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Poultry birds consume coated pelletized feed more than mashed or crumbs. For optimum performance, it is very important to use oils/grease that has quality nutrients to coat the pellets. Also, oils that are of less competition with humans and industries will reduce the cost of production. Chrysophyllum albidum oil is one such oil that has not been explored enough. It has been shown that the oil is composed of all the essential amino acids needed by broiler birds and exhibit characteristics that make it suitable as preservatives in animal feed. Pelletized (5mm) feed was coated with Palm Kernel oil (PK), Chrysophyllum albidum kernel oil (CAK) and a combination of the oils at the rate of 1 liter/100 kg of feed. Totally, 120 chicks of day-old age were used for the experiment. All data obtained were subjected to ANOVA and significant differences were compared using the Duncan multiple range test. It was observed, that the physical qualities of CAK oil contributed to the attractiveness of the pellets, which, in turn, increased feed intake and more flesh deposition by birds on T3 (feed coated with CAK alone). The synergy of CAK and PK oils was able to utilize the feed (FCR - 2.80) significantly (P < 0.05) better than the individual oil. The haematology and serum biochemistry results of all the treatments fell within the range for normal physiological and nutritional stable chicken. There were indications that CAK oil had advantages over the PK oil. It can be concluded that CAK oil can successfully replace PK oil in broiler pellets for optimum performance. It exhibits potential to serve as natural preservatives in feed and its amino acid profile served as added advantage. Its inclusion in feed did not pose any negative effect on physiological and nutritional status of the experimental birds. Limitations to this study include access to funds, as this study was self-sponsored. Also, the inconsistence weather conditions prolonged the estimated time for drying the kernels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global efforts at improving food and nutrition security should tackle the menace of crop losses. This study assessed postharvest losses in selected leafy vegetables marketing in Lagelu Local Government Area, Oyo State Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was utilized to select one hundred and ten (110) leafy vegetable marketers as study sample while structured interview schedule was used to gather relevant data on marketing costs and returns, cost of post-harvest losses to marketing as well as constraints to vegetable marketing in the study area. Data collected were analyzed with appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results show that the sampled leafy vegetable marketers were female (100.0%) and married (80.9%) having average household size of 7±1.60 members. Age, years of formal education and marketing experience averaged 44.6±10.23, 3.35±1.52 and 14±3.2years, respectively. The average amount invested in leafy vegetable marketing per month was ₦52,932.73±16,698.78 while the average monthly income from leafy vegetable marketing was ₦72,354.91±25,599.35 leaving a marketing margin of ₦19,422.18. The monetary values for the monthly estimated postharvest losses incurred on marketing of Corchorus olitorus, Celosia argentea, Telfeira occidentalis, Solanum macrocarpon and Amaranthus spinosus were ₦898.19±206.14, ₦685.45±157.25, ₦810.90±186.03, ₦674.18±154.67 and ₦567.27±130.14, respectively. Perishable nature of vegetables (1.53) and inadequate storage and processing facilities (1.44) were reported as the most severe constraints to leafy vegetable marketing in the study area. Age (t=3.785), years of formal education (t=-2.072), marketing experience (t=-5.226), amount invested in vegetable marketing (t=-22.637) and monthly income (t=21.36) all at p≤0.05, significantly determined postharvest losses in leafy vegetable marketing in the study area. In conclusion, the study established an appreciable level of postharvest losses to leafy vegetables marketing and recommended that marketers should be adequately trained in the areas of postharvest handling, processing and storage of leafy vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth and yield of watermelon are significantly influenced by spacing and variety. To quantify these effects, field experiments were conducted from August to November 2016 in Ogbomoso and Sepeteri, Oyo State, Nigeria. The treatments consisted of four watermelon cultivars (Sugar baby, Kaolack, Grey belle and Collos F1) and five spacings (1.0 × 0.5 m, 1.0 × 0.75 m, 1.0 × 1.0 m, 1.0 × 1.5 m and 1.0 × 2.0 m). Data collection on reproductive and fruit yield attributes. Results showed that the growth parameters of the crop grown at Sepeteri were significantly better while those grown at Ogbomoso had higher fruit yield/yield parameters. In both locations, spacing significantly (p = 0.05) influenced the fruit yield parameters for all the varieties. In Collos F1, vine line, number of secondary vines, leaves, flowers and rotten fruits were the highest while the number of fruits/plot and fruit yield (t/ha) were significantly higher in Kaolack cultivar. Spacing however had no significant influence on growth parameters but significantly affected number of fruits/plot and fruit yield/ha. In Ogbomoso, Kaolack sown at 1.0 x 0.75 m had highest fruit yield (41.7 t/ha) while the least (9.3 t/ha) was obtained from Sugar baby sown at 1.0 x 0.5m. Similarly, in Sepeteri, Kaolack sown at 1.0 x 0.75 m produced the highest fruit yield (19.4 t/ha) while the least (5.0 t/ha) was obtained from Collos F1 at 1.0 x 1.5 m. Planting Kaolack at spacing 1.0 x 0.75 m in both Ogbomoso and Sepeteri was the best agronomic practices for achieving the best fruit yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]