Abstract: The high prevalence of lofty demand on lands for other uses aside for agricultural purposes has resulted in unavailability of lands for cultivation and thereby forcing farmers to employ continuous cropping of same farmland at the cost of soil fertility management. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of rabbit urine and urea fertilizers on the yield performance of Amaranthus (Amaranthus hybridus) at two different locations in Akure, Southwest, Nigeria. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with ten treatments and each replicated three times. The responsive effect of the plant to treatment and location was determined at 2, 4, 6 and 7 weeks respectively. Result showed that Amaranthus hybridus performance increased (P < 0.05) when exposed individually to different quantity/ration of rabbit urine and urea respectively as well as their mixed ratios. Results also showed that different treatment applied had significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on growth parameters such as plant height and leaves numbers, which were all significantly higher when compared with the control. Meanwhile, the improved growth of Amaranthus hybridus at FUTA (Federal University of Technology, Akure) location is higher than that at FECA (Federal College of Agriculture, Akure) location. Furthermore, the interaction between location and treatment is significantly different at 95% level of significance at 1-7 weeks after planting. Conclusively, there is positive effect of rabbit urine and urea fertilizer on the performance of Amaranthus hybridus.Abstract: The high prevalence of lofty demand on lands for other uses aside for agricultural purposes has resulted in unavailability of lands for cultivation and thereby forcing farmers to employ continuous cropping of same farmland at the cost of soil fertility management. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of rabbit urine and urea fertilizers...Show More
Abstract: The study was conducted with the objective of identifying honeybee poisoning plant and assessing the status of agro-chemicals utilization in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Semi-Structured questionnaires were developed and 160 individuals (80 beekeepers and 80 non beekeepers) were interviewed by using purposive sampling. The result of this assessment indicated that 75 (93.75%) of beekeepers complained presence of plant poisoning on honeybees in the study area. Ten plants were complained having poisoning effect on honeybees by beekeepers in the study area. Among these plants Lanthana camara, Euphorbia continifolia, Climatis flammula, Ranclus multifides, Discopdium penninervium, Climatisinte grifolia, Datura metal linn, Sesbania sesban, Phytolaca americana and Justitia schemperina, were the most frequently complained toxic plants in the study area. Seven different agro-chemicals (2,4-D, Agrothoate 40% Malathion 50%, pyriban 48%, Diazinon 60%, Macozeb 80% and Pallas 45 OD) were commonly applied on various crop in the study area. The main sources of these agro-chemicals are cooperative, legal and illegal traders. 95% of farmers used empty containers for household purpose. 3.25% of the respondents left in farm while 1.25% of the respondents indicated that they have burnt. Most of agro-chemical users (80%) of the respondents had no training on how to apply Agro-chemicals safely to honeybees, themselves and environment and 97.5% of respondents applied agro-chemicals without following the recommended instructions in addition 95.62% of the respondents did not use protective clothes when spraying. Therefore, further study on complained poisonous plants and toxic chemicals in the study area, and proper utilization agro-chemicals are important to minimize poisoning of honeybee.Abstract: The study was conducted with the objective of identifying honeybee poisoning plant and assessing the status of agro-chemicals utilization in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Semi-Structured questionnaires were developed and 160 individuals (80 beekeepers and 80 non beekeepers) were interviewed by using purposive sampling. The result of this assessme...Show More
