Faculty of Agricultural Science

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Open Access
Philosophy and Culture
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1972-04-25) Sodipo, J.O
My intention here is to show the relevance of this theoretic concern called philosophy for our cultural and intellectual development. In the course of this main task, I hope to show in what sense the Natural Sciences have not preempted the title of philosophy to being an observation of nature.
Open Access
All Flesh is Grass
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1973) Adegbola, A.A
Livestock production in Nigeria is possible within the context of an overall improvement in all other aspects of agricultural development. Just as there is a need for grain surplus as a basis for development in pigs and poultry production; so there is a need for adequate soil management and water conservation practices to keep soils productive; good storage facilities and a cheap and efficient processing technique for crop and animal products, good roads and communications for fast transportation of highly perishable products and efficient distribution at low costs to consumers. There is a need to develop adequate organization for getting scientific information to the farmer. But above all, there is a need to guarantee adequate returns to farmers and to provide incentives like good water supply, adequate housing and rural electrification to farming communities. It is only in this context that we can truly develop the capacity necessary to convert all grass to flesh for the benefit of all in Nigeria.
Open Access
A Role for the University of Ife in Increasing Agricultural Production
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1974-04-30) Duncan, E. R.
My purpose in presenting this paper is to voice concerns about the production of food in relation to existing and expected needs, about present population trends, and to suggest that the University of Ife can play a significant role in this drama. My qualifications to discuss this segment of agricultural and economic development may not qualify me as an authority in Nigeria, but hopefully may justify an expression of my concern
Open Access
Livestock Production in Nigeria: Our Commissions and Omissions
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1976-01-29) Ademosun, A.Akin
The livestock mission appointed in Nigeria by the Colonial Office in 1949 was probably the first to draw attention to the problems of livestock production in the country and the need to develop the industry. Since the report of the Mission in 1950, many attempts have been made to obtain data on the numbers of the different species of farm animals in Nigeria. The amount of success that has attended this exercise has been, at best, similar to that of the counting of human beings and has generally under-scored the famous statement of Benjamin Disraeli: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." The question of census figures is even confounded in the case of animals because they never contest the statistics nor do they ask for any post-enumeration checks, for as George Eliot stated: "Animals are such agreeable friends-they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."
Open Access
Soils, Civilisations and the March of Time
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1978-01-09) Ashaye, T. I.
Most of the efforts of man to understand how the earth was formed and the nature of it have only yielded the following: first, there was a molten mass called "magma". This magma cooled leading to barren landscapes of mountains, deserts and steaming lava fields. The earliest forms of life were very primitive. Land plants appeared on the earth surface 400 million years ago and mammals 250 million years ago. Homo sapiens emerged within the last million years. On arrival man began to domesticate animals and till the ground in order to cultivate food crops. The soil referred to in this lecture can therefore not be different in definition from what Homo sapiens worked upon but the period of his activities and the impact of these activities on human culture and progress can only be extracted from recorded history. This period is more likely to be much shorter than one million years.
Open Access
Insects and Human Welfare with Special Reference to their Role in Agricultural Production
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1978-10-19) Adenuga, A. O.
This I believe is the second ineugural Lecture to be delivered by a Professor of Plant Science in this University but the first by a Nigerian Professor of Plant Science. My predecessor, Professor Duncan, who first inaugurated the chair of Plant Science showed in his treatise quite clearly the importance of weather in agricultural production in a discipline known as agro climatology. My own lecture today on "Insects and Human Welfare," is in the area of insect science known technically as entomology. You can see, therefore, that Plant Science has a broad scope, some of its disciplines seemingly unrelated to an uninitiated observer. Indeed, I have often been asked: 'If you study insects, which are in any case animals, why are you not in the Department of Animal Science?'. As an agricultural entomologist the ultimate aim of my study of insects is to be able to reduce the damages insect pests do to crop plants, livestock and agricultural produce, and quite recently, that function has been extended to the improvement of environmental factors under which beneficial insects like parasites or predators of insect pests and insects that pollinate flowers can multiply and thrive well. But principally because insect pests of crops are several times more numerous than pests of livestock, entomologists are based in the Department of Plant Science rather than the Department of Animal Science.
