https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/issue/feed 2024-03-21T14:55:43+00:00 Dr Chisoni Mumba, PhD cmumba@unza.zm Open Journal Systems The University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences (UNZA-JABS) is a quarterly Journal open to journal article publications in the fields of agriculture, medicine, veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences as well as such allied life sciences. The Journal welcomes manuscripts submissions that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1084 2024-03-21T14:23:34+00:00 Smart Gondwe oschibinga@gmail.com Oswin Chifungwe Chibinga oschibinga@gmail.com Francisco Kanyinji oschibinga@gmail.com

Wetlands are an important source of pastures for livestock forage in the dry season in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study forage samples were collected during the dry season (September to November) to evaluate the nutritive value for potential to supply livestock requirements during dry season under the transhumance system of livestock production in the Kafue Flood Plains in Mazabuka district of Southern Province. The frequency, height and cover of the grass species in upper and lower parts of the grazing area were measured. Proximate components, fibre fractions and in vitro dry matter digestibility were determined using standard laboratory procedures. The grass species found in the upper land were Acroceras macrum, and Vetiveria nigritana at the frequency of 60 and 56 percent, respectively. Panicum repens, Polygonum spp and Cyperus papyrus are the grass species that were found in the lower area at a frequency of 44, 52 and 80 percent. Ground cover was 69 and 100 % for upper and lower area, respectively. The Crude Protein was significantly different among the species Vetiveria nigritana (7.90%) and Polygonum salicifolium (8.46 %), Cyperus papyrus (6.12%) and were also higher than for Panicum repens (3.37%) and Acroceras macrum (3.32%) (p ˂ 0.05). Crude fiber ranged from 12.8% (Polygonum salicifolium) to 34.6% (Vetiveria nigritana). Polygonum salicifolium had higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (INVDMD) (50.8%) followed by Vetiveria nigritana (46.4%), Cyperus papyrus (44.5%), Panicum repens (39.9%) and Acroceras macrum (39.7%) at (p ˂ 0.05). These results clearly shown that the some of the grass species of the Kafue flat have good nutrition content and therefore are a good source of nutrition for ruminants in the dry season

2023-10-27T00:00:00+00:00 ##submission.copyrightStatement## https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1102 2024-03-21T14:23:45+00:00 Edmund Owusu e_wusu@yahoo.com Charles Kwoseh ckwoseh@hotmail.com Enoch Osekre osek652001@yahoo.com Emmanuel Duku boamahduk@yahoo.com Barnabas Adongo bigadobas@yahoo.com Eric Gyasi ericgyasi2010@yahoo.com

Fusarium wilt disease cause losses to eggplants in many parts of Ghana. However, information about farmers’ appreciation and management of the disease is limited. In this study, farmers’ socio-demographic characteristics, farming history, awareness and perception of Fusarium Wilt disease of eggplants in some major eggplant growing areas in the Ashanti, Eastern and Volta Regions of Ghana were determined. Purposive sampling method was used to select major eggplant producing communities and snowball technique was employed to identify eggplant farmers. A structured questionnaire aided with pictures of Fusarium infected eggplant was used to inquire for information from750 farmers in the three regions; 250 from each region and 50 from each of the 5 communities selected in each region. The farmers on the three regions had similar socio-demographic characters and knowledge of Fusarium wilt disease of eggplants. Farmers were mostly within the age group of 30 year to 50 years and 63% of them had formal education. Land preparation was mainly manual, except for some part of the Volta region that used tractors. Mixed cropping with other vegetables and crop rotation with cereals was most practiced. Farmer selected seeds were the major planting materials. Wilt symptoms was a common observation of farmers in all the regions. However, majority were oblivious of the cause and source of the disease and therefore were unable to apply appropriate management methods. Farmers could not estimate losses caused by Fusarium wilt disease and therefore were not keen on management methods.

