Poultry Droppings Research Articles

COMPARATIVE UTILIZATION OF SEWAGE SLUDGE, POULTRY DROPPINGS AND GROUNDNUT CAKE RATIONS BY WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Eighteen young West African dwarf (WAD) goats were used to compare the utilization of sewage sludge, poultry dropping and groundnut cake rations by WAD goats. Total dry matter intake of the animals fed diet A (groundnut cake based ration) and C (poultry dropping based ration) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than dry matter intake of animal fed diet B (dry activated sewage sludge based ration). Total dry matter intake of animal fed diet A (664.6 g/day) appeared to be higher than those fed diet C (600.5g/day), although the differences observed were and significant. Values observed for apparent dry matter, ether extract and nitrogen-free extract digestibilities between animals fed the different diets were not significant (P > 0.05). crude fibre and crude protein digestibility values however varied appreciably. Values recorded (12.03, 1.04 and 10.42 g/day and 3.13, 0.28 and 2.72 g.day/w 0.75kg for animals fed diets A, B, and C respectively) for nitrogen balance and weight gains (56.8, -2.7 and 36.8 g/day for animals fed diets A, B and C respectively) were higher for animals fed diet A, followed by animals fed diets C and B respectively.

ORGANIC COMPOST CONTROL OF BLIGHT DISEASE OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS) AND TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) PLANTS

Organic composts are derived from plant and animal wastes as substrates in the control of blight disease of vegetable crops; tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) plants were evaluated. Cow dung, sawdust, rice husk, poultry droppings and goat dung were collected from the agricultural research farm Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida university Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. The organic matter were allowed to decompose watered daily for twenty four days to foster the microbial activities of the composts. Three kilogram (3 kg) of sterilized topsoil was bulked with the compost at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g and allowed to decomposed for the period of 10 days respectively. At 200 g and 250 g the suppression was significantly different (P= 0.05) than other lower quantities. Goat dung gave the highest suppression of 88.2% followed by rice husk (85.0%). At 250 g it was 99.0%, 93.7%, 93.7%, 84.0%, and 94.7% with poultry droppings, rice husk, cow dung, saw dust and goat dung respectively. Goat dung amended soil gave the best blight disease suppression (88.2%) in okra and poultry droppings gave the best in tomato (99.0%). A good combination of compost consisting of goat dung and poultry droppings is recommended for the suppression of blight disease in tomato and okra plants.

Increasing soil fertility as an important factor in ensuring food security of the state

The influence of chicken manure compost with sawdust in doses from 100 to 1000 t/ha on soil properties was studied on the sod-podzolic soils where the poultry farms of the Moscow region are located. An increase in pH, the humus content, the content of water-soluble forms of NPK in soils and an increase in the complexing capacity of soils were found. The authors define the correlation of the content of mobile forms of heavy metals in the sod-podzolic soils fertilized with poultry droppings with soil pH, the content of humus and mobile phosphates in them. The permissible doses of manure introduced into the soil as fertilizer are determined by the combination of properties, processes and soil regimes, relief, groundwater level, and hydrothermal conditions of the territory. The introduction of droppings into soils contaminated with heavy metals increased their mobility due to complex formation. A positive effect of the use of humates from chicken droppings on the bioproductivity of plants is defined. The article considers the necessity of controlling the quality of the water and air environment when regulating the composition and doses of application of chicken manure compost.

Smallholder banana - based farming system dynamics of Arba Minch Zuria District, the case of Gamo Zone, Ethiopia: Qualitative exploration

Different types of crops are produced in different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia where specific biophysical conditions define the success of their production. This banana-based smallholder farming systems explorative study objective was to explore existing banana-based farming system dynamics and examine push–pull factors accelerating these dynamics. To achieve the objectives of study, three Kebeles of Arba Minch Zuria district were selected purposively. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using qualitative data analysis method. The results show that cropping systems of the study area have been changed a lot during the last years; going from seasonal crops farming to perennial fruit crops-based farming. An early farming practice of the study area was cultivating seasonal crops like maize, teff, sweet potato, and cotton. Later on farmers have shifted to perennial cash crops like banana and mango. Most farmers in the study area use cow dung, crop residues, poultry droppings, and house cleans to improve soil fertility of their banana field. During establishment of banana farmland, farmers inter-crop vegetable and cereal crops to maximize their farm income. When banana develop three to four suckers per hill and full canopy, farmers make their banana farm monoculture. Access to irrigation water, minimum input requirement nature of perennial crops, market demand, and existence of regular market were considered as pulling factors to shift farming system from seasonal cropping to banana-based perennial farming. Whereas soil salinity, lack of quality planting materials, poor sucker management, banana fruit market fluctuation, rainfall variability, lack of value addition practice, and weak market integration were considered as common pushing factors for banana production and marketing in Arba Minch Zuria district.

Effect of the poultry droppings waste on the different life stage of <i>Eisenia fetida</i> (Savigny, 1826)

This paper aims to evaluate the effect of poultry droppings waste on the different life stage of Eisenia fetida earthworm to protect them from hazardous doses. Adults, juveniles and cocoons were ex...

Growth performance and feeding cost of weaned rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed graded levels of oven dried poultry droppings based diet

Thirty six weaned mixed breed rabbits aged between 5 -6 weeks were used to investigate the growth performance and feeding cost of rabbits fed graded levels of oven dried poultry droppings. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with three replicates and three rabbits per replicate in the ratio of 2:1 (2 females and I male) in a completely randomized design. poultry droppings were oven dried at 100 c, 80 c, 60 c, 40 c and incorporated at 0, 20, 40 and 60% levels of inclusion to replace ground nut in the compounded feed or experimental diets and designated as T1,T2 ,T3 and T4 respectively excluding treatment one (T1) . Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA. Growth performance performance of rabbits showed no significant (P>0.05) differences across the treatment groups. However highest average feed intake was recorded in T3 (40 %) inclusion level 473.60 g and the lowest in T3 (40 %) of 458.80 g. The result of cost of feeding revealed that as the inclusion level of oven dried poultry increased the cost of feeding rabbits reduces The trial revealed that oven dried poultry dropping can be used at 40 %level of inclusion in the rabbit dietwithout posing any threat to the animal.

Artificial Neural Network Modelling of Biogas Yield from Co-Digestion of Poultry Droppings and Cattle Dung

Artificial Neural Network Modelling of Biogas Yield from Co-Digestion of Poultry Droppings and Cattle Dung

Microelement contents of two Panicum maximum varieties as influenced by manure type and season

A study was carried out to determine the influence of variety, manure type and season on the micro mineral content of two P. maximum varieties. The trial included: two Panicum varieties (Local and Ntchisi), three manure types (cattle dung, swine dung and poultry droppings) plus control (No manure) and two seasons (rainy and dry). Samples were harvested from each plot to estimate dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and microelements (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn). The DMY of Ntchisi variety was higher (P<0.01) than that of the Local variety. Grasses fertilized with swine manure had the best (P<0.001) DMY while yield was better in the rainy season compared with dry season. There was season difference in the mineral contents except (P>0.05) for Fe. Manure differences were only noticed in the Zn and Mn contents of the grasses. Despite these differences, the grasses contained adequate amount of microelements required by ruminants, with the exception of Cu content in the dry season. In production systems where the two Panicum varieties constitute the major diets of grazing animals, it would be necessary to offer supplementary Cu in the dry season.

Proximate, vitamin and mineral composition of earthworm (Hyperiodrilus euryaulos) cultured indifferent Animal dung Media

The experiment to investigate the proximate, vitamin and mineral composition of earthworm (Hyperiodriluseuryaulos) cultured in different animal dung media was conducted using a completely randomized design for ten weeks. Rabbit, Poultry, Pig and Goat dungs were incorporated into garden soil after sterilizing in other to ensure that there was no earthworm or any insect alive in the substrate. Live earthworms were introduced into these different animal dungs which were designated as T1,T2, T3 and T4 for rabbit, poultry, pig and goat dungs respectively. Diet formulated with maize, palm kernel cake and wheat offal was evenly spread on the diet and then mixed with the substrate. At the end of the tenth week, the earthworms were harvested by hand picking. They were soaked in warm water to kill them and rinsed with cold water to remove sand. The dried and milled earthworms were analyzed for chemical composition. The result of the study revealed significant (p<0.05) differences in percentage dry matter, ash, ether extract, crude protein, crude fiber, and nitrogen free extract and Metabolizable energy. The earthworm cultured in goat dung (T4) had the highest (p<0.05) crude protein percent of 38.49% while those from the rabbit dung (T1) recorded 28.72%CP. The Sodium content of the earthworms cultured in rabbit droppings T1was significantly (p<0.05) the highest recording 126.52mg, while others were 86.63, 86.40 and 93.73mg for poultry, pig and goat dungs respectively.1.74Vitamin A content of earthworms cultured in the different animal dung media were 1.74mg/100g DM, 2.10, 1.36 and 1.30mg/100g DM for the rabbit, poultry, pig and goat dungs respectively. The proximate composition of the earthworms cultured in the different animal dung media indicate that the earthworms except those cultured in the poultry droppings have high crude protein content and can be used to substitute fish meal in livestock diets. Moreover, the high content of ash in all the treatments suggests that they may be rich in minerals especially sodium.

