ASSET:An International Journal (Series A)}

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MAJOR DETERMINANTS OF LOAN REPAYMENT UNDER THE NIGERIAN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE BANK SMALL HOLDERS’ LOAN SCHEME OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

D. A. Adegbite

This paper discuses some of the major determinants of loan repayment by beneficiaries of the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Bank Small Holders’ loan Scheme in Ogun State between 1981 and 1999 before the bank became merged with the Peoples’ Bank of Nigeria as the Nigerian Agricultural Credit and Rural Development Bank (NAC&RDB). Using the combination of cross-sectional data generated from a sample of survey of beneficiaries and a time series data of repayment by year and by project for analyses, the empirical results revealed that the significant determinants of loan repayment under the scheme were, loan volume disbursed, sex, and farming experience. The repayment was selective of family size, loan volume disbursed and the proximity to the financial institution. The overall repayment performance for all beneficiaries of the loan scheme was 0.19 was considered too low for the sustainability of the scheme, the average volume of loan disbursed was N 8,918.00 and the average repaid N1,594.42 as at a 9– week disbursement lag. A case is however made for more meaningful financial polices that will emphasis saving mobilization, diversification of loan portfolio and placement of meaningful rate of interest that will cover the cost of risks and loan administration if the Nigerian Agricultural Credit and Rural development Bank resulting from the merger effects in the Year 2000, will improve.

PERFORMANCE AND SERUM METABOLITES OF BROILER CHICKS FED HULLED SUNFLOWER SEED CAKE DIETS

C. A. Adeniji

The replacement value of hulled—sunflower seed cake protein (HSFCP) at 0,25.50,75 and 100% for soybean cake protein (SBCP) was assessed using 225 day-old broiler chickens. The diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric with 23 and 20% crude protein as well as 2.95 kcal/g and 2.85 kcal/g metabolisable energy at the starter and finisher phases respectively. At the starter phase highest (P< 0.05) live weight of 625.00g, protein efficiency ratio of 1.63 and 2.92 mg/dl creatinine concentration were obtained with 25% HSFSCP and poorest feed efficiency ratio of 3.65 and 51.30 mg/dl of urea were obtained with 100% HSFSCP, while highest glucose concentration of 30.96 which did not significantly differ (P> 0.05) from value obtained with 75% HSFSCP was obtained with 50% HSFSCP diet. At the finisher phase HSFSCP reduced (P< 0.05) nitrogen and either extract retentions, lowest values of 54.71 and 96.94% were obtained with 100% and 50% HSFSCP respectively. Creatinine and glucose concentrations were increased (P< 0.05) except for 3.37 mg/dl with 75% and 120.20 mg/100ml for 0% respectively, which did not differ (P> 0.05) from value obtained with 25%. At the overall (starter and finisher) live weight, feed and protein utilizations of 75% did not differ (P>0.05) from values obtained with 0% HSFSCP. This study suggested that for efficient growth and protein utilization HSFSCP could replace 75% of SBCP in broiler chicken diets.

PAWPAW SEEDS AS THERAPEUTIC AGENT FOR PARASITIC GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTH OF GOATS

A. K. Fajimi

Nine female West African dwarf (WAD) goats naturally infested with gastrointestinal helminthes were used to assess the efficacy of pawpaw seeds suspension vis-à-vis that of levamisole in the treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats. The animals were allotted into 3 groups: 1,2 and 3 of three animals each in a completely randomized arrangement. Group one was treated with pawpaw seds (dried and gound) at 50mg/kg orally, biweekly for six weeks; while the second group was given levamisole at 7.5mg/kg 1/m; Group 3 was left as untreated control. The approximate efficacy rating of 86.46%, 95.92% for Oesophagostomum; 94.50%, 98.54% for Trichuris and 92.61%, 94.06% for Trichostrongylus was established for treatment 1 and 2 respectively. However in the untreated control, the efficacy rating is not applicable since there were increase in egg per gram (EPG) in faeces across all the nematode types identified. Levamisole produced higher efficacy rating across all the nematode types compared to pawpaw seeds. There were gradual weight gains in treated animals while there were corresponding weight loss in the untreated ones. The PCV and Hb evaluations of treated animals were within the normal physiological range of values for each blood parameter unlike the untreated that fell below.

