Nigerian Guinea Research Articles

Growth performance and carcass traits of indigenous Nigerian guinea fowl fed on different dietary protein levels.

This work examined the results of different dietary protein levels on indigenous Nigerian guinea fowl growth performance and carcass yield. One hundred and eight unsexed indigenous keets were randomly assigned to three treatments with experimental diets containing 22%, 24%, and 26% crude protein (CP) in a completely randomized design, with 3 replicates with 12 keets in each replicate. The parameters were measured, including proximate composition, feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield. The birds fed diets containing 24% CP gained the most body weight at 619.83 gm and had the highest FCR of 3.45. The presence of CP had an impact that was significant (p < 0.05) on most carcass traits and prime cuts but not on gastrointestinal tract weight, head weight, dress percentage, or organ yield. The study concluded that the dietary CP level of 24% was optimal for body weight gain and carcass yield.

Key dimensions of land users’ perceptions of land degradation and sustainable land management in Niger State, Nigeria

Declining land productivity remains a challenge for agriculture-based livelihoods and for achieving food security. Yet identifying how land users perceive land degradation and their capacity to manage land in an environmentally sustainable manner can influence the measures initiated to address it. Using the case of Niger State, Nigeria, this study examines land users’ perceptions of land degradation and land management measures to address it in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah. We used the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index as a proxy for degradation status, selecting 30 communities based on the extent of degraded areas. We adapted the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies, Sustainable Land Management questionnaires to capture perceptions and administered 225 questionnaires to land users. Through key informant interviews, we collected narrative insights and data on perspectives and motivations of land users to understand land degradation situations and to interpret the questionnaire surveys. We analysed data through descriptive statistics, Principal Component Analysis and qualitative analysis. Our analysis identified four perceptions dimensions of land degradation characteristics, two perceptions dimensions of land degradation drivers, and six perceptions dimensions of sustainable land management. The results also confirmed that degradation in Niger State is both due to widespread unsustainable human activities within Niger state and those by migrant farmers and pastoralism from adjoining Sudan Sahelian states that push people further south, a leakage of ongoing land degradation and conflicts in other areas. To deal with local land degradation in Niger State, improved land tenure, alternative livelihood strategies, poverty eradication and awareness, nature-based sustainable land management practices such as tree-based initiatives, environmentally friendly agriculture such as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration supported by the necessary political will and institutions are critical.

Architectural Responses of Cashew to Intercropping and Nutritional Amendments in Nigerian Guinea Savanna Agro Ecology

Field experiment was conducted at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria sub-station Ochaja, to evaluate the impact of manure and intercrops on cashew tree growth, canopy development and yield. Treatments consisted of Bambara and Sesame intercrops and manuring using Cocoa pod husk (CPH) and NPK fertilizer applied at the rate of 0, 1,713kg and 400kg/ha respectively. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with three replications and monitored within the two years of study. Data collected includes: Plant height, Stem girth and canopy North-South/East-West direction. These was used to calculate: crown diameter, canopy spread, canopy volume, canopy ground cover and canopy ground cover percentage. The results showed that the growth characters of Cashew were positively influenced by alley crops of Sesame and Bambara nut and manuring. Manuring with CPH exerted differences in the responses of cashew to alley crops, in particular, canopy development. Intercropping with a combination of bambara-sesame and the application of NPK fertilizer proved to have the highest Cashew growth development but showed no significant differences on the yield and yield attribute. The GGE biplot results identified the best intercrop system for each of the three-fertilizer type treatment. Within the two years of the experiment, Cashew development was not hampered by the introduction of the different intercropping systems.

