Cultivation systems using vegetation cover Improves Sustainable Production and Nutritional Quality of New Rice for Africa in the Tropics

Little is known about the impact of direct sowing under vegetation cover on the production and quality of New Rice for Africa(NERICA) on poor oxisol. In this study, two NERICA varieties(NERICA 3 and NERICA 8) were grown under tropical oxisol soil with very low nutrient contents. Four cultivation systems were used in completely randomized block design, including plowing(control), unplowed soil with dead vegetation cover(DVC), unplowed soil with live vegetation cover(LVC) and unplowed soil with mixed vegetation cover(MVC). DVC significantly improved the exponential growth of NERICAs. NERICA 3 was the more productive(2.16–3.05 t/hm~2) compared with NERICA 8(0.71–1.21 t/hm~2). Cultivation systems improved the nutritional quality of NERICAs. The total protein content of NERICA 3 under DVC and MVC was 84.8% and 75.0% higher than control, respectively. The total soluble carbohydrate contents of NERICA 8 under LVC and MVC was 73.2% and 57.3% higher than control, respectively. These results suggested that conservative approach like direct sowing on unplowed soil with vegetation cover systems can improve the nutritional quality of rainfed NERICAs and their sustainable production under poor oxisol soil in sub-Saharan Africa.     

Effect of Smoking Time and Temperature on the Proximate Composition and Quality of Milkfish Steaks

The effect of three smoking durations (60, 90, and 120 min) and two smoking temperatures (60°C and 70°C) on proximate composition and quality of brackish cultured milkfish steaks of 3 cm size was studied. No significant difference was observed in the sensory properties across all the samples, except in the overall acceptability of sample smoked at 60°C for 60 min. There was significant difference in the values obtained for the textures of all the samples. The L*a*b* values showed a significant difference in the raw and smoked samples. The moisture content showed significant difference in all six samples. Naphthalene, fluorine, and anthracene were detected in the raw sample and in all the smoked samples with significant difference, except for naphthalene. The effect of smoking on the sensory properties and the moisture content of a smoked fish sample are dependent on the smoking time and temperature. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration in smoked fish can be a factor, based on both water pollution and the smoking procedure. Benzo-a-pyrene and PAH4, which are acceptable indicators of total PAH presence in smoked foods, were not detected in all the smoked samples, thereby indicating the products to be safe for consumption.     

Effects of live feed containing Panagrellus redivivus and water depth on growth of Betta splendens larvae

Panagrellus redivivus is a nematode with a high protein content and low‐cost production. It is successfully used in the larviculture of shrimp, however, it has not yet been evaluated as feed for Betta splendens larvae. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate P. redivivus as feed for betta larvae maintained at different depths of water. The experiment was based on a completely randomized 3 × 2 factorial design, represented by two feed types and one alternating feeding regime plus two water depths (2.5 and 5.0 cm). The Artemia feed promoted the highest weight gain, followed by the alternating feeding regime. The single use of the nematode as live feed produced the poorest weight gain. The water depth and the feeding method influenced the specific growth rate (SGR). At a depth of 2.5 cm, the alternating feeding promoted similar SGR compared to fish fed with Artemia only. Furthermore, at the greater water depth an improvement in SGR was observed in fish fed Artemia only, but the similarity to alternating feeding regime remains. Thus, the inclusion of nematode is an appropriate and lower cost feed strategy for the betta larviculture independent of water depths.     