Open Access
Effects of crop spacing on weed competition and seed yield in cowpea, Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp c.v. Ife Brown
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Fadayomi, O.
When cowpea (Vigna unguiculnta [L.] Walp c.v. "Ife Brown") was planted at spacings of 50cm x 25cm and 50cm x 50cm. 31 and 15 percent yield increases were obtained over that of the conventional (100cm x 30cm spacing respectively Optimum yield was obtained under the 50cm x 25cm spacing with 4 weeks of weed-free maintenance, whereas 6 weeks of weed-free maintenance were required for the same under the 50cm x 50cm and 100cm x 30cm spacings. When weeds were allowed to compete with the crop for more than 4 weeks, yields decreased under the 50cm x 50cm and 100cm x 30cm spacings but yield reductions were not observed under the 50cm x 25cm spacing even with up to 6 weeks of weed competition.
Open Access
Tillage, seed bed configuration and mulching: effects on soil physical properties, and responses of cassava, cowpea and maize
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Aina, P. O.
The influence of tillage, and 2 seed bed configurations on soil physical properties and responses of cassava (Manihot esculenta), cowpea (Vignia unguiculata L. Walpa), and maize (Zea mays L.) was studied for two cropping seasons in 1978 under mulch and no-mulch conditions. The study was conducted on an Alfisol at the Ife (Nigeria) University teaching and Research Farm. Tillage reduced soil bulk density at planting (1.43 g/cc) by 23%. Six weeks after seeding, the bulk density of ridges and mounds had increased by 24% compared to 3.5% increase for no-tillage plots under bare conditions. Mulching reduced soil compaction of tilled plots by 50% while compaction was negligible on the mulched no-tillage plots. Soil moisture reserve, 3 weeks after planting was higher by 5 and 8 percent (of cumulative rainfall) respectively for no-tillage and ridged plots compared to mounds under unmulched conditions. In the same correspondent order soil temperature was respectively, lower by 3oC and 1oC than in mounds during the period. Mulch effect on soil moisture and temperature was more significant with no-tillage compared to ridges and mounds. Yield of cassava was reduced by only 13% when grown with no-tillage plus mulch, compared to 40% with no-tillage without mulch. There was no significant effect of tillage on cowpea yield. Yield results reflected differences in soil moisture and temperature regimes which influenced seedling germination, stand and subsequent plant development.
Open Access
Mermis sp. [Nematoda: Mermithidae] as a Parasite of Zonocerus variegatus linnaeus [Orthoptera: Pyrgo morphidae]
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Matanmi, Babajide A.
Mermis sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) was consistently encountered in dissected specimens of Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus) collected at random from the field in the Ile-Ife area of Nigeria. In this study, parasitization at different locations ranged between 0 to 7.58%. Although this parasite may constitute an important factor in the mortality of Z. variegatus, it does not appear to be efficient as a potential biological control tool.
Open Access
Genotype x environment interactions in an exotic commercial egg strain and the local chicken of Nigeria
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Osu, A.; Dettmers, A.
Six hatches of the Apollo, a commercial egg strain of chicken imported from the United Kingdom at day old and the Local chicken hatched from eggs collected all over Southwestern Nigeria were reared under modem brooding, feeding and management conditions to study genotype, x environment interaction. Body weight, egg weight and egg production from first egg to eight months of production were recorded for each hen. Analyses of variance showed that there were significant breed x hatch interactions for age at sexual maturity, egg weight from the third month of production. and four and eight month egg production. Body weight at 12 and 20 weeks of age, weight of first egg and egg weight at first month of production did not show significant breed 5 hatch interaction effects. The results show that locally adapted breeds and strains are required, in view of large environmental differences between the temperate and tropical climates.
