Effects of soil types and enhanced nutrient levels on the productivity of earthworm (eudrilius eugeniae, kinberg)

The productivity, in terms of ability to reproduce, of the earthworm Eudrilius eugeniae (Kinberg), was studied in the laboratory under three (sandy, loamy and clayey) soil conditions with and without cow dung enrichment, in order to determine their individual suitability for the culture and breeding of the species. Ten earthworms of equal sizes were each introduced into two groups of twelve pots, each subdivided into three groups of four pots each, containing 9500g of ordinary sandy, loamy or clayey soils (served as control), and 300g cow dung enriched sandy, loamy and clayey soils (served as experimental). Experimental and control pots were moistened with 750cm3 of water every three days for ten weeks. Both sets of pots were assessed for total earthworm population, their weights and lengths. Percentage increases in earthworm population in the control soil media were 72.5%, 92.5% and 170% in clayey, sandy and loamy soils respectively. Experimental pots yielded 560%, 1700% and 3395% increments in earthworm population for clayey, sandy and loamy soils respectively. Population increments amongst the three soil media differed significantly (

Appraisal of the Economic Activities of Termites: A Review

Termites can be found through out the world largely in the tropical and sub-tropical countries. They are social insects, feeding on cellulosic materials and live in colonies. Termites comprise the Order Isoptera with six families, 170 genera and 2600 species, of which six species are present in Nigeria. The most striking aspects of termites is their destructive tendency. They feed on wood indiscriminately, and tend to destroy timber and other wooden materials of importance to man, and this brought them into direct competition with man. However, their beneficial aspect to man is very significant. In most countries, where termites exist in abundance they are edible. Their burrowing within the soil increases the rate of percolation of water into the soil, thereby promoting water absorbent of the soil. Their feeding habit includes decomposition of dead trees, and incorporation into the soil, mineral nutrients of these trees. Man in response to the destructive activities of termites, developed various controlled methods towards them, which include the use of pesticides such as DDT ( Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane), BHC ( Benzene Hexachloride ), Aldrin, Dieldrin, soil barrier termiticides, treated zone termiticides, dust and fumigant, and, non chemical control methods such as mud tube removal, debris removal, pathogenic fungi, mechanical barriers, heat, high voltage electricity or electrocution and wood replacement. The control of termites however, does not seek to totally exterminate them, but to bring their activities to a manageable level. The objective of this paper is to appraise the economic activities of termites

Production of earthworm meal for aquaculture

Three soil sample media (loamy, sandy and clayey) were used to culture earthworm, (Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg) in earthenware pots for ten weeks, under laboratory conditions. The aims of the research are to culture earthworms as replacement for fish meal, and to determine the best suitable soil medium for culturing and breeding of earthworms. Two sets of treatments were set up with the three soil samples; the experimental containing organic matter (cow dung) and the controls lacking organic matter. Watering was done every three days to keep the culture moistened. but not saturated. Results of the study showed that loamy soil had the highest number of earthworms harvested, followed by sandy and then clayey soil. Increase in number of harvested earthworms between the experimental and control groups differ significantly (P< O.05), with the experimental group having higher number of harvested earthworms. Loamy soil was the most favourable medium that enhanced the growth and survival of earthworms, when cultured under laboratory conditions, for fish meal replacement in aquaculture

ANTIBACTERIAL INVESTIGATION OF CRUDE EXTRACTS OF THE ROOT BARK OF GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM

Antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic root bark extracts of Gliricidia sepium were investigated against S. aureus, B. subtilis, C.pyogenes, S. typhi and E. coli using the disc diffusion method. The water and ethanolic extracts showed inhibitory effects on the microorganisms under study. The n-hexane extract was not active on all the microorganisms. The results showed that the plant extracts of Gliricidia sepium would be useful as antifungi, antibacterial and anti-inflammator

Studies on mosquitoes breeding in rock pools on inselbergs around Zaria, northern Nigeria

Background & objectives: Rainwater often collects in depressions on rocks to form pools that are ideal breeding sites of mosquito vectors of diseases. Knowledge on the existence of disease vectors in these remote and relatively inaccessible locations could improve epidemiologic understanding and control capabilities. This study identifies mosquito species, their relative abundance and physicochemical characteristics of breeding microhabitats in rock pools on four inselbergs in northern Nigeria.Methods: Soup ladle dipper was used to obtain representative samples of larval mosquitoes breeding in 141 rock pools on four inselbergs. Physicochemical parameters (depth, electrical conductivity, pH, surface area, temperature and total dissolved solids) of the pools were determined. Larvae were preserved in 70% alcohol and identified microscopically to species using taxonomic keys. Statistical correlation analysis and ANOVA were used to test the associations between physicochemical parameters and mosquito abundance, and for differences amongst inselbergs. Results: Of 2991 larvae, five species of mosquito distributed in three genera (Anopheles, Aedes and Culex) including Ae. vittatus (92.88%), An. ardensis (0.13%), An. distinctus (1.67%), An. wilsoni (0.13%) and Cx. ingrami (5.18%) bred in the rock pools, Up to five species occurred per pool in various conspecific and heterogeneric combinations. Except for Ae. vittatus, the physicochemical parameters of the pools correlate significantly with species abundance. Conclusion: Ae. vittatus, a potential vector of yellow fever in Nigeria breeds profusely in rock pools on inselbergs around Zaria. For comprehensive vector implication and control, rock pools should be amongst the habitats of focus in yellow fever epidemiology

