FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

An insectarium was designed and constructed for the production of Black soldier fly larvae, to be used as resource for insect protein. The larvae of the Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucen) family was grown on three different substrates- poultry dung, kitchen waste and brewers dry grain. The venture made possible the conversion of wastes into a valuable biomass (BSFL) rich in protein and fat. Harvesting was performed after 30 days of setting up the insectarium. The yield obtained was appreciable. Among the three treatments, kitchen waste, BDG, Poultry droppings, kitchen waste gave the highest yield. The production system thus serves the dual purpose of providing a nutrient-rich resource as well as a source of waste transformation and reduction.

Nigeria as the world leader in cassava production, is yet to tap the full potential embedded in cassava. This study was conducted to determine the profitability analysis of processing cassava into fufu in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic
characteristics of cassava “fufu” processors in the study area, determine the profitability of processing cassava intofufu, ascertain the determinants of profit among respondents in the study area, and determine the constraints to cassava
“fufu”processing.
Simple random sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents from the
study area. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and interview
schedule. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and regression analysis.
Findings show that fufu processing is female dominated. The study indicated that fufu processing is profitable in the study area with an average gross margin of ₦48 786.74 per processor. The major determinants of profits were age of the respondents, packaging cost, starting capital, cost of cassava bought, price per unit sold and quantity sold per week. Fufu processing is faced with a major 10 constraints, such as inadequate capital (3.87), price fluctuation (4.37), cassava variety (3.40), and weather problem (4.07). The study recommends that the
processorspooltheirresourcestogethersotheycanjointlyboosttheirbusiness.

Shellfish is a fisheries and culinary term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates usedasfood (Ehigiator and Oterai, 2012) including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, andechinoderms. Despite the name, shellfish are not fish. Most shellfish are lowon the foodchainand eat a diet composed primarily of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Shellfishes comprisesofinvertebrate animals such as periwinkle, rock snail, oyster and crabs which possessesexoskeleton called shells which may be single or double over the body (Amadi, 2015).

One of the media through which Lassa fever spread or contracted in recent time is rats through Garri consumption. Garri is an household staple food in Nigeria that is consumed by all. There documenting the information needs of Garri consumers in a State like Edo in Nigeria will help in identifying the pattern of spread of this disease and how it could be curbed. Therefore, this study was conducted to assessed the safety practices information needs among Garri Consumers in Edo State, Nigeria. The study specifically described the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, identify the information sources available to the respondents and their preference for the sources, examined safety practices carried out by gari consumers, document safety practice information needs of gari consumers, and analysed constraints faced by gari consumers. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 150 r spondents in Edo state. However, 148 of them eventually formed the valid sample size for the study. Data were obtained through structured and validated questionnaire and interview schedule and analysed with frequency counts, percentages and Binary Logistic Regression Model and Pearson’s Product Moment Correction. Some of the results of the descriptive statistics showed that 37.2% of the respondents were within the age of 40-49, majority (73.6%) were married, most (46.6%) had a household size of less than 5, 34.5% acquired secondary education, and 36.5% had a monthly income between ₦60000 - ₦89000. Results further showed that almost all the viii consumers got their information friends and family (95.3%), while the most preferred source of information was from fellow consumers. The most imbibed safety practice by the consumers was to cover their gari properly to prevent contamination from rats, while the highest information need of the consumers was on orthodox or herbal treatments for lassa fever. In addition, it was observed that selected socioeconomic characteristics regressed on information needs, sex (wald =2.134), and age (wald =3.968), were statistically significant at p≤0.05 while household size (5.044) was statistically significant at p≤0.01, while a positive, medium correlation (r =0.519) was observed between the lassa fever safety practices and the information need of the consumers. It was concluded that respondents had high information needs for Lassa fever but the available information sources available to them may present unverified information which is not healthy to the society.

This study investigated the nutritional value and organoleptic assessment of bread fortified with
fish concentrate from commercially important fish species. Fish is a highly nutritious source of
protein and essential fatty acids, but its incorporation into staple foods like bread remains
underexplored. The research aimed to evaluate the impact of fish concentrate on the proximate
composition and sensory characteristics of bread. Bread samples were produced with varying
levels of fish concentrate (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) and analyzed for moisture, protein, fat, ash, fiber, and carbohydrate content. Organoleptic properties, including appearance, taste, texture, and aroma, were also assessed. The results showed that fortification with fish concentrate significantly enhanced protein, fat, and
ash content while reducing carbohydrate levels. Sample D (30% fish concentrate) had the highest
protein (20.18%) and fat (9.16%) content, whereas the control sample (0% fish concentrate)
exhibited the highest carbohydrate content (63.44%). Sensory evaluation indicated that moderate
fortification (10–20%) improved taste, aroma, and texture without negatively affecting consumer
acceptability. However, higher levels (30%) introduced stronger flavors that may not be well
received by all consumers.

Youths have the potential to overcome some of the major constraints to expanding fish farming in developing countries such as pond construction, disease management, hatchery management, genetic improvement, harvesting and processing because they are often more open to new ideas than adult farmers. In Nigeria, fish farming is still carried out using physical strength, which declines with age. However, empirical evidence on influence of youth involvement in fish farming on their standard of living is scarce. Therefore, involvement in fish farming and the standard of living of youths in Ughelli north local government, delta state, Nigeria were investigated. The result from the analyses shows that most of the fish farmers were male. The mean age of the farmers was 32 years. Majority(75%) of the respondent were married, majority(81.25%) of the respondent were members of association. Majority( 97.5%) of the respondent family size was 5 and below The mean monthly income from other sources is ₦75,195. Majority(52.5%) of the respondent has experience of between 5-9 years, with a mean years of experience of 8 years. Majority (68.75%) has 1-5 fish ponds with a mean number of fish pond of 6. The majority(46.3%) of the respondent live in a room and palour self-contain apartment. 23.8% owns the house they live in, while majority(76.2%) rented. Majority owns basic household facilities such as television, telephone, water closet, gas cooker and generator.

