FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

This study evaluated the effect of aqueous neem (Azadirachta indica) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts on Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) infestation in maize (Zea mays) at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Science, University of Benin. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprising four treatments: neem extract, garlic extract, neem + garlic extract, and a control, each replicated three times. Data were collected weekly on infestation incidence, larval abundance, and damage severity using the Davis and Williams (1992) visual rating scale. Results showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) among treatments across all sampling periods. However, slight numerical reductions in infestation and damage were observed in the neem and garlic treatments compared to the control. The limited effectiveness recorded may be attributed to environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and sunlight, which reduced the persistence of the extracts, as well as the
use of aqueous formulations that typically degrade quickly under field conditions. The combination of neem and garlic did not produce any synergistic effect. The study concludes that although neem and garlic extracts offer mild suppressive activity against Fall Armyworm, they are insufficient as stand-alone control options under field conditions. Their use is therefore recommended as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy alongside cultural and biological control methods for more effective and sustainable Fall Armyworm management in maize production

The increasing global demand for plant-based dairy alternatives has stimulated
research into non-dairy cheese analogues derived from underutilized crops. This
study evaluated the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of mozzarella and cheddar-type cheeses produced from tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) milk using three coagulants: vinegar, lemon extract, and tamarind extract. A 3x 2 factorial design resulting in six (6) treatment combinations was adopted. The treatments included mozzarella and cheddar cheeses coagulated with vinegar, lemon, and tamarind extract respectively. Proximate composition, mineral composition, pH, and sensory properties were determined using standard analytical procedures. The pH values ranged from 4.870 to 5.985, with cheddar cheeses generally exhibiting higher pH values than mozzarella cheeses. Moisture content ranged from 73.10% to 77.53%, while crude protein varied from 1.875% to 2.450%. Ether extract ranged from 3.395% to 4.165%, and ash content ranged from 0.465% to 1.105%. Mineral analysis revealed calcium values between 231.5 and 311.3 mg/kg, magnesium values between 115.5 and 244.2 mg/kg, and phosphorus values between 556.1 and 1254.9 mg/kg. Sensory evaluation showed that
mozzarella cheese coagulated with tamarind extract recorded the highest overall
acceptability score (3.722), while cheddar cheese coagulated with lemon extract
recorded the lowest score (2.944). The findings demonstrated that tiger nut milk can be successfully utilized in the production of acceptable vegan cheese analogues with desirable nutritional and sensory qualities. Tamarind extract proved to be the most effective coagulant in improving both nutritional composition and consumer acceptability.

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of weaner rabbits fed diets containing Guinea Grass Leaf Meal (GGLM) as a replacement for soybean meal. The experiment aimed to determine the effects of substituting soybean meal with varying levels of GGLM on growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, and protein utilization in weaner rabbits. A total of twenty (20) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds, aged between 6–8 weeks and averaging 820 g in weight, were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% GGLM, respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice with two rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet 1 (0%) served as the control with soybean meal as the primary protein source, while soybean meal was progressively replaced with GGLM at 10%, 20%, and 30% in diets 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Data were collected on average initial and final live weight, weekly feed intake, weekly weight gain, weekly protein intake, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. The results indicated that the inclusion of GGLM had significant (p<0.05) effects on the performance parameters of the weaner rabbits. Average final live weight decreased slightly with increasing inclusion of GGLM, ranging from 1628.40 g in the control to 1528.80 g at 30% inclusion, while weekly feed intake and weekly weight gain followed a
similar trend, decreasing as GGLM levels increased. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved at moderate inclusion (20%), indicating better feed utilization at that level, while the protein efficiency ratio (PER) was highest at 20% inclusion, suggesting that
rabbits efficiently utilized dietary protein at moderate levels of GGLM replacement. However, at 30% inclusion, performance declined, possibly due to increased fiber content and reduced digestibility of the diet.

Dioscorea alata L. and Dioscorea rotundata Poir remain the most widely cultivated yam
species in the tropics, where yam is a major food and income crop. However, the
availability of clean, affordable, and disease-free seed yam is still a major constraint to
production. This study evaluated the growth performance and seed tuber yield of
minitubers generated from vine cuttings and yam minisetts across several yam cultivars. For the minituber experiment, improved cultivarsAkuabata, Vayam, Asiedu, Favourite and Super were used, while the minisett trial included Abakaliki 1, Abakaliki 2, Benin Local, Igiowa 1 and Igiowa 2. Both experiments were arranged using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Vine cuttings taken from the minituber plants were also used to examine the influence of four locally available potting media (sawdust, rice hull, grass, and corn cob) on the establishment and yield of minitubers under semi-autotrophic hydroponic conditions, using a Completely
Randomized Design (CRD). Seed yam yield per plant ranged from 267 g in Super to 467g in Asiedu in the minituber experiment, while minisett yield ranged from 200 g in
Abakaliki 1 to 717 g in Igiowa 1. Multiplication ratios were substantially higher in the
minituber system (1:46–1:75) compared to the minisett method (1:1.3–1:3.8). In the vine- cutting experiment, sawdust produced the highest survival rate (68%), followed by rice hull, grass, and corn cob. Overall, the study demonstrates that minitubers produced from vine cuttings represent a promising and efficient approach for generating high-quality seed yam in Dioscorea spp. Furthermore, readily available potting materials455565T45R such as sawdust, rice hull, and grass can be effectively used in humidity chambers for minituber production.