Effect of Different Organic Manures on the Growth and Yield of Water melon (Citrullus Ianatus)

Field experimental trials were carried out at Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka. Kaduna located between latitude 100 35”N and longitude 07°21”E at altitude 644m above sea level to compare the effect of different application of organic manures on growth and yield of water melon (Citrullus Ianatus). Two trials were conducted between the early onset of rain in April and post monsoon in October 2011 and the mean of the two trials were taken. The treatments were poultry manure, mixture of poultry manure plus goat/ sheep manure, goat/ sheep manure and control(no manure). The treatments were replicated four times in randomized complete block design. Data were collected on growth parameters such as plant vines length, Number of branches per plant, number of leaves and yield parameters like fruits weight, fruits diameter and number of fruits. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the mean separated using Least Significant Difference. The results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in plant vine length. The plots treated with poultry droppings had the highest value of plant vine length of 8.20, 137.90 and 216.30 cm at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after planting. Poultry droppings also gave the highest values for the weight of fruit (10.72 Kg) and diameter of fruit (53.25 mm). The best treatment is poultry manure which has the highest yield of 34.25% at 2.5 tonnes per hectare. Poultry manure showed positive effect on all the growth and yield parameters of water melon (Citrullus lanatus) measured. The use of poultry manure is therefore recommended for farmers in the study area in order to be able to obtain good yield of water melon.

PSXI-4 Beauveria bassiana to control the mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus in chicken barns

Abstract One of the most common insects in poultry houses is the mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus, also known as the darkling beetle. Immature (larvae) and adults feed on seeds spilled on the ground or from poultry droppings. In addition to structural damage, this insect can also be a vector of diseases that can affect birds. In addition, the indigestible shell of the insect can cause digestion problems for birds, and thus affect the profitability of production. It is considered impossible to eliminate the populations of mealworms, and in organic poultry production, the control options are limited. The mycoinsecticide BioCeres WP, based on the fungus Beauveria bassiana, and which controls aphids, has been proposed to control the mealworm A. diaperinus in chicken barns. 450 adult mealworms from a commercial chicken barn were randomly distributed in 9 containers (1 m2) containing 10 cm of wood shavings litter and chicken feed. BioCeres WP was applied by spraying two applications of 40 ml of 10 g/L solution (representing 4 x 10^9 conidia per m2 per application). Mealworms were housed during a broiler batch at the chicken barn they were harvested from and received one of the following treatments: 1) control, water spraying; 2) BioCeres WP treatment. 3 repetitions for control and 6 for BioCeres WP were performed. BioCeres WP increased the mortality rate of mealworms (+101%, P < 0.02; 17.8% vs. 8.6%), compared to untreated mealworms, 28 days after treatment. Mortality rates were affected from day 14 until day 28 after treatment. A trial using 640 broilers in 32 pens revealed no adverse effect on growth performance or health. In summary, BioCeres WP could be involved in a biological strategy to control the mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus in chicken barns.

Evaluation of Biogas Production from Bio-Digestion of Organic Wastes

The present study evaluates the influence of kitchen wastes on animal manures via anaerobic digestion for biogas production. The digestion was done using a digester with a capacity of 5L. The digester was loaded with the slurry of wastes prepared by mixing the wastes with water in ratio 1:1, and operated at mesophilic temperature of 37 ± 2°C for 30 days. The co-digestion of kitchen wastes with poultry droppings produced highest biogas yield (814.0 ml/kg VS fed) and the least (365.84 ml/kg VS fed) was from the co-digestion of kitchen wastes with the mixture of poultry droppings and cow dung. Composition analysis of the biogas showed the highest methane content (63.1%) from kitchen wastes and the lowest (56.2%) from co-digestion of kitchen wastes with poultry droppings. The pH range for optimum biogas production varied between 5.25 and 7.5. The study concluded that biogas yield from co-digestion of substrates, among other factors depends on the composition of participating substrates.

