Online: ISSN 2784 – 0360 | Print: ISSN 2784 – 0379

Musa Ahmad Rufai

Entomological and epidemiological assessment of Glossina species in relation to the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in selected area councils of Abuja

Wintola Haulatu Umaru, Ahmad Rufai Musa, Okpanachi Martin Abdubala, Amana Gabriel Unekwu, Sabdat Unoiza Umar, Olubiyo Comfort Kehinde, Olubiyo Gloria Taiye and Ogbe Kingsley Unekwu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-591206

Article preview: Effective control of trypanosomiasis across sub-Saharan Africa depends on understanding where and when tsetse flies pose the greatest threat. This study reveals striking variations in vector abundance and infection prevalence, highlighting priority areas for surveillance and targeted intervention.

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Growth performance, nitrogen utilization and economics of Red Sokoto bucks fed Saccharomyces cerevisiae-treated groundnut haulm and dried cassava peel-based diets

Ahmad Rufai Musa, Olayinka John Makinde, Aminu Maidala, Ahmed Bishir, Kakudi Ismail Abubakar, Kosoro Ahmad Mua’zu, Ismaila Habiba Abdullahi, Yakubu Zakari Idrissa, Charles Hannatu and Muhammad Hamisu Zango

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-571128

ABSTRACT. This study investigated the growth performance, nitrogen balance, and economics of production of Red Sokoto bucks (RSBs) fed Saccharomyces cerevisiae-treated, biodegradable groundnut haulms (SCGH) and dried cassava peels (DCP). Four dietary treatments were formulated including a control diet (T1; 0% SCGH:DCP) and DCP in combination with SCGH at the different proportions of 275:695 (T2), 375:595 (T3), and 475:495 (T4) g/kg of dry matter (DM). A combination of 5 g and 50 g of yeast as a probiotic and molasses, respectively, were added to 1 kg of GH after been dissolved in 1 L of water. Twelve healthy RSBs weighing 9.5 ± 0.40 kg of body weight (BW) and aged 7 to 8 months were exposed to four treatments. This was replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for 90 days. The average final weight, average daily weight gain (gram/day), nitrogen intake, and nitrogen balance were significantly influenced by the inclusion of DCP and SCGH in the diets. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the ADG of T1 (58.20 g/d) and the T4 (58.89 g/d) groups. Feed conversion ratio and feed-cost saving ($630.80) increased with the inclusion of DCP and SCGH in the goats’ diets. In conclusion, T4 (SCGH: 475g, DCP: 495g) had a better chemical composition, ADG, nitrogen balance, and feed-cost saving; therefore, SCGH are recommended and are readily available agricultural wastes that can be fed to RSBs to improve performance and nitrogen utilization in a cost-effective way, especially during dry season.

Keywords: bucks; cassava peels; nitrogen balance; probiotics; yeast.

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Entomological and epidemiological assessment of Glossina species in relation to the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in selected area councils of Abuja

May 29, 2026 |

Wintola Haulatu Umaru, Ahmad Rufai Musa, Okpanachi Martin Abdubala, Amana Gabriel Unekwu, Sabdat Unoiza Umar, Olubiyo Comfort Kehinde, Olubiyo Gloria Taiye and Ogbe Kingsley Unekwu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-591206

Article preview: Effective control of trypanosomiasis across sub-Saharan Africa depends on understanding where and when tsetse flies pose the greatest threat. This study reveals striking variations in vector abundance and infection prevalence, highlighting priority areas for surveillance and targeted intervention.

read more

Growth performance, nitrogen utilization and economics of Red Sokoto bucks fed Saccharomyces cerevisiae-treated groundnut haulm and dried cassava peel-based diets

Mar 19, 2024 |

Ahmad Rufai Musa, Olayinka John Makinde, Aminu Maidala, Ahmed Bishir, Kakudi Ismail Abubakar, Kosoro Ahmad Mua’zu, Ismaila Habiba Abdullahi, Yakubu Zakari Idrissa, Charles Hannatu and Muhammad Hamisu Zango

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-571128

ABSTRACT. This study investigated the growth performance, nitrogen balance, and economics of production of Red Sokoto bucks (RSBs) fed Saccharomyces cerevisiae-treated, biodegradable groundnut haulms (SCGH) and dried cassava peels (DCP). Four dietary treatments were formulated including a control diet (T1; 0% SCGH:DCP) and DCP in combination with SCGH at the different proportions of 275:695 (T2), 375:595 (T3), and 475:495 (T4) g/kg of dry matter (DM). A combination of 5 g and 50 g of yeast as a probiotic and molasses, respectively, were added to 1 kg of GH after been dissolved in 1 L of water. Twelve healthy RSBs weighing 9.5 ± 0.40 kg of body weight (BW) and aged 7 to 8 months were exposed to four treatments. This was replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for 90 days. The average final weight, average daily weight gain (gram/day), nitrogen intake, and nitrogen balance were significantly influenced by the inclusion of DCP and SCGH in the diets. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the ADG of T1 (58.20 g/d) and the T4 (58.89 g/d) groups. Feed conversion ratio and feed-cost saving ($630.80) increased with the inclusion of DCP and SCGH in the goats’ diets. In conclusion, T4 (SCGH: 475g, DCP: 495g) had a better chemical composition, ADG, nitrogen balance, and feed-cost saving; therefore, SCGH are recommended and are readily available agricultural wastes that can be fed to RSBs to improve performance and nitrogen utilization in a cost-effective way, especially during dry season.

Keywords: bucks; cassava peels; nitrogen balance; probiotics; yeast.

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© 2026 by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)