ISSN 2375-1231
Research Article
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 138-142, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
In sacco degradation of Tephrosia candida and Leucaena leucocephala in mixtures with Panicum maximum using fistulated West African dwarf sheep
J.A. Odedire1*, O. J. Babayemi2 and T. O. Ososanya2
1Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Nigeria. 2Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. [email protected] or [email protected].
Accepted 23 May, 2013
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to compare the utilization of Tephrosia candida and Leucaena leucocephala in mixtures with Panicum maximum as feed for small ruminants, using the artificial bag technique of feed evaluation. Three West African dwarf (WAD) sheep with rumen cannula were used for the experiment. T. candida was formulated into diets with P. maximum as diets A, B and C while L. leucocephala was formulated into diets with P. maximum as diets D, E and F in the ratio 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 respectively for both legumes. The degradation characteristics indicated L. leucocephala – based diets as being more (P < 0.05) degradable in the rumen than the T. candida – based diets, with diet D having the highest potential degradability (a+b) value.
Key words: Artificial bag technique, degradation characteristics, feed, small ruminants.
O. J. Babayemi and T. O. Ososanya, J.A. Odedire*
Page: 138 - 142
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJCS/1018Research Article
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 150-155, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Advanced evaluation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) accessions for fodder production in the central rift valley of Ethiopia
Ayana Etana1*, Estefanos Tadesse2, Ashenafi Mengistu3 and Abubeker Hassen4
1Forage Agronomy Research, Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 35, Ziway, Ethiopia.
2Dairy Nutrition Research, Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia.
3Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Debrezeit, Ethiopia.
4Ruminant Nutrition and Pasture Science, Department of Animal and Wildlife Science, University of Pretoria,
Pretoria 0002, Republic of South Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 26 February, 2013
Abstract
The experiment was conducted at Adami Tulu Research Center in 2004 with 37 selected lines of grain type cowpea (Vignia species) germ-plasm introduced from Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, Lowland Pulse Improvement Program for the advanced nursery trial. Dolichos lablab (Lablab purpureius both var. Highworth and Rongai) and cowpea (Vignia ungiculata var. white worder training type) were included as a control for herbage yield and quality evaluation and ranking. The top ten accessions of cowpea (IT82D 889, TUX 1948-01F, TVU 1142 4, IT85F 2687, 82D 504-4, IT84D-448, IT93K2046-2, IT87D 551-1, IITAUK91-12, 87D -1802,) and Dolichos lablab var. Rongai was selected using the visual observation data taken during the 2004 growing season and promoted for further advanced evaluation. Advanced evaluation was carried out during the growth period, 2005 and 2006, using randomized complete block design (RCBD) of three replication of plot size 3 × 2 m. Fresh weight yield, hay yield, grain yield of both years showed statistically significant difference among accessions (p<0.005) during both growing periods. There was statistically significant difference in percentage dry matter (DM%), percentage organic matter (OM%), percentage ash (ASH%) and percentage crude protein (CP%) (P<0.0001) and the highest value of 88.94, 79.32, 12.09 and 22.3% were shown by accessions IITAUK91-12, IT87D 551-1, 87D -1802 and IT93K 2046-2, respectively. The different accessions responded to the different seasons differently based on the rainfall duration in their herbage and grain yield that needs further categorization.
Key words: Adami Tulu, Dolichos lablab, herbage var. Rongai yield.
Estefanos Tadesse, Ashenafi Mengistu and Abubeker Hassen, Ayana Etana*
Page: 150 - 155
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJCS/1020Research Article
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 116-122, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The potential of Moringa oleifera extract as a biostimulant in enhancing the growth, biochemical and hormonal contents in rocket (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) plants
Mona M. Abdalla
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 0020225083644. Fax: 0020225075787.
Accepted 22 July, 2014
Abstract
Moringa oleifera is a highly valued plant, distributed in many countries of the tropics and subtropics. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses and high nutritional value. Accordingly, rocket (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) plants were foliar sprayed with the aqueous extracts of leaves and twigs of M. oleifera at rates of 1, 2 and 3%. Among these concentrations, fertilization of rocket plants with 2% leaf and 3% twig extracts potentially increased all measured growth criteria (plant height, fresh and dry herb weight), photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, the amounts of each of chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, total sugars, total protein, phenols, ascorbic acid, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe as well as growth promoting hormones (auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins). Besides, bio-organic manuring with both kinds of Moringa extracts at all concentrations applied negatively reduced the levels of each of lipid peroxidation and abscisic acid as well as the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). Thus, it is concluded that M. oleifera leaf and twig extracts can be recommended to be used effectively by farmers as a bio-organic fertilizer for various crops due to its high productivity, high nutritive value, antioxidant effect, easy preparation, low cost and environmentally friendly nature.
Key words: Moringa oleifera, growth, gas exchange, antioxidants, metabolites, phytohormones, photosynthetic pigments.
