IOSR-JAVS   Volume-7 ~ Issue-7 ~ JULY-2014

ABSTRACT: Nigerian coastline and estuarine fishing communities recently witnessed the invasion of seaweed identified as Sargassum hystrix var. fluitans (Børgesen 1914) during a 16 month survey conducted between May 2011 and August 2012. It was observed that the sea weed occurred mainly during the rainy season (May – August). The spread and distribution of Sargassum hystrix var. fluitans along the coastal and estuarine fishing communities negatively impacted fishing activities as it limited access to fishing ground, clogged fishing gears mainly mono and multifilament gillnets which resulted in loss of man hours used in clearing the seaweed and preparing the gears for next fishing trips. Floating mass of the seaweed also served as aggregating device and provided food and shelters for fish, shell fishes and juvenile sea turtles. Proximate analysis of nutrient constituent of Sargassum hystrix showed 14.33% moisture, 6.55% protein, 1.90% lipid, 18.5% ash, 58.72% carbohydrate and 17.00% fiber. Using LaMotte spectrophotometer, mineral constituent consisted of 0.48ppm nitrate nitrogen, 170.00ppm potassium and 16.70ppm phosphate which suggested that Sargassum hystrix var. fluitans can provide minerals for the development of other agricultural products of economic importance.
Key words: Seaweed, Fishing gear, Nutrient, Minerals and Conservation.

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ABSTRACT: The study of assembling, controlling and manipulating matter on molecular or atomic size is called Nanotechnology in brief known as Nano. Nanotechnology is the study of material of lesser than size 100 nm or smaller in size. Silver nanoparticles are silver particles between 1 nm and 100 nm in size. Silver is well known for its excellent conductivity and antimicrobial effects. They have a much larger surface area, higher efficiency while using less material. They have been used as an ingredient in biocides, in transparent conductive inks and pastes, and in various consumer and industrial products that need enhanced anti-microbial properties. In the present research programme we have synthesised silver nanoparticles using the extract of Cassia auriculata, Datura metel, Ocimum sanctum and Carica papaya plants. The principle of green synthesis of silver nano particles has been used. The botany of plants have been furnished along with the figure of the plant. The UV visible spectra of the silver nano particles have also been described. The synthesised nano particles are evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Novelty of this present study is that the plant extract is very cost effective and eco friendly and thus can be economic and effective for the large scale synthesis of silver nano particles applicable for various drug therapies.
Keywords: Silver nano particles, anti-microbial activity, Cassia auriculata, Datura metel, Ocimum sanctum, Carica papaya.

[1]. A. Parveen, A.S. Roy, and S. Rao, Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from Cassia auriculata leaf extract and in vitro evaluation of Antimicrobial activity. Int J Appl Biol Pharm Technol 3 (2), 2012, 222-228.
[2]. S. Prashanth, I. Menaka, R. Muthezhilan, N.K. Sharma, Synthesis of plant-mediated silver nano particles using medicinal plant extract and evaluation of its anti microbial activities. Int J Eng Sci Tech 3(8): 2011, 6235-6250.
[3]. K. Ratika, and A. Vedpriya, Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from aqueous leaf extracts of Carica papaya and its antibacterial activity. Int J Nanomater Biostruct 3(1): 2013, 17-20.
[4]. C. Udayasoorian, K. Vinoth, and R.M. Jayabalakrishnan, Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaf extract of Cassia auriculata. Digest J Nanomater Biostruct 6(1), 2011, 279-283.
[5]. D. Jain, H. K. Daima, S. Kachhwaha, and S. L. Kothari, Synthesis of plant mediated silver nanoparticles using papaya fruit extract and evaluation of their antimicrobial activities. Digest J Nanomater. Biostruct 4(4), 2009, 723 – 727.

ABSTRACT: Most Africans live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. These predominantly small-scale farmers face many challenges, including food security, rising poverty and natural resource degradation. To increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability for the farmer who needs greater access to affordable yield-enhancing inputs, including well-adapted seeds and new methods of integrated soil fertility management as well as output markets where they can convert surplus production into cash. To address these needs, the Rockefeller foundation established the alliance for a Green revolution in Africa. In Nigeria, the federal government established so many Agricultural Extension organizationsand credit facilities e.g. Operation Feed the Nation (O.F.N), Green Revolution Programme(GRP), Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), National Accelerated Food Production Programme(NAFPP), Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative Bank (NACB)etc, to strengthen small-scale crop farming to support work across all key aspects of Nigeria agricultural value chain. These organizations were to lift millions of small-scale farmers and their families out of poverty and hunger.
Keywords: Agriculture, crop, land, rural area, small-scale farmers,

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