National Root Crops Research Institute Research Articles

Yolk sac infection in a broiler flock: a case report

A case of yolk sac infection is reported among 500 broiler chicks bought for National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Poultry Project. From the day of receipt the birds were depressed, dull with distended abdomen. The next day and subsequent days the birds started dying, reached its peak on the 12th day with 8 deaths. Result of post mortem done on the dead chicks revealed a septicaemic carcass with the subcutaneous and yolk sac blood vessels enlarged and dilated. The striking feature was an inflamed unabsorbed yolk sac with the yolk abnormal in colour and consistency. Post mortem findings seen in chicks that survived into second, third and forth weeks were inspissated yolk sac which contained deeply pigmented caseous material. Bacteriological isolations revealed the presence of Escherichia coli. The outbreak was presumed to be as a result of Escherichia coli contaminating the hatching eggs and further penetrate the shell to infect the yolk. The source of infection was found to be from the hatchery contaminated with Escherichia coli where infection spread from chick to chick. KEY WORDS: Yolk Sac Infection, Broiler Flocks, Septicaemic Carcass. (Nigerian Veterinary Journal: 2002 23(2): 65-69)

Production of ginger-blended pineapple drink, "Pinegy"; implication for youth and rural employment

This study looks into the possibility of developing ginger-blended pineapple drink. To this effect, peeled pineapple and ginger were blended in the proportion of 50g/50g, 75g/25g, 83. 5g/16.5g, 87.5g /12.5g and 90g/10g (fresh weight basis) to produce ginger blended pineapple drink, `Pinegy' samples, designated as samples A, B, C, D, and E respectively. Firstly, a trained five (5)-man panel of judges was used to test for colour, pineapple flavour, pungency and overall acceptability. From the results, samples C, D, and E were selected for further evaluation using `Pinenaco', sample DA as a control while samples DB, DC and DD were `Pinegy' earlier samples C, D, and E, respectively. The second evaluation was carried out with a trained ten (10) – man panel drawn from the workers of National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike. Also, the proximate analysis of ginger-blended pineapple drink `Pinegy' was carried out in order to determine their food quality. The result showed that the ginger-blended pineapple drink `Pinegy' was richer than `Pinenaco' in nutrient content. Also, the result of the sensory tests showed that in overall acceptability, sample DD was most acceptable followed by the control (sampled DA), although the whole samples were acceptable in various degrees. This therefore, shows that production of ginger-blended pineapple drink `Pinegy' is possible. Also with locally available raw materials and simple methods of preparation, `Pinegy' production can serve as an employment for the youth and rural dwellers. [Niger Agric. J. 33 (2002): 97-101]

Chemical weed control in irrigated transplanted swamp rice in southeastern Nigeria

Abstract A three‐season herbicides’ trial was carried out between 1989 and 1991 at the rice swamps of the Federal College of Agriculture, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Umuahia in the rainforest zone of southeastern Nigeria, to evaluate their selectivity to FARO 29 (BG‐90) cultivar of swamp rice (Oryza sativa L.), and weed control effectiveness. Yields of about 4 t/ha were obtained with 2.5 kg a.i./ha pretilachlor plus dimethametryne or 3.95 kg a.i./ha piperophos plus propanil compared with 1.2 t/ha without weeding. The herbicides were applied 4 days after transplanting 6‐week‐old rice seedlings, and did not injure the crop.

Evaluation of Insecticides for Control of Cassava Mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti)

Abstract A field trial on a moderately infested four-month old cassava plot was initiated at Ugwuoba field station of National Root Crops Research Institute, to determine the efficacy of five insecticides for control of cassava mealybug (CMB), Phenacoccus manihoti Mat-Ferr. The insecticides were Rogor 40 (dimethoate), Supracide 40 (methidathion), Basudin 60 (diazinon), Nuvacron 40 (monocrotophos) and Dimecron (phosphamidon) and were applied at the rate of 0.05 percent active ingredient (500 ppm). A CP3 type sprayer was used to discharge the insecticides. The treatments were replicated five times. Knock-down effect on the crawlers (nymphs) and adult mealybugs was recorded 24 hours after insecticide application. Mean percentage knock-down figures were Dimecron, 25; Nuvacron, 37; Basudin, 40; Rogor, 20 and Supracide, 45. Although the highest knock-down was recorded in Superacide, there were no significant differences between Superacide, Basudin and Nuvacron. At five weeks after insecticide application, mean plant vigour (improvement) based on the mealybug infestation on new plant growths were rated on a scale of 1–5 as follows: Basudin, 4.9; Superacide, 4.6; Dimecron, 4.5; Nuvacron, 4.4; and Rogor, 3.6.

Effect of plant extracts on radial growth of Helminthosporium oryzae causative of Brown spot disease of rice under in-vitro

Brown spot disease, caused by Helminthosporium oryzae, is worldwide problem capable of causing considerable damage to paddy in the nursery, field or grain yield. The disease is seed borne, and thus can be transmitted through infected seeds and crop residues, alternate hosts and contaminated irrigation water. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant extracts on radial growth of Helminthosporium oryzae on rice plants. An in-vitro experiment was conducted at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, in Nigeria. Treatments included water and alcohol extracts of Azardiractha indica (Neem leaves), Piper guinensis (seeds), Garcinia cola (Bitter cola seeds), Ocimum gratissimum (leaf) and Vernonia amygdalina (leaf); and synthetic fungicide (Benomyl) at a concentrations of 10, 25 and 30% of the extract applied to H. oryzae in culture. The test materials were administered on Helminthosporium oryzae, sourced from rice seeds and infected shoot system of rice. Alcohol extract of Piper guineensis had the highest radial growth inhibition (89.89%) by the fifth day, but was not significantly different from Azardiractha indica, which had an inhibition value of 81.02%. The least effective plant extract was Ocimum gratssimum with radial inhibition of 11.50%, which occurred also on the fifth day. Plant extracts were as effective as the synthetic fungicide in inhibiting growth of the test fungus. Therefore, the effective extracts, all of which are readily available to the farmers, should be promoted instead of the synthetic fungicides, which are in limited supply and invariably expensive for rice farmers in Nigeria.