EFFECT OF CRUDE OIL AND BIOSTIMULANT (BIOREMEDIATION) ON GROWTH EXTRACT OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS (L.) AND COWPEA (VIGNAUNGUICULATA (L.) WALP)

The phytotoxic effects of crude oil concentration in soil on growth extracts – Relative growth rate (RGR), Relative leaf growth rate (RLGR), Leaf Area ratio (LAR) and Net Assimilation rate (NAR) of maize (Zea mays (L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) was examined. The beneficial effects of bioremediation with addition of Biostimulant – Sawdust on the growth maize and cowpea in an oil contaminated soil was also determined. It was observed that crude oil contaminated soil (400ml) per plot was phytotoxic to both crops. In contrast, obvious phytotoxicity was observed in soils planted with maize. In addition, bioremediation with Sawdust reduced phytotoxicity and increase the growth indices of crops during the study

Resource productivity and efficiency among cassava farmers in Rivers State, Nigeria

In this study, resource productivity and efficiency of cassava farmers in Rivers State were determined. Cross- sectional data generated from 200 cassava farmers randomly selected from ten out of the fifteen upland Local Government Areas were used. Multiple regression analysis was used in analyzing the data. Results of data analysis showed that farmland and capital inputs were more productive. The results further showed that the farmers allocatively inefficient in the use resource inputs. It is therefore recommended that policies and programmes geared towards making more lands available be put in place. Credit facilities should also be extended to these cassava farmers to enable them purchase improved planting materials and hire more farm hands.Key words:Resource efficiency,productivity,cassava,farmer