Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moore Plantation, Ibadan- Journal Articles
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- ItemOpen AccessMicromorphology and Soil Formation of Some Savanna Alfisols in South Western Nigeria(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1984) Ojo-Atere, J. O.The relationship between micromorphology and soil formation in some well-drained soils in the savanna ecosystem of south-Western Nigeria was studied. Arrangements of soil constituents were evaluated in nineteen (75 x 251nm) thin sections made from undisturbed samples. Thin section studies show that the related distribution of plasma and skeleton grains is usually agglomeroplasmic with some intertextic patches in the surfacial horizons of the soils. The sub-surfacial horizons of the soils are characterized by a porphyroskelic related distribution. Pedological features are glaehules and cutans. Pedorelicts and Ldthorelicts were recognized: The sub-rounded shape of the pedoreticts indicates that they have been transported and the presence of the nodules in the surfacial horizons of most profiles probably shows former soil process.
- ItemOpen AccessNeighbour effects in Maize/Okra Mixed Cropping(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1984) Adelana, B. O.Maize (Zea mays L.) and okra (Abelmoxhus esculentus L. Moench) were grown in pure and mixed stands with the mixtures having the same plant density as the pure stands. The sole crops gave higher yields than in mixtures. There was competition for growth factors between the two species with their relative yield total (RYT) slightly above unity. The taller maize was at an advantage in the mixture and its yield was only slightly reduced compared with the pure stand, while the shorter okra plants were heavily shaded and the yield greatly reduced. Planting both crops together was more efficient as their land equivalent ratio was above unity.
- ItemOpen AccessCharacteristics and Classification of Some Upper Slope Soils in Savanna Ecosystems of South Western Nigerian(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1983) Ojo-Atere, J. O.; Oladimeji, M. O.Some upper slope soils of the savanna ecosystems of southwestern Nigeria were studied with a view to broaden their data base and pave the way for a better classification of the soils. The three profiles used were obtained from Shaki, Igbeti and Babaade in the northern part of Oyo State. The soils were subjected to physical, chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological analyses. Generally, it was observed that the morphological and chemical characteristics of the soils studied have been affected considerably by the interaction of climate, parent material, relief, vegetation, time and biological factors. The physical, chemical and mineralogical data do not show any well-defined sequence in the profiles. These analytical data indicate that the surface horizons may be developed in transported material, while the subsurface horizons may be derived from the underlying rock. These indicate the complexity of the profiles and also confirm the non-uniformity of the parent materials. Clay mineralogy indicates that Kaolinite is dominant in the soils, with considerable amounts of smectite and mica. Cutans were associated with both Inceptisols and Alfisols in the soils studied. Thus, cutah may not be a good diagnostic feature for argillic horizons in south western Nigeria.
- ItemOpen AccessPerformance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum, L.) in Southwestern Nigeria as Influenced by Rowspacing(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1982) Ogunremi, E. A.Experiments were conducted in two ecological zones in Nigeria during 1977 and 1978 to investigate the influence of inter-row spacing on growth, development and yield of sesame (Sesame indicum, L.). 16 treatments, consisting of two cultivars (Yandev 55 and 65A - 36) and eight rowwidths (7.5, 15.0, 22.5, 30.0, 37.5, 45.0, 52.5 and 60.0cm) were tested in a randomised complete block design with four replications. Leaf area, dry matter production and yields were significantly influenced by inter-row spacing. Dry matter accumulation increased with increase in inter-row spacing. Seed and oil yields increased with inter-row spacing up to 37.5cm Greater dry matter was diverted into the capsule of plants grown in 37.5cm rows. Cultivar 65A - 36 was significantly better with a mean yield of 428 kg/ha than Yandev 55 which gave 360 kg/ha. Seed production efficiency was higher by 8% in cultivar 65A - 36 than in Yandev 55. The growth analysis suggested that the green capsules contributed towards the accumulation of their dry matter.
- ItemOpen AccessEffects of Diet on the Rumen and Blood Volatile Fatty Acid Concentrations of Growing Calves(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1981) Ogundola, F. I.Twenty-four calves belonging to the White FuIani (WF) Friesian and German Brown (GB) breeds were used to evaluate the effects of milk based diets, on rumen fermentation pattern and blood volatile fatty acid concentrations. The calves were assigned randomly to four diets as they became available at the age of 4 days, and fed their respective diets for 84 days. The diets were: 1. milk fed twice daily plus a concentrate and grass supplement (TMCG). 2. milk fed twice daily plus a concentrate supplement (TMC). 3. milk fed once daily plus a concentrate and grass supplement (OMCG). 4. milk fed once daily plus a concentrate supplment (OMC). Rumen and blood samples were taken on the last 3 days of the 4th, 8th and 12th week of the experiment for the measurement of rumen pH, rumen and blood volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Significant age, breed and dietary effects were observed on rumen and plasma volatile fatty acids concentrations but not on rumen pH. Friesian and GB calves had higher total rumen VFA than WF calves (3.3, 3.1 and 2.4 meg/100ml respectively) and plasma VFA concentration followed a similar pattern. Both plasma and rumen total VFA increased (P < .01) with age, and grass supplemented calves tended to have higher VFA concentrations. Significant positive correlations were observed between rumen and plasma VFA concentrations, while significant negative correlations were observed between rumen pH and VFA concentrations.