Effects of watering levels and light intensities on seedling vigour of African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum g. Don)

A 3x2 factorial experiment was laid down in Completely Randomized Design with three replications to assess the effects of watering levels (30, 80 and 140 mL/seedlings) and light intensities (25 and 50 %) on seedling vigour of C. albidum. Watering levels and light intensities significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the seedling growth of C. albidum. Widest leaf area (4.16 cm2), highest root dry weight (0.14 g), highest leaf dry weight (0.24 g) and highest total dry weight (0.52 g) were recorded for seedlings subjected to 80 mL/seedling watering level. Seedlings planted under 50 % light intensity gave higher value of leaf area (2.71 cm2), root dry weight (0.13 g), leaf dry weight (0.25 g), total dry weight (0.53 g) and relative turgidity (74.82 %) compared to those subjected to 25 % light intensity. Highest leaf dry weight (0.30 g), shoot dry weight (0.17 g) and total dry weight (0.59 g) were recorded in seedlings subjected to 80 mL/seedling watering level and exposed to 50 % light intensity. Subjection of C. albidum seedlings to a combination of 80 mL/seedling watering level as well as 50 % light intensity enhanced its growth. The study therefore recommends subjection of C. albidum seedlings to 80 mL /seedling watering level and 50 % light intensity for mass production of its seedlings for agro-forestry systems. Key words: Watering regime, Light intensity, Seedling growth, Propagation, Agro-forestry Syste

EFFECT OF THE BOTANICAL PELLETINGS AND STORAGE PERIODS ON THE GERMINATION OF AFRICAN STAR APPLE (CHRYSOPHYLLUM ALBIDUM G. DON) SEEDS

There is paucity of quantified information on the simple, safe and affordable methods of invigorating seeds and storage of recalcitrant seeds. In this light, investigation was conducted in the screen house of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna on the effect of the botanical pelletings and storage periods of C. albidum seeds. A seed pellet is a coating, usually of clay mixed with other inerts, which streamlines the size, shape, and uniformity of a small, non-round seed. A split-plot experimental design with four (4) replications was laid down to assess the effect of botanical pelletings with the leaves of six agro-forestry tree species (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck, Acacia auriculiformis, Parkia biglobosa and Dacryodus edulis) and storage periods (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks) on the germination of C. albidum seeds stored in the refrigerator.  The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA)using SAS (2003)software. The percentage germination of seeds pelletized with G. sepium, L leucocephala, A. lebbeck, A. auriculiformis, P. biglobosa and D. edulis ranged between 18.50%-42.00%, 8.3%-13.60%, 5.2%-18.80%, 3.6% -16.30%, 5.0%-14.30%, and 2.5%-11.10%, for 2-8 weeks respectively. The percentage germination of seeds stored for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks ranged between 8.50%-21%, 4.70%-24.58%, 9.42%-22.75%, 8.67%-19.58% and 3.33%-8.83% respectively. The percentage germination of seeds pelletized with the leaves of G. sepium, L. leucocephala, A. lebbeck, A. auriculiformis, P. biglobosa and D. edulis and stored for storage periods ranged between 1-65%, 0-30%, 0-30.5%, 1-25%, 0-20% and 0-30%. Botanical pelletings and storage periods significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the germination of C. albidum seeds. Highest germination percentage of 65% was recorded for seeds pelletized with G. sepium leaves and stored for 3 weeks. The research therefore recommends seed pelleting with G. sepium leaves and storage for 3 weeks for mass production of C. albidum seedlings for agro-forestry systems. &nbsp

YORC: Yoruba Reading Comprehension dataset

In this paper, we create YORC: a new multi-choice Yoruba Reading Comprehension dataset that is based on Yoruba high-school reading comprehension examination. We provide baseline results by performing cross-lingual transfer using existing English RACE dataset based on a pre-trained encoder-only model. Additionally, we provide results by prompting large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4

ASSESSMENT OF PERIODS OF SAND PRIMING AND HYDRO-PRIMING ON THE GERMINATION OF AFRICAN EBONY (Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst)