This study was carried out at Iguzama community to assess the capability for arablecropproduction. The methodology involved rigid grid soil identification and mapping at adetailedscale. The survey produced four ( 4 ) mapping units(site A : upper and lower slope, siteB: upperand lower slope) and each was represented by a pedon. The pedons were described appropriately.Samples were collected from each pedon and taken to the laboratory for analysis usingstandardprocedure. The results revealed that the entire study area had a sandy top soil ( 0-20cm) withsand fraction of particle size ranging from 660 gkg1 to 960 gkg1 , silt ranged from10gkg1to44 gkg1 and clay had values ranging from 30 gkg1 to 320 gkg1 . The nutrient reservewasequally low as expressed by the low potassium values ( K < 0.2 cmolkg ) which rangedfrom0.01cmolkg1 to 0.29 cmolkg1 : and low Organic Carbon values ( 1.30gkg1 to 23.13gkg1).The mean values for : sand fraction in the soils ranged within 787gkg- ¹ to 886 gkg-1 for silt 15gkg- ¹ to 26.8gkg-1 and clay from 88gkg- ¹ to 190gkg. The CV of pH for pedon 1a was 10.5%with a ranging of low variability as well as its sand fraction which had CVvalue of 6%. Inpedon1b the pH , AI , base saturation and sand fraction were ranked as low variability withCVvaluesof 6.2 , 0.42%, 13.9 % and 11.5% respectively . The pH , ECEC , CEC and sandfractionofpedon 2a under site B were in low variability with CV values of 9.68%, 13.67%and5.1%respectively. The silt fraction, base saturation and pH of pedon 2b had lowvariabilitywithCVof8.37%, 12.19 % and 4.4% . Based on morphological characteristics and laboratoryresults, thepedons were evaluated for their capability to support arable crop production and that 1.65haor41.25 % occupied by pedon 1a (lower slope), 2.64ha or 66% occupied by pedon 1b (upper slope),6.4ha or 53.33% occupied by pedon 2a (lower slope) and 5.69ha or 47.416%occupiedby2b(upper slope) fell on aggregate class III based on the law of minimum. Therefore, theyaresuitable for cropping and intensive grazing. Soil conservation practices and sound managementare needed to overcome the moderate limitations to cropping use

This study was carefullycarried out in Iguzama commity in Ovia North East Local Government. Area of Edo State, to evaluate some soils for African Native Pear cultivation. Soil survey process was carried out on the site using the rigid grid method at a detailed scale. The survey produced four mapping units and each represented with a pedon. Soil samples were collected from each of the pedon for analysis in the laboratory using standard procedures. Soil survey process was carried out by the grid method at a detailed scale which produced four (4) mapping units. Each mapping units was represented by a pedon and each pedon was appropriately described according to FAO (1976). Soil samples were analysed using standard procedures. Result in all the Pedons shows that mean value for Sand ranges from 787.00-924.00, while Silt ranges from 15.00-44.00 and Clay ranges from 88.00-190.00. Mean value for pH ranges from 5.24-6.38. Sand recorded low variation in all the pedons with cv values ranging from 5.10 to 91.50%; Silt ranges from 8.37 to 54.20% and clay ranges 32.20 to 95.70%. Results of Suitability evaluation showed that pedons 1A and 2A representing an area 3.3 hectares and amounting to 55 % of the land area were marginally suitabale (S3) for African Native Pear cultivation with limitation in climate as a result of rainfall and length of growing season while pedons 1B and 2B representing an area of 3.3 hectares and amounting to 55 % were moderately suitable for African Native Pear cultivation with limitation in soil fertility as a result of the pH of the soils.Thus, the cultivation of African Native Pear in the study area could be profitable after amelioration, it is therefore recommended that the land should be adequately maximized for African Pear cultivaton since the risk of failure is at minimal level.

This study was carried out to examine the fungi associated with the leaf blight of Ochroma pyramidale trees. The diseased leaves of Ochroma pyramidale were obtained from the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management Arboretum, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City. Isolation, sub-culturing, identification of isolates were carried out. The medium used was Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Identification of isolates under the light microscope was carried out. The symptoms observed on the leaves were darkish brown to black lesions that spread around the edges of the leaves and progressed into the lamina. Two fungi were found to be associated with the leaf blight of Ochroma pyramidale. These are Sclerotium rolfsii and Penicillium sp. More research work should be embarked upon to ascertain the pathogen of the disease and how to effectively control and prevent its development.

This experiment was conducted in the green house of the Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. The aim of the study was to ascertain the heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cr and As) contents of Amaranthus cruentus raised on soils from dumpsites from different land uses in the University of Benin. The experiment was laid outin a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates. Six different dumpsites were carefully selected in the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin, three from learning centers and the other three from residential areas (students hostel). Soils collected from the dumpsites were filled into buckets and Amaranthus seeds were planted in them, and harvested at maturity. Soil and plant samples were taken to the laboratory to determine the physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal content present. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of
Variance (ANOVA) while LSD was used to separate means at 5% level of probability. Results obtained shows that soils from the dumpsites belong to the textural class: sand. Their pH was
moderately acidic and their TOC contents were 19.60 and 21.50 g/kg in the Learning center and Residential area respectively. The heavy metal studied were present in both soils, and there was no significant difference between the heavy metal content across the two dumpsites. The peak lead (Pb) content (1.30 mg/kg) was obtained in the learning center while the peak Cd, Cr, and As contents (0.037 mg/kg, 0.040 mg/kg and 0.040 mg/kg respectively) were recorded in the residential area.