Assessment of the Edo State of Nigeria Tractor Hiring Services

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 8 (2006): Assessment of the Edo State of Nigeria Tractor Hiring Services. Invited Overview. Vol. VIII. March, 2006

Climate change and its effect on grain crops yields in the middle belt in Nigeria

Crop yield data were obtained from Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP), Ilorin and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Lagos on the crops considered in this study, while climate data were sourced from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Oshodi, Lagos and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Lagos for a decade (2002 - 2011). These data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and Microsft Excel in order to evaluate the impact of climate on the yield on reference crops in Kwara State, Nigeria. Multiple regression, trend analysis, correlation analytical and ANOVA techniques were used to analyze the data. This study was necessitated by the decline observed in the production of cash crops in the state. The result obtained from the analysis carried out on the output per hectare showed that the impact of climate on crop yield was significant for maize and rice yield at 95% probability level while the impact of climate on the yield of millet, sorghum and cowpea was insignificant. As a result, it is recommended that investment should be made to intensify the cultivation of crops on which climate had no significant impact on their yield.Key words: Agriculture, climate, grain-crops, yield, decade

Assessment of Crop Storage Structures in Swaziland

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 8 (2006): Assessment of Crop Storage Structures in Swaziland. Invited Overview. Vol. VIII. October, 2006

Termite Mound Clay as Material for Grain Silo Construction

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Termite Mound Clay as Material for Grain Silo Construction. Manuscript BC 07 002. Vol. IX. July, 2007

AMBIENT LEVELS OF GASEOUS, PARTICULATE AND BIO-AEROSOL POLLUTANTS IN FARM SETTLEMENTS ACROSS OGUN STATE, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

This study assessed the levels of air pollutants emitted outdoor of farm settlements (FS), the seasonal and temporal variations, and the relationship among the parameters monitored. Seven FS within Ogun State were investigated, with 211 sampling points established across the FS. The concentrations of VOCs, SO2, NO2, CO, O3, NH3, CO2, TSP, PM2.5 and PM10 were monitored in replicates using active potable samplers while bacteria and fungi were isolated using settle plate technique. Descriptive (means and standard deviation) and inferential statistical tools (Pearson correlation) were used to analyse the data. The mean ranges of VOCs, CO and CO2 (ppm); 20.8±10.53 – 48.67±19.05, 17.95±6.65 – 21.5±3.93, 3562.15±1200.85  –  4266±1176.85, and for bacteria and fungi (cfu/m3); 548.98±1.18 – 2255.01±1.27 and 525.68±1.15 – 1282.38±1.27 respectively were above the threshold limits. There were significant seasonal, spatial and temporal differences among observed means of VOCs, CO2 O3, TSP, PM2.5, and fungi. The bacteria and fungi count increased as TSP, PM2.5 and PM10 increased. The study established that levels of air pollutants are dependent on the type of farming practice. &nbsp

Phenotypic characteristics of local chickens in Dass and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of Bauchi State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in Dass and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of Bauchi State, between January and April 2018 to determine some characteristics of local chickens. A total of 400 matured chickens of mixed sex were used to determine the following morphometric traits; live weight (LW), wing span (WSP), body length (BL), girth circumference (GC) and shank length (SHL). Most of the birds available for the study were normal feathered (80.75 %), single combed (94.50 %), orange eyed (81.50 %), had white ear lobes (43.75 %), milky shanks (37.75 %) and red plumage (36.75 %), while the fewest types were frizzled (7.50 %), rose combed (5.50%), Brown eyed (2.50%), those with red ear lobes (22.75 %), ash shank (2.00 %), and blue plumage (1.00 %). Single combed (95.60%), orange eyed (84.10%) had white skin (98.60%) white ear lobe (44.50%), pink shank (36.00%) and red plumage (38.8%) and the fewest were rose combed (4.40%), brown eyed (1.10%), yellow skinned (1.40%), those with red ear lobe (22.31%), ash shanked (1.10%) and those with blue plumage (0.50%). Data generated on morphometric traits were analyzed using analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation analysis was used in the estimation of relationships among the measurements (morphometric traits). The overall mean of 1.67 kg, 43.19 cm, 41.27 cm, 31.49 cm and 10.19 cm for LW, WSP, BL, GC and SHL were estimated. Sex had effect on all the parameters recorded. Males were significantly heavier than female (1.79 vs 1.55 kg; p<0.001) and had wider girth (p< 0.001), longer wings (p<0.05), body (p<0.01) and shank (p<0.05). Non-significant effect of location, genotype and qualitative body traits (comb type, plumage, eye, ear lobe and shank colours) were however observed on most parameters. The correlation coefficients among the morphometric traits were high, positive and significant indicating that they can predict each other specifically during selection. Keywords: Morphometric traits, Local chickens, Correlation and Selectio

Evaluation of some farm structures in South Western Nigeria

A survey involving the use of questionnaires, personal communication, physical observation and photographic recording was undertaken in South western Nigeria comprising of Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states to identify the farm structures popularly used, materials used in their construction, their durability and maintenance culture adopted by the users. Farmhouses, cribs, barns, platforms, warehouses, silos, pens, yards and sheds, deep litter houses, palm fronds woven baskets, hutches and cages were the popular farm structures identified. Although a catalogue of materials is available for construction, cost was found to be a major factor in the selection of materials. There was extensive use of locally sourced materials such as wood, natural fibers and earth for the construction of the identified structures. The factors, which tend to reduce the service life and efficiency of these facilities, include roof leaks, abrasion of mud walls, decay and breakage of wooden members, corrosion of metal components, and pitting and cracking of concrete floors. Remedial measures taken include replastering of mud walls and cracked floors, addition of natural fibers to roofs and sealing of leaking points in galvanized roofing sheets, and replacement of broken wood components. These measures where adopted have proved quite useful in improving the efficiency and longevity of the structures. A culture of regular inspection and timely repair of damaged components to prolong the service life and reduce maintenance cost is recommended. Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 3(1) 2003: 31-3