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Author(s):
Kabeh J.D., Eke H.O., Balogun K..
Page No : 1-13
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Evaluation of Varietal, Infochemicals and Bio-pesticidal Effects in the Management of Cucumber Beetles in Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus Linn.) in the Southern Guinea Savanna
Abstract
The experiments were laid out in the Teaching and Research farms of Federal University Wukari, Nigeria. Six cucumber cultivars were treated on varietal effects; five infochemicals and a control for second experiment, while four bio-pesticides materials, Cypermethrin and untreated control were also studied. Each treatment was laid out in RCBD and replicated three times. The vine length was higher in cultivars Penino and Seminis, 50.87cm and 50.70cm respectively, number of branches were uniform, but Poinsett had larger leaves area 141.33cm2, hence higher yield (141.67) and much heavier fruits 31.30g, both were not significantly different (P>0.05). Mean fruit damage was highest in Griffaton (4.55), Seminis gave longer and larger fruit sizes. Marketer had high pests’ invasion (200.33). Naphthalene treated plants gave better growth, and yields, 164.67, weighing 38.07g. Other infochemicals performed below the untreated control. Average fruit damage was least in cinnamon oil treated plots, but fruits length and diameter were uniform across the treatments. The untreated control had higher pest beetle population effects. Better yields were recorded in ANSE treated cucumber plants (186.00), heavier fruits and less fruit damage recorded in the Cypermethrin treated crops, but a higher beetle population was in control. The bio-pesticides gave varied levels of protection. Combining varietal, info chemicals and bio-pesticides impacts secures marketable fruits. This study lacks explanations on differences in relative beetle population, fruit yield inconsistencies, weight and variability recorded across the experiments. However, further studies will improve the results of these studies. Also, statistically significant impacts were difficult to prove, probably due to the low number of plots that reduced the power of our data, leading to type 2 error masking important differences.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Achimota A. Dickson, Joseph O. Tate, Payou T. Ogboin, Cameroon O. Payebo, Williams P. Agbai.
Page No : 14-27
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Spatial Variability of Selected Soil Properties of the Lower Niger River Floodplains in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Abstract
Owing to the influence of topography on soil properties, studies on the variability of soil properties become imperative. This study assessed spatial variability of some selected soil properties in three physiographic units: upper slope, lower slope and recent alluvial soils on channels of present active river in two locations in Bayelsa State. In each unit, one representative soil profile was dug, soil samples collected from generic horizons and analyzed. The results showed varying degree of spatial variability in physical and chemical characteristics, flooding, the source of parent materials and degree of hydromorphism; being the major determining factors. Among the soil separates, clay was highly variable in two physiographic units while sand and silt showed moderate variability. Organic C was moderately to highly variable (CV=20.13 – 112.77%), while total N (36.53 – 90.01%) and available P (41.49 – 58.71%) were highly variable in all the mapping units. Calcium was moderately variable (CV=26.85%) in the upper slope, and highly variable in the middle slope (CV=43.17%) and moderately variable (CV=28.93%) in recent alluvial soils in the channel of the present active river of Elemebiri and in Trofani soils; low (CV=10.01%) in the upper slope, highly variable (CV=41.33%) in the middle slope and moderately variable (CV=22.08%) recent alluvial soils in the channel of the present active river while Mg (CV=66.79 – 80.29%) and K (CV=39.27 – 101.53%) were highly variable in the different physiographic units of the two locations. Flooding, wetness and soil fertility are major constraints to agricultural intensification that requires attention.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Ajayi Olasunmbo A., Segun-Taiwo B. A..
Page No : 28-40
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Effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Spice on Nutrititional, Microbial Content of Moin-Moin and Efficacy of Spice Against Selected Foodborne Pathogens
Abstract
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) impacts flavor, organoleptic quality of foods and contributes to the preservation of foods. Moin-moin is an indigenous food made from beans (Vigna unguiculata) and highly perishable. This study investigated the effect of turmeric spice on quality of moin-moin, and the efficacy of turmeric on selected foodborne pathogens. Three samples were prepared with (0; 2.5 and 5g) of turmeric. Nutritional, microbial, sensory and efficacy of spice against microorganisms were performed. Moisture content ranged from (1.35 to 1.48%), protein (38.9 to 44.9%), ash (6.2 to 7.4%), fat (11 to 11.8%) and fibre (6.9 to 7.7%). TVC of samples for day zero was (3.1 to 6.8 x 105CFU/g); Enterobacteriaceae (1.1 to 2.1x105CFU/g); Staphylococcal (2.7 to 4.6 x105CFU/g); and Coliform (6.4 to 8.3x105CFU/g). After 48 h, sample with 5g of spice and refrigeration had reduced microbial load. Moin-moin with 2.5g of turmeric was generally accepted and considered the best sample. Turmeric spice was observed to be more effective against Salmonella spp. Conclusively, addition of turmeric to moin-moin was able to reduce the microbial load and improve the shelf-life of the product.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Olagunju O.D, Rahman M.O., Okparavero N.F., Abah I.A, Odutola B.S., Adarabierin I.G., Abel G.I., Aina O.B., Babatunde O., Haruna P.B..
Page No : 41-50
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Assessment of Insecticidal Potency of Eggshell Powder Against Maize Weevil
Abstract
Efficacy of chicken eggshell powder at concentrations 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g /100 g maize, for control of Sitophilus zeamais, were compared with permethrin at dosage rate of 0.167g / 100 g of yellow maize. Experiments were conducted at Biotechnology laboratory (NSPRI), Ilorin under ambient condition (26±3oC 65±5% RH). Mortality of S. zeamais increased with increasing dosages of the CESP as well as with days of exposure. CESP at 2.0g gives 96.67% mortality which is not significantly different from the positive control. The mean progeny emergence (0.00%), weight loss (1.11%), and percentage grain damage (19.68%) by S. zeamais was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased with increased dosage of CESP. However, CESP did not significantly affect seed germination. Total coliform count at 2.0 g (2.48 x 102) was significantly different from both positive and negative controls at p<0.05 Therefore, CESP can serve as a good maize protectant which can be used as substitute for synthetic chemicals.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Ekwealor U. Kenneth, Iroka F. Chisom, Eze N. Hope, Okafor N. Patience.
Page No : 51-58
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Comparative Effects of Organic and Inorganic Manure on the Growth and Development of Cucumis Sativus
Abstract
A study on the comparative effects of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and development of Cucumis sativa was carried out at Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka. Randomized Complete Block Design was used for the study. 30kg of sandy loam soil was used and different concentrations of organic manure were 0.5kg, 1.0kg, 1.5kg and 2.0kg, while 0.3kg of inorganic manure was used to treat the soil. Growth parameters such as changes in length, girth, leaf area and the number of leaves were measured on weekly basis and recorded accordingly. The results on the effect of organic manure and inorganic manure on the leaf area of cucumber revealed that the 2kg of organic manure gave the highest leaf area increase of cucumber from 9.33±0.306cm2 in week 1 to 298.79±5.526cm2 in week 6. The performance of 2kg of organic manure is followed by 1.5kg of organic manure which gave leaf area increase of cucumber from 8.97±0.351cm2 in week 1 to 246.69±5.754 cm2 in week 6. The control increased the least leaf area from 3.20±0.200cm2in week 1 to 96.08±5.562 cm2in week 6. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the leaf area of cucumber between treatments studied from week 1 to week 6. Also, results on the effect of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on the height of cucumber revealed that the 2kg of organic manure gave the highest height increase of cucumber from 6.20±0.100 cm in week 1 to 99.60±0.200 cm in week 6. The performance of 2kg of organic manure is followed by inorganic manure which gave a height increase of cucumber from 5.33±0.058 cm in week 1 to 88.73±4.143 cm in week 6. The control gave the least height increase from 3.33±0.153 cm in week 1 to 29.20±1.153 cm in week 6. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the height of cucumber between treatments studied (that is the different rates of organic manure, inorganic manure and control) from week 1 to week 6. study shows that the treatment of inorganic fertilizer on the cucumber plant had a significant impact on cucumber while organic manure alone gave the highest stem height and stem girth of cucumber.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Abel Y.K., Olaleye O.O., Ayanda I.S., Olasope T.D..
Page No : 59-71
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Assessment of Physico-chemicaal Properties, Antifungal and Anti-sprouting Efficacy of Essential oils (Moringa oleifera and Sesame indicum Oil)
Abstract
This study was aimed at evaluating the physico-chemical properties, antifungal and anti-sprouting efficacy of Moringa oleifera and Sesame indicum seed oil extracts. Physico-chemical parameters were determined and compared for both oils. There was significant (p < 0.05) difference observed between the refractive values (1.4570 and 1.4633), free fatty acid (FFA) (2.04 and 3.21 mg KOHg-1), acid values (6.08 and 6.43 mg KOHg-1), pH values (4.55 and 5.33), saponification values (210.75 and 215.57 mg of KOHg-1), peroxide values (5.40 and 5.80 meqO2/kg), specific gravity (0.8897 to 0.9161 g/cm3) and yield (8.25% and 32.02%) for cold press extracts of Sesame and Moringa seed oils respectively. In vitro antifungal efficacy of both oils (M. oleifera and S. indicum) against Aspergillus niger shows a range of 3.63% to 58.18% inhibition. No anti-sprouting effect was recorded across all concentrations tested for the two oils. However, the antifungal potential of both seed oil extracts (Moringa and Sesame) exhibited moderate inhibitory properties with the highest percentage inhibition at 48 hrs.
