FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

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1983 - 19886

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Start date: 1980End date: 1989

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    SEED PRODUCTION IN OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH)
    (1987-08) ADETUNJI, I. A.
    Fifteen genotypes of okra were evaluated in eight environments for stability of seed yield, and also to identify the most suitable environments for producing high quality seed at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria from 1984 to 1986. There was significant genotype x environment interactions for all characters examined except for percent seed germination. On the average, highest seed yield and best seed quality as measured by percent seed germination were associated with environments with low total precipitation (460.4 mm), low average relative humidity (50.1%) and high number of sunshine hours (1153.7 hrs). Studies on agronomic requirements for okra seed production revealed that high plant population (111,110 plants/ha) produced about 39% higher seed yields/ha than low plant population of 55,555 plants/ha. Nitrogen levels of 65 kg/ha and 130 kg/ha raised seed yield by 35 and 39% over the control (no nitrogen) respectively. Seeds harvested 35-49 DAF, stored in polythene bags at 4°C with 50% RH retained most of their viability after 16 months of storage. Removing the first two to four edible pods on each plant raised okra seed yields by about three percent. Removal of the first 6 to 14 pods/plant reduced seed yields by 36-80%. Removal of up to four edible pods/ plant was compensated for by higher total pod dry matter yield reflected in a higher 1000-seed weight and larger size of seeds. Seeds in categories of 4.0 and 4.5 mm size grades were more vigorous as indicated by 1000-seed weight, percent seed germination and seedling emergence.
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    THE EFFECT OF OXYTETRACYCLINE ON THE PERFORMANCE AND SERUM MINERAL LEVELS OF KIDS REARED WITH OR WITHOUT THEIR DAMS
    (1988) ADELEYE, B. O.
    Investigations were conducted to assess the effect of supplemental oxytetracycline-HC1 at various levels on performance and serum mineral levels of kids reared on two different systems of management, namely, kids reared with their dams and those reared artificially on cow's milk, with a view to determine the optimal level at which the best performance could be achieved. Forty-eight three-day-old goat kids weighing between 1.25 and 2.05kg with a mean weight of 1.79kg were used in this study. A group of animals assigned to a specific rearing method were randomly allotted to four treatment groups (0, 13.2, 19.8 and 26.4mg of oxytetracycline-HC1 daily). The experiment lasted for 84 days. The results on performance showed that the voluntary milk intake and liveweight gain of kids reared with their dams were comparable with their counterparts on cow's milk for the first two weeks of the experiment. Thereafter, the milk intake of kids reared with their dams diminished due to fall in dam's milk yield, resulting in lower weekly liveweight gain. At the end of the experiment, the mean weekly liveweight gain of kids reared on cow's milk were higher (241.90 vs 295.20g). However, kids reared with their dams exhibited better feed efficiency than their counterparts on cow's milk, indicating that the observed higher weekly liveweight gain was as a result of the higher milk intake. Oxytetracycline-HC1 supplement enhanced weekly liveweight gain of kids reared with their dams. The overall mean weekly liveweight gain for kids on treatment levels (0, 13.2, 19.8, and 26.4mg of oxytetracyclne-HC1 daily) were 171.70, 216.56, 216.39 and 333.80g, respectively, for kids reared with their dams. The corresponding values for kids reared on cow's milk were 330.56, -315.31, 289.59 and 246.34g, respectively. Oxytetracycline-HCl supplement did not depress the serum levels of Ca, Na, K, Cu, and Fe, particularly when fed between 13.2 and 19.8mg/day. Slight decrease in the serum levels of P and Mn compared to the control were observed, although the differences were not significant. However, oxytetracycline significantly depressed the serum Mg levels, particularly in kids reared with their dams. Results obtained with the two systems of management suggested that oxytetracycline-HC1 was capable of improving the performance of kids reared with their dams. Oxytetracycline-HC1 fed as supplement to kids already adequate in milk intake was not encouraging, since no apparent improvement in performance over the unsupplemented kids was produced. Oxytetracycline- HC1 supplement at level of 26.4mg/day is recommended for adequate liveweight gain and optimal feed efficiency without adverse effect on the serum mineral status of the pre-weaned kids.
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    HORMONAL AND PHYSICAL INTERACTIONS WITH ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AND CATIONS IN THE PORCINE BRAIN AND HYPOPHYSES IN A HOT HUMID CLIMATE
    (1983-08) ADEJUMO, D. O.
