Using a Participatory Approach and Legume Integration to Increase the Productivity of Early Maturing Maize in the Nigerian Sudan Savannas

Drought, infestation of cereal crops by the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, and poor soil fertility are the major constraints to maize production by smallholder farmers in the Sudan savannas of northern Nigeria. Four innovation platforms (IPs) were therefore established in 2008 in the Sudan savanna (SS) agroecological zone of northern Nigeria to create a stakeholder forum to address these identified food production challenges in the target areas. )e IPs comprised researchers from Bayero University, Kano; Institute for Agricultural Research, Zaria; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; state and local government extension programs in Kano and Katsina states; input and output dealers; community-based organisations; and media organisations in the two states. )e current study reports on the effects of legume integration on maize performance in farmer fields and the adoption of Striga management technologies introduced in the IPs over a four-year period. )e deployment of drought- Striga-tolerant and early-maturing maize varieties along with legume rotation reduced Striga infestation by 46–100% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 80–97% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 59–94% when soybean was rotated with maize. Grain yield of maize increased by 63–88% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 69–128% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 9–133% when soybean was rotated with maize. Participatory and detailed questionnaire-based adoption surveys showed high adoption of improved maize varieties, five years after program interventions. )e maize variety 99EVDT-W-STR C0 was the most popular among all the IPs because it is early maturing, Striga-resistant, and drought-tolerant. )e high maize yields and high adoption rates suggest that the IP approach was effective in disseminating maize technologies

Evaluating the use of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilization as crop management options for maize adaptation to climate change in the Nigeria savannas

Open Access JournalPoor soil fertility and climate variability are major constraints to maize production in the Nigeria savannas. The application of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) as adaptation strategy may enhance maize yield under climate change. In this study, the already calibrated and validated CERES-maize model in DSSAT was used to simulate the response of maize varieties to N and P in three agroecological zones. Similarly, the model, coupled with data for representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios, was applied to simulate maize yields for mid-century and end-of-century periods and to estimate the effect of use of N and P as a strategy for maize adaptation to climate change. Results of a 30-year sensitivity analysis showed that the optimum grain yields were obtained with application of 150 kg N + 30 kg P ha–1 to the two varieties in Kano and Zaria. In Abuja, the optimum grain yields were obtained with the application of 150 kg N ha–1 + 30 kg P ha–1 to SAMMAZ–15 and 120 kg N ha–1 + 30 kg P ha–1 to SAMMAZ–16. When P is not applied, the simulation results show that across all N rates, maize yield would decrease by 25%–52% and 32%–52% for the mid- and end-of-century, respectively, under RCP4.5 for both varieties. There would be a greater reduction under RCP8.5, with a decrease of 32%–59% and 52%–69% under mid- and end-of-century scenarios, respectively. When P is applied at 30 kg ha−1, the reduction in yield due to climate change is lower. Under RCP4.5, the yield would decrease by 9%–15% and 11%–21% for the mid- and end-of-century, respectively. There would be a reduction of 12%–21% and 32%–41% for mid-century and end-of-century, respectively, under RCP8.5 scenario. This suggests that the application of optimum P could reduce the impact of yield loss due to climate change

Maize yield as affected by the interaction of fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus in the Guinea savanna of Nigeria

Open Access Article; Published online: 14 Nov 2022The soils of the Nigeria savannas are particularly low in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and negatively affects maize productivity. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the interactive effect of N and P fertilizers on maize growth, grain yield, nitrogen uptake and N use efficiency. Field experiments were conducted during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons at Iburu in southern Guinea and Zaria in northern Guinea savanna zones of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of three levels of nitrogen (0, 60, and 120 kg N ha−1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 13, and 26 kg P ha−1). The experimental design consisted of three replications in a split-plot design, with N as the main plot and P as the subplot. Our results show that the response of maize to N depends on the application of P. Higher yields were obtained with the combined application of 120 kg N ha−1 and 26 kg P ha−1 in both locations. With no P applied, plant N uptake (PNU) was greater at N rate of 120 kg ha−1 at Iburu while in Zaria, it increases with increase in N from 0 to 60 kg ha−1. When P was applied at 13 kg ha−1, the PNU increased by 52 and 66% at Iburu while in Zaria the increases were 51 and 57% each with N application of 60 and 120 kg ha−1, respectively, compared with zero N rate. The values for N recovery efficiency (NRE) and agronomic efficiency (AE) were lower for N rate of 120 than for 60 kg ha−1 irrespective of P application rate at both locations. The N utilization efficiency (NUTE) however was higher at 120 N kg ha−1 under 26 kg P ha−1across locations. It can be concluded from these results that in low fertile soils environments such as the Nigeria savannas, N fertilizer should be applied along with P fertilizer for optimum growth, grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of maize

Maize-soybean intercropping for sustainable intensification of cereal-legume cropping systems in northern Nigeria

Article purchased; Published online: 20 Nov 2017Field studies were conducted during the 2014 and 2015 wet seasons at Zaria in the northern Guinea savanna and at Iburu in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria to determine the productivity of maize– soybean intercropping system. There were four treatment combinations in the experiment: sole maize; sole soybean; maize spaced at 50 cm and intercropped with soybean; and maize spaced at 65 cm and intercropped with soybean. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that sole cropped maize and soybean generally outperformed the intercropped component crops. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was greater than 1 for all the intercrop treatments, indicating that it is advantageous to grow maize and soybean in association than in pure stands. Except for 2014 in Zaria, LER for intercropped maize spaced at 50 cm was higher than that for maize spaced at 65 cm. Gross Monetary Value (GMV) was generally higher for intercrops than sole crops except in Iburu in 2015 where GMV for intercropped maize spaced at 65 cm was similar to those of sole maize and soybean. Monetary Advantage Index (MAI) was positive for all intercrop treatments in both locations and years, which shows definite yield and economic advantages compared to the sole cropping systems. This suggests that farmers can intercrop soybean and maize with maize spaced at 50 cm and 65 cm

