The International Journal of Organic Agriculture Research and Development

Carcass and Organoleptic parameters of West African Dwarf Bucks Fed Cassava Peel-Based Diets Containing Varying Levels of Shivan and Sandpaper Leaf Meals

2025-10-05T16:38:00+00:00

The study was conducted to assess the carcass, organoleptic and meat quality of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed with five experimental diets; namely; a cassava peel-based diet (CPBD) without shivan or sandpaper leaves (0GLM0FLM), and CPBD containing varying levels of shivan and sandpaper leaf meals (10 GLM, 20 GLM, 10 FLM, 20 FLM). Study lasted for 56 days. Thirty (30) WAD bucks weighing 5.00 ± 0.08 kg were used. Six (6) animals, balanced for weight, assigned to each diet. Carcass, organoleptic and meat quality assessment was done. Values were subjected to one-way analysis of variance of SAS (2000) and Duncan New Multiple Range Test were used to separate the means. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed among the animals on bled weight (BW), dressing percentage (DP), skinning (S), skinning weight (SW), eviscerated weight (EW), neck (N), rib (R). Animals on Diet 0GLM0FLM was significantly (p<0.05) higher than other diets in BW (66.61%), DP (60.00 %) S (7.67%), SW (47.50 %), EW (22.50 %) N (3.70 %), R (9.17 %) and F (3.45 %). Animals on Diet 20 FLM was least in BW (46.65 %), DP (40.00 %), SW (27.50 %) and R (5.91 %) respectively. Animals on Diet 20 GLM and 10 FLM gave the best results in terms of overall acceptability on organoleptic. Meat obtained can be recommended to WAD goat farmers. Study concludes that cassava peel-based diet containing shivan and sandpaper leaf meals had a positive effect on all the parameters measured in WAD goats.

EFFECTS OF SOLE AND COMBINED APPLICATIONS OF RABBIT DROPPINGS AND NPK FERTILIZER ON PERFORMANCE OF MILLET (Pennisetum thyphoides) VARIETIES IN OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE

2025-10-03T10:45:11+00:00

Millet (Pennisetum thyphoides L.) is a versatile arable crop known for its high nutritional and economic values in relation to crop/animal husbandry and human welfare, however, its production is majorly limited by soil fertility. Tropical farmers’ efforts to reverse such undesirably conditions are majorly focused on incessant application of quick-action inorganic fertilizers like NPK, which had been shown to induce adverse effects on soils, crops, man and the environment. Hence, there is a necessity to direct research attention towards achieving a reduced chemical load on tropical soils, via complementary application of organic materials with chemical fertilizer. The study evaluated the performance of two indigenous millet varieties, under different inclusion levels of rabbit droppings and NPK fertilizer, at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. It was a factorial experiment with six (6) levels of fertilizer treatment combinations: T0 (the control, which received no fertilizer application), T1 (100% NPK recommended rate at 300kg/ha + 0% Rabbit droppings), T2 (0% NPK+ 100% Rabbit droppings at 4tons/ha), T3 (75% NPK + 25% Rabbit droppings), T4 (50% NPK + 50% Rabbit droppings) and T5 (25% NPK+ 75% Rabbit droppings) and two (2) levels of Crop variety (V1 = Ogbomoso local and V2 = Baccita local). Crop variety served as the main plots, while different fertilizer treatment combinations served as the sub-plots. Each plot size was = 4m2, at a spacing = 50cm × 50cm. the trial was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three (3) times. Data collection commenced at four weeks after sowing (4WAS). Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, shoot fresh and dry weights, fresh and dry root weights and total seed yield. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test, at 5% level of probability. The results of the pre-cropping chemical and physical analyses of the soil sample revealed that the soil was slightly acidic (with pH value of 6.00) and texturally sandy loam.Also, the major soil nutrient concentrations were very low: N (0.08g/kg), P
(3.86g/kg), and K (0.20cmol/kg). All the sole and combined proportions of NPK and Rabbit droppings significantly improved the growth and yield parameters of the two millet varieties tested. Also, rabbit droppings competed significantly (p=0.05) with NPK fertilizer irrespective of the variety concerned, compared to the control. V1 that received 25% NPK + 75% Rabbit droppings has significantly higher yield value of 8.0 tons/ha, compared with V2 that received 25% NPK + 75% Rabbit droppings with the value of 6.0 tons/ha In conclusion, rabbit droppings could be regarded as a useful organic fertilizer material, for improving millet production under tropical soil conditions. The combined application of 25% NPK + 75% Rabbit droppings significantly improved the performance of the two millet varieties, and it is therefore recommended for optimum performance of the two millet varieties in the study area. In addition, sole application of Rabbit droppings at 100% recommendation level (4 tons/ha) is also recommended for pure organic millet production in the study area.

