Influence of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium application on the yield of maize in the savanna zone of Nigeria

Field trials testing the effects of five rates each of N, P and K application on three hybrid and two open-pollinated maize varieties were conducted in three separate experiments on an Arenic haplustalf (USDA) at Ilora in the derived savanna and Typic paleustalf (USDA) at Mokwa in the southern guinea savanna of Nigeria. The hybrid maize varieties planted were 8516-12, 8321-18 and 8329-15 and were compared with the open-pollinated maize, TZSR-Y and TZSR-W. Nitrogen was applied at rates 0-200 kg ha-1 in the first trial, while P and K were supplied as basal nutrients. In the second trial, P was applied at rates 0- 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 using basal N and K fertilizers. In another trial, K was applied at rates 0-120 kg ha-1 with blanket application of N and P. The hybrid maize gave higher yields and used N and P more efficiently than the open pollinated at both trial locations. The yield of maize was higher in the southern guinea savanna than in the derived savanna. The performance of the hybrid varieties followed in the ascending order of 8516-12, 8321-18 and 8329-15. The optimum rates of N and P for maize grown in the derived savanna were 100 and 40 kg ha-1 respectively. In the southern guinea savanna the open pollinated and hybrid varieties responded up to 150 and 200 kg N ha-1 respectively. The 8516-12 showed higher N and P use efficiency than other varieties. Consequently, planting such variety could be advantageous, using minimal dose of fertilizer most especially, where farmers have less access to fertilizer. Key words: Hybrid maize, open pollinated maize, nitrogen use efficiency, phosphorus use efficiency. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(10) 2003: 345-34

Fe (III) complex of mefloquine hydrochloride: Synthesis, antimicrobial and toxicological activities

As part of the ongoing research for more effective antimalarial drug, Fe (III) complex of mefloquine hydrochloride (antimalarial drug) was synthesized using template method. Mefloquine was tentativelyfound to have coordinated through the hydroxyl and the two nitrogen atoms in the quinoline and piperidine in the structure, respectively. Characterization has been done on the basis of analytical, conductance, atomic absorption, magnetic measurement, electronic and Infra-red spectrometry. From analytical data, the stoichiometry of the complex has been found to be 1:1. Infra-red spectral data also suggest that the ligand (mefloquine) behaves as a tridentate ligand with N:N:O donor sequencetowards the metal ion. On the basis of the above physico-chemical data it is proposed that the complex is assigned octahedral geometry. The antimicrobial activities of mefloquine metal complex exhibited greater inhibition than the parent ligand. The ligand and metal complex were screened for their toxicological activities at the dose of 6.66 mg/kg body weight twice daily for seven days on the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotranferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities of rat serum, liver and kidney. Overall, it was revealed that both mefloquine and its metal complex might show mild toxicity particularly on the liver and kidney

Effects of application of phosphorus fertilizer on brown blotch disease of cowpea

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of level of phosphorus application on brown blotch disease of cowpea during the planting seasons of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Application of phosphorus from Single Super Phosphate at 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg P2O5/ha significantly increased the number of petioles, pods, nodules, seed/pod leaf area and yield. The higher the level of application of phosphorus the higher values of all the parameters. Disease incidence and severity of brown blotch were significantly reduced at higher levels of phosphorus (90 and 120 kg/ha) irrespective of the method of application. Moreover, there were also increases in the grain yield of cowpeaKeywords: Cowpea, disease phosphorus, levels, method

Evaluation of fallow and cover crops for nematode suppression in three agroecologies of south western Nigeria

