Volume 2 issue 2 April 2023
Haematological and Biochemical Profiles of Exotic and Nigerian Locally Adapted Turkeys Reared in a Tropical Environment
ABSTRACT
Variations in haematological and biochemical parameters of birds can be used to explain differences in the adaptability and response of different breeds to the local environment. The study aimed at determining the haematological and biochemical variation of Nigerian locally adapted (with different plumage colours) and exotic turkeys reared in tropical environments.
A total of 200 day-old poults comprising 150 local (50 Black, 50 Lavender and 50 White) and 50 exotic (Nicholas White) turkeys were used in this study. Blood samples were collected from 180 (45 from each genotype) turkeys for the estimation of haematological and biochemical parameters.
Genotypes were observed to have a significant (p<0.05) effect on the haematological and biochemical parameters. The local white turkey had the highest (p<0.05) white blood cell (WBC) (53.22) and monocytes (MONO) while red blood cell (RBC) was highest (p<0.05) in local black but similar (p>0.05) to the values in local white and exotic turkeys.
The mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and lymphocyte (LYMP) were highest (p<0.05) in local lavender but similar (p>0.05) to the values in local white and exotic turkeys. The local white turkey had the highest (p<0.05) value of urea, Creatinine and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) while the Cholesterol level was highest (p<0.05) in the local black turkey.
The exotic turkey had the highest (p<0.05) levels of total protein, globulin, glucose and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) while the albumin level was highest (p<0.05) in the local white. There are genotypic variations in haematological and serum biochemical of turkeys examined in this study.
Therefore, the haematological performances observed in these turkeys can be used as a reference in case of any deviation during disease conditions and also in the development of an adapted turkey line for this environment.
Cluster-Based Demonstration and Popularization of Highland Maize (BH661) and Midland Maize (BH547) Production Technologies Packages in Selected Districts of Gedeo Zone and Sidama Region, Ethiopia
Merknehi Bekele*, Zerihun Dotora, Mekonen Debara
ABSTRACT
Improved maize varieties, pesticides, lime, NPSB, and urea fertilizers, as well as suggested agronomic procedures, were used as inputs for the display. Sites were selected based on the potentiality of the area to produce maize as well as their accessibility by land and road. Farmers, development agents, experts, and other stakeholders received various forms of training before implementing the demonstration. Field visits, field days, and yield harvesting events are all included as evaluation means of the demonstration. The findings show that the Gedeb and Windogenet areas produced a mean grain yield of maize of 42 qt/ha-1 and 44 qt/ha-1, respectively. The grain yield, the number of cobs per plant, disease resistance, seed color, and the well-covered seed of the varieties were preferred by the producers. The encountered challenges were the occurrence of fall armyworm; however, the worm was controlled by applying chemicals. Also, the lesson obtained from the demonstration was appropriately applying recommended maize packages is the major solution to the production and productivity problem of farmers. Extension personnel and concerned bodies need to work on the appropriate application of recommended maize technologies to improve maize productivity of farmers and interested bodywork on maize production.
Effect of Cassava-Legume Intercropping Systems on the Physicochemical Properties of the Soil in Three Agro-Ecological Zones of Sierra Leone
Augustine Mansaray* 1, AbdulBabatunde Karim2, Thomas Brima Rick Yormah2, Abdul Rahman Conteh1,
Mohamed Saima Kamara1
ABSTRACT
The study aims at evaluating the effects of cassava-legume intercropping systems on major soil nutrients across three agro-ecological zones of the country. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of four cropping systems (sole cassava, cassava + cowpea, cassava + groundnut, and cassava + soybean).The study shows a general decrease in soil pH by 1.48 9.91% and 4.24-11.375% among the agro-ecological zones and cropping systems respectively. Organic carbon increased by 28.8% in the savannah woodland zone in Makeni but decreased by 9.69% and 40.37% in the rainforest zone in Segbwema and the transitional rainforest zone in Sumbuya respectively. It also decreased by 26.27%, 12.08%, and 0.92% for the sole cassava, cassava-cowpea, and cassava-groundnut systems respectively. It was however observed to increase by 10.97% for the cassava-soybean system in the rainforest zone in Segbwema. The total nitrogen, on the other hand, increased slightly by 1.11-1.73% across the agro-ecological zones and 2.62-10.84% for the cropping systems. Total nitrogen for the sole cassava was however observed to decrease by 14.31%. Available phosphorus decreased by 47.35-59.02% and 36.23-72.89% for the agro-ecological zones and the cropping systems respectively. In addition, exchangeable potassium also decreased by 33.33-38.42% and 25.26-49.985 % for the agro-ecological zones and the cropping systems respectively. In addition, the result shows strong, positive, and significant correlations between pH with organic carbon, pH with total nitrogen, organic carbon, and total nitrogen in the three agro-ecological zones.
