Performance of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Enhanced By Organic Fertilizer in a Forest Agroecology, Nigeria

There is a growing interest in the use of organic fertilizers for vegetable production in Nigeria, it is important to determine the appropriate rate of application. Field trial was conducted in 2016 to evaluate the effects of cow dung application on growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L) at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.  The treatments consisted of cow dung applied at 0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha-1 arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on plant height, length of leaf, number of leaves, bulb length, bulb diameter and number of bulb, weight of single bulb plant-1, total biological weight and bulb yield. The result indicated that cow dung rates significantly influenced growth of onion with tallest plant, highest number of leaves and leaf length of 53.87 cm, 6.33 and 58.94 cm respectively. The highest number of bulb (51.8), weight of single bulb (51.9 g), total biological weight (57.4 g) and bulb yield  (14.5 t/ha) were obtained with 20 t/ha rate of application. Addition of cow dung can improved the fertility of the soils for onion production in the forest agroecology leading to low cost input by peasant farmers. Keywords: Agroecology, bulb, cow dung, onion, organic manure, yields

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Entrepreneurship Among Women In Fishing Communities In Ondo State, Nigeria

From the early years till date, Nigerian women in fishing sector remain a potent force in the economic growth of fishing communities. However, many socio-economic factors influence their entrepreneurial skills. This paper examines some objectives such as, what roles do women play in planning and fisheries management? What are the socio-economic factors determining fishing households? What is the allocation of labour/time between productive and non-productive activities? What are the effects of simulated policies on entrepreneurship among the women? Ilaje and Ese–Odo local Government areas of Ondo State are the study areas. One hundred respondents were interviewed in all. Descriptive tools as frequencies, percentages, means and modes were used to analyze the primary data. The study found that overall entrepreneurial rating of the study group is low, essential input can not be easily gotten in the area, the respondents has large household size thereby had a large dependents to take care of, income level is generally low, no modern processing technique and no storage facilities. It also established the need to help them. Key words: Socio-economic factors, entrepreneurship, fishing communities, women to acquire modern skills hence general improvement in their livelihoods. Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 1-1

Modeling of acetosolv pulp yields from plantain stalk

Organosolv pulping processes have been developed as a substitute to the conventional process because of its little or no emission into the environment. Plantain stalk was subjected to acetosolv pulping at atmospheric conditions under the influence of three operating parameters, namely, concentration of acetic acid, H2SO4 – catalyst and time. The influence of the operationalvariables on the pulp yield was evaluated using a second - order factorial design. The results showed that the highest pulp yield was 64.14 % which was obtained at the lowest value of the operational variables. The greatest influence on the pulp yield was caused by the concentration of acetic acid while the H2SO4 – catalyst had the least. The polynomial equation derived predicted the pulp yields with errors less than 6 %.Keywords: Acetosolv, pulp yield, operational variables, factorial desig

\u3ci\u3eTheobroma cacao\u3c/i\u3e Pod Silage Diets; Effect on Mineral and Anti-Nutrients Utilization by Goats

A 63-day study was conducted to evaluate the mineral and anti-nutrients utilization and weight gain by west African dwarf goats fed Theobroma cacao pod silage diets. Cocoa pod husk used was collected, crushed to 2 cm particle size, divided into 4 equal portions, and ensiled differently with synthetic and non-synthetic fertilizer for 28 days under anaerobic conditions to increase the nutrients. Thereafter the ensiled products were dried and incorporated with other convectional feed ingredients at fixed amount to make four diets to feed twenty-four goats (six goats per treatment). Nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient composition were assayed; sex effect on intake (nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient), utilization, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. From the results, the non-protein nitrogen sources proved to improve the nutritional values of the diets, and rich enough to support the growth of goats. The goat-does were observed to consume more of their feeds than the bucks. Anti-nutrients were tolerable and did not hinder utilization/depress weight gain. Goats fed diet D (5% urea ensiled CPH) had the highest weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio. Hence, it could be recommended to ruminant farmers for adoption, to improve livelihoods in sub-Sahara Africa

Evaluation of Agronomic and Physiological Characteristics of Ten Castor Bean Plant Accessions in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