A study was conducted in three agroecological zones of south-western Nigeria to evaluate the effect of siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) and mucuna (Mucuna utilis) cover/fallow crops on plant-parasitic nematode population. The natural bush regrowth was used as control. Plant-parasitic nematodes were identified and counted during the fallow periods. Eleven genera of nematodes were identified and three (Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, and Helicotylenchus) species were predominant across the trial locations.Other important genera present were Scutellonema, Tylenchorhynchus and Rotylenchus species. Nematode population densities of pre-crop were lowest in Alagba soil (Rhodic lixisols) at Ikenne in the wet forest zone of Nigeria. The populations in Iwo soil (Rhodic haplustalf) at Ibadan, a dry forest zonewas lower than in the Temidire soil (Plinthic luvisol) at Ilora in the derived savannah of south-western Nigeria. There was significant suppression of nematode population densities under the different crops as the fallow period increased. The population reduction in the different locations depended on the nematode species and the cover crops. The natural bush re-growth had the least effect on the nematode suppression at the end of the fallow period. On the average, siam weed fallow reduced nematode population densities by 67-79%, mucuna by 64-72% and the natural bush by 30-49% across the trial locations. For effective nematode suppression with fallow cropping, proper determination of the principal nematode species predominant in an environment is essential

Quality Assessment and Suitability Evaluation of Soils under Tuber-based Cropping System in Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Crop yields together with economic and social benefits of farming depend in part on land management and soil quality. Soil management and cropping systems have long-term effects on agronomic and environmental functions. This study aimed at assessing soils under yam-based cropping systems for quality and suitability so as to enhance sustainable production. The study was carried out in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue state where yam is a major crop. Sixteen modal profile were dug, described for characterization and suitability evaluation. Ten cluster locations were selected and twenty soil samples randomly collected within each cluster. The soils were subjected to laboratory analyses and results subjected descriptive statistics. Suitability of the soils for yam, citrus and groundnut were evaluated using parametric approach and soil quality of the area was assessed using Relative Soil Quality Indices (RSQI). The soils encountered are sandy to silty in nature with some having plinthite at depth. The soils, classified as Alfisol, Entisol and Inceptisol are moderately (S2) to highly suitable S1) for the three crops and have moderate to high quality for crop production with percentage soil quality index ranging from 60. 37 to 74.31 %. Soils of the study site are of good quality and are suitable for production of yam, citrus and groundnut. However, because yam is a great feeder and tropical soils are fragile making them prone to degradation, there is need for maintenance of soil fertility through organic matter management for sustainable use

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in sheep. II. Meta-assembly and identification of novel QTL for milk production traits in sheep

An (Awassi × Merino) × Merino backcross family of 172 ewes was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for different milk production traits on a framework map of 200 loci across all autosomes. From five previously proposed mathematical models describing lactation curves, the Wood model was considered the most appropriate due to its simplicity and its ability to determine ovine lactation curve characteristics. Derived milk traits for milk, fat, protein and lactose yield, as well as percentage composition and somatic cell score were used for single and two-QTL approaches using maximum likelihood estimation and regression analysis. A total of 15 significant (P < 0.01) and additional 25 suggestive (P < 0.05) QTL were detected across both single QTL methods and all traits. In preparation of a meta-analysis, all QTL results were compared with a meta-assembly of QTL for milk production traits in dairy ewes from various public domain sources and can be found on the ReproGen ovine gbrowser http://crcidp.vetsci.usyd.edu.au/cgi-bin/gbrowse/oaries_genome/. Many of the QTL for milk production traits have been reported on chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 16 and 20. Those on chromosomes 3 and 20 are in strong agreement with the results reported here. In addition, novel QTL were found on chromosomes 7, 8, 9, 14, 22 and 24. In a cross-species comparison, we extended the meta-assembly by comparing QTL regions of sheep and cattle, which provided strong evidence for synteny conservation of QTL regions for milk, fat, protein and somatic cell score data between cattle and sheep

Effect of source, rate and method of nitrogen fertilizer application on maize yield in the savanna zone of south western Nigeria

