IOSR-JAVS   Volume-7 ~ Issue-5 ~ MAY-2014

ABSTRACT: Three types of termites' baits (namely, Cardboard – Acacia wood–Toilet soft tissues) and four styles of termites' carrier (two design from transparent plastic container (750ml), plastic sacks and cloth-sack) were tested toward Microcerotermes sp. The cardboard was considered the best bait which had ability to increase the foraging activity (i.e. food consumption, soil translocation and the infestation percentage)and numbers of different termite castes. On other hand, the Plastic carrier (open from bottom and pored side) style and sackcloth were recorded the highest rate of food consumption , soil translocation and increased the efficiency of termites bait.

[1]. Abd El-Latif N A. (2003): Ecological and control studies on certain subterranean termite species. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Agric. Cairo Univ., pp267.
[2]. Ahmed, H. M. (1997): Ecoloical studies and control of harvester subterranean termite Anacanthotermesochraceus (Burm.) at El Fayoum governorate. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Agric., Cairo Univ. El Fayoum branch,77p.
[3]. Ahmed, H. M. (2003): Ecological and control studies on subterranean termites under Fayoum conditions. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Agric. Cairo Univ. El- Fayoum branch, pp140.
[4]. Akhtar, M.S. and Sarwar, G. (1995): The foraging activity of subterranean termites in desert zone of Pakistan. Pakistan, J. Zool., 27 (4):329-336 .
[5]. Badawi, A. ;Faragalla, A. A. and Dabbour, A. (1984): The distribution of foraging territories and densities of colonies of two species of subterranean termites in AL-Kharj oasis, central region of Saudi Arabia. Z. angew. Entom. 97 (4): 387-393.

ABSTRACT: This study assessed the factors that influence productivity among cassava women farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. For the study, 87 cassava producing women farmers were selected across Benue State Agricultural producing zones and interviewed. Data analysis was through descriptive statistics and the ordinary least square techniques. The study findings revealed that farming experience, years of education, the use of improved cassava stem cuttings and access to credit significantly influenced the productivity levels of cassava women farmers in the study area. . Respondents identified poor pricing of output, lack of credit, poor soils, processing problems, lack of good market infrastructure, labour supply problems, and high transport costs as factors militating against successful cassava production in the study area. Therefore, to increase crop yields on cassava farms, the study recommends the enhancement of farmers' access to education, improved cassava varieties, education on the proper use of credit and the need for smaller family sizes.
Key words: Productivity, Cassava women farmers, Benue State, Nigeria.

[1]. Afolabi, M. M. (2008), "Women as the pillars of National Economy of Nigeria. A study of Economic Activities of Rural Women in Six Local Government Areas of Ondo State" IAFFE Summer Conference, International Association for Feminist Economics, Torino, Italy, 19th June – 21 July 2008.
[2]. Alabi, O.O. and Adebayo, C.O (2008), "Net income analysis of onion producers in Zaria local government area of Kaduna state, Nigeria" in proceedings of the 10th annual conference of Nigerian association of agricultural economists held at University of Abuja, Nigeria
[3]. Arene,C.J. and Omoregie, E.M. (1991), "The place of women in agricultural labour force in Nigeria", Beitrage zur tropischen landwirt schaft und. Veterinarmedizin 29, H3, pp277-282.
[4]. Ayoola, G. B. (2009), Prodigies of Agricultural Economy and Policy. An inaugural lecture, University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Inaugural Lecture Series No. 9
[5]. BNARDA (1998), The impact of Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority on Agriculture and Rural Development in Benue State, BNARDA, Makurdi, Nigeria..