Diospyros mespiliformis (Hochst) is a multipurpose, agro-forestry tree species with diverse environmental and ecological significances. However, low percentage germination associated with its seeds has limited its domestication. To overcome this challenge, there is need to adopt cheap, fast, safe, natural and adoptable physiological techniques such as sand priming and hydro-priming. There is paucity of quantified information on natural and safe methods of relieving dormancy as sand priming and hydro-priming. Most of methods of breaking dormancy as use of acid are not simple, safe and adoptable by farmers who practices agro-forestry. In the light of this, these experiments were conducted to assess the periods of sand priming (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks) and hydro-priming (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks) on the germination of D. mespiliformis. Both experiments were laid down in completely randomized design with four replicates. Mean germination times were calculated, and result revealed that a significant increase in percentage germination was recorded with increasing periods of exposing seeds to sand priming up to four weeks. The percentage germination ranged between 28%-93.25% for control (0) and four weeks sand priming respectively. Least value of 8.92 day was recorded for mean germination time of control (0 sand priming). A significant increase in percentage germination was recorded with increasing hours of hydro-priming up to 24 hours. The percentage germination was ranged between 25% - 100% for control (0) hour to 24 hours. Highest germination percentages were recorded in seeds subjected to sand priming for 4weeks (93.25%) and those hydro-primed for 24hours (100%). These results are recommended for mass production of D. mespiliformis in agro-forestry nurseries. &nbsp

STORABILITY AND PRE-SOWING TREATMENTS OF AFRICAN STAR APPLE (CHRYSOPHYLLUM ALBIDUM G. Don) SEEDS

Chrysophyllum  albidum is a prominent, indigenous, economic fruit tree species found in compound farm agro-forestry systems . Investigation was conducted to overcome difficulty in germination and storability of C. albidum seeds in the forest nursery of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. The trial employed a 3x3 factorial experiment with three replications laid out in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of seed coat treatments including clipping at 2mm from distal, circumference and micropyle end; dipping in 10% sulphuric acid and no seed coat treatments and durations of seed storage 1, 5 and 9 days on the germination of C. albidum seeds. Pre-sowing and storage treatments significantly (p < 0.05) affected the germination of seeds. Percentage germination ranged from 17% to 61% for clipping to no seed coat treatment. Highest germination of 61% was recorded for seeds not pre-sowed. The percentage germination ranged from 16% to 60% for seeds stored for nine days to those stored for one day. Highest germination of 60% was recorded for seeds stored for one day. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in percentage germination was recorded with increasing days of storage. The result of interaction effect revealed that highest germination of 86% was recorded for seeds stored for 5days without pre-sowing treatments. Storing of seeds for 5days is recommended for mass production of C. albidum seedlings in agro-forestry nursery. &nbsp

Hesperidin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxicity in rats

Context: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major trigger of septic shock resulting in multiple organ damage through excessive stimulation of the host’s immune cells resulting in the release of cytokines. Previous studies have shown that hesperidin has several beneficial properties against inflammation and oxidative stress. Objective: The influence of hesperidin on endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress was investigated using a murine model of sepsis. Materials and methods: Rats were pretreated for 15 d with three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) of hesperidin prior to LPS administration. Afterwards, the levels of biomarkers of endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress were assessed. Reverse transcriptase PCR technique was used to assess the expression of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines. Results: Hesperidin pretreatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced circulating endotoxin, as well as the levels of bactericidal permeability increasing protein and procalcitonin, and the associated endothelial dysfunction by reducing the levels of plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) synthase. There was also down-regulation of the expression of gene for interleukin 1α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 1 receptor, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the liver of rats treated with LPS as a result of hesperidin pretreatment. Hesperidin also showed anti-oxidative properties through the significant (p < 0.05) reduction of NO, hydroperoxides, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increase of glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the organs. Conclusion: Different doses of hesperidin can prevent endotoxemia-induced oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and endothelial perturbation in rats when administered for as few as 15 d before exposure to endotoxin

Information Sources and Awareness of Climate Change by Citrus Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

