FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

This study investigated the comparative drying performance and product quality of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves processed using traditional open sun drying (OSD) and an improved parabolic-shaped solar dryer (PSSD). Freshly harvested fluted pumpkin leaves were divided into two batches and dried under both methods to a target moisture content of 10% (wet basis). Key performance indicators measured included drying time, drying rate, and final moisture content, while sensory attributes such as colour, odour, texture, and overall acceptability were assessed using a 9-point Hedonic Scale. Results revealed that the PSSD achieved significantly faster drying (4.55 h) and higher drying rate (21.78 g/hr) compared to OSD (6.05 h and 16.22 g/hr, respectively), with the difference statistically significant (p = 0.027). Sensory evaluation further indicated that leaves dried with the PSSD were preferred (overall acceptability = 7.9) to those dried under open sunlight (5.9), with superior colour retention and aroma preservation (p <0.001). The enhanced efficiency and product quality observed in parabolic solar drying demonstrate its potential as a sustainable, energy-efficient alternative for preserving perishable leafy vegetables in Nigeria. Adoption of this technology can substantially reduce postharvest losses, improve marketability, and promote year-round availability of nutrient-rich vegetables like fluted pumpkin.

Heavy metals are naturally occurring metallic elements with high atomic weights and densities at least five times greater than water which due to their persistence, toxicity, and bio-accumulative nature, they pose significant environmental and health risks (Ali et al., 2020). Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) are toxic even at low concentrations (Tchounwou
et al., 2020). Heavy metal bioaccumulation refers to the progressive increase in concentration of toxic metals (e.g., Pb, Cd, Hg, As) in living organisms over time, primarily through uptake from contaminated water, soil, or food, exceeding environmental levels due to slow excretion rates (Ali et al., 2023). This process involves the absorption and retention of heavy metals in tissues of organisms, leading to higher internal concentrations than their surroundings, with potential transfer across food chains (biomagnification) (Javed et al., 2022).

A study was conducted to compare yield of some fruit variables of Ghana and Nigeria coconuts. The main objective was to compare coconut oil yield between Nigeria and Ghana coconut types. The experiment also evaluated five key variables namely, weight of coconut, water, shell, copra and oil content. Standard pressing method was applied and, in the process, shell and copra were extracted, blended, sieved before oil was finally extracted through heating. The data collected were analyzed using T-test at 5% level of significance. The results shows that coconut and shell were significantly different with Nigeria coconut producing higher values of 557g and 400g in copra and shell variables respectively. The other variables did not differ between the coconut types. Furthermore, Nigerian coconut had a higher value of crude protein and oil whereas Ghana coconut
surpassed Nigeria coconut in all other variables. In conclusion, Nigeria coconut was better (p<_ 0.05) than Ghana coconut, shell and copra variables whereas all other variables were similar

The study analyzed the Information Needs On Lassa Fever Safety Practices Among Garri Processors And Marketers In Esan West, Esan Central And Esan North East, In Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the social economic characteristics of garri processors and marketers in the study area; ascertained respondents awareness of Lassa fever and Lassa fever safety practices; examined respondents access and preferred information sources on Lassa fever safety practices; examined information needs on Lassa fever safety practices; identified the constraints on access to information needs on Lassa fever safety practices. Data was was collected using random sampling method to will be used to select fifty (50) respondents from Esan West, Esan Central, Esan north East L.G.A making a total of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents. Data collected were analyzed by with Logit regression, multiple regression and pearson product moment correlation(PPMC) and Described with descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation for appropriate variables. Findings from this study showed that Majority (82.7 %) were females while (17.3%) 0f the respondents were males. Majority (78 % ) of the respondents were married. The garri processors and marketers mainly had secondary education (48.7%), majority of the respondents had 5-10 years experience in garri processing and marketing. The findings also xi shows that large proportion of garri processors and marketers had household size between 7-9 persons. The major constraints such as High level of illiteracy (mean=3.38) insufficient power supply to charge phones and watch television (mean=3.58), High cost of data (mean=3.13), Non-available information material on Lassa fever (mean=3.6) were the serous constraints affecting the access and use of information on Lassa fever safety practices. The results also shows that Radio (mean=3.57), television (mean=3.62), friends and family (mean=3.28), internet (mean=2.81) and Healthcare providers (mean=2.86) were the preferred information sources for Lassa fever safety practices among garri processors and marketers.

