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- ItemRESPONSE OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) VARIETIES TO WEED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND TIME OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER APPLICATION IN NORTHERN GUINEA AND SUDAN SAVANNA, NIGERIA(2022)Field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 wet seasons at the Teaching and Research farm of Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State and the Minjibir Research farm of Agricultural Research Station, Kano State of the Institute for Agricultural Research , Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to evaluate the response of groundnut varieties to weed management strategies and time of phosphorus fertilizer application in the northern Guinea and Sudan savanna of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT-22, SAMNUT-23 and SAMNUT-24), five weed control management strategies (weedy check; black polythene mulch; pendimethalin at 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre- emergence herbicide followed by (fb) fluazifop-p-butyl at 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 applied at 3 WAS; intra-row spacing at 10 cm; hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS); and two different times of phosphorus (P) fertilizer application (i.e 2 weeks before sowing and at sowing). The treatments were arranged in a split plot design with factorial combinations of weed control strategies and time of P application in the main plot, and groundnut variety were allocated to the sub-plots. The treatments were replicated three times. The most predominant weed species in Samaru at 2018 and 2019 were Oldenlandia herbacea, Vernonia cinerea, Ludwigia abyssinica and Ageratum conyzoides, while in Minjibir at both years the most predominant weed species were Oldenlandia herbacea, Alternanthera sessilis, Hyptis lanceolata, Commelina diffusa subsp. diffusa. The results from the study revealed that SAMNUT-24 recorded the least weed dry weight, weed cover score and had better weed control efficiency than SAMNUT-22 and SAMNUT-23. Furthermore, SAMNUT-24 had wider canopy spread, taller plants, higher crop growth rate (CGR) and leaf area index (LAI), more nodules and better crop vigour compared with the two other varieties. The same variety flowered earlier and produced the highest pod and haulms yield. Evaluating weed management strategies; use of black polythene as mulch conferred significantly advantages with respect to weed control efficiency, low weed dry weight, weed cover score, higher CGR, LAI, canopy spread, pod yield, haulm yield, kernel yield and other yield components. Also, higher relative growth rate and nodule count were recorded under with black polythene mulch and hoe weeding at 3+ 6 WAS than in other weed control methods. Time of P application had no significant effect on weed, growth and yield characters evaluated. Groundnut pod yield was positively and highly correlated with haulm yield. In conclusion, the use of SAMNUT-24 with black polythene mulch and applying P 2 weeks before sowing or at sowing gave the highest yield of 2.50 t ha-1 at Samaru and 2.41 t ha-1 at Minjibir. Also, the use of SAMNUT-24 with black polythene mulch and applying P at sowing gave the highest net farm income at Samaru (N 1,405,643) and Minjibir (N 1,434,036) respectively. The following recommendations are drawn from the study; SAMNUT-24 is recommended for better pod and haulms yield groundnut. For effective weed control black polythene mulch or hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS are recommended for boosting productivity of groundnut. Application of phosphorous fertilizer at sowing is recommended for minimizing cost of production around Samaru and Minjibir.
- ItemQUALITY OF DAMBUN NAMA PREPARED FROM BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) AND SABARA (Guiera senegalensis) LEAF MEALS(2021)Studies were conducted to evaluate quality of dambun nama prepared from broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of Moringa oleifera (MOL) and Guiera senegalensis (GSL) leaf meals. The experiments were carried out at the Research Farm, Department of Animal Science and at the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. A total of two hundred and forty (240) day old broiler chicks of Cobb 500 strain were used for each of the two experiments (MOL and GSL) concurrently. In Experiment 1a, two hundred and forty (240) day old broiler chicks were allotted into four graded levels of MOL at 0, 7, 14 and 21% to serve as treatments MOL1, MOL2, MOL3 and MOL4, respectively. The birds were replicated three (3) times with 20 chicks per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. In Experiment 1b, MOL was substituted with GSL for GSL1, GSL2, GSL3 and GSL4. The two