Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN: 2736-1624 Vol. 14 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria in Frozen Mackerel Fish from a Humid Tropical Region

Eze, E. I.¹, Echezona, B. C.¹* and Uzodinma, E. C.²

¹Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
²Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 8 January, 2024

Abstract

Aquaculture products can harbour pathogenic bacteria, which are part of the natural micro-flora of the environment. An in-vitro assay was carried out to ascertain and identify major bacterial contaminants of frozen fish, which hitherto had constituted an important dietary intake of the people of Nsukka, Nigeria. Fish samples collected were identified and bacterial load of the samples determined using agar plate method. Differentiations and characterizations of various isolates were based on biochemical reactions and gram-staining technique. Frozen mackerel fish (Scomber scombrus) was used for the study. In-vitro assay result revealed that the samples were predominantly contaminated by three bacteria species viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum. Incidences of the various isolates in the culture were found to be 60, 20 and 15%, respectively. The mean bacteria load of the isolates was 1.135 x 106 CFU g-1. This value was found to be markedly higher than the recommended public health and safety standard value of between 5.0 x 105 CFU g-1, approved by Nigerian National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Key words: Isolation, identification, pathogenic bacteria, Scomber scombrus.
 

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN: 2736-1624 Vol. 14 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing the Public Health Consequences of Wildlife-Related Tsetse Flies in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

W. A. Ajibade* and S. A. Agbede

Department of Veterinary and Public Health, Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 3 February, 2024

Abstract

A survey of tsetse flies was carried out at the two sectors of Kainji Lake National Park. Gourtex fly traps, the drum shaped and biconical-shaped, were used. The traps were set adjacently at the same location. Four traps were set in each vegetation zone. At Bourgu Sector 20 traps were set, while 24 were set at Zurgurma sector. Cattle and Pig urine (Mixture) were used as attractant. The traps were set in the mornings and harvested in the evenings. Harvests were reserved in 4% formalin and identified later in the laboratory under microscrope. Three species of tsetse flies were identified. These include: Glossina morsitans, Glossina palpalis and Glossina tachnoides. They belong to the family Glosidae, the class insect (hexapoda) and order Diptera and genus Glosina. G. morsitans were found all over the wooded vegetation zones while G. palpalis and G. tachnoides were restricted to the Oli complex and the riverine vegetation zones at Borgu sector. At Zugurma sector, G. tachnoides was restricted to the riverine forests of River Nuwanzurugi. The reason for these findings is that morsitans group mostly live in open savanna while the palpali, which include G. palpalis and G. tachnoides inhabit the riverine area. The two types of traps, the biconical shaped traps and drum shaped, were equally efficient in catching flies (p ≤ 0.05) using one tailed t-test.

Key words:Tsetse flies, Tsetse traps, attractant, Glossina morsitans, Glossina palpalis, Glossin tachnoides.
 

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN: 2736-1624 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-008, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of Livestock Manures on Soil Organic Matter and Adsorption in Cassava Cultivation (Manihot esculenta, Crantz)

S. Bakayoko^1,2*, D. Soro^{1, 2,} C. Nindjin¹, D. Dao¹, A. Tschannen¹, O. Girardin³ and A. Assa⁴

¹Swiss Centre for Scientific Research (Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques) in Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan
01, Côte d’Ivoire.
²University of Abobo-Adjamé (University d’Abobo-Adjamé), UFR SN, Laboratory of biology and crop production, 02 BP
801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
³Rural Foundation of Jura, Courtemelon Loveresse (Fondation Rurale Interjurassienne), Post-office box: 65/2852,
Courtetelle, Swiss.
⁴University of Cocody (University de Cocody), UFR STRM, Laboratory of Soil Science and Geology, 22 BP 582 Abidjan
22, Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 14 July, 2024

Abstract

This study examined the A and B horizons of deep, developed and moderately unsaturated sandy ferrallitic soils amended with cattle and poultry manures under cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivation. Therefore, a plot experiment was carried out by using a randomized complete blocks design in 4 replications and fields treatments which included unfertilized (control) and one dose (10 t/ha) of both manures. The study of the different fractions of animal manures showed that the poultry had the greatest content of C (organic carbon), N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), K (potassium), Ca (calcium) and C:N ratio (p < 0.01). However, the value of Mg (magnesium) in the studied manures was not significantly different (p < 0.01). The manure treatment significantly increased the soil organic matter contents from 0.46 to 2.8 and 1.1% respectively with poultry and cattle manures (p < 0.01). Organic fertilizer significantly increased the cation exchange capacity from 1.7 to 12.75 and 3.8 me:100 g and the bases saturation content from 47 to 80 and to 76% respectively with the poultry and cattle manures (p < 0.01). The organic fertilizer showed significant effect on earthworms populations Hyperiodrilus africanus (Oligochaeta, Eudrilidae) in the soil, with 128 and 85% respectively about the poultry and cattle manures compared to the control (p < 0.01).

