African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections in Village Chickens: Point Prevalence Findings from Centane District, South Africa

Marizvikuru Mwale¹ and Patrick J. Masika2*

¹Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
²Agricultural and Rural development Research Institute, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.

Accepted 9 December, 2024

Abstract

Village chickens improve rural farmers’ nutritional and income status. Nonetheless, chicken productivity is chiefly hampered by gastro-intestinal parasites and there is dearth of information on the prevalence of these parasites in village chickens in South Africa. Point prevalent study was, therefore, conducted in two villages of Centane district to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in village chickens. Seventy households were randomly selected for compound sampling of fresh faecal samples of chickens. Modified quantitative McMaster technique was used for examination of nematode and cestode eggs, and coccidial oocysts. Qualitative sedimentation technique was used to detect trematode eggs. About 99% of the chickens were infested with various gastro-intestinal parasites. Hetarakis gallinarum was the most prevalent (25.72% Qolora by-sea and 27.14% Nontshinga) together with coccidia (41.43% Qolora by-sea and 25.71% Nontshinga village). Trematodes and cestodes were the least prevalent. Prevalence of parasites varied between villages (P < 0.05); most parasites were prevalent in Nontshinga village. Generally gastro-intestinal parasites were prevalent in village chickens of Centane district. Sustainable ways of controlling these parasites need to be designed for improved village chicken production and ultimately rural livelihoods. Further studies on period prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in chickens in South Africa need to be conducted.

Key words: Parasites, prevalence, rural, village chickens.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Analyzing the Impact of Drought Stress on Plant Morphology, Physiology, and Biochemistry

Shakeel Ahmad Anjum1, Xiao-yu Xie1*, Long-chang Wang 1, Muhammad Farrukh Saleem2, Chen Man1 and Wang Lei1

¹College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
²Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan.

Accepted 5 September, 2024

Abstract

Plants in nature are continuously exposed to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Among these stresses, drought stress is one of the most adverse factors of plant growth and productivity and considered a severe threat for sustainable crop production in the conditions on changing climate. Drought triggers a wide variety of plant responses, ranging from cellular metabolism to changes in growth rates and crop yields. Understanding the biochemical and molecular responses to drought is essential for a holistic perception of plant resistance mechanisms to water-limited conditions. This review describes some aspects of drought induced changes in morphological, physiological and biochemical changes in plants. Drought stress progressively decreases CO2 assimilation rates due to reduced stomatal conductance. It reduces leaf size, stems extension and root proliferation, disturbs plant water relations and reduces water-use efficiency. It disrupts photosynthetic pigments and reduces the gas exchange leading to a reduction in plant growth and productivity. The critical roles of osmolyte accumulation under drought stress conditions have been actively researched to understand the tolerance of plants to dehydration. In addition, drought stress-induced generation of active oxygen species is well recognized at the cellular level and is tightly controlled at both the production and consumption levels, through increased antioxidative systems. This review focuses on the ability and strategies of higher plants to respond and adapt to drought stress.

Key words: Drought stress, growth, yield, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidative system.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Framework for Analyzing State Intervention in the Global Rice Production Sector

Iraj Malekmohammadi, Seyed Jamal Farajollah Hosseini, Saeed Yazdani and Shahin Shadfar*

Department of Agricultural Development, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad
University,Tehran – Iran.

Accepted 21 November 2024

Abstract

States are interfering in all economic sectors. States intervention is an accepted driven factor in many developing countries. On the other hand, rice is half of the world’s population food. In addition, rice self-sufficiency is the desire of many Asian countries where rice is a food security matter. This paper is about state intervention in major rice producing countries, and how to identify common areas of state intervention in rice production development. Different state policies in rice sector in world top rice producing countries are reviewed and compared. Based on the universally explored policies affecting rice production, the global theoretical model for the state intervention is proposed to secure rice production increase/development.

