Agriculture Journal: Volume-11, Issue-2, February, 2025

Abstract-
Background/Objective: Development of biscuits from soybeans, and corn flour blends supplemented with date palm pulp and their chemical evaluation was necessitated by consumers demand for varied nutrient-dense foods, and informed food choices.
Methodology: The experimental study used standard methods to process flour from soybeans and corn; and pulp from date palm. The flour was formulated into three blends supplemented with the pulp in the ratios of 50:30:20, 40:40:20, 30:50:20. These were made into biscuits and evaluated for chemical compositions with standard procedures. IBM Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS) software version 21 was used to analyze data and presented as mean +/-SD. The means were compared with Analysis of variance and separated with Duncan multiple test range.
Result: The proximate composition ranged from 7.37% to 8.66% moisture, 8.74% to 12.05% crude protein, 18.96% to 20.23% fat, 1.16% to 19.4% fiber, 1.24% to 1.93% ash, 57.81% to 60.27% carbohydrates, and 450.74Kcal to 458.09Kcal energy. The vitamin contents ranged from 12.58µg to 14.871µg beta-carotene, 0.56mg to 0.92mg thiamin, 25.52mg to 26.09mg riboflavin, 0.78mg to 1.38mg niacin, 0.27µg/g to 0.84µg/g folate, 15.67mg to 0.84mg Vitamin C. The mineral composition range was 34.74mg to 45.66mg calcium, 15.82mg to 23.47mg magnesium, 19.77mg to 37.62mg sodium, 54.75mg to 65.34mg potassium, 0.57mg to 0.91mg iron, 0.48mg to 0.65mg zinc. The phytochemical content range was 0.26mg to 0.68mg tannin, 0.35mg to 0.92mg flavonoids, 0.16mg to 0.39mg saponin, 0.23mg to 0.78mg phytate, 0.12mg to 0.45mg oxalate, and 0.11mg to 0.66mg phenols.
Conclusion: The biscuits have varied nutrients, fiber, and phytochemical content and will improve food intake.
Keywords— Chemical Composition; Biscuits; Soybeans; Corn; Date Palm Pulp.

Abstract-
Objective: This study examined the determinants of Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) in agricultural households in Nigeria.
Methodology: Secondary data was sourced from General Household survey Dataset, wave 1-4. A two-stage sampling design was used to select 3,600 households from 360 enumeration areas based on the 2006 Population Census frame. A High-Dimensional Fixed Effects (HDFE) regression model and Multivariate Probit model was used to analyze and present the data collected.
Results: The model was highly significant (F-statistic: 223.73, p < 0.000), with an R-squared of 0.3057, indicating that 31% of the variance in HDDS was explained. The within R-squared (0.2353) showed that 23.5% of the variation in HDDS within geographical zones was explained by the independent variables. Key findings revealed that lagged HDDS (coefficient: 0.2304, p < 0.000), net income (p < 0.05), education (p < 0.01), and access to extension services (p < 0.01) had significant positive effects on dietary diversity. In contrast, household size had a weak negative effect, and household head age was not significant. Water source during the dry season significantly reduced HDDS (p < 0.01), highlighting the importance of water access. Sanitation facilities positively impacted HDDS (p < 0.05), while rural households showed marginally higher dietary diversity.
Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of income, education, water access, and community services in enhancing food security and dietary diversity among agricultural households in Nigeria.
Keywords— Dietary diversity, Agriculture, Income, Education, Food safety.

Abstract- Vegetables generally have significant importance with respect to their food value in terms of nutrition as they contain both essential vitamins and minerals. Bell pepper (Capsicum frutescence L.) is an economically important vegetable crop with the potential to increase farmers' incomes in open fields and greenhouses in Oman. Bell pepper is popular as Capsicum among customers and farmers in Arabian Peninsula countries, including Oman, with fairly moderate retail prices compared to other vegetables. Hence, a survey study investigated the technical efficiency of Capsicum-growing farms in the Sultanate of Oman. The research investigated the technical efficiency of Capsicum-growing farms of different governorates of Oman. A sample of 52 Capsicum-growing farms was selected using the multistage sampling method; the interview schedules with the farmers were conducted for data collection from January 2016 to December 2017. The data collected were subjected to the maximum likelihood method and the Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production model. The output of Frontier 4.1 was found to be a good fit after performing various software econometrics. Our study revealed that the mean technical efficiency for Bell pepper-growing farms in Oman was estimated to be 87%, ranging from 50% to 99%. This indicated a considerable scope of increasing capsicum yield by 13% with altering levels of inputs employed by the farmers. Further, it was observed that among the inefficiency factors, farmers' age and experience contributed significantly to the technical efficiency of the farms. Bell pepper-growing farms had enormous scope to improve their efficiency and increase productivity by following regular extension programs involving the farmers.
Keywords— Technical efficiency, maximum likelihood method, stochastic frontier production, Frontier 4.1, Capsicum, Bell pepper.

