Cell-free H-cluster Synthesis and [FeFe] Hydrogenase Activation: All Five CO and CN− Ligands Derive from Tyrosine

[FeFe] hydrogenases are promising catalysts for producing hydrogen as a sustainable fuel and chemical feedstock, and they also serve as paradigms for biomimetic hydrogen-evolving compounds. Hydrogen formation is catalyzed by the H-cluster, a unique iron-based cofactor requiring three carbon monoxide (CO) and two cyanide (CN−) ligands as well as a dithiolate bridge. Three accessory proteins (HydE, HydF, and HydG) are presumably responsible for assembling and installing the H-cluster, yet their precise roles and the biosynthetic pathway have yet to be fully defined. In this report, we describe effective cell-free methods for investigating H-cluster synthesis and [FeFe] hydrogenase activation. Combining isotopic labeling with FTIR spectroscopy, we conclusively show that each of the CO and CN− ligands derive respectively from the carboxylate and amino substituents of tyrosine. Such in vitro systems with reconstituted pathways comprise a versatile approach for studying biosynthetic mechanisms, and this work marks a significant step towards an understanding of both the protein-protein interactions and complex reactions required for H-cluster assembly and hydrogenase maturation

Responsiveness of Extension Workers to Climate Change in Anambra State, Nigeria

Given the role agricultural extension will play in sensitizing and educating farmers on how to mitigate and adapt to climate change, the study was carried out to ascertain the responsiveness of extension workers to climate change. Fifty one extension workers proportionately selected from the four agricultural zones in the state were used for the study. Data were analyzed with percentage, mean score and factor analysis. All (100%) of the respondents had heard about climate change. On average they heard it in 2003 and noticed it in 2002.They sourced information on climate change from fellow extension workers (77.8%) and newspapers (76.6%). Only “giving reports with respect to climate or weather of the environment (58.8%) was activity occurring/undertaken by extension workers with respect to climate change. Prediction/ forecasting of weather (92.2%) was area the extension workers mostly needed training on climate change. Manpower development/training, institutional/linkage and staff incentive problems were factors constraining responsiveness of extension workers in Anambra state to climate change. The study recommends the need to acquaint extension workers with knowledge on climate change and climate related issues by including it in the programme of ADP. In this way the extension workers especially front line extension agents can educate and help farmers mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change for increased agricultural output. Key words: responsiveness climate change extension worker

Awareness and perceptions of climate change among extension workers of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study sought to ascertain awareness and differences in male and female extension workers perceptions of climate change. The study was carried out in Anambra state, Nigeria. A total of forty respondents (20 males and 20 females) purposively selected from four agricultural zones in the state were used for the study. Data were analysed using percentage, mean score and t- test. All( 100%) of males and 95% of the females were married. Majority (71.3%) of the males were in the age range of 45 to 54 years while majority(77.9%) of the females were in the age range of 40 . 49years. The mean ages were 45 years and 44 years for the male and female extension workers respectively. Majority of the male (60%) and female workers (68.5%) had HND/ degree certificate and had about 4 to 6 persons in the household. Females noticed and heard about climate change earlier than their male colleagues. Male extension workers sourced information on climate change mainly from radio (100%), newspaper (95%) and television (80%) while the female extension workers sourced mainly from radio (90%), fellow extension workers (85%) and friends/relations (70%). There were significant differences in their perception of swamp rice production (t= 2..4, p. 0.05), overgrazing of farmlands by livestock (t =- 2.7, p. 0.05) and high use of irrigation (t = - 2.2, p. 0.05) as causes of climate change. There were also significant differences in their perception of high humidity (t = 2.7, p. 0.05) as indicator of climate change and high incidence of weeds (t= -2.7, p. 0.05) as effect of climate change .Females perceived these factors more as causes, indicator and effects of climate change than males. The study emphasized on the need to educate/train both male and female extension workers generally on issues concerning climate change and specifically on the causes, indicators and effects of climate change that they are ignorant of. This is for onward Transmission to their clientele, enhanced agricultural productivity and encouraging future. Key words: awareness perceptions climate change extension worker