Key words: Rice production development, state intervention, policy making model.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (11), pp. 001-006, November, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Interplay Between Community Restiveness and Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives of Oil Firms in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria

Benjamin I. Isife, Caroline O. Albert and Nkem Chukuigwe

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Accepted 10 August, 2024

Abstract

Rivers State is the major crude oil producer in the Niger Delta, Southern Nigeria. The multi-national oil companies which operate in the area statutorily institute Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with their host communities through which they undertake and implement Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to develop the communities. This study, therefore examined the CSR activities undertaken by oil companies operating in the state. Specifically, it identified the causes of community restiveness and kinds of CSR carried out by the companies, ascertained host communities’ level of satisfaction with the programmes / projects of the oil companies and constraints to successful implementation of the CSR. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to purposively sample four oil companies (SPDC, TEPN, NAOC and Chevron) and randomly sampled fifteen host communities. 100 and 150 respondents were sampled from the oil companies and communities, respectively, making a total of 250 respondents for the study. The data collected were analysed using percentages and mean scores. ANOVA result showed insignificant difference in the kinds of CSR provided by the oil companies in their host communities (P < 0.05). The study identified infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, employment/empowerment, peace and security, sports competition, and Philanthropy and charity as the CSR activities undertaken by the four oil companies. Majority of the host communities were dissatisfied with the CSR of the companies. Youth restiveness, poor company budget for CSR, communal conflict, non-cooperation of Joint Venture Partners, and traditional belief were the major constraints to effective implementation of CSR programmes in the host communities. The study recommends, among others, that the oil companies should focus more on skills acquisition programmes to get the youths self employed and reduce idleness and community restiveness.

Keywords: Restiveness, Social Responsibility, Oil Companies, Nigeria.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (11), pp. 001-004, November, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilizing Microbial Diversity in Cocoa Ecosystems of Ghana to Mitigate Phytophthora Pod Rot Disease

Andrews Y. Akrofi^1,2*, Francine Govers^2, Richard T. Awuah³ and Jos M. Raaijmakers²

¹Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Akim Tafo, Ghana.

²Wageningen University, Laboratory of Phytopathology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands.

³Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 10 April, 2024

Abstract

Black pod disease, caused by different Phytophthora species, is a major yield-limiting factor in cocoa production. Currently, there is no acceptable genetic resistance to Phytophthora in cocoa varieties and pesticides used are not always effective, bring serious risks to human health and environment, and lead to resistance in pathogen populations. Recent studies in Ghana and the Netherlands on biological control of Phytophthora diseases have led to the isolation of several antagonistic bacteria that significantly limit the growth and proliferation of different Phytophthora species. Among the antagonistic bacteria, biosurfactant-producing Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates gave promising results in eliminating zoospore populations and controlling late blight disease of tomato caused by Phytophthora infestans. The objective of this study was to further develop these findings into effective control measures to manage black pod disease of cacao. This paper reports on the distribution and diversity of Pseudomonas and Phytophthora species associated with cocoa in Ghana and also describes preliminary results on the biocontrol activities of selected Pseudomonas strains against Phytophthora palmivora and Phytophthora megakarya.

Keywords: Micobial diversity, Phytophthora, biocontrol, cocoa ecosystem.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (11), pp. 001-007, November, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Impact of Biotic and Abiotic Windbreaks on Turbulent Velocity Fluctuations in Field Conditions

Iraj Amiri^1, Javad Taei^2*, Mohammad Reza Ekhtesasi^3, Ali Reza Shahryari⁴

¹Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran.
²Department of plant sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
³Faculty of Natural Resources, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
⁴Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran

Accepted 13 November, 2024

Abstract

Windbreaks have been used for centuries to shelter crops from wind damage and to protect soils from wind erosion. This study was performed in 5 steps to evaluate the effects of biotic and abiotic windbreaks on mean horizontal flow and turbulent velocity fluctuations under field conditions. These steps included of granolometery analyzing, determination of field threshold velocity of soil erosion, estimation of acceptable wind speed, optimizing windbreak distance and wind speed recording. Two kinds of windbreaks were used in this study, include of biotic windbreak (Tamarix aphylla) with 45% density and abiotic windbreak (Mud wall) with 100% density. Results of field experiment showed that optimized distances for abiotic and biotic windbreak are respectively observed at 7.87h and 4.5h after windbreak. Finally mud wall is applicable for high decreasing wind speed at the back of windbreak but its high wind speed fluctuation and high turbulent were limited these windbreak in agro ecosystem. Tamarix aphylla with 45% density is applicable for medium decreasing of wind speed and creating low turbulent after windbreak.

Keywords: Mud wall, Tamarix aphylla, threshold velocity, windbreak, Wind.