Abstract- Frog farming represents an alternative animal production system with significant economic potential, especially in Brazil, recognized as one of the largest global producers of captive-bred frogs. However, inadequate management and environmental stressors may lead to outbreaks of infectious diseases, including those caused by herpesviruses (RaHV-1), posing severe health risks to animals and threatening production viability. This study aimed to detect the presence of herpesvirus in amphibians from commercial, experimental, and recreational facilities in São Paulo State, Brazil. Skin fragments and internal organs from 49 amphibians were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy and histopathological techniques. Findings revealed that 23 animals were positive for RaHV-1, showing pleomorphic viral particles, some enveloped, with diameters between 120 and 200 nm in both skin and organ fragments. Histopathological examinations also revealed intranuclear structures in various organs suggestive of RaHV-1. These findings indicate the circulation of RaHV-1 in Brazilian frog farms, highlighting the importance of further studies to better understand disease pathology and mitigate its impact on production.
Keywords— Herpesvirus Infection (RaHV-1)., Amphibians, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Histology.

Abstract- This study investigated the effects of methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina on the haematological and lipid profiles of rabbit does. A total of 24 rabbit does, aged 8–12 months, were randomly allocated to four treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4) in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with six does per group. T1 served as the control and received no extract, while T2, T3, and T4 were administered 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively, over a four-week period. Blood samples were collected at three time points: prior to extract administration, midway through the experiment, and at the end of the study. Haematological parameters were evaluated, and sera were analyzed for lipid profile components using standard laboratory procedures. The results revealed that Vernonia amygdalina extract exhibited dose-dependent immunostimulatory effects, maintained red blood cell indices, and significantly improved lipid profile parameters. Specifically, the extract reduced levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). These changes occurred without adverse physiological effects on the experimental rabbit does. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of Vernonia amygdalina demonstrated potential as a natural immunostimulant and lipid-modulating agent, suggesting its application in enhancing the health and productivity of livestock.
Keywords— Haematology, Methanolic extract, Rabbit does, Lipid profile, Vernonia amygdalina.

Abstract- Most of N fertilizer have low efficiency in paddy field due to it is easily lost through evaporation and runoff. Slow-release N fertilizer based on zeolite is potential N fertilizer in paddy field to to improve the efficiency of N fertilizer. Slow release N fertilizer based on zeolite is also potential to improve the growth and production of rice. This study aimed to determine the effect of slow-release fertilizer on the growth and production of rice plants on inceptisols and knowing the best dosage for rice plants in the inceptisols. This study used a Completely Randomized Block Design (RAKL) with 2 treatment factors and 3 replications. The first factor is the application of N fertilizers, namely original N fertilizer, 1% coating slow-release N fertilizer, and 3% coating slow-release N fertilizer. The second factor is the dose of N fertilizer namely 0 kg/ha (N0), 100 kg/ha (N1), and 200 kg/ha (N2). The research variables are leaf area, leaf area index, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, the greenness of leaves, density and width of stomatal openings, plant dry weight, net assimilation rate, plant growth rate, relative growth rate, nitrogen uptake, panicle length, number of grains per malai, moisture content of the harvested grain, grain weight of 1000 seeds, the weight of grain in clumps, grain weight per hectare, and agronomic efficiency. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and if it is significantly different, then further tested using DMRT at a 5% level. The results showed that slow-release N fertilizer improves plant growth and production components better than original N fertilizer. Provision of slow release zeolite-based fertilizers coating 3% with a dose of N 200 kg/ha gives the best results for plant growth and production.
Keywords— Rice, Nitrogen, zeolite, slow release.

