This study was conducted to appraise the economics of different land preparation systems and weed management options in maize cultivation in three ecological zones (Ikenne, Ibadan and Ilorin) of southwestern Nigeria. Four tillage systems as main treatments and six weed control methods as sub-treatments were accommodated in a split-block arrangement of randomized complete block design with three replications. The main treatments were no-tillage (NT), ploughing and harrowing (PH), ploughing twice (PP), ploughing twice and harrowing (PPH) while the sub-treatments were atrazine plus metolachlor (Primextra) at 2.5 and 3.5 kg a.i. ha-1, atrazine plus pendimethalin at 1.25 + 0.83 and 1.75 + 1.16 kg a.i. ha-1, handweeded and unweeded checks. Net benefits achieved from no-tillage system were lower than that of mechanical tillage in all the locations. Greater net returns were obtained from PPH and PH treatments where handweeding or chemical weeding was used. Increased herbicide rate was not economical under the mechanical tillage systems. Any of the mechanical tillage methods can be employed in the three locations. Atrazine plus metolachlor or atrazine plus pendimethalin mixtures are profitable for maize production in Ikenne and Ibadan while the latter is profitable in Ilorin. Keywords : Tillage; weed control; economic; herbicides; maize Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 15-20
This study assessed the food security status of farming households in Ibadan metropolis. Some food security factors (energy and protein level, after their conversion) were cross tabulated with urban farming using eighty-nine well-structured questionnaires and through odds and odds ratio. The questionnaires, which were randomly administered using stratified random sampling technique, were distributed between both the densely and sparsely populated areas of the Ibadan metropolis. Checklists were equally used to collect some other side information as families responds to series of question. Those involved in crop production produced mostly staple crops and seasonal crops such as maize, cassava, vegetable, yam, melon while poultry production is the most common form of animal production. Also some of the respondents combined both animal and crop production together. The levels of individual families\' consumption of these food items were converted. Education relative to urban farming practices was found to influence the food security status of the respondents. This is justified from the χ2 value of 9.263 and 6.443 returned for this factor and which is significant at 0.05 level of significance. Keywords: Food security; Odds; Urban farmingMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 52-59
In-vitro degradation of cassava peel was carried out for 20 days with Trichoderma viride. The highest protein level attainable at the end of the 20th day was 15.95% and the least was 4.76%. Proximate and detergent fibre composition of in-vitro degraded cassava peel samples were determined. Experimental diets were formulated with graded levels of degraded cassava peels for weaned pigs. Diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained biodegraded cassava peels at the expense of cassava flour at levels 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%, respectively. Diet 3 was found to be the best utilized with feed conversion ratio (2.74+0.10), while diet 2 with the poorest conversion (3.20+0.07) was the least utilized. The best and least weight gain were recorded in the pigs fed diets 3 and 5, respectively. Biodegradation increased the crude protein content of the cassava peels, which was 15.95% at 20 days compared to 4.76 and 10.13% at 0 and 5th day, respectively. Phytic and tannic acid contents were also reduced by in-vitro degradation. Colonial counts of micro-organisms from faecal samples of pigs ranged between 108 – 1010 cfu/ml. Presence of Mucor spp and Pseudomonas spp. was noted in the experimental diets, while isolates of Lactobacilli spp., E. Coli, Pseudomonas spp. and yeast were the major micro-organisms in the faecal samples. It is therefore, concluded that biodegraded cassava peels should not be used in pig's production, as parameters studied were not significant (P>0.05) and cost of feed per kg live weight gain was best in control. Keywords : Microbial characterization; feed; faecal samples; weaned pigs; cassava peels; pigs performance Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 36-44
Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted Pumpkin) is classified as a high value leafy vegetable due to its high nutritional indices (2.38%N, 14.88% crude protein, 9.64% Fat, 9.38% Fibre, 9.46% ash, 80.27 % moisture, 26.10 % dry matter and 54.3% vitamin C content (mg/100g). A control experiment at 0 kg/ha (F1) and three other fertilizer levels (N P K 15-15-15) at 300kg/ha (F2), 400kg/ha (F3) and 500 kg/ha (F4) in combination with four irrigation rates/frequencies were evaluated to determine their effects on growth performance, vine/shoot and pod yield of Telfairia occidentalis . Irrigation treatments include watering once per week (W1) at 48 mm, watering twice per week (W2) at 96 mm, watering thrice per week (W3) at 144 mm and watering four times per week (W4) at 192 mm. The experiment was a factorial experiment in split plot design. Results obtained showed that maximum canopy formation in terms of leaf area per plant (268.39cm2) was significantly superior (P Telfairia occidentalis . Keywords : Telfairia occidentalis ; yield; fertilizer; irrigatio Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 1-6
The emergence of the sugarcane out-growers scheme intended to service the sugar industries in the savanna agro-ecologies of Nigeria necessitates the availability of low-moisture tolerant varieties for cultivation under strict upland condition. Data obtained from a replicated field trial involving 30 exotic and 18 local sugarcane germplasm collections at the University of Ilorin Sugar Research Institute (USRI), were used to assess their yielding potential under non- irrigated condition. The objective was to determine their suitability as parents for evolving superior but low-moisture tolerant sugarcane genotypes for cultivation in the drought-prone ecologies of the sugarcane growing area of Nigeria. Significant differences were observed for harvest stage (HS), genotype (G) and G x HS interaction for all characters measured except for number of internodes/stalk. Ranges in the means were large for almost all the characters except stalk diameter with a difference of 34.0t/ha between the highest and lowest yielding genotypes. In consonance with genetic variance (δ2g) estimates, broadsense heritability (H2B) estimates were high for kg-brix and millable cane population (0.66 & 0.61), moderate for cane yield and internode length (0.54 & 0.51) but low for sucrose in the juice and stalks/stool (0.25 & 0.12). Eight of the top ten productive genotypes with respect to cane yield, brix and kg-brix are the flowering type indicating their usefulness as parents in hybridization programme intended for developing productive varieties for low soil moisture situation. One of the check varieties (var. CO957) demonstrated yield superiority and adaptation to low soil moisture situation. The implications of these results in breeding and selection for low-moisture tolerant sugarcane varieties are discussed. Keywords : Saccharum officinarum; Cane yield; moisture stress; Brix; Kg-yield Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 69-75
The study identified the soil conservation practices available to farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used in selecting the sample needed for the subsequent analysis. The study indicated that the level of awareness of the farmers is high for most of the practices. The farmers commonly adopt fertilizers, minimum tillage and bush fallow practices. The truncated negative binomial Count Data model was used to identify factors influencing adoption of the practices. Factors identified as determinants of their adoption of soil conservation practices include: farm size, land tenure, extension contact, household net worth, awareness, perceived benefits. These variables are significant and impact positively on adoption decision. The perceived cost of adoption has a negative significant influence on their adoption decision. Keywords : Soil conservation practices; adoption paradigms; farmers' behaviour; Oyo State; Nigeria Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 107-114
The paper examined the efficiency of upland and lowland rice production systems in a prominent rice producing State (Niger State) in Nigeria using descriptive statistics, stochastic production frontier model as well as inefficiency model. The data used were generated from a farm survey involving 240 rice farmers' randomly selected using multistage sampling technique. Results of analysis indicate that upland rice farmers were significantly more technically efficient (81.2%) than lowland rice farmers (76.4%) at P ≤ 0.01. Also, farmers stand the chance of improving their efficiency by 18.8% and 23.6% in upland and lowland production systems respectively and the inefficiency model indicated that this can be achieved when rice farmers plant improved varieties regardless of the production systems. In addition, sex was a significant determinant of efficiency under upland production while experience plays a significant role under lowland production (P ≤ 0.05). Keywords: Stochastic production frontier; efficiency; rice production; NigeriaMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp.93-99