EFFECTS OF SEED WEIGHT, SEED DRYING AND SEED SOAKING ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR OF BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annum (L)

P. O. Adetiloye

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of seed weight, seed drying and seed soaking on the germination and seedling vigour of Capsicum (L) at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Fresh seeds were extracted from mature ripe fruits. The seeds were subjected to 0,3,6 and 9 days of sun drying. The first experiment was planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design, RCBD, with four replications. A second experiment was planted to determine the effect of light versus heavy seed lots and the effect of 0,3,6, and 9 days of sun drying. The effects of seed weight and the length of soaking of the dried seed lots (for 0,6,12 and 18 hours) in water, were investigated in experiments three and four. Experiments two, three and four were each planted in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Experiments one, two and three were carried out in polythene bags in the screen house while Experiment four was carried out on nursery bed in the field. Seed emergence and seedling vigour were evaluated in the four experiments. In experiments one and two, emergence, leaf number and dry matter yield of seeds sown fresh were significantly higher than those of sun dried seed lots. In Experiment two, heavy seeds gave 84% average emergency and floated or light seeds gave 28% emergence. The low emergence percentage in Experiment one was due to poor emergence of poorly filled seeds that were not separated from the seed lots. In experiments three and four, seed soaking in water significantly increased emergence percentage and rate of emergence over the dry seed lot, particularly for heavy seeds. Soaking heavy seeds for 12-18 hours prior to planting substantially improved emergence rate and seedling vigour. Seed germination correlated highly and positively with seedling dry matter yield. This study highlights that low seed germination in bell pepper was affected mainly by seed filling and to some extent by the hardness of the seed coat, particularly for poorly filled seeds following sun drying.

PREFERENCE STUDIES AND SHORT-TERM INTAKE OF BROWSE MIXTURES BY CATTLE

O. S. Lamidi

Three studies involving different browses and their mixtures were carried out during the dry season in Southern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria with Bunaji bulls. The first trial involved preference studies of five different browses offered both as fresh (fed within 30 minutes of cut) and dry to either young or adult bulls simultaneously. The 2nd and 3rd trials involved short-term intake of combination of Khaya senegalensis mixed with either Gliricidia sepium or Gmelina arborea at different ratio. The three browses were selected from the preference trial (based on their preference and crude protein content.). The different browse combinations were fed to 16 young bulls at 3kgDM/2h for 7 days in their fresh or dry form. The over all order of preference of the browses by the bulls were Khaya senegalensis > Leucaena leucocephala>Gmelina arborea >Ficus thoningia >Gliricidia sepium. Khaya senegalensis was most preferred by both the young and adult bulls and in its fresh and dried forms Gliricidia sepium was not consumed at all by all categories of bulls. The dried form of the browses were most preferred than the fresh form. Dry matter intake of mixtures of Khaya senegalensis and Gmelina arborea were highest (0.78kgDM/2hrs for fresh sample and 1.56kgDM/2hrs for dry samples when the browses were mixed at ratio 1:1 and least (0.45kgDM/2hrs for fresh sample and 1.33kgDM/2hrs for dry sample) when Gmelina arborea was fed alone. Dry matter intake of mixtures of Khaya senegalensis and Gmelina arborea decreased, significantly (P<0.05) as the levels of Gmelina arborea increased in the mixture. DM intake of Khaya senegalensis and Gliricidia sepium decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing level of G. sepium in the mixture. However, when Gliricidia sepium alone was fed, the animals did not consume it. In both cases, the dried form of the browse was consumed more than the fresh form. The result was discussed in relation to anti nutritional factors and physical characteristics of the browse.

