Volume 2 Issue 2
Authors: J. O. Awulu; J. Audu; G. Nuhu
Abstract: Sowing small seeds is operated manually by small-scale farmers which normally results in poor distribution of the planted seeds. In a bid to solve the problems associated with manual seed broadcasting, an affordable manually operated seed broadcaster has been designed and constructed. The seed broadcaster is made from locally available materials comprising supporting frame, a hopper, bevel gears, bearings, spreading disc, seed opening (shut-off lid), shaft, manual rotating handle and a belt for fastening to the body. The field performance of this device was evaluated by testing it on paddy, guinea corn, and soya bean seeds. The capacity of the device is 7068.6cm3. The device has a net weight of 6.25kg. Breakage efficiency increases with the decrease in size of seeds broadcasted while discharge efficiency increased with increase in the size of seeds broadcasted. Broken efficiency of the device was 2.7%, 8.3% and 10% for soya bean, paddy and guinea corn respectively while discharge efficiency was 91.7%, 92% and 97.5% for paddy, guinea corn and soya bean respectively. This device provides leverage in lifting the agricultural productivity in the area of quick broadcasting.
Keywords: Development; Seed; Broadcaster; Evaluation
Authors: Mohamed Y. Bedaiwy; Mohamed E. Osman; Mona M. Ismail; Mostafa M. El-Sheekh
Abstract: Two green algae (Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus) were grown under mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions using molasses as carbon source. Under both growth conditions, the growth rate, carbohydrate and protein contents increased by the increased concentrations of molasses. The pigment fractions and lipid contents increased in response to increasing molasses concentrations under mixotrophic conditions for both algae, whereas they decreased under heterotrophic conditions till the algal cells become bright yellow. The biomass of C. vulgaris and S. obliquus grown on molasses under heterotrophic conditions were used to protein fractionation and production of ethanol.
Keywords: Microalgae; Molasses; Mixotrophic Growth; Heterotrophic; Ethanol Fermentation