AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS

The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate and compare the effect of selected spices on methanogenesis using in vitro cultures. Some of the spices selected are Allium cepa, piper nigrum. Aframonum melegueta, Dennttia tripetala,, syzygium aromaticum, Gongronema latifolium among others were dried and milled for chemical analysis and in vitro gas fermentation study. The results showed that the organic matter was highest in Allium crispum (97.98%) and lowest in Allium cepa (96.77%) ash content ranges from 4.2% to 2.34% for Allium cepa and Allium crispum respectively. The crude protein (CP) also was found to vary from 24.50% in Allium cepa to 11.19% for Gongroneme latifolium. NDF values ranges from 52.00% for Capsicum annuum to 14.43% for Allium ascalonium and ADF values was 40.50% for Capsicun annuum to 4.25% for Allium crispum, also hemicelluloses was noticed to be highest in Allium crispum (39.00%) and lowest in Allium cepa(white) (2.75%).

Because many arthropod pests are exotic the aim of classical biological control is to reduce pest numbers by reuniting old enemies through importation of predators from the area of insect pest origin. Lady beetles, green lace wings and spiders are familiar examples of predator arthropods inhibiting residential landscapes and gardens. In general, predators are larger than their prey, consume many prey items during their life time and feed on a broad range of species immature and/or adults may be predatory and often do not leave behind any evidence of attack.

The classification of an insect as a pest is a subjective one based on its potential damage to human purposes or natural habitats and eco-system. Insect pests are said to be able to kill agricultural crops, ornamental plants etc. They can also consume and damage harvested food and also cause illness or unproductively in agricultural animals e.g. Cattle and vector as larvae while they may be pollinators in adulthood.

Ahmed et al (2005) reported that, the leaves of Terminalia catappa contain several flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpiniod and phytosterols. Due to the above chemical richness, the leaves are used in different traditional medicines for various purposes worldwide. They also reported the biochemical effects of administering Terminalia catappa Linn aqueous and cold leaf extracts, orally and showed that it caused the regeneration of the Beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans, decreased blood sugar, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), creatinine, urea and alkaline phosphatase levels, while increasing the high density lipoprotein (HDL) level in diabetes mellitus (Nyarko and Addy, 1997). However, not much is reported about the various blood cells involve in the body defense system.

Exotic chickens are raised in specialized caging systems, they are fed with specialized formulated feeds which are rich in essential minerals, their growth are controlled and the meat production are monitored using feed formulation and vaccines. These exotic breeds are never allowed to range freely or scavenge for food. Turkey on the other hand is a large poultry bird that originated from the temperate parts of the world which is now a popular form of poultry in parts of the world. Its meat is a major sources of protein and its feathers are used extensively for decorative purposes (UF Researchers, 2012).

The study determined the availability, access and utilization of information communication technologies among staff of women in agriculture sub-programme of agricultural development programmes in north central zone of Nigeria. Four states were randomly selected which include Benue, Kogi and Nassarawa states, and the Federal Capital Territory. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample size of eighty (80) WIA staff. Interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents. Frequency count, percentage and mean score were used to analyze the data collected. Factor analysis with principal factor model with interaction and varimax rotation was used to determine the major constrains to the use of ICTs.

The success of gastropod molluscs in terrestrial habitats has been due to various structural, physiological and behavioural specializations (Riddle, 1983). One specialization that is well developed among the pulmonate land snails is the capacity to enter the dormant state of aestivation during periods of hot and dry environmental conditions (Rees and Hand, 1993). Snails can be found in a very wide range of environments, including ditches, deserts, and the abyssal depths of the sea. Although many people are familiar with terrestrial snails, they are in the minority. Several species of the genus Achatina and related genera are known as giant African land snails (GALS); some grow to 15 in (38 cm) from snout to tail, and weigh 1 kg (Frederick, 2010).

Microbes responsible for fermentation need anaerobic conditions. As bacteria consume sugars, and product produced (acetic and lactic acid) cause the pH to drop. Quality silage is achieved when lactic acid is the predominant acid produced, as it is the most efficient fermentation acid and will drop the pH of the silage. The faster the fermentation is completed, the more nutrients will be retained in the silage. Bacteria inoculants can be added to increase the number of lactic acid producing bacteria, thus, encouraging more lactic acid production and a well-preserved forage mass (Ogunjobi et al., 2010). A critical time during the ensiling process occurs after the initial three to five days and requires some 15 to 20 days for completion (Ogunjobi et al., 2010). The success of the ensiling process is determined during two weeks, during this period there is a gradual increase in lactic acid producing bacteria which breakdown simple sugars to accelerate the fermentation process. The resultant effect of this process is the gradual drop of pH level to a range of 3.8 – 4.2 leading to further bacterial action.

A study was conducted to assess the effect of breed, sex and age on growth, haematological, serum biochemical and carcass characteristics of Turkey. The data was generated from 100 Turkeys which comprised 50 Norfolk breed and 50 Mammoth breed. The growth traits included biweekly body weight (BW) and linear body measurements: neck length (NL), body length (BL), thigh length (TL), shank length (SL), chest girth (CG) and wing length (WL). Haematological parameters included packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), pH, red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC). Biochemical parameters included total protein (Tp), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and creatinine and all the carcass traits (live weight, dressed weight, carcass weight, thigh, breast, wing, back, drumstick and neck).

These leaves are commonly found in eventually all parts of West-Africa. It is cultivated in Nigeria in most-part of the countries especially in southern and western part of Nigeria (Teguia et.al, 1993).The bitter leaf is believed to have certain principal chemical properties found in the herb, are a class of compound called steroid glycoside type vernoniocideS B1 these chemical substances possess a potent anti-parasitic, the leaf is commonly employed as an agent in treating schistosomiasis which is a disease caused by parasitic worm, it also aid in some ailment like diarrhea, fever cure etc.