The study analyzed the profitability of oil palm Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The study specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents in the study area, estimated the inputs and output quantities of oil palm FFB production in the study area, estimated the costs and returns of oil palm FFB production and its profitability at different ages of the palms in the study area, examined the factors affecting profitability of oil palm FFB production in the study area and identified the constraints faced by respondents in the study area. A two-stage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting the respondents for the research. A Total 109 copies of questionnaire were sent to the field to collect primary data and 70 copies were retrieved and data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and quantitative techniques. Result study showed that the oil palm produces were mainly male (71.4%), with a mean age of about 48 years and formal educational background. Oil palm FFB was found to be most profitable at the age range of 9-18years with an estimated Net Farm Income of N881644.71 per hectare. and there was profit for palm younger than 8 years at the Gross Margin level with an estimated gross margin of N253619.18 but the net income was negative meaning a loss in the long run. The profitability declined at above 18 years, at all ages oil palm FFB production was profitable with an estimated Net Income of N392938.18 and a Return On Investment of 0.33. The major constraints faced by the oil palm farmers were difficulty in obtaining credit, lack of funds, lack of extension contact, inadequate land and lack of improved materials. Government/stakeholders should encouraged farmers to practice more of mechanized farming as it will help in reducing the cost of labour and increase productivity

This study focused on the uses and abuses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among final year students in Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of final year students in faculty of agriculture; identify the AI tools that the respondents were aware of; identify the interest in the use of AI tools among the respondents; ascertain the use and frequency of use of AI tools among the respondents; identify the purpose of use of AI tools by the respondents; identify the perceived abuses of AI tools by the respondents and examine the constraints in the use of AI tools by the respondents. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used for a simple random sampling of 145 final year students in faculty of agriculture for the study. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as: frequency counts, simple percentages and mean scores, as well as inferential statistics such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Results showed that more than half (64.1%) of the respondents were female with a mean 23 years. Most (99.3%) of the students were single. The result showed that most (90.3%) of the final year students were aware of ChatGPT, with more than half (61.4%) of the students showing interest in using it (ChatGPT). Most (99.3%) of the final-year students used ChatGPT and also indicated daily usage. The result showed that most 14 (89.7%) of the final-year students used artificial intelligence (AI) tools for writing assignments. The results also showed that the most significant perceived abuse of artificial intelligence tools by final year students was use of AI tools to answer test or examination questions (x̄=3.46) and the most significant constraints encountered was the requirement for paid subscriptions for most AI tools (x̄= 3.75). It was concluded that most widely used AI tool by the final year students was ChatGPT, while the use of AI tools to answer test or examination questions was identified as the most significant perceived abuse of AI tools by the respondents. The study therefore recommends that the faculty strengthen academic integrity measures and sensitize students on the ethical use of AI tools, especially discouraging their use for tests and examinations.

A screen house potted experience was conducted in the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City in June to August, 2023 to evaluate the effects of different level of spent engine oil (SEO) contamination remediated with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on the growth and herbage yield of Amaranth (Amaranth hybridus). The experiment involved three spent engine oil contamination levels (0, 5 and 10% v/w per 10kg soil) and four spent mushroom substrate application rates (0, 200, 400 and 600 per 10kg soil) laid in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement fitted into a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area and herbage yield. The results of soil analysis before cropping with Amaranth showed that SEO had no effect on particle size of the soil. Organic C, H+ and Al3+ in the contaminated soils were higher compared to the control. There was decreased in concentrations of available P, total N, exchangeable cations as the SEO contamination level increased. Plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area and herbage yield of Amaranth plants grown in the contaminated soils were adversely affected as they were significant (P<0.05) reduced in comparison to their performance in unpolluted soils. Application of SMS enhanced growth and herbage yield of Amaranth. Application of SMS remediated the harmful effect of SEO on the plant as it enhanced the growth of the plant. However, higher rate of SMS application reduced growth and 10 herbage yield of Amaranth in comparison to the lower rate. Application of 200g of SMS per 10kg soil produced plants with the highest height (89.2cm), thickest stem(3.42cm), highest number of leaves (28.6cm), largest leaf area (2803cm²) and herbageyield (59.91tha-¹). A combination of unpolluted soil treated with 200g and 400g ofSMS produced the highest herbage yield with 72.9 and 75.1g, respectively. SMS at200g is thereby suggested for Amaranth growers

