Growth response of sterculia setigera del. to different types of fertilizers and watering regimes in the nursery

Growth response of Sterculia setigera to NPK (15:15:15) and Urea (46:0:0) at different levels of application and watering regimes were examined. A total of 160 seeds of Sterculia setigera were sown. After germination, 72 seedlings of good health and vigour were selected for the study. The fertilizers were applied at four different levels. 0.00g, 0.67g, 1.33g and 2.0g of NPK fertilizer and 0.00kg, 0.22kg, 0.44kg and 0.66kg of Urea with three replicates each. The second treatment was watering regimes; this was applied at three different levels, e.g. daily watering, watering at three days interval and watering at five days internal. The growth parameters which include total height, collar diameter, and number of leaves were measured for a period of twelve weeks. Biomass production was also evaluated. Assessment of the growth parameters reveals that when 0.20g of NPK and 0.66kg of Urea were applied under daily watering regime, the highest mean height of 23.82 and 24.39 cm were recorded. The highest mean diameter growth (collar) of 0.32 and 0.44cm were equally observed when 0.20g of NPK and 0.66kg of Urea fertilizer were applied under daily watering regime. Also, the highest mean number of leaves was produced (6.12 and 6.72) when 0.20g of NPK and 0.66kg of Urea were applied. Biomass analysis from the study also indicates that 0.2g NPK and 0.66kg Urea gave the highest dry matter yield. Therefore, for optima production of Sterculia setigera in the nursery, 0.20g of NPK, 0.66kg of Urea and daily watering regime are recommended

Demographic Differentials of Forest Based Enterprises in South West Nigeria

This paper analyses the differential demographic variables that influence the profitability potential of some forest based enterprises in south western Nigeria, using empirical regression models. Best fit criteria techniques were employed to determine the best demographic variables models and their relationships in affecting the performance of the models expressing profitability. There were significant differences among various enterprises on which the demographic parameters were modeled. Wood furniture making activities in Oyo State under linear, semi-log and exponential regression modeling gave very significant models, Mortal making enterprises in Lagos State of Nigeria under the exponential, semi-log and double-log had significant regression relationship with coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.78). The similar trend was observed in Canoe making of Ondo State and Mat weaving activities in Osun State under semi-log cum double-log and exponential respectively when determining the regression relationship of the demographic parameters on the forest based enterprises in the State.Keyword: socio-economic variables, empirical models, forest based, enterprisesJournal of Agriculture and Social Research (JASR) Vol. 11, No. 1, 201

Fruits and Seeds Production of Irvingia Gabonensis (O’ Rorke) and Its Economic Importance in Edo Central, Nigeria

Irvingia gabonensis is one of the most important indigenous fruit trees cultivated and commercialized in Edo Central, Nigeria. In this study, the yields of fruits and seeds of I. gabonensis were evaluated in traditional agro forestry and compound farming systems. The results showed that the mean fruit yield of the species are 620 and 850 fruits/tree while the projected mean fruit productions/hectare are 76,880 and 105,400 fruits in the two systems respectively. Mean seed yield of 18.24kg and 25kg of dry cotyledon per tree was recorded with a projected cotyledon yields/hectare of 2,262 kg/ha and 3,100 kg/ha respectively. In the open market, 50g of dry cotyledons of the species sells for ₦170.00, while average farmers income from fruits production of the species per household is about ₦3,675.00 annually. The study has helped to raise awareness of the contributions of I. gabonensis to household economies, food security and wealth creation

Concentration of heavy metals from traffic emissions on plant produce sold along Ife– Ibadan express way: Health implications

In recent years, emission and combustion of fossils and fuels have been identified as primary sources of atmospheric metallic burden. Detailed information about this is not readily available in Nigeria. This study was therefore carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals (e.g. lead, mercury and cadmium} deposited on plant produce sold along the highway in Osun State). Samples were bought from traders along the road from two different locations (Gbongan and Ikire junctions). The samples were digested and analyses for lead (Pb), cadmium (cd) and Mercury (Hg) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers (AAS). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Bar charts and graph). Results from the various analyses indicated that the levels of these metals were found to increase uphill due to high combustion of fuel leading to high emission of vehicular exhaust and vice versa (uphill > downhill).When the heavy metal content in samples was compared with FAO/WHO guideline for food, it was observed that the metal contents in the plant produces sold along the road were higher than the threshold level, hence the plant produces sold along the road were considered contaminated. Therefore, buying and selling of plant produces along the highways should be discouraged. Enactment of an enabling law and its enforcement should be considered as priority by the appropriate organs of the governmen

Sustaining Carbon Sink Potentials in Tropical Forest

Forests are major carbon sinks and providers of environmental services which are currently not paid for. Despite the increasing awareness in recent years of the unique and crucial role that forests play in climate stabilization, not to mention their capacity to protect water, soil, and biodiversity, deforestation continues at an alarming rate. Deforestation is by far the leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries.Reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation in developing countries is of central importance in efforts to combat climate change. In order to solve the climate change problem, there is need to reduce atmospheric concentration of green gases to a safe level.This paper examines the measures of sustaining carbon sink potentials in tropical forest

In vitro Anticancer Screening of 24 Locally Used Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Background: Plants that are used as traditional medicine represent a relevant pool for selecting plant candidates that may have anticancer properties. In this study, the ethnomedicinal approach was used to select several medicinal plants native to Nigeria, on the basis of their local or traditional uses. The collected plants were then evaluated for cytoxicity. Methods: The antitumor activity of methanolic extracts obtained from 24 of the selected plants, were evaluated in vitro on five human cancer cell lines. Results: Results obtained from the plants screened indicate that 18 plant extracts of folk medicine exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines. Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan was found to demonstrate potent anti-cancer activity in this study exhibiting IC50 = 0.2-1.3 $\mu$g/ml. Conclusions: Based on the significantly potent activity of some plants extracts reported here, further studies aimed at mechanism elucidation and bio-guided isolation of active anticancer compounds is currently underway.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Forest Leafy Vegetables Marketing and Sustainable Rural Livelihood in Rivers State, Nigeria

Leafy vegetables from forests are capable of generating income and employment for rural populations sustainably. Investigation of wild vegetable marketing was conducted in Rivers State, Nigeria with well-structured and pre-tested questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Net profit, Rate of return on investment (RORI) and sensitivity analysis. Weekly profits and RORI were; Port Harcourt city (N1134.48k, 34.1%), Oyigbo (N2152.2k, 30.9%) and Ahoada West (N608.98k, 21.89%). Gnetum africana has the highest daily profit of N159.30k. Sensitivity analysis of RORI showed profits were threatened at various degrees of increasing cost; Port Harcourt (35%), Oyigbo (35%) and Ahoada West (25%). Wild vegetables marketing showed potentials of increasing household income and sustain livelihoods. Research on domestication, improved marketing and provision of cooperatives loans are recommended for sustainable marketing.Keywords: Wild leafy vegetables, profitability, RORI, sustainable rural livelihood.Note: 1USD = 160 Nigerian Naira (N)