Overall Performance, Carcass Yield, Meat Safety Potentials and Economic Value of Heat-Stressed Broilers Fed Diets with Balanced Electrolytes

Tropical regions across the globe are characterized by an annually prolonged hot weather conditions that showcase limiting production efficiency in livestock industry, as domesticated animals leave the zone of maximum comfort, under heat stress, with death and reduced carcass yield accompanying the subsequent alteration in body chemistry and behavior. However, pen house orientation, cooling systems, genetic modification and different dietary manipulations have been employed in poultry industry, but many of such did not account for the body’s acid-base equilibrium and the potentials of aggregate levels of dietary electrolytes in enhancing carcass yield of broilers under severe heat stress conditions. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of different electrolyte-balanced diets on overall performance, carcass yield, meat safety potentials and economic value of heat-stressed broilers reared for five weeks. Arbor Acre broiler chicks (n = 300) were randomly allotted to diets with aggregate electrolyte balance of 210 (T1), 240 (T2), 270 (T3), 300 (T4), 330 (T5) and 360 (T6) mEq/Kg, in a completely randomised design. On day 35, birds whose weights were closest to the mean class weight were selected from each replicate pen for carcass yield assessment. Also, data on performance and cost-benefit analysis were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α = 0.05. Electrolyte-balanced diets though contained salts that presumably could have improved satiety, yet they do not enhance appetite in heat-stressed broilers. However, dietary protein efficiency was enhanced at an electrolyte balance levels of 240 and 270 mEq/kg, which translated into increased body weight gain. Weights of primal parts of birds on 270 mEq/kg DEB were highest at 35 days. Feed cost values (per kilogram weight gain) of rations with 240 mEq/kg and 270 mEq/kg DEB were lower and showcased promising economic buoyancy to both rural and commercial poultry farmers, while ensuring a high food safety standard under tropical conditions.

Multi-location Evaluation of Turmeric Genotypes in Nigeria

Fifteen turmeric genotypes from the germplasm held at National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, Nigeria, were evaluated during the season of 2012-2013 at four locations-Jos （8.3833°N, 7.1833°E, 1,200 m a.s.l.）, Otobi （7.11667°N and 8.08333°E）, Umudike （5.4758°N, 7.5489°E） and Igbariam （6.4°N and 6.93333°E）-in order to select high yielding and stable turmeric cultivars with good quality for release in Nigeria. At each location, the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design （RCBD） in three replications. Plot size was 9 m2. Data were collected on sprout count, plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, main pseudo stem girth, rhizome number and weight. Analysis of variance was carried out on the combined data using GenStat Discovery Edition software. Results based on the combined data from four locations indicate that turmeric genotypes did not vary in percentage emergence and number of leaves. However, they varied in height, main pseudo stem girth, tillering, number and yield of fresh rhizomes. The effect of location on all attributes was significant （P 〈 0.05） with Jos location giving consistently the least values for all attributes thus suggesting that this location may not be suitable for the commercial production of turmeric. Genotype by environment interaction for most attributes was not significant indicating that the genotypes responded the same way across the locations. Ten genotypes, viz., UT39, UT44, UT46, UT58, UT50, UTI4, UT41, UT6, UT38 and UT35, are identified as promising and require further evaluation as pre-condition for nomination for official release to farmers.

Perception of Agricultural Science/Home Economics as a Career among Senior Secondary School Students in Abia State, Nigeria

