Evaluation of microbial inoculants as biofertilizers for the improvement of growth and yield of soybean and maize crops in savanna soils

Open Access JournalCertain rhizobacteria exert considerable influence on plant growth and development, particularly under limiting conditions. The effects of some indigenous soil microbial isolates and commercially produced microbial inoculants, referred to as bio-inoculants, on the growth and dry matter yield (DMY) of maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) crops were assessed under greenhouse conditions. In two sets of experiments, one set comprised of free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (Azospirillum spp.), three soils from Ibadan, Mokwa and Shanono located in different agro-ecological zones, and maize as the test crop. The other set consisted of microbial inoculants that can act as biocontrol agents applied to sterilized and non-sterilized soils; soybean was the test crop. The bio-inoculants were applied separately and also in combination. The treatments included a reference termed ‘mineral N’ where macro- and micro-nutrients were supplied at optimal rates, a control where bio-inoculants were not applied, and four replicates. All treatments, excluding the reference, received only macro-nutrients at suboptimal rates. The crops were grown for eight weeks and growth parameters were measured. The shoot DMY of maize was relatively large (42 to 63 g plant-1) and differed significantly among the soils but the bio-inoculants did not improve the shoot DMY significantly (P > 0.05) in any of the soils when compared with the control. However, sole inoculation of Mazospiriflo-2 enhanced nitrogen uptake significantly in maize grown in Shanono soil. For soybean, the shoot DMY was also not improved by the inoculation or the addition of the microbial products compared with the control

Haemoglobin Level and Intestinal Parasites in Pregnant Women in Eziama, Imo State of Nigeria

This prospective study was carried out between January to June, 2008 at Eziama in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State to determine the haemoglobin level and intestinal parasites in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. In total, 281 stool and blood samples were collected from the women. The stool samples were examined using direct wet preparation and formol ether concentration technique while the haemoglobin levels of the women were estimated using cyanmethaeoglobin technique. The overall prevalence of E. histolytical, A. Lumbricoides, Hookworm Spp, T. trichuria and G. lamblia  was 10(3.6), 31(11.0), 29(10.3), 10(3.6) and 3(1.1) respectively. The proportion of pregnant women with helminithic infestation was 83 (29.6%) while their mean Heamoglobin concentration was 9.7+1.8g/dl while the pregnant women without helminthic infestation had Heamoglobin concentration of 10.4 + 1.3g/dl. The poor socioeconomic status of the women coupled with poor environmental sanitation and lack of clean portable water supply may have contributed to the high prevalence

KVANTITATIVNA PROCJENA RIZIKA UTJECAJA PIJESKA NA VIŠEFAZNI PROTOK U CJEVOVODU

The presence of sand particles flowing along with reservoir fluids in a pipeline increases the probability of pipeline failure. The risk of pipeline failure is either accentuated or abated by the flow conditions of the fluids in the pipeline. In this study, a quantitative risk analysis of the effect of sand on pipelines during multiphase flow, under the pipeline failure modes; sanding up, erosion, and encountering abnormal pressure gradient was conducted. Three piping components were considered: line pipe (nominal size 1.5 in [3.8 cm]), swing check valve (nominal size 12.007 in [30.5cm]) and 90 deg LR Elbow (nominal size 2.25 in [5.7cm]). Correlations that indicate the critical velocities and the critical sand concentrations above/below which these failures occur were employed and implemented in a Visual Basic program. The analysis was conducted at a temperature of 204 °C and pressure of 604 psi [4.2×106 Pa]. A probability distribution, simulating real-life scenario was developed using Monte Carlo simulation. This determines the probability of deriving critical sand concentration values that fall beyond the set statistical limits which indicates the probability of occurrence of the failure being investigated. For all three failures, the severity of occurrence (represented by CAPEX incurred in solving the failures) was multiplied with the probability of failure which gave rise to the risk indexes. Based on the histogram plot of average risk index and analysis, the study reveals that larger diameter components are prone to turbulence which lead to greater risk of erosion. The risk of abnormal pressure drop and sanding up were considerably lower than that for erosion (abrasion).Prisutnost čestica pijeska, koje zajedno s proizvodnim fluidom protječu cjevovodom, povećava vjerojatnost nastanaka kvara na cjevovodu. Rizik od kvara na cjevovodu uvelike ovisi (ili je dodatno potenciran ili je smanjen) o uvjetima protjecanja fluida u cjevovodu. U ovome su radu prikazani rezultati kvantitativne analize rizika utjecaja pijeska na cjevovode tijekom višefaznoga protjecanja u uvjetima nastanka kvara na cjevovodu: nakupljanja pijeska, erozije i pojave povećanoga gradijenta tlaka. U analizi su razmatrane tri komponente cjevovoda: cijev (nominalna veličina 1,5 in [3,8 cm]), ventil s povratnom zaklopkom (engl. swing check valve) (nominalna veličina 12,007 in [30,5 cm]) i LR koljeno od 90 stupnjeva (nominalna veličina 2,25 in [5,7 cm]). Korelacije, koje upućuju na kritične brzine i kritične koncentracije pijeska vrijednosti iznad ili ispod kojih se navedeni kvarovi cjevovoda javljaju, prikazane su u programu Visual Basic. Analiza je provedena na temperaturi od 204 ˚C i tlaku od 604 psi [4,2 × 106 Pa]. Distribucija vjerojatnosti, simulirajući realan scenarij, dobivena je korištenjem Monte Carlo simulacije. Utvrđena je vjerojatnost pojave kritičnih vrijednosti koncentracije pijeska, koje se nalaze izvan postavljenih statističkih granica, što upućuje na vjerojatnost pojave uzroka kvara koji se istražuje. Za sva tri uzroka kvara posljedice pojave (prikazane kapitalnim troškovima (CAPEX) sanacije nastalih kvarova) pomnožene su s vjerojatnošću kvara, čime je dobiven indeks rizika. Na temelju histogramskoga dijagrama prosječnoga indeksa rizika i analize, provedenim istraživanjem utvrđeno je da su komponente većega promjera sklone turbulenciji, što dovodi do većega rizika od erozije. Rizik od velikoga pada tlaka i nakupljanja pijeska bio je znatno manji od rizika od erozije (abrazije)