Comparative behaviour of local and exotic chickens in tests of fearfulness, anxiety and cognition

Behaviour affects performance and productivity of poultry birds especially chickens, some behavioural traits are advantageous in a particular production system and may be of disadvantage in another production system. The present study compared behavioural of Nigeria Local Chicken, NLC (two separate samples of 11 Yoruba Ecotype) and its Exotic counterparts (11 Broilers and 11 Pullets) by use of the Open Field (OFT), T-Maze, Forced Approach, and Voluntary Approach Tests (FAT and VAT respectively) during two phases of Growth (0-4 Weeks, and 4-8 weeks age respectively). The former group (NLC) is better adapted to extensive management in the Nigerian Guinea savannah than the latter Results showed that Yoruba NLC issued a significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher number of distress calls than the Exotic genotypes in the OFT at age 7 and 48 days, and the NLC issued significantly more calls at 7 days age. Broilers exhibited significantly lower OFT Latency at 7 and 48 days, and Broilers traversed fewer squares and spent less time ambulating than other genotypes at 48 days age. Ina T-maze, Broilers showed significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower exploratory behaviour than other groups (higher latency to leave the start box). In the FAT, NLC showed lower Latency to flight (p&lt;0.05) than the Exotic genotypes. Ethological test results indicate differences in the behavioural characters exhibited by Yoruba NLC and Exotic Chickens and such differences could embody the basis of anecdotal differences in the rates of survival under extensive management conditions, and may be subjected to quantitative genetic selection in the ongoing effort to produce improved chickens that incorporate a combination of desirable traits from both Local and Exotic chickens.

Molecular Sexing and Taxonomic classification of Nigerian Guinea Fowl using Chromo Helicase DNA Binding Gene and 12S mitochondrial rRNA gene

Molecular Sexing and Taxonomic classification of Nigerian Guinea Fowl using Chromo Helicase DNA Binding Gene and 12S mitochondrial rRNA gene

Social-Ecological Archetypes of Land Degradation in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah: Insights for Sustainable Land Management

The Nigerian Guinea Savannah is the most extensive ecoregion in Nigeria, a major food production area, and contains many biodiversity protection areas. However, there is limited understanding of the social-ecological features of its degraded lands and potential insights for sustainable land management and governance. To fill this gap, the self-organizing map method was applied to identify the archetypes of both proximal and underlying drivers of land degradation in this region. Using 12 freely available spatial datasets of drivers of land degradation—4 environmental; 3 socio-economic; and 5 land-use management practices, the identified archetypes were intersected with the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived land-degradation status of the region, and the state administrative boundaries. Nine archetypes were identified. Archetypes are dominated by: (1) protected areas; (2) very high-density population; (3) moderately high information/knowledge access; (4) low literacy levels and moderate–high poverty levels; (5) rural remoteness; (6) remoteness from a major road; (7) very high livestock density; (8) moderate poverty level and nearly level terrain; and (9) very rugged terrain and remote from a major road. Four archetypes characterized by very high-density population, moderate–high information/knowledge access, and moderate–high poverty level, as well as remoteness from a major town, were associated with 61.3% large-area degradation; and the other five archetypes, covering 38.7% of the area, were responsible for small-area degradation. While different combinations of archetypes exist in all the states, the five states of Niger (40.5%), Oyo (29.6%), Kwara (24.4%), Nassarawa (18.6%), and Ekiti (17.6%), have the largest shares of the archetypes. To deal with these archetypical features, policies and practices that address increasing population in combination with poverty reduction; and that create awareness about land degradation and promote sustainable practices and various forms of land restoration, such as tree planting, are necessary for progressing towards land-degradation neutrality in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah.

Human-induced land degradation dominance in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah between 2003 – 2018

Land degradation poses a persistent challenge to ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah (NGS). While both human activity and climate variability have been implicated as degradation drivers, the lack of research fuels dispute over the causes and status of land degradation in the Savannah. Detailed evidence on the contributions of both rainfall and human activities can, however, help identify appropriate measures to address land degradation. MODIS vegetation “greenness” and TAMSAT rainfall data were employed to achieve the following objectives: (i) provide empirical insights on the pattern of savannah vegetation dynamics; (ii) control for rainfall effects in Savannah degradation; and (iii) characterize the extent, severity and geography of human-induced land degradation. The selected statistical techniques proved useful for highlighting the spatio-temporal dynamics of degradation in the NGS. Controlling for the effect of rainfall on vegetation greenness produces a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) residual that allows to us estimate the human impact on land degradation. Despite no indication of a worsening rainfall regime, inter-annual variation in vegetation greenness exhibits a consistently negative, declining trend. This continuous, negative, declining trend in the NDVI residual strongly suggests ongoing biomass loss in the NGS is the result of unsustainable human activity. Observed improvement is attributable to existing land management programmes (afforestation and the planting of drought tolerant species) initiated by states in the zone. In sum, approximately 38% of the NGS land area, including protected areas such as Kainji Lake National Park, are becoming more degraded, while 14% and 48% of the remaining area shows either improvement or no real change, respectively. These results serve as a baseline information resource for tracking future land use activities, land degradation and potential pathways for achieving more sustainable land management.

