The International Journal of Organic Agriculture Research and Development

RESPONSE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS TO THE ADDITIVE IMPACT OF BLACK SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus) SEEDS IN THE DIET

2026-09-30T07:39:30+00:00

This study evaluated black sunflower seed (BSS) as a dietary additive in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Nutrient intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, rumen fermentation characteristics, rumen microbial populations, haematological indices and serum biochemical indices were evaluated. Fifteen WAD goats were randomly allocated to three treatments of five goats each in a completely randomized design. The treatments included 0 g BSS/100 kg (T1), 25 g BSS/100 kg (T2), and 50 g BSS/100 kg (T3). The feeding trial lasted for eight weeks. Data were collected and subjected to one-way analysis of variance and separated at a 5% significance level. The Dry matter intake, Crude protein intake, Dry matter digestibility, Crude protein digestibility, and Nitrogen Retention were highest in T3. 172.90g/day, 26.75g/day, 88.52%, 88.37%, and 73.41g/day were recorded, respectively, in T3. The rumen microbial population, Total Bacteria count, and Total Fungi Count were highest in T3 and recorded as 8.20 cfu/ml × 10^6 and 3.20 cfu/ml × 10^3. The Total Volatile acid, Acetic acid, Pack Celled Volume, and Haemoglobin concentration were highest in T1. 129.21mmole/100ml, 9.11mmole/100ml, 38%, and 12.15g/dL were recorded respectively in T1. Glucose and Globulin were highest in T2, recording 68.50mg/dLand 3.60g/dLrespectively. Among the treatment diets, 50g/100kg BSS is hereby recommended as an additive in WAD goat diets, as it improved their performance.

ASSESSING TREE DIVERSITY, REGENERATION POTENTIALAND ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS IN SHASHA FOREST RESERVE, NIGERIA: A REVIEW OF CHALLENGES AND CONSERVATION METHOD

2026-09-30T07:51:57+00:00

Forest reserves in southwestern Nigeria are important repositories of tree biodiversity, but their ecological integrity is increasingly challenged by agricultural encroachment, illegal tree cutting, settlement, hunting, grazing and fire. This study assessed tree diversity, regeneration potential and anthropogenic pressures in Shasha Forest Reserve, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. The reserve was divided into four locations representing the north, east, west and south, and 50 m × 50 m sample plots were used for field assessment. Tree species occurrence, density and regeneration were assessed, while saplings (DBH < 10 cm and height > 1 m) and wildlings (height < 1 m) were enumerated. Diversity and evenness indices were calculated, while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% probability level were used for comparison. The results showed considerable spatial variation in tree species representation. White Afara (Terminalia ivorensis) was consistently dominant, with density values of 5.50, 8.50, 24.00 and 19.00 across Locations 1–4, respectively. Cotton Tree (Ceiba pentandra) recorded 3.25 and 6.25 in Locations 1 and 2, while Epin (Ficus exasperata) recorded 17.00 and 15.50 in Locations 3 and 4, respectively. Natural
regeneration was evident, although it varied among species and locations. White Afara recorded sapling values of 4.75, 2.75, 3.75 and 2.75 across the four locations, while its wildling values were 3.25, 2.75, 4.75 and 2.75, respectively. Generally, several species had higher wildling than sapling representation, indicating active early-stage recruitment but possible limitations in progression to the sapling stage. Cordia Wood, Abeere and Molagbaawo recorded relatively low sapling regeneration, with values as low as 0.75 in some locations. Anthropogenic pressures included illegal farming, settlement, hunting, tree cutting, grazing and fire. Cocoa cultivation accounted for 50%, 30% and 40% of reported activities in Locations 1, 2 and 3, respectively, while plantain accounted for 30%, 60%, 20% and 5% in Locations 1–4. The findings demonstrate that Shasha Forest Reserve retains substantial tree diversity and natural regeneration capacity, but uneven species representation and persistent anthropogenic disturbances may affect long-term forest sustainability. Species-specific regeneration support, protection of mature parent trees, control of agricultural encroachment and illegal activities, community participation and continuous monitoring are recommended.

AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL OF APICULTURAL PRODUCTS AMONG BEEKEEPERS AND ARABLE FARMERS FAMILIAR WITH BEEKEEPING IN OGBOMOSO AGRICULTURALAREA, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

2026-09-30T08:06:36+00:00

Honey bee products have been utilized by humans for thousands of years because of their nutritional, medicinal, and cosmetic values. These products include honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and bee venom, each possessing unique properties and diverse applications. This study investigated the level of awareness and knowledge of bee products among residents of Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in five Local Government Areas: Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Orire, Ogo-Oluwa, and Surulere. Astructured questionnaire was administered to 110 randomly selected respondents to obtain information on socio-economic characteristics, awareness of bee products and production methods, consumption patterns, and
knowledge of the economic and health benefits of bee products. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS version 25. The results showed that 43.5% of the respondents were between 41 and 50 years of age, while 51.9% were male. Most respondents (79.1%) were married, and 50.9% had tertiary education. Ahigh proportion (92.7%) was aware of bee products and their production. Honey was the most recognized bee product (99.1%), followed by beeswax (65.5%), bee venom (60.9%), pollination services (58.2%), and propolis (20.9%). The majority (90.0%) was aware of conventional beekeeping methods, with 66.0% using fixed hives. Honey was the most commonly consumed bee product (97.3%), while 98.2% recognized the economic importance and 99.1% acknowledged the
medicinal benefits of bee products. In conclusion, awareness of honey and its economic and medicinal importance was high; however, knowledge of other bee products, particularly propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and bee venom, remained limited. Increased public awareness and extension programs are therefore recommended to promote the utilization and benefits of these underutilized bee products for improved livelihoods, nutrition, and healthcare.

VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS FROM THE AIR-DRIED LEAVES OF Mangifera indica LINN

2026-09-30T08:23:06+00:00

The medicinal plant Mangifera indica belongs to the Mangifera genus and the Anacardiaceae family, and it has varied therapeutic properties. This study aimed to characterize the bioactive volatile constituents found in the plant essential oil. The extraction of essential oil from Mangifera indica airdried leaves (200 g) was obtained by hydrodistillation in an all-glass Clevenger apparatus, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was carried out to identify the components. The essential oil obtained was a cloudy light yellow liquid with strong herbal odour and a yield of 0.083% (v/w). Fourteen constituents were identified, representing 78.47% of M. indica oil. The major components are; 3, 3-Diethyldiaziridine (12.49%), α-Gurjunene (10.95%), 1, 1-dimethyl-2-octyl
cyclobutane (9.43%), 1-Undecene-5-methyl (8.52%), Humulene (8.32%), (+)-β-selinene (7.89%), 1,2-diethylcyclobutane (Z) (7.88%) and β-Caryophyllene (5.20%). Sesquiterpenes (32.81%) and hydrocarbons (31.46%) were the predominant classes of chemical constituents in M. indica, while the others were heterocyclic compounds (12.49%), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (1.71%). The presence of sesquiterpenes and hydrocarbons as the major classes of compounds in the essential oil may justify the traditional use of the plant in treating pains, fever, inflammatory conditions, antioxidant activity and as an energy source.

EFFECTS OF VERMICOMPOST ON GROWTH, YIELD COMPONENTS AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF MAIZE UNDER DROUGHT CONDITION

2026-09-30T08:41:11+00:00

Maize is one of the world most recognized annual plants with huge utilizations. However, irregular rainfall leading to drought condition of soil from which plants find all the nutrients required for optimum productivity has been one of the greatest unseen threats maize farmers can ever have. As a results, this study was carried out purposefully to evaluate the effects of vermicompost on morphological, yield and physiological components of maize under drought condition. Treatments include first control, which represented normal watering regime without alleviation; second control, which represented water-stressed plants without alleviation; vermicompost level at 75 g (15 t/ha) per 10 kg of soil; and vermicompost level at 125 g (25 t/ha) per 10 kg of soil. To achieve this objective, SAMMAZ 52 maize variety were locally sourced and the experiment was laid out in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with four replications for each of the treatment. Also, laboratory analysis was done for both physical and chemical property of the vermicompost as well as soil used prior to the experiment and data were collected on growth parameters, yield components and nutrient content under drought condition. The results showed that vermicompost at 25 t ha⁻¹ generally improved maize growth under water deficit. Plant height under the 25 t ha⁻¹ treatment increased from 65.39 cm before drought to 118.62 cm at mild drought and 120.80 cm at severe drought, while stem girth increased from 4.84 to 5.50 and 5.88 cm, respectively. Under water deficit, the 25 t ha⁻¹ treatment
also recorded the highest cob weight (79.50 g) and stover weight (230.80 g) among the droughtstressed treatments. Grain number and grain weight were 80.00 and 8.48 g, respectively, under 25 t ha⁻¹ compared with only 2.00 grains and 0.23 g in the water-stressed control without vermicompost. Nutrient concentrations were generally reduced under severe drought, particularly in plants without vermicompost, while vermicompost application moderated these reductions for several nutrients. The study demonstrates that vermicompost, particularly at 25 t ha⁻¹, can improve maize growth and selected yield components under water deficit conditions. Application of 25 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost is therefore recommended as a soil amendment for improving the performance of maize subjected to
drought stress, subject to economic and field-scale validation.

THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN IN REDUCING POST HARVEST LOSSES IN CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN ATISBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE.

2026-10-07T13:53:27+00:00

The study assessed the role of agricultural value chains in reducing post-harvest losses among cassava farmers with specific objectives as to identify the causes of post-harvest losses, examine the role of value chain in reducing post-harvest losses and identify constraints encountered by the farmers in preventing post harvest losses in cassava production. Multi- stage sampling procedure was employed for the selection of one hundred and twenty respondents. Data for the study was collected using structured questionnaire. Frequency, percentages, and means were used to analyze the data. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and factor analysis was used to measure the constraints encountered by the farmers in preventing postharvest loses, the constraints are grouped
into factors such as factors 1: (Financial and extension factor). This has the following loading variables inadequate finance to attend training on value chain addition (0.757), lack of knowledge on the value chain addition (0.706), poor extension support (0.677) while shortage of packaging materials (0.643) and pest and diseases (0.613). Cassava farmers encountered constraint of finance to attend training on value chain and this might be due to the high fees of attending training and low income from farming. Factor 2: (Harvesting and distance factor); the loading variables under factor 2 (Harvesting and distance factor) include Poor harvesting technique (0.882) and Distance to market (0.835). Poor harvesting technique was another constraint affecting farmers in reducing post-harvest
losses. It recommends that farmers adopt timely harvesting, improved storage, and collective marketing strategies to minimize losses and maximize profitability.