Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of supplements based on fishmeal or cottonseed cake and management system on the performance and economic efficiency of exotic hens in Burkina Faso

S. Pousga¹, H. Boly², J.E. Lindberg³ and B. Ogle³*

¹Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique, P.O. Box 7047 Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso.

²Universite de Ouagadougou, Laboratoire de physiologie Animale, UFR/SVT_, BP 7021, Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso.

³Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, P.O. Box 7024, S-75007, Uppsala, Sweden.

Accepted 11 March, 2017

Abstract

A trial was carried out on-station to evaluate the effect of replacing a low protein fishmeal diet by a high protein diet containing cottonseed cake and cereal bran on the performance of semi-scavenging and confined exotic layers in comparison with full-scavenging birds. One hundred and twenty laying hens at 28 weeks of age were randomly distributed to four feeding/management regimes; (1) CCB, confined and given ad libitum a mixed diet (CB) containing cracked maize, cottonseed cake, cereal bran and a vitamin-mineral premix, oyster shells being provided separately; (2) SCB, scavenging in the daytime (08.00 to 16.00 h), with the CB diet available between 16.00 and 08.00 h; (3) SFM, managed as in SCB, but with fishmeal replacing cottonseed cake and cereal bran (diet FM); (4) SO, scavenging only with no supplement provided. Daily dry matter intakes for CCB, SCB and SFM were 95.5%, 60.5% and 48.5% of the expected intakes, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in energy, calcium and phosphorus intakes between SFM and SCB, but crude protein and essential amino acid intakes were lower in SFM than in SCB (P < 0.05). Hen -day and hen-housed production were the highest in CCB and the lowest in SO (P < 0.05), while no significant differences were found between the two semi-scavenging treatments. Feed conversion ratio and feed cost / kg eggs were the lowest in CCB and the highest in SFM (P < 0.05). Egg weight and shell thickness were higher in SCB compared to SFM. Yolk colour was darkest in SO and palest in CCB. It is concluded that fishmeal can be replaced advantageously by cottonseed cake and a mixture of wheat and maize bran in diets for confined and semi-scavenging exotic layers.

Key words: Burkina Faso, egg production, exotic hens, fishmeal, cottonseed cake, semi-scavenging.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 001-008, July, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Potential for value- addition of Nguni cattle products in the communal areas of South Africa: A review

Cletos Mapiye¹*, Michael Chimonyo¹, Voster Muchenje¹, Kennedy Dzama², Munyaradzi C. Marufu¹ and Jan. G. Raats¹

¹Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

²Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P. Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.

Accepted 08 March, 2017

Abstract

This review focuses on challenges and possible interventions to improve the value of Nguni cattle products in the communal areas of South Africa. There is a general lack of adapted genetic material suited to the needs of the resource-poor cattle producers in South Africa. Nguni cattle are well suited to the management levels of communal farmers who require disease resistant multipurpose animals with low-maintenance feed requirements and relatively high-output. Developmental efforts to reintroduce the Nguni breed initiated in most rural areas of South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape are reviewed. The possibility of selecting Nguni cattle for specific production traits and develop them into single-purpose herds is evaluated. It is recommended that development and research programmes aimed at reintroducing the Nguni breed in the rural areas should take a holistic and participatory approach in improving the value of Nguni cattle products.

Key words: Draught power, hides, meat, milk, Nguni cattle, value-addition.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 001-039, June, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The floristic composition of some historical botanical gardens in the metropolitan of Cairo, Egypt

Hamdy, R. S.¹, Abd El-Ghani, M. M.^1*, Youssef, T. L.² and El-Sayed, M.³

¹The Herbarium, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.

² The Orman Botanic Garden, Giza, Egypt.

³Botany Department, Faculty of Science, El Azhar University Cairo, Egypt

Accepted 03 January, 2017

Abstract

In this article, we studied the historical background of six major historical botanic gardens that were established by the Khedive Ismail (1863 - 1879) in the second half of 19^th century in Cairo city, and report their floristic composition. These gardens were Zohriya, Aquarium, Ezbekiya, The Zoo, Orman and Horreya. In addition, the present status of these six gardens was addressed in particular, area, land use, landscape architecture and the taxonomic diversity of the plants growing in each garden. The distribution patterns of the recorded species were also presented using the multivariate analysis techniques (classification and ordination). An updated annotated list of cultivated species in these gardens will be provided.

Key words: Cultivated plants, urban flora, botanical and historical gardens, national parks, Egypt.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies of physiochemical and microbial properties of soils from rainforest and plantation in Ondo state, Nigeria

Oseni, O. A.*, Ekperigin, M. M., Akindahunsi, A. A. and Oboh, G.