Open Access
The Effect of Prolonged Feeding of Stylosanthes guyanensis Meal on Laying Performance, Egg Quality and Hatchability
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Onwudike, O. C.; Adegbola, A. A.
The utilization of increasing levels of Stylosanthes guyanensis meal (stylo meal) by laying chickens feed for a period of nine months and the effect of increasing levels of vitamin A on the hatchability of eggs were studied using Single Comb White Leghorn birds. The feeding of stylo meal to laying birds lengthened the time taken by the birds to get to peak production. There was no significant effect on the average hen-day production percentage following the feeding of up to 20% stylo meal. The control diet in which there was no stylo meal however had a better production rate than any of the other diets. The feeding of stylo meal increased egg riboflavin content, egg hatchability and yold cholesterol level and depressed serum cholesterol level. The improved egg hatchability observed in this study could not be related entirely to the improved vitamin A status of the diets with the addition of stylo meal. It is suggested that the utilization of higher levels of stylo meal could be improved by a better amino acid balance and pelleting of the rations.
Open Access
Predicted responses to recurrent selection in maize (Zea mays L.)
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Fakorede, M. A. B.; Obilana, A. Tunde
Previous studies with computer simulation models have shown that standardised correlated response in one trait, y, to selection for another trait, x, should be the same in one generation regardless of whether selection is for x or for y. In the study reported herein, we tested the hypothesis that direct response to selection for trait x should be the same as standardised correlated response in trait x when selection is based on trait y. Additionally, we compared, observed and predicted correlated responses to seven cycles of reciprocal recurrent selection for grain yield in two maize populations Results obtained indicated that predictions of direct and standardised correlated responses showed poor agreement. Direct response to mass selection, however, agreed more closely with standardised correlated responses than did half-sib selection and S1 testing, whereas direct response to S1 testing agreed more closely with conventional correlated response than did the other two selection methods. Also, observed and predicted correlated response to reciprocal recurrent selection for grain yield showed poor agreement. However, predictions based on parameters obtained in the fourth cycle of selection agreed more closely with observed changes than similar estimates obtained from the original populations. Implications of these results in determining indirect selection criteria are discussed.
Open Access
An Evaluation of Damage to Bovine Spermatozoa during Processing, Freezing and Thawing II. Effect on Motility, Percentage Live and Ultrastructure of Spermatozoa
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Somade, B.; King, G. J.; Macpherson, J. W.
Thirty semen samples from five bulls were processed and frozen. Each ejaculate was evaluated for percent progressive motility, percent live spermatozoa and percentage of heads, tails and mid-pieces with intact plasma membrane after collections, after extension and cooling just before freezing and after thawing. The greatest decrease in both motility and percent live spermatozoa occurred before freezing. More spermatozoa heads were damaged at each phase of processing for freezing than mid-pieces and tails and there was also a greater number of damaged spermatozoa before freezing than after freezing and thawing.
Open Access
An Analysis of Cohesiveness in Farming Groups
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Agunbiade, J. B.; Ekpere, J. A.
The concept of group farming has been introduced, developed and accepted in Oyo State as a workable strategy for accelerated technology transfer and food production in the recent past. Evidence of such a policy is shown by the high input delivery and technical advisory assistance that such groups have received from the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Agricultural Credit Corporation and other functionaries of Government in Oyo State. However, the expected advantages of group processes in agricultura1 production, input delivery and technology transfer has been difficult to implement in reality. A major constraint to the effective utilization of farming groups is the relative levels of cohesiveness consistent with sustained survival and operational efficiency essential to the attainment of group goals. In order to better understand this important phenomenon, a study was conducted to investigate cohesiveness within maize production groups in Oyo State. A total of two hundred and two members of ten group farms in two ecological areas of Oyo State were interviewed using a combination of interview schedule and pre-coded questionnaire. The results show that group cohesiveness was affected by access by individuals to group on-lending loan facilities, magnitude of shared profit (or perceived profit), quality of group leadership and individual member objective for group membership. Increasing attrition rates among members due perhaps, to unfulfilled personal expectation was the most single important reason for lack of cohesiveness within the farming groups.
