Effects of Growth Hormones on Sprouting and Rooting of Jatropha Curcas l. Stem Cuttings

This study was conducted to assess the effect of growth hormone on sprouting and rooting ability of Jatropha curcas (L). Stem cuttings from mature plants were treated with two types of growth hormones: Naphthalene Acetic Acid and Indole-3-Butyric Acid while the untreated cuttings were used as control. The experiment was laid out as complete randomized design with three treatments replicated three times. The following parameters were evaluated : survival percentage, number of buds that sprouted, bud length, leaf number, and rooting parameters. Results showed that growth hormone application had no significant effect on survival and sprouting behaviour of J. curcas. The untreated cuttings (control) performed better than the hormone treated cuttings. However, in term of rooting behaviours, significant effect of treatment differences were observed at p < 0.05. Cuttings treated with IBA were found to root better than those of NAA, the control gave the best performance

Influence of organic, inorganic and organo-mineral fertilizers on yield and quality of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and quality of sweet potato under the influence inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15) at the recommended rate of 130kg/ha, organic fertilizer (Pace Setter) at the recommended rate of 3t/ha and organo-mineral fertilizer (combination of NPK 15:15:15 and Pacesetter organic fertilizer) at the rate of 1.5 t/ha. The fresh and dry weights of the samples were taken after which their proximate analyses were done to determine the levels of the quality determinants (moisture content, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, Vitamin A and ash content) in them. At the end of the experiment, harvesting was done to determine the yield per treatments as well as the quality parameters of the leaves and tubers. It was found that organic fertilizer could increase the quantity of ether extract, crude fibre and vitamin A contents of sweet potato tubers above other fertilizer treatments though organic fertilizer competed with the control in increasing the ash and crude protein contents of sweet potato tubers. However, inorganic fertilizer increased only energy content of the tubers above organic and organo-mineral fertilizer treatments. It is, therefore, concluded that organic fertilizer should be used to increase sweet potato tuber quantity and quality.Keywords: Sweet potato, growth, yield, quality and fertilizer treatment

Enhancement of phosphorus uptake, growth and yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) with phosphorus fertilizers

This research was carried out to determine the best phosphorus fertilizer for improvement of sweet potato phosphorus uptake, growth and yield. The phosphorus fertilizer sources used were organic (Pacesetter), single super phosphate and crystallizer while the sweet potato variety used was Shaba. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Sweet potato plants from plots treated with crystallizer fertilizer at the rate of 500kg/ha had the highest phosphorus uptake and vegetative growth while control plots produced plants with highest tuberous yield. It is, therefore, recommended that crystallizer applied at the rate of 500kg/ha be used for significant phosphorous uptake which equally leads to better quality sweet potato tuber and appreciable vegetative growth. It is also recommended that the soil phosphorus be maintained at low level around 6.80mg/kg for achievement of high tuberous yield in sweet potato.Keywords: Vegetative growth, yield, phosphorous uptake, phosphorous fertilizer

Growth and Yield of Two Maize Varieties under the Influence of Plant Density and NPK fertilization

This study assessed growth and yield performances of maize under the influence of inorganic fertilizer, population density and variety using the following treatments: maize varieties DMR-ESR-Y and Suwan- 1-SR; 70 × 30cm and 100 × 40cm plant spacing; 0, 60 and 120 kg NPK/ha . Data were collected on number of leaves per plant, plant height, ear height, leaf area, leaf area index, days to 50% flowering, days to tassel and silk appearances, stem dry mass, root dry mass, cob mass, number of kernel rows, number of kernels per cob, harvest index, treatment yield per hectare. The result showed that combination of 120kgN/ha, DMR-ESR-Y and 47, 619 plants/ha improved root, shoot, leaf sheath and plant dry masses, cob length, cob diameter, shelling percentage, moisture content at harvest, harvest index, number of cobs per plant as well as number of kernels per row. It is, therefore, recommended that combination of 120kgNPK/ha, DMR-ESR-Y and 47,619 plants/ha should be used for better maize production to cater for the ever increasing population of consumers in Southern Guinea savannah agroecological zone of Nigeria and other area with the same climatic and edaphic conditions. Keywords: NPK fertilizer, population density, maize variety, yield improvemen

Effects of Growth Hormones on Sprouting and Rooting of Jatropha Curcas l. Stem Cuttings

This study was conducted to assess the effect of growth hormone on sprouting and rooting ability of Jatropha curcas (L). Stem cuttings from mature plants were treated with two types of growth hormones: Naphthalene Acetic Acid and Indole-3-Butyric Acid while the untreated cuttings were used as control. The experiment was laid out as complete randomized design with three treatments replicated three times. The following parameters were evaluated : survival percentage, number of buds that sprouted, bud length, leaf number, and rooting parameters. Results showed that growth hormone application had no significant effect on survival and sprouting behaviour of J. curcas. The untreated cuttings (control) performed better than the hormone treated cuttings. However, in term of rooting behaviours, significant effect of treatment differences were observed at p < 0.05. Cuttings treated with IBA were found to root better than those of NAA, the control gave the best performance

Comparative study of bioavailability and transfer of heavy metals from irrigation water and soil to Amaranthus spp. vegetables

