International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 128- 131, April, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of insecticide sprays on insect damage and yield of soybean at Makurdi, Nigeria

*¹Ndam, O.N.; ²Ogunwolu, E. O. and¹Manggoel, W.

¹Department of Agricultural Technology, College of Agriculture, Garkawa, Plateau State

²Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail:  [email protected]

Received January 10, 2012; Accepted April 16, 2012

Abstract

The effects of application of chlorpyrifos (50g a.i./ha), dimethoate (280g a.i./ha), cypermethrin (75g a.i./ha) and cypermethrin + dimethoate (37.5 + 140g a.i./ha) at mid – vegetative, 50% flowering and 50% podding on damage to and yield of soybean were assessed in 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Experimental design was randomized complete block with each of five treatments (including unsprayed control) replicated four times. At the three growth stages of soybean, mean number of leaves plant-1 and percentage defoliation did not differed significantly. Mean number of leaves and defoliation ranged from 16-46 and 0.3-0.6, respectively.  Similarly, treatment differences for soybean yield and yield parameters were not statistically significant (p >0.05), except for % malformed pods and %damaged seeds, with cypermethrin + dimethoate giving the lowest malformed pods (28.15%) and seed damage (10%). Our data showed very low level of defoliation (<1% on the average) due to insect pest feeding activities. However, seasonal variation in pest density and damage provided premise for reiterating rational basis for insecticide usage in soybean production in the study area.

Key words: Insecticide, soybean, pest density, spray.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (4), pp.132-135, April, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Competency of Natural and Synthetic Chemicals in Controlling Gram Pod Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on Chickpea Crop

Muhammad Sarwar

Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tando Jam-70060, Pakistan.

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: [email protected]

Received January 6, 2012;  Accepted April 17, 2012

Abstract

As the chemical control methods are widely adopted tool for inhibiting insect pests populations in our agro ecosystem, therefore, it was contemplated to evaluate efficiency of botanical pesticide, Neemokill 60 EC (Azadirachta indica) and its comparison with synthetic chemicals, Endosulfan (Thiodan 35 EC), Cyhalothrin (Karate 2.5 EC) and Fenpropathrin (Sanitol 20 EC) against gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea crop. Results from the present study revealed that after insecticidal applications all the treated plots gave significantly the best results for insect pest suppression than the untreated plots. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of all tested insecticides were noted on plant stand. Endosulfan gave the best results followed by Cyhalothrin, Fenpropathrin, Neemokill and the check plots in controlling larval population (0.33, 0.66, 0.83, 1.33 and 4.00 larvae/ 1 meter row), pods infestation (2.73, 3.58, 4.33, 13.15 and 39.26 %), and grain yield (1846.66, 1725.00, 1535.00, 1405.00 and 1211.66 gram/ 6 m²), respectively. Results from the present investigations displayed that although both the botanical and synthetic insecticides contributed in reducing the pest population over the untreated plots, yet the synthetic chemicals are still the first line of defense against the ravages of insects and can be used freely when any insect outbreak occurs.

Key Words: Insecticides, Neem, Gram Pod Borer, Helicoverpa, Infestation, Chickpea.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 121-127, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of floral Biology of Vicia villosa Roth. (Fabaceae)

Hassen¹ Hamadi, Zoghlami-Khelil¹ Aziza, Ben Youssef¹ Salah, Chtewi¹ Khouloud and El-Bok² Safia

¹ Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie. Laboratoire des Productions Animales et Fourragères. Rue, Hédi Karray. 2049 Ariana, Tunisie.

² Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Laboratoire de Génétique des populations et Bioressources. 2092 ; El Manar 2, Tunisie.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected]

Received 17 December, 2011; Accepted 23 March, 2012

 Abstract

An analysis of the of sexual reproduction ability of Vicia villosa Roth. have been investigated. The biological material consisted of a tunisian cultivar (Sejenane) and two accessions originating from ICARDA (International Center of Agricultural Research in Dry Areas): acc. 2565 and acc. 3615. Pod formation rate (P/F), number of seeds per pod (SPP), and the number of empty pods per plant (NEP) were higher under free pollination than in self-fertilization without release, suggesting that this species is characterized by a preferential allogamy. That Allogamy seems to be ensured by a sporophytic auto-incompatibility. The gap between the number of seeds per pod (2.6 seeds on average) and the number of ovaries per gynaecium (4 ovaries on average) may reflect a fertilization malfunctioning in Vicia villosa Roth. The sporophytic auto-incompatibility, associated to both low pollinic germination rate (24 %) and flowers losses caused by gathering bumblebees (Bombus terrestris L.) constitute the main factors explaining the low fertility of this forage species.