    Prenatal and Postnatal changes in the physiological development of the porcine brain were determined. The results indicated a decline in amniotic fluid volume with increased gestation length. Marked fetal brain and body development was observed between four and six weeks of gestation where mean embryo weight increased by 48,878% from four weeks to six weeks with a concomitant increase of 1,300% in mean fetal brain weight. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the amniotic fluid declined progressively with age (r=-0.56) while AChE activity in the fetal brain increased with gestation length (r=0.88). Total protein in both the amniotic fluid and in fetal brain did not correlate significantly with gestation length (P>0.05). Specific acetylcholinesterase (SAChE) activities in the amniotic fluid declined significantly between four and six weeks of gestation while activity in the fetal brain increased significantly from 5.12 ± 0.39 at 6 weeks to 21.54 + 2.6 at 12 weeks. Postnatally, AChE activity declined significantly with age in the pons, hypothalamus, midbrain, medulla and hypophyses while no significant changes were observed in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus. A significant rise was observed in the amygdala. Total protein increased significantly with age in all brain regions and hypophyses while SAChE activities declined steadily with age. Significant and Positive correlations were observed in the calcium and sodium content of the embryonic brain while negative correlations were observed in the copper and zinc content. Postnatally, Positive correlations were observed in the calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper and zinc contents of the pons, cerebellum, medulla and midbrain. The effects of castration at different ages and hormonal therapy on brain and hypophyseal physiology of pigs were also evaluated. Castration significantly depressed AChE activity in the cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla in all age groups except at 7-8 months of age while testosterone maintained AChE activity at levels similar to controls. The cortex was not significantly affected except in the Pre-weaners where a depression was recorded. AChE activity in the adenohypophyses of testosterone-treated castrates and controls were similar and inferior to the untreated castrates. Protein levels of all the brain regions and hypophyses of boars were depressed by castration. In addition treated castrates were still inferior to the controls. A decline was also observed in the concentrations of calcium, sodium, potassium, copper and zinc in castrated boars. Exogenous Progesterone or estradiol administration also significantly depressed AChE activity in the cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus, midbrain and the medulla with the Progesterone - induced depression being significantly lower than that caused by estradiol. Total protein in the brain regions of ovariectomized gilts was depressed by estrogen and progesterone but to varying extents. Progesterone tended to elevate magnesium and zinc in the amygdale, hippocampus and cerebellum while estradiol facilitated retention of copper and potassium in several brain regions and the neurohypophyses. Testosterone injection also significantly depressed AChE activity in all brain regions. However no significant differences were observed in the hypophyses. Testosterone further depressed total protein levels in the cerebellum, hypothalamus, cortex, medulla and elevated it in the pons. Testosterone injection in gilts also depressed calcium levels in all brain regions and hypophyses while causing a rise in the magnesium, zinc, and potassium levels in several regions. Lastly, heat stress caused significant increases in respiratory rates and rectal temperatures of heat-stressed boars. Heat stress also elevated AChE and SAChE activities in the Pons, cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus and medulla. No significant effect was found in the cortex. Total protein levels in the heat-stressed pigs were generally inferior to the controls but the amygdala and cortex were unaffected. Heat stress significantly increased calcium, potassium levels and depressed magnesium, zinc and copper levels in several regions. Water deprivation also depressed AChE activity in the amygdala, medulla and hippocampus but no effect was observed in the cortex. Total protein levels were also depressed by water deprivation in several regions whereas SAChE activities were elevated in water deprived animals above the controls. Water deprivation resulted in a decline in Calcium and Sodium levels of several regions while increases were recorded in magnesium, potassium and zinc concentrations in some brain regions and the hypophyses.
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    GROWTH PREDICTION IN SOME PLANTATIONS OF EXOTIC TREE SPECIES IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA AND DERIVED SAVANNA ZONES OF NIGERIA
    (1985-06) ADEGBEHIN, J. O.
    Growth studies which include diameter distribution using the Weibull function, development of stand volume models, and construction of provisional top height-age and total volume production-age curves for the average site class were carried out in plantations of Eucalyptus cloeziana, E. tereticornis and Pinus caribaea. The study locations were Kabama (Zaria) and Afaka (both typical of Northern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria), Nimbia (Derived savanna zone) and Miango, Vom and Ta-Hoss (on the Jos Plateau). E. cloeziana represented only at Afaka had 4 experimental sample plots with age range of 4.2 - 15.5 years. E. tereticornis represented at Kabama and Afaka had 6 sample plots with ages from 3.7 - 15.5 while P. caribaea represented in all the study locations except Zaria had 43 plots with ages between 4.7 - 29 years. In fitting the Weibull distribution to the individual diameter plot data, WWINGO, the most suitable Weibull (program) subroutine for determining the Weibrill parameters in the stands, was capable of describing the diameter distribution in the plots as from the minimum age of 4 years for E. cloeziana and 6 years each for E. tereticornis and P. caribaea. On testing the Weibull parameter predictive models constructed (based on stand attributes and site factors) in new stands, while those of E. cloeziana and E. tereticornis gave good predictions as from the respective minimum age limits stated above, those of P. caribaea did not give reliable predictions until the age of 10 years. With reference to the stand volume model developed for each species, that of E. cloeziana gave the best prediction with the root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.25 m3/ha, followed by that of E. tereticornis with RMSE of 4.7 m3/ha and that of P. caribaea with RMSE of 10.1 m3/ha. The models predicted well within the range of field data when tested in new stands. Out of the three functions used in fitting the provisional top height-age (site index) curve for the average site class for each species, the Gompertz model, in most cases, gave better fittings than the Logistic while the polynomial function was the poorest. Based on the best-fit model for each species and some other criteria, a provisional average site class was defined as top height of 27.4 m at a reference age of 13 years for E. cloeziana, 24.8 m at the age of 15 years for E. tereticornis and 23.4 m at age 20 for P. caribaea. The Gompertz model was also more reliable than the Logistic in fitting the provisional average total volume production-age curve for each of the species. A maximum total volume production of about 240 m3/ha at age 13.4 years, 286 m3/ha at age 19.4 years and 726 m3/ha at age 30 could be obtained for E. cloeziana, E. tereticornis and P. caribaea, respectively, on an average site. The applications of the Weibull parameter predictive models in forest management, and the expected optimum rotation ages for the species in view of the growth figures obtained from the other growth models were discussed.
