The parasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris eavesdrops on semiochemicals from its host Tuta absoluta and tomato

Journal of Pest Science - Semiochemicals such as herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) and host chemicals serve as communication signals for parasitoids searching for oviposition sites. The...     

Study on furundu, a traditional Sudanese fermented roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed: effect on in vitro protein digestibility, chemical composition, and functional properties of the total proteins

Furundu, a meat substitute, is traditionally prepared by cooking the karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed and then fermenting it for 9 days. Physicochemical and functional properties of raw and cooked seed and of furundu ferments were analyzed. Furundu preparation resulted in significant changes in karkade seed major nutrients. Total polyphenols and phytic acid were also reduced. The increase in total acidity and fat acidity coupled with a decrease in pH indicates microbial hydrolysis of the major nutrients; proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In vitro digestibility of the seed proteins reached the maximum value (82.7%) at the sixth day of fermentation, but thereafter it significantly decreased. The effect of furundu preparation on N solubility profiles and functional properties, such as emulsification and foaming properties and other related parameters, is investigated in water and in 1 M NaCl extracts from defatted flour samples. The results show that cooking followed by fermentation affects proteins solubility in water and 1 M NaCl. The foaming capacity (FC) from the flour of raw seed decreased as a result of cooking. Fermentation for 9 days significantly increased the FC of the cooked seed, restoring the inherent value. Foam from fermented samples collapsed more rapidly during a period of 120 min as compared to the foam from raw and cooked karkade seeds; stability in 1 M NaCl was lower as compared to those in water. In water, the emulsion stability (ES) from the fermented samples was significantly higher than that of the raw seed flour. Addition of 1 M NaCl significantly decreased the ES of the fermented samples.     

Yield stability studies of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) under rhizobia inoculation in the savanna region of Nigeria

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) production is expanding into temperate and tropical environments. Yield stability studies under rhizobia inoculation were investigated in 24 soybean genotypes over two successive growing seasons at three agro‐ecological zone of Nigeria, during the 2015–2016 rainy seasons. Treatments were arranged in a split‐plot design and replicated three times. Treatments were 24 soybean genotypes and three levels of rhizobia inoculation. Results indicated that the variation of genotypes and inoculation on percentage emergence, height, number of leaves, number of branches per plant, total biomass yield, above‐ground biomass and seed yield was significant (p = .05). The effects of genotypes (G), environment (E) and G × E interactions on seed yield were also significant. Two soybean genotypes (TGx 1989‐45F and TGx 1990‐110FN) were identified as the most promising in relation to yield stability. Of the three locations, Abuja produced the least interaction effects followed by Igabi and may be most appropriate environments for large‐scale soybean production. Appropriate inoculation of soybean with inoculants (LegumeFix and or NoduMax) should be encouraged in farmer's field.     

Technical Efficiency of Tank Culture Systems in Peninsular Malaysia: An Application of Data Envelopment Analysis

The demand for animal protein especially fish is growing rapidly perhaps due to rapid expansion of population, increased incomes, and changes in eating habits and life styles of consumers. Capture fisheries are currently overexploited and their yield has become stagnant over the last decades and, in some cases, has even declined. Nevertheless, aquaculture has the potential to meet these challenges if well practiced. The study therefore, aims to estimate Technical Efficiency of tank culture systems using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Additionally, it also investigates the determinants of technical inefficiency by employing a regression model. The estimated technical efficiency was 0.89, which means that the fish farmers can reach full technical efficiency through reducing their input usage by another 11%. Results indicate that farmer’s experience, educational level, extension training, job status, and water management have positive and statistically significant impacts on technical efficiency. Therefore, increase in any of these factors will have a direct impact on technical efficiency.     

A REVIEW OF PRODUCTION FRONTIER RESEARCH IN AQUACULTURE (2001–2011)

Most research works on the production frontier in aquaculture focus on efficiency measurement using either Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) or Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The studies on productivity growth in aquaculture were limited, perhaps due to lack of time-series data. Nevertheless, total factor productivity analysis (TFP) in fish farms has started gaining popularity in recent years. In addition, the majority of the efficiency studies have centered on technical efficiency analysis but substantial increases in the output levels can be fully realized through improving overall economic efficiency. Therefore, this review suggests that future research should estimate all three efficiency indices (i.e., technical, allocative and economic efficiencies).     