Mona M. Abdalla
Page: 116 - 122
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJCS/1017Research Article
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 143-149, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Contribution of plant species in homestead farms, to food security and sustainability in Ebonyi state – South eastern Nigeria
B. A. Essien1*, J. B. Essien1, J. C. Nwite1, J. U. Ogbu1, S. N. Okereke1 and M. U. Agunannah2
1Federal College Of Agriculture, P.M.B. 7008 Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
2Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected].
Accepted 4 July, 2013
Abstract
A three Agricultural Zone (Abakaliki, Afikpo and Ohoazzara) exploratory survey of useful plant species in three compound farms in 12 communities in Ebonyi State of Nigeria was conducted to develop a plant species inventory study so as to assess the contribution of plant species in homestead farm to food security and stability in the State. A total of 156 different plant species including 63 woody plant species (exploited, unexploited and endangered) which yield edible fruits, seeds or vegetables, 36 boundary and live fence plant species and 57 different arable and other field crops (legume, cereal, vegetable, spice, herb) were identified in the 12 communities. These communities were classified into three identifiable settlement patterns: nucleated, isolated and dispersed settlements; and the survey revealed that the three settlement patterns had average number of plant species of 79.8, 88.3 and 80.1 respectively. Fifteen (15) plant species of most considerable value have been seen in all the communities visited. Twelve (12) plant species were considered endangered, having been found only in three communities visited while many plant species not exploited were also observed in all the communities. Study therefore revealed that isolated and dispersed settlement patterns produced the highest plant species that are environmental friendly and conservative and as such should be improved for increase food security and stability.
Key words: Homestead farms, plant species, food security, sustainability.
S. N. Okereke and M. U. Agunannah, J. B. Essien, J. C. Nwite, J. U. Ogbu, B. A. Essien*
Page: 143 - 149
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJCS/1019Research Article
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 108-115, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Influence of rooting media and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentration on rooting and shoot formation of Warburgia ugandensis stem cuttings
Florence Akwatulira1, Samson Gwali2*, John Bosco Lamoris Okullo1, Paul Ssegawa3, Susan Balaba Tumwebaze4, John Richard Mbwambo5 and Alice Muchugi6
1Department of Forest Biology and Ecosystems Management, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Makerere
University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
2National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), P. O. Box 1752, Kampala, Uganda. 3Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
4Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062,
Kampala, Uganda.
5Lushoto Forestry Research Station, Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI), P. O. Box 95, Lushoto, Tanzania. 6Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 15 September, 2014
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of different rooting media and indolebutryic acid (IBA) hormone concentration on root and shoot development in stem cuttings of Warburgia ugandensis. Stem cuttings were treated with three different levels (0.3, 0.6 and 0.8% w/w) of IBA concentration (including a control-no IBA hormone) and propagated in three rooting media (milled pine bark, top forest soil and sand) under non -misting propagators. Data on root and shoot development, callusing, number and length of roots and shoots were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi square test. Callusing, root and shoot development were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by rooting media and IBA concentration. Milled pine bark and 0.8% w/w IBA concentration gave the highest percentages of stem cuttings that callused, rooted and shooted (38, 37, 41% and 57, 41, 59%), respectively. Similarly, milled pine bark and 0.8% w/w IBA concentration gave the greatest number and longest roots and shoots per stem cutting. Vegetative propagation of W. ugandensis through stem cuttings can be appropriately achieved by treating the cuttings with 0.8% w/w IBA hormone using milled pine bark as a growth medium.
Key words: Warburgia ugandensis, indolebutryic acid (IBA), vegetative propagation, callusing, rooting, milled pine bark.
Florence Akwatulira, Samson Gwali*, Susan Balaba Tumwebaze, Paul Ssegawa, John Bosco Lamoris Okullo, John Richard Mbwambo and Alice Muchugi
Page: 108 - 115
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJCS/1016Research Article
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 123-137, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Studies on some nutritional characteristics of the fruit and leaf of Saba florida (Benth.) from Ibaji forest
Omale James* and Omajali Jacob B
Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234(0)8068291727.
Accepted 14 November, 2014
Abstract
Natural sources of nutrients for both humans and animals have become of immense biomedical significance. In this study, some nutrient composition of the fruit and leaf of Saba florida (Benth.) from Ibaji forest were evaluated using HPLC. The results showed that the plant parts studied contained significant level of vitamins A and E. Lipids of physiologic and nutritional importance such as lauric, myristic, oleic, linoleic and stearic acids were detected in some parts of the plant. Oleic acid was highest in the fruit pericarp (12.387%).The study also showed that the fruit pulp contain high amount (285.521%) of cholesterol than other parts investigated. The results suggest that S. florida (Benth.) is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins A and E. We therefore conclude that judicious consumption of the fruit and leaf of S. florida could play both physiologic and nutritional roles in human and animal body.
Key words: Saba florida, lipids, vitamins, Ibaji.
Omajali Jacob B, Omale James*
Page: 123 - 137
https://doi.org/10.46882/AJCS/1021