In spite of numerous industrial benefit of castor plant (Ricinus communis L.), its production is hindered due to lack of adequate agronomic practices. Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria during 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons to evaluate the performance of ten accessions of castor plant. The treatments consisted of nine improved accessions of castor plant and a local variety. In each year, the 10 treatments were laid out in completely randomize block design and replicated three times. Data were collected on growth, seed yield and yield attributes parameters. Data collected in 2014 and 2015 were pooled and subjected to analysis of variance while means were separated using Least Significant Difference at 5% probability level. Growth, yield and yield attributes parameters of castor plant accessions were significantly influenced (p≤0.05). NCRICAS041 produced the tallest plant (190.0 cm) at harvest which was significantly taller than others. The highest mean number of capsules per raceme (150.33) produced by NCRICAS056 was significantly higher than others. NCRICAS056 produced the highest seed yield (1,919 kg/ha) while NCRICAS057 gave the least (1,047 kg/ha). The results of accessions seed yield attributes did not followed any specific other. In conclusion, variability among the accessions in growth and seed yield were apparent. Accessions NCRICAS041 and NCRICAS056 performed better than the locally sourced CASGPMAN. They are therefore recommended for the study area. Keywords: Castor, Accessions, Growth parameter, Seed, Seed attributes, DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-18-03 Publication date:September 30th 201

Dry Matter, Protein and Fibre Digestibility by West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Varying Levels of \u3cem\u3eVernonia amygdalina\u3c/em\u3e Meal in Cassava Starch Residue-Based Diets

It is imperative to find alternative source(s) of feed for livestock in lieu of the limited availability of conventional concentrates and the competition for this resource by man. One plant with great potential for the livestock is bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina). It is wide spread with about 200 species, is edible, drought tolerant, nutritious and has been found to have medicinal qualities (John 1994). V. amygdalina has an astringent taste which affects its intake. Bitter leaf meal contains 20-34% crude protein (CP) and can be used as protein supplement (Aregheore et al. 1998). With the recent introduction of trees and shrubs into cropping and grazing systems to provide high protein fodder to supplement post harvest crop residues, it is conceivable that V. amygdalina could play a valuable role in ruminant feeding system. This study was conducted to assess the dry matter, protein and fibre digestibility by WAD sheep fed diets containing various levels of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal

Librarians’ attitude toward monetary and non-monetary incentives in university libraries: A case of selected university libraries in Nigeria

The study uses a structured questionnaire to gather information on librarians’ perception towards monetary andnon-monetary incentives in university libraries in Nigeria. Questionnaires were distributed to 45 librarians in the selecteduniversity libraries through the use of simple random sampling techniques to understand the attitude of librarians towardsmonetary and non-monetary incentives. The findings revealed that librarians are aware of both monetary and non-monetaryincentives and that majority of the librarians benefited from monetary incentives. Motivation, job satisfaction and increase inorganizational commitment are some of the benefits librarians derive from monetary and non-monetary incentives.Recommendations include linking of reward directly to performance and the need to pay reasonable salary and wages tolibrarians in order to make them more effective

CORROSION PERFORMANCE OF 1014 MILD AND 304 STAINLESS STEELS IN ACIDIC MEDIA

Corrosion is a degradation of metallic materials under the action of the environment which requires oxygen and moisture to occur. This research work determined the corrosion performance of 1014 low carbon and 304 austenitic stainless steels in different concentration of acidic media. Corrosion tests were carried out using gravimetric technique. One hundred and eighty samples of the metals were prepared and immersed in containers of sulphuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3) at 1, 2 & 3 M. The samples were then removed every three days for a period of 15 days to measure the weight loss. These were used to calculate the corrosion rates. The chemical analysis was determined using an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX).  Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to determine the texture of the samples. The results showed that the corroded samples had pitting corrosion damage and cracks propagated generally on the sample surfaces. The corrosion rates of the samples increased with increase in molarities of the reagents, Stainless steel samples had the least corroded surfaces. The study concluded that the higher the level of concentration of acidic media (1 to 3 M), the higher the corrosion rates of samples in increasing order of HNO3, HCl and H2SO4 especially for mild steel sample (4.35 to 17.90, 0.21 to 2.90 and 10.37 to 0.64 mm/y) after 360 hours of immersion respectively. &nbsp