INFLUENCE OF EXTENSION EDUCATION ON RESIDENTS’ WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICES IN ABEOKUTA AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

S. O. Apantaku

The study investigated the influence of the level of awareness and use of environmental extension education information obtained from public extension education programs on environmental sanitation and wastes disposal practices by residents of Abeokuta South Local government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 450 residents were interviewed while senior environmental health officials of Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) responded to a questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentages and chi-square. Results indicated that majority (94%) of residents disposed wastes improperly, making the city quite dirty. The level of awareness and use of environmental education information obtained through extension education is low (36%). However, the level of awareness and use of information obtained through extension education methods influenced residents’ environmental sanitation and waste disposal practices (χ² =68.65, α<.05) Radio and TV were the commonest sources of environmental education information. Residents’ level of income (χ² =78.3, α<.05) and years of formal education (χ² =79.64, α<.05) acquired had significant relationship with their waste disposal improperly because of inability to afford out-door refuse drums (bins), fees charged by private environmental sanitation agencies and far (distant) location of refuse disposal houses. The major recommendations of the study included intensification of public extension education programs on environmental sanitation, stricker enforcement of environmental sanitation laws, building more refuse disposal houses and provision of out-door refuse bins (placed in strategic places) by government.

STUDIES ON THE GROWTH, REPRODUCTION AND AQUACULTURE POTENTIAL OF THE AFRICAN BONY TONGUE FISH (HETEROTIS NILOTICUS) IN PONDS AND RESERVOIRS IN COASTAL SOUTH-WEST STATES OF NIGERIA

Y. Akegbejo-Samsons

This paper presents some of the results of a study carried out at the large reservoirs and small ponds in the coastal southwest area of Nigeria. It was aimed at identifying some of the culture problems associated with the culturing of Heterotis niloticus in both large reservoirs and small ponds in South-west Nigeria. The focus was essentially to shift the exploitation of the species from the wild to cultured environment. Four rearing ponds each having a total surface area of about 0.72 ha were prepared (fertilized with chicken manure) and impounded for four weeks before the introduction of 1000 juveniles of H. niloticus into the ponds and 1000 juveniles into the reservoirs. Both ponds and reservoirs were stocked at 5 juveniles per m². The factors tested consisted of growth, reproduction and aquacultural potentials of the African bony tongue. Growth and survival rates were different but better and higher in reservoirs than ponds. Daily weight gain (DWG) was between 1.63 and 1.72 g in the ponds while it was higher (3.16-3.19g) in the reservoirs. The condition factors (CF) were also higher in the reservoirs (2.04-2.08) compared to 0.66 in the ponds. The specific growth rate (SGR) ranged between 0.54 and 0.55 in the ponds as against a higher value of 0.74 in the reservoirs. Survival rate in both ponds and reservoirs was between 80 and 85%. Reproduction (production of frys) occurred twice in the reservoirs with an average of 59 frys per school. No reproduction was recorded in any of the ponds during the experimental period (9 months). Fish raised in the reservoirs reached maturity level faster than those raised in the ponds. Results from data collected suggested that (a) rearing in conventional earthen ponds can be unduly prolonged in order to allow fish to attain desired weight; (b) production of H. niloticus is faster, more efficient and more profitable in terms of weight gain, feed gain ratio than in ponds.

EMBRYO GENETIC CHRONOLOGY OF Heterobranchus bidorsalis (GEOFFROY ST. HILAIRE, 1809

O. T. Agbebi

Studies on the artificial breeding, eggs and larvae development of Heterobranchus biodorsalis were conducted in glass aquaria maintained in thermo-regulated laboratory at 26⁰C. The duration between time of egg fertilization to the time of complete yolk absorption and embryological development were investigated. After 28 min of egg fertilization, the zygote divided into animal and vegetal poles. The first cleavage (2-cell stage) took place 44 min after fertilization. This was followed by 4-, 8-, 16-, 32– cell stages at 54, 65, 77 and 93min after activation respectively. Morula stage took place 169 min after activation and then gastrulation at 483 min. developing embryos hatched 1525min (25.4h) after fertilization having a mean length of 3.19mm; mean yolk length, 1.27mm and heart beat rate, 133 per min. hatched embryos were negatively phototaxic and remained in groups.

EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENTS AND STORAGE CONTAINERS ON THE MAINTENANCE OF VIABILITY OF OKRO SEED

M. A. Adebisi

The relative effects of five seed treatments as well as six storage containers on the maintenance of seed viability in okro were evaluated . The result indicated considerable variation in seed viability. Apron plus treated seed in glass bottles and sealed plastic bottles were best with 66-70% viability. Chemical treatment preserved okro seeds better for over 2 months and maintained higher viability (above 80%) than control or palm oil treatments. Glass bottles and sealed plastic bottles were most effective as they consistently maintained superior viability over 6 months. aldrexT treated seed (3g/kg seed) maintained satisfactory viability of 70% over 4 months if stored in glass bottles. However , Apron plus treated seed (5g / kg seed) in glass bottles or sealed plastic bottles was effective as a high viability of 70 to 72% was recorded over 4 months. Seed treated with FernazanD (3g / kg seed) in galvanized iron tins had more than 70% viability after 3 months. But palm oil treated seed (59 / kg seed) reduced viability of stored seeds in all the containers, irrespective of storage time. Galvanized iron tins were the best containers to store the seed without any chemical treatments, followed by earthen pots, glass bottles and sealed plastic bottles, maintaining as much as 70 — 74% viability for over 4 months. The correlations co-efficient results that all the treatments had high and significant negative correlations with storage time indicating a substantial loss in the viability of treated okro seed during storage in the six containers.

EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENTS AND STORAGE CONTAINERS ON THE MAINTENANCE OF VIABILITY OF OKRO SEED

M. A. Adebisi

ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF Tilapia mariae (BOULENGER) FROM LEKKI LAGOON, NIGERIA

O. I. Jegede

Specimens of T. mariae were collected from the catches of local fishermen operating on Lekki Lagoon between February and November 2000. Specimens were measured and weighed, sexes and stages of gonad development were recorded and fecundity determined by the wet weight method. Egg size was measured under a binocular microscope with the aid of a standardized calibrated ocular. Chi-square test showed that there was no significant difference between the observed and the expected female: male ratio of 1:1. The condition factor was 2.20±0.17. No sexual or seasonal variation in CF was observed. The gonadosomatic index ranged from 2.34-6.98. Absolute and relative fecundities were 2,157± 522 and 16.26± 4.49 eggs/g.; respectively. The Maximum egg size was 2.29 ± 0.13 mm. The observed low population of T. mariae in the Lagoon may be related to the low fecundity exhibited by the species.

EFFECTS OF FORMULATED MIXTURE OF BENTAZONE AND ACIFLUORFEN ON WEEDS IN GUINEA GRASS (Panicum Maximum Jacq.) /COOK STYLO (Stylosanthes guianensis Aubl.(Sw ) MIXED SWARD

Alaba O. Jolaosho

The effects of formulated mixture of bentazone and acifluorfen on weeds in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq) and cook Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis Aubl. (Sw.) mixed swards were studies in greenhouse and filed experiments. Two greenhouse trials to screen for the most suitable herbicide application rate and two subsequent field trials to determine the efficacy of the selected rate on weed control and forages were conducted. Formulated mixture of bentazone and acifluorfen at 0.87 Kg ai/ha favoured the growth of the forage palnts as measured by the number of tillers and leaves of guinea grass, as well as number of seedlings of stylo in the greenhouse. Generally, bentazone and acifluorfen at 0.87 kg ai.ha had the highest number and dry weight of stylo and guinea grass. Therefore, bentazone and acifluorfen at 0.87Kg ai/ha was selected for further trials on the field. The results of the field trials showed that there were significant reductions in the dry matter yields of broadleaf weeds and sedges up to 18WAP. The total dry matter yields of weeds were significantly reduced only at 20WAP (Weeks After Planting) of the second trial. The dry matter yield of guinea grass was significantly increased only at 47WAP of the first trial. In conclusion, bentazone and acifluorfen effectively controlled broadleaf weeds and sedges up to 18 WAP but not grasses with an insignificant increase in the dry matter yield of guinea grass without significantly reducing the cook stylo.