Keywords: Vicia villosa, free pollination, self pollination, auto-incompatibility, pollinic fertility.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 109- 112, February, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Seroprevalence of Newcastle Disease Virus Infection in Rural Household Birds in Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi Metropolis, Nasarawa State Nigeria

Salihu A.E¹,Chukwuedo A.A²,Echeonwu G.O.N¹, Ibu J.O², Chukwuekezie J. O¹, Ndako J¹, Junaid S.A¹, Onovoh E.M¹ , Paul- Abu L.G¹, Ujah A.E¹, Dalyop A.K¹, Tende M.D¹, Shittu, I ²,  Chindo H.Z² and Umahi N.F³

¹ Virology Department, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B, 01 Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.

² Viral Research Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.

3 School of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Received December 23, 2011; Accepted 4 February, 2012

*Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in adult rural household scavenging birds raised under the traditional management system in Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi metropolis, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, through antibody detection using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. An overall seroprevalence rate of 28.1% was documented out of the 1030 sera tested. Chicken had seroprevalence rates of 58%, 51% and 55% in Lafia, Akwangwa and Keffi metropolis, respectively. These rates compared to those for guinea fowls and ducks in the entire metropolis were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05). NDV seroprevalence according to study location indicated 31.2% for Lafia, 28.8% for Akwanga and 24% for Keffi, which were not significantly different (p>0.05). HI antibody titres ranging between 4log₂ and 10log₂ were obtained. Chicken exhibited the highest antibody titre and had a significantly higher (p<0.05) geometric mean titre (GMT) 12.1 than guinea fowl (4.9) and ducks (4.9), respectively. These findings indicate that this category of apparently healthy birds are carriers of Newcastle disease virus and is a threat to commercial poultry production in the study area.

Key words: Newcastle disease, Seroprevalence, Rural Household Birds, Nasarawa State, Nigeria 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 054- 058, January, 2012.© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Quality Evaluation of Rabbit Meat as Affected by Different Stunning Methods

*Apata¹, E.S; ¹Eniolorunda, O.O; ¹Amao, K.E; ²Okubanjo, A.O.

^1.Department of Animal Production, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, P.M.B 0012 Ayetoro, Ogun State, Nigeria

^2. Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author's E-mail: [email protected]

Received December 9, 2011; Accepted January, 2012

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different stunning methods on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of carcass and meat of rabbits. Thirty six matured rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes with average weight of 1.5 – 2.0kg were used. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments with their weights balanced as follows; T1 = No stunning (control), T2 = Electrical stunning, T3 = Gas stunning and T4 = Mechanical stunning. Each treatment was replicated thrice and data collected were analyzed using ANOVA. The rabbits were bled after stunning, dressed conventionally, chilled at 4⁰C for 24 hours, dissected into 2 halves and fabricated into primal cuts. Carcass characteristics as well as physical, chemical and sensory properties of the rabbit meat were determined. The results showed that carcasses of rabbits stunned with gas gave higher (P<0.05) blood loss and lower (P<0.05) chilling loss. Also visual colour score, cooking yield, protein, nitrogen free extract, cooked meat colour, flavour, texture and overall acceptability were higher (P<0.05), while cooking loss, thermal shortening, drip loss, moisture and pH were lower (P<0.05) in meat from rabbits stunned with gas compared with meat from other treatments. Gas stunning was therefore, recommended since it favoured most of physicochemical and sensory characteristics of both carcass and meat of differently stunned rabbits in this study.

Keywords: Quality, Evaluation, Stunning, Rabbit, Meat. 

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (3), pp.116-120, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Breeding Season and Condition Factor of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces: Cichlidae ) in Leke Babogaya, Ethiopia

 Lemma Abera Hirpo                                                

Zwai Fishery Research Center, P.O.Box 229, Zwai, Ethiopia.

 *Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected] 

Received 18, December 2011; Accepted 24, March 2012

Abstract

The breeding season and condition factor of Oreochromis niloticus were studied in Lake Babogaya. 917 (565 female and 352 male) samples collected over 12 months between September 2005 to August 2006. Fulton condition factor was 2.13. Two factors ANOVA indicated a significant seasonal fluctuation in the condition of both sexes, but not between male and female O.niloticus. Poor body conditions coincided with time of peak breeding activity. The interaction effects of sex and month on Fulton condition factors was not significant. State of gonad maturation and Gonadosomatic index values showed that Oreochromi niloticus in Lake Babogaya breeds all year round with peak activities between April to August and during this time needs to manage the lake to use the resource appropriately.

Key words: Breeding, Condition, fish, Lake Babogaya, Size composition