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    STUDIES ON THE VALUE OF COCOA HUSK IN THE NUTRITION OF COCKERELS
    (1988-09) ABIOLA, S. S.
    Four studies were carried out to determine the nutritive value of cocoa husk in cockerel rations. The parameters measured included performance and carcass characteristics, nutrient utilisation, histological studies, serum metabolites and economy of feed conversion. In the first study, the four main by-products from the cocoa industry (cocoa shell, cake, dust and husk) were chemically evaluated and their metabolisable energy values determined. Cocoa cake was found to contain the highest amount of crude protein while the crude fibre was highest in cocoa husk. Cocoa husk which also contained the highest amount of ash had the lowest content of theobromine. However, cocoa shell had a higher metabolisable energy value than cocoa husk. The high mineral content and low level of theobromine in cocoa husk coupled with its availability confirmed its advantages as an animal feed over the other cocoa by-products. In the second study, the wheat offal in the cockerel rations in both the starter and finisher phases was replaced with cocoa husk at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels in a twenty week study. In both phases, body weight gain decreased progressively with increasing dietary level of cocoa husk. The depression in growth rate was attributed to the high fibre Content of cocoa husk. The mean values of bodyweight gain in the starter phase were statistically significant (P<0.05) from each other. At the end of the starter phase, however, best results of average daily gain and efficiency of feed utilisation were obtained on birds fed the diet in which 25% of wheat offal was replaced with cocoa husk. This represents about 7% of cocoa husk in the ration for the starter phase. For the finisher phase, best results of < average daily gain, efficiency of feed utilisation and dressing out percentage among the cocoa husk diets were also obtained on birds fed the finisher diet in which 25% of wheat offal was replaced with cocoa husk. In addition, the lowest feed cost/kg liveweight of N4.89 was obtained on this diet which represented about 6% of cocoa husk in the finisher ration. The third study focused on the replacement of groundnut cake (GNC) in the cocoa husk based rations with palm kernel cake (PKC) at 0, 33, 66 and 100% levels in a sixteen week study. At the end of the starter phase; best results of average daily gain and efficiency of feed utilisation were observed on the birds fed cocoa husk diet in which 33% of the protein of the GNC was replaced with that of PKC. Average daily gain decreased with increasing levels of PKC in the diet. The protein intake in the starter phase also decreased with increasing level of fibre in the diet. The results of the performance of the cockerels in the finisher phase were not statistically different (P>0.05) from one another. However, best results of efficiency of feed utilisation and lowest mortality in the finisher phase were obtained on the birds fed cocoa husk diet in which the GNC was completely replaced with PKC. Compare with the result obtained on the control diet, the highest dressing percentage was also obtained on the diet without GNC. The histological changes noticed in the brain, liver and kidney tissues in all the treatments indicated chronic theobromine poisoning. Finally in this study, 20% and 37% levels of PKC were recommended in the cocoa husk based rations for the starter and finisher phases respectively. In the last study, cocoa husk was treated with the alkaline cocoa pod husk ash in order to improve it's digestibility. The treated cocoa husk (TCH) was mixed with the starter and finisher diets of cockerels in a study which lasted for sixteen weeks. The mean values of daily feed intake in the starter phase were statistically different (P< 0.05). The best results of bodyweight gain and protein utilisation were obtained on birds fed diets with 14% and 20% TCH in the starter and finisher phases respectively. The higher blood pH values obtained in the finisher phase could be due to the higher levels of treated cocoa husk (TCH) in the finisher diets. The highest dressing percentage was obtained on the diet containing 20% TCH while the best result of feed conversion was recorded on the diet containing 24% TCH. The results of this final study indicated that cockerels can tolerate higher Levels of TCH in the ration as compared to the lower levels of untreated cocoa husk recommended in the previous studies. Therefore, the levels of 14% and 20% TCH can be incorporated respectively in the starter and finisher diets of cockerels for optimal performance. However, as economy of feed conversion is of paramount importance to the poultry farmer, 24% of TCH in the finisher diet will be ideal.