Sunflower seed husk combined with poultry droppings to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons in crude oil-contaminated soil

To remediate crude oil-contaminated soil, poultry droppings and sunflower seed husk were incorporated at various concentrations. Initially, the pH, moisture content, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen content, and bacterial population of soil, poultry droppings, and sunflower seed husk were determined. The initial bacterial population was 35 × 10<sup>8</sup> colony forming units/g soil (dry weight basis). The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content in crude oil-contaminated soil was 7,048.4 mg/kg, in which 857.9 mg/kg accounted for eicosane. Naphthalene and acenaphthalene were the two polyhydroxy aromatic hydrocarbons present in soil at low concentrations. After the amendment, the pH, moisture content, microbial population, and TPH content of soil were determined on days 20, 40, and 60. The TPH concentration was considerably decreased in the treatment T4 wherein 250 g of soil was mixed with 125 g of poultry droppings and 125 g of sunflower seed husk. The indigenous bacterial population was also increased tremendously. The dehydrogenase enzyme activity was increased in the amended soil (T4: 0.74 ± 0.06 μg TPF/g/h). After the treatment of soil, the germination percentage and vigour index of maize, lady’s finger and tomato seeds were enhanced.

BIOREMEDIATION OF DIESEL CONTAMINATED SOIL USING BACTERIAL COCKTAIL AND ORGANIC NUTRIENTS

Bioremediation is a process of contaminant degradation in the environment using microorganisms. Bioremediation of diesel contaminated soil was studied using bacterial cocktail and organic nutrients from cow dung and poultry droppings at interval of 21 days for a total period of 84 days. Two hundred grams (200g) of soil were weighed into clay pots polluted with 10% (w/w) diesel oil and left undisturbed for 48 hours in an open field. After 48 hours, the clay pots were inoculated with bacterial cocktail (two bacteria isolates from diesel contaminated soil), 10% (w/w) of cow dung (CD), 10% (w/w) of poultry droppings (PD) and 5% (w/w) of sodium azide (NaN3). The two bacterial isolates were identified as Micrococcus luteus trpE16 and Bacillus subtilis DNK UT 02 after screening for hydrocarbon utilization using standard methods. The counts of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (THB) in the amended soil ranged from 20.2×107 and 63.5×107 cfu/g while unamended soil had the least count of THB ranging between 8.4×107 and 19.0× 107 cfu/g. Soil bioremediated with bacterial cocktail (BC) + 10% (CD+PD) recorded highest total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation of 48.76%, 56.32%, 72.89% and 96.80% at the end of days 21, 42, 63 and 84 respectively while autoclaved soil with 5% NaN3 recorded the least (10.03%, 13.38%, 14.02% and 18.42%) respectively. First order kinetic model showed that soil bioremediated with BC with 10% (CD+PD) recorded highest biodegradation rate constant of 0.2096 day-1 and half-life of 3.31 days. Statistical analysis indicated that the results obtained were significantly (P < 0.05) different during the 84 days of this study. Amendment of diesel contaminated soil with bacterial cocktail and organic wastes caused changes in the soil physiochemical properties and accelerated the rate of biodegradation in the soil. However, poultry droppings and cow dung can serve as a potential and viable biostimulant for enhanced biodegradation of diesel in soil.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ELECTROLYSIS-ENHANCED ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF THREE SOLUBLE SOLID WASTES FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Aim: A comparative study of biogas production from three soluble solid wastes was conducted under anaerobic conditions by subjecting each waste to both conventional and electrolyzed digesters. Methodology and Results: Varying weight of each of the waste was mixed thoroughly with water and fed into five digesters. Three of these digesters were electrolytically-enhanced while the other two were not. The digestion of each of the wastes was monitored for 40 days at an ambient temperature ranging from 24 to 35oC. In all the digesters, biogas production started on the day 2, and attained maximum value on day 14 to17. Biogas production ended on the day 34 and 35 in digester 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b with production ending earliest in digester 3 containing wastewater on day 19. The highest biogas was produced in digester 2b containing electrolyzed digester loaded with poultry droppings) with a cumulative volume percentage of 91.41 as compared to its conventional state with a cumulative volume percentage of 85.19 and both states of the cow dung waste with cumulative volume percentages of 77.26 and 71.64 respectively. The least production occurred in digester 3 with a cumulative volume percentage of 4.59. Conclusion, significance and impact study: It is therefore concluded that poultry droppings has the greatest potentials for the generation of biogas as compared to cow dung in conventional and electrolyzed state and wastewater.

