International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Enhancing cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) growth and resistance to phytophthora megakarya with chitosan and snail shell powder

Paul Martial Téné Tayo^1,2, Cécile Annie Ewane^1,2, Pierre Onomo Effa^1,2 and Thaddée Boudjeko^1,2*

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 812 Ngoa Ekelle, Cameroon.

²Laboratory of Phytoprotection and Valorization of Plant Resources, Biotechnology Center-Nkolbisson, P. O. Box 3851 Messa, Cameroon.

Accepted 22 November, 2023

Abstract

Chitosan and chitin sources have emerged as promising groups of biological substances that can induce plant growth and resistance to diseases. This study is aimed at investigating the potential effect of chitosan and snail shell to promote cocoa growth and induce resistance against Phytophthora megakarya. The results showed that treatment of cocoa seeds with chitosan at 1.5 to 2.0% and snail shell at 2.0% increases the percentage of germination and also reduces the time of germination. 12 weeks after planting, a series of morphological changes was observed on the plants treated with chitosan and snail shell. Plant height (34 to 39.5 cm), leaf number (11 to 13 leaves/plant), leaf area (88 to 130 cm²) and fresh weight of roots and shoots (25 to 44 g/plant) increased significantly in the chitosan and snail shell treated soils. Pods inoculated with chitosan and/or snail shell treated soil suspensions presented very slight necrotic lesions. This could be linked to a decrease in the P. megakarya load of the soil suspension. Leaf inoculation showed variation among the treatments with the lowest index (highest level of resistance) recorded in plants treated either with chitosan or snail shell. The treatment of plants with chitosan and snail shell powder before and after inoculation showed higher level of phenolic compounds than in the control plants. Furthermore, the inoculation induced a significant accumulation of proteins in the cocoa plants treated with chitosan and snail shell. The level of proteins accumulation after inoculation was higher in plants treated with snail shell than those treated with chitosan. In conclusion, the effect of snail shell on cocoa growth and resistance showed that it is possible for snail shell powder to be a biofungicide and biofertilizer used in the control of cacao Black Pod Disease in nurseries.

Key words: Theobroma cacao, Phytophthora megakarya, black pod disease, chitosan, snail shell, biocontrol agents.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Control of ochratoxin A (OTA) in kunu zaki (a non-alcoholic beverage) using Daniellin^TM

Adegoke, G. O^1*, Odeyemi, A. O.¹, Hussien, O.¹ and Ikheorah, J.²

¹Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan. Ibadan. Nigeria.

²Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute, Ibadan. Nigeria.

Accepted 11 April, 2022

Abstract

Kunu-zaki, a non-alcoholic beverage, was produced using modified traditional method incorporating Daniellin^TM. Treated samples kept for 5 days at ambient condition (26⁺-2 C) while untreated samples kept for only 1 day. Protein contents and calorific values of kunu-zaki treated with Daniellin^TM (0.5 to 5.0%, w/v) were between 5.76 to 5.93% and 1606.47 to 1626.8 KJ/100g while values for untreated samples were 5.72% and 1547 KJ/100g respectively. Ochratoxin A (OTA) in raw materials used for kunu-zaki production was reduced from 50 mg/kg to <1.5 mg/kg with the incorporation of Daniellin^TM at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%.

Key words: Ochratoxin A, kunu-zaki beverage, Daniellin^TM, food safety.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Community restiveness and corporate social responsibilities of oil companies 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 December, 2022

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.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-010, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Investment opportunities in tomato processing in kano, Northern Nigeria

Adegbola JA, Awagu F, Adu EA, Anugwom UD, Ishola DT, and Bodunde AA

Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, PMB 3032, Kano, Nigeria

Accepted 20 January, 2023

Abstract

This review delves into tomato processing into different products using tomato paste as a base. It discussed tomato production in Nigeria and the glut that’s a regular phenomenon during tomato seasons. Again, it talks about the wastages that occur because of the glut and also because of the inherent nature of tomato which predisposes it to perish after harvest when left in its natural state. Also, it discusses the necessary steps to undertake in production of processed tomato, advantages and disadvantages of processed tomato, and gave in-depth step by step processing procedures for the production of different tomato products. Furthermore, it dwelled on issues relating to packaging of finished tomato products, packaging development consideration, types of packaging, production capacity, marketing of tomato products, requirements for setting up a small scale processing centre, analysis of investment in tomato paste processing, hygiene in tomato processing, and product registration. Conclusively, it maintained that establishing tomato processing centres by investors would help create wealth and employment and in the long run help nip tomato wastages in Nigeria in the bud.