ABSTRACT: This paper investigated subservient roles and cultural elements that situate women in cocoa farm families in south-western Nigeria to HIV/AIDS. More importantly, women practice of some HIV/AIDS prevention strategies; abstinence, condom use, status check, safe sex, avoid untreated sharp objects avoid transfusion of untested blood and faithfulness were investigated. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents from which information were solicited using a pre-tested interview schedule. The study revealed a mean age of 41.2±11 years and 68.33% into polygamy, while 30% and 10% were 2nd and 3rd wife respectively in their families. It was also revealed that though respondents had high knowledge in the HIV prevention strategies; there were low scores in practice of the strategies. There was negative and significant relationship (r = -0.220; p< 0.05) between subservient roles performed and their practices of HIV/ AID prevention, while negative and significant relationship also existed between sexual servitude and practice of HIV prevention strategies at (r = -0.44; p<0.05).
Keywords: cultural elements, women, subservient roles, HIV, cocoa farm families and prevention strategies

[1]. Adesoji A.A., and Olalekan A.A (2003) Analysis of HIV/AIDS Information Awareness and Effectiveness Among Artisans in Ogbomoso, Oyo State in. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). [2]. Asenso-Okyere, K. and Davis K. (2009) Knowledge and Innovation for agricultural development. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). www.ifpri.org/pubs/bp/bp0011.asp [3]. Badcock-walters, P. Kelly, M. and Gorgenes, M. (2004) Does knowledge equal change? HIV/AIDS Education and Behaviour change 2004. Pp3
[4]. Barasa, C., (2006) Poultry as a tool in Poverty Eradication and Promotion of Gender.
[5]. Donald, C., 2006. Understanding the Links between Agriculture and Health Food, Agriculture and the Environment. Occupational Health Hazard of Agriculture focus 13, Brief 8 of 16.

ABSTRACT: The study was conducted on 223 indigenous cows maintained under farmer's management in and around Mekelle, Ethiopia. A total of 72 small-scale dairy farm owners were randomly selected and interviewed with structured questionnaire to obtain information on the productive and reproductive performance of indigenous cows. The results of the study showed that the mean age at first calving (AFC) was 39.4 ±1.7 months, number of services per conception (NSC) was 2.1±0.1, lactation length (LL) was 247.11±22.64 days, lactation milk yield (LMY) was 464.34±41.75 litres, days open (DO) was 185.8251.23 days and calving interval (CI) was 431.0878.03 days for indigenous cows.
Keywords: Productive, reproductive performances, local cows, Mekelle, Ethiopia.

[1] CSA. 2012/13. Agricultural sample survey. Report on livestock and livestock characteristics. The Federal Democratic republic of Ethiopia, Central Statistical Agency (CSA). Private Peasant Holdings. Statistical Bulletin 570, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April, 2013.
[2] FAOSTAT, 2009. FAO statistical yearbook. Rome, Food Agr. Organ. Unit. Nat.
[3] MoA, 2012., Livestock growth strategy and action. Draft discussion paper. Addis Ababa, MoA. (Amharic version).
[4] EARO (Ethiopian Agriculture Research Organization), 1999. Livestock Research Strategy, Executive Summary. EARO, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[5] Haile, A., Joshi, B.K., Workneh, A., Azage, T., Singh, A. 2009. Genetic evaluation of Boran cattle and their crosses with Holstein Friesian in central Ethiopia, milk production traits. Anim., 3(4), 486-493.