This study investigated the shelf life and viability of Trichoderma harzianum formulated
with various carrier combinations to enhance its potential as a sustainable biocontrol
agent. Formulations were prepared using different ratios of corn cob and spent mushroom substrate (4:1 and 1:1) respectively, combined with clay and cassava starch. The viability of T. harzianum spores was monitored monthly over a five-month storage period under room temperature conditions (15–35 °C) by determining colony-forming units (CFU/g) on potato dextrose agar. The experiment was subjected to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and data was analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level. Results revealed that the media type had a highly significant effect (p < 0.001) on spore viability across all months, while concentration and substrate × concentration were non-significant. The formulation containing a 1:1 mixture of corn cob and spent mushroom substrate supplemented with clay and cassava starch consistently produced the highest CFU/g values throughout the storage period, indicating superior shelf stability. Conversely, formulations with higher corn cob ratios (4:1) showed reduced viability. Overall, the inclusion of starch improved moisture retention and nutrient availability, slowing the decline in spore viability over time. The study concludes that a balanced organic–inorganic matrix enriched with starch provides an optimal carrier system for maintaining the viability of T. harzianum during storage, thereby enhancing its suitability for large-scale biocontrol applications.

The catfish industry in Nigeria faces significant challenges including high production cost, low productivity, and limited profitability. Despite its potential, the industry has not fully explored the use of concrete pond for catfish production which could improve efficiency and reduce costs. This study investigated the socio-economic characteristics, profitability, and technical and allocative efficiency of concrete pond catfish production in the Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, and identified key constraints faced by farmers. Data were collected from 113 concrete pond catfish farmers and analyzed using descriptive statistics, net profit analysis, and the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) model. Socio-economic analysis revealed the enterprise is dominated by economically active males (62.83%) with a mean age of 44 years. A significant majority of farmers (69.91%) possess tertiary education, and 74.34% engage in full-time catfish farming. The cost and return analysis confirmed that concrete pond catfish production is highly profitable, yielding an average net profit of ₦599,386.39 and a strong Return on Investment (ROI) of 2.49 per production cycle, demonstrating high financial viability. The technical and allocative efficiency analysis showed that 95.28% of farmers operated at >90% efficiency, with a mean technical efficiency of 94.46%. However, the overall Returns to Scale (RTS) was -7.4534, indicating that the enterprise operates in an economically irrational region (Stage III) of production due to significant resource overuse. Technical efficiency was positively and significantly influenced by stock density and quantity of fingerlings, but negatively by fuel usage. Allocative efficiency was positively affected by the cost of fuel, feed, and fingerlings, but negatively by labor costs and depreciated fixed costs. Inefficiency models showed that increased age and pond size decreased allocative inefficiency, while increased experience, household size, and income increased technical and/or allocative inefficiency. The major constraint identified was the high cost of feed (Mean = 3.98), followed by disease outbreaks and theft. The study concludes that while concrete pond catfish production is highly profitable, there is an urgent need to address resource overuse to move production into the rational efficiency stage. Recommendations include promoting optimal stocking density, investing in high-quality fingerlings, and providing targeted training to enhance feed and labor management, ultimately ensuring the long-term sustainability and profitability of the sector.

The study examined the contribution of small-scale poultry farming to poverty reduction in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. 120 small-scale poultry farmers were selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Primary data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistic, the Foster Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) poverty model and probit regression model. The socio-economic analysis revealed that more than half of the farmers (55.83%) were
male while about 44.17% were females. The mean age of the farmers was 48 years, while the majority were married and had secondary education. The average farming experience was 9 years. Majority (70%) of the farmers were married. The mean monthly income was ₦111,763.00. Results of the FGT poverty analysis showed a poverty depth index of 0.1305 and a poverty severity index of 0.0413. The result obtained from the probit regression showed that household size had a positive and significant influence on poverty status at a 1% level. Major constraints identified included high feed cost, inadequate capital, disease outbreaks,
poor electricity supply, and limited market access. The study concludes that small-scale poultry farming contributes significantly to poverty. It is recommended that government and stakeholders enhance farmers’ access to affordable feeds, credit facilities, veterinary services, and reliable market outlets to strengthen the sector’s poverty-reducing potential