Open Access
Root growth and nutrient flux of cowpea under field condition
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) ADEPETU, J. A.
Field studies were conducted on an Egbeda soil series (Oxic Paleustalf) to determine the root length, root surface area and the nutrient flux into cowpea root at five days intervals of growth from 5 to 50 days after emergence. In companion study, a solution culture study was conducted in the greenhouse to determine if information from greenhouse investigations are valid indices of field situations regarding the characteristic changes in root growth with age of cowpea. A speculation was made from the result of the field study concerning the best time of P and K fertilizer application for greatest yield. To test the validity of this speculation a study was set up on the field whereby cowpea dry pod weights produced from applying the fertilizer 10, 20. 30, 40 arid 50 days after emergence were determined. Cowpea root length increased exponentially with plant age between 5 and 50 days after emergence, even though the relationship tend to be linear at the very young growth stages. The extent of agreement between root growth on the field and in the greenhouse suggests that solution culture research results could be applied to field conditions. Nutrient flux was greatest when the plant was 5 days old, decreased rapidly with age of the plant to about 28 days old, remained constant for the next few days, then increased agilin and stayed relatively high between 40 and 50 days. Dry pod yield obtained by fertilizing cowpea with P and K of 40 days old was significantly greater (P4 0.5) than yields from 20.30 and 50 days application dates, but not significantly superior (P> 0.5) to yield from applying fertilizer at 10 days. It is concluded that availability of P and K to cowpea root in the soil is critical to optimum pod yield at the early vegetative growth stage (about 10 days after emergence) and during the early flowering stage, but apparently more critical at the early flowering than the young growth stage.
Open Access
Effect of Age at Breeding on Reproduction in Local Sheep
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Chiboka, O.
Forty nulliparous West African Dwarf and Permer X West African Dwarf crossbred ewes were used in two separate experiments to study the effect of eight breeding groups (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 months) on weight at breeding, gestation length, frequency of twinning, birth weight, frequency of stillborn, placenta weight, frequency of milk ejection and weaning weight. In the first experiment, four out of five West African Dwarf ewes in the six month age group showed heat. After breeding the estrous ewes, only one appeared pregnant but later returned to heat about 57 days post breeding. All the ewe in the 7 month age group showed heat and after breeding only one was pregnant which later aborted about 131 days post breeding. All West African Dwarf ewes bred between the ages of 8 - 13 months were pregnant and successfully went to term. There were significant differences in breeding weight and birth weight among the ewes in age group 8 - 13 months. On the whole breeding at 8 months of age appeared to have the same effect as breeding at a later age. Age and breeding weight were significantly correlated. One out of thirty fetuses (one fetus from group 10) was stillborn and there was 100% milk ejection. In the second experiment, three out of five Permer X WAD ewes assigned to the 6 month age group showed heat but after breeding none became pregnant. All ewes in 7 month age group showed heat but after breeding all showed heat regularly except two which later returned to heat 43 and 47 days (respectively) post breeding. All Permer x WAS ewes bred between the ages 8 - 13 months were pregnant and successfully went to term. Of the age groups that went to term, there was no difference amongst them in all the variables studied except in placenta weight. There was no significant correlation between age and anyone of the variables measured.
Open Access
An Evaluation of Damage to Bovine Spermatozoa during Processing, Freezing and Thawing. I Leakage of Glutamic-oxaloactetic transaminase [GOT] from Spermatozoa
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Somade, B.; King, G. J.; Machperson, J. W.
The activity of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in the seminal plasma of thirty ejaculates after collection; after extension, cooling and equilibration just before freezing; and after freezing and thawing were determined. After correction for the reduction in the activity of GOT caused by the extender and low temperatures the activity of the enzyme was higher (P 0.05) in post thaw semen than in either ejaculated or equilibrated semen just before freezing. However, the pre-freeze leakage of GOT from spermatozoa was similar to the leakage caused by freezing and thawing. The significance of these findings in relation to the use, of GOT activity in seminal plasma as an index of spermatozoa damage were discussed.