Assessment of Microbial Isolates in Date Palm Plantation Soils of Modibbo Adama University, Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria
Gujja A.A1. MA’. Aza, A.A2 Babagana U 3, Tarimbuka L.Y.4
ABSTRACT
This research assessed the microbial isolates in the soil of the date palm plantation of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State. Parameters evaluated included; microbial isolates based on the growth performances of the date palm. The plantation was divided according to growth variabilities. Fifteen (15) auger points were taken, five (5) in each performance site based on the corresponding variability as observed. Soil samples were collected within the same points for analysis of microbial isolates, Nutrient agar medium at 105 dilutions was inoculated in a petri dishes and incubated at 300C±10°C for 2-5 days for bacteria colonies, while for fungi and actinomycetes, sabaurond dextrose agar was used at 25°C for 5-7 days and afterward microorganisms per colony forming units (Cfu) were counted. Results from the study area showed that the area is highly rich in microorganisms. A total of 5096 colonies were scattered within 10 families in the study area. Some microorganisms identified were Actinomyces crime, Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus aurus, Streptococcus species, Pseudomonas auroginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus species among others. The finding of this study revealed that there was no significant difference among the microorganism across the study site leading to the conclusion that soil microorganisms were present in the study area. However, the microorganisms were very active in the date palm plantation soil. This is an indication that a strong relationship exists between, microorganisms and the date palm trees.
Survival and Growth Performance of Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) Wildlings Using Biochar Soil Amendment
Jushtine M. David1, Leana S. Galicia2
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the effects of biochar application on the growth performance of mahogany wildlings. Four hundred eighty cuttings were used; treatments were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCDB), replicated 3 times and repeated three times. The study has four (4) treatments namely: T1 (Control), T2 (3:1 ratio of soil to biochar), T3 (2:3 ratio of biochar to soil) and T4 (2:2 ratio of biochar to soil). The study revealed that in terms of plant height, there is significant difference as referred to analysis of variance at 35 days after biochar application. T4 (mean of 23.81cm) is significantly higher than T1 (mean of 22.59cm) but not significantly different from T2 (mean of 23.33cm) and T3 (mean of 23.58cm). Analysis of variance revealed that there is no significant difference among treatment means in terms of diameter. At 70 days after biochar application, analysis of variance showed that there is significant difference in the number of leaves of mahogany wildlings i.e. treatment 4 (mean of 9.58) is significantly different from T1 (mean of 6.72), but not significantly different from T2 (mean of 7.68) and T3 (mean 8.47). Based on the analysis of variance in terms of root length, there is no difference among means. In terms of survival, there is no significant difference among treatment means. All treatments obtained a mean of 100% which proved that all treatments are comparable to each other. The result concludes that application of biochar as soil amendment did not affect the mahogany wildlings in terms of plant diameter, root length, and survival. However, in terms of plant height and number of leaves, the application of biochar showed significant effects on mahogany wildlings. It was also revealed that application of biochar at 2:2 ratio of biochar to soil performed better than other treatments.
Effect of De-Worming Drugs for Intestinal Parasites Control on Laboratory Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Breeding in DMR
Maung Maung Mya1*, Than Myat Htay2, Aye Win Oo2
ABSTRACT
Pinworms remain most prevalent in laboratory mice and rats. Rats are usually infected with Syphacia muris and mice with Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera. Therefore, the study was conducted to eliminate worm infection using deworming drugs on laboratory rats in DMR during the study period from March 2021 to February 2022. In of rats the present study, thirty males and thirty females of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) from DMR were randomly selected and 10 each were housed in cages separately according to the treatment of three deworming drugs as fenbendazole, albendazole and parazivet groups of rats. Before the treatment of deworming drugs, all groups of rats were detected worm parasite’s eggs by the method of taping (Graham). Out of 60 rats, 55(91.67%) rats were positive for both Pinworm (Syphacia muris) and Ascariasis (Ascaris suum) eggs. Of these, the highest density of mixed infection was found 40 (72.73%) (Pinworm + Ascariasis) followed by Pinworms only 8(14.55%) of rats and lowest positivity was observed Ascaris suum eggs only 7(12.73%) rats respectively. Among them 28 (93.33%) samples of males and 27 (90%) samples of females were found parasite positive. After treatment of deworming drugs, 100% reduction was observed in all groups of rats. All the deworming drugs were found very effective to control the Pin worm and Ascariasis infection. To reduce reinfection, monthly treatment is needed to control or eliminate the worm infection in laboratory animals.