Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 10 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper
    
Real-Time Oil Palm Fruit Maturity Prediction: A Simulation-Based Approach

Mohd. Hudzari Razali¹*, Wan Ishak Wan Ismail^1,2, Abd. Rahman Ramli¹, Md. Nasir Sulaiman³ and Mohd. Haniff B. Harun⁴

¹Intelligent System and Robotics Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang,
Selangor, Malaysia.
²Department of Biological and Agriculture Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang,
Selangor, Malaysia.
³Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Faculty of Science Computer and Information
Technology, 43400 Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
⁴Crop Physiology, Biological Research Division, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru
Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Accepted 23 February, 2024

Abstract

This paper is to introduce the new method of procedure in studying the relationship of the mesocarp oil content with the colour skin of oil palm fruit with respect to its maturity. The procedure started after collecting the fruitlets sample from fresh fruit bunches (FFB) during unripe, until overripe stage. The variety of oil palm is PISIFERA (Dura X Tenera). The images on each three age categories of FFB were captured at monitoring area with setting image parameter. NIKON coolpix4500 digital camera with tele converter zooming device was used to capture the image. Subsequently, after the end of the capturing session, the fruitlets were pulled from FFB and sent to analyse for oil mesocarp content. The Soxhlet Extractor Soxhlet apparatus is used to determine the oil content of the fruit based on the experiment of standard bunch analysis procedure. The image will be analysed for optical properties of colour, using developed analysis Graphical User Interface (GUI). Using regression analysis of polynomial 2nd order method, it shows that the optical property of oil palm fruit was significant in determining the oil mesocarp fruit with respect to its degree of maturity.

Key words: Day estimation for harvesting, hue digital value, maturity prediction, mesocarp oil content, oil palm optical properties.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 10 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the potential and obstacles of vermiculture practices in Southwest Nigeria

Aladesida, A. A.¹*, Owa, S. O.², Dedeke, G. A.¹ and Adewoyin O. A.³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].
²Department of Biological Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.
³Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.    

Received 22 February, 2023; Accepted 26 February, 2023

Abstract

The prospect of vermiculture in the south-western coast of Nigeria was studied. One hundred and two respondents were interviewed in the three coastal towns of Badagry, Epe and Igbokoda. The results show that 94% of respondents made use of earthworms as fish bait, 37% buy their worms and 57% collected by themselves. The respondents, who buy, however, noted that their suppliers do not breed the worms but search for them from marshy areas. The price value placed on the worms ranged between 0.35 and ₦3.10 per kg; while the most quoted prices were 0.35 and ₦0.80 (16.7% each). The average quoted price was ₦0.70 per kg. Forty-six percent (46%) of respondents were willing to buy earthworms if supplied to them; 49% were willing to serve as sales agents if contacted and 66.7% opined that earthworm was their choicest fishing bait. The results indicate positive expectation for vermiculture as a business venture. Vermiculture should, however, put into consideration the production of Alma millsoni and Libyodrilus violaceus, the species quoted as the most preferred and effective for fishing. Vermiculture will go a long way in solving the problem of earthworm scarcity among these people, reduce the stress put on natural populations earthworms, thus conserving the worms and also reduce damage done to the soil environment in the course of excavating for worms.

Key words: Vermiculture, earthworm, prospects.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of wheat varieties for resistance to leaf rust in Ethiopian conditions

Netsanet Bacha Hei

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ambo-PPRC, P. O. Box 37, Ambo, Ethiopia. E-mail: [email protected].

Received 5 August, 2023; Accepted 20 September, 2023

Abstract
Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Eriks) is the most common rust disease of wheat in wheat-producing areas of Ethiopia. The use of cultivars with durable resistance is the most economical way of controlling the disease. Field experiments were conducted at Ambo Plant Protection Research Center, Ethiopia during 2013 to 2014 main cropping seasons to reveal variability for field based slow rusting resistance to leaf rust among 18 improved wheat cultivars grown in Ethiopia. Parameters used as criteria to identify slow rusting included final rust severity (FRS), coefficient of infection (CI), relative area under disease progress curve (rAUDPC) and infection rate (Inf-rate). Among these parameters, FRS, CI and rAUDPC were found to be reliable to assess slow rusting in the cultivars. The results revealed that wheat cultivars Pavon 76, Africa Mayo, Bonny, Galili, Qulqulu, Hawi and Senqegna had low disease severities (< 30%) with moderately susceptible reactions, lower rAUDPC values (>30%) and CI (< 20) and were identified to have good level of slow rusting resistance. Cultivars Kubsa, Galama and PBW 343 had moderate values for slow rusting parameters and were identified as possessing moderate level of slow rusting. The slow rusting cultivars identified from the current study can be used for further manipulation in wheat improvement programs.