The characteristics of financing arrangements for the production and marketing of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) butter in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana§

Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) butter is an important internationally recognised economic commodity because of its food and medicinal potentials. However, access to finance for small-scale forest enterprises such as shea butter production and marketing remains a fundamental problem, which affects the growth and performance of these enterprises. This study, therefore, assessed the financing schemes and delivery mechanisms available for the production and marketing of the product in Tamale, Northern Region of Ghana. It also identified the financial structures available to shea butter producers, including constraints of the financial delivery mechanisms. Using a social survey, the study purposively selected and interviewed 83 women who engaged in shea butter processing. Of these, 86% were full-time processors of shea butter and 14% were involved in other businesses, such as petty trading, groundnut and rice processing. The study revealed low patronage of financial services as only 18% of the respondents took loans. A high proportion (82%) of the respondents were under contract financing with companies that purchased the shea butter. This financing arrangement made it difficult for the women to expand their activities as they usually were unable to negotiate and receive competitive prices for their shea butter. Non-governmental organisations and some financial organisations were involved in providing technical support services to the producers. However, there was an absence of continuous support services in credit management. The high illiteracy rate (97%) of shea butter producers made it challenging for the women to access formal training programmes to make them aware of opportunities that exist for financing their business. There is the need for targeted collaboration among stakeholders to improve existing financing schemes. In the long term, there should be policies to standardise the activities of the shea butter industry to improve access to credit, which could lead to the sustainable growth of these enterprises.     

Broiler performance on finisher diets containing different levels of either <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus ostreatus</Emphasis>-fermented dried cocoa pod husk or dried cocoa pod husk supplemented with enzymes

The purpose was to investigate the feeding value of fibrous cocoa pod husk (CPH) either fermented with Pleurotus ostreatus or supplemented with fibre-degrading multi-enzymes (Viscozyme®L?+?Pectinex®5XL) before inclusion in diets for 3-week-old finishing broilers. Growth performance and carcass yield of broilers fed diets containing 100, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 of the P. ostreatus-fermented CPH or 100, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 of the enzyme-supplemented CPH as well as a normal broiler finisher diet (control), were investigated in a 35-day feeding trial setup as a completely randomised design, with the seven treatments replicated three times. There were significant differences (P?P. ostreatus-fermented dried CPH up to a level of 200 g kg^?1 and enzyme-supplemented dried CPH up to a level of 100 g kg^?1 could be included in broiler finisher diets without any deleterious effects.     

Investigation of African swine fever in slaughtered pigs,Plateau state,Nigeria, 2004-2006

The occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) DNA in slaughtered pigs in the major pig producing areas of Plateau state over a 2-year period was investigated. Three hundred fifty-nine pig tissue samples from five local government councils (LGCs) were analyzed by clinical signs (C/S), postmortem (PM) lesions and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results of diagnosis made by C/S and PM were compared to results obtained by PCR. Out of the 359 abattoir samples, 13 (3.62%) were positive by examination of C/S and PM lesions while 346 (96.38%) were negative. Jos-north LGC had the highest occurrence of PCR positive samples (31 samples); Panyam in Mangu LGC had no positive result. PCR analysis identified 53 positive samples (14.76%); more than 40 were identified on the field. Of the samples, 306 were PCR negative, thus giving a true ASF status of pigs in Plateau state. Analysis of the results, variables involved in the ASF spread and predictable effects of such findings in the pig industry in Plateau state and Nigeria as a whole is discussed.     

Diversity of microorganisms associated with atypical superficial blemishes of potato tubers and pathogenicity assessment

Skin blemishes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers can cause severe economical losses to production. Some blemishes are due to known pathogens and others whose causes are unknown are called atypical blemishes. The present work aims at determining the origin of superficial atypical blemishes on a set of 204 tubers coming from 12 different French regions producing potato. The diversity of fungi and Streptomyces bacteria associated with blemishes was investigated by systematic isolation followed by identification by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal DNA for fungi and by sequencing the 16S ribosomal DNA for bacteria. We found a high microbial diversity represented by 349 fungal isolates belonging to at least 47 different species and 21 bacterial strains of Streptomyces sp. The most represented fungi belonged to the genera Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Alternaria, Penicillium, and Clonostachys. The pathogenicity of representative isolates was assessed in three bioassays; two bioassays based on single inoculations in previously sterilized potting mixture, and one bioassay based on both single and double inoculations under hydroponic conditions. We fulfilled the Koch’s postulates for Rhizoctonia solani AG 3 producing sclerotia. For other fungal and bacterial strains, our results did not show any causality or relationship between a single isolate or a complex and the occurrence of the blemishes. Moreover, the observation of irregular polygonal sunken corky lesions (polygonal lesions)—the most frequent atypical blemish—on non-inoculated tubers, suggested that the atypical blemishes could as well be a reaction of the plant to stressful environmental conditions.     