SHALLOW AQUIFER CHARACTERISTICS IN A TROPICAL CRYSTALLINE ROCK ENVIRONMENT: A CASE STUDY OF ABEOKUTA CITY, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

O. A. Idowu

Shallow aquifer, constituted by the weathered material which overlies the fresh basement in the city of Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria is studied by analyzing constant pumping tests from 32 hand dug wells and major ion constituents of water samples collected from the wells. Assessed are the characteristics of the wells and the hydraulic characteristics of the shallow aquifer for the pumping and the recovery regimes. The transmissivities range between 1.42 x 10^-4m/s to 7.03 x 10^-4m/s for the pumping phase and between 1.21 x 10^-4m/s to 12.25 x 10^-4m/s for the recovery phase, while the specific yields range from 0.092 to 0.61 and from 0.02 to 0.647 for pumping and recovery regimes respectively. Two major recharge areas are identifiable from study area and the groundwater flow directions indicate a possible mixture of the two water types from the recharge areas in the central part. In addition to high nitrate concentration, indication of aquifer pollution from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources is also provided by the high concentrations of cadmium ion in the groundwater. The average concentration of nitrate and cadmium ions are 88 ppm and 0.014 ppm, respectively.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY AND TOTAL PROTEIN IN THE BRAIN AND HYPOPHYSES OF THE RED SOKOTO BUCKS AND DOES

D. O. Adejumo

Sex differences have been identified in the anatomy of the brain, the sizes of the brain regions and in the distributions of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme know to inactivate the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (Ach) in neuronal synapse. In this study, sex differences in the distribution of AChE and total protein in eight brain regions and hypophyses of 10 mature Red Sokoto (Maradi ) bucks and 10 does of similar weight and husbandry system were determined. AChE is concentrated at varying levels in the various brain regions examined with the highest concentrations in the amygdala (7.79), mid and brain (6.78), hippocampus (6.21) and medulla oblongata (6.19) and the lowest concentrations in the cerebellum (4.32), pons (2.89) and cerebral cortex (0.78). However, the effect of sex is more significant in the pons, hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata where AChE was more concentrated (P<0.05) in the bucks than in the does. Sex effects on total protein concentrations were significant (P<0.5) in the pons, cerebellum, hypothalamus and medulla oblongata with the males recording higher concentrations than the females. The concentrations in the other brain regions and hypotheses were not significant. This study has provided additional information about sexual dimorphism of the goat brain in AChE activity and total protein concentrations.

EFFECTS OF GRADED LEVELS OF FEATHER MEAL AS A DIETARY PROTEIN SOURCE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HAEMATOLOGY, SERUM CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN RABBITS