ABSTRACT: The molecular fingerprinting using RAPD markers of thirteen morphological variants (off-types) and a normal from farmers' field planted with micropropagated Robusta banana (Musa spp.) and Robusta and Grand Naine clones from authenticated source was carried out. Out of fourteen arbitrary (10-mers) primers showing intense unambiguous and reproducible amplification using PCR, two primers viz., OPA-19 and OPC-03 showed only monomorphic bands while OPA-02, OPA-09, OPA-13, OPA-14, OPB-6, OPB-15, OPC-01, OPD-10, OPF-04 and OPF-12 primers showed polymorphic amplification pattern. Out of 123 amplified fragments scored, 53 fragments were polymorphic in nature. In addition, a dendrogram generated based on Ward's method of cluster analysis revealed that all morphological variants grouped into a cluster that was separate from the other cluster which consisted normal plant from field, Robusta and Grand Naine. In the genetic dissimilarity matrix generated based on Squared Euclidean Distance, 20-35 percent variation between morphological variants and normal plant was noticed in 'Extra dwarf plant with pseudo stem' and 'All foliage plant' (35%). The field plant showed genetic variation of 5% from somaclonal variants of 'Robusta' clone, while that variation has not affected its morphology as well as fertility. Results showed that morphological variations in field planted micropropagated Robusta plants were due to somaclonal variations, which suggests that the need for use of molecular means in commercial tissue culture units for testing genetic fidelity of plants as a safety measure to avoid passing of off-type planting material to farmer.
Keywords: Grand Naine, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Random primers, Robusta, Somaclonal variations

[1]. M.K. Smith, and R.A. Drew, Growth and yield characteristics of dwarf off-type recovered from tissue-cultured bananas. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 30, 1990, 575-578.
[2]. G.S. Grillo, M.J.G. Martin, and A.M. Dominguez, Morphological methods for the detection of banana off-types during the hardening phase. International society for Horticultural Sciences, 490, 1998, 239-245.
[3]. P.H.V. Rodrigues, A.T. Neto, P.C. Neto, and B.M.J. Mendes, Influence of the number of subcultures on somaclonal variation in micropropagated Nanico (Musa spp., AAA group). Acta Horticulturae, 490, 1998, 469-473.
[4]. G.R. Zaffari, L.E.P. Peres, R.M. Suzuki, and G.B. Kerdaury, Off-type micropropagated banana plants; endogenous levels of auxin, cytokinins and IAA-oxidase. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 17(2), 1998, 59-61.
[5]. M.D.C. Vidal, and E.D. Garcia, Analysis of a Musa spp. somaclonal variant resistant to Yellow Sigatoka. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 18, 2000, 23-31.

ABSTRACT: A pot experiment was conducted at Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, during the period from October 2012 to May 2013 to study the effect of NPK spray formulation on growth of two cultivars of Orchid (Mokara sp.). Four spray formulations: control (Tap water), spray formulation 1 (N:P:K = 90:45:45 or 2:1:1), spray formulation 2 (N:P:K = 135:90:45 or 3:2:1), spray formulation 3 (N:P:K = 180:135:90 or 4:3:2) and two cultivars (Mokara Diehard Red and Mokara Yellow Anne) were used as treatment variables. Layout system was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) under factorial arrangement with three replications. Spray formulation had significant influence on growth of the two cultivars tested. Significantly highest plant height was obtained (39.83 cm) at 290 DAP from Mokara Diehard Red Variety with spray formulation 3 compared to other spray formulations. Highest leaf area index (0.16) was obtained from Mokara Diehard Red Variety with spray formulation 3 at 290 DAP mainly due to increased number of leaf and total leaf area. Mokara Diehard Red cultivar with spray formulation 2 enhanced plant growths and resulted greater leaf number (21.33) and leaf length (26.83 cm) to other cultivars cultivated. Plant height as well as other growth parameters was gradually increased due to suitable treatment combination. Results of the study revealed that spray formulation 3 would be suitable for Mokara Diehard Red cultivars cultivation under pot condition.
Keywords: Spray, Formulation Cultivars, Growth and Treatment

[1]. A. Sobhana and P.K. Rajeevan, Performance of certain epiphytic species in central Kerala. Indian Journal of Orchid Society. 7(1&2) 1993: 31-35.
[2]. A.A. Fadelah, Field performance of micropropagatedMokara orchid hybrids. International Journal of Bioscience, 3(6) 2007: 12-18. [3]. A.D. Hawkeye, Growth behavior of cultivated orchids. In: Commercial Flowers. 34(2) 2005: 65-68.
[4]. A.N. Rao, Orchids. In: Plant Tissue and Organ Culture. (Brad Press Pub. Co. Ltd. New York, 2000) 122.

