A precision nutrient variability study of an experimental plot in Mukono Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Mukono, Uganda

The spatial soil fertility status of a 2.5 ha experimental plot was generated by mapping the soil nutrient concentration and fertility status using GIS kriging technique. The research was conducted in Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Mukono, Uganda in October 2013. Soil samples across the experimental plot were randomly taken for laboratory analysis of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and the organic matter content. The mean values of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and the organic matter content were 0.16%, 13.7 ppm, 0.44 cmol/kg, 5.35 cmol/kg, 4.83 cmol/kg and 2.78% respectively. The spatial concentration of each element and the organic matter was carried out by the interpolation technique using the 3D Analyst/Raster Interpolation/Kriging Tools while the overlay operations to generate the soil fertility map was carried out using the 3D Analyst/Raster Math Tools in ArcMap. The autocorrelation analysis was carried out using the Spatial Statistics/Spatial Autocorrelation Tools. The autocorrelation analysis indicated N, Ca, Mg and organic matter to be somewhat clustered each with the Moran’s 1 Index of 0.37, P was clustered with Moran’s 1 Index of 0.5while potassium pattern was neither clustered nor dispersed. The spatial soil fertility pattern reflected the distribution of nutrient concentration.Key words: Nutrient variability mapping, Kriging technique, fertility mapping

Comparative effects of organic compost and NPK fertilizer on soil fertility, yield and quality of amaranth in southwest Nigeria

The need for an increased production of vegetables to meet the dietary vitamin requirements of the people had necessitated a research in the use of manure in improving the soil fertility for an improved yield andquality of amaranth. The research was conducted in Obasoto Farm (latitude 7°10’N and longitude 5°37’E) in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria in the early and late seasons of 2007, 2008 and 2009. Theexperimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments replicated three times. The three treatments were 0 kg/ha manure, 2t/ha organic compost and 200 kg/ha NPK 15-15-15. Amaranthus cruentus seeds obtained from the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project were raised in the nursery and transplanted at a spacing of 10 x 20 cm into 1 x 3 meter manually prepared beds. Each manure type wasincorporated by ploughing it in while preparing the bed at 600 g organic compost and 60 g NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer per the 1 x 3 meter bed respectively. Pre-treatment and post planting soil samples were taken forlaboratory soil analysis of soil chemical properties for a comparison of the assessment of the cumulative effects of organic compost and inorganic fertilizer in improving soil fertility over a period of three years. The organicmatter increased by 23.3% and 0.6% in the second and third year respectively in the plot treated with organic compost, while there was no such increase trend in the plot treated with 200 kg NPK/ha. The organic matter content correlated positively with the yield and vitamin C content of amaranth

Comparative effects of mechanized and manual tillage practices on soil properties and the yield of seed yam in Southwest Nigeria

The effects of various tillage systems on soil physical and chemical properties and the yield of seed yam were investigated and compared in a research conducted in Akure (Latitude 7o18’N and Longitude 5o15’E)-Nigeria in 2008 and 2009. Three tillage systems comprising ploughing plus harrowing, ploughing plus harrowing plus ridging and manual ridging were replicated three times in a randomized complete block experimental design. Healthy yam tubers weighing about 1 kg were cut into minisetts of about 25 g, treated with a mixture of wood ash and demosan fungicide and planted in nursery made of moist sawdust. The minisetts sprouted after three weeks and at four weeks, transplanted to the field prepared under the various tillage methods. 100 kg/ha NPK 15-15-15 were applied at eight weeks after transplanting the seed yam seedlings while soil physical and chemical properties were taken at five months and the harvesting of seed yam done at six months after transplanting the seedlings. Soil bulk density was significantly high with a correspondingly lower porosity in the ploughed plus harrowing plot while the least values were observed in the ploughing plus harrowing plus ridging plot. The organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and the cation exchange capacity were in the medium adequate range for good seed yam growth. Bulk density was a major factor that influenced seed yam performance with the ridged plots producing lower bulk density and higher tuber weight and yield. The tuber weight and yield were comparable in both the mechanically and manually ridged plots.Keywords: Mechanized and manual tillage, comparative effects, soil properties, seed yam yiel

Evaluation of antibody response by dogs vaccinated with low egg passage, flurry strain anti-rabies vaccine using single and multiple sites

Twelve dogs were immunized with live attenuated flury strain antirabies vaccine using single, double and triple inoculation sites of the recommended dose, but in divided doses for the double and triple sites. All the dogs were screened for neutralizing antibodies against rabies before immunization, while sera were collected on day 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 28 post immunization. These sera were analyzed for viral neutralization and protection using mouse neutralization test (MNT). All the sites induced sero-conversion in all subjects from day one post vaccination, but the levels of neutralizing antibody production with triple site regime showed a four-fold increase in serum titre over the two-site regime. A 100% sero-conversion was achieved by day 28 post vaccination for the triple-site regime

Effect of the seed oil of three Botanicals, Jatropha curcas (L), Helianthus annus (L) and Cocos nucifera (L) on the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Mots)

The insecticidal properties of seed oil of three botanicals namely Jatropha curcas, Heliathus annus (sunflower) and Cocos nucifera (coconut) were tested on the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Mots. The application doses were 0.1ml, 0.2ml, 0.3ml and 0.4ml per insect. There were a total of 20 insects per Petri-dish. Mortality was monitored daily for three days. The results of insects treated with all dosage rates of Cocos nucifera showed a significantly higher mortality when compared with the control. The least mortality being 50% for the least dosage applied after 24hours. In the case of H. annus, insect mortality ranged from 40%-100%, 70%-100%, 60%-100% and 80%-100% for rates of 0.1ml, 0.2ml, 0.3ml and 0.4ml respectively from 12hours to 24hours post application. The least rate of application of Jatropha produced 70% mortality after 24hours, while the dosage of 0.3ml and 0.4ml produced 80% mortality after 24hours. The control experiment remained at 0% level throughout the period of the experiments.Key Words: Seed oil, Botanicals insecticide, Sitophilus zeamais

A review of morbidity pattern among undergraduate Law students that accessed healthcare at a private University clinic in South-west, Nigeria

Background: There is a growing youth population in Nigeria’s universities. It is important to understand the prevailing health problems of undergraduate students and provide services that are responsive to their health needs. Hence, this study assessed the morbidity pattern among law undergraduates that accessed care at a private Nigerian university clinic.Methods: A review of health records of 569 undergraduate law students who attended Babcock University, Iperu campus clinic, Ogun State, from January-December 2018 was conducted. Data were extracted from clinic cards and information on socio-demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, diagnosis, drugs prescribed and outcome of care were obtained. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and summarised using frequencies and percentages.Results: The median age of the clinic attendees was 18.7 years and 410 (72.1%) of the clinic attendees were females. Fifth year students accessed care at the University clinic more than other undergraduates, 228 (40.1%). The common morbidities were malaria, 291 (51.1%), respiratory tract infection, 269 (47.3%), malnutrition, 221 (38.8%) and dysmenorrhea, 84 (14.8%). The commonly prescribed class of drugs were analgesics 454 (79.8%), haematinics 401 (70.1%), antibiotics 397 (69.8%), antihistamines 290 (51.0%) and antimalarials 260 (45.7%).Conclusion: Communicable diseases such as malaria and respiratory tract infections were the most common morbidities among the students studied. The study findings are important in planning university health services aimed at effective prevention and treatment of common morbidities among undergraduates. The university needs to increase sensitization among students with the aim of improving clinic service utilization by students, especially the non-final year students. Keywords: Health problems; Undergraduate students; Private University; Nigeri