Climate Change Information Needs of Pineapple Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study identified climate change (CC) information needs of pineapple farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select two zones (Awgu and Nsukka zones), four blocks, eight circles and eighty pineapple farmers that were used for the study. Data were analysed with percentage, mean score and standard deviation.. Majority (97.5%) of the pineapple farmers were aware of climate change while 95% indicated that pineapples are sensitive to climate change. They sourced information on climate change from newspaper (95%) and radio (63.8%). They pointed out excessive heat (86.2%) and irregular rain (82.5%) as evidences of climate change with respect to their area while reduction in yield (95%), size (86.2%) and income (86, 2%) were effects of climate change on pineapples. Avoidance of bush burning (M=2.56) and avoidance of deforestation (M=2.29) were respondents major mitigation measures while diversification into non-farm occupations was their only major adaptation measure to climate change. Prediction of commencement of rain and adaptation measures to climate change (97.5% each) were areas respondents needed information on climate change. The study pointed out the need to acquaint pineapple farmers with credible information that will emphasize on prediction of rain and specific mitigation and adaptive measures to climate change on pineapple farms and in general for a better agriculture and a healthier nation.Key words: Information, Climate, Pineappl

Effects of Land Degradation on Agriculture in Anambra State: Issue for Agricultural Extension Policy

The study examined the effects of land degradation on agriculture in Anambra state. Two Local Government Areas were purposively selected from the state while a town community was purposively selected from each of the Local Government Areas. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select 50% of the villages in each town and a total of 112 respondents were used for the study. Frequency, percentage and mean score were used for data analysis. Some findings of the study were: erosion (M=2.50), excessive use of inorganic manure and agrochemicals (M=2.45) and construction of roads and houses (M=2.42), were serious causes of land degradation in the area. High cost of input in farming (M=2.52) and rural urban migration were major effects of land degradation in the area. Evidences of the effects of land degradation in the area were: estimated mean monthly income dropped from N35,000 in 2005 to N15,000 in 2009. Mean farm size decreased from 1.5 hectare in 2005 to 0.75 hectare in 2009. Percentage of respondents rearing goat dropped from 80.4% to 41.1% while percentage of respondents growing cassava dropped from 100% to 80.4% within these years. Majority of the respondents pointed out aforestation (77.7%), controlled grazing (75.9%) as strategies they use to prevent land degradation in the area. They sourced information on land management and conservation practices from town criers (M=2.52) and radio (M=2.35).The study enumerated the need to include land management and conservation practices into agricultural extension programme (ADP) so that their clientele( farmers) can be equipped and involved practically in conservation/management of land for improved agricultural output and better future

Training Needs of Pineapple Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study identified training needs of pineapple farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select two zones (Awgu and Nsukka zones), four blocks, eight circles and eighty pineapple farmers that were used for the study. Some of the data were analysed with percentage and mean score while some were presented in charts.. Majority (77.5%) of the respondents did not have contact with extension agents in 2011 and they sourced information on pineapple from neighbours (86.3%).The mean annual expenditure and income from pineapple were N27, 568 and N235, 530 respectively. Majority (96.2%) of the respondents had no training on processing and preservation of pineapple and off season production of pineapple (85%). Majority of the respondents indicated that training on pineapple should be organized by researchers (65%) through interpersonal communication (83.8%) using local language (Igbo) (78.8%). Provision of effective micro-credit facilities (M=2.84) and stability of government policy (stability of price of pineapple) (M=2.68) were perceived by the respondents as major strategies that will improve pineapple production in the area. The study encouraged building capacities of pineapple farmers through informal training especially in the areas of processing, preservation and off-season production of pineapple so that they can face challenges of the enterprise, boost their farm size and income.Key words: Training needs Pineapple Farmers Enugu Stat

Knowledge and Roles of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Anambra State