Flour nutritional profile, and soxhlet-extracted oil physicochemical breakdown-storage performance of white melon (Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin) seed varieties from Southeast Nigeria

White melon (Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin), is among common and yet underutilized oil seed crop within the West African region, does not have sufficient information specific to its nutrient composition for foreign consumers. To supplement existing information, therefore, we investigated the nutritional profile of defatted and full-fat flour, alongside physicochemical breakdown and storage performance of soxhlet-extracted oil from two white melon (C. mannii) seed varieties found in Southeast Nigeria. Nutritional profile involved the determinations of proximate composition, minerals, vitamins, functional properties as well as amino acid profile. Physicochemical breakdown involved the determinations of fatty acid profile, lipid breakdown parameters, as well as associated physical attributes. Results showed defatting of flours increased the protein (69.04%), carbohydrates (16.26%), crude fiber (2.68%), ash (11.9%), mineral (Na ranging from 223.92-246.99 mg/100g), and vitamin contents (Vit B1 ranging from 0.453-0.712 mg/100g). Total amino acid differed slightly when comparing miniature (30.36 g/100g) and large (22.36 g/100g) seeds. Soxhlet-extracted oil possessed low thiobarbituric acid, acid, and peroxide values (0.030 and 0.038 mg MDA/kg, 1.08 and 1.27 mg KOH/g, and 2.95 and 3,94 mEqO2/kg, for large and miniature seeds respectively), and peak linoleic acid (5 and 6.45 mg/ml, for miniature and large seeds respectively). During storage, the thiobarbituric acid and peroxide values of soxhlet-extracted oil increased yet within acceptable limits. © 2023 Nwoke et al

Malaria knowledge and agricultural practices that promote mosquito breeding in two rural farming communities in Oyo State, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Agricultural practices such as the use of irrigation during rice cultivation, the use of ponds for fish farming and the storage of water in tanks for livestock provide suitable breeding grounds for anthropophylic mosquitoes. The most common anthropophylic mosquito in Nigeria which causes much of the morbidity and mortality associated with malaria is the anopheles mosquito. Farmers are therefore at high risk of malaria - a disease which seriously impacts on agricultural productivity. Unfortunately information relating to agricultural practices and farmers' behavioural antecedent factors that could assist malaria programmers plan and implement interventions to reduce risk of infections among farmers is scanty. Farmers' knowledge about malaria and agricultural practices which favour the breeding of mosquitoes in Fashola and Soku, two rural farming communities in Oyo State were therefore assessed in two rural farming communities in Oyo State.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This descriptive cross-sectional study involved the collection of data through the use of eight Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and the interview of 403 randomly selected farmers using semi-structured questionnaires. These sets of information were supplemented with observations of agricultural practices made in 40 randomly selected farms. The FGD data were recorded on audio-tapes, transcribed and subjected to content analysis while the quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most respondents in the two communities had low level of knowledge of malaria causation as only 12.4% stated that mosquito bite could transmit the disease. Less than half (46.7%) correctly mentioned the signs and symptoms of malaria as high body temperature, body pains, headache, body weakness and cold/fever. The reported main methods for preventing mosquito bites in the farming communities included removal of heaps of cassava tuber peelings (62.3%), bush burning/clearing (54.6%) and clearing of ditches (33.7%). The dumping of cassava tuber peelings which allows the collection of pools of water in the farms storage of peeled cassava tubers soaked in water in uncovered plastic containers, digging of trenches, irrigation of farms and the presence of fish ponds were the observed major agricultural practices that favoured mosquito breeding on the farms. A significant association was observed between respondents' knowledge about malaria and agricultural practices which promote mosquito breeding. Respondents' wealth quintile level was also seen to be associated with respondents' knowledge about malaria and agricultural practices which promote mosquito breeding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Farmers' knowledge of malaria causation and signs and symptoms was low, while agricultural practices which favour mosquito breeding in the farming communities were common. There is an urgent need to engage farmers in meaningful dialogue on malaria reduction initiatives including the modification of agricultural practices which favour mosquito breeding. Multiple intervention strategies are needed to tackle the factors related to malaria prevalence and mosquito abundance in the communities.</p