[5]. B. Sing and S.R. Voleti, Research and achievements, Division of floriculture and landscaping. (Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 1995) 15-17.

ABSTRACT: The study examined the relative economic efficiency of large and small poultry farms in southwestern Nigeria. Results from the profit function without a dummy showed that the coefficient of labour wage rate, feeds and drugs are negative while for fixed cost and farm size turned up to be positive. The profit function and all the explanatory variables significantly affected the profit level. The test of relative economic efficiency between the groups is in favour of the large farms. The elasticities of production showed that the sum of the elasticities is less than one, thus characterized by decreasing returns to scale.
Keywords: Relative efficiency, profit function, poultry farms, southwestern, Nigeria.

[1]. Adegbola, T.A. (1989) "A Study of Commercial Poultry in Selected Farms in Abeokuta" Journal of Animal Production, 9(2): 61 – 72.
[2]. Adekojo, A.Z (2000) "Economic Implication of Integrating Feed into Egg Production in `Ibadan" Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis. Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
[3]. Adene, D.F. and A.E. Oguntade, 2006. The structure and importance of the commercial and village-
[4]. based poultry industry in Nigeria. FAO (Rome) Study, October 2006.
[5]. Adesina, A.A. and K.K. Djato (1997) Relative Efficiency and of Women as Farm Managers : Profit Function Analysis in Cote D`Ivoire. Agricultural Economics, 16:47-53.

ABSTRACT: Soybean is one of the important crop in Indonesia. The study aimed to identify the number and the roles of CPMMV (Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus) disease resistance genes on soybean crop genes and its inheritance traits. The Gumitir and Argopuro soybean varieties were used as susceptible female parents (P1). The MLG 0120 and MLG 0278 genotypes were used as resistant male parents (P2). The F1,F1.r, F2, BC1.1, BC1.2 was examined for genes number and its actions. The study applied Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Seeds were produced from the cross of resistant and susceptible parents (F1), mating between F1 (F2), and Backcross (BC1.1, BC1.2.), and male-female parents (P1 and P2) which were mechanically inoculated by CPMMV isolate. The result confirmed that the resistance properties of soybean derived from the cross series of Gumitir x MLG 0120 and Argopuro x MLG 0120 were controlled by two duplicate recessive epistatic genes and its inheritance was additive. In cross series of Argopuro x MLG 0278 and Gumitir x MLG 0278, however, the resistance was controlled by two duplicate dominant epistatic genes and its inheritance was additive.
Keywords: resistance gene, soybean, disease of Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus

[1] M.A. Marchant, C. Fang, B. Song, Issues on adoption, import regulations, and policies for biotech commodities in China with a focus on soybeans, Agrobiotechnology Management and Economics, 2002.
[2] E.A.Grabau, W.H. Davis, N.D. Phelps, B.G. Gengenbach, Classification of soybean cultivars based on mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Crop science, 32(1), 1992, 271-274.
[3] I.G. Laguna, J.D. Arneodo, P. Rodríguez-Pardina, M Fiorona, Cowpea mild mottle virus infecting soybean crops in northwestern Argentina. Fitopatologia Brasileira, 31(3), 2006, 317-317.
[4] S. Nuryanti, R. Kustiari, Meningkatkan kesejahteraan petani kedelai dengan kebijakan tarif optimal. Pusat Analisis Sosial Ekonomi dan Kebijakan Pertanian, Bogor, 2007.
[5] N.M. Horn, N. Saleh, Y. Baliadi, Cowpea mild mottle virus could not be detected by ELISA in soybean and groundnut seeds in Indonesia. Neth. J. Pl. Path. 97, 1991, 125–127.

ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to assess the sources and effects of microfinance services on small-scale poultry farmers' livelihood in the Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The studies have shown there has been improvement in the living conditions of the small scale poultry farmers following the receipt of microfinance services especially microcredit. Generally, positive changes were perceived by the farmers for almost all the indicators defined, such as increase in income, savings, and ability to purchase farm inputs, increase in household assets etc. On average, a high level of perceived effect by the farmers was achieved for farming activities and livelihood indicators defined and differing degrees of positive effects were recorded in each of the areas of indicators identified.
Keywords: Microfinance services, microcredit, small-scale poultry farmers, perception, effect, livelihood

[1]. Afrane. S. (2005). Impact Assessment of Microfinance Interventions in Ghana and South Africa: A synthesis of Major Impacts and Lessons. Journal on Microfinance. Volume 4, Number 1, Pages 38-56.
[2]. Atwima Nwabiagya District Assembly (2006). Agriculture, Major Economic Activities, Demographic Features. Retrieved on February 13, 2008 from http://www.atwimanwabiagya.ghanadistricts.gov.gh.htm
[3]. Cheston, S. and Kuhn, L. (2000). Empowering women through microfinance, Summary of Group Business. Retrieved on January 20, 2007 from http://www.microcreditsummit.org/papers/empowerinto.htm
[4]. Coetzee, G: K: (1997). Institutional Change in Rural Financial Market in South Africa. Unpublished PHD Thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
[5]. DFID( 1999). Sustainable Livelihoods Guidance Sheets. London: DFID.

ABSTRACT:A field experiment was conducted in seasons 2009 and 2010 to investigate the effect of low gamma irradiation doses and different mineral fertilization levels on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) vegetative growth and yield. Irradiation doses used in this trial were control, 10, 20 and 30 Gy, nitrogen levels investigated were 30 and 60 Kg N/ fad., and phosphorus and potassium levels investigated were 15.5 P2O5 + 24 K2O, 15.5 P2O5 + 48 K2O, 31.0 P2O5 + 24 K2O and 31.0 P2O5 + 48 K2O Kg N/ fad. Results reveal that all radiation doses enhanced vegetative growth and yield parameters. Moreover, mineral fertilization significantly affected plant height, leaf area, leaf area index and shelling percentage, number of pods and seeds, seed oil and protein %. All recorded traits improved significantly with increasing fertilization levels.

Key words: groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), gamma irradiation, mineral fertilization,seed yield.

[1]. Kabir, R., S. Yeasmin, A.K.M.M. Islam and Md. A. Sarkar, 2013. Effect of Phosphorus, Calcium and Boron on the Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.). Inter. J. Bio-Sci. Bio-Technol., 5 (3): 51- 60.
[2]. Lourduraj, A.C., 1999. Nutrient management in groundnut (Arachishypogaea L.) cultivation – A review". Agric. Res. Rev., 20: 14-20.
[3]. Asiedu, E.A., A.J.G. Vangastel and B.R. Gregg, 2000. Extension agent's technical crop guidelines for assisting seed producers in Ghana.
[4]. Brady, N.C. and R .R. Well, 2002. The nature and properties of soils, 13th Ed. Pearson Education (Singapore) Pvt. Ltd. Indian branch.
[5]. Aparna, M., A. Chaturvedi , M. Sreedhar., D.P. Kumar, P. Venu-Babu and R.K. Singhal, 2013. Impact of Gamma Rays on the Seed Germination and Seedling Parameters of Groundnut (ArachisHypogaea L.). Asian J. Exp. Biol. Sci., 4 (1): 61- 68.

