Market participation among farmers has long been on agricultural economist research agenda in both developed and developing nations. Farmers’ market participation is very vital for sustaining economic growth, food security and poverty alleviation. This study analyzed the factors influencing market participation among food crop farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was employed to select one hundred and eighty one (181) food crops farmers. Primary data were collected through the use of well-structured interview schedule and the data collected were subjected to descriptive and double hurdle analysis. Findings revealed that the mean age of respondents was 48 years while 82.9% of the respondents were males. Majority (81.2%) claimed to be married while 79.0% of them had formal education. The first hurdle analysis indicated that coefficients of farmer’s sex, years spent in school, household size and farmer’s distance from the farm to the market were statistically significant at 1%, 10%, 10% and 10% respectively. The result of the second hurdle showed that coefficients of farmer’s age, sex, farm size and distance from the farm to the market were statistically significant at 1%, 1%, 5% and 10% respectively. It is recommended that policy makers and old aged farmers that are married and highly experienced should encourage singles and youth to engage in farming activities. This will make them to have access to hectares of land and to become large scale farmers.

Some aspects of the life-history strategy of the clupeid, Pellonula leonensis in Qua Iboe estuary, Nigeria were investigated. Results obtained showed that length-weight relationship was approximately isometric (exponent, b = 3.010), estimated asymptotic total length, L∞ = 11.5 cm and growth coefficient, K = 1.5 yr-1; these parameters were used to derive the Von Bertalanffy’s length models; LT = 11.5 (I – e.1.5T), the coefficient total mortality, Z = 8.22 yr-1, natural mortality, M = 3.12 yr-1 and fishing mortality, F = 5.10 yr-1. The exploitation ratio (E = 0.62) indicated that this stock of P. leonensis was being overexploited at 12% above its optimum yield level. A protraction of the ongoing exploitation rate could endanger and lead to the collapse of the fishery. Breeding was year-round with minimum and maximum intensities in May and December respectively. Absolute fecundity was 2,286 – 4,509 eggs (Mean eggs = 3,133). The fish was recruited into the artisanal fishery at size 3.0 cm before attaining sexual maturity. This is an undesirable situation since there is a high risk of depleting the stock of potential spawners. The main life-history traits of P. leonensis (rapid growth, early sexual maturity, high fecundity, year-round breeding, small maximum body size, and high natural mortality) were typical of an -selected species. However, P. leonensis exhibited iteroparity rather than semelparity.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide most especially in Nigeria. To access the possibility of detecting a more sensitive biomarker for early detection of renal disease in HIV/AIDS patients. Patients who are willing were randomly sellected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Serum creatinine, Cystatin C and Urea were evaluated in two hundred newly diagnosed HIV seropositive patients, two hundred HIV/AIDS patients on therapy (CD4<250), two hundred HIV/AIDS on therapy (CD4>250) and one hundred and fifty apparently healthy HIV seronegative individuals as control using standard method. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software package.Correlation study was by Pearsons Correlation Coefficient. Results were expressed as mean + SEM. Student t-test was used to compare differences between means. Results shows a significant increase in the levels of creatinine, cystatin c and urea levels in newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients when compared with control groups p<0.05. There was no significant diference in other parameters in both groups p>0.05. There was a significant diference between the values of creatinine, cystatin c and urea recorded in HIV/AIDS patients with CD4 count of < 250 cells/µl when compared with control group p<0.05. There were no significant difference in other parameters recorded in both groups p>0.05. There was a significant diference between the values of creatinine,cystatin c and urea recorded in HIV/AIDS patients with CD4 count of > 250 cells/µl when compared with control group p<0.05. There were no significant difference in other parameters recorded both groups p>0.05. It could be concluded from this study that cystatin c could be used as a sensitive renal marker for early detection of renal disease in HIV/AIDS patients.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of strain and feed restriction on live weight and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Feed restriction is a management tool designed to reduce the amount of feed consumed by broilers to produce more meat without jeopardizing their health condition. The strains of broilers reared are Arbor Acre, Hubbard and Marshall. The four treatments are: A- full feeding (control), B-5th week feed restricted, C- 6th week feed restricted and D- 7th week feed restricted groups. After each feed restriction regime the birds were restored to full feeding until the termination of the experiment on the 56th day. Analyzed results showed that there was no significant (p>0.05) effect of strain on live weight, bled weight, dressed weight, eviscerated weight, breast weight, back weight, thigh, drumstick, wing weight, head, heart, liver, proventriculus, intestine weight, spleen, lung + trachea, vent and shank. Arbor Acre, Hubbard and Marshal strains of broiler recorded similar mean values regardless of the treatment imposed on them. Therefore, any of the strains of broiler chickens can be reared for meat production and revenue generation. In addition, there was significant (p<0.01) effect of feed restriction regimes on live weight of broiler chickens and carcass traits except back, thigh and wing muscle weights. The 5th week restricted birds recorded superior mean values than 6th and 7th week restricted birds in some of the traits measured. It is therefore suggested that feed restriction be carried out at younger age, say 5th week, for farmers to derive maximum benefits from the concept. Any other time during finisher stage may be counterproductive.

