Preparation and Application of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based UV Curable Flexographic Printing Ink

Polyvinyl alcohol was utilized as a single sole binder in the formulation of water based UV curable flexographic printing inks. Six different formulation composition containing 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 8% and 10% polyvinyl alcohol were prepared using 1-(4-nitrophenyl)azo-2-naphthol as pigment and potassium dichromate as a cross linking agent. The formulations prepared were characterized for viscosity and FT-IR before being printed on different substrates. The integrity and pigment particle distribution of the ink film formed were assessed by optical microscopy, the print quality and fastness properties were found to meet most requirements in colour printing chemistry and technology applications

Handbook On Improved Agronomic Practices Of Groundnut Production In North East Nigeria

This handbook is intended to guide farmers, extension personnel, students of agriculture and researchers in Nigeria to use improved varieties and associated production practices to increase productivity. The guide draws its lessons from the work and experiences of ICRISAT and its partners in Research for Development on crop-based systems in Nigeria. The publication of this handbook is a demonstration of effective collaboration between ICRISAT, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), numerous farmers’ groups and Innovation Platform (IPs). The authors are grateful to the Management of these Institutes and organizations and gratefully acknowledge the work of other researchers that have helped immensely in compiling this manual

Hand Book on Improved Pearl Millet Production Practices in North Eastern Nigeria

This handbook is intended to guide farmers, extension personnel, students of agriculture and researchers in Nigeria to use improved varieties and complementary production practices to increase pearl millet productivity. The guide draws its lessons from the work and experience of ICRISAT and partners in Research for Development on crop-based systems in Nigeria. The publication of this handbook is a demonstration of effective collaboration between ICRISAT, Lake Chad Research Institute, (LCRI) Maiduguri, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), several farmer organizations and the demand by Innovation Platform members (IPs) members. ICRISAT and the authors are grateful to the management of these Institutes. The authors gratefully acknowledge the work of other researchers whose work have helped immensely in compiling this manual

Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of Globimetulla browni Extracts during Dry Season

Abstract: This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Globimetulla browni for its ascribed folkloric medicinal uses as an antidiabetic and to establish it's antibacterial potency (if any) during the dry season (Between the months of October -April). A comparative analysis was however made and season had little or no significant effect on the phytochemical / antibacterial potency of this plant extract. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts significantly affected both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganism during dry season. Globimetulla browni is a specie of African mitletoe and is hemi-parasitic in nature growing on many trees e.g., Eukalyptus and has ascribed medicinal uses. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes, Proteus spp., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gentamycin and Cloxacillin did not exhibit any activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Handbook on Improved Agronomic Practices for Sorghum Production in North East Nigeria

This handbook is intended to guide farmers, extension personnel, students of agriculture and researchers in Nigeria to use improved varieties and associated production practices to increase productivity. The guide draws its lessons from the work and experiences of ICRISAT and its partners in Research for Development on crop-based systems in Nigeria. The publication of this handbook is a demonstration of effective collaboration between ICRISAT, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), numerous farmers’ groups and Innovation Platform (IPs). The authors are grateful to the Management of these Institutes and organizations and gratefully acknowledge the work of other researchers that have helped immensely in compiling this manual

Isolation, Characterization and Heavy Metals Tolerance Indices of Indigenous Fungal Flora from a Tannery located at Challawa Industrial Estate of Kano State, Nigeria

Seven fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizomucor pusillus, Trichophyton equinum and Rhizopus oryzae) were isolated from the tannery effluent collected at a tannery industry located at Challawa industrial estate of Kano State, Nigeria. Aspergillus niger had the highest percentage occurrence frequency of 36% (31) while Trichophyton equinum had the least percentage occurrence frequency of 4% (5). Consequently, Aspergillus niger recorded the highest mean tolerance indices of 1.175, 0.830, 0.580, 0.780 and 0.630 while Rhizomucor pusillus had the least of the tolerance indices of 0.675, 0.375, 0.346, 0.450 and 0.255 for chromium, cadmium, manganese and lead respectively. Accordingly, furthermore the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biomass yield of the seven tested fungi isolates cultured in the presence of the five heavy metals used in this study showed different level of growth pattern. Hence the high resistant potentials and tolerance to the selected heavy metals exhibited by the fungal species isolated in this study is an indication that indigenous fungal floral isolated from tannery effluent if properly harnessed may offer a feasible solution to the serious environmental pollution problems associated with the presence of heavy metals in tannery effluent