D. O. Adejumo

Forty-eight cross bred (New Zealand White x Chinchila) weaner make rabbits aged 6 weeks and weighing 600-700g were balanced for weight and randomly allocated to four experimental rations. The control diet had no feather meal while its incorporation in the other trial diets was at 10%, (diet 2), 14% (diet 3) and 18% (Diet 4) as supplement to blood meal. Maize and cassava peels were maintained at 36% each in all the diet and rice bran at 8%. Effects of the diets on performance, haematology, and serum chemistry and clinical enzyme activities were determined. Feed intake was significantly depressed by the feather meal at 14% and 18% levels of inclusion. Feather meal incorporation at 10% supported feed intake, growth, performance and feed efficiency at levels comparable to the control diet, while higher levels of feather meal (14% and 18%) significantly (P<0.05) depressed feed consumption and produced poor daily weight gain and depressed feed efficiency. The rabbits fed the control diet had similar haemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume means cell volume mean cell haemoglobin, and mean cell haemoglobin concentration with animals on 10% feather meal supplement but are significantly higher (P<0.05) than levels observed in animals fed the other diets. Diets 2 and 3 supported packed cell volume at levels similar to the control but at 18% supplementation, feather meal significantly depressed packed cell volume values. Animals on the 18% feather meal diet had the lowest mean cell volume of 47.22 (fl) compared to 59.81 (fl) for the control. The red blood cell count was unaffected by the dietary treatments while the 18% feather meal supplementation significantly elevated white blood cell count (P<0.05). Serum total protein, globulin and calcium were highest (P<0.05) in rabbits fed the count and 10% feather meal supplemented diets and lowest in the other two rations Albumin was similarly lowest (P<0.05) in rabbits fed 18% feather meal and progressively higher in the other diets. However feather meal at 145 AND 18% supplementation significantly lowered serum cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Clinical enzyme activities ranged from 173.22 in the control to 68.47 at 18% feather meal supplementation and 291.12 in the control diet to 66.42 at 18% feather meal for AST and ALT respectively. On the other hand, creatinine and urea levels rose significantly with increasing feather meal inclusions in the diets. Supplemental feather meal significantly affected calcium/creatinine ratio with higher levels of supplementation producing the lowest values. These chemical interactions will need further study for a better understanding to emerge but the present study has established that feather meal can be supplemented at 10% level with other protein sources with good clinical and metabolic performance.

SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND SEMEN MICROBES IN RABBIT BREEDS RAISED IN A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

D. Zahraddeen

Series of experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi to investigate reaction time to sexual behavior and sensitivity of semen microbes to antibiotics in Dutch belted and local rabbits. The results showed that intervals from buck introduction to mounting, mounting to pelvic thrusts, pelvic thrusts to ejaculation and total time on teaser were significantly (P<0.05) affected by breed and time of semen collection; favouring Dutch rabbits and morning periods. The bacterial isolates (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) were only susceptible to ciproxin, nobactin, nalidixic acid, ampicillin, gentamycin and chloramphenicol while the fungal isolate (Candida stellatoidea) was resistant to all the antibiotics tested. These antibiotics could be used in the control of bacteria in semen samples. It is concluded that the Dutch rabbits are superior to the local breed in terms of their response to training programme for semen collection.

THE PERFORMANCE OF IMPROVED COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) VARIETIES IN ALECTRA-INFESTED FIELD AT SAMARU

C. Shinggu

Cowpea is a major plant protein source that is being threatened by Alectra vogelii in northern Nigeria. Control of the parasitic weed by the various traditional methods is far from being adequate. The use of plant resistance may by the most feasible method of checking the menace of this weed. Two series of evaluation involving 35 IITA dual-purpose varieties, 2 IAR varieties and a local check were carried out in 1999 and 2000 at Samaru. The trials in each series were conducted on Alectra-inoculated field. All the varieties (including Dan– ila in series II) consistently reduced Alectra incidence and severity, except SAMPEA-6 and SAMPEA-7 in both series, IT89K-288, IT81D-994 and IT95K-1093-5 in series I and IT96D-733 and IT90K-82-2 in series II. Varieties ITD-994, IT93K-596-9-2. IT93K-513-2 and SAMPEA-6 in series I and ITD96-733 and IT95K-1090-12 in series II, consistently resulted in high seed yields, and these were significantly greater than the least in the series. High yield corresponded with high crop vigor. The good performance of ITD-994 and IT96D-733 despite the high levels of infestation portrayed the varieties as being tolerant to Alectra, while IT93K-596-9-2, IT93K-513-2 and IT95K-1090-12 are likely resistant since they depressed Alectra and gave high seed yields. Generally, the relationships between Alectra-ralated parameters and seed yield in series I and crop vigor score in series II were insignificantly negative.

EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON YIELD AND CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT OF MAIZE (Zea mays (L.) AND SORGHUM Sorghum bicolour (L) Moench)

B. J. Amujoyegbe

The effects of amending soil with organic (poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizer on yield and chlorophyll content of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L) Moench) was carried out at the Teaching and Research (T&R) Farm of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The experimental design was in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), laid out in a split-plot arrangement in the second cropping season of year 2001 and 2002 respectively. There were four sources of fertilizer for soil amendment: inorganic fertilizer (IF), mixture of inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure (IFPM), poultry manure (PM) and control © (no fertilizer or manure treatment). Each fertilizer source supplied 54 kg N plus 25 kg P₂O₅ and 25 kg K₂O₅/ha. There were significant variability and diversity observed on the two crops due to treatments. Grain yield was highest in sorghum (3.55 kg/ha) and maize (2.89 kg/ha) under IFPM followed by IF treatment of maize (2.33 kg/ha) and PM treatment for sorghum (3.37kg/ha). Sorghum and maize had the highesr dry matter of 72.3 g/plant and 71.0 g/plant under IFPM at harvest. The effects of PM on the dry matter of sorghum (68.1g/plant), maize (61.7 g/plant) were not significantly different (p=0.05) from that of IF (sorghum 66.1 g/plant, maize 58.7 g/plant. Sorghm also had the highest leaf area (LA) (27752.9 cm2/plant) and total chlorophyll content of 3.28mg/g under PM while maize on the other hand had the highest LA (1969.5 cm2/plant) and total chlorophyll content of 2.63 mg/g under IFPM. In both maize and sorghum, the lowest chlorophyll content occurred in control plot. Drought tolerance measured as percentage chlorophyll stability index (CSI%); was highest under control plots in both crops. The implication of CSI% on drought tolerance of maize and sorghum was discussed.

THE EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE STORAGE OF TREATED SEED OF SOYBEAN (Glycine max (L)Merril) VARIETIES

M. O. Ajala

A study was conducted to determine the effects of three different seed moisture content levels on the storage of treated soybean cultivars. Ranges of moisture levels utilized were for ‘normal’ (9.1% - 9.7%), ‘increased’ (15.6% - 18.8%) and ‘decreased’ (7.1% - 7.5%). Each cultivar moisture content level was treated with Thiram and then stored in polythene bags under ambient temperature in the laboratory for 5 months. Effect of cultivar, storage period and moisture content levels were observed on the physiological quality of the seeds. Thus, germination and vigor varied among cultivars and M-351 had the highest mean germination and vigor. Effect of moisture content levels differed significantly on the germination and vigour of the treated seeds. The normal moisture content level had the highest mean germination and mean vigour. Treated soybean seeds with increased moisture content level (15.6 –18.8%) had the lowest mean germination and mean vigor. Soybean physiological quality, irrespective of cultivars, progressively decreased with increasing storage periods. The study also revealed that for reasonable germination and vigour to be maintained storage period of treated soybean seeds should not exceed 6 WAT, irrespective of moisture contents level.

EVALUATION OF DYEING AND PRINTING EFFLUENT AND ITS TOXICITY ON FISH (Tilapia nilotica) BY BIOASSAY

B. O. Opeolu

The strength of effluent from indigenous textile dye effluent was evaluated. Some basic physico-chemical parameters were determined by use of standard methods for examination of water and wastewater (American Public Health Association). Metal concentrations were determined by use of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Trivedi and Dubey method was adopted for acute toxicity to fish by bioassay to determine the LD₅₀ acute toxicity of the effluent on Tilapia nilotica as a means of estimating the median tolerance limit (TL_M) of the effluent on the fish. The result revealed that the effluent would have adverse effect if discharged raw into surface waters because of high pollutant concentration levels relative to FEPA standards. Out of the eight dilutions worked upon on toxicity of the effluent to fish, only three dilutions had survivals after 24hrs. Fish behaviour was noted before and after death. The experiment was replicated twice and the average value noted. The effluent diluted hundred times was still found to be lethal to T. nilotica. Hence, the effluent is highly toxic and it is recommended that effluent should not be discharged into the immediate environment in the raw state. Further research on economically feasible “adire” effluent treatment is also suggested.