Investigation on species composition and abundance of zooplankton in Abak River, southeastern Nigeria was carried out for 12 months using filtration method. The result revealed that there were 5 taxonomic groups of zooplankton (namely: Cladocera, Copepoda, Nematoda, Polychaeta and Rotifera), comprising 81 cells/l, 13 species and 12 genera. The most abundant species was Polychaete larvae with 24 cells/l (29.63%) whereas Alonella dadyi, Alona rectangula and Temora longicornis recorded the least (1 cell/l; 1.23%). In terms of number of species, the most abundant zooplankton was the group Cladocera with 7 species (53.86 %) whereas the least were Nematoda and Polychaeta with only one species (7.69%); represented in the following descending order: Cladocera > Rotifera and Copepoda > Polychaeta and Nematoda. However, in terms of number of cells per litre, Cladocera also had the highest number of cells (29 cells/l; 35.81%) while the lowest number was observed in Copepoda with 3 cells/l (3.70%); group contributions in descending order were as follow: Cladocera > Polychaeta > Rotifera > Nematoda > Copepoda. Low species composition and abundance of zooplankton observed in this study can be attributed to the anthropogenic perturbations on-going in and around the Abak River.

As a way of checkmating public health implication associated with processed fish products, the study was conducted to assess the bacterial load and diversity in the fillets of smoked Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus sold in major fish markets (Anua, Useh, Etuk, Itam and Akpan-Andem) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Determination of bacterial loads, species characterization and composition in fish fillets were done using standard microbiological procedures. Results from the study revealed the highest fungal counts of 9.0x104cfu/ml in samples from Itam market. Heterotrophic bacteria count ranged from 2.0x106 cfu/ml in Useh market samples to 2.5x106cfu/ml in samples from other study sites. A total of eleven bacterial and six fungal species were recovered. Salmonella enterica and Shigella sonnei accounted for the highest frequency of occurrence (100%) in all the study sites while Escherichia coli and Vibro cholera had 80% prevalence. Serratia liquenfaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus cereus recorded 40% occurrence while the least prevalence of 20% was recorded in Staphylococcus albus and Proteus mirabilis. The isolated fungal species were Penicillum expansum (60% prevalence), Aspergillus flavus, Mucor hiemalis, Rhizopus stolonifer and Geotriculun candidum (40%) while A. fumigates (20%). Bacterial flora recovered in this study composed of potential pathogenic organisms of public health interest. This calls for intensified monitoring efforts towards controlling fish food contamination in Uyo metropolis.

Effect of seed priming methods on germination of Indian Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana. LAM) In Northern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria was studied at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka-Kaduna Nursery. The treatments consisted of Boiled water (100ºC) for 10 minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes; diluted sulphuric acid (H2S04) soaking time for 10minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes; Seed scarification (sand papering and cracking) and control. Ten (10) seeds from each of the treatments were sown in germination box containing sterilized river bank sand and replicated three (3) Times. The experimental design adopted was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data from germination were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of probability. Results revealed that the seed of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) seeds scarified showed a significant germination percentage (95.20±7.34) than any other methods, followed by soaking in sulphuric acid (H2S04) for 20minutes (77.60±7.34) then, soaking in hot water for 20 minutes which gave (47.67±14.68). However, the seeds in the control were significant (P>0.05) lower in germination percentage (3.20±7.34) than any other methods applied. Therefore, it is concluded that for effective, sustainable and fast multiplication of germination of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) seeds in the tree nursery scarification methods should be adopted.

This study examines the effect of macroeconomics variables on agricultural development in Nigeria between 1981-2016. To achieve the research objective Secondary data obtained from the Central Bank Statistical bulletin, and Food and Agricultural Organization were used for the study. Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root test and co-integration test were employed to analyse the data collected. The ADF test conducted on the variables showed that while government expenditure on agriculture was stationary at level, agricultural GDP, credit to agricultural sector, external debt, crude oil price, exchange rate, and interest rate were however stationary at first difference. The Engel Granger test makes fewer distribution assumptions and does not allow the identification of the number of co-integration vectors. The result of the error correlation model showed that in the long run, CAS (Credit to the Agricultural Sector) and Ex. Rate (Exchange Rate) exerted significant positive influence on agricultural development while Ex. Debt (External Debt), COP (Crude Oil Price), Gov. Exp (Government Expenditure on Agriculture) and IR (Interest Rate) failed to significantly explain the variation in agricultural development in Nigeria during the period under investigation. This can be due to inappropriate priority settings to profligate living instead of food production through to the masses by the government, implying that the government has been indulging in deficit financing over the years resulting in an increase in the rate of inflation. This again will lead to an increase in input prices, thereby affecting the output of the agricultural sector. It is therefore concluded that Credit to the Agricultural Sector (i.e. proper funding) and Exchange Rate are indispensable for sustained agricultural development in Nigeria.