Department Of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Accepted25 November, 2016

Abstract

Microbial population, and biomass as well as hydrolytic enzymes of soil that are responsible for biodegradation of various structural complexes of plant litters and dead organic compounds from Ondo State Aforestation project at Lisagbede (Oluwa forest reserve) were studied. Soil fungi and bacteria were isolated and identified from two sources namely Gmelina aborea plantation (planted for over 15 years) and an adjacent natural forest at different depth levels (0 - 10, 10 - 20 and 20 - 30 cm) by weighing 1.0 g of soil into 9.0 ml of sterilized water, shaken and diluted 1 in 1000, 0.5 ml each of this was poured onto separate sterilized Petri dish and overlaid with potato dextrose agar and nutrient agar, allowed to incubate at 27 and 32^oC for five and one day respectively. The results of the study revealed that all the parameters showed slight increase in natural forest soil as compared to the G. aborea plantation soil. Substantive differences were obtained in soil microbial biomass for each sampling depth in the natural forest compared to the G. aborea plantation. While there were no much differences in the soil physicochemical properties of the forest and plantation. Bacteria and fungi isolates of the two locations and their enzymes activities were similar. Two fungi Aspegillus niger and Penicillium italicum isolated from the two locations produced hydrolytic enzyme activities of cellulase, -amylase, - amylase and protease which are degrading enzymes.

Keywords: Natural forest, Gmelina aborea plantation, physicochemical parameters, enzyme activities, soil microbial biomass.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative evaluation of vertebrate pest damage on some newly developed quality protein maize (QPM) varieties in south-western Nigeria

J. O. Fayenuwo¹, S. A. Olakojo¹, M. Akande¹, N. A. Amusa² and O. A. Olujimi¹

¹Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of plant Science and applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University PMB 2002 Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 21 February, 2017

Abstract

Six newly developed Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties were subjected to natural vertebrate pest infestation in Ibadan South-Western Nigeria. Data taken were statistically analyzed while probably level was set at p<0.05. Results of the experiment revealed that ILE-1-OB maize variety with the mean yield of 1.3 t/ha recorded the highest rodent damage of 2.77% while ART 98 SW4-OB with 0.74 t/ha recorded a bird damage of 10.73%. OBATAMPA which was the second highest yielding (1.19 t/ha) also recorded the highest bird pest damage of 26.03%. Variety TZPB-OB with mean yield of 1.18t/ha recorded the lowest damage of 5.92%. Maize varieties ART98SW5-OB and ART98SW6-OB with means yield of 0.85 and 0.98 t/ha recorded 17.2 and 10.3% bird damages respectively. Effects of rodent and bird pests were not significantly different from one variety and another among the identified 6QPM lines. Replicate was however significantly different (P < 0.05, 0.01) from one another for bird pest damage. Similarly, the effect of bird and rodent pests was not significantly different on seed and grain yield. The percentage damage were generally more from birds harvoc that from rodents. The vertebrate pests found associated with QPM include bird species such as Francolinus bicalcaratus (bush fowl), Ploceus cucullatus (weaver birds) and Lonchura spp (Bronze marikins), while the rodents include species such as Xerus enrythropus (Red legged ground Squirrel), Mastomys natalensis (Multimammate rat), Arvicanthis niloticus (Nile harsh-furred Rat) Rattus rattus (Black grey Rat) and Mus spp (Pigmy Mice). Successful QPM production in this region will therefore require effective bird pest control.

Key words: Quality protein maize, vertebrate pest damage, and grain yield.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 001-005, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Light-induced transient dormancy in Cleome gynandra L. seeds

Julius O. Ochuodho^1* and Albert T. Modi²

¹Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P.O Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya.

²School of Agricultural sciences and Agribusiness (Crop Science) University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg.

Accepted 26 January, 2017

Abstract

Events associated with dormancy release during seed germination still require explanation. The objective of this study was to examine seed responses during germination of Cleome gynandra in the presence or absence of light and at constant or alternating temperatures. Germination of C. gynandra seeds at 20^oC was inhibited by light, but it was improved at 20^oC in darkness. There was no photoinhibition when seeds were germinated at alternating temperature 20/30^oC (16 h night and 8 h day). Photoinhibition was expressed more in seeds that were harvested late, after the pods had turned brown than in mature seeds at physiological maturity. It was more pronounced in seeds grown in extreme temperatures of 21/17 and 33/28^oC, compared to those grown at 27/22^oC. More than 5d photoinhibition reduced the germination of late harvested seeds such that the seeds did not completely recover their germination capacity. Photoinhibition is negative sensitivity to white light during seed germination in C. gynandra, likely controlled by the phytochrome system.

Keywords: Seed germination, photoinhibition, phytochromes, Cleome gynandra.