The study ascertained knowledge and perceived roles of state based-Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Anambra State, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was employed to select thirty five respondents from 4 local government areas and 7 NGOs in the state while data were collected with questionnaire. Percentage and mean scores were used in analyzing the data. Results revealed that greater proportion (60%) of NGO members were not aware of climate change while about 63% indicated that issues on climate change have not been included in their programme. They perceived major causes of climate change as over industrialization (M=2.77) and use of automobiles (M=2.74) while land degradation and over flooding (M=2.77 each) were major effects of climate change. Proper land use and management (M=2.89) and reforestation/ (M=2.83) were mitigation measures while minimum tillage (M=2.74) and use of resistant varieties (M=) were adaptive measures to climate change as perceived by them. They further perceived creation of awareness and sensitization of rural people/farmers about climate change (77.1%each) and helping government in enforcement of policies and laws that will help to mitigate climate change (57.1%) as roles they can play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. They did not perceive any major problem that can mar their contributions to climate change issue. The study emphasized on the need for private sector especially NGOs investment and participation in global and sensitive issues like climate change. This will go a long way in discovering and disseminating quick and useful information on climate change and probably ultimate solution to it. Keywords Knowledge; roles; NGOs; climate chan

Extension needs in quail farming in Imo State, Nigeria

The study ascertained extecisin needs in quail faming in Imo State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select two agricultural zones (Owerri and Orlu zones) while proportionate sampling technique was used to select about 50% of extension personnel in the two zones. Thus, a total of 73 respondents were used for the study. Data were analysed with percentage and mean score. Greater proportion (54.8%) of the extension staff used in this study were extension agents who were females (52.1%) and had first degree education (60.3%). Their mean age and mean years of experience in extension work were 45.3years and 13.8 years respectively Respondents had no good source/s of information on quail hence their perceptions show that they are not knowledgeable about the economic and nutritional importance of quail . One of the areas they needed training in quail was importance of quail”(79.5%) while one of the major challenges of quail faming is “lack of access to information on how to rear quail” (M= 2.71).The study recommended the need to boost research on quail production so that extension workers, farmers and consumers will appreciate the importance of this livestock and enjoy it”s nutritional and economic benefits.Key words: extension needs quail farming Imo Stat

Characteristics of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Value Chain Development Programme in Bauchi State, Nigeria

The study characterized Bauchi State sesame value chain development programme that started in April 2008 aimed at maximizing agricultural revenue through the production of sesame. Ninety respondents purposively and proportionately selected constituted the population for the study. The study revealed that the respondents on average produced 6.49 90kg/bag of sesame and realized about N86,000 annually. The respondents perceived that the agencies have played most of the roles expected of them especially in supervising day to day activities of the demonstration farms (M=3.64) and in establishment of demonstration farms (M=3.55). Major constraints to the implementation of the programme as perceived by the respondents were marketing problems (M = 2.52) and lack of access to credit facility (M = 2.40). The study recommended that effort should be made to ensure that farmers get money for all seed produced and prevent exploitation of farmers by middle men. Key words: Sesame, value chain, Bauchi Stat

Consumption patterns and intra-household roles in the production, processing and marketing of soyabeans in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Benue State, Nigeria

The study determined the consumption patterns and intra-household roles in the production, processing and marketing of soyabeans in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Benue State, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 80 randomly selected respondents from ten extension blocks. Findings indicated that majority (71.3%) of the households prepared their soyabeans farm manually while family and hired labour (66.3%) were the major sources of labour. Sixty per cent of the respondents grew sole soyabeans on their farm. Majority (75%) of the respondents grew improved varieties of soyabeans and majority (97.5%) of the respondents also used planting methods recommended by the Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority. More than half of the respondents consumed soyabeans on daily basis mostly in form of paste. Adult males played major roles in acquisition of land, site selection, purchasing of fertilizers and herbicides as well as agro-chemical application. Adult males, females and children were more involved in land preparation, weeding and harvesting of soyabeans. The study further showed that the serious constraints experienced by farmers in soyabeans production, processing and marketing include high cost of hiring tractors, high cost of fertilizers and other agro-chemicals and lack of finance. This study recommended the provision of institutional loans and credit facilities to encourage farmers to produce more soyabeans