Mitigating Striga hermonthica parasitism and damage in maize using soybean rotation, nitrogen application, and Striga-resistant varieties in the Nigerian savannas

Open Access article; Published online: 14 Aug 2020Striga hermonthica infestation causes significant losses of maize yield in the Nigerian savannas and several technologies have been developed and promoted to control Striga in maize. However, since no single technology has been found to be effective against Striga, integrated management is needed to achieve satisfactory and sustainable Striga control. Both on-station and on-farm trials were undertaken from 2013 to 2015 in Bauchi and Kano States of Nigeria to evaluate the performance of integrated Striga control technologies. In the on-station trials, a soybean–maize rotation did not suppress Striga in maize in either location. However, nitrogen application suppressed and reduced Striga infection, except in Bauchi in 2014. The soybean–maize rotation accompanied by N application reduced Striga damage in both locations. On farmers’ fields, rotating soybean with maize significantly reduced Striga infection. At the same time, the use of maize varieties with a combined tolerance to drought and resistance to Striga parasitism also increased maize grain yield on farmers’ fields, probably due to three factors: a reduction in Striga infection, reduced effects of a mid-season moisture deficit, and increased uptake of nutrients from the soil. We concluded that the use of Striga-resistant maize varieties in combination with the application of N fertilizer and rotation with soybean could increase the productivity of maize in Striga-infested fields in the Nigerian savannas

Effect of some Socio-economic Factors on the Nutritional Status of Pregnant and Lactating Women in Rural Communities of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State

Objective: A cross sectional study on the effect of some socio-economic factors on the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women was carried out in five rural communities of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Subjects and methods: Questionnaire was used to obtain information on 24-hour dietary intake as well as some socio-economic and demographic factors. Hundred (100) each of pregnant and lactating mothers attending primary health centres were selected using simple random sampling method. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents. Daily food intakes were measured by 24hour-diet recall and food models to estimate energy, and macronutrients intake of the mothers. Anthropometric data such as weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were collected using standard procedures Results: The mean age and body mass index of the lactating women were 24.9 years and 22.1kg/m2. ,while mean age and mean MUAC of pregnant mothers were 25.7 years and 28.3cm, respectively. In all age categories, the higher the parity the higher the level of undernutrition. Women from lower socio-economic status had higher prevalence of undernutrition than women from higher socio-economic status. Mean energy intake per day for pregnant and lactating mothers was 8.5MJ/d and 11.4MJ/d, respectively. Energy intake of the pregnant women was found to be lower than RDA (81.8%). Chronic energy deficiency was higher among the younger women (16-25years). All the subjects met the RDA for protein, except that their protein came majorly from plant sources. Conclusion: The need for nutrition education, women empowerment, health support and safety nets by government and non-governmental organizations cannot be overemphasized in reducing prevalence of malnutrition among these vulnerable groups. Keywords: Socio-economic factors, malnutrition, safety nets, lactating and pregnant women

Formulation and assessment of nutrient contents of complementary foods from fermented, sprouted, and toasted maize-soybean blend

Background: Provision of quality complementary foods is one of the fundamental ways of fostering the all-around development of a child and preventing long-term nutritional problems. Objective: The study assessed the nutrient contents of formulated complementary foods from fermented, sprouted and toasted maize-soybean blend Methods: Maize and Soybean were purchased from Kings Market in Owo Local Government while a commercial complementary food was purchased from Ceci supermarket, Akure Ondo state. The two grains were subjected to sprouting, toasting and fermentation, and the grains were ground into flours and then formulated into nine (9) different blends using the ratio 70:30 for maize and soybean flour respectively. Samples were analysed for proximate and mineral contents while sensory evaluation was carried out using a 9-point hedonic scale. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. The difference is considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Results: The results showed that the protein, fat, and energy contents of sprouted, toasted, and fermented products ranged (15.67% to 20.39%), (9.79-15.18g), and (435.96kcal/g to 469.69kcal/g) respectively. These values were higher than the protein and energy content of the control sample of 15%, 9%, and 398kcal/g respectively. The protein value of any of the blends was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the WHO recommendations of 9.1-13g/day but lower in mineral content. Likewise, iron and iodine were significantly (P˂0.05) higher in the blends than the commercial food Conclusion: The results showed that maize-soy blends contained a high amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, iron, iodine, and potassium irrespective of the processed method adopted and can provide better nutrition for infants during complementary feeding

Pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in a patient with gonadal dysgenesis

Gonadal dysgenesis is a congenital condition in which there is gonadal dysfunction as a result of anomalies of sex chromosomes or mutations in the genes involved in the development of the indifferent embryonic gonads. It usually remains undiagnosed until when puberty fails to occur in patients. There is absence of development of female secondary sexual characteristics and primary amenorrhea. Infertility is an important manifestation of this condition, and this has a significant impact on the quality of the reproductive and family life of the patients, especially in areas where importance is placed on childbirth in marriages. This case is that of a woman with pure 46, XX gonadal dysgenesis with primary infertility who was able to achieve conception following IVF (in-vitro fertilization) with donor oocyte at our facility. This has helped to buttress the fact that with proper evaluation and effective application of hormone replacement therapy and assisted reproductive techniques, women with such cases can be helped to achieve conception and give birth

Maize hybrids response to high plant density in the Guinea savannah of Nigeria

Published online: 07 Jