Effects of Compost on Mycelia Growth and Fructification, Mineral Elements and Proximate Composition of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fries)

Studies were conducted on the growth and cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fries) singer on lingocellulosic waste. Long composted substrate formulations of sawdust (86%) + rice bran (10%) + cassava peel (4%) supported the longest mycelia growth and density. Long composted also produced larger fruitbodies and significant increase in number of fruitbodies and compost % yield compared with uncomposted substrate having the same formulations. The mineral elements of Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, K, and P were found to increase from very young to mature fruitbody of both composted and uncomposted substrate with preponderance of potassium. Similar results were obtained for crude protein. However, organic carbon and organic matter tend to decrease from very young to mature fruitbody of composted and uncomposted substrates.Keywords: Composting, Fructification, Mineral Elements Pleurotus pulmonarius, Organic carbon and Organic matter

Adaptive Measures for the Factors Affecting Marketing of Coffee (Coffea robusta Rio Nunes) in Kogi State, Nigeria

Kogi State is known as the major producer of Coffea robusta in Nigeria. Income generated from marketing of coffee in the State contributed to sustenance of livelihoods and development of communities. Currently, marketing of coffee is in a regretful state and stakeholders are abandoning the trade. The study therefore assessed the factors affecting marketing of coffee in the State. Primary data was collected through interviews and focus group discussion. Four major stakeholders were observed along the marketing chain of coffee in the study area; they included the farmers, local buyers popularly known as produce buyers, secondary processors, and exporters. The major challenges facing marketing of coffee in the study area was poor pricing and marketing systems; this is as a result of inappropriate processing method, lack of quality control and relevant information on improved coffee technologies. Farmers lamented that the abolition of Commodity Marketing Board has a great negative impacts on marketing of coffee in Nigeria. Intervention measures may include the introduction of local or national coffee quality control and certification systems; formation of the coffee producers' and marketers' cooperative society and the establishment of an effective local and export commodity marketing boards to protect farmers against price instability.Key words: Marketing chain, Commodity Marketing Board, quality control, poor pricin