experiments lasted for 8 weeks. The results revealed that growth performance such as initial weight, final weight gain, feed intake, average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain did not differ significantly among the four treatments from birds in MOL. However, feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.01) different among the treatments, where MOL1, MOL2 and MOL3 differed significantly (P<0.01) with treatment MOL4; values being 2.97, 2.88, 2.83, 2.43. The result on growth parameters such as initial weight, final weight, weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different across the treatment groups (GSL1, GSL2, GSL3 and GSL4). Other growth traits (feed intake, average daily feed intake and mortality) were significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatment groups (GSL1; 5332.40g than in GSL2; 4698.20g, GSL3; 4731.50g and GSL4; 4536.70g. Similarly, average daily feed intake was higher (P<0.05) in GSL1 (95.22g) than GSL2 (83.89g) and GSL3 (84.47g) and GSL4 (81.01g). However, the results dry matter, lipid, crude protein, ash and carbohydrate) of both fresh meat and dambun nama processed from broiler chickens were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) differed across the treatments (MOL and GSL). There were significant (P ˂ 0.05) differences among sensory attributes of both MOL and GSL dambun nama across treatments. However, the storage quality of dambun nama from MOL and GSL exhibited variations in their total fungal and bacterial growth over the 12-week storage periods. The growth (cfu/g x 105) of microbes measured in dambun nama decreased with the increase in concentrations of both MOL and GSL. Among, the packaging media studied; foil paper pack (FPP), wrapped newspaper pack (WNP), plastic container pack (PCP) and disposable container pack (DCP) had low counts of total microbial load in dambun nama stored up to 12 weeks. The study concluded that incorporation of MOL and GSL in the diet of broiler chickens up to 21% had no deleterious effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of both fresh meat and meat floss of broiler chickens. Dambun nama was liked very much by the sensory panelists. The packaging media (FPP, WNP, PCP and DCP) had significant effects on microbial load, with PCP and WNP being more effective. It is recommended that MOL and GSL be included in broiler chicken diets up to 21% for improved meat quality. Dambun nama from broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of MOL and GSL should be stored above the 12- weeks period for further investigation on sensory attributes for its overall acceptance, shelf-life and quality.
- ItemOCCURRENCE, DISTRIBUTION AND ALTERNATIVE HOSTS OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS, WATERMELON MOSAIC VIRUS AND ZUCCHINI YELLOW MOSAIC VIRUS ON CUCUMBER IN KADUNA AND KANO STATES(2021)Field surveys were conducted during the 2020 dry (February to April) and rainy (August to October) seasons in three Local Government Areas each of Kaduna and Kano States of Nigeria to determine the occurrence and distribution of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) on cucumber. A total of thirty-six farms were surveyed in Kaduna and Kano states, eighteen in each State and a total of 540 cucumber leaf samples and 180 weeds leaf samples were collected during dry and rainy season from the two states. All the samples were screened by Double Antibody Sandwich- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay (DAS-ELISA). All the three viruses were detected in all the Local Government Areas visited. In Kaduna State Cucumber mosaic virus had an incidence of 10.37 % during the dry season and 16.29 % at the rainy season, Watermelon mosaic virus had an incidence of 3.67 % in the dry season and 4.44 % during the rainy season, Zucchini yellow mosaic virus had an incidence of 0.73 % at the dry season and 5.18 % during the rainy season respectively. In Kano State Cucumber mosaic virus had an incidence of 5.18 % at the dry season and 18.53 % at the rainy season, Watermelon mosaic virus had incidences of 11.58 % at the dry season and 1.48 % during the rainy season while Zucchini yellow mosaic virus had incidences of 0.74 % during the dry season and 4.44 % during the rainy season respectively. Mixed infections were also observed among CMV+WMV with incidences of 4.45 % during the dry season and 2.22 % at the rainy season in Kaduna. CMV+WMV (4.44 %) and CMV+ZYMV (2.33 %) was only observed during the rainy season in Kano State. This is the first report of ZYMV on cucumber in Nigeria, CMV was the most widespread and prevalent virus infecting cucumber and weed in the study areas. This is also the first reports of Ageratum houstonianum and Alternanthera brasiliana as weed hosts of CMV and WMV in Kaduna and Kano States respectively.
