FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

The study is aimed at determining the effects of some selected drying method on the nutritional quality of Apple Watersnail (Lanistis libycus) purchased at Ikpoba hill market One hundred and Fifty (150) Apple snail (Lanistis libycus) specimen was obtained from a fish seller and taken to the Faculty of Agriculture processing unit where processing was carried out using some selected methods. They were slaughtered, removed from the shell to collect the meat and discard the shell. They were weighed before been spiced and then dried using the different processing method (sun drying, smoked drying and oven drying).They were then taken to the lab for analysis. Statistical analysis using Genstat computersoftware was used to compute the result for proximate composition. The result from this study will assist in determining the most appropriate method of processing with regards to nutrient availability and amount of moisture content hence the method that has the best rate of preservation.

This study was conducted at the University of Benin, Faculty of Agriculture experimental farm, from October 2021 to Oct 2022, to determine the best propagation method and planting date for enhanced growth and yield components of onion (Allium cepa) in two seasons (dry and wet) in a rainforest zone of Nigeria. Onions were cultivated using sets and seeds on four planting dates in each season. The experiment was laid out in a factorial design, comprising 8 treatments for each season (P1D1, P1D2, P1D3, P1D4, P2D1, P2D2, P2D3, P2D4) in three replications, where P represents propagation methods (P1: set and P2: seed), and D planting dates for Dry (D1: Oct 10th, D2: Oct 24th, D3: Nov 7th and D4: Nov 21st) and Wet (D1: Mar 6th, D2: Mar 20th, D3: April 3rd and D4: April 17th) season.
Data on growth and yield parameters, including plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, stem diameter (cm), bulb length (cm), bulb diameter (cm), number of bulbs per stand, bulb weight per plot (g/m2), and yield (t ha-1), were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed significant effects of propagation method, planting date, and season on most parameters measured.
During vegetative growth, seasonal effects influenced the number of leaves, which was higher in the wet season (16.47) than in the dry season (11.78), while plant height and stem diameter showed no significant differences. Set propagation yielded significantly over seed propagation higher plant height (49.14 cm), number of leaves (29.98) both on planting date April 17 and stem diameter (1.88 cm) on planting date Nov 21. For yield components, dry season cultivation produced significantly higher bulb diameter (9.35 cm), bulb weight per plot (976 g/m²), and yield (9.76 t ha⁻¹) compared to the wet season. However, bulb length and the number of bulbs per stand were not significantly affected by season.

The study was conducted at the screen house of the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. Four different potting media sources: Top soil (TS ), Rice husk (RS ), Poultry manure (PM ) and Oil Palm Refuse Bunch (OPRB ), were used as substrate. The objective of the study was to determine the appropriate potting medium the for the growth and yield of Fluted pumpkin (Telferia occidentalis ) . The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data was collected on plant height , stem girth , number of leaves ,leaf length , leaf girth, leaf area , dry weight, moisture content and herbage yield. Results obtained after six (6 )weeks showed that Potting media had significant (p < 0.05 ) effect on growth characters. Plants in top soil and Rice husk media exhibited better growth performance than poultry manure and oil palm refuse bunch. Herbage yield , dry and moisture content of fluted pumpkin were significant ( p < 0.05 ) by potting media . Plants solved in top soil had the highest herbage yield which was similar with rice husk plants . Plants in top soil , rice husk and oil palm refuse bunch had comparable values. There was no yield for poultry manure plants as the plants withered immediately after four ( 4 ) weeks after sowing . Top soil potting media is thereby suggested for fluted pumpkin growers due it's ease of availability, handling and also had 12 % herbage yield advantage over rice husk.

This research examined the plants of spice value sold in selected markets within Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, to identify the species in trade, their socio-economic importance, and the challenges faced by traders in the spice market. The study was conducted across seven purposely selected markets: Ekiosa, Oregbeni, Oliha, Oba, New Benin, Santana, and Uselu based on their prominence in spice trading. Data obtained through the administration of 100 questionnaires and direct market observations. Descriptive statistics, Use Value (UV), and Family Use Value (FUV) indices were employed to analyze the data. Results showed that women constituted the majority of spice traders (83%), while men accounted for 17%, indicating a female-dominated occupation. Most respondents were married (78%), with 50% aged between 41 and 60 years, and 48% possessing secondary education. A total of twenty-two (22) spice plant species belonging to fifteen (15) botanical families were identified, with the seeds and leaves being the most frequently used parts, mostly sold in dried form. Prominent spices included Monodora myristica (African nutmeg), Aframomum melegueta (alligator pepper), Piper guineense (black pepper), and Xylopia aethiopica (Ethiopian pepper), which were mainly used in the preparation of traditional dishes such as pepper soup and black soup. The Lamiaceae family recorded the highest Family Use Value (FUV = 0.701), while Thymus vulgaris exhibited the highest Species Use Value (UV = 2.0), indicating high cultural and culinary relevance. The study revealed that the price of spices increased significantly between 2023 and 2025 (p < 0.05), with Aframomum melegueta and Tetrapleura tetraptera ranking among the most expensive species due to carcity and rising demand. Major challenges reported by traders included unstable pricing (92%), high
transportation costs (87%), inadequate storage facilities (35%), and seasonal scarcity (29%). These constraints negatively affected income, with most traders earning below ₦200,000 annually. The research concludes that plants of spice crops remain a vital component of household nutrition, income generation, and cultural heritage in Benin City. However, the increasing preference for modern synthetic spices and deforestation poses significant threats to their sustainability. It is therefore recommended that government and relevant agencies promote
the domestication and afforestation of indigenous spice plants, improve market infrastructure, provide value addition and processing facilities, and enhance awareness of the economic and ecological benefits of conserving spice biodiversity.

The study investigated the affect of Anthropogenic Disturbances of some selected species in University of Benin. The campus was divided into two habitat types; compartments A and compartment B.The survey was carried out for a period of six months( February 2023 to July 2023) converting both the dry and wet season.Using line transect method, animal census was carried out from 6:30 am to 10:00am in the morning and 4:00-6:00 In the evening. Each compartment was visited twice per day( morning and evening). Animal sighted we're identified. The number of individuals seen along the transect line were noted and count. A total number of 260 individuals belonging to 12 families and 12 species in both the wet and the dry season were identified and recorded within the studey area. The results of the family species and abundance of wildlife was higher (0.284) and relative abundance (28.4%) was observed among xerus erythopis while the was recorded among Hystrix cristata individual species Shannon taxas diversity index and evenness recorded high population in the transect line( C) 115, Shannon diversity index in transect( C); evenness 0.8622 and Margalef I'm transect (C)and(D)in both the dry and wet season. Species habitat preference were significantly different in both study sites. The species occur more ( 15.0@+- 2.76) site B and (25.4@+- 2.24) site B for both seasons. The species surveyed in both the dry and wet season we're highly dictected more during the day season (37.3@+5.33) as compared to wet season. On the animal activity investigated, Trail (54.5@+_6.2) and the calls(38.8b+_5.7) we're significantly different among the various activities surveyed for this studies.The Anthropogenic Activities in the study area were significantly different. Traps(43.0+_4.7a) and farming (26.5+_7.4b) were the major Anthropogenic activities observed in this study. While snares(26.0+_4.76a) and cage trap (9.3+_2.3b) records the most frequent use trap for animal capturing and poaching activities in the study area. Human induced activity is the major Anthropogenic factor influencing the wildlife disturbance in the study area. There is need for urgent conservation effect for the protection of the species population.

The oil palm industry generates large quantities of solid waste, particularly Empty Fruit Bunches
(EFB), which are often discarded despite their potential value as organic soil material. This study examined the effects of EFB on bacterial communities in oil palm rhizosphere soils collected from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Edo State, Nigeria. Laboratory analyses were conducted to determine how different EFB application rates influenced soil properties and bacterial population structures. The results showed that moderate EFB application at 50kg to 100kg improved key soil parameters such as pH, organic carbon, and nutrient content. Although bacterial counts slightly decreased with EFB addition, beneficial species such as Bacillus subtilis and Enterobacter aerogenes were more prominent, exhibiting plant growth- promoting traits like nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization. However, the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus indicated potential biosafety concerns. In conclusion, EFB enhances soil fertility and supports beneficial microbes, when applied in moderate rates (50kg- 100kg)

The price fluctuation and limited availability of soya bean meal as a major protein feedstuff for broiler chickens have been constraints in monogastric animal production in Nigeria. Palm kernel cake has been widely used as a protein source in replacing
conventional protein sources at different levels. However, the use of palm kernel cake in poultry diets has been limited due to its low quality (low protein and high fibre contents vis-à-vis dryness, grittiness and texture). The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of solid state fermentation using white rot fungus (Pleurotus sajor caju) on the nutritive value of palm kernel cake (PKC) as a substitute for soyabean meal (SBM) protein in the diets of finisher broiler chickens.
Palm kernel cake was sterilized for 6 hours and inoculated with P. sajor caju spore suspension, sun-dried and homogenized after full colonization before incorporation into the poultry feed. Proximate composition and some mineral contents of PKC and fermented PKC were determined before diets formulation. Five dietary treatments containing 50% unfermented palm kernel cake at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels of fermented palm kernel cake were formulated to replace soyabean meal in the diets of finisher broiler
chickens. Ninety finisher broiler chickens were used to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics, hematological indices and economy of feed conversion of test diets for 6 weeks in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were given ad libitum The crude protein was significantly increased (P<0.05) by 50% after fermentation. The results of the performance indicated no significant (P>0.05) differences for the test diets when compared to the Control diet 2. The inclusion of Fermented Palm Kernel Cake FPKC up to 75% had no adverse effect on weight gain, feed intake, FCR and PER. Feed intake was highest on dietary treatment 5. FCR and PER were best in birds that were fed the control diet. The 50% and 75% FPKC diets significantly (P<0.05) increased lymphocytes and MCV respectively, FPKC replacement of SBM increased the blood globulin and glucose of the finisher broiler chickens. The live and defeathered weights of birds were highest in the Control while 75% FPKC diet gave the highest values for eviscerated weight, back cut, head and kidney (as percentage of live weight). The highest digestibility of protein was obtained in Treatment 3.The cost of raising the broiler chickens was also reduced as FPKC increased in the diets. It is thus concluded that solid state fermented PKC can be utilized as a substitute for SBM in the diets of broiler chickens up to 75%.

Calcium carbide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula of CaC2. Itsindustrial use involved in the production of acetylene and calcium cyanamide. Inessencecalcium carbide poses a greater threat to soil fertility, leading to low productivityof cropsand livestock. The study was conducted at different mechanic workshops in Egor local government areaof Edo state. The study was done to access effects of calcium carbide on soil fertility. Theexperiment was a 3×3×3 factorial experiment that is three different workshops at threedifferent depth replicated three times. The total amount of hydrocarbon in location1shows there is decrease in soil fertility furthermore the available phosphorus decreasesinlocation 1 inferred that phosphorus is being held up by aluminumand hydrogenions. Same with the results for available phosphorus in location 2. Recommendations suchasmulching, physical methods such as scraping is needed to improve soil fertility

The study was carried out to determine the yield, physical and chemical composition of Opepe leaves (Nauclea diiderrichi) De Wild. and T. Durand. The leaves used were harvested and blended, before theleaf Protein Concentrate was extracted using 3 different methods (Heat coagulation , acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods) . The result from the analysis showed that acid coagulation , alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods yielded 2.398% , 3.913% and 6.383% respectively. The yield of bagasse was 23.508%. The result of the proximate analysis showed that the dry matter and NFE were higher in alum precipitation method than in acid coagulation and heat coagulation methods . It also showed that CP , CF and ASH were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods, while EE was higher in the heat coagulation method than in the other two methods . The mineral analysis showed that Mg , Na and P were higher in the heat coagulation method than in the acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods . It also showed that K , Fe and Mn were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods . LPC result of Ca , showed that acid and heat coagulation methods yielded the same amount, which were higher than that of alum precipitation method .

The study was carried out to determine the yield, physical and chemical composition of Opepe leaves (Nauclea diiderrichi) De Wild. and T. Durand. The leaves used were harvested and blended, before the leaf Protein Concentrate was extracted using 3 different methods (Heat coagulation , acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods) . The result from the analysis showed that acid coagulation , alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods yielded 2.398% , 3.913% and 6.383% respectively. The yield of bagasse was 23.508%. The result of the proximate analysis showed that the dry matter and NFE were higher in alum precipitation method than in acid coagulation and heat coagulation methods . It also showed that CP , CF and ASH were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods, while EE was higher in the heat coagulation method than in the other two methods . The mineral analysis showed that Mg , Na and P were higher in the heat coagulationmethod than in the acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods . It also showed that K , Fe and Mn were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods . LPC result of Ca , showed that acid and heat coagulation methods yielded the same amount , which were higher than that of alum precipitation method .