Key words: Cattle manure, poultry manure, cassava, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, bases saturation content.
 

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN: 2736-1624 Vol. 14 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of Growth Regulators and Organic Inputs on Cowpea Productivity

F. B. Mukhtar¹, M. Mohammed² and A. H. Ajeigbe³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
²Jigawa Research Institute, Kazaure, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
³International Institutes for Tropical Agriculture, Kano Station Nigeria.

Accepted 23 June, 2024

Abstract

The relationship between leaf senescence in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] and yield was studied in pot grown population of a local variety, kanannado. Treatments comprising of farm yard manure (single and double application), 200 ppm benzyl amino purine (BAP), 15% coconut milk (CM) and a combination of both manure and the hormones were also applied to determine their effects on senescence and yield. The experiment was carried out at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (I.I.T.A), Kano station, Nigeria. Chlorophyll level was increased by all the treatments with greater increase in the 200ppm BAP and 15% CM treated plants. The level of chlorophyll also decreased with increase in age of the cowpea plants. Senescence commenced earlier and progressed faster in the manure treated plants while it was significantly delayed by 200ppm BAP and 15% CM. Fodder and grain yields were greater in all the treated cowpea plants compared with the control. Interactive effects were observed in the combined treatments (manure +15% coconut milk and manure +200 ppm BAP) as chlorophyll increased above that of manure and control plants. Also senescence process was delayed and yield was increased. The study suggests that leaf senescence in the photoperiod sensitive cowpea could be delayed by application of 200 ppm BAP, 15% CM and a combination of manure +15% CM and manure +200 ppm BAP and the delayed senescence resulted in increase in yield.

Key words: Farmyard manure, benzyl amino purine, coconut milk, leaf senescence, yield.
 

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN: 2736-1624 Vol. 14 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Insecticide Practices in Potato Cultivation: A Focus on Erzurum Province, Turkey

Avni Birinci* and Ahmet Semih Uzundumlu

Department of Agricultural Economics, Ataturk University Collage of Agriculture, 25 240 Erzurum, Turkey.

Accepted 8 April, 2024

Abstract

This study aims to determine the cost share of insecticide application in potato cultivating in Pasinler County, Erzurum Province. The research data was derived from 95 questionnaires conducted in 9 villages Pasinler County in 2004. The study results show that all producers were using insecticides on potato cultivation areas. The average potato production per farm was 26.06 tonnes. The chemical application cost was $4.43 per decare and the cost was 1.78% in variable costs and 1.69% in total cost. In the potato farms, on the average, 342.5 kg seed, 100.74 kg chemical fertilizer and 80.46 kg manure were used. Per kilogram potato cost was calculated as $0.14, the mean gross margin and net profit was calculated as $-19.87 and $-60.89 per decare, respectively. Unfortunately, potato production is profitable if only chemicals are used at a certain level in the area. For economically sustainable production, it is necessary either to increase amount of chemicals in order to increase yield, or to increase the sale prices of potato. It has been concluded that the cost of insecticide used in this region is low relative to other areas in the country and potato production in the study area can be considered as environment friendly.

Key words: Insecticide use, potato production, profitability, environment.
 

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology ISSN: 2736-1624 Vol. 14 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Optimizing Soybean Yield in the Sub-humid Savanna of Nigeria: A Study on Poultry Manure and Phosphorus Fertilizer Effects

U. F. Chiezey¹ and A. C. Odunze²*

¹Department of Agronomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
²Department of Soil Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigera.

Accepted 12 March, 2024

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2003 and 2005 in Samaru in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria to test the response of two soybean varieties to application of poultry manure and phosphorus fertilizer levels. Soybean varieties TGx 1448-2E and TGx 1019-2EB were grown without and with 1t/ha of poultry manure and four levels of P (0, 13.2, 26.4 and 39.6 kgP/ha) in all possible factorial combinations using randomized complete block design with four replicates. TGx 1448-2EB was shorter, had more pods and heavier seeds than TGx 1019- 2EB. Grain yield and total dry matter per hectare were higher in TGx 1448- 2EB. Application of manure consistently influenced most parameters in both years. Manure application increased leaf area index, plant height, nodule dry weight, total dry matter per plant and per hectare, number of pods per plant and grain yield per hectare. Phosphorus application increased leaf area index, plant height, nodule dry weight, total dry matter per hectare and grain yield per hectare. Highest grain yield was obtained with 26.4 kgP/ha which was not significantly different from yield obtained with 39.6 kgP/ha. Regression model showed a quadratic response and the agronomic optimum was 23.3 kgP/ha for a grain yield of 1.7 t/ha when averaged over both years. Application of 1 t/ha of poultry manure significantly (P<0.05) increased grain yield. Averaged over both years, application of 1 t/ha of manure increased grain yield by 33.7% compared with plots without poultry manure. There were no interactions between poultry manure and phosphorus fertilizers in any of the years or when weighed over the years.

Key words: Soybean, poultry-manure, phosphorus-fertilization.