A field experiment was conducted in Abeokuta, south western Nigeria, to evaluate the growth and yield response of three groundnut cultivars to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus mosseae) and phosphorus (P) fertilization in 2003 and 2004 planting seasons. The design was split-split plot in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a 3×2×2 factorial combination of groundnut cultivars (RMP91, RRB and RMP12), phosphorus (54 and 0 kg ha-1) and mycorrhizal inoculation (inoculated and uninoculated). Observations were made on canopy spread, leaf area, dry matter yield and grain yield. Mycorrhizal root infections, leaf P uptake and available P in the rhizosphere were also determined. Result shows that inoculation of groundnut cultivars with G. mosseae significantly enhanced grain yield in the 2003 planting season (54% in RMP91 to 66% in RMP12) whereas the enhancement was lower and only significant in RRB (21%) in the 2004 planting season. Phosphorus fertilization enhanced grain yield by a range of 22% (RMP91) and 40% (RMP12) in the 2003 planting season while it was a range of between 20% (RMP91) and 16% (RRP) in the 2004 planting season. Mycorrhizal root infection was as high as 64.1% relative to control (10.6%) in 2003 season. Inoculation with G. mosseae increased leaf P uptake by 30% within the two planting seasons. Phosphorus application increased the level of P in the leaf (average 32%) in the two years and rhizosphere soil P (average 1400%) only in the 2004 planting season. Percentage root colonization ranged between 60 and 67% in all the inoculated plots in the two years. There was a marked increased in the root infection rate in the uninoculated plots (averaged 180%) in the 2004 planting season. In the 2004 planting season, available rhizosphere soil P averaged 2.06 mg kg-1 in the inoculated plots when compared to 2.6 mg kg-1 in P fertilized and 2.69 mg kg-1 in the P+M plots. All the treatments increased canopy spread (average 25%), leaf area (average 14%) and root dry weight (17%) over the control in the 2003 planting season, while in 2004 planting season, increase was recorded in canopy spread (average 22%), leaf area (average 40%) and shoot dry weight (average 35%) over the control. Inoculation of groundnut cultivars with the mycorrhizal fungus improved their performance in the field and compared favorably with the groundnuts fertilized with 54 kg ha-1 of SSP fertilizer
Potential fungal antagonists of Phytophtora megakarya were isolated from leaves, pods and soil rhizosphere of cocoa plant. Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma Koningii were isolated and tested for their ability to inhibit growth of P. megakarya on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). In-vitro screening was carried out using techniques of dual-culture analysis. The two isolates of Trichoderma effectively inhibited radial growth in P. megakarya through hyperparasitism iin vitro. The antagonists proliferated in the dual culture with P. megakarya and significantly reduced the growth of the mycelia when compared with the control. T. Koningii showed a better antagonistic effect than T. harzianum on P. megakarya. Results also indicated that introducing the antagonists before the pathogen gave better inhibitory effects than the other treatments (pathogen before antagonist and antagonist simultaneously with pathogen). Keywords: Biological control; Cocoa; Phytophtora megakarya, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii,Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 87-91
Eight varieties of mulberry plant namely; NG1, K2, S14, S30, S34, S36, S41 and S54 were evaluated at the Ahmadu Bello University farm in Zaria for survival, yield and nutrient contents. The samples of the mulberry plant were collected from the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Ibadan. The 8 varieties were planted out using 8 x 8 Latin Square experimental layout. Leaves from these varieties were used separately to feed the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori L. The study revealed that all the eight varieties could survive in the Northern Guinea Savanna area of the country. The S41 variety had the highest survival rate (78.2%) while S34 variety had the highest leaf yield (28095kg/ha). The performances of varieties S14, S36, NG1 and K2 in terms of leaf yield were low. Leaf analysis revealed that the Nitrogen and Calcium contents of S54 were significantly higher than those of the other seven varieties. This was followed by those of K2, S30 and S34. Sodium content was found to be very high in NG1, S41, S54 and K2. Worms fed with S34 variety produced the highest cocooning percent and also performed well in the production of good cocoons. S54 produced the heaviest single cocoon, the lowest number of cocoons in 1.0kg cocoons, produced cocoons with the least quantity of leaves and its effective rate of rearing determined by the weight of the cocoon produced was superior to others. Variety S54 based on the performances of the silkworms fed with its leaves has therefore been selected for cultivation in the semi arid area of Nigeria. Keywords: Mulberry; Variety; survival; yield; moisture content; chemical content; bombyx mori; cocoonMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 21-27