Key words: Leaf rust, Puccinia triticina, resistance, slow rusting, wheat.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of proximate composition and microbial contamination in artisanal and manufactured bambara nut condiment

¹Adamu Shahidah A., ¹Nazidi Ibrahim, ²Salau I. A. and ²Sambo S

¹Department of Microbiology, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Nigeria
*²Department of Biology, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Nigeria

Accepted 16 December, 2023

Abstract

^{The proximate composition and microbiological load of bambara nut (Vigna subterranea L (Verd) condiment: inoculated and un-inoculated samples were evaluated. The proximate composition revealed variations between unfermented and fermented seeds of bambara nut with lipid having a value of 1.67 and 13.33%; protein value 6.53 and 11.44%; then carbohydrate was 77.8 and 49.46% respectively. The organisms associated with fermented Bambara nut condiment were Staphylococcus saprophyticus and streptococcus species in un-inoculated sample and Bacillus subtilis and B licheniformis in inoculated sample. This suggests that ‘bambara nut condiment’ is a good and cheap source of protein for the lower class, who cannot afford other expensive sources of proteins.}

Keywords: Bambara nut, condiment, inoculated, un-inoculated and proximate composition.
 

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Estimates of Milk Production and Correlation with Linear Body Measurements of Piglets from Nigerian Indigenous Pigs (Nip), Exotic and the Crossbred Sows

Oluwole O. O., Tiamiyu A.K., Olorungbohunmi T.O., Adesehinwa A.O.K.

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 20 July, 2023

Abstract

A study was conducted to estimate milk production and its correlation with body linear measurement of NIP, exotic and the crossbred pigs. Once in a week piglets were separated from their mothers for 1hr and weighed before and after being allowed to suckle its dam to satiety. This was done four times in a day per week. Suckling periods did not exceed 30 minutes. Differences between pre- and post-suckling weights were recorded as estimated milk production of the dam. The results revealed that the parental genotype significantly (p<0.05) affected the milk yield. The interaction between genotype and age significantly affected the growth performance of the litters as well as milk yield of their dams. For the first week to third week where the milk yield of sow normally peak, NIP dam continuously outperform both exotic and crossbred dams in terms of milk yield. In contrast litters of NIP dams which have access to milk, however, grow less than litter of both exotic and crossbred dams. At the weaning age of seven weeks, mean weight of crossbred pig was the highest with value of 7.69kg, followed by 6.55kg of exotic and lastly 5.66kg for NIP. There was high correlation between the week of lactation and milk yield with the highest value of 0.95.

Keywords: Milk Production, Piglets, pigs (Nip).

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2756-326X Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Epilepsy Risks and Porcine Farming in North West Cameroon: A Comprehensive Analysis

Humphrey Ngala Ndi¹* and Jude Ndzifon Kimengsi²

¹Department of Geography, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.

²Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda, Cameroon.

Accepted 14 October, 2023

Abstract

This study posits that socioeconomic factors determine the patterns of epilepsy. The transmission of cysticerci between pig and man is facilitated by traditional pig rearing, slaughtering, and the poor detection of Taenia solium in slaughter pigs. Neurocysticercosis, resulting from T. solium is often associated with focal epilepsy. To ascertain this relationship, a co-relational design was applied to compare epilepsy prevalence with human activities that may predispose people to the risks of the disease. Information on epilepsy and T. solium was sourced from survey by questionnaire. Hospitals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also provided information. The lack of coherent data on epilepsy however lessened the desired rigour in the test of the association of T. solium and epilepsy. Whereas porcine farming and epilepsy were reported from the entire region, Mezan and Batibo dominated both. The obtained Kendall’s tau of -0.881 indicated a strong negative correlation between epilepsy and pork consumption in the areas surveyed. Notwithstanding, the disagreement among researchers on the association between neurocysticercosis and epilepsy, agreement is strong on the association of neorocysticercosis porcine farming areas. Thus, the strength of this study resides in the attempt to pattern porcine farming and epilepsy geographically. Such surveys can provide clues to disease control and the fight against T. solium.

Key words: Epilepsy, porcine farming, Taenia solium, neurocysticercosis, Batibo, Cameroon.