- ItemGROWTH PERFORMANCE OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS FED DRIED AND ENSILED Leptadenia hastata (Yadiya) FORAGE IN A TOTAL MIXED RATION IN NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH OF NIGERIA(2021)The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of Red Sokoto Buck fed dried or ensiled Leptadenia hastata forage in a Total Mixed Ration at the Department of Animal Science Teaching and Research Farm Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. A total of 16 Red Sokoto bucks weighing between 12-15±0.5, kg were used for the experiment. The study consisted of four treatments with four animals in each treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD).Treatment I served as the control diet with no L. hastata forage, treatment II contained dried L. hastata forage, treatment III contained Ensiled L. hastata and treatment IV contained a combination of dried and ensiled L. hastata (50:50) all in a Total Mixed Ration. The animals were fed 3% of their body weights daily and water was provided ad-libitum for a period of ninety (90) days for growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, heamatological parameters, serum parameters, lipid profile and economic analysis. Results of the growth performance showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in total weight gain, average daily weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. However, final weights were not significantly different (P>0.05) across the dietary treatments. The digestibility coefficients of diet containing ensiled L. hastata had significantly (P<0.05) higher dry matter (66.17%), crude protein (83.67%), crude fibre (68.57%), ash (80.77%), ether extract (80.97%) and nitrogen free extract (72.57%) digestibility compared to other treatments. Results of nitrogen balance showed there were significant differences (P<0.05) in all the measured parameters across the dietary treatments. Nitrogen intake was higher for bucks fed Ensiled L. hastata diet and least for those fed combination (50:50) of dried and Ensiled L. hastata. Results of haematological parameters showed there were significant (P<0.05) differences in packed cell volume (PCV%), haemoglobin (hbmg/dl), red blood cells (RBCx1012/L), white blood cells (WBCx109/L), neutrophils (%), while lymphocytes(%), eosinophil(%), monocyte(%), basophils(%) and mean corpuscular volume(MCV fl) were not different (P>0.05) across the treatments. Lipid profile result showed there were significant differences (P<0.05) in all the measured parameters across the dietary treatments. High density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Red Sokoto bucks fed dried L. hastata. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and tryglycerides were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Red Sokoto Bucks fed dried, ensiled and mixtures of L.hastata. Lowest cost/Kg gain and higher return on investment was observed in animals fed diet containing ensiled L. hastata. It was therefore concluded that L. hastata forage had effect on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, haematological parameters and lipid profile of Red Sokoto Bucks.It was also observed that addition of L. hastata forage in diets of Red Sokoto bucks is cost effective
- ItemEVALUATION OF WORKABILITY TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH HANDLING AND MILKING OF BUNAJI COWS(2022)The study was carried out to explore the phenotypic relationships and dependencies among workability traits (temperament and milkability) that significantly affect the function of Bunaji cows. Fifty-one (51) multiparous, non-pregnant, lactating cows were used for this study. These cows in their third stage of lactation were sorted from four different herds of the same farm. The cows were tagged and certified clinically fit by animal health personnel. The techniques implored to assess the animals’ workability traits were average milk flow-rate and subjective milkability score for milkability trait; and milking, pen, chute, chute exit score and chute exit speed for temperament traits. Data of milkability, temperament, udder and body linear measurements in the experiment were analysed using SAS (9.0) version. Computations using means procedure were done to: determine the means and standard error for each trait; and coefficients of variation (CV) to determine the variability in the population sample. Significant differences in means were compared using the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to determine the degrees of relationship among and between variables for all animals within each temperament and milkability groups. Further exploration using principal components analysis (PCA) was used to determine the relationships of the traits. The result of these findings showed that: majority of the cattle handles perceived the temperament of Bunaji cattle to be moderately reactive. Milk yield (MY), rear udder height (RUH), rear udder width (RUW); udder depth (UD); central ligament (CL), fore teat-placement (FTP), tail lengths (TL2), were significantly (p<0.05) affected by milkability (AFR).Temperament traits had significant (p<0.05) effect on exit speed, milk yield, milkability and body measurements. Milkability was significantly correlated with RUH, TL, FTP, UD, CL and milking duration (D). Chute temperament score (CT), chute exit score (CES) and chute exit speed (FS) were highly (P< 0.01) correlated temperament traits as they had high significant loadings on only one principal components (PCs); similarly the milk flow-rate traits and milkability score (AMS). The correlations between temperament and milkability traits were not significant (p>0.05). The conclusions were: Bunaji cows with very fast milkability scores (MS1) had the highest flow-rate and milk yield; Bunaji cows with milking temperament score 1 (very calm) produced more milk than those of the milking temperament score 3 (moderately calm). Bunaji cows that jump while exiting the chute at a higher speed (score 5) were more reactive and dangerous than those that ran (score 3), trot (score 2) and walked (score 1). PCA could be used for the reduction in the number of type traits used in selection for subjective and objective milkability and temperament. Animprovement on milkability traits would significantly reduce the total time of milking. It is thus recommended that: Farmers and dairy producers should be encouraged to rear cows that have high milk flow trait; handlers need to be conscious of temperaments of cattle to ensure safety. This study should be replicated for other breeds of cattle.