ROLES OF EXTENSION SERVICES IN PROMOTING CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE IN ONA-ARA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE

2025-10-03T10:57:19+00:00

This study therefore examined the role of extension agent in promoting climate smart agriculture in Ona-ara Local Government Oyo State. Specifically, the study examined the roles of extension services in promoting climate smart agriculture, various climate smart agriculture available to the respondents, factors influencing the use of climate smart agriculture and constraints faced in promoting climate smart agriculture. Multistage sampling techniques was used to select 90 respondents in the study area. Data was collected using interview schedule. Descriptive analytical tools such as frequency counts, percentage were used to analyze the data results. Majority Cover crops and intercropping was the highest available climate smart agricultural practices with a percentage of 87.8%. Extension services aid the access to financial resources was ranked first (1st) as the major role of extension service in promoting climate smart agriculture with weighted mean score (WMS) of 3.2. Infrastructural facilities such as storage and processing facilities was the highest factor influencing the use of climate smart activity with a percentage of 87.8%. Inadequate government support was ranked first as the major constraints to the use of climate smart agriculture with the weighted mean score (WMS) of 3.0. Access to infrastructural facilities such as storage and processing facilities was the highest factor influencing the use of climate smart agriculture, inadequate government support, poor extension system/service and restricted access to climate smart agricultural practices were the major constraints faced by the respondents to the use of climate smart agriculture. Socio-economic variables such as age, marital status, years spent in school and sex have decisive influence on the roles of extension services in promoting climate smart agricultural practices among farmers.

Evaluation of Sawah Eco-Technology in Rice Production among Rural Households in Kebbi State, Nigeria

2025-10-03T11:04:59+00:00

This study examined factors influencing the awareness of sawah technology in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Sawah refers to levelled rice field surrounded by banks with inlet and outlet for irrigation and drainage. Using pre-tested interview guide, data were collected from 300 sawah farmers in the study area. Data collected were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics using stata package. The results showed that respondents were predominantly male, married and had no formal education. The mean age was 48.13 years with mean household size of 14 persons; farm sizes ranged from 1–50 hectares with average of 4.70 ha, the mean yield was 6.88tha–1. The results further showed that bond construction had 60% awareness, nursery 55%, puddling 53%, flooding 65%, leveling and smoothening 56% and power tiller use 48% awareness. Awareness of sawah technology was
influenced by socio economic characteristics which include sex, age, educational level, farm size, yield and income of the farmers. The study also showed that the attributes of sawah, production factors, information and extension and perception of respondent toward sawah technology influenced
awareness. It is concluded that sawah eco-technology is widely aware of by rice farmers in Kebbi State. The study therefore recommended that dissemination of sawah to other states in Nigeria need to consider factors that promote its awareness. Improvement of those factors that significantly affect awareness of sawah technology is also recommended.

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING OF SESAME (Sesamum indicum L.) SEED OIL USING UV-Vis AND FTIR SPECTROSCOPY

2025-10-03T11:24:12+00:00

Consumption of defective or poor-quality oils can pose health and environmental risks. Phytochemicals derived from plant oils provide natural protection to plants and confer several therapeutic and nutritional benefits in humans, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer
activities. Conventional phytochemical analysis is often laborious, time-consuming, and less sensitive, hence the need for rapid, efficient, and non-destructive methods. Spectroscopic techniques such as Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy offer alternatives with higher precision and minimal sample preparation. This study investigated the phytochemical constituents of sesame (Sesamum indicum) seed oil using UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Oil was extracted by cold press and n-hexane solvent methods. UVVis analysis was performed to identify conjugated dienes and phenolic compounds, while FTIR spectra were obtained to determine functional groups associated with phytochemicals. The UV-Vis
spectra revealed prominent absorption peaks at 230–280 nm and 320–360 nm, indicative of phenolic compounds, conjugated dienes, flavonoids, lignans (sesamin), and sesamol. FTIR spectra showed characteristic peaks at 1742, 2853, 2920, 1465, 1160–1100, 1600–1500, and 3400 cm⁻¹, corresponding to C=O (ester carbonyl), C–H (alkanes), CH₂ bending, C–O stretching, aromatic C=C, and O–H vibrations. These findings confirm the presence of bioactive components such as triglycerides, fatty acids, flavonoids, lignans, alcohols, and phenolic groups, which possess strong antioxidant potential.
This study establishes sesame oil as a rich source of phytochemicals with nutritional and therapeutic significance, highlighting the utility of UV-Vis and FTIR in rapid phytochemical profiling.