Journal of Agricultural Science and Environment

EFFECTS OF STORAGE CONDITIONS AND SEED SCARIFICATION ON SEED GERMINABILITY OF FIVE MULTIPURPOSE TREE SEEDS

A. O. JOLAOSHO — 2025-05-13

The study was conducted at University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 6750 seeds of five pasture legume species each, were stored under five storage conditions: refrigerator: deep freezer; wooden box with silica gel; earthen pot and unstored for 9 months. Seeds were sampled at of 30 days interval. They were scarified with concentrated sulphuric acid, sand paper, hot water at 60oC for 10 minutes, hot water at 100oC for less than one minute and the unscarified (control). After scarification, 10 (ten) seeds of each legume species under different storage conditions were placed on moistened cotton wool in petri dishes under laboratory condition for germination. The experiment was 5x5x9 factorial arrangement (legume species. storage conditions and storage periods) replicated three times. The data collected at monthly interval were subjected to General Linear Model of Minitab (1999). The results of this experiment showed that the highest germination was recorded in seeds stored in earthen pot (74.91%) followed by seeds stored in deep freezer (48.47%). The unstored seeds had the least germination (10.74%). With the earthen pot, germination was highest from Albizia saman (AS) seeds (87.63%), when Enterolobium cyclocarpum (EC) seeds had 84.49% with Telphro sia bracteolata (TB) having the least germination of 17.26%. Also, the highest germination was in hot water treatment at 600C (41.48%) which was closely followed by seeds treated with sand paper (40.74%) while untreated seeds (control) had the least germination percentage. In conclusion, forage legume seeds are better stored in cool environment with the earthen pot creating a cool and natural environment with no fluctuation in electricity. Using hot water at 600C and mechanical scarification with sandpaper having similar percentage germination of seeds. Storing seeds for six to seven months had the highest germinations of seeds.

GUIDE TO AUTHORS

E. A. Makinde — 2025-05-13

ANALYSIS OF RABBIT PRODUCTION PRACTICES BY FARMERS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

O. Y., AYO-AJASA — 2025-05-13

Rabbit production is a socio-economic activity that could lead to improved income and living standard of Nigerians. This study was conducted to determine the analysis of rabbit production practices by rabbit farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of ninety-one (91) respondents were sampled with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. Data obtained were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, 2020). The highest number of respondents were within 31- 40 years age bracket (39.56%); about 52.70% were Christians while 84.60% had formal education up to tertiary level, with 64.83% having Bachelors degree. There were no significant associations between sex (χ² = 49.48, df = 1), religion (χ² = 151.1, df = 2), educational status (χ² = 88.50, df = 4), academic qualification (χ² = 334.4, df = 4), ethnicity (χ² = 122.56, df = 2), marital status (χ² = 57.51, df = 3) and production level. There was a positive relationship between respondent’s years of experience in rabbit farming and level of production. Rapid growth rate (P=0.013) significantly influenced production level. The study concluded that the level of rabbit production in Ogun state is still low and poor access to credit and poor public acceptability towards rabbit farming constitutes the major constraints to rabbit production in the state.

TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF CATFISH FARMING IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

A. M. ABBAS — 2025-05-13

Catfish farming is a popular agricultural business in Nigeria because of its short production cycle and a quick return on investment. The objectives of the study were to determine the economics and technical viability of catfish farming in Ondo State, Nigeria. Purposive and simple random sampling methods were used to select 171 catfish farmers from five local government areas of the state, using structured questionnaires. Analytical techniques used were stochastic frontier production model, the net farm income analysis, and descriptive statistics. Nearly 70% of the catfish farmers were in the productive and active range of 20 – 49 years and roughly 67.25% of them had post-secondary education. The profitability analysis indicated that a kilogramme of food-size catfish was sold for ₦938.96, while the total production cost was ₦952.30, leading to a loss of ₦13.34 per kg of food-size catfish. Estimates of the maximum likelihood of the stochastic frontier production model showed that variables such as pond size (t = 2.809), fish seeds (t = 14.065), feed (t = 9.548), and labour (t = 8.915) were significant and had a direct relationship with the amount of catfish output. Mean technical efficiency level was 0.88, while the value of returns to scale was 1.65, indicating increasing returns to scale. The study concluded that the efficiency level among catfish farmers was high and that catfish farming or production in the study area was not profitable due to the high cost of catfish feed. It is recommended to use supplementary feed, such as maggots, to reduce the astronomical cost of feeding catfish.

FISH SPECIES COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION IN FISHING COMMUNITIES ALONG OGUN RIVER BASIN, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

O. M. ADEOSUN — 2025-05-13

The rate of overexploitation, pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and disease outbreaks in inland waters pose significant threats to biodiversity, underscoring the need for comprehensive research on freshwater ecosystems. Monitoring the diversity, abundance and richness of species in these ecosystems is crucial for assessing their status and stability. This research aimed to develop a comprehensive catalogue of fish species in Ogun River, facilitating ongoing monitoring of endangered or extinct species. The catalogue will provide a vital baseline for conservation and management efforts, promoting the long-term sustainability of the river's ecosystem. This study was carried out along Ogun River basin, for nine months from December 2019 to August 2020, in five fishing communities (Oyan, Alamutu, Lafenwa, Oriyanrin, Akomoje) based on their level of fishing activity. Data were collected through experimental field record of fish species across five landing sites with each site sampled on monthly basis with minimum of three canoes assessed in each location for their catches. The catches were sorted and identified into species using standard fish identification keys. Results revealed that, Twenty eight (28) fish species from 16 families were found in Ogun River, with family Cichlidae accounting for the highest proportion (32.1%), followed by the families Mormyridae (10.7%), Alestidae (7.1%), and Anabantidae (7.1%). Of the 28 fish species, only eight (28.6%) were evenly distributed across all locations. An examination of the fisheries value chain in Ogun River revealed that despite the critical roles played by various stakeholders, their participation in the formulation and implementation of policies guiding fisheries activities was remarkably low. This is particularly disturbing given the actors' intimate familiarity with the river's ecosystem. The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for sustainable management practices to conserve the fisheries resources of Ogun River. Gear restriction, closed season/area, number of fishermen per trip, diversification of fishers into aquaculture and non-fisheries activities were strongly recommended to conserve the fisheries resources of the River.