Comparative Efficacy and Economic Viability of Trichoderma Strains as Bio-Control Agents for the Control of Phytophthora Pod Rot of Cocoa in Nigeria

The comparative efficacy and economic viability of Trichoderma species as bio-control agents against Phytophthora megakarya which has been hitherto elusive was determined by field application/evaluation, bean yield and accruable revenue evaluation. The trials followed randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 field constituting blocks, 24 treatments with 3 trees per treatment per replicate. The treatments were three fungicides, five bio-agents, fifteen combinations of fungicides and bio- agents while the control consists of unsprayed trees. Data were collected on total pod produced (TP), total number of disease pods (DP) and total number of fermentable pods per tree per treatment (FP) while revenue accrued (RA) and revenue-cost-ratio were also determined accordingly. All the bio-agents significantly reduced the percentage pod-rot on the field. The highest mean pod-rot incidence (16.91) among the treated was significantly lower than the control (30.14). This was observed on BA (NIG-T287) sprayed plots. Funguran 0H + NIG-T289 produced the highest (757) number of pods while the least pod production (312) was observed with Copper Sulphate + NIGT289 (F3BC) treated plots. The highest revenue-cost-ratio (69.45) was obtained from Copper Sulphate treated plots, while the least revenue-costratio (2.85) was obtained from Ridomil Gold + NIG-T288 treated plots. NIGT293 performed better than other bio-agents and most of other treatments when applied sole resulting to 45.90 comparative efficacy and economic viability. These bio-agents were successfully combined with fungicides thereby reducing the frequency of fungicide application from four to one with significant pod-rot reduction on the field, comparatively high yield and more profit (high revenue-cost-ratio).Keywords: Bio-control agents, comparative efficacy, economic viability,revenue-cost-ratio

Nutritional Status and Dietary Pattern of Male Athletes in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria

Summary: Several factors, including nutritional status and dietary pattern are paramount to optimum performance among athletes. Notwithstanding, risky behaviours that limit or impair athletic performance are widely  prevalent among athletes; these include excessive weight reduction and inappropriate dietary practices. This study was conducted to provide  information on the nutritional status and dietary pattern of athletes in  Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. This was a cross sectional descriptive study,  involving 207 athletes aged 17 to 40 years in Ibadan. Nutritional status  was assessed by anthropometric indices: Body Mass Index (BMI) and  percentage body fat (%BF). BMI was calculated from weight and height measurements and %BF was estimated from the sum of skin-fold  thickness at 4 sites (triceps, biceps, sub-scapular and supra-iliac  skin-folds). Dietary pattern was assessed by food habits and food frequency questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were  conducted to describe and examine relationships between variables. Mean (SD) for variables were: age; 26.09(±4.77) years, weight; 72.13(±0.45) kg, height; 1.74(±0.06)m, and BMI; 23.89(±3.34)kg/m2. Only 4(1.93%) of the participants were underweight, 39(18.84%) were overweight and  8(3.86%) obese. Mean (SD) of %BF among overweight athletes was  14.25(±3.12) and maximum %BF among overweight athletes was 21.2. A strong and positive correlation was observed between BMI and %BF and %BF increased with age among overweight athletes. About 72% of the  athletes skipped meals, 77% drank water or sports drinks during sporting activities, about 11% spent less than #40.00 for each meal. About 49% ate before sports. Foods most frequently consumed by athletes in this study were meat, fish, roots/tubers, cereals, vegetables and fruits. Milk and  legumes were less frequently consumed by these athletes. Most of these athletes had nutritional status adequate for their sport activity. With  regards to food habits, most of these athletes performed poorly in  frequency of meals intake but did considerably well in intake of fluids. With regards to dietary pattern, sources of daily intakes comprised of mostly of meats, fish, roots and tubers, cereals and vegetables.Keywords: Athletes, Nutritional Status, Dietary Pattern, Ibadan, Nigeri

Role of women in livestock production: A socio-economic analysis of women,animal husbandry in Sokoto state

The study focused on the role of women in livestock management with emphasis on milk production. Data for the study was collected via structured questionnaire from 120 women livestock farmers in five local governments of Sokoto state. The result of the analysis shows that majority of the women were in age range of 26-35 years and were married with virtually no western education, except quaranic education. Besides, they raised cattle, sheep and goats at different combination of which lactating cows, ewes and she goats constituted the greatest proportion per herd. The study also revealed that for both dry and wet season, labour requirements for herding feed preparation and sanitation were high. Furthermore, the average costs of the women livestock farmers wereN8159 and N4586 in the dry and wet season respectively. Gross margin per farm for wet season outweighed that of the dry season by about 14%. Common diseases of livestock in the area include foot-rot disease. Provision of well developed grazing land drugs improved veterinary centres and better breeding stock where recommended as provision for the enhancement of livestock production of women in the study area. Key words: Women livestock farmers, gross revenue, foot-rot disease, Sokoto state