Open Access
Seasonal Variation in the Incidence of Yeast Rotters of Tomato Fruit in Soil and on various Parts of Tomato
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Onesirosan, P. T.
Geotrichum candidum and Pichla Kluyveri, the two important yeasts which incite rots of tomato fruits in southern Nigerian were frequently isolated from field/soil and various parts of the host plant during the wet season but rarely during the dry season. However, the frequency of their isolation remained uniformly high in forest soil in both seasons. G. candidum was isolated from the shoots and roots of seedlings as well as the flowers and fruits; it was also a frequent contaminant of tomato seeds extracted during the wet season. P. Kluyvery on the other hand, was more prevalent on the stems and leaves of mature plants.
Open Access
A Preliminary Survey of the Fertility Status of Soils in Ondo State under Traditional Cultivation
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Adepetu, J. A.; Adebayo, A. A.; Aduayi, E. A.; Alofe, C. O.
Surface and subsoil samples, as well as maize leaf samples were collected from local fields at about ten kilometers intervals along the major and minor highways across Ondo state in 1977. The samples were subsequently processed and analysed for various components in the laboratory. The surface 0-15cm soil samples showed a mean of 23; 7pp NO3 -N, 13.6ppm avail. P, 119.4ppm exch. K, 1168 ppm exch. Ca, 98.2 ppm exch. Mg, and Na-EDTA-extractable trace elements in the amount 131.9, 9.0, 319 and 1.3ppm of Fe. Zn, Mn, and Cu respectively. About 93% of the samples had a pH value between 5 and 7, while the soils had a mean 0.M content of 1.9% and C.E.C. of 11.4 meq/100g soil. About 77% of samples had a base saturation exceeding 50%. The values of these parameters generally decline down the soil profile to the 90cm depth studied. From the frequency distribution of various amounts of nutrients in the soil and plant tissue samples, it was concluded that N, P and Cu were generally deficient in the soils, while Ca. Mg, Fe. Mn, and Zn appeared adequate for optimum crop growth. However, it was difficult to make a definite statement, one way or the other, about K because of the seemingly contradictory conclusions that could be drawn from evaluating the soil and plant tissue data, which evaluations were based on what are generally believed to be the critical levels of K in soil 3nd maize plant for optimum crop yield. A further study to determine the internal and external critical nutrient requirements of crops in these soils is considered a priority.
Open Access
Preliminary Studies on the Oestrogenic Activity of Guinea Grass [Panicum maximum] var. S112 and Stylo [Stylosanthes gracilis]
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Adepoju, A.; Adegbola, A. A.; Ayininuola, S. I.
Purified oestrogenic extracts were obtained from 25g samples of ground air dried leaf and stem portions of guinea grass (Panicum maximum var. S112) and stylo (Stylosanthes gracilis) at four stages of growth. 0.05ml of each of these extracts was injected into immature female mice weighing 8 to 10g in order to determine the oestrogenic activities of the forages at different stages of growth. The mean values obtained for the oestrogenic potency of guinea grass were 0.30, 0.23, 1.41 and 0.86 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg of the leaf portion and 0.28, 0.15, 1.01 and 0.49 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg of the stem portion at early vegetative, full vegetative, early bloom and full bloom growth stages respectively. Mean values for stylo leaf portion were 0.62, 0.85, 1.50 and 0.75 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg, and those for the stem portion were 0.43, 0.62, 0.80 and 0.55 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg at the early vegetative, full vegetative, early bloom and full bloom growth stages, respectively. The results indicated that the oestrogenic content of Stylosanthes gracilis was significantly higher (P .05) than that of guinea grass. for both forages, oestrogen activity was higher (P .05) in the leaf than in the stem, and the differences observed during the various stages of growth were significant.