2023-11-23T16:30:50+00:00 ##submission.copyrightStatement## https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1093 2024-03-21T14:23:37+00:00 Girja Shanker Pandey pandeygs@gmail.com Careen Hankanga careen.hankanga@unza.zm Farai Phiri farai.phiri@unza.zm Mercy Mfula Chipolo mercymchipolo@gmail.com Racheal Mwenda raychealmwenda@gmail.com Noanga Mebelo noangam3@gmail.com

Transmissible Venereal Tumour (TVT) a round cell tumours probably originating from genetic alteration of canine histiocytes is horizontally and sexually transmitted that affects dogs and other canids. There is no published report on extra-genital TVT among dogs in Zambia. The present case reports the cytopathology and haemato-biochemistry of an extra-genital TVT, without primary genital involvement in a 4 year old male dog in Lusaka, Zambia. There were a total of 18 cutaneous immobile nodules ranging in size from 25 to 57 mm on the dorsal and ventral aspect of the body and no ulceration or bleeding was observed. Haemato-biochemstry revealed anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, hyperproteinaemia, increased blood creatinine and urea nitrogen. Based on cytology, TVT of lymphoid sub type was diagnosed ruling out suspicion of cutaneous lymphoma or histiocytoma. Definitive diagnosis was easily based on physical examination and cytological findings of typical of TVT cells in exfoliated cells through FNAC which is rapid, reliable, efficient, cost favourable and more conclusive hastening intervention than waiting for histopathology. Our findings emphasize the need to consider TVT on the list of differential diagnosis for masses in extragenital sites in dogs from geographic regions where TVT is prevalent.

2023-11-24T07:33:38+00:00 ##submission.copyrightStatement## https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1066 2024-03-21T14:23:31+00:00 Alfred Chewetu chewetualfred@yahoo.com Progress H Nyanga progress.nyanga@unza.zm

Energy conservation is a subject that has continued to attract global attention as it essential in ensuring that the growing energy demand does not pose a threat to the environment. In view of this, the aim of this study was to find out the household energy conservation practices used in Chalimbana ward of Chongwe district, Zambia. The study adopted a convergent mixed method research design. Qualitative data from 10 purposively sampled key informants was collected through in-depth-interviews using semi-structured interview guides. Additionally, quantitative data from 175 households selected through cluster sampling technique was collected using a questionnaire. The qualitative data was analysed though content analysis whereas quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The study found that most households in Chalimbana ward depend on traditional biomass energy (Charcoal and firewood). Through multiple linear regression, the study found that expenditure on household energy consumption in the study area is influenced is influenced by social economic factors such as family size, house size and education. To conserve energy, the households in this area use a variety of conservation methods of which the most used involves switching or putting off unused household energy appliances or sources. The energy used among these households causes air pollution, habitat loss, land use change, exposure to hazardous waste among other environmental atrocities While the study findings show that households in Chalimbana ward do practice energy conservation, this is not done at a substantive level that can yield sustainable environmental, economic and social benefits of household energy conservation.

2023-10-16T14:00:07+00:00 ##submission.copyrightStatement## https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1095 2024-03-21T14:55:43+00:00 Lizzy Michelo lizzymicelo@gmail.com Progress Nyanga lizzymichelo@gmail.com Banda Alick alick.banda@unza.zm

Comparable to the rest of the world, African countries are orbiting from the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19. The continent’s administrations responded to COVID-19 guidelines by imposing restrictions to limit the spread of the virus. COVID-19 and measures responses to the pandemic undermine food production, processing and marketing but the most concerning experiences are on the demand-side, economic and physical access to food. Food and Agriculture Organization’s ( FAO) ‘four pillars’ availability, accessibility, stability and utilization provide a complete framework for analysing food security. However, the paper was looking at how people in high density residential areas are experiencing food security during COVID-19 period. The main aim was to assess the experiences of residents of high density urban residential areas of Lusaka in terms of household food security before and during COVID-19 pandemic era. The study used the embedded research design. Structured interviews were used to collect data from the respondents using questionnaires administered on a sample of 235 Ng’ombe residents. Key informants were selected purposively from Ng’ombe urban health Centre, Ng’ombe Catholic church, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ministry of Agriculture and World Food Programme (WFP) officials. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with a tool called interview guide. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistic, paired t-test and chi-square using R statistical computing software and excel. The results were presented using tables, pie charts and graphs. The study revealed that Ng’ombe residents had a devastating experience during the COVID 19 era among which include reduction in income, hunger, job losses, skipped or reduced meal sizes and compromised diet. Also pinpointing areas for governments and other actors to intervene in the food system to protect the food security of households left vulnerable by COVID-19 for example empowering the affected households with money for businesses and jobs creation. Keywords: COVID-19, Food security, High density areas, dietary diversity.

2023-11-08T06:31:12+00:00 ##submission.copyrightStatement##