Evaluation of a Low-Cost Greenhouse for Controlled Environment Cultivation of Sweet Pepper

Sustainable agriculture is critical towards paving a way for year-round production and supply of food all year round. Cultivation of fruits and vegetables are vital due to high demand and nutritional values it provides to consumers. The rising global population especially in developing countries require other alternatives for sustainable crop production. Cultivation in controlled environments using functional and durable greenhouse structures presents an option. A low-cost greenhouse was designed and constructed in Ibadan, Nigeria using locally available materials was evaluated. Afrormosia wood was used in constructing the frame while polyethylene of 2.5 mm thickness was used as sheathing material for the walls. The floor which covered an area of 24 m2 was made of porous concrete of batching mixture 1:4 (cement to gravel) while the wall was 4 m high. Ventilation was passive with a vent area equal to 25% of total surface area; made up of 20% at the wall area and 5% as the roof vent. The roof was pitched at a 18° slope to allow easy drainage of rain water. Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum, Cabernet) seeds procured Burpee Seeds USA were cultivated with the aid of planting pots within the greenhouse in comparison with those planted in the open field for a duration of eight weeks. Evaluation was based on crop growth and yield parameters correlated with solar radiation, temperature and relative humidity in the greenhouse and ambient environments, respectively using randomized complete block design. Data were subjected to descriptive and correlation analysis. Peak temperature and RH were 31.1°C and 91.1% respectively within the greenhouse in comparison with 29.7°C and 89.7% respectively outside. Peak solar radiation was 413.4 W/m2 in the greenhouse compared to 690.3 W/m2 in the ambient. Growth parameters showed that the crops in the greenhouse performed optimally when compared with plants in the open field with a yield of 18.1 t/ha in the greenhouse compared with no-yield recorded in the open field. Utilization of greenhouses in crop cultivation can help to mitigate the problem of food shortage

Pharmacokinetics and clinical evaluations of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in puppies

Background: The study was aimed at investigating the effect of dosing intervals on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in puppies.Methods: Local puppies were assigned to Groups A and B (n=6) and administered gentamicin intramuscularly once (6 mg/kg) or twice (3 mg/kg) daily, respectively, for 5 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters such as urine protein, creatinine, ɤ-glutamyl transferase, as well as serum creatinine (SCR) and urea nitrogen were determined spectrophotometrically using specific kits before and after treatment. Peak and trough serum concentrations of gentamicin were determined by immunoassay on 1st and 5th day treatment. Thereafter, elimination rate constants and corresponding half-lives were calculated.Results: No significant increase in SCR concentrations in both groups was observed, but values on day 7 were slightly above normal. Conversely, there was a significant increase above normal in serum urea nitrogen on days 4 and 7 in Group A, whereas this was observed only on day 7 in Group B. Even though all other biochemical parameters assayed for were within normal, an increasing trend was noticed as the length of treatment days increased in both groups. In both groups, peak serum concentrations of gentamicin did not differ significantly. There was a 4- and 16-fold significant increase in trough levels after the last treatment in Groups A and B, respectively. Although peak and trough concentrations increased with increasing length of treatment, all the values were well below 10 µg/ml and 2 µg/ml, respectively, as required.Conclusion: These suggest the risk of nephrotoxicity following treatment with gentamicin beyond 5 consecutive days irrespective of the dosing interval in puppies

Evaluation of Post-vaccinal Antibody Response to Canine Distemper Virus Vaccine Following a Single Dose of Multivalent (DHLPPi) Vaccines to Nigerian Local Breeds of Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

The current level of morbidity and mortality among dogs due to canine distemper virus infection raise concerns about the effectiveness of commercially available DHLPPi vaccines. The prevalence of the disease despite vaccination warranted the evaluation of the potency of vaccines that are used for routine vaccination in Nigeria. This study was conducted to investigate antibody responses to the three common brands of DHLPPi vaccines for dogs and to recommend the best immunogenic brand for routine vaccination in dogs in Nigeria. Twenty local breed of dogs, age 8 -14 weeks were purchased from dog breeders in Ibadan, Oyo-State, Nigeria. The dogs were screened for heamoparasites and endoparasites. Those that were positive were treated appropriately and they were acclimatized for three weeks in the University of Ibadan Veterinary Teaching Hospital kernels. They were divided into four groups tagged A, B, C and D. They were fed with rice and meat and formulated rations and served fresh clean water ad-libitum. Groups A, B and C were vaccinated while Group D was not vaccinated and served as the control. Blood samples were collected before vaccination (day 0) and weekly for four weeks and 90 days post-vaccination. The sera of collected blood samples were subjected to ELISA test. Mean values of ELISA antibody titers were calculated and the mean values obtained were compared for significant differences using ANOVA test and student t-test. The antibody titres of the three groups A, B and C were observed to increase within a week of vaccination, and the three vaccinated groups showed variable antibody responses on different days of samplings.characterised with rising and waning of antibodies. Group D was observed to be low titres of antibody throughout the study period. From these findings, all the vaccines were potent, however, comparatively vaccine C was the best, vaccine B was better than A. Vaccine C is therefore strongly recommended for use in dogs for routine vaccination and a booster dose should be administered 4-5 weeks after first dose for optimum humoral immunity against canine distemper virus infection. Seromonitoring is essential in planning vaccination regimen for dogs. Other factors that can affect the effectiveness of vaccine during storage, transportation and administration should be considered for a desirable resul

Public Service Reforms and the Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) PLC

Due to fiscal maladministration in the public sector and consequent inefficiency of public corporations, the Nigerian government has opted for laissez faire reforms in the public sector. One of the public corporations the government has put up for sale is Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) PLC. This paper examines the privatization process of NITEL and consequent impact on NITEL employees

Effects of Wheat and Fish Trade Restriction Policies on Households’ Vulnerability to Poverty in Nigeria

Against the expected trade liberalization policies as enunciated under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement, Nigeria currently uses trade restriction policies through tariffs and quotas to protect local producers and ensure self-sufficiency in staple food especially wheat and fish, which constitute 56% of annual food import. However, the general equilibrium effects of restrictive policy instruments are yet to be fully understood especially for the poor and the vulnerable. Living Standard (HNLSS) survey data for 2009/2010 and the NISER’s 2011 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) were used. An 80% wheat and 50% fish tariff increase as currently implemented in Nigeria were used for the simulations. Data were analyzed using computable general equilibrium (CGE) technique and Vulnerability To Poverty (VTP) measure. Prior to policy simulations, vulnerable rural and urban households in NW had the highest observed poverty (68.2% and 71.2%) while, while the rural and urban households in the south-south zone had the least (53.0% and 45.5%) respectively. The expected poverty was highest in simulation three across vulnerable and non-vulnerable households. Consequently, the ratio of expected to observed poverty indicates that vulnerable rural and urban households have the highest likelihood of sinking deeper into poverty particularly with the combined policies in simulation three. It is therefore recommended that government should strengthen domestic production of food import substitutes backed with strong value addition. Keywords:Computable general equilibrium, Per-capita consumption expenditure, Social accounting matrix, Trade restrictions, Vulnerability to poverty DOI: 10.7176/JPID/50-06 Publication date:June 30th 201