Abstract- Optimal nutrition directly impacts the efficiency and growth performance of broilers, which are critical factors determining the profitability and sustainability of broiler production. Despite the widespread use of both commercial and reconstituted concentrate-based feeds, there has been limited empirical data directly comparing the impact of these feeds under controlled conditions. This lack of comprehensive, comparative studies creates uncertainty for farmers in making informed decisions about the more cost-effective and productive feed to use. This study compared the growth performance of 120 broiler chicks fed a commercial feed formula and a feed constituted with industry-ready-made concentrates. The chicks were randomly assigned to two dietary experimental groups (T1 – Commercial feed; T2 – feed formulated with ready-made concentrate from the feed industry) and fed for eight weeks. The results of the experiment were analyzed using a two-tailed t-test. The findings of the study revealed that although the average feed intake, feed conversion rate, and weight gain of the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05), broilers fed with reconstituted concentrate-based feed showed significant weight gain in the 6th (p = 0.002), 7th (p = 0.019), and 8th (p = 0.002) weeks of the experiment. The results of the findings showed that the use of reconstituted concentrate-based feed allows for better growth performance in broilers. Thus, the use of reconstituted concentrate-based feed by farmers is recommended.
Keywords— Commercial feed, Reconstituted concentrate-based feed, Broiler, Growth performance.

Abstract- Ice cream is a frozen dessert that consists of ice crystals, air cells, fat globules, and liquid syrup. Stabilizers are added to reduce meltdown, increase viscosity, and add smoothness to the ice cream. Gelatin is an important stabilizer used in ice cream manufacture, which is produced from animal origin. Thus, consumers of lacto-vegetarian are highly affected. This study was conducted to find out the most suitable grams of leaf gel from the Cyclea peltata plant to produce a gelatin substitute and investigate the physico-chemical properties and storage of ice cream incorporated with Cyclea peltata leaf gel with 8.0 g (T1), 9.6 g (T2), 11.2 g (T3), 12.8 g (T4), and 14.4 g (T5) and a control sample with 8 g of gelatin. The results of this study revealed that the pH and melting rate were significantly decreased with the increasing of leaf gel content in ice cream. Titratable acidity, overrun, and fat were increased significantly. According to the study, it could be concluded that the 11.2 gL⁻¹ of Cyclea peltata leaf gel can be used as a substitute for gelatin used in ice cream manufacture.
Keywords— Ice cream, Stabilizer, Gelatin, leaf gel.

Abstract- Custard apple (Annona squamosal L.) belong to family Annonaceae is one of the finest fruits gifted to India by tropical America. The crop is badly infected with leaf and fruit spot disease caused by C. gloeosporioides . Five systemic, five contact and five ready mixed fungicides were evaluated against C. gloeosporioides under in vitro by poison food technique. Among the systemic fungicides, carbendazim 50WP was recorded highest mean mycelial inhibition (88.50%) followed by tebuconazole 25EC (81.10%). Among the non-systemic fungicides, copper oxychloride 50WP found superior for mean mycelial inhibition (94.43%) of C. gloeosporioides followed by mancozeb 75WP (89.10 %). Carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% WP recorded maximum mean mycelial growth inhibition (95.89%) which was at par with tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG (94.43%) in ready mixed fungicides.
Keywords— Custard apple, leaf and fruit spot, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, fungicides.

Abstract- Pig production plays a major role in boosting the economy in most regions of the world by serving as a source of income and satisfying the growing demand for livestock and livestock products. However, the challenges affecting pig production are enormous, such as gastrointestinal parasitism in the form of protozoan infection, which often is not diagnosed early until damage is done, reducing economic gains and resulting in losses. A cross-sectional study of six small-scale pig farms in Umuahia South LGA, with the objective of determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal protozoans of the pigs was undertaken. A total of 116 pigs were randomly selected comprising of 29 pigs categorized as young less than 6 months and 87 pigs as adult aged above 6 months, 50 male and 66 female, 96 pigs raised intensively and 20 pigs reared under extensive management was sampled from July to September for protozoan infection. Faecal samples were obtained from pigs of various ages, sexes, and those raised under intensive and extensive farm systems and analyzed in the laboratory using standard techniques. The results of the frequency of protozoan infection were calculated and presented as percentages. Four different types of protozoans were found to infect pigs in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, namely: Cryptosporidium spp. (33.6%), Balantidium spp. (34.5%), Entamoeba spp. (14.7%) and Giardia spp. (42.2%). The occurrence of the various protozoan parasites was higher in females, adult and intensively reared pigs when compared with males, young and extensively reared pigs. These protozoan parasites are capable of causing considerable loss in pig production and can cause infection in humans. Therefore, farmers in the study area should be sensitized on the herd health programmes and practice good hygienic measures to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal protozoa in pig herds.
Keywords— Abia State, Gastrointestinal, Pig, Protozoa, Umuahia South, Zoonotic.