The need for information by farmers in this era of climate change is very crucial to their production. The study therefore examines the various sources of information available to farmers on climate change and their level of awareness. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 123 respondents out of the total number of 1230. Primary data were collected using interview schedule and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and pie charts; while inferential statistics used were Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMS) and chi-square. Results revealed that 64.2% of the respondents were between the ages of 35-45 years, 94.3% were married and 45.5% had 10 – 20 years of farming experience. Thirty-seven percent have been noticing change in climate for between the periods of 6-10 years; while 91.9% stated that they were aware of general decrease in yearly amount of rainfall. Their major information source is family member (91.9%), followed by radio (86.7%). Analysis of data from FGDs revealed that respondents were aware that there has been less rainfall in the past 2 years when compared to 3-5 years ago. P=0.05, age (χ2=0.000), education (χ2=0.005) and experience (χ2=0.001) were significantly related to information sources. In conclusion, the study has shown that majority of the respondents were aware of the change in climate and their major source of information was family members and radio and not through extension agents. Therefore there is the need for an urgent strengthening of extension arm in Nigeria

Information Sources and Awareness of Climate Change by Citrus Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

The need for information by farmers in this era of climate change is very crucial to their production. The study therefore examines the various sources of information available to farmers on climate change and their level of awareness. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 123 respondents out of the total number of 1230. Primary data were collected using interview schedule and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and pie charts; while inferential statistics used were Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMS) and chi-square. Results revealed that 64.2% of the respondents were between the ages of 35-45 years, 94.3% were married and 45.5% had 10 – 20 years of farming experience. Thirty-seven percent have been noticing change in climate for between the periods of 6-10 years; while 91.9% stated that they were aware of general decrease in yearly amount of rainfall. Their major information source is family member (91.9%), followed by radio (86.7%). Analysis of data from FGDs revealed that respondents were aware that there has been less rainfall in the past 2 years when compared to 3-5 years ago. P=0.05, age (χ2=0.000), education (χ2=0.005) and experience (χ2=0.001) were significantly related to information sources. In conclusion, the study has shown that majority of the respondents were aware of the change in climate and their major source of information was family members and radio and not through extension agents. Therefore there is the need for an urgent strengthening of extension arm in Nigeria

Naringin enhances reverse cholesterol transport in high fat/low streptozocin induced diabetic rats

Naringin, a citrus-derived flavonoid with antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant properties, is reported to be a useful nutraceutical in the management of diabetes and its complications. This study investigated the mechanism of antiatherogenic properties of naringin in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using high fat-low streptozocin rat model of T2DM. Rats were treated daily with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg naringin orally for 21days. Levels of biomarkers of T2DM, lipid profile and activity of paraoxonase (PON) were assayed spectrophotometrically. The levels of expression of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (Hmgcr), scavenger receptor class B member 1 (Scarb1), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), hepatic Lipase (Lipc), and lecithincholesterol acyltransferase (Lcat) were assessed using relative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique. Naringin treatment resulted in a dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride from 84.84 ± 1.62 to 55.59 ± 1.50 mg/dL and 123.03 ± 15.11 to 55.00 ± 0.86 mg/dL, respectively, at 200 mg/kg naringin. In the liver, Scarb1 and Ahr were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated at 200 mg/kg naringin while Lipc and Lcat were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated by 50 mg/kg naringin. T2DM-induced decrease in PON activities in the plasma, liver and HDL was significantly (p < 0.05) reversed by 200 mg/kg naringin treatment. These genes play critical roles in reverse cholesterol transport and hence our results showed that the antiatherogenic property of naringin in T2DM involves enhancement of reverse cholesterol transport and PON activity

Water Pollution: Effects, Prevention, and Climatic Impact

The stress on our water environment as a result of increased industrialization, which aids urbanization, is becoming very high thus reducing the availability of clean water. Polluted water is of great concern to the aquatic organism, plants, humans, and climate and indeed alters the ecosystem. The preservation of our water environment, which is embedded in sustainable development, must be well driven by all sectors. While effective wastewater treatment has the tendency of salvaging the water environment, integration of environmental policies into the actor firms core objectives coupled with continuous periodical enlightenment on the present and future consequences of environmental/water pollution will greatly assist in conserving the water environment