Issue 03

Effect of potting mixture on growth and yield of chilli varieties (capsicum spp) and microbial activity

2011-09-20T00:00:00Z

Effect of potting mixture on growth and yield of chilli varieties (capsicum spp) and microbial activity Dahanayake, N.; Madurangi, S.A.P.; Ranawake, A.L. The study was carried out as pot experiments using a Green Chilli variety, MI 2, and a Curry Chilli variety, Hungarian Yellow Wax (HYW) at the research field, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. The basal soil mixture was prepared using coir dust, sand, soil and cow-dong (1:1:1 control). Four different potting mixtures were prepared by adding tea waste, compost and inorganic fertilizer. The experiment was carried out according to complete randomized block design with four replicates at the rate of 8 plants per replicate. Plant height (cm), number of pods/plant, weight of pods per plant (g), pod length (cm) and pod appearance were recorded. Carbon-dioxide (CO2) evolution method was applied to observe soil microbial activity in different soil mixtures. Potting mixture combined with tea waste showed significantly highest plant height for both chilli varieties HYW (42 cm) and MI-2 (55 cm) while minimum plant growth in both varieties was recorded in control (P<0.05) basal soil mixture. The highest no of pods (35.5/ plant) was recorded in MI-2 grown under inorganic mixture, while the lowest (10.5/ plant) was recorded in the control treatment. There was no considerable difference in pod production in HYW for tested potting mixtures. In addition, the highest mean microbial activity was observed in potting mixture filled with tea waste whereas the lowest microbial activity was observed in potting mixture with inorganic fertilizer. However, there was no any variation in pod length and pod appearance of both varieties grown under different soil mixtures.

Multiplier effect of micro credit investment among sma - ll scale poultry agribusiness entrepreneurs in delta sta - te, Nigeria

2011-04-16T00:00:00Z

Multiplier effect of micro credit investment among sma - ll scale poultry agribusiness entrepreneurs in delta sta - te, Nigeria Achoja, F.O. Financial injection, through credit program is expected to result in a proportional increase in saving and investment of beneficiaries. The multiplier measures the size of the carry-through effect of credit. It is important to investigate the multiplier effect of micro-credit so as to justify credit program in the poultry industry. This study was undertaken to examine the multiplier effect of micro credit among small scale poultry farmers in Delta State. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from randomly selected sixty (60) poultry entrepreneurs. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and regression model. The study revealed that a 14% change in the consumption (expenditure) of the poultry entrepreneur correlated with income without obtaining micro credit. After obtaining micro credit, the consumption (expenditure) of the poultry entrepreneur increased by 62%. Also, it was revealed that 33% change in savings correlated with access to micro credit as against 6% save. The result revealed an overall multiplier effect of 72%. It was recommended among others that government and credit institutions should facilitate the delivery of micro credit to the rural poultry farmers to catalyse the growth in the poultry subsector.

Explaining fish consumption behavior in Sri-Lanka: the role of consideration set size, attitude, knowledge, con venience orientation, price consciousness, and variety seeking tendency

2012-08-01T00:00:00Z

Explaining fish consumption behavior in Sri-Lanka: the role of consideration set size, attitude, knowledge, con venience orientation, price consciousness, and variety seeking tendency Pethiyagoda, N.A.; Olsen, S.O. This study focuses on how and why consumers vary, know and consider different kind of alternatives of fish in their diet. Consideration set size of fish is considered to be affected by consumer attitude, convenience orientation, knowledge, variety seeking tendency and price consciousness in Sri-Lankan context. Thus, it was to investigate how these variables affect the formation of consideration set size. The questionnaire survey was carried out in Galle district in Sri-Lanka with 250 respondents. The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling in Amos 16.0 were used as statistical analysis tool. It was found that significant positive relationship between consideration set size and fish consumption frequency. Further, this study has found significant positive relationships between knowledge and consideration set size, between variety seeking tendency, variety seeking related to food and between convenience orientation and consideration set size. Further, price consciousness related to food has a negative significant impact on consideration set size. Food marketers should advocate that consumers consider many kind of fish species to increase their consumption of fish. Set size increases through the consumer knowledge variable. Thus, manufacturer can educate the consumers with new spices and meals to increase their consideration set size as a marketing strategy.

Journalists’ attitude towards maternal health education broadcast on radio in Oyo State, Nigeria

2011-04-17T00:00:00Z

Journalists’ attitude towards maternal health education broadcast on radio in Oyo State, Nigeria Thomas, K.A.; Tijani, S.A.; Seidu, A.A. The study investigated journalists’ attitude towards maternal health education (MHE) broadcast on radio in Oyo State, Nigeria. One hundred journalists were surveyed randomly from the federal, state and privately owned radio stations in Oyo state. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using frequency distribution, percentage, chi-square and t-test. Results showed that majority (54%) were males and within the age of 29- 30 years. They all have formal education with majority (72%) having work experience more than 5 years. Knowledge of maternal health was high (65%) and (52%) had favourable disposition to MHE. Constraints faced by journalist were lack of sponsors and lack of funds. Inferential statistics revealed that education (χ2= 9.55, p< 0.005), radio stations ownership (χ2= 16.45, P<0.005) and programmes aired (χ2= 0.20, p<0.005) were significantly related to journalists’ attitude to MHE broadcast on radio. Similarly, significant difference (t = 29.15, p<0.005) exist between male and female journalists’ attitude to MHE broadcast on radio. Proper education, gender main streaming and adequate funding are panacea to MHE broadcast on radio.