The experiment was conducted at the Crop Science Research Farm in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. Seeds were obtained locally from Ekosodin, Benin City, Nigeria. Poultry manure was obtained from University of Benin Farm project, while NPK fertilizer was procured from Ring road market. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications consisting of propagation planting methods D (propagation by seed), T(propagated by seedling) and four fertilizer treatment F1 (control), F2 (400kg/NPK) ,F3 (poultry dropping 20 t/ha), F4 (poultry manure 10 t/ha and 200 kg/ha).Data on vegetative characteristics (plant height ,leaf length, stem diameter and leaf area) and reproductive characters (nut yield, herbage yield and number of nut) were taken. From the result of the experiment it was observed that plant height
(98.35) and the leaf area (68.81) were significantly increased with direct sowing compared with the transplant, similarly plants that receive fertilizer were superior in plant and leaf area the control. However the effect of propagation methods and fertilizer application was not significant on the herbage and nut yield of Tiger nut. Therefore farmers in this locality can produce tiger nut using the direct sowing method with little to no fertilizer application.

This research work was conducted to evaluate the proximate composition and amino acid profile of scent leaf protein concentrate and scent leaf meal. Wet milling method was used for the extraction of the scent leaf protein concentrate. A grinder was used in the processing of the scent leaf meal. The amino acid profile of the scent leaf was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The Proximate analysis was carried out in triplicate with different procedures for moisture content determination, crude protein determination, crude fibre determination, ash determination, ether extract determination, and nitrogen free extract determination. From the result of the proximate analysis, the scent leaf meal contained a significant portion of crude protein, but the crude protein content of the scent leaf protein concentrate was significantly higher (p<0.05). It
was also observed that the crude fibre content of scent leaf meal was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of scent leaf protein concentrate. It was also observed that there is more crude fat in scent leaf protein concentrate when compared to scent leaf meal (p<0.05). The scent leaf protein concentrate also has more ash content when compared to the scent leaf meal. From the result of the amino acid profile, it was observed that boththe scent leaf protein concentrate and the scent leaf meal have 18 amino acids, including essential amino acids, with scent leaf protein concentrate being higher in lysine and methionine than that of scent leaf meal. This study shows that scent leaf meal and scent leaf protein concentrate can be incorporated into animal and human diet.

This study assessed the delivery of gender-responsive agricultural extension services to rural women cassava farmers in Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the socio-economic characteristics of the women farmers, their awareness of and access to extension services, adoption of improved cassava practices, and challenges encountered in farming. A total of 100 rural women cassava farmers were selected using a purposive sampling and stratified sampling technique and data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions, supplemented by secondary sources from literature and official reports. Findings revealed that 18.37% of respondents were less than 30 , 77.55% of respondents were within the age range 30-40, 4.08% of respondents were within the age range 40-50 ,with an average household size of 5.07% and average farming experience of (4.14%). While 35.7% were aware of extension services, only 29.59% had regular contact with extension agents. Key constraints identified included limited access to female extension personnel, credit facilities, farm equipment, and digital tools. Socio-economic factors such as age, education, and marital status significantly influenced access to extension services. The study recommends strengthening gender-responsive extension approaches, increasing the recruitment of female extension agents, improving access to credit and digital platforms, and implementing community-based participatory programs to enhance productivity and livelihoods of rural women cassava farmers.