Handbook on business and entrepreneurship development for sorghum value chain

Agriculture plays an important role in the livelihood of many Nigerian, contributing about 45 percent of the GDP, employing about two-third of the labour force and also contributes significantly to the agro-allied industries. Sorghum is an important cereal crop that is grown in all the northern and some parts of south western states of Nigeria. It plays a vital role in the diets and economies of people in Nigeria. The average per capita annual sorghum consumption in its major growing areas for morethan ten years is foot at 40kg. .Global prices for agricultural commodities have risen dramatically in recent years, making agriculture an attractive investment once again. Industrial demand for sorghum as substitute for wheat in the production of composite flour and high energy foods by flour mills and malting industries for beverages coupled with its micronutrient potential for Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) as health food makes it a competitive crop

Seed Needs Assessment in Northeastern Nigeria

Harnessing the genetic potential inherent in crops for higher yields requires the supporting role of all inputs (Manjunatha et al., 2015), of which, quality seed is the most important. In many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a recurrent conflict has become a major factor distorting the availability of quality seeds and the seed system; this has since been the case in northeastern Nigeria. Farmers need quality seeds and planting materials of preferred crops to enable them resume agricultural activities after conflicts. Similarly, seed security is an important component of overall resilience in risk prone environments (FAO, 2016). This study was set-out to analyze existing seed systems in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States of Northern Nigeria in order to identify practical ways of improving farmer’s access to quality seed

Increasing the productivity of sorghum farmers in the Sudan Savannah of Nigeria: Effect of access to improved technology and market

Sorghum has assumed greater importance in the economies of several African countries especially with the renewed interest by processors who are interested in using the grain to compliment/substitute wheat and barley in the confectionery and malting industries. Low on-farm grain yields are attributed to low use of inputs including seeds and fertilizers as well as good agronomic practices. ICRISAT Nigeria, in collaboration with several partners under the Agricultural Transformation Support Project (ATASP-1) implemented several activities including thematic training, on-farm technology demonstrations, community seed production and formation of innovation platforms (IPs) for market linkages. Remarkable progress were made in enhancing access to quality seeds and other inputs to over 40,000 farmers while expanding knowledge of Improved technologies to over 100 communities. During the 2016 cropping season, farmers produced over 70,268 Mt of grains valued at N9.135billion (US$29M). The impacts of trainings resulted in about 60% improvement in the understanding of good agronomic practices and post-harvest handling by the farmers and extension agents. The use of improved technologies increased grain yields by 30 to 64% (improved varieties), 27 to 38% (seed dressing), and 20% to 55% (tillage practices). Through IPs and market linkages to large scale processors, 109.76 tons of seeds were procured, distributed and planted. Average yield obtained from improved technologies was 1.5 t/ha compared to 1.1 t/ha by other farmers giving a 40% increase. A total of 1,093 women farmers comprising of about 34.2% of the total number of participating farmers benefited directly from the project. Seed fairs, radios and audio-visual broadcasts on improved production technologies and market availability were used to reach non-participating farmers within the zones. The combination of methods stimulated adoption of improved sorghum production technologies and market linkages proofed effective in achieving both increased sorghum yields and household income

Response of Groundnut to Plant Density and Phosphorous Application in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Despite the recent release of several improved varieties of groundnut in Nigeria the productivities have not increase significantly due to lack of commensurate recommendation in agronomic practices. Two groundnut varieties were evaluated for their response to different plant density and phosphorus application in two locations in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria in 2012 and 2013. The groundnut were planted at density of 44444, 66667, and 133333 hills ha-1 with average of two plants per hill. Phosphorus was applied at rate of 0 or 20 kg P ha-1. P fertilizer application increased pod and haulm yields by 26% and 16% respectively in Minjibir. It increased pod and haulm yields by 62% and 27% respectively in Wudil. Pod and haulm yields, harvest index, revenue, profit and cost benefit ratio increased with increasing plant density. Samnut-24 produced pod yields that were significantly higher than Samnut-22 across treatments. Pod yields at density of 133,333 hills ha-1 was 31% higher than at 66667 and 40% than at 44,444 hills ha-1. Application of fertilizer increased profit by 22% and 49% in Minjibir and Wudil respectively. Planting at density of 133,333 hill ha-1 increased profit by 19% and 27% over 66,667 and 444444 hill ha-1 respectively in Minjibir, while it increase profit by 9% in Wudil. Cultivation of Samnut-24 at high density with phosphorus application will make groundnut production a more profitable venture in Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria