Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Reproductive performance of rabbits re-mated at different intervals post-partum

M. A Oguike* and N. L. Okocha

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P. M. B 7267 Umuahia, Abia State. Nigeria.

Accepted 09 October, 2018

Abstract

Investigations on post-partum re-mating intervals were conducted using 27 primiparous Dutch and Chinchilla crosses. Three treatments comprising re-mating intervals at 3, 4 and 5 weeks designated Ta, Tb, and Tc, respectively were used for the investigations. Nine does were randomly assigned to each of the treatments. The does were fed concentrate at the rate of 210 g doe-¹ day^-1, fresh forage and clean water were supplied ad libitum. Parameters studied were: Receptivity, Conception rate, Gestation length, Stillbirth, Litter size at birth, Litter size at weaning, Litter birth weight, Litter weight at weaning. Body weight of doe at mating, kindling and weaning were recorded. Results of the study showed that receptivity was higher in Ta and Tb than Tc. Conception rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) for Ta (100.00%), than Tb (56.17%) and Tc (44.53%). Stillbirth recorded significantly higher (P<0.01) value for does re-mated at 3 week intervals (Ta, 3.70%) while Tb and Tc recorded 0.00 and 0.33%, respectively. Litter birth weight of Ta (45.21 g) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of Tb (65.53 g) and Tc (63.19 g). Also litter weaning weights of Tb (152.22 g) and Tc (147.22 g) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of Ta (101.66 g) In conclusion, although week 3 re-mating interval has higher conception rate than the rest of the treatments, re-mating does at week 4 post- partum appeared better because it recorded no stillbirth and higher litter weights at birth and weaning all of which are indicative of higher reproductive efficiency.

Key words: Rabbit does, re-mating interval, early weaning, reproductive performance.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Participatory sunflower production, technology dissemination and value addition in Southwest Kenya

N. E. K. Okoko¹, M. J. Mahasi²*, N. Kidula¹, M. Ojowi¹ and F. Makini¹

¹Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) – Kisii, Kenya.

²Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) – Njoro, P. O. Private Bag Njoro, Kenya.

Accepted 09 October, 2018

Abstract

Sunflower is widely adapted and one of the major oil crops grown in Southwest Kenya. It is regarded as a high value cash crop and a source of high quality edible vegetable oil in Kenya. Southwest Kenya lies within the Lake Victoria region and is suitable for sunflower production. During Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs) farmers attributed the low production to poor agronomic practices, inadequate pest and disease control, lack of high yielding varieties, decline in soil fertility, shortage of good quality seeds at planting, low producer prices, shortage of sunflower seed for processing, lack of access to credit, lack of markets and market information, weak research - extension – farmer linkages and low adoption of developed technologies. To address some of these constraints, on -farm research activities were undertaken by Kenya agricultural Research Institute (KARI) using participatory research approach targeting small- scale resource challenged farmers who are vulnerable to food and nutritional insecurity. The PRA was favoured because the top-down approach of technology development and dissemination had led to poor adoption of technologies. The objectives of the project were; to scale up promising sunflower varieties, enhance value addition activities and to link farmer marketing groups to existing and new market opportunities. The treatments were; intra – row planting, pure stands (75 x 30 cm and 70 x 30 cm), alternate planting (1 row sunflower and 1 row maize) and two rows sunflower and two rows maize. The results indicate that pure stands had significantly (P 0.05) higher yields of both seed and oil than other treatments. However during farmer evaluation single alternate (1 row sunflower with 1 row maize) was ranked first followed by pure stand (75 x 30 cm) and intra row in a decreasing order. The single alternate row was ranked first based on food security, bird control and income generation since it provides both maize for household use and sunflower as a cash crop. Therefore this technology should be recommended for up scaling to more farmers in the region.

Key words: Sunflower, PRA, scaling up, value addition.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The design and proposal of a thermodynamic drying system for the dehydration of Rosell (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) and other agro-industrial products

Meza-Jimenez J.¹, Ramirez-Ruiz J. J.²*, and Diaz-Nunez J. J.³

¹Instituto Tecnológico de Colima México, Avenida Tecnológico No. 1 Villa de Álvarez Colima, México.

²University of Colima, México, Avenida Gonzalo de Sandoval No. 444 Colima, Colima México.