Some preliminary phytochemical screening and assessment of four solvents extracts of button weed (Borreria verticillata)

Borreria vertcillata is a woody perennial shrub with false-button weedy herb belonging to the family (Rubiaceae), used for treating/curing various forms of diseases across the world since ancient times. Qualitative phytochemical screening of Borreria vertcillata pulverized whole plant was carried out using four different solvent extracts (N-hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate and methanol). The phytochemicals screeened contained alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponnins, anthraquinones and steroids. The extracts were then screened for the presence of some phytochemicals such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponnins, steroids, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides. All the extracts contained alkaloids, triterpenes and glycosides present but flavonoids, saponnins and tannins only present in ethyl acetate and methanol while anthraquinones and steroids were totally absent from the extracts .Of all the extracts Ethyl acetate extracts had the most influential effects on pathogenic organisms such as Culex quinquefasciatus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candidas albica

Growth Inhibition of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum by Seed Kernel Oil from Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

The present study aims to evaluate the fungal inhibitory activity of seed kernel oil extracted from mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit. Mango is one of the most important tropical fruits that is abundant in Nigeria. Thus, there is an abundant supply of mango seed kernels which are considered as wastes after consumption or industrial processing of mango fruits. The oil was extracted from the mango seed kernels by solvent extraction process. Agar dilution assay was used to evaluate the inhibitory activity of the mango seed kernel oil against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum. The mango seed kernel oil (MSKO) was found to inhibit growth of the two fungi tested at different concentrations (1.33%, 2.67% and 4.0%). 4% concentration of MSKO in the agar brought about a reduction in the mycelial growth diameter of A. niger at Day 7 from 44.0 ± 1.41 mm (control) to 35.5 ± 0.71 mm while the reduction in the mycelial growth diameter of P. italicum at Day 7 was from 44.0 ± 14.14 mm (control) to 33.0 ± 0.00 mm. Mango seed kernel oil produced mycelium growth inhibition of A. niger and P. italicum at 4% concentration, with percentage inhibitions of 19.32% and 25.0%, respectively. The results revealed that P. italicum was more sensitive to the mango seed kernel oil than A. niger. These results suggest that mango seed kernel oil could have potential applications in the food industry to prevent fungal-associated food spoilage from important pathogenic genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. Keywords: Growth inhibition, Mango seed kernel oil, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Inhibitory effec

Screening of Antimicrobial Ethanolic Extract of Peristrophe bicalyculata

The ethanolic extract from Peritrophe bicalyculata leaves was evaluated for the presence of phytochemicals and its antimicrobial activity in vitro against selected bacteria and fungi using the antibiotic gentamycin as control. The extract showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloid, saponin, tannin and steroid. It also inhibited the growth of the tested microorganisms at different concentrations. However stronger in-vitro activity was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Asperigillus clavatus and Rhizopus stolonifer. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extract is an evidence of ethnomedicinal potential of the plant

Some Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Assessment of Four Solvents Extracts of Button Weed ( Borreria verticillata )

Borreria vertcillata is a woody perennial shrub with false-button weedy herb belonging to the family (Rubiaceae), used for treating/curing various forms of diseases across the world since ancient times. Qualitative phytochemical screening of Borreria vertcillata pulverized whole plant was carried out using four different solvent extracts (N-hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate and methanol). The phytochemicals screeened contained alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponnins, anthraquinones and steroids. The extracts were then screened for the presence of some phytochemicals such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponnins, steroids, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides. All the extracts contained alkaloids, triterpenes and glycosides present but flavonoids, saponnins and tannins only present in ethyl acetate and methanol while anthraquinones and steroids were totally absent from the extracts .Of all the extracts Ethyl acetate extracts had the most influential effects on pathogenic organisms such as Culex quinquefasciatus , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli and Candidas albica

Antifeedant Activity of the Chemical Constituents of Detarium microcarpum

Abstract: Plant-derived extracts or phytochemicals have long been a subject of research in an effort to develop alternatives to conventional insecticides with reduced negative impact on human health and the environment. In this study, the chemical constituents of Detarium microcarpum (Guill&amp;Perr) plant was investigated for a comparison of the biological actions of the chemical composition of its leaves, stem and root barks. Extracts from the leaves, stem and root barks were analyzed for feeding deterrent and contact toxicity activities. All the solvent-based extracts from the various parts of D. microcarpum (Guill&amp;Perr) showed feeding deterrent and contact toxicity effects against Tribolium casteneum, Hbst. a maize weevil. Methanol extracts of the root bark of D. microcarpum (Guill&amp;Perr) gave the best antifeedant index and contact toxicity effect on T. casteneum, Hbst with an LC 50 value of 47μg/insect. IR and GCMS analyses have identified some saturated carboxylic acids and carbonyl compounds