Abstract- The leucism research study carried out in the Western part of Thar Desert in the Barmer district and this research is completely based on the observation and interview of the local people for Leucism in Albino Gazella bennettii (Indian Gazelle) locally called Chinkara. The Gazella bennettii (Indian Gazelle) is considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In this Paper we describe the occurrence of leucism in Albino Indian Gazelle in Barmer first time. at Siyago ka tala, VP Kheda, Dhanau village of the Barmer district. General eco-behavior of this animal is noted which are similar to the normal Indian Gazelle.
Keywords— Albino, Chinkara, Gazella bennettii, leucism.

Abstract- Poultry production is an essential sector in global agriculture, contributing significantly to food security by providing affordable animal protein. However, the prevalence of infectious diseases caused by various pathogens presents substantial economic losses and public health risks. This study dealt with isolation and characterization of common pathogens in poultry flocks within Ifite-Ogwari, Ayamelum local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Primary objectives include isolating pathogens from fecal samples of birds raised in the area, characterizing the pathogens and determination of antibiotics resistance profiles of the pathogens using standard biochemical techniques, and assessing their prevalence and distribution across the area. Key bacterial pathogens identified include Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Most of these pathogens from different farms were resistant to various antibiotics indicating subnormal cum improper applications by farmers. The study therefore underscores the urgent need for the government to detail Extension Agents to Ifite-Ogwari in order to educate the poultry farmers on proper use of antibiotics. Again, since most of these isolates are zoonotic, caution should be applied in consumption of animal products from Ifite-Ogwari. The use of alternative bio security measures such as herbs are recommended in order to mitigate the imminent danger of using antibiotics.
Keywords— Pathogens, Ifite-Ogwari, Antibiotic Resistant, Zoonotics, Bacterial Profile.

Abstract- A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season in 2023-2024 at the Research farm, Department of Agronomy, AKS University, Satna (M.P.), to evaluate the effect of phosphorus levels and varieties on growth, yield, and quality of pea (Pisum sativum L.). The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design comprising four phosphorus levels viz. 0kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, 20kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, 40kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹, 60kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ and three pea varieties viz. KN-5, Aman, KS-10, with treatments replicated thrice. Results revealed that different levels of phosphorus significantly affected the growth parameters as well as yield attributes and yield of pea. Application of 60kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ (P₃) recorded maximum plant height at 90 DAS (62.10cm), number of pods per plant (14.32), pod length (8.47cm), grain yield (47.65q ha⁻¹), stover yield (85.23q ha⁻¹), test weight (18.32g), and protein content (23.24%). However, phosphorus levels of 40kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ (P₂) showed slightly higher harvest index (32.10%). Among the varieties, Aman exhibited the best performance, recording maximum grain yield, protein content, and other yield attributes.
Keywords— Phosphorus levels, pea varieties, growth, yield, quality, Pisum sativum.

Abstract- India holds the sixth position globally in terms of organic agricultural area and ranks first in terms of the total number of producers in 2021 (FIBL & IFOAM Year Book 2023). The country has seen significant growth in organic cultivated area and production from 0.5 to 5.39 million hectare (Mha), and 1.3 million tones (MT) to 2.95 MT respectively, during 2012-13 to 2022-23. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan have the highest area and production share under organic farming in India. These three states have a combined share of over 60% of the total organic area and 70% of the total organic production in the country. Madhya Pradesh, in particular, has emerged as the leader in organic farming in India with the highest area (0.618 Mha) and production (1.26 MT) in 2021-22.
In the wake of the current scenario of organic export from the country to major export destinations, an effort has been made through this paper to provide an in-depth analysis of the export of organic agricultural produce from India, examining trends, growth, and instability in the area and production. By leveraging secondary data from various governmental sources like the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), the paper explores the potential of the organic sector to contribute to India's economic growth and agriculture sustainability, strengthening the nation's position as a key player in the global organic market. Time series data spanning the period 2012-2022 on area, production, and export of organic produce was utilized and the export of organic produce from India and major states was studied using CAGR, coefficients of variation (CV), and the Cuddy-Della Valle Index (CDVI) for instability.
Keywords— Organic, Export, Growth, Agri, Certification and CDVI.

