December 2018
Gender differences in the use of plant health information services: A case of plant clinics under Plantwise Program in Kenya
A total of 8,699 female and 12,928 male farmers visited plant clinics in Kenya between 2012 and 2016. The lower clinic attendance by women farmers indicates they may lack information on plant health problems. This study aimed to understand the environment plant clinics operate in, identify the reasons for low clinic attendance by women, and possible strategies to reach more female farmers. Stratified random sampling was...
December 2018
Proximate, physical and chemical composition of leaves and seeds of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) from Central Malawi: A potential for increasing animal food supply in the 21st century
The nutritive composition of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) leaves and seeds were evaluated for their possible inclusion in livestock feed formulation because of the limited availability of conventional protein concentrates like soybean (Glycine max) seeds. Moringa seeds contained 50.70 g kernels and 19.03 g hulls per 100 seeds representing 72.71 and 27.29% as a fraction of the whole seed, respectively. The 100 seeds...
December 2018
Phytochemicals (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids) contribution to the feeding value of mulberry (Morus spp.) for rabbits
The feeding value of mulberry leaves for rabbits was quantitatively evaluated based on a single-factor design with five levels in diets (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%). Results showed that rabbits given mulberry at 20 and 15% had a relatively lower body weight gain, higher feed conversion ratio, and lower meat ether extract contents than that in the 0% group (P < 0.05). Increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced...
December 2018
The efficacy of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) seed cake as an organic fertilizer
Studies to evaluate the efficacy of Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) seed cake as an organic fertilizer were carried out at Bunda College of Agriculture during the 2010/2011 growing season using an on-station experiment. The major objective was to evaluate the efficacy of Jatropha seed cake as an organic fertiliser. The field experiment was laid in a 3 × 3 design with 3 levels of Jatropha (0, 92 and 184 kg N/ha...
December 2018
Physiologically meaningful moisture content determination for Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) seeds
Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.; Lecythidaceae) seeds are large, and the oily embryo (edible part) is covered by a thick, woody seed coat. Difficulties in seed storage may be due to desiccation sensitivity of the seeds, and prior variable results may be related to procedures for seed moisture content (MC) determination. This study first compared 3 methods of preparation of whole seeds, prior to MC determination:...
Advertisement
Advertisement