Assessment of Yield and Nutritional Qualities of Local and Improved Maize Varieties Cultivated in Wukari and Environement of the Nigerian Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecology

Assessment of Yield and Nutritional Qualities of Local and Improved Maize Varieties Cultivated in Wukari and Environement of the Nigerian Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecology

Diversity, spatial and temporal distribution of above-ground arthropods associated with watermelon in the Nigerian southern guinea savanna

Diversity, spatial and temporal distribution of above-ground arthropods associated with watermelon in the Nigerian southern guinea savanna

Fibre morphological variations of some Nigerian guinea savannah timber species

Fibre morphology of some Nigerian tropical timber species were evaluated to determine their potentials as suitable source of raw material for pulp and paper making. The fibre dimension of the species showed that Syzygium guineense had the longest fibre length (2.0 mm) followed by Anogeissus leiocarpa (1.75 mm) while Albizia zygia had the shortest fibre length of 1.05 mm. Irvingia gabonensis had the largest fibre diameter while Vernonia colorata had the smallest. Vitellaria paradoxa had the widest lumen of 8.87µm while Irvingia gabonensis had the smallest lumen and thickest (6.87µm) cell wall while Vernonia colorata had the thinnest (4.40µm). Albizia zygia had the most slender fibres while Vitellaria paradoxa had the most rigid fibres. All the species had narrow fibre lumens and the cell walls were thick, which may have given poor results to the pulp made from them. The results of the ANOVA showed that there was high significant variation in all the fibre dimensions and the derived values of the species. DMR test showed that no statistical difference existed in the fibre length of Isoberlina doka, Khaya ivorensis and Albizia zygia. However, Vernonia colorata, Irvingia gabonensis and Vitellaria paradoxa had similar fibre length as well as Afzelia africana and Lannea welwitchii. All the species passed the Runkel Ratio 0.55 for an acceptable value for paper making. All the fibres were elastic except Vitellaria paradoxa and Anogeissus leiocarpa.

Genetic Parameter Estimates of Guinea Fowl (Numida Meleagris) in South-South Region of Nigeria

This study aimed at estimating heritability and repeatability of body weight and somebody parameters of Nigerian guinea fowls. Forty eight dams mated to specific sires in a nested experimental design produced offspring identified sire lines. Data collected at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age respectively were subjected to analysis of variance. The body traits were: body circumference, thigh length, shank length and breast length. Results showed that heritability for BWT ranged from 0.40 ─ 0.81, while repeatability estimates were at a range 0.20 ─ 0.40 at 8 -12 weeks of age respectively. Body circumference was estimated to be 0.66 ─ 0.84 heritable and 0.33 ─ 0.42 repeatable. Heritability for body weight and linear body traits generally increased with age. It was concluded that mass selection can be employed from eight weeks of age for the improvement of the guinea fowl given the high estimates obtained in this study.