FORAGE YIELD AND NUTRITIVE QUALITY OF TWO GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L) VARIETIES AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZER TYPES

This study was carried out to investigate the forage yield and nutritive quality of two groundnut (SAMNUT 22 and local) varieties as influenced by fertilizer type in the humid ecological zone of Nigeria. The study was a 3 x 2 factorial experiment in a split-plot design with the fertilizer type (poultry droppings, NPK and the control) as the main plot and variety (SAMNUT 22 and Local) as the sub-plot which amounts to six treatments with three replicates. The inorganic-fertilized SAMNUT 22 had the highest forage dry matter (DM) yield (10.23 t/ha). The inorganic-fertilized local variety had the highest DM (94.60 %) and the least DM value (93.68 %) recorded for inorganic-fertilized SAMNUT 22. The highest and least crude protein (21.71 % vs 18.28%) contents were recorded for inorganic-fertilized local and unfertilized SAMNUT 22 variety, respectively. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) that were recorded for the unfertilized SAMNUT 22 were the highest with values 58.13 %, 25.86 % and 3.35 %, respectively. The highest gas (57.75 ml/200mgDM) production, methane (13.50 ml/200mgDM) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (70.22 %) were recorded for unfertilized local variety, unfertilized SAMNUT 22 and organic-fertilized local variety, respectively. The unfertilized SAMNUT 22 had the highest tannin content of 6.43 mg/100g and saponin content of 9.29 mg/100g whereas the organically fertilized Local variety had the highest oxalate (140.65 mg/100g) content. In conclusion, the two varieties and especially SAMNUT 22 when inorganic fertilizer was applied have proved to be good feed resource with regards to high yield, CP and low anti-nutrient quality and are recommended as forage of high nutritive values for ruminant animal production.

Effect of organic amendment on properties and nutrient loss of soils of selected parent material

Soils of Southeastern Nigeria like those of other humid tropical countries are prone to leaching due to high rainfall resulting in low fertility, nutrient status, and crop yield. Evaluating the effects of selected organic amendments on retention of nutrients in soils is of major concern and formed the purpose of the study. Soil samples were collected from Asu River Group, (ARG), Bende Ameki Group (BAG), Coastal Plain Sand (CPS) and Falsebedded Sand Stone (FBS) which were the four respective parent materials studied. Three replicates of 10 kg of prepared samples from each parent material were bagged and thereafter applied with 10 tons ha-1 each of poultry (PD) and goat droppings (PD, GD). The thoroughly mixed combinations laid in a completely randomized design (CRD) were allowed to blend for three months after which, samples were collected from each bag and analyzed. The remaining amended soils were subjected to a rainfall simulation which enabled the collection of sediment yield which was also analyzed to determine the nutrients in them. Generated soil data were analyzed with analyses of variance (ANOVA). Means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. The result showed that soil organic carbon increased from 15.80 – 17.70, 6.90 - 14.20, 7.10 – 13.90 and 11.39 - 17.50 gkg-1 in ARG, BAG, CPS and FBS respectively before and after amendment and later decreased to 10.8, 11.30, 6.70, and 8.30 g kg-1 in the sediment yield following simulation. Similarly, there were significant losses of about 23.52, 60.85; 60.00 and 47.20 % of total nitrogen to detached soils in the respective lithologies. Total nitrogen and available phosphorus losses in the soils followed the order: CPS > FBS > BAG > ARG and FBS > CPS > BAG > ARG respectively.

