February 2008
Influence of stocking rate on herbage production, steers livemass gain and carcass price on semi-arid sweet bushveld in Southern Botswana
The influence of stocking rate on vegetation and animal performance was investigated over a period of 15 years in the Semi-arid Sweet Bushveld of Southern Botswana. The objective of the study was to establish an appropriate stocking rate for the area and evaluate the relationship between animal performance and the available herbage. The trial compared steers grazing at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 ha per livestock unit and a...
February 2008
Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in Mukota pigs in a communal area of Zimbabwe
A one year monitoring study was conducted between November 2005 and October 2006 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in indigenous Mukota pigs in Hama-Mavhaire communal area of Chirumhanzu District, Zimbabwe. Faecal samples from a total of 143 randomly selected pigs of both sexes and different ages (< 5 months, 5 -12 months and > 12 months) from 10 villages were collected from the rectum for...
February 2008
A comparison of stress hormone concentrations at slaughter in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers
Concentrations of stress hormones at slaughter were determined in 15 of each of 18-month old Angus, Bonsmara and Nguni steers. The steers were slaughtered at the East London Abattoir, which is about 120 km from the University of Fort Hare farm, where the animals had been raised. Serum creatinine and packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were determined before cattle transportation. Blood was also collected...
February 2008
Tillage system and genotype effects on rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in semi-arid Zimbabwe
Maize is the staple crop that is grown under rainfed conditions by smallholder farmers in most of Sub-Saharan Africa. A study was conducted during the 2002/3 and 2003/4 cropping seasons at a semi-arid site in South-east Zimbabwe to determine the response of five maize genotypes to four tillage systems (hand holing out, no till, inter-row furrow, tied ridge) under rainfed conditions. The trial was set up in a...
February 2008
Effects of fertilizer on nitrogen contents of berries of three coffee clones and berry infestation by the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferr.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)
The influence of six levels of fertilizer on the nitrogen content of coffee berries and the resulting incidence of Hypothenemus hampei was investigated on three improved clones of Robusta coffee at the Afosu Sub-station of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. The treatments were unfertilized control, basal dressing of 100 kg P2O5 ha-1 mixed with 100 kg K2O ha-1, basal dressing of 100 kg...
February 2008
GGE biplot analysis of Dioscorea rotundata cultivar “DENTE†in Ghana
Yield data of 20 genotypes of D. rotundata cultivar “Dente” tested across 15 rain-fed environments during the 2000 to 2004 growing season using Augmented RCBD with 3 blocks were analyzed using the GGE biplot method. The aim of the study was to (i) identify genotypes that combine high yields with stability across environments via GGE (genotype plus genotype x environment) biplot methodology, and...
February 2008
Evaluation of proximate changes and microbiology of stored defatted residues of some selected Nigerian oil seeds
Studies were carried out to evaluate the proximate changes and microbiology of stored defatted residues of some oilseeds in Nigeria. Oilseeds studied include Melon (Colocynthis citrullus), Soybean (Glycine max), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), Groundnut (Arachis hypogeae) and Coconut (Cocos nucifera). On a general note, the proximate parameters such as % protein, % ash, % ether extract, % carbohydrate...
February 2008
Studies on the chemical composition and storage parameters of sun-dried kola nuts
Kola nuts (Cola nitida) were sun dried to determine their storage and suitability parameters for possible export. Moisture content of nuts could be reduced to 7 - 9% by sun-drying in wooden trays with raffia mat bases. Milled nuts stored for 12 months in sealed polybags at room temperature (25 - 27°C) did not significantly (P≤ 0.05) absorb moisture over the period of storage. The chemical...
February 2008
Influence of specific gravity on wood species selection for agroforestry in some Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria
Specific gravity (SG) of wood has not been adequately reported to be a factor directly or indirectly influencing its selection for incorporation into or retention in some of the agroforestry systems. In this study, the SG of twelve wood species that top the priority ranking of respondents in Akinyele and Ido Local Government Areas (LGAs), Oyo State, Nigeria, where the predominant type of agroforestry system...
February 2008
Role of herbicide (metalachlor) and fertilizer application in integrated management of Striga asiatica in maize in Malawi
The parasitic weed species Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze is one of the major constraints in maize production in Malawi. The effects of metalachlor (as DualTMMagnum 960 EC), a pre-emergence herbicide, with 69N:21:P2O5:4S kg ha-1 and without fertilizer application, on maize growth and Striga suppression, were investigated at 5 sites in 2000/’01 season and 6 sites in 2001/’02....
February 2008
Long-term effects of different burning frequencies on the dry savannah grassland in South Africa
The use of fire in the management of grassland is a common rangeland practice in South Africa. This portends ecological implication for the sustainability of the savannah rangelands as a system. A long term trial was established in August 1980 at the University of Fort Hare, to evaluate the effects of this practice and determine the frequency of burning that yield optimum benefits. The experimental treatments...
February 2008
Foliar epidermal studies in the family Bignoniaceae JUSS. in Nigeria
Comparative studies have been carried out on the leaf epidermal features of eleven species of the family Bignoniaceae in Nigeria. The species are relatively uniform in the qualitative macro morphological characters except in the leaf shape, which varies from ovate, elliptic, oblong-elliptic, oblong, oblanceolate to obovate-lanceolate. A more constant macro character for the species is the leaflet length...
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