Quality and Safety Assessment of Traditional Smoked Fish from Lagos State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to investigate the quality and safety status of traditional smoked of fish from Lagos State, Nigeria. Fresh fish samples (100) (Silver catfish, Spotted tilapia, Bonga shad, Nigerian tongue sole and Guinea barracuda) were collected from twenty fishing/processing centres from Badagry and Epe Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria. The samples were divided into two batches, one batch was smoked with drum kiln and the second batch was taken to the laboratory for analysis. Laboratory analyses were carried out on the two batches for: proximate (protein, fat, moisture, crude fibre, and ash), quality indices (peroxide value PV, thiobarbituric acid TBA, total nitrogen base-nitrogen TVB-N, trimethylamine acid TMA, free fatty acid FFA and pH), heavy metals and microbiological (coliform, fuugi, listeria monocytogenes salmonella paratyphi and staphylococcus aureus). The results of the proximate, quality and microbiological analyses revealed that there was significant variations (p<0.05). T he mean m oisture content of fresh fish samples ranged from 73.48% – 75.94% and that of smoked fish samples ranged from 11.86% - 13.41% . The mean protein content of fresh fish samples ranged from 15.18% – 17.96% and that of smoked fish samples ranged from 54.80% – 59.35%. An inverse relationship was observed between the moisture and protein content in the smoked fish samples. The study showed that smoking affects quality and significantly (P<0.05) reduced the moisture content of smoked fish and the quality indices such as FFA, TBA and PV. The study concluded that the levels of the four heavy metals investigated in the fish samples are generally below the maximum permissible levels set by World Health Organization for Pb (0.3 ppm); Cd (0.2 ppm), Hg (0.2 ppm) and Cr (0.5 ppm) and hence pose no risk to smoked fish consumers . However, samples of smoked fish showed presence of Listeria monocytogenes which may constitute a threat to public health.

Impacts of Different Tree Species of Different Sizes on Spatial Distribution of Herbaceous Plants in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah Ecological Zone.

This study was aimed at finding the impacts of different tree species and individual trees of different sizes on species richness, diversity, and composition of the herbaceous layer. All the three tree species have greatly increased species richness and diversity both within and outside their crown zones compared with the open grassland. Both species richness and diversity were found to be higher under all the three tree species than outside their crowns, which was in turn higher than the open field. Daniella oliveri has the highest species richness and diversity both within and outside its crown zone followed by Vitellaria paradoxa and then Parkia biglobosa. The result also revealed that the same tree species with different sizes leads to different herbaceous species richness, diversity, and composition under and around the trees' crowns. P. biglobosa and V. paradoxa trees with smaller sizes showed higher species richness and diversity under their crowns than the bigger ones. The dissimilarity of species composition differs between the inside and outside crown zones of the individuals of the same tree species and among the different trees species and the open field.

Feasibility Analysis of Leaf-Based &lt;i&gt;Moringa oleifera&lt;/i&gt; Plantation in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah: Case Study of University of Ilorin Moringa Plantation

This study examined the profitability and economic feasibility of a leaf-based Moringa production and processing under a plantation system in the Nigerian guinea savannah using the University of Ilorin Moringa Plantation as a case study. To achieve this objective, data on production and processing cost and revenue for the 2011/2012 planting season were collected and a simulated 10-year production and cost and revenue scenarios were scheduled based on the assumption of a constant cost and cash inflow over the same period. The cost-benefit was reported using the Return on Investment (ROI), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and the Net Present Value (NPV) analyses. Result indicated an estimated average net profit of N827,109 (USD5, 137) ha/annum from a Total production cost of N1,371,360 (USD8, 580) ha/annum and a gross revenue of N2,200,000.00 (USD13,750) ha/annum derived from the sale of an average of 110kg of processed dry leaf powder output. This indicates the relative profitability of the enterprise. Furthermore, at varying discount rates of 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, and 25%, the BCR indicated that for every N1 invested in cost, the investor could realize N1.60 in returns, the ROI indicate a profit return turnover of 26.7% of the cost of investment and a NPV estimate at the end of the 10-year period considered the project to be financially worthwhile. Based on these findings, this study recommends the encouragement of Moringa production and value addition development due to the potential it portends for income generation.Key words: feasibility analysis, Moringa leaf and enterprise

ClasSoil Genesis in Volcanic Areas of the Jos Plateau, Nigeria.sification of soils planted with orange (citrus sinensis) and mango (mangifera indica) in the Nigerian guinea savanna