A 3 x 3 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design was employed to investigate the effects of three storage temperatures on germination of seeds of three Nigerian Mahogany species, namely: Khaya senegalensis, Khaya grandifoliola and Entandrophragma angolense, for a period 9 months, in order to determine the optimal temperature and length of time for storage of these seeds. Freshly processed seeds, sun-dried to moisture content of between 10-12% and stored at three temperature regimes of 28OC + 2OC, 5OC + 2OC and -17OC + 2OC were taken out at monthly intervals and sown. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) P< = 0.01 while mean separation was carried out using Duncan\'s Multiple Range Test. The results showed that the selected Mahoganies had better germination of 65%, 45% and 74% for Khaya senegalensis, Khaya grandifoliola and Entandrophragma angolense, respectively at storage temperature of 5OC by the fifth month of storage than at temperature of 28OC and -17OC. Percentage germination declined by the sixth month of storage at temperature of 5OC. The values at this temperature were still higher than those stored at 28OC and -17OC except for Khaya grandifoliola which retained its viability for about 5 months at –17OC. The sensitivity of the selected Mahoganies to low temperature probably indicates recalcitrant nature of the seeds. Keywords: storage period, storage temperature, seed germination.Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 30-35
The study assessed the rainfall distribution pattern over the last 25 years (1989-2004) to determine the length of growing season and timing of arable crop cultivation in Ogun State. Secondary rainfall data was obtained from the four meteorological stations in the State and subjected to arithmetic calculations for estimation of raindays, drydays and rainfall variability in the study areas. The results show that the month of March marks the onset of rainy season in the State while October marks its cessation. Out of the growing period of 208 days, 88 days were observed as having sufficient rainfall (0.25mm and above) per day. Based on Seasonality Index (S.I) of 0.32 and monthly and annual coefficient of variability of less than 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, estimated for the study area, it was ascertained that the raindays were well spread out through the months of the rainy season. Observed high frequencies of 2 and 4 dryday spells suggest that rainfall will take place mostly after 2 or 4 successive days of no rain. In the light of this, it was concluded that rainfall situation in Ogun State will favourably support arable crop cultivation and as such land preparation should be completed by mid-April and followed by seed sowing between then and early May. Keywords: Rainday; dryday spell; rainfall variability length of growing season, and timing of arable crop cultivationMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 56-62
Ratooning ability (RA) is an important criterion in determining varietal suitability for commercial sugarcane cultivation because of the necessity to spread the costs of planting operations over subsequent ratoon crops. Two estimates of RA were computed with the objective to identify a more suitable approach for estimating the RA of a cultivar under low soil moisture regime by using data collected over four cropping cycles from 48 local and exotic sugarcane germplasm collections. The first estimate was computed using the formula: Rai = 100Sri/PC where RA of a trait i is defined as the ratio of the second ratoon crop (SRC) yield of trait i to the plant cane (PC) yield of trait i expressed as a percentage while the second approach is a generalized formula: Rpi = 100[1-(X2-Xi)/Xa] where Rpi = annualized yield of cane, Xa = the reference yield = [yield of plant cane + yield of first ratoon]/2 and Xi = the individual ratoon yield. Genetic variance (δ2g) estimates for RA were comparable for both methods except for brix and kg-brix. Broadsense heritability estimates (H2B) of RA for cane yield was 0.76 in Method I while it was 0.64 in Method II. Brix had estimates of 0.82 and 0.64 for Methods I and II respectively. Genotypes with poor RA were characterized mostly by sharp decline in cane yield especially between the plant cane and first ratoon crop while those with good RA had the greatest yield decline between the first and second ratoon crops. The similarity in estimates of RA with the two methods or in the genotypes selected on the basis of cane yield, brix and Kg-brix suggests that either of the two methods is equally suitable in estimating RA either under ideal growing conditions or in a moisture stress environment. Keywords: Ratooning ability; Plant cane; Ratoon crop; Rank Summation IndexMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 16-23