Effect of fermentation on sorghum protein fractions and in vitro protein digestibility

Changes in pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and proteins ofDabar sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (Linn) Moench.) during naturalfermentation at 37 ^°C for up to 36 h were monitored. The pH ofthe fermenting material decreased sharply with a concomitant increase in the titratable acidity. Total soluble solids increased with progressivefermentation time. The crude protein and non-protein nitrogen slightlyincreased during the last stages of fermentation. The in vitroprotein digestibility markedly increased as a result of fermentation.The globulin plus albumin fractions increased significantly (p 0.05)during the first 8 h of fermentation. Kaffirin fraction decreasedduring the first 8 h of fermentation but increased sharply as fermentationprogressed. Cross-linked kaffirins fluctuated during the fermentationprocess. Glutelin like protein, which was the minor fraction, trueglutelins, the second most abundant fraction, together with non-extractableproteins fluctuated during the fermentation process.     

Effect of cooking on cowpea protein fractions

Nine cowpea cultivars obtained from Wad Medani Research Station were used in this study. The variation in protein fraction was: albumins 4.0–12.0, globulins 65.6–79.7, prolamins 1.4–2.2, G₁-glutelins 0.9–3.0, G₂-glutelins 1.4–2.9. G₃-glutenins 9.1–14.0 and insoluble protein 0.5–3.0%. Two cowpea cultivars, H8-14 and CB-46, selected for their high albumin content, were cooked in 150 ml of boiling distilled water under reflux for 45 minutes. The protein fractions in the cooked seeds were determined. Results indicated that albumin and globulin fractions decreased significantly (p0.05) for both cultivars after cooking. This decrease was accompanied by a significant increase in G₃-glutelin fractions.     

Prevalence of salmonellae, shigellae and Plesiomonas shigelloides in dogs in Zaria, Nigeria

The prevalence of salmonellae, shigellae and Plesiomonas shigelloides among 303 dogs in Zaria was determined. Salmonella serotypes including S. kofandoka, a new serotype, were recovered from three dogs giving a proportion of 1.0%. None of the dogs from which salmonellae were isolated was showing evidence of gastroenteritis at the time of presentation. Neither Shigella nor Plesiomonas shigelloides was isolated from any of the dogs.     

The first report of Histophilus somni pneumonia in Nigerian dairy cattle

Clinical signs of severe bronchopneumonia, including anorexia, coughing, nasal discharge, dyspnoea, diarrhoea, distension of the neck, lethargy, recumbency, lameness preceding collapse, and death were observed among a herd of Holstein–Friesian dairy cattle. The outbreak occurred over a 30-day period, and attack and case-fatality rates were 0.4% and 50%, respectively. At necropsy, extensive consolidation in the cranioventral parts of the lungs was observed. Histologically, a severe acute bronchopneumonia with slight pleuritis was present. Both pathological and bacteriological evaluation of the lungs incriminated Histophilus somni (heavy growth). Supplementary laboratory investigations also isolated Clostridium and Klebsiella species (scanty growth) from the lungs. Histophilosis in cattle was confirmed for the first time in Nigeria.     

Clinical and haematological findings in 70 naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis

Natural cases of Babesia canis infection in Nigerian dogs were encountered over a two-year period. Over 70 per cent of the dogs were less than or equal to one year of age. The hyperacute and acute forms of the disease were encountered in dogs as young as four weeks. The acute form of the disease was most common. Consistent clinical signs of the acute form included abnormal appetite, lethargy, fever, anaemia, generalised lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, emaciation and icterus. Anaemia was of the regenerative type in all cases while neutrophilic leucocytosis was mainly observed in hyperacute cases. Four dogs with hyperacute disease died despite treatment while all other dogs recovered following single dose (3–5 mg/kg) treatment with diminazene aceturate. The results of this study indicate that hyperacute babesiosis in dogs should be considered more frequently by veterinarians.