The purpose of this study was to explain the genesis of soils formed in the volcanic areas of the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. Ten soil profile pits, representing the various landscape segments of a typical volcano and a lava plain, were dug, described and sampled for physical, chemical and mineralogical analyses. The results show early, moderate and advanced stages of soil development on the cones, upper / middle footslopes and toeslopes, respectively, indicating that soil maturity stage increases from the crest down to the toeslopes. Amorphous clay minerals are found in the young soils while kaolinite dominates the clay fraction in the mature ones. Similarly, soil pH, organic carbon, exchangeable bases and CEC decrease as soil maturity increases. The important soil forming processes in the study area include addition of organic matter, clay formation from hydrolytic weathering, soil structure formation, clay migration (eluviation and illuviation), acidification, loss of basic cations through leaching, gleying, ferralization and allitization. The major weathering process is that of hydrolytic weathering of the pyroclastic materials, including basaltic rocks, pumice, lava and ash. Soil erosion and aeolian sedimentation have affected the soils. Intensive weathering and leaching precluded the formation of 2:1 clay minerals. In the same vein, because of the effects of tropical climate the soils could not meet the requirements of Andisols.Key words: Soil genesis, Soil properties, Volcanic areas, Jos Plateau, Nigeria.

Farmers’ Attitude to Nigerian Guinea Worm Eradication Health Education Programmes in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

This study focused on farmers attitude towards Nigerian Guinea Worm Eradication Health Education Programmes (NIGEP) in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty farmers were selected by simple random sampling through an interview schedule and data was collected using a set of pre- determined questions. Findings revealed that 95.8 percent farmers perceived that guinea worm disease had effect on the level of agricultural production. About 71.7% had positive attitude towards Nigerian Guinea Worm Eradication Health Education Programmes. The result further showed that 72.5 percent of the farmers had positive perception of the activities of health educator. Gender, age, education level, marital status and religion did not significantly influence farmers' attitude towards NIGEP'S health education programmes. Also, there was a significant and positive correlation between farmers' perception on health educator activities and farmers' attitude towards NIGEP health education. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended that health education should be intensified to stem the spread of guinea worm. Besides, people living in the rural communities should be encouraged to make contributions towards solving known problems. Finally, government and Non-governmental organizations should provide financial assistance towards provision of more boreholes and hand-dug wells since safe source of water is universally acknowledged as the final panacea to water-borne diseases, including guinea worm.

Harvest Time Modification, Neem Seed Products and Pirimiphos-Methyl as Methods of Reducing Field Infestation of Cowpeas by Storage Bruchids in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah

Harvest Time Modification, Neem Seed Products and Pirimiphos-Methyl as Methods of Reducing Field Infestation of Cowpeas by Storage Bruchids in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah

Calcium and Phosphorus Levels in Nigerian Guinea Fowls

The plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus were analyzed for a period of 12 months using 480 adult female guinea fowls. The calcium levels ranged between 2.00 and 12.25 mg/100ml. The highest level, 12.25 mg/100ml, was recorded in the month of August while the lowest level, 2.0 mg/100ml, was in March. The phosphorus levels ranged between 4.5 and 9.6 mg/100ml. Variation in phosphorus levels was not seasonally dependent as was observed with calcium levels. Statistically, the calcium concentration was significantly (p 0.05). The calcium level, therefore, has a direct effect on the reproductive performance of the guinea fowl while the phosphorus level does not.

Decomposition Patterns of Selected Organic Materials in the Nigerian Guinea Savanna

Decomposition Patterns of Selected Organic Materials in the Nigerian Guinea Savanna

Reactions of plantain and banana cultivars to black sigatoka leaf spot disease in three farming systems in the Nigerian guinea savanna

An assessment of the severity of black sigatoka (BS), Mycosphaerella fijiensis, leaf spot disease on plantain and banana was undertaken in three farming systems in the Guinea savanna environment of Nigeria. The three farming systems were field sites, backyard sites and fadama sites. The plant crops cycle was divided into periods before flowering, at flowering and at harvest. Host response was measured throughout the stages of growth. Both symptom evolution time (Set) and incubation time (It) were faster after flowering than periods before flowering. The severity was significantly higher (p lt 0.05) in plantains and sweet bananas grown in outlying fields than in those in backyards and fadamas. At all the study sites, Bs was less severe on cooking bananas than on plantains and sweet bananas. Also, no significant differences were observed in Bs severity on cooking bananas grown in any of the three study sites, suggesting that the resistance is more of genetical than site effect. Thus, while breeding and genetic selection remain the most effective strategy against Bs, less disease develops on susceptible cultivars when they are cultivated on sites rich in organic matter.