Ibeku High School in Umuahia Municipality was chosen for this project based on the criteria set by the supervising bodies; the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria （ARCN）, and the coordinating Research Institute; the National Root Crops Research Institute （NRCRI）, Umudike. Adopting a participatory approach involving the research team, students and agricultural science teachers, some tuber and root crops-based technologies were demonstrated at the school farm. One hundred and nine respondents drawn for the study was to assess their interest and career in agriculture and occupational values. Students make important decisions that are strongly linked to their attitudes towards such activities. Poor student enrolment into agricultural professionals have been blamed on poor emolument of agricultural personnel and lack of motivational incentives in accordance with the nature of the profession among others, resulting to the profession＇s unattractiveness to young minds. In Nigeria, the attitude of youths towards agriculture as a profession has been responsible for the low level of agricultural production in the country. The main solution to the problem is getting young people involved in agriculture despite the fact that many people portray agriculture as a life of penury; thus the urgent need to change the negative view of agriculture and encourage them to embrace the vocation. The young people or youth have been identified as constituting the major resource base for any country which wants to embark on any meaningful agricultural and rural development projects. The focus of this study was to assess the influence of students＇ attitudes, enrolment and choice of agriculture as a profession in Ibeku High School in Umuahia Municipality. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents were males, while 41.0% were females and they were all single. About 9.1% of the respondents belonged to the Young Farmers＇ Club （YFC） at school, while a greater percentage of the students had interest in the pursuit of other careers than agriculture. The Government should enforce policies of establishing farms in schools, well equipped and with experienced teaching staff in agriculture to advance the profession to a higher level.

Cassava Yield, Garrification Traits and Economic Returns as Influenced by Different Genotypes in an Ultisol

Field trials were conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 to evaluate cassava yield, garrification traits, and economic returns as influenced by genotypes grown in an ultisol. Uyo is located between latitudes 4°30' and 5°27'N and longitudes 7°50'E and 80°20'E. The area, which lies within the humid tropical rainforest zone of southeastern Nigeria, has an annual mean rainfall of 2500 mm with a bimodal rainfall pattern, monthly sunshine of 3.14 hours, and a mean annual temperature of 28°C. The experimental site was previously put into cultivation of some arable crops such as fluted pumpkin, okra, and waterleaf before it was fallowed for two years. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times was used. Treatments were 16 cassava genotypes (AR1-82, NR02/0028, NR03/0174, CR12-45, NR03/0211, TMS98/2132, TMS01/1206, TMS01/1368, TMS01/1371, CR36-5, NR02/0007, NR03/0155, AR37-108, TMS01/1412, TMS30572 and local best variety “Obubit okpo”). Results obtained via combined (pooled) analysis of the two seasons indicated that cassava yield differed significantly among the genotypes. NR02/0018 (42.50 t/ha) out-yielded others by 17% - 52% followed by NR 02/0007 (35.42 t/ha), and NR 03/0155 (32.08 t/ha). TMS 98/2132 had the most preferred garrification attributes followed by NR 02/0018, NR 02/0007, and NR03/01155. NR 02/0018 genotype gave the highest economic returns followed by NR 02/0007 and NR03/0155. NR02/0018 superseded others in yield, garrification traits, and economic returns, which is therefore recommended.

Effect of Metabolic Excesses from Dietary Proteins on Blood Profile of Heat-stressed Broilers

Although,dietary proteins play a crucial role in poultry profit maximization,through the sustenance of birds`welfare,growth and development,yet metabolic excesses from crude protein(CP)degradation is detrimental to broiler chickens(BC)affected by heat stress.This study evaluated the effect of dietary protein levels on blood profile of heat-stressed BC at starter phase(SP)and finisher phase(FP).Arbor Acre BC(n=288)were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments(T1-23%CP;T2-21%CP;T3-19%CP;and T4-17%CP)with six replicate groups in a completely randomized design.Data were subjected to descriptive analysis,analysis of variance(p=0.05)and correlation statistics.Protein intake(PI)was not significantly affected by varying CP in diets at SP,but not at FP,where PI significantly increased with increasing dietary CP.PER had a negative correlation with PCV(r=-0.89,p<0.01),Hb(r=-0.88,p<0.01),RBC(r=-0.93,p<0.01)and PI(r=-0.78,p<0.01).Metabolic excesses including heat dissipation from dietary proteins influenced PCV,Hb,platelets and glucose of heat-stressed broilers.