Abstract- The primary aim of this study is to identify significant predictors affecting the deployment of upgraded seed in Udayapur, Nepal. With minimum prior study and insufficient information in the survey area, this research tries to fill the knowledge gap by investing socioeconomic, institutional, financial and technical factors affecting the adoption of improved seed. A sample size of 75 respondents were interviewed at farm level. Benefit Cost ratio, Binary Logistic regression and Scaling index techniques are employed for the research. The benefit-cost ratio (BC ratio) for improved seed adoption was found to be 1.37, which is higher than of local seed (1.10). The total area under cultivation (p = 0.010) and training status of farmers (p = 0.050) were significant factors affecting the adoption of improved seed. For every increase in one-unit, area (hectare) and trained farmer, the odds of planting improved seed increase by 15.1 % and 4.168% respectively. The untimely availability of improved seed (0.71), fragmented land holdings (0.65) and lack of technical knowledge (0.53) were top three ranked factors hindering the adoption of premium seeds. To further encourage the use of high graded seed, technical and financial assistance, timely supply of input, land consolidation, and cooperative’s roles become crucial. To streamline the future plans and programs for maize cultivation in the research area, an endeavor is made to study possible pathways for interventions.
Keywords— Adoption, Binary Logistic Regression, Improved seed, Scaling index.

Abstract- Developing countries' agriculture sectors were characterised by low productivity and low capital-intensive, dominated by smallholder agriculture exposed to imperfect markets. However, the study aims to examine rural labour market participation decisions in the Office du Niger region in the republic of Mali. This article analyses the behaviour of rural households using the agricultural household model by applying the multinomial logit model. The data used in this study were obtained through stratified random sampling. According to the sampling method, 400 rice farmers were studied, and the data was obtained through a household survey conducted from March to June 2020.
The results showed that the household head age, livestock value, dummy savings, distance from the financial institution to the village, and distance from the farm to the town lowered the probability of participating in the supply labour regime. However, the number of active women and the off-farm income increased the likelihood of household participation in the supply regime. The results showed that credit constraints negatively influenced the probability of the farm using hired labour in household production. However, off-farm income is essential in selecting the hiring labour regime. Furthermore, the other characteristics of households and farms were a critical factor in selecting labour regime participation.
Reducing credit constraints will increase hired labour use in agricultural production and increase production levels in the study area. To reduce credit constraints, policymakers should revise cadastral laws allowing farmers to use their land as collateral when applying for loans.
Keywords— Agricultural household, Imperfect market, Labour demand, Mali, Office du Niger, Smallholder.

Abstract- Pyrenomycetous fungi, the diverse group within the Ascomycota phylum, play a critical role in environmental ecology through their involvement in the decomposition of plastic, organic matter and nutrient cycling. These fungi inhabit a variety of ecological niches, including soil, leaf litter, and decaying wood, where they contribute significantly to the breakdown of complex organic compounds. This decomposition process releases essential nutrients back into the ecosystem, promoting soil fertility and supporting plant growth. Pyrenomycetous fungi exhibit a wide range of enzymatic capabilities, including cellulases, laccases, esterases and peroxidases, which enable them to degrade cellulose, lignin, plastic and other complex organic molecules. Their activity accelerates the conversion of organic matter into humus, enhancing soil structure and water retention. Additionally, these fungi form intricate relationships with other soil microorganisms, facilitating the formation of stable soil aggregates and promoting microbial diversity. The ecological importance of saprophytic pyrenomycetous fungi extends beyond nutrient cycling. They play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration by decomposing organic material and regulating carbon dioxide release from soils. Their presence influences the dynamics of soil organic carbon pools, contributing to the mitigation of climate change. Furthermore, these fungi are involved in the detoxification of soil pollutants, including heavy metals and xenobiotics, through various biochemical pathways. Research into the biodiversity and functional roles of saprophytic fungi are essential for understanding ecosystem processes and developing sustainable land management practices.
Keywords— Ecology, Environment, Organic Matter, Pyrenomycetous Fungi, Saprophyte.