The present investigation was on the assessment of concentrations of different heavy metals in irrigation water, agricultural soil and vegetables (Amaranthus spp.) grown on the University of Ilorin Teaching and Research Farm. The possible health hazard to humans through food chain transfer was discussed. Irrigation water, soil and Amaranthus spp. were analyzed for Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe and Zn concentrations. Transfer factors (TF), daily intake rate (DIR) and target hazard quotient (THQ) for daily consumption of 0.345kg of the plant were evaluated using the data obtained from the analysis.   The concentration of these metals in the soil were as follows; Mn (76.5 – 225.5 mg/kg), Fe (2063.5 – 8697.0 mg/kg), Zn (9.0 – 25.5 mg/kg), Cu (2.0 – 8.0 mg/kg), Cr (&lt;0.1 – 8.5 mg/kg), Pb (&lt;0.1 – 33.0 mg/kg), while Ni, Co and Cd were not detected (&lt;0.1 mg/kg). Only Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn were detected in the irrigation water and in the plant wereMn (0.41 mg/L), Fe (0.30 mg/L), Cu (0.02 mg/L), Zn (0.02 mg/L) and Mn (390 – 940 mg/kg), Fe (405 – 662.5 mg/kg), Cu (0.00 – 10.0 mg/kg), Zn (50.0 – 110.0 mg/kg) respectively. The TF was in the order Zn &gt;Mn&gt; Cu &gt; Fe, while the DIR were below the tolerable limits and the THQ were in the ranges Zn (1.0510-3 –2.3110-3), Mn (1.7210-2 –4.1410-2), Fe (3.5610-3 –5.8310-3) and Cu (1.1310-3 –1.5010-3). The results also showed that the levels of Zn, Fe and Mn in the vegetables were higher than the international standards and the calculated THQs implied that these concentrations would have no adverse effect on the consumers over the period of time. However, the concentrations of the heavy metals need regular monitoring to prevent excessive build-up over time in the vegetable.Keywords:  Heavy metals, irrigation water, Bioavalaibilty, Amaranthus spp, health hazar

Novel acid treated biomass: Applications in Cu2+ scavenging, Rhodamine B/Cu binary solution and real textile effluent treatment

A novel adsorbent prepared from the waste of Irvingia gabonensis nut (ADN) was used for scavenging of Cu2+ from aqueous solution. Various adsorption operational parameters were investigated in order to establish the behavior of ADN before further studies. The efficacy of ADN in concurrent removal of rhodamine B (RhB) dye and Cu in a binary solution of RhB/Cu2+ was also investigated. Finally the potency of ADN in the treatment of real textile effluent was ascertained. Optimum adsorption of Cu2+ occurred at pH of 5.5 and high temperature favoured Cu removal. Pseudo second order kinetic best described the uptake of Cu2+ onto ADN. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was obtained to be 103.09 mg/g. The Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm as well as thermodynamic parameter suggests that adsorption of Cu2+ onto ADN was chemical in nature. Percentage removal of Cu2+ in single solution at optimum time was 94.70 % while synergistic effect of RhB moved this to 99.54 % removal in the binary solution. ADN was highly efficient for the removal of dye and other organic pollutants in the real textile effluent with 100 % removal of some organic pollutant

Novel acid treated biomass: Applications in Cu2+ scavenging, Rhodamine B/Cu2+ binary solution and real textile effluent treatment

A novel adsorbent prepared from the waste of Irvingia gabonensis nut (ADN) was used for scavenging of Cu2+ from aqueous solution. Various adsorption operational parameters were investigated in order to establish the behavior of ADN before further studies. The efficacy of ADN in concurrent removal of rhodamine B (RhB) dye and Cu2+ in a binary solution of RhB/Cu2+ was also investigated. Finally the potency of ADN in the treatment of real textile effluent was ascertained. Optimum adsorption of Cu2+ occurred at pH of 5.5 and high temperature favored Cu2+ removal. Pseudo second order kinetic best described the uptake of Cu2+ onto ADN. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was obtained to be 103.09 mg/g. The Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm as well as thermodynamic parameter suggests that adsorption of Cu2+ onto ADN was chemical in nature. Percentage removal of Cu2+ in single solution at optimum time was 94.70 % while synergistic effect of RhB moved this to 99.54 % removal in the binary solution. ADN was highly efficient for the removal of dye and other organic pollutants in the real textile effluent with 100 % removal of some organic pollutant

Prospective Jatropha Curcas based Firms in Nigeria. How Viable?

This study examined the viability of prospective Jatropha based firms vis–a-vis employment opportunities in Nigeria, specifically the study identified the Jatropha bio-diesel and other allied products that were been researched into in Nigeria, estimated the costs and returns structure to Jatropha cultivation and the production of Jatropha based products. For the study, small scale Jatropha based firms were investigated. The results of the study revealed that Jatropha based products manufactured include bio-diesel, Jatropha kernel cake livestock feed, Jatropha ink pigment and dye, glycerine and Jatropha seeds-coat cement sheet and floor tiles. All the various parts of the Jatropha seeds are useful either for one or two of these products. Jatropha cultivation, was shown to be very profitable. Among Jatropha products, only the costs of the biodiesel Jatropha fuel is relative expensive when compared with the common fossil diesel. Based on the study findings, the study calls for the mobilisation of the Nigerian farmers to cultivate Jatropha, Alongside training to intimate the masses of the numerous products and benefits from Jatropha is necessary. They should be trained to manufacture simple Jatropha based necessities like those highlighted in the study. Market accessibility training to farmers and other stakeholders involved should also be embedded in the training. There is also the need to popularize the practicality of using Jatropha to produce these products via workshops and seminars. It is also necessary to step-up steps at introducing these products to the markets so as to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of the Jatropha based firms. Government and also other individuals and stake-holders need ensure the availability of supporting infrastructures for these small holder industries to thrive in the long-run