ABSTRACT There has been growing global concern over dwindling fossil fuel supply. This development has led to increased interest in exploration of alternative energy sources, especially bio-fuel. Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), corn (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), rape seed (Brassica napus), barley (Hordeum vulgare), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), cassava (Manihot esculenta), oil palm (Elaies guineensis), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and many more ha...
ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the chemical composition of untreated Senegalia mellifera and Catophractes alexandrii; (2) the effect of NaOH and urea treatment at different levels (0%, 4%, 6% and 8%) on chemical composition of S. mellifera milled samples; (3) the nutrient composition of formulated diets from chemically and fibrolytic enzyme treated S. mellifera samples; (4) palatability of the feeds developed from S. mellifera, when fed to weaned Damara sheep. Sa...
Abstract: Although pesticides have a positive effect on plant health in terms of insect pests and diseases control, increased productivity and improved crop storage, their malpractice impacts on food safety negatively. Pesticide residues and corresponding metabolites are left as runoff to the environment affecting non-targeted organisms like fish, bees, butterflies, birds and other beneficial organisms in soil and water bodies. Moreover, the application of pesticides in non-agriculture activi...
ABSTRACT A survey was carried out to identify the types of crops popularly stored, the structures commonly used and problems experienced with produce storage in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Respondents included operators of government storage facilities, non-governmental organizations providing food relief, millers, large-scale farms, homesteads and artisans who fabricate metal tanks. Maize, the national staple food, was stored by all homesteads essentially for family consumption. It was the com...
Effect of Selected Pre Treatment on Setting of Cement Composite from Two Rattan Species. AbstractThe effects of aqueous extraction and removal of vilified epidermis from rattan canes on the maximum hydration temperature (Tmax) and settling time (tmax) of two rattan cane species, Calamus deerratus and Lascosperma secundiflorum, mixed with Portland cement were investigated. Max ranged from 37.0 to 58.6oC and from 43.1 to 56.8oC for the C. Detritus and L. secundiflorum composites respectively wh...
ABSTRACT Large quantities of agricultural and mill residues which are generated annually in Nigeria constitute environmental health hazards. Densification of these residues which is a major way of converting them to high quality fuel has not been adequately studied in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a system for briquetting and combusting Gmelina arborea sawdust and maize cob particles. Gmelina arborea Sawdust (GS) was obtained from a small-scale sawmill in Ib...
ABSTRACT Rattan cane is a relatively abundant lignocellulosic in Africa and Asia that could be used for wood-cement composite production. However, rattans tend to inhibit cement setting. This study investigated the effects of cane peeling and aqueous extraction on maximum hydration temperature (Tmax) and setting time (tmax) rattancement- water systems using Calamus deerratus and Lacosperma secundiflorum rattan species. Peeling was done manually to remove the silified epidermis before hammer-m...
ABSTRACT The increase in pork consumption globally in recent times has led to a corresponding increase in pig production with more people being employed in the industry to provide the needed services. Pigs are known to generate a lot of noise which could constitute a potential health hazard and against which remedial measures must be taken. The establishment of the levels of noise generated in piggery production units and their possible consequences on the workers in such units was the main o...
ABSTRACT An assessment of farm transportation system to ascertain the availability of transportation for the evacuation of farm produce was undertaken in Osun and Oyo states of Nigeria employing printed questionnaires and personal communication as means of information collection. 20% of the farmers reside at between one and three km from their farms while for the remaining 80%, it ranges from four to 16 km. 17.6% of the farmers travel between one and three km to sell their produce while for t...
ABSTRACT Gravitational drip irrigation system was developed using available materials. The system consisting of 4.0 Ilhr Netafim pressure-compensating emitters was used to irrigate 0.0015 ha of land where sweet com was planted under variable water applications in a randomised complete block design with three treatments. Treatment one (WI) received water once per week, treatment two (W2) received water twice per week, while third treatment (W3) received water thrice per week. WI received 229mm...
ABSTRACT A study was undertaken to assess the tractor-hiring unit of Edo state, Nigeria. The criteria used were fleet of equipment, personnel and workshop facilities and its impact on the farming populace in the state. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire and interview schedules. Among the information requested from the respondents were access to services rendered by the unit and increment in farm sizes. Records available at the headquarters and zonal offices of the unit provided addi...
ABSTRACT: The present study assessed water quality parameters and attempts to compare four different Water Quality Indexes (WQIs) for consistency, similarity and reliability in assessing the water quality of river Benue -an inland river- under wet and dry seasons. The results demonstrate that River Benue is continually being polluted in both dry and wet seasons by different sources, particularly domestic sewage and storm runoffs from farmlands. The quality of the water generally excee...
ABSTRACT Two layered rattan cement composite were made from Calamus Deeratus and Laccosperma Secundiflorum particles using cement:
ABSTRACT Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a concept that cuts across agricultural sciences and agricultural engineering with an encapsulating feature in environmental engineering. It is one of the most difficult 10 quantify properly owing to large spatial and temporal variability.
ABSTRACT Sustainability of agriculture is dependent upon availability of reliable climatic data for planning. Daily and monthly data were obtained for Ibadan, Nigeria from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (niA) automatic weather station and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NMA) manual weather station.