An assessment of the impact of vehicular emission on proximate composition of roadside Amaranthus hybridus in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

No Abstrac

Tolerance of Abelmoschus esculentus (L. Moench) to diesel oil polluted soil

The effect of diesel oil polluted soil on the growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench was studied at the Department of Botany experimental garden, University of Uyo, Nigeria for sixteen weeks. The pollution levels of 40, 80 120, 160 and 200ml per 4kg of sandy loam soil were used, and 0ml (unpolluted soil) was used as control. Three (3) plants were maintained per poly bag, and each level of treatment was replicated three times using randomized complete block design. Significant (P < 0.05) reductions were obtained in plant height, leaf area, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, moisture content, fruit number and fruit weight of the crops in diesel oil polluted soil. No yield was recorded at 120and 160ml level of diesel oil pollution, while 200ml concentration did not support any growth of the crop. All treatment levels gave significant (P<0.05) decrease in nutrient elements in leaves of A. esculentusbelow that of the control, except at 40ml of diesel oil for calcium and sodium contents. Therefore, Abelmoschus esculentus is not a suitable species for cultivation where diesel oil pollution occurs

Effect of adoption of improved cassava varieties on the livelihoods of the rural farmers in Nsukka local government area of Enugu state, Nigeria

Over the years, the use of local varieties of cassava by farmers especially in the study area had not appreciably improved the livelihood status of the farmers. This study, therefore, examined the effects of adoption of improved cassava varieties on the livelihoods of the rural farmers in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State in Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 110 respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire, using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data for the study were analyzed with descriptive stat collected were subsequently analyzed with the use of simple descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The result showed that 65% of farmers were between age ranges of 26 - 55 years. The results further revealed that 91.8% of the farmers had farming experience of between 6 and 26 years and 90% aware of the improved varieties. The correlation analysis revealed that there were strong positive correlations between adoption of improved cassava varieties and increased productivity of farmers, enhanced farm income, household hunger reduction and improved nutrition. The farmers identified lack of farm inputs, inadequate funds and high cost of labour as major problems of cassava production. Policies aimed at encouraging farmers to form cooperatives, access to credit and subsidy on farm inputs were advocated for increased adoption of cassava varieties.Keywords: Adoption, Livelihoods and Rural Farmers

Superfetation in a double uterus – a case report .

Superfetation is not usually a human phenomenon, except in rare cases of double uterus and continuous menstruation during pregnancy. This report describes the condition in the presence of a double uterus. Key words: Superfetation, Double Uterus, Intra Uterine, FetalDeath

Some affective characteristics as correlates of secondary school students performance in mathematics in Cross River State.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether some affective characteristics could be used as correlates of secondary school students’ performance in mathematics in Cross River State. A survey data from a sample of 500 students were used in the study. A total of three hypotheses were tested using the One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the independent t-test statistics. The findings of the study showed a significant influence of achievement-motivation, attitude and gender on students’ mathematics performance. This study results also showed that students’ who manifested high, moderate and low achievement motivation differed significantly, while those with positive attitude perform better than their counterparts with negative attitude. In terms of gender, female students showed a positive attitude towards mathematics than male counterparts. Some recommendations were made for counseling implication

Growth evaluation and survivability of piglets farrowed by gilts of different ages in the rain-forest zone of Nigeria

Two hundred and sixteen (216) piglets farrowed by gilts of different ages were used to evaluate growth performance and survivability. There were twelve (12) gilts and their ages constituted the treatment groups, viz: 11 months (treatment 1), 9 months (treatment 2) and 7 months (treatment 3). The three treatments had four gilts each, and piglets obtained from each treatment were pooled and randomly replicated six times (11 piglets per replicate for treatment 1, 12 piglets per replicate for treatment 2 and 13 piglets per replicate for treatment 3) to monitor growth parameters. The piglets were fed formulated starter diet containing 20% CP and 3500 ME KCal/kg. Treatment 2 had a higher mean birth weight (1.18kg), followed by treatment 3 (1.17kg), while treatment 1 had the lowest (1.13kg). Treatment 2 also had the highest mean pre-meaning and weaning body weight (5.52±0.23kg and 6.23±0.27kg), followed by treatment 3 (5.23±0.18kg and 5.87±0.19kg) and treatment 1 (5.09±o.32kg and 5.95±0.34kg). Variations between the pre-weaning and weaning weights did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between treatments. There were relative variations in the mean daily weight gains: treatment 1 (0.11±0.02kg), treatment 2 (0.12±0.02kg) and treatment 3 (0.11±0.01kg). Similarly, treatment 1 had a mean weekly weight gain of 0.8kg, treatment 2 (0.8kg) and treatment 3 (0.78kg). Variations in daily and weekly weight gains were not significant (P>0.05). Piglets of treatment 1 recorded higher birth and weaning mortalities (10.81% and 45.95%), while treatment 3 had lower birth and weaning mortalities (3.7% and 17.28%). Based on these findings, gilts can be crossed from 7months of age. At this age, they would have attained full sexual maturity and can nurse their piglets to weaning. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 44-4