ABSTRACT: Emerging body of knowledge suggest the need for food expenditure studies in the urban areas. This study identified the determinants of food expenditure among urban households in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Respondents (household heads) were selected randomly and data gathered by means of structured questionnaire. Data analysis was accomplished using descriptive statistics and regression model. Results of the study showed that 60% of the household income was expended on food which is considered high, suggesting low income and possible high cost of food in the study area. When combined with existing large members (>5) in most households (66%), existence of food insecurity and vulnerability to poverty in the study area was implied. Regression analysis showed that 65.5% of the variation in household expenditure on food in the study area was accounted for by the explanatory variables. Household income, tribe, household size and the composition of the household had a significant effect on food expenditure. The authors, therefore, recommended a policy option for general food price subsidy and particularly to address urban food prices which would improve spatial pricing efficiency.
Keywords: expenditure, food, income, Lagos, urban

[1]. Umeh Joseph C. and C. Asogwa Benjamin, Determinants of farm household food expenditure: Implications for food security in rural Nigeria. International Conference on Ecology, Agriculture and Chemical Engineering (ICEACS'2012) December 18-19, 2012 Phuket (Thailand)
[2]. Kyle S C and J. Swinnen, The theory of contested markets and the degree of tradedness of agricultural commodities: An empirical test in Zaria. Journal of African Economy 3, 2010, 93-113.
[3]. Adeniyi O R, Omitoyin S A and O O Ojo, Socio-economic determinants of consumption pattern of fish among households in Ibadan north local government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. African J of food Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. 12(5), 2012
[4]. J. K. Olayemi, Principle of microeconomics for applied economic analysis. SICO Publisher, Ibadan, 2004, ISBN 978-006-432-X
[5]. PROVIDE (Provincial Decision-making Enabling) Project, Household expenditure patterns in South Africa – 1995. Paper in PROVIDE background paper series. Elsenburg September, 2003.

ABSTRACT: Morel's disease (MD), caused by Staphylococcus aureus subspecies anaerobius and caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis are two of the major constraints of sheep and goats industry. CLA is prevailing in most parts of the world including USA and Europe, while MD is prevailing in some African and Asian countries including Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), plus some reports of outbreaks in some European countries. In spite of some differences in epidemiology and characteristics of abscesses in the two diseases and easy microscopic differentiation, MD is greatly misdiagnosed as CLA in KSA and elsewhere. Chronic and generally subclinical and contagious nature of infections and in-efficiency of drug therapy besides poor response to available vaccines which are targeting only CLA make the control difficult and prevalence high. This article reviews the main features of epidemiology, virulence factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and control measures of these two diseases. It is intended to display the differences between the two diseases and that the MD is at least should have the same importance as CLA in KSA; and to ensure the importance of development of a bivalent vaccine. Quality of the putative vaccine is discussed here. This review is the first for MD and for MD and CLA together.
Keywords: Abscess disease, bivalent vaccine, caseous lymphadenitis, Morel's disease, Saudi Arabia

[1] O. Szaluś-Jordanow, J. Kaba, M. Czopowicz, L. Witkowski, M. Nowicki, D. Nowicka, I. Stefańska, M, Rzewuska, M. Sobczak-Filipiak, M. Binek, and T. Frymus, Epidemiological features of Morel's disease in goats, Pol. J. Vet. Sci. 13(3), 2010, 437-445.
[2] B. L. Bastos, R. W. Dias Portela, F. A. Dorella, D. Ribeiro, N. Seyffert, et al., Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis: immunological responses in animal models and zoonotic potential, J. Clin. Cell. Immunol., S4, 005.
[3] L.H. Williamson, Caseous lymphadenitis in small ruminants, Vet. Clin. North Am. Food Anim. Pract., 17, 2001, 359-371.
[4] N.O. Musa, A. Babiker, K. Eltom, K. Rodwan, and S.M. El Sanousi, Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius in sub-clinical abscess cases of Sheep. Brit. Microbiol. Res. J.,2(3), 2012, 131-136.
[5] F.A. Dorella, S.C. Oliveira, L.G.C. Pacheco, A. Miyoshi, and V. Azevedo, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis: microbiology, biochemical properties, pathogenesis and molecular studies of virulence, Vet. Res. 37, 2006, 201–218.