³University of Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua. Hernry Dunant No. 4016. Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Accepted 09 November, 2018

Abstract

The proposed solar thermodynamic drying system reduces the traditional dehydration process of Rosell used in the western region of Mexico, from approximately 4 days to 4 h. In addition to the 95% reduction in process time, this system also maintains the Jamaica’s nutritional content, especially that of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The proposed drying system is based on current operating conditions in Colima, Mexico as well as on three quantifiable control variables of Jamaica: product weight, product humidity, and product drying temperature. The product control variables were quantified and defined during the project as: Initial weight (1.0 kg of fresh product), final weight (0.152 kg of dry solid), initial humidity (84.8%), final humidity (14.3%) and dry temperature (48 to 68º C). Based on these control variables, the proposed system operates a continuously moving band at a constant speed. As the Roselle moves along the band through the system’s drying chamber, it is dehydrated by heated air. Initially, the system uses solar energy to heat fluid (water or thermal oil). The heat generated is transferred from fluid to surrounding air via a forced convection process. By greatly diminishing drying time and controlling humidity, the system affords considerable control over optimal end -product quality (protection from pollutants and destructive microbial activity). The proposed system’s settings can be easily adjusted to accommodate other products as well, making it even more commercially viable for agro-industrial producers. The drying process eliminates the water or humidity content of the calyxes yet maintains the nutritional properties specifically, the ascorbic acid content. A low cost and durability of the system is considered in the design.

Key words: Low Cost Solar, Dehydration drying System, Roselle, Thermodynamics System, Agro-Products, Dehydration, Colima, Mexico.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 4 (12), pp. 001-006, December, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

On-farm evaluation of promising groundnut varieties for adaptation and adoption in Tanzania

Tulole Lugendo Bucheyeki^1,2, Erasto.M. Shenkalwa², Theofora X. Mapunda² and Leah W. Matata²

¹University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

²Tumbi Agricultural Research and Development Institute, P.O. Box 306, Tabora, Tanzania.

Accepted 11 February, 2018

Abstract

On-station and on-farm groundnut research was carried out in Sikonge district, Tanzania, to evaluate groundnut varieties for yield under researcher and farmer managed conditions and assess farmer preferences. On-station trial was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Five varieties Johari, Pendo, Nyota, Sawia and Mamboleo were planted on 25 m² plots at spacing of 0.9 x 0.15 m. Twelve farmers were involved in conducting on-farm trials with each farmer as a replicate. Participatory farmers evaluation and stability analysis were done. Both on-station and on-farm trials revealed high yield among varieties with Pendo (1444 kgha^-1) and Johari (1163 kgha^-1) out yielding other varieties which were also ranked by farmers and researchers as the most preferred genotypes. The genotypes and environments sum of squares accounted for the most of the variability by contributing 38.10 and 32.99% for genotypes and environments respectively. Mamboleo and Sawia varieties showed high G X E stability. Farmers and researchers ranked Pendo and Johari as the best varieties.

Key words: Arachis hypogaea, participatory farmers’ evaluation, groundnuts, stability analysis.

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2381-3911 Vol. 4 (12), pp. 001-003, December, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Preliminary investigation of growth performance of giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) fed with selected household wastes

Siyanbola Mojisola Funmilayo

Department of Agriculture Technology, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Saki Campus, P. M. B. 021, Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria. 08058315060, 08027267750. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 01 March, 2018

Abstract

The effect of selected household waste fed to common giant land snail (Archachatina marginata) on growth performance was investigated in a twenty week experiment. Four experimental diets A (Paw paw leaves), B (maize bran) C (guinea corn bran) and D (Plantain peels) were used for the study. Proximate analysis of the diets showed that diets B (maize bran) and C (Guinea corn bran) were high in protein and mineral contents while diets A had the least value Growth parameters (weight gain, shell length gain shell circumference gain) were determined. The result of the study showed that higher growth performance for all parameters for Archachatina marginata was favoured by guinea corn bran (diet C) while paw-paw leaves (diet A) had the least for all the parameters. There was significant difference in (P < 0.05) in weight gain and shell length, while there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in shell circumference of the snails fed with the experimental diets.

Key words: Giant land snail, growth performance, diets.