Keywords: Tomato, Wastages, Packages, small scale, Tomato paste.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of protein supplementation on weight gain and dressing percentage of West African Dwarf goats experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Linus I. Mhomga^1*, Pius A. Nnadi², Samuel N. Chiejina³, Idika K. Idika⁴ and Lucas A. Ngongeh³

¹Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373, Makurdi, Benue State- Nigeria,

²Department of Animal Health and Production, University of Nigeria, Nsukka;

³Department of Veterinary Microbiology and  Parasitology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike;

⁴Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Accepted 13 November, 2022

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of protein supplementation on body weight and dressing percentage of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats infected with mixed gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections. Twenty worm free male WAD goats aged 6-8 months were assigned to four groups (A-D) of five animals each based on body weight. Animals in groups A and B were fed forages and supplemented with concentrates while groups C and D were fed only forages. Groups A and D were experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus (Hc) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Tc) while B and C were not infected. The goats were exposed weekly to trickle escalating infection with the infective larval stage of the parasites (L₃), at single doses of 500 L₃ in week 1_, 1000 L₃ in week 2_, 2000 L₃ in week 3 and 4000 L₃ in week 4. Body weight, faecal egg counts (FEC) per gram of faeces and worn burden (Wb) were determined using standard procedures. Dressing percentage was determined at the end of the experiment after the animals were humanely sacrificed. The results showed a There was a significant negative correlation between worm burden and day 42 (D42) body weight (r_p = -0.76; P = 0.01). BCS on D42 was also significant and negatively correlated with worm burden (r_s = -0.72; P = 0.02). The mean dressing percentage of the groups A and B were significantly higher than groups C and D (P< 0.05). The mean, ± S.E.M, dressing percentages for groups A, B, C and D were 59.4 ± 0.6, 60.6 ± 0.7, 56.8 ± 0.4 and 52.4 ± 2.0 respectively. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between groups A and B. There was a significant positive correlation between D42 worm burden and faecal egg counts of both Hc and Tc on D40 and D42 (r_p = 0.74; P= 0.01). We concluded that supplementation ameliorated the negative impact of the infections on body weight and therefore, improved the dressing percentage.

Keywords: Body weight, dressing percentage, WAD goats, faecal egg counts, worm burdens

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of bud wood age, budding height and stock looping, on bud take in sweet orange (Citrus Sinensis L.) Var. pine apple

*Muhammad Ishfaq¹, Rana Mazher Abbas² and Idrees Ahmad Nasir³

¹Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590.

²Institute of Horticulture, University of Agriculture-Faisalabad.

³Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lhaore-54590.

Accepted 05 September, 2022

Abstract

This research was carried out in order to study the effect of budding height, bud wood age and stock lopping at different dates, on the success of sprouting. The work was performed at the fruit plant nursery, department of Horticulture, University of Agriculture, Faisal Abad. The experiment material comprised of Rough lemon root stock and sweet orange var. Pine apple Scion as bud wood, which was obtained from the PARS (Pakistan Agriculture Research Station). T-budding was done by using scion bud wood of three different ages, (green, green with white streaks and white bud wood with green streaks) at three different height of rough lemon root stock (6", 12", 18" respectively). The result shows that bud wood age ad budding height have no mark effect on the success of bud take. So, we are not bound to use green bud wood and rootstock of six inches, which is commonly being used by the commercial citrus procedures. If there is shortage of green bud woods then other bud wood can be used because this will not affect the success of sprouting. Similarly if there is pathogen problems like Coller rot in the field this can be controlled by high budding. Although it will take more time but will not effect the sprouting success as well as it will save the plant from fungus attack and other pathogens.

Keywords: Bud wood age; Budding height; Sprouting success; Sweet orange var. Pine apple; Pakistan.