Field trials were conducted for three years to determine the effects of source, rate and method of application of nitrogen fertilizer on maize yield at Ilora in the derived savanna zone and Ogbomoso in the southern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. The nitrogen fertilizers (Granulated urea, Regular urea and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) tested were at 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha. The methods of fertilizer application used were banded covered and banded uncovered. Results showed that, there were no significant differences in yields obtained from the fertilizers applied. Likewise, the methods of fertilizer application were not significantly different from each other. However, the rates of nitrogen fertilizer applied produced significant differences in maize yields at both locations and nitrogen content in maize leaf tissue at the two locations. Application of 100 kg N/ha produced optimum grain yield and nitrogen content in the ear leaf tissue. The use of granulated urea would be a better choice out of the other nitrogen fertilizers due to its better handling (physical) properties, high nitrogen level and availability. Key Words: Nitrogen sources; nitrogen rate; application methods; maize yield Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003:19-2

Effects of terralyt plus and fertilizer on growth, nutrients uptake and dry matter yields of two vegetable crops

The effectiveness of Terralyt plus was compared with conventional fertilizer on the growth and dry matter yields of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and tomato (Lycopercion esculentus) in a greenhouse study at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Ibadan. The treatments consisted of equivalent of 100 kg N ha-1 of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer, 5 tonnes poultry manure and 40 ml m-2 of Terralyt plus were applied as full rates and the complementary use of these with Terralyt in two ratios (1 : 1 and ½ : ½ ). The experimental design was randomized complete block. The results showed that tomato and okra gave positive response to terralyt plus. Both Terralyt and fertilizers significantly increased the nutrient (N. P. K. Ca. and Mg) uptake of both crops over the control. In terms of dry matter yields, yield increase ranged from 19125% in tomato and 13 to 151% in okra over the control. The use of Terralyt alone on tomato was superior control but inferior to other treatments. Whereas, on okra it was almost equally effective as applying full rate of inorganic fertilizer, but inferior to full rate of poultry manure. Therefore, for good crop performance terralyt plus can be used to supplement organic and inorganic fertilizer to enhance soil fertility for crop production.Keywords: fertilizer application, NPK fertilizer, poultry manure, vegetable crops terralyt plus Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 5(2) 2004: 102-10

Effect of mucuna intercropped with maize on soil fertility and yield of maize

Two field trials were used to evaluate the effect of mucuna (Mucuna utilis) intercropped with maize (Zea mays L.) on soil fertility and maize yield. In Experiment I, mucuna seeds were sown at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) of maize. A basal application of 50 kg N/ha was administered. These treatments were compared with control (no fertilizer, no mucuna), sole application of 50 and 100 kg N/ha. In Experiment II, complementary application of 0, 50 and 100 kg N/ha with incorporation of mucuna biomass, which was sown in the previous year, were administered to maize. The results showed that intercropping of maize with mucuna at planting (0 WAP) recorded averagely 46, 60 and 87 per cent of the yields for maize that received 100, 50 and 0 kg N/ha alone, respectively. The maize yield increased as sowing date of mucuna was delayed. Undersowing of mucuna at 6 and 8 WAP with application of 50 kg N/ha resulted in 30-62 per cent higher yield than at 0-4 WAP, and was comparable (91%) with application of 100 kg N/ha. It also had residual effect of average yield increase of 52 per cent over the latter. Soil analysis showed positive residual effect on soil fertility. Planting of mucuna under maize raised the organic C, exchangeable Ca and Mg by 81, 14 and 28 per cent, respectively, when compared with the chemically fertilized soil. The soil N and P levels also showed 48 and 25 per cent increase, respectively. Complementary application of 50 kg N/ha with incorporation of mucuna biomass increased plant height, biomass weight, and grain yield of maize by 18, 23 and 31 per cent, respectively, compared with incorporation of mucuna alone. The former was equally effective as the complementary use of 100 kg N/ha. The results suggest that undersowing of mucuna in relay with maize could be a good practice for sustaining soil fertility in a cerealbased cropping system. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 37 2004: 15-2