FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

This study was carried out to develop a feed resource using rejected or waste bread materials and cassava offals. A survey on bread waste in Being City was carried out using a questionnaire. Results showed that the apparent mean shelf-life of bread wasted in Benin City was 3.14 days. Plain and banana bread waste were analysed for microbial and proximate analyses for 1, 3, 5 ,8 and 12 days. Plain Bread was mixed with cassava offals at different ratio with 600ml of water and stored for 2, 6 and 10
days to age. The developed feed were analysed for Proximate Composition in tripheate. The developed feed Treatments were: T1 (100%Bread: 0%Cassava Offals), T2 (75% Bread: 25% Cassava Offals), T3 (50%Bread: 50%Casssava Offals), T4 (25% Bread: 75% Cassava Offals),T5 (0%Bread: 100%Cassava Offals). Results showed that treatment T1 of the developed feed had higher significant (p<0.05) difference on DM, CP and EE than other treatments. Also ageing had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the developed feed. This study showed that T4 can be incorporated in animal feed to reduce cost of production and serve as an alternative feed resource rather than wasting the by-products.

This project was carried out to determine the Estimate of Heritability of Growth Rate in Rabbits" which endeavors to interpret the genetic basis governing the growth performance of rabbits, an important trait in the context of animal agriculture. The experiment was carried out at the rabbitry section of the University of Benin Farm Project, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of
twenty rabbits (fifteen females and five males), of which five belong to one breed, were used for this experiment. The breeds used were New Zealand White, Chinchilla, Hyla and Dutch. The rabbits, which were 3 months of age, were kept for a duration of 18 weeks. Data collected were on Litter size at Birth, at two weeks and at weaning, Litter weight at Birth, at two weeks and at weaning were collected. encompassing a diverse population of rabbits, we aimed to quantify the heritability of growth rates, thereby discerning the relative influence of genetic factors. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using GENSTAT, 12th edition and Heritability estimate was obtained by first Solving for variance components (due to sire, due to standard error and phenotype) using the result obtained from the analysis.

The marketing of groundnut is carried out by people of different background, trait, and communication skill and income level. The prices of groundnut, also dependent on the various markets, could vary due to several factors such as seasonality, market demand, quality, storage that could act as determinant of how price is fixed by the marketers. In regard to this, this study aimed at examining the economics of groundnut marketing in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. It examined the socio-economic characteristics of groundnut marketers, the cost and return of marketing groundnut, the variation in price between
the markets and the constraints affecting the marketing of groundnut in Oredo Local Government. Both primary and secondary data were used, the data were obtained through structured questionnaires. The secondary data were obtained from journal articles, textbooks and interviews.

Study on the evaluation of germination and growth performance of juveneles of five indigenous forest tree species in the rainforest ecosystem was conducted at a nursery located at Ekosodin community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Matured fruits of fives indigenous forest tree species were collected under their mother tree and their seeds extracted. 120 polypots filled with topsoil and stacked in 25 plots with 5 observations each was used. 25 seeds per species were randomly assigned to plots and sown at 1cm depth. Data were collected in three stages: germination, seedling pre-establishment and establishment stages. Germination data was analyzed using descriptive statistics one-way ANOVA in a CRD design was used to test the
significance of the species growth and development and means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Result shows Hildergadia bacteri and Terminalia ivorensis had the highest number of germinant (76%) while all species exhibited epigeal germination. Data analysis (ANOVA) shows significant difference between species in all parameter measured for seedling
pre-establishment stage (P < 0.05).

Farmers (cassava farmers inclusive) are reported to be in dire need of credit to purchase farming inputs and to pay for labour, amongst others. They are equally grappling with unfavourable loan terms. This study was therefore designed to assess the determinants of cassava farmers’ access to credit in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 136 cassava farmers from five out of the 12 communities in the LGA. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers, the distribution of credit access by farmers’ characteristics, and the factors influencing farmers’ access to credit. The primary data for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics and Probit regression. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that majority of the farmers (68%) were males and 65% were members of cooperatives. Majority (73%) of the farmers had no access to credit, 51% of the farmers who had access to credit were females, while 89% of them who had access to credit were cooperative members. The results of the Probit regression shows that cooperative membership, sources of labour (family labour and family/hired labour), cassava varieties and fertilizer-use significantly influenced the accessibility of credits to farmers. Access to credit by cassava farmers in the study area could be significantly improved upon if identified gaps in these variables are addressed

Violent confrontations between farmers and herders have become a defining feature confronting peace and stability in many parts of Nigeria. This study assessed the effect of farmers and herdsmen conflicts on the livelihood activities of arable crop farmers in Benue State. Specifically, it describes the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents in the study area, identified the livelihood activities involvement of respondents, identified the causes of farmers-herdsmen
conflicts, examined the key effect of the conflict on the respondents, ascertained perceived vulnerability factors to the conflict, and identified the coping strategies used by the respondents. The study was carried out in Benue State, Nigeria the selected sampled Local Government Areas are Oju, Guma, and Vandiekya with a sample size of 231 at a response rate of 99.3% (229). A
structured questionnaire administered through an interview schedule was used to collect data for this study. Data collected were analysed with descriptive statistics like frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation. T-statistics in Binary Logistic Regression and F-statistics in Analysis of Variance and posthoc range test were used to make inferences. Results show a preponderance of male 62% over female 38% with mean age 38 years, the respondents had a mean farm size of 4 hectares, a mean household size of 4 persons and 19 years as mean farming experience. The study also showed that the farmers had a high level of livelihood involvement in major arable crop production with yam having the highest with �ത =3.68. The destruction of crops during the conflict was identified as the major cause of conflict with �ത =4.77 while crop was destroyed during the conflict was identified as one of the major key effects of the conflict with �ത =4.72. The ineffectiveness of security structure ( �ത =4.24) was identified as the major vulnerability factors to the conflicts. The study also revealed that children were withdrawn from school ( �ത =4.26) and children are now involved in child labour ( �ത =4.09) were the major ways
respondents coped with the conflict. Variables on determinant of conflict among farmers and herdsmen conflict such as sex (Wald = 18.06), age (Wald = -10.36), education (Wald = 8.12), religion (Wald = 27.14), type of farming (Wald = 17.06), farm size (Wald = 14.67) were significant at 0.01 level while primary occupation (wald=3.09) was significant at 0.05 level. Results further showed that a significant difference existed in the effect of conflict in the three local government Area as Oju experienced more than the other two Local Government Areas with the F-test values of 28.58 df (2) 226 at 0.01 significant level Also, armers in Guma were more vulnerable to farmers-herdsmen conflicts than those in the other local government Area
with the F-test value of 4.176 df (2) 226 at the 0.05 significant level. It was concluded that the conflict had a negative effect on the livelihood activities as the production income of the farmers in the affected Local Government Areas were greatly ecreased by over 50%

The experiment was conducted between August to December, 2024 in the screenhouse of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin to evaluate the effect of top soil and potting media on the dry matter production and the yield of tiger nut. The trial five mediums (Top Soil (TS), Cow Dung (CD), TS + CD 1:1, TS + CD 2:1, and TS + CD 1:2) were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were collected on shoot dry weight, root dry weight, matter dry weight, leave of index, number of nuts, nut weight and yield at 10 and 12 weeks after planting. Dry matter properties like
nut dry weight (0.56 g), root dry weight (0.22 g), total dry weight (1.23 g), and harvest index (0.51 g) were highest in TS + CD 1:1, while TS performed poorly. Also, TS + CD 1:1 produced most number of nuts per plant (3.33), highest nut weight (1.29 g), and nut
yield (0.86 t/ha), while TS + CD 2:1 performed poorly for yield components. Total dry weight was significantly correlated with stem girth, number of leaves, nut dry weight, nut yield, and shoot dry weight. Therefore, TS + CD 1:1 is recommended for production of tiger nut based on dry matter production and nut yield components.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of fertilizer application and staking
methods on the growth and yield of Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus). The experiment
was conducted during the 2024 dry cropping season at the Teaching and Research
Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin city. The experiment
was laid out as a randomized complete block design in three replicates consisting of
four rates of fertilizer application (0kg/ha, 400kg/ha NPK, 20t/ha PM, 200kg/ha
NPK+10t/ha PM) and three levels of staking (no staking, single staking and trellis).
The parameters measured were vine length, number of leaves, number of tendrils,
stem diameter, leaf area, days to 50% flowering, number of flowers, number of fruits,
fruit weight per plot and yield(t/ha). The results obtained showed that the effect of
fertilizer application using poultry manure influenced the vine length and the number
of leaves positively at the vegetative stage, but fruit yield was not insignificant,
However best yields were obtained with the combination of poultry manure and NPK
15:15:15. The result of this experiment suggests that cucumber farmers use the
combination of poultry manure and NPK with or without staking for a better
performance of cucumber crop.

The experiment was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture experimental farm, located at the back of the new faculty building of the University of Benin, Benin city, with the aim to determine the potentiality of mushroom in the removal of heavy metals from spent engine oil polluted soils. The experiment was a 5m x 3m experiment in completely randomised design with 3 replications. The spent engine oil was applied and was left for 2 weeks before mushrooms were added to the soil. The Soil samples were then analyzed using Standard laboratory analytical methods. Some of the physical and chemical parameters of the soil tested were pH, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, available phosphorus, total hydrocarbon content, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. The result showed that most of the parameters tested including pH, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, available phosphorus, total hydrocarbon content, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium increased at all levels of spent engine oil treatments, while the exchangeable acidity decreased at all levels of spent engine oil treatments, thereby breaking down complex detrimental element from the SEO which is finally absorb by the plant used. The result from the experiment was not significant due to the limited time used in carrying out the experiment.

The main aim of this study was to examine the economics of rural households broiler meat consumption pattern in Ovia North-east Local Government Area Of Edo state, Nigeria. Specifically to describe the socio-economic characteristics of households in
the study area, examine household broiler meat form consumption preference of respondents, examine households preferred meat substitute consumption pattern in the study area, estimate the expenditure on broiler meat in the study area, examine
factors affecting demand for broiler meat and identify constraints facing the demand for broilers. A two-stage sampling method was used to select one hundred and twenty households for this research. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentage and mean score was used in this study. Findings of the study shows that majority of households respondents were men. A
change in the price of broiler meat will lead to a change in quantity demanded. The results shows that for every ₦1 spent on meat 37 kobo is spent on broiler meat. Change in the income of the consumer will also lead to a change in quantity
demanded. It can be concluded that male respondents are more in the study area, broiler meat is one of the most consumed meat in the study area. Quantity demanded of broiler meatVIII is highly dependent on consumers income, price of broiler meat and healthy benefits of broiler meat.