthora spp. may enhance infections by opportunistic pathogens such as members of the Botryosphaeriacea that cause branch and trunk cankers in many woody plants across the world. Botryosphaeriacea has not been reported in cocoa nor in any woody plants in Nigeria to our knowledge. In the cocoa belt of Nigeria, research and understanding on cocoa black pod and Phytophthora is limited partly because of delayed or no access to some culture media, including required antibiotics. The objectives of this study were to: (1) use locally available materials to develop media for Phytophthora isolation from infected cocoa trees and pods samples and (2) to determine if members of Botryosphaeriaceae are associated with cankers of cocoa trees infected with black pod in Ondo State. The two formulated media, clarified tomato juice agar and cocoa pod agar supported the growth of Phytophthora spp. and were used for isolation from five cocoa- producing local government areas, spanning all three senatorial districts of Ondo State. Based on morphological characteristics, four different species of Botryosphaeriaceae were identified from infected cocoa trees/pods but also from citrus and kola trees, which are similar to cocoa and usually planted in the same orchard with cocoa in Nigeria. These findings of new pathogens in cocoa and other hosts in Ondo State indicated the need for new strategies in the management of cocoa diseases in the State and across cocoa-producing areas of Nigeria

Helichrysum genus and compound activities in the management of diabetes mellitus

The global management of diabetes mellitus (DM) involves the administration of recommended anti-diabetic drugs in addition to a non-sedentary lifestyle upon diagnosis. Despite the success recorded from these synthetic drugs, the traditional method of treatment using medicinal plants is increasingly accepted by the locals due to its low cost and the perceived no side effects. Helichrysum species are used in folk medicine and are documented for the treatment of DM in different regions of the world. This study reviews Helichrysum species and its compounds’ activities in the management of DM

EVALUATION OF THE AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND NUTRITIVE VALUES OF TEPHROSIA BRACTEOLATA GUILL. & PERR. AND GMELINA ARBOREA ROXB PRUNNINGS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH

This study was carried out to investigate the growth, dry matter yield and chemical composition of Tephrosia bracteolata and Gmelina arborea at Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different stages of growth of T. bracteolata and G. arborea on their agronomic performance, herbage yield and nutritive value in the humid zone of Nigeria. Data were collected at 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP). Results showed that T. bracteolata attained the height of 161 cm at 20 WAP, though not significantly different from the height at 16 WAP. The leaf number (24), branch number (7) and dry matter yield of T. bracteolata were recorded highest at 16 WAP. The height of G. arborea was on constant increase throughout the experimental period. The crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) contents of the two browse plants were highest at 8 WAP and thereafter, declined throughout the experimental period. Fibre fractions, the neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) had a least value for both browse species at 8 WAP and highest values at 20 WAP. From the study, considering the dry matter yield and nutritive value, T. bracteolata being an annual species, can be harvested at 16 WAP when the quality and quantity will support livestock productivity and can be conserved to be fed to ruminant animals during dry season when feed availability and quality are extremely low. However, planting of G. arborea should be encouraged being a perennial browse plant that will support livestock productivity during the dry season in the tropics. In conclusion, T. bracteolata and G. arborea grow rapidly and are recommended as forage of high nutritive values that meet ruminant animal protein requirements especially during the dry season

Nutritive Quality of Hay and Silage from Natural Grazing Land in South Western Nigeria

In the tropics, inadequate nutrition caused by scarcity of forages and its low quality constitutes a major constraint to good performance of ruminant animals (Lukuyu et al. 2011). Herbage availability during the wet season often exceeds animal requirements (Chakoma et al. 1999). As the dry season sets in, the protein level of the accumulated forages drops and the fibre level increases, with an increase in lignin content while voluntary intake decreases. Due to lack of quality forage especially in the dry season, animals feeding on them tend to lose weight and their productivity will be negatively affected. In order to reduce the limitations of feeds for ruminant animals especially during dry season, there is need to develop feed conservation strategies. The use of high quality forages appears to be the most feasible option to serve this purpose. Therefore, conservation of excess forages produced in the rainy season can be utilized as supplements during the dry season to be able to alleviate poor performance of ruminant animals and will also enhance incomes of small-scale farmers. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of conserved forages (hay and silage) from the natural grazing land as dry season supplementary feed for ruminant animals grazing in natural pastureland

VARIETAL RELEASE: RELEASE OF TWO DUAL PURPOSE OFADA RICE VARIETIES (FUNAABOR- 1 AND FUNAABOR-2) BY FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA (FUNAAB)

Two new dual purpose Ofada rice varieties (Oryza sativa) were developed and released by Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in collaboration with National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Nigeria, Africa Rice Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria and National Rice/Maize Centre, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. A bottom-top approach was used for Ofada rice seed collection (accessions) from Farmer’s field based on Farmer’s preference. The collected Ofada rice seed (mixtures) were purified and field selection done using recurrent selection methods for desired morpho-agronomic, adaptive and nutritional characters. Repeated cycles of selection was done resulting in four distinct Ofada rice varieties, while two outstanding and dual purpose; upland and lowland agroecologies (first of its type in Nigeria) Ofada rice varieties were selected; FUNAABOR- 1 (aka Ofada gold) and FUNAABOR -2 (aka Ofada white) were finally selected, registered and released, after they were tested for acceptability, adaptability and stability across all south western states and in addition Edo and Delta states of Nigeria. The distinctive and specific descriptors of both released Ofada rice varieties are hereby presented:Â