Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Response of laying hens and growing broilers to the dietary inclusion of mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed kernel meal.

Abstract: Studies were carried out to assess the nutritive value and utilization of mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed kernel (MSK) in the diets of layer and broiler chickens. The physical component of mango seeds was found to consist of 678 g/kg kernel, 292 g/kg shell and 30 g/kg testa. Meal from the seed kernel contained 61.6 g crude protein, 136.2 g ether extract, 22.3 g ash, 46.4 g crude fibre, 673.5 g nitrogen-free extract and appreciable mineral content. In the layers trial, MSK replaced maize weight for weight at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g/kg. Results indicated a significant decrease (p 0.05) on feed intake and feed efficiency when compared with control diet. Organ weights with the exception of liver and lung were unaffected by dietary MSK. Haematological indices were not influenced (p>0.05) by dietary MSK except haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin, which were higher (p<0.05) in broilers fed 100 g/kg MSK. Neutrophils, lymphocytes and albumin/globulin ratio were similar on all diets. The results indicated that at higher weight for weight levels, MSK cannot readily substitute maize in layer diets, whereas a marginal improvement was recorded in the broiler diet, albeit with nutrient supplementation.

Impacts of climate change on rice agriculture in Nigeria

Abstract: This study employed the Ricardian approach to test the relative importance of climate normals (average long-term temperature and precipitation) in explaining net revenue from Nigerian rice agriculture under irrigation and dry land conditions. A survey was done by interviewing 1200 rice farmers from 20 rice producing states in Nigeria. The states covered all the six geopolitical zones in the country. The results showed that increase in temperature will reduce net revenue for dry land rice farms while net revenue rises with increase in temperature for irrigated rice farms. Precipitation had similar effects on rice net revenue. Increase in precipitation will cause reduction in revenue for dry land rice farms whereas it will cause increase in revenue for irrigated farms. The results clearly demonstrate irrigation as a significant techniques used by the farmers to adapt to the climate change. Other adaptation options include Keeping of livestock, engaging in off farm works and the use of different market channels.

Isolation, structural elucidation and bioherbicidal activity of an eco-friendly bioactive 2-(hydroxymethyl) phenol, from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (C1501) and its ecotoxicological evaluation on soil

Abstract: Agricultural production in many emerging economies suffer losses owing to the challenges posed by weeds. Owing to cost, ecological, environmental and other human health safety issues regarding the use and application of chemicals as a control option against invasive weeds, there has been a renewed focus to explore alternative and safer methods such as biotechnology. In this study, we explored the use of some beneficial rhizobacteria as a possible alternative to chemicals. The impact of the newly characterized strains of rhizobacteria (acting as a bioherbicide), was investigated to ascertain whether they had any impact on the soil health — and here its effect on the soil organic carbon content, soil respiration, and enzymatic activities were investigated. Several bioactive metabolites extracted from the rhizobacteria were further screened (via leaf necrosis assays, under laboratory and screen house), for their selective efficacy against a range of test plants, of which the C1501 strain showed the most promising results for good herbicidal activity. In this study, the active compound is identified by combined spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR techniques) as a 2-(hydroxymethyl) phenol. The C1501 strain were also shown to significantly decrease the dry-weight of A. hybridus seedlings. However, there was no noticeable or adverse effect observed in sorghum seedlings. A low adverse effect on soil was also shown after day 70 of the experiment, where the 2-(hydroxymethyl) phenol treated soil had the highest release of CO2 (867.50 mg CO2 kg−1 soil hr − 1 ) when compared to the glyphosate treated soil (96.73 mg CO2 kg−1 soil hr − 1 ). Similarly, the enzymatic activities and the soil carbon content were significantly higher in the 2-(hydroxymethyl) phenol treated soil when compared to the control. The C1501 strain was found to have an eco-friendly profile; was cheap and could be used as a good alternative product to chemical herbicides. This strain could thus serve as a good candidate bioherbicide for the control of the A. hybridus weed and possibly be considered for use in a large scale production system, which would be beneficial for a sustainable organic agricultural setting that improves yield and enhances food security.

Pediatric trauma in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges in overcoming the scourge.

Abstract: All over the world, pediatric trauma has emerged as an important public health problem. It accounts for the highest mortality in children and young adults in developed countries. Reports from Africa on trauma in the pediatric age group are few and most have been single center experience. In many low-and middle-income countries, the death rates from trauma in the pediatric age group exceed those found in developed countries. Much of this mortality is preventable by developing suitable preventive measures, implementing an effective trauma system and adapting interventions that have been implemented in developed countries that have led to significant reduction in both morbidity and mortality. This review of literature on the subject by pediatric and orthopedic surgeons from different centers in Africa aims to highlight the challenges faced in the care of these patients and proffer solutions to the scourge.

Nodulation and growth of mycorrhizal Casuarina equisetifolia J.R. and G. First in response to flooding

Abstract: The influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculation on nodulation and growth of flooded Casuarina equisetifolia J.R. and G. First was investigated. Casuarina seedlings were grown in sterile soil inoculated with Glomus clarum Nicolson and Schenick and flooding was imposed for 8 weeks. Mycorrhizal Casuarina seedlings adapted to flooding better than non-inoculated seedlings. This was achieved partly by the greater development of adventitious roots and hypertrophied lenticels which increased oxygen availability, and therefore VAM infection in the upper soil zone. The VAM infection led to the suppression of the accumulation of toxic products of anaerobic respiration, such as ethanol. Mycorrhizal inoculation also prevented the total suppression of nodulation in the flooded plants. Nodulation was observed only in the upper soil zone, and its occurrence made dinitrogen fixation possible. The results suggest that mycorrhizal infection is essential for nodulation of Casuarina in flooded soils and is therefore related to the relatively higher dinitrogen accumulation in Casuarina under anoxic conditions.