Browsing by Author "Larbi, A."

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  • Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of maize varieties with different maturities in a dry agro-ecology of Northern Ghana
    Larbi, A.; Kanton, R. L.; Buah, S.; Kombiok, J. M.; Ansoba, E.; Asungre, A. P.; Lamini, S.; Prasad, P. V. Vara (2013)
    Declining maize yields due to a myriad of factors such as inherently poor soils, continuous cropping of cereal after cereal, high cost and unavailability of chemical fertilizers have all contributed to the above phenomenon. To address this negative trend a field trial was conducted at the Manga Agricultural Research Station in the Upper East Region of Ghana, which represents a Sudan Savanna agro-ecology in the country. The trial was established as a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The plot dimensions are 4.5 m x 5 m, and maize was sown on ridges made by bullocks. All cultural practices are as recommended for maize production in Ghana. For the extra-early maize, the, however, there were significant differences among the rates of N applied, with application of N at the rate of 120 kg ha-1 recording the highest grain yield. For the early maturity group there were significant (P (MARR) (150%). This means that these treatments 40N and 80N could be recommended for uptake by farmers or for further research work.
  • Feed value of multipurpose fodder trees and shrubs in West Africa: Edible forage production and nutritive value of Millettia thonningii and Albizia lebbeck
    Larbi, A.; Smith, J. W.; Adekunle, I. O.; Kurdi, I. O.; Raji, A. M.; Ladipo, D. O. (1996)
    Millettia thonningii (a nitrogen fixing shrub native to Africa) and Albizia lebbeck (investigated for comparative purposes) were harvested at 0.50 m above ground level one year after establishment on a site at IITA, Ibadan, SW Nigeria, to determine edible forage production. Harvests were made at the end of the main (April-August) and minor (September-November) wet, and dry (December-March) seasons for 2 yr. Dry season edible forage samples were analysed for concentrations of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose (CL), soluble phenolics (SOPH) and proanthocyanidins (PAs). In sacco dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) degradation and in vitro gas production (GP) characteristics were also determined on dry season edible forage samples. Edible forage production of M. thonningii was significantly lower than that of A. lebbeck during the wet seasons. Millettia thonningii had relatively lower CP and PAs, but higher NDF, ADF, ADL, CL and SOPH than A. lebbeck. In sacco DM and N degradation and in vitro GP parameters of M. thonningii were significantly lower than those for A. lebbeck. Parameters of in sacco DM degradation and in vitro GP were highly correlated. It is concluded that Milletia thonningii is of lower feed value than A. lebbeck based on edible forage production, chemical composition, in sacco DM and N degradation and in vitro GP characteristics. (CAB Abstracts)
  • Integrated crop livestock systems in sub-Saharan Africa: An option or an imperative?
    Smith, J. W.; Naazie, A.; Larbi, A.; Agyemang, K.; Tarawali, S. (Ibadan, Nigeria: International Livestock Research Institute, 1997)
    Rapid growth of the human and livestock populations in sub-Saharan Africa is creating unprecedented increases in food and feed demands. These population pressures on a fixed landbase are likely to promote severe competition for resources and drive agriculture progressively towards intensification. Integrated crop livestock systems, already common in the highlands, are expected to evolve rapidly elsewhere. Research is required to develop technological alternatives which promote better resource use through synergies from crop livestock integration. Maintenance of soil fertility and provision of livestock feeds appear to be the main areas of reciprocal benefits, while animal traction may be an option for increasing land and labour productivity. In this paper, we assess the challenge facing sub-Saharan agriculture and the potential contribution of crop livestock integrated systems towards agricultural growth and sustainability.
  • Methods for the Evaluation of Forage Legumes, Grasses and Fodder Trees for Use as Livestock Feed
    Tarawali, S.; Tarawali, G.; Larbi, A.; Hanson, J. (Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute, 1995)
    Forage plant evaluation, to identify legumes, grasses and fodder trees with potential for livestock feed, is carried out by many national agricultural research systems (NARS) and international research organizations. throughout sub-Saharan Africa. However, to date, the approach adopted at various locations has depended on the scientists involved, the resources available and the ultimate aim of the evaluation. Although this has generated a lot of data, variation in evaluation methodology has precluded the comparison of results across sites. This manual outlines a standard evaluation methodology, which will enable researchers throughout the region to obtain meaningful results from their forage plant evaluation, whilst still allowing comparisons between sites. A companion manual, covering the evaluation of feed value (Osuji et al, 1993) has already
  • Studies on multipurpose fodder trees and shrubs in West Africa: Variation in determinants of forage quality in Albizia and Paraserianthes species
    Larbi, A.; Smith, J. W.; Adekunle, I. O.; Kurdi, I. O. (1996)
    Variation was investigated in forage production, in sacco dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) degradation, and in vitro gas production characteristics of 3 Albizia species/provenances (A. lebbeck N 864, A. procera N 865, A. saman N 825) and Paraserianthes falcataria (N 783) obtained from the Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association. One year after establishment on a site at IITA, Ibadan, SW Nigeria, forage production was assessed by harvesting trees at 0.5 m above ground in the main wet (April-August) minor wet (September-November) and dry (December-March) seasons. Forage samples from the main wet and dry seasons were incubated for 6, 12, 48, 72 and 96 h in rumen fistulated cattle to estimate in sacco DM and N degradation characteristics. In vitro gas production was estimated over 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation. Forage production of A. procera was significantly higher than the other species in all seasons. Cell-wall components were comparatively higher in A. procera than in the other species. Values for potential DM and N degradation of A. lebbeck and A. saman were significantly higher than those for P. falcataria and A. procera. The results suggest that A. lebbeck and A. saman provenances used in this study have relatively higher feed value than A. procera and P. falcataria. (CAB Abstract)