IMPACT : International Journal of Research in Applied, Natural and Social Sciences

1-8

Authors: Jokthan G. E

A study was conducted to determine the effect of inclusion of Maize offal, Wheat offal, Rice offal and Sorghum panicle as energy sources in the fattening diet of cattle. Twenty White Fulani bulls of average weight of 225kg were used. A Completely Randomizes Design was used and five bulls were allotted to treatment. The result showed that bulls on the Wheat offal and Maize offal treatments had significantly (p<.05) higher intake of the concentrate while the intake of the basal Bracharia hay was similar across all treatments. Total feed intake was however significantly (p<0.05) higher in bulls fed the Wheat offal based diet. Average daily Weight Gain has significantly (p<0.05) high in the Wheat based bulls. It was concluded that Smallholder cattle farmers can adopt the use of the Maize offal and wheat offal based diets in fattening rations.

15-22

Authors: Monoara Begum & Md. Harunor Rashid Khan

Water soluble Na content in saline soils were increased strikingly with the increment of salinity levels (6, 12 dS m-1) and also with time, which ranged from 0.30 to 3.87 C mol kg-1 and 0.59 to 3.82 C mol kg-1 in Sonagazi and Badarkhali saline soils at maturity stage, respectively. Gypsum and rice-hull alone or in combinations were observed to be effective in decreasing Na even at the higher salinity levels. Water soluble K, Ca and Mg were found to be increased with the treatments. In Sonagazi soil Na content 43.40%, K 42%, Ca 33.33% and Mg 30.37% decreased with the combined application of gypsum 300 kg ha-1 and rice-hull 8 t ha-1 as compared with controlled (EC0G0H0). Same as in Badarkhali saline soil Na content 44.34% and Ca content 23.40% decreased with the combined application of gypsum 300 kg ha-1 and rice-hull 8 t ha-1, but K content 45.63% decreased with the application of gypsum 300 kg ha-1 alone, whereas Mg content 11.76% decreased with the combined application of gypsum 300 kg ha-1 and rice-hull 4 t ha-1 as compared with controlled (EC0G0H0) at maturity stage of wheat. In both saline soils organic matter content increased with the increased salinity levels. Organic matter content 48.78% and 48.68% increased in Sonagazi and Badarkhali saline soil respectively with the combined application of gypsum 300 kg ha-1 and rice-hull 8 t ha-1.

27-32

Authors: Solomon. Z. Wuyep, Ambrose A. Zemba & C. J. Jahknwa

This study investigates the effect of precipitation effectiveness on the yield of Irish potato in Jos-Plateau, Nigeria. Rainfall data for 20 years (1989–2008) was collected from National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Vom, Plateau state. Precipitation effectiveness indices including dry spell or drought, onset dates of rains, and hydrologic ratio were derived from and used together with total annual rainfall data to assess their effects on yields of Irish potato. The indices were subjected to various descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including correlation and regression analysis. While the correlation analysis was employed to determine the degree of relationship between yields and the indices, the regression technique was adopted to identify the factors that are critical in influencing yields. Results reveal that while rainfall total correlates positively with yields, dry spell, onset dates of rains and hydrologic ratio exhibit negative correlation with yields. The correlation between onset dates of rains and yields was found to be statistically significant at 5% while others are insignificant. Step-wise regression analysis identifies onset dates of rains as the most critical factor affecting Irish potato in the area. The coefficient of determination of r2=0.219 shows that the index contributes about 22% to variations in the yields of Irish potato on the Plateau. It was recommended that further studies should consider combine effects of climate and other factors like farming practices, soil factors and cultural practices of the farmers so as to generate comprehensive information for better agricultural planning and development in the area.