Study of Physicochemical Parameters and Organochlorine Pesticide Residues of Water from Gusau Dam and Water from Treatment Board in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria

In this study, effect of conventional water treatment on the removal of organochlorine pesticide residues OCP was evaluated. Water samples were collected from Gusau Dam and Gusau water board. The two samples were analyzed for the present of OCP using QuECHERS and GC-ECD for samples preparation and analysis respectively. Twenty organochlorine pesticide standard were used and only five organochlorine pesticide residues were detected in the water samples from Dam namely; alpha lindane, endosulfan ether, isodrine, heptachlor epoxide and DDMU with concentration 0.0250 mg/L, 0.0270 mg/L, 0.0141 mg/L, 0.0003 mg/L, 0.0016 mg/L respectively. Only two OCP residues are detected in treated water samples namely; lindane and endosulfan with concentration 0.0001 mg/L and 0.0012 respectively. The entire organochlorine pesticide residue detected in dam water samples are within the maximum residual limit (MRL) except alpha lindane and endosulfan ether that are little higher than 0.02 mg/L of MRL while that of treated water are below MRL. Statistical analysis (t-test) of physicochemical shows that, there is no significance difference between the physicochemical parameters of water samples from Dam and water board.  The presence of organochlorine pesticides residues in the dam shows that farmers are still using these banned organochlorine pesticides for pest control; therefore, there is need for routine monitoring and the use of effective absorbent for water treatment in order to minimize health risk to human

Tree physiology, fruit growth and nutrient elements of Wax apple (Syzygium Samarangense) as affected by branch bending angle

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential effects of branch bending angle on the plant physiological characteristics, mineral nutrients accumulation and fruit quality of wax apple. Different treatments with five replicates each by Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) layouts were arranged in this study. All the treatments represent different branch angles which were at 5 ̊ (control), 20 ̊, 45 ̊, 65 ̊ and 85 ̊ from vertical axis. Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD chlorophyll index) was significantly affected by different bending treatments at a budding stage, flowering, fruit development and after harvesting of wax apple. Total soluble solids (TSS) content in the leaves of bent branches increased significantly at before bud development, flowering, fruit ripening and after harvesting stages of wax apple trees. During fruit development and maturation stages, leaf TSS content was decreased in all bent branches. The results showed that 20 ̊ to 65 ̊ angle bent branches increase weight and firmness of fruit, fruit diameter and produced dark-coloured fruit compared to control. The results showed that 65 ̊ bent branches give the highest potassium (K+) and magnesium (Mg2+) content in the fruits. Higher sodium (Na+), iron (Fe2+) and calcium (Ca2+) content in fruits were found in 20 ̊ bent branches. There was a positive correlation between fruit TSS with Mg2+(r = 0.70), with Na+(r = 0.67) and with Ca2+(0.57) content in the bent branches of wax apple.Fruit TSS content also positively correlated with firmness and peel colour of wax apple fruits. The number of fruit, fruit weight and fruit diameter of wax apple also positively correlated (weak) with leaves TSS content. It can be concluded that 20 ̊ to 65 ̊ branch bending angle are promising for enhancing plant physiology, fruit growth and quality of wax apple fruits