TechHub Journal

Comparative Assessment of Chili Pepper and Amprolium on Apparent Digestibility and Prevention of Coccidiosis in Broilers

Adedoyin A. A, Bamimore, A. I., Oyewumi, S. O., Onilude, A. A. — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0200

A trial was conducted for 56 days to assess the efficacy of Chili Pepper (CP) as an alternative additive to synthetic coccidiostat on performance, apparent digestibility and prevention of coccidiosis in broilers. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used to allot 210 a-day old Hybro chicks to three dietary treatments with seven replicates of ten birds each. Diet 1 which is a Positive Control (PC) supplemented with amprolium. Diet 2 was a Negative Control (NC) without amprolium and chili pepper, while Diet 3 was supplemented with 1.25% chili pepper.

Results showed that at starter phase an Average Feed Intake (AFI) and Average Body Weight Gain (ABWG) were similar in birds fed with diet 1 (PC) amprolium supplemented type, and diet 3 (CP) chili pepper supplemented type compared with diet 2 (NC) without amprolium and chili pepper supplementation. At finisher phase, feed : gain ratios observed in birds fed diet 1 (1.96), and birds fed diet 3 (1.98) were better when compared with those birds fed diet 2 (2.12). Percentage mortality (5.71%) was higher (p<0.05) in diet 2 as compared with diets 1 and 3 (2.85%) (1.42%), respectively. At the starter phase, a similar trend in apparent digestibility was observed throughout all treatment groups while at the finisher phase, higher (p<0.05) values of 88.31%, 78.11%, 76.91%, 78.88% and 64.44% were recorded for dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and ash, respectively, for diet 3, compared to diets 1 and 2.At both starter and finisher phases, oocytes shedding per gram of faeces (OPG) in diets 1 (61.8and 40.6) and diet 3 (70.1 and49.3) were lowered (p<0.05) compared to diet 2 (83.6 and98.9), respectively. These findings indicate that supplementation of chili pepper at 1.25% in feed improved production performance, characterized by faster growth rate, higher nutrient digestibility, reduced mortality and coccidia load, in broilers chickens.

From Surface to Subsoil: Why Soil Profile Examination is Essential in Arable Cropping Systems

Caleb Ayomide Babatunde, Mukhtar Iderawumi Abdulraheem — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Soil serves as the primary medium for crop growth and productivity, with its characteristics largely determining the success of arable farming systems. While surface soil sampling provides useful insights into nutrient availability and fertility status, it offers a limited perspective on the overall potential of soils to sustain long-term crop production. Examining the entire soil profile, from surface to subsoil, is therefore indispensable in understanding the rooting environment, water dynamics, nutrient reserves, and constraints that may not be evident at the surface. Soil profile studies allow the identification of morphological features, horizon differentiation, and pedogenic processes that influence crop growth, nutrient cycling, and land suitability. Such knowledge is fundamental to land-use planning, precision agriculture, and the design of sustainable management strategies in arable crop systems. This review synthesizes current evidence on the necessity of soil profile examination, emphasizing its role in fertility assessment, water retention, land capability evaluation, and sustainable arable crop production. The discussion highlights not only the agronomic benefits but also the environmental and conservation implications of integrating soil profile characterization into agricultural practice. Future directions point toward the integration of traditional profile studies with digital tools such as remote sensing and machine learning for more effective soil management in tropical agricultural landscapes.

AI-Based Diagnostic Tools for Abiotic Stress Management in Smart Agriculture

Iram Naz — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Abiotic stress, such as drought, salinity, heat, cold, and imbalance of nutrients are leading cause of low crop productivity and a significant threat to the world's food security, especially in the changing climatic conditions. With the support of artificial intelligence (AI), smart agriculture proposes creative ways of early detection and successful management of such stresses. In this paper, an overview of AI-based diagnostics tools applied in the management of abiotic stress in contemporary agricultural systems is provided. Different types of machine learning and deep learning algorithms, such as neural networks, support vector machines, and computer vision models, are mentioned in terms of their capacity to process data collected through remote sensing platforms, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and field-based imaging systems. Through these tools, real-time monitoring, accurate determination of stress, and predictive decision-making on precision farming are possible. Another aspect that is noted in the paper is the participation of data integration, automation, and predictive analytics in enhancing the efficiency of resource-use and resilience of crops. The problems of data availability, model interpretability, infrastructure constraints, and scalability are reviewed, as well as the possible direction of future research. On balance, the paper focuses on the point that AI-based diagnostic mechanisms have a tremendous potential to improve sustainable farming procedures, lower negative environmental effects, and promote climate-resilient food production machinery.

Soil Color Indicators of Biogeochemical Changes Under Land Use Intensification in Tropical Climosequences

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Land use intensification is transforming the structure and function of tropical soils, with significant impacts on biogeochemical cycling, organic matter dynamics, and ecosystem productivity. Among the most visible consequences of such changes is the alteration of soil color—an integrative indicator of soil health that reflects key physical, chemical, and biological processes. This review explores the scientific nexus between land use intensification, soil color variability, and biogeochemical feedbacks across tropical climosequences. Drawing from recent empirical studies and long-term landscape assessments, it synthesizes how shifts from forest to agriculture, agroforestry, and urban systems influence soil color attributes such as hue, value, and chroma. These color changes are further contextualized with respect to alterations in soil organic carbon, iron oxide transformations, redoximorphic features, and nutrient cycling under variable climatic regimes—ranging from humid tropics to sub-humid and dry tropics. We critically compare field-based Munsell assessments, digital imaging, and spectral reflectance techniques used to quantify soil color and relate it to land use gradients. The review also discusses how color signatures can serve as proxy indicators for soil degradation, fertility loss, and hydrological imbalance, especially in low-resource settings. Finally, it outlines research priorities for improving the integration of soil color into land evaluation frameworks, digital soil mapping, and environmental policy across climatically diverse tropical zones. The paper emphasizes the utility of soil color as both a diagnostic and planning tool for sustainable land management under intensifying anthropogenic pressures.

Advancements in Smart Bionanotechnology: Synergistic Integration of Metallic-Polymeric Nanocomposites and Essential Oils for Sustainable Food Systems and Precision Agriculture

Mukhtar Iderawumi ABDULRAHEEM , Wasiu Olaide AKINDELE — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The global food system faces unprecedented challenges driven by population growth, resource depletion, and climate change, necessitating a paradigm shift towards sustainable and efficient technologies. This paper explores the transformative potential of converging nanotechnology and biotechnology, specifically focusing on the synergistic integration of metallic-polymeric nanocomposites and essential oils (EOs). By leveraging the unique physicochemical properties of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) such as silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), and copper oxide (CuO), reinforced within polymeric matrices, and combining them with the potent bioactivity of EOs, a new class of "smart" bionanomaterials has emerged. These hybrids offer dual-action antimicrobial protection, enhanced barrier properties, and controlled release mechanisms that significantly outperform conventional materials. This review synthesizes recent advancements in synthesis techniques, property enhancements, and emerging functionalities in smart packaging and precision agriculture. Furthermore, it integrates recent breakthroughs in AgriTech, including AI, robotics, and advanced sensing technologies, to provide a holistic view of the future of sustainable food systems. Critical regulatory and safety challenges are addressed to provide a roadmap for widespread industrial adoption. The comprehensive analysis presented herein aims to guide researchers and industry stakeholders in harnessing the full potential of this synergistic bionanotechnology.