Combined Effect of Ethanolic Coconut Husk Extract and Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) in Extending the Shelf Life of Asian Sea Bass Slices

Combined impact of ethanolic coconut husk extract (ECHE) (200 ppm) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with two separate gas mixtures [60% CO₂/30% N₂/10% O₂ (M1) and 80% CO₂/10% N₂/10% O₂ (M2)] on the shelf life of Asian sea bass slices during 4°C storage was investigated. Microbial load of slices was lowered when packaged under MAP, regardless of ECHE treatment, compared to the control (no ECHE treatment, packed in air). For control, slices treated with ECHE packaged in air, and samples packaged under M1, TVBC (total viable bacteria count) exceeded 6.0 log CFU/g at day 6, 9, and 12, respectively. TVBC of samples treated with 200-ppm ECHE and packaged under M1 and those packaged under M2 without and with ECHE treatment were lower than 6.0 log CFU/g at day 15. Peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values in samples treated with ECHE, regardless of the packaging method, were lower than those kept under MAP and the control. Thus, shelf life extension of Asian sea bass slices could be achieved by treatment with 200-ppm ECHE in combination with M1 packaging, in which they could be stored longer than 15 days at 4°C.     

Combination of Piper guineense Essential Oil with Cowpea Varietal Resistance in Control of Cowpea Seed Beetle,Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

To reduce the risks associated with over-dependence on synthetic insecticides and ensure leguminous food security,an experiment was conducted to evaluate the potentials of integrating Piper guineense essential oil(Pg EO)with cowpea varietal resistance in the control of cowpea seed beetle,Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius.Four cowpea varieties(Sokoto,Drum,Oloyin and Gwallam)were studied.Data collected included oviposition,progeny emergence,Reproductive Efficiency(RE)and Percentage Seed Damage(PSD).At first filial generation,numbers of eggs laid on Oloyin variety treated with 25μL Pg EO per 25 g cowpea seeds(2.15)were significantly(p0.05)lower than the values obtained in untreated cowpea(3.61)and hexane-treated seeds(3.07).C.maculatus RE on Oloyin(33.73)was significantly(p0.05)lower than values obtained on other varieties(47.34-54.67)for seeds without Pg EO;and were significantly greater than 0.00 observed on Oloyin seeds treated with 50μL PgE O.PSD on Oloyin(6.63%)was significantly(p0.05)lower than the values obtained on Sokoto(10.04%)and Drum(9.79%)for seeds without Pg EO,while there was no damage in Oloyin treated with 50μL Pg EO.Significantly(p0.05)lower F2 progeny emergence occurred on Oloyin(4.02)and Sokoto(4.71)compared with Drum(9.03)and Gwallam(6.07)from the untreated cowpea seeds.The results implied that application of PgE O to Oloyin gave better protection from infestation of C.maculatus than other varieties.Hence,combination of varietal resistance with PgE O for management of bruchid could be an effective mean of improving cowpea food security.     

Social Factors Affecting Wetlands Utilization for Agriculture in Nigeria: A case study of sawah rice production

Wetlands have immense poverty-fighting potentials and in Nigeria,more and more people are dependent on wetlands for their livelihoods.To examine the social factors affecting the current status of the wetlands utilization for agriculture in Nigeria,a simple random sampling technique was used to select 200 farmers cultivating wetlands and a structured questionnaire was applied to elicit the information on the social factors.Data collected were described using frequency and percentage and a multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant variables that are determinants of wetland utilization.The results of the analysis showed that significant variables included crop preferences,farming system,culture,taste,land tenure,knowledge of wetland cultivation,perceived suitability,farmers' tribe,location of wetland,and farmers' age.It was concluded with suggestions for the right combination of policies,public awareness,and appropriate farming methods in order to improve wetland utilization in Nigeria.     

Sawah Rice Eco-technology and Actualization of Green Revolution in West Africa： Experience from Nigeria and Ghana

The development and dissemination of sawah rice eco-technology in Nigeria and Ghana as prerequisites for the actualization of green revolution in West Africa were described. It showed that the neglect of the eco-technology and the overemphasis of the biotechnology have rendered the ineffective transferability of the green revolution process from Asia to Africa. The sawah eco-technology increases yield up to 5 t/hm² through bunding and the use of inlet and outlet connecting irrigation and drainage, which enhances effective water control and management, improves the efficiency of fertilizer, improves nitrogen fixation by soil microbes and algae, increases the use of wetlands, improves soil organic matter accumulation, suppresses weed growth, and enhances immune mechanism of rice through nutrient supply. The current experience has therefore established that the technology overcomes the constraints that have limited the realization of green revolution in West Africa.     

Anticoccidial effects of Khaya senegalensis aqueous stem bark extract on broiler chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria species

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Graded concentrations (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) of the aqueous stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis was evaluated for its therapeutic efficacy...     

OPPORTUNITIES AND APPROACHES FOR MANIPULATING SOIL-PLANT MICROBIOMES FOR EFFECTIVE CROP NITROGEN USE IN AGROECOSYSTEMS

● Matching nitrification inhibitors with soil properties and nitrifiers is vital to achieve a higher NUE. ● Enhancing BNF, DNRA and microbial N immobilization processes via soil amendments can greatly contribute to less chemical N fertilizer input. ● Plant-associated microbiomes are critical for plant nutrient uptake, growth and fitness. ● Coevolutionary trophic relationships among soil biota need to be considered for improving crop NUE. Soil microbiomes drive the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and regulate soil N supply and loss, thus, pivotal nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Meanwhile, there is an increasing awareness that plant associated microbiomes and soil food web interactions is vital for modulating crop productivity and N uptake. The rapid advances in modern omics-based techniques and biotechnologies make it possible to manipulate soil-plant microbiomes for improving NUE and reducing N environmental impacts. This paper summarizes current progress in research on regulating soil microbial N cycle processes for NUE improvement, plant-microbe interactions benefiting plant N uptake, and the importance of soil microbiomes in promoting soil health and crop productivity. We also proposes a potential holistic (rhizosphere-root-phyllosphere) microbe-based approach to improve NUE and reduce dependence on mineral N fertilizer in agroecosystems, toward nature-based solution for nutrient management in intensive cropping systems.