Plantain Value Chain Mapping in Southwestern Nigeria

Understanding relationships, opportunities and bottlenecks in a commodity value chain is crucial to the determination of the contribution of a commodity to economic development. The objective of the study was to Map Plantain Value Chain in order to identify the key players, their roles, value added along the chain as well as constraints. Personal Interview and Focus group discussions were used to collect primary data from the actors along the chain. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Value added analysis. The study identified conventional and peculiar actors such as Input suppliers, Producers, Farm-Gate Assemblers, Market-Arena Assemblers, Insitu Wholesalers, Transit Wholesalers, Processors, Retailers and Consumers. The study revealed tremendous dominance of the Midstream sector in the commodity value chain and that Value addition, volume of trade and geographical coverage indices were highest at the midstream sector. The result revealed also that Plantains were traded mostly in unprocessed form and there was low level of export of the commodity. Producers sold most of their product (55%) at the farm gate.  Horizontal flow of the commodity was prominent among the actors. Value added at processing level was estimated at ?111/kg of processed product. The cross cutting constraints among the actors were inadequate credit accessibility, high transportation cost, inadequate market access and inadequate storage facilities amongst others. The study recommends intervention in the area of linking actors in the value chain to prospective markets for them to benefit from the various activities.  Keywords:Plantain, Value Chain Map, Value Chain Actors, Value Added, Southwestern Nigeria

A case of polydactyly in the hind-limbs of a West African Dwarf goat in South-West Nigeria

This report describes a case of polydactyly in the hind-limb of a West African Dwarf goat kid in South West Africa. Physical examination revealed the presence of four digits in each of the hind limbs. Radiological examination and macerated bones of the animal showed a bifid shape of each metatarsal that was more prominent from the distal half of the diaphysis. This resulted in the presence of four articulating surfaces per limb at the distal extremity. Though this condition is rare in goats, we advise that continuous reporting by researchers can give a better prevalence statistics of these occurrences

Household Level Factors Responsible for Gender Poverty Among Cassava Farmers in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State

Poverty is multidimensional, enduring and is prevailing not only globally, but also particular cultural, political and economic features of a specific country increasing it. The gulf between haves and have-nots has lingered. Gender disparities, inequality, spatial dimensions, political instability, week institutions and lack of spiritual capital causes the poverty. The objective of this study was to examine the determinants of poverty among cassava producing households by gender of household heads in Odeda local government area of Ogun state. A total of 120 cassava farming household comprising of 76 male headed households and 46 female headed households were interviewed using structured questionnaire, in obtaining information from them. The study revealed that there is a positive relationship between the household size and poverty status for both the female headed households and male headed households and also the age of the household head has a negative relationship with the poverty status of the female household while farm experience and off farm activities were negatively related to the poverty status among the male household. Also, it was found out that neither of the households dominates one another in the poverty analysis. It was concluded that the household size of both the male and female households is an important determinant of poverty status as it was significant to the poverty status of the respondents.&nbsp

Technical appraisal of some maize shellers in Oyo and Kwara States of Nigeria

This study assessed the performance of some maize shellers in use in grain markets in Oyo and Kwara States, Nigeria. A preliminary survey conducted identified shellers in use as basic maize sheller (BMS) without blower, maize sheller with blower attachment (MSB) and the multi-purpose sheller (MPS). The shelling/cleaning performance of the shellers were assessed using yellow maize (SWAN 1 variety) and some key equipment parameters, which impact performance were measured. The air velocity for MSB and MPS ranged between 0.4 and 2.4 m/s which was not sufficient for efficient cleaning of chaff from shelled grains. Shaft speed for BMS, MSB and MPS were 845, 920 and 820 rpm, respectively. Average throughput for BMS, MSB and MPS was 1,714, 600 and 840 kg/hr, respectively with mean shelling efficiencies of 92.9, 82.7 and 97.9%, respectively. Mean cleaning efficiencies were 54.0 and 57.7% for MSB and MPS, respectively. The percentage grain loss for BMS, MSB and MPS were 17, 7.1 and 1.9%, respectively. It was observed that many fabricators do not consult agricultural engineers when producing machines, relying more on previous experience. Additionally, there was a lack of consideration for operator safety with the exposure of moving parts of the equipment in all the designs evaluated. A key recommendation from this study is that sheller designs should be standardized to ensure the provision of quality and highly efficient machinery for processors