There were two trials carried out in this research, the first trial was conducted to investigate the growth pattern, dry matter yield and biomass production of Congo grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis R.C.M). The trial lasted for 24 weeks, during which plant height, number of leaves/plant, number of tillers/plant, leaf-stem ratio, percentage soil cover,... Continue Reading
Two studies were conducted using 20 broiler chickens with the aim of improving the yield, quality and shelf-life of meat products. In the first study, eight broiler chickens were used to investigate the effects of rigor state and curing temperature on yield and quality of smoke-cooked meat using a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. The results showed th... Continue Reading
This study examines the impact of Tungan-Kawo dam irrigation project on rice production and livelihood of small holder farmers in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of small-holder rice farmers participating in Tungan-Kawo irrigation project; determine... Continue Reading
The issue of bad water and sanitation practices leading to cases of water borne diseases among farmers has continued to be a concern in Plateau State. Stakeholders in water and sanitation sector introduced a set of recommended practices to farmers with the aim of reducing the incidences of the diseases. This study was conducted to determine the ad... Continue Reading
An experiment was conducted using a total of 601 chicks hatched from a diallel crossing of three genotypes (Normal [N], Frizzle [F] and Naked neck [Na]) of Nigerian indigenous chickens to evaluate the effects of genetic differences on growth traits, reproductive traits, haematological and biochemical parameters. The possibility of using IGF-I gene ... Continue Reading
Six Castor (Ricinus communis L.) accessories were crossed in 6x6 complete dialed to obtain 30 hybrids, and 6 parents. These 36 genotypes were used to estimate General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) effects for 50% days to germination, 50% days to flowering, plant height, peduncle length, number of racemes, number of br... Continue Reading
Six Castor (Ricinus communis L.) accessories were crossed in 6x6 complete dialed to obtain 30 hybrids, and 6 parents. These 36 genotypes were used to estimate General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) effects for 50% days to germination, 50% days to flowering, plant height, peduncle length, number of racemes, number of br... Continue Reading
In recent times, the global focus has been on eradicating food insecurity by various international organizations and governments of developing nations. In consonance of the above, this study examined issues of food security among smallholder irrigation and non-irrigation farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study utilized a combination of purposi... Continue Reading
This study was designed to assess the effects of 2011 post- election violence on livelihoods of farm households in Samaru Kataf Agricultural Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identify the livelihood sources of the respondents, establish the perception of t... Continue Reading
The study analyzed the productivity of hungry rice (acha) using data collected through structured questionnaire administered to 194 randomly selected acha farmers in Kaduna State. Data were analysed using the stochastic frontier production function, gross margin analysis and the t-test of significance. The maximum likelihood error estimates reveal... Continue Reading
Soils of the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria are continuously and intensively cultivated resulting in soil quality degradation, accelerated soil erosion and soil nutrient depletion. This study on effect of tillage, sorghum/Desmodium intercrop and fertilizer rates on soil quality was conducted in order to investigate the extent to which it can al... Continue Reading
Twenty one provenances of Jatropha curcas L. collected from seven states of the Northwestern Nigeria and established in a provenance trial at the Institute for Agricultural Research farm, Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Rank Summation Index (RSI) and Genetic Distance (GD) to a... Continue Reading
The study was conducted to evaluate economics of soyabean production under Sasakawa Global 2000 project in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the relevant socio-economic characteristics of soya bean producers under SG 2000 Project, analyse costs and returns to soya bean production under SG 2000 Project, exa... Continue Reading
This study examined the economics of early maturing maize varieties in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. Using random sampling techniques,300 maize farmers were selected randomly across 10 communities in the Local Government. Data obtained were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Adoption Index, Probit & Tobit Regression Mo... Continue Reading
Evaluation of existing groundnut genotypes for nitrogen fixation may be useful as selection criteria for high nitrogen fixation thereby minimizing the high cost of inorganic fertilizer and its associated environmental consequences. The objectives of this study were to determine symbiotic nitrogen fixation and contribution to soil nitrogen by groun... Continue Reading