A 56-day feeding trial was conducted with Oreochromis niloticus to evaluate the effect of toasted lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L) meal as a partial replacement supplement for fullfat soybean meal. Five isonitrogenous (30% crude protein) diets were formulated in which full fat soybean was substituted at the rate of 10, 20, 30 and 40% with protein from roasted lima bean. A diet containing no toasted lima bean served as control. Fish fed with test diet B had significantly (p0.05) difference among the different treatments. Fish fed test diet B (10% inclusion level) showed an overall superior growth than other experimental diets. Growth rate and nutrient utilization decreased with increase in inclusion level of toasted lima bean except the high specific growth rate (SGR) value observed in the group fed test diet D (40% inclusion level). These data indicated that up to 10% of fullfat soybean meal protein in the diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings can be replaced by toasted lima beans protein. Keywords: Oreochromis niloticus; Phaseolus lunatus; isonitrogenous; specific growth rate; feed conversion ratioMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 92-98
The natural fallow through which the fertility of tropical soils is restored and the weed pressure is alleviated can no longer be sustained. However, improved bush fallow using fast-growing, deep-rooting and good biomass-accumulating shrubby legumes provides a good alternative. The suitability of Senna obtusifolia in improved fallow management was investigated by studying its competitive ability relative to Chromolaena odorata (siam weed) and Euphorbia heterophylla (poinsettia weed) in replacement series studies at four total densities (29, 58, 115 and 230 plants m -2 ) in pure stands and at three total densities (58, 115 and 230 plants m -2 ) in equiproportion mixture. Replacement series diagrams were drawn and relative competitive ability indices (Relative Yield, RY; Relative Yield Total, RYT; Relative Replacement Rate, RRR) were determined from the plant dry weight (PDW). In the replacement series diagrams of Senna/Chromolaena combination, the curves of the PDW/pot and those of the RY were convex for the two species. The RY values were 0.64±0.12 and 0.59±0.05 for S. obtusifolia and C. odorata respectively. The RYT and RRR, averaged over all densities, were 1.23±0.08 and 1.27±0.17 respectively. However, in the Senna/Euphorbia combination, the curves were convex for S. obtusifolia and concave for E. heterophylla . The RY values were 0.81±0.06 for S. obtusifolia and 0.23±0.05 for E. heterophylla respectively. The RYT and RRR values for the combination were 1.05±0.07 and 11.07±2.40 respectively. The results indicated that though S. obtusifolia and C. odorata attained equilibrium growth with RYT significantly deviated from unity (RYT>1) when grown in mixture, S. obtusifolia exerted greater replacement pressure than C. odorata . Conversely, in the Senna/Euphorbia combination, there was a competitive relationship (RYT»1) in which S. obtusifolia was the aggressor and E. heterophylla the subordinate species. The study showed that while S. obtusifolia exhibited obvious competitive superiority in mixture with E. heterophylla , the superiority was less obvious in mixture with C. odorata . Key words : Competition; fallow management; helioplastic response; weed control DOI: 10.4038/tare.v11i0.1784 Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension Vol.11 2008 pp.25-30
This paper discusses the constraints to sustainable development of the rubber industry in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 150 farmers in four Local Government Areas in Delta state. Frequency counts and percentages were used to analyse the data collected. The findings revealed that lack of inputs, lack of credit facilities, high production cost are some of the constraints to sustainable development. The study also revealed among others the causes of the constraints, which include high lending interest rate, diversion of loan by farmers, low exchange rate of the Naira and old age of the rubber trees. On the socio–economic characteristics of the farmers, it was discovered that the older farmers (over 49 years old) were more involved in rubber production with 79 percent accounting for a low level of education. The study concluded that provision of credit facility and availability of farm inputs are pathways to sustainable development in the rubber industry. Keywords: Constraints; sustainable; rubber; industryMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 42-48