Prevalence and patterns of self-reported animal-related injury among veterinarians in metropolitan Kampala

To establish the prevalence, patterns and risk factors of animal-related injuries among veterinarians, self-administered questionnaires were given to 60 veterinarians practicing in metropolitan Kampala. The prevalence of animal-related injuries in metropolitan Kampala was 72% (95%CI, 57~84). Some veterinarians (34%) suffered multiple injuries with a mean and median of 2.1 and 2.0 injuries per veterinarian, respectively. Of a total of 70 self-reported animal related injuries, cattle accounted for 72%, cats for 25%, dogs for 23%, self inoculation for 15% and birds for 13%. Injuries associated with poultry did not require hospital treatment. The upper limb was the most the frequently (68%) injured anatomical body part of veterinarians, and vaccination of animals (25%) was the major activity associated with injury. Animal-related injuries are common among practicing veterinarians in metropolitan Kampala; however, they did not differ significantly based on the veterinarian''s gender, experience or risk awareness.     

Determination of phospholipids in olive oil by 31P NMR spectroscopy

A nondestructive analytical method based on NMR spectroscopy was developed for the determination of phospholipids in olive oil. The phospholipids extracted from virgin olive oil with a mixture of ethanol/water (2:1 v/v) were identified and quantified by high resolution (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The main phospholipids found in olive oil were phosphatidic acid, lyso-phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylinositol. Validation of the (31)P NMR methodology for quantitative analysis of phospholipids in olive oil was performed. Sensitivity was satisfactory with detection limits of 0.25-1.24 mumol /mL. In addition, the composition of fatty acids in phospholipids model compounds and those in olive oil samples was estimated by employing one- and two-dimensional (1)H NMR. The results indicated that the fatty acid composition in phospholipids and triacylglycerols of olive oil was similar.     

Subsoil improvement in a tropical coarse textured soil: Effect of deep-ripping and slotting

In many coarse textured soils, limited root development and biomass production are attributed to adverse physical conditions in the subsoil. The current study was undertaken on an Arenic Acrisol located in Northeast Thailand (i) to assess whether subsoil physical characteristics influence crop rooting depth, and (ii) to compare the benefits associated with conventional tillage with that of localised subsoil loosening on crop performance and selected soil attributes. Control plots consisted of disk ploughing; the implemented treatments were conventional deep-ripping and localised slotting below the planting line. A crop rotation consisting of a legume followed by maize was established annually to assess the impact of these treatments on crop performance. In the control treatment, root development was restricted to the topsoil (0–20 cm) due to high subsoil bulk density (>1.6 Mg m⁻³). After deep-ripping, no improvement was observed in bulk density, rooting depth and in crop performance. The implementation of a slotting treatment systematically improved root development in the slotted subsoil, root impact frequency increasing from <0.2 to 0.6–0.8 (P = 0.01) despite no change in the bulk densities of the subsoil. This systematic improvement in root development could be explained by (i) reduced slumping that enable root development prior to recompaction and/or (ii) preferential drainage in the slot and therefore decreased resistance to root penetration. In a dry year maize yield was improved by 78% (P = 0.01); the deep-rooting legume Stylosanthes was tested only a wet year and its biomass production increased by >40% (P = 0.03). This study highlights the detrimental impact of subsoil compaction on root development and the potential role of slotting in coarse textured soils as a long-term management tool in addressing adverse subsoil physical characteristics that limit deep-rooting.