This study explored the development, sensory qualities, and nutritional composition of indigenous smoked beef sausages made with Iru (fermented locust beans) and Evbharie (fermented melon) as natural flavoring agents. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of these local condiments on the sensory characteristics and proximate composition of beef sausage, serving as substitutes for common synthetic additives such as sugar and nitrite. Fresh beef (2.3 kg) was procured from New Benin Market, Benin City, Nigeria, and processed in the Food Science and Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. The meat was washed, minced, and divided into ten treatments with varying levels of Iru and Evbharie: T1 (1% Iru), T2 (2% Iru), T3 (3% Iru), T4 (1% Iru + 0.5% Evbharie), T5 (0.5% Iru + 1% Evbharie), T6 (1%Iru + 1% Evbharie), T7 (1% Evbharie), T8 (2% Evbharie), T9 (3% Evbharie), and T10 (control with sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, ginger, and thyme). Goat intestines served as casings, preserved in saline solution, and the sausages were smoked for about one hour to produce intermediate-moisture meat. A sensory evaluation was conducted with thirty semi-trained panelists using a five-point hedonic scale (5 = Excellent, 1 = Poor). Attributes assessed were appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, juiciness, and overall acceptability. Proximate composition was analyzed according to AOAC (2019) methods to determine moisture, protein, fat, ash, and crude fiber contents. Results showed that the inclusion of Iru and Evbharie affected the sensory properties of the smoked beef sausage. Samples containing both condiments were generally preferred, with Treatment 6 (1% Iru + 1% Evbharie) achieving the highest appearance (22 votes) and aroma (15 votes). The control (T10) scored best in flavor (26 votes), texture (25 votes), juiciness (27 votes), and overall acceptability (29 votes). Although traditional condiments produced unique flavor 11 and aroma profiles, consumers still showed familiarity-based preference for the conventional seasoning. Proximate analysis indicated that sausages containing Iru had slightly higher protein values due to its leguminous origin, while Evbharie contributed to higher fat and fiber content. Moisture levels were moderate, confirming the sausages as intermediate-moisture meat products with good storage potential. The exclusion of nitrite eliminated cured color formation but improved the natural safety profile of the sausage. In conclusion, the study established that Iru and Evbharie can be successfully used as indigenous seasonings in sausage production without significantly compromising nutritional or sensory quality. Among all treatments, T6 (1% Iru +1% Evbharie) offered the most balanced attributes. This research provides insight into the potential of local condiments as natural, health-conscious alternatives to chemical additives, supporting the development of culturally acceptable and nutritionally rich meat products. It further emphasizes the value of integrating indigenous food resources into Nigeria’s modern meat processing industry for
sustainable product innovation.

This study assessed the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the role performance of agricultural extension workers in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of extension workers in Edo state, Nigeria, ascertain effects of subsidy removal on the roles performed by extension workers, identify coping strategies for overcoming the fuel subsidy removal effects by extension workers in performing their roles and identify constraints to extensions role performance in the study area. A purposive selection of the entire population of extension workers from the three (3) agricultural zones in Edo State, Nigeria constituted the sample for this research. This gave a sample size of One hundred and four (104) respondents for the study. Collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results showed that majority of the respondents were male (55.8%). The average age of the respondents was approximately 46 years. The predominant staff category was Extension agent (47.1%). Marital status showed that a significant majority were married (78.8%). Educationally, most workers held a BSc/ HND (66.3%) . Regarding training, most workers participated in in-service training (65.4%) with a majority attending 6-8 trainings (51.0%). It was observed in the study that annual income varied, with the majority earning between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Naira (53.8%). Household size predominantly ranged from 3-4 members (49.0%). Most respondents had 6 to 10 years of working experience (39.4%). Respondents’ grade level showed a concentration in the 6-8 range (47.1%). In terms to examine the effects of fuel subsidy removal when compared to before the removal, knowledge transfer was still majorly performed (�ത3.33), networking performance dropped significantly ( �ത 3.06), technical advising dropped ( �ത 3.13), communication dropped ( �ത 3.00), program development decreased to �ത 3.11), capacity building dropped to ( �ത 3.18) , problem solving performance decreased to ( �ത 3.24), community liaison performance dropped to (�ത 3.14), needs assessment dropped to (�ത 3.17), monitoring and evaluation dropped to ( �ത 3.03), advocacy dropped to ( �ത 3.07). The most commonly adopted coping strategies were telecommuting and virtual meetings (82.7%). The most severe constraints were inadequate institutional support (�ത 3.76). The study concluded the reinstatement of fuel subsidy, investing in sustainable energy solutions, developing robust remote support system, engaging stakeholders including government agencies and private sector partners can restore the high performance levels of extension workers.

This study analyzed the profitability of cassava production in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The research specifically examined the socio– economic characteristics of cassava farmers, estimated production costs and returns, identified factors influencing profitability, and documented constraints faced by producers. A two – stage sampling technique was employed to select 100 cassava farmers from five major farming communities in the local government area. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, and multiple linear regression. Findings revealed that cassava production in the area is dominated by small – scale farmers with a mean age of 42 years, average farm size of 1.3 hectares, and relatively high educational attainment. Budgetary analysis showed the enterprise to be profitable with a gross margin of ₦107,929.46 and net profit of ₦67,054.70 per farmer per production cycle, yielding a net profit margin of 25.4%. Regression results identified farm size, yield and fertilizer cost as significant positive determinants of profitability