GENETIC RELATEDNESS OF ESBL AND NON-ESBL SALMONELLA TYPHIMURUM ISOLATED FROM POULTRY BIRDS AND POULTRY HANDLERS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Multidrug resistant salmonellosis infection is an important global public health problem particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it commonly manifests as gastroenteritis and/or bloodstream infections in both children and adults. Salmonella Typhimurium has a broad-host-range and poultry birds are an important reservoir. The unrestricted use of Beta-lactams has generated resistance through a gene encoded Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzyme production, which impedes the successful therapy of infections. This study aims at investigating the genetic relatedness of ESBL and non-ESBL S. Typhimurium strains isolated from humans and Poultry birds. A total of 19 S. Typhimurium isolated from Poultry (droppings, flesh, feeds) and handlers (feces, hand swabs) in a previous study were used. These had earlier been identified using pre-enrichment and selective enrichment culture media. Further identification was carried out using conventional biochemical screening tests and slide serology tests using polyvalent antisera. Antibiotic susceptibility testing including the Double Disk Synergy test (DDST) for screening of ESBL production was carried out as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. This study also employed the PCR-RFLP method which involves the simple restriction digestion of purified 16S rRNA of Salmonella and variation in the banding patterns revealed their genetic relatedness. All the strains were found to share identical molecular base profiles hence are genetically related variants. The selective pressure due to antibiotic mismanagement in Poultry farming is the likely trigger of ESBL production observed to occur only among the S. Typhimurium strains from poultry origin. This calls for a holistic approach in

Virulent gene detection and antibiogramic profile of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from birds of a poultry farm

Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are gaining global attention, largely due to their potential public health significance. In the current study, we investigated the prevalence of MRSA in poultry birds from Benson Idahosa University farm. Twenty-five samples each from poultry droppings, cloacae and nostrils were collected aseptically and screened for total heterotrophic and Staphylococcus aureus counts usingstandard culture-based methods. Phenotypic identification of MRSA was carried out using mannitol-oxacillin agar, while the presence of virulence genes (mecA, entA, entB, entC, SCCmec (I, II, III) and tsstI) was investigated by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Also, the antibiogramic activities and multi drug-resistant index were investigated against 6 clinically relevant antibiotics (oxacillin (1 μg), vancomycin (30 μg), ceftazidime (30 μg), ceftriaxone (30 μg), amikacin (30 μg) and ofloxacin (5 μg)). The results showed that total heterotrophic bacterial and S. aureus are prevalent in poultry birds, with mean heterotrophic counts of 243.08 ± 21.01 × 105 cfu, 169.37 ± 25.30 × 105 cfu and 216 ± 15.89× 105 cfu for poultry droppings, cloacae and nostrils respectively and mean S. aureus counts of 176.30 ± 28.85 × 105 cfu for poultry droppings, 16.52 ± 11.92 × 105 cfu for cloacae and 5 2.72 ± 0.41 × 105 cfu for nostrils. Interestingly, 93.33%, 25% and 10.5% of S. aureus isolated from the droppings, cloacae and nostrils respectively were methicillin resistant. The antibiogramic activities showed the majority of isolates to be multi drug-resistant, while only one MRSA (from poultry droppings) had the mecA gene. The presence of these isolates in poultry birds is of a potential public health concern as they may travel through the food chain and efforts should be made by poultry owners to avoid the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
 Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Poultry; Public Health; Virulence Gene

Performance Evaluation of Different Accession of Anacardium occidentale L. Seed under Various Substrates

This study aims to determine which accession of cashew has the best growth rate and germination in the nursery. Trial was conducted in the year 2019 using split-plot design. The first factor is the provenance of seeds, namely the Sudano-Sahelian zone and High Guinean savannah zone, and the second factor is type of organic matter entering the substratum composition cow dung (BV), goat droppings (BC) and poultry droppings (FP). The data were taken on the percentage of seed germination and growth parameters (height, number of leaves, collar diameter and leaf area). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means between treatments and the means were separated by LSD test (Least Significant Difference). The results obtained indicate that the seed from sudano-sahelian zone has a good percentage of germination and best plant growth than those obtained from Guinean savannah highland Zone. The maximal percentage of germination after 28 days of sowing is 86.11%, 80% and 62.33% respectively in the BV, BC and FP substratum for the seed of sudano-sahelian zone against 84.44% (substratum FP), 82.22% (substratum BC) and 71.11% (substratum BV) for the seed of Guinean highland Savannah Zone. Regarding the growth of plant, for the two seed used, substrate with cow dung has high influence on the number of leaves, plant height and diameter of plant than the substrate that content the two other organic manures. In contrary, the surface area of leaf and the height to diameter ratio has been stimulated by the substratum containing goat droppings for the seed of sudano-sahelian zone. However, for the seed of Guinean highland Savannah, the high surface area was obtained in the substratum containing cow dung. The result showed that utilization of organic manures in the substrate composition may constitute a great potential for improving seed germination and plant growth of Anacardium occidentale. Seed from sudano-sahelian zone and substratum that consists cow dung and goat droppings may be suggested to farmers for better production of Anacardium occidentale saplings in a nursery.