The study identified the income generating potentials of cashew fruits and attitude of farmers towards adding value to cashew in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was designed to elicit information on selected personal characteristics, level of income generated from cashew fruits, sources of information, farming activities and attitude towards processing of cashew fruits for income generation in the study area. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty farmers from a list of six hundred farmers in the study area. A significant relationship exists between the level of income generated from cashew fruits and education (X2 =9.700; P=0.05). In conclusion, farmers generate income from raw fruits only and have negative disposition towards adding value to cashew fruits for income generation. It is therefore recommended that cashew fruit farmers be educated on processing potentials of cashew fruits to enhance their income and improve their standard of living in the study area. Keywords: Income; Cashew; Potentials; Farmers; NigeriaMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 35-41
Experiments were conducted at Ilorin, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of soil moisture stress at different growth stages (vegetative, flowering and pod filling) on floral and pods abortion, reproductive efficiency and grain yields of ten soybean genotypes (TGX 923-2E, TGX 1440-1E, Samsoy- 2, TGX 536 02D, TGX 1019-2E, TGX 1448-2E, TGX 1844-18E, TGX 1830-2DE, TGX 1740-2F and TGX 1817-12E). A regularly watered (control) treatment was included in all the replicates. There were significant variations (p < 0.001) in flower and pods abortions, yield components and grain yields of the genotypes, as well as in the moisture stress treatments. Reproductive efficiency was, however, not significantly affected by any of the two factors. Grain yield was highest with TGX 1844-18E due to high number of flowers and pods produced. Similarly moderate floral and pods abortions, as well as high pod and biomass yields were recorded in the variety. Grain yield was lowest in TGX 1817-12E resulting from lower number of flowers and pods produced, high floral and pods abortions and low pod and biomass yields. Soil moisture stress, especially when it occurred at the vegetative and flowering stages significantly reduced flower and pods production, biomass yield, and slightly increased floral and pods abortions. Conclusively, reductions in grain yields as a result of moisture stress at any growth stage was due to reduction in sink sites where dry matter is to be stored. This occurs because of reduction in the ability to translocate more photosynthates to the sites during pod filling. Results of this study showed Samsoy-2 and TGX 1817-12EN to be the most tolerant genotypes to soil moisture stress, while TGX 1019-2EN and TGX 536-02D, the least tolerant. Keywords: Floral and pod abortion; reproductive efficiency; soybean genotype; moisture stressMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 9-14
The study was conducted in Ibadan metropolis to determine the profitability of beef cattle fattening. Data were collected from 50 randomly selected cattle fattening operators and were analyzed using descriptive and budgetary analyses. Results showed that 84 percent of the operators\' sourced capital from personal savings, relatives and friends. The structure of the herd kept typifies more of beef to dairy herds while the average herd size was 26 animals (LU). The cost figures indicate that feed and labour made up 46 and 37 percent of the variable cost respectively, while 84 percent of the total cost was the fixed cost. Cost-benefit analysis revealed a gross margin of N568, 689, and cost-benefit ratio of 1:1.3. Net income was estimated as N142, 735 and N 5, 554 per farm and head of animal respectively. However, the heavy dependence on credit from informal sources could limit the potential for expansion of the enterprise and this could be addressed by adequate funding from formal sources like cooperative societies and community banks. Keywords: Beef cattle fattening; Ibadan metropoli; Cost-benefitMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 45-51
The paper investigated the cost of plantain production with a view to understanding the functional relationship between cost of production and technical efficiency of the plantain farmers as well as some socioeconomic variables. The data used for this study were collected from a sample survey in Ibadan area of Oyo State in the humid forest zone of Nigeria. The survey covered two local government areas and six villages. Stochastic frontier and cost function were fitted to the dataset. The results revealed that plantain production was profitable in the study area. The results further showed that the farmers were fairly efficient in their use of resources and that greater reductions in cost can be achieved through efficiency improvements. The study concluded that improvements in the efficiency levels of farmers appear to be one clear way to improve plantain productivity. Keywords: Plantain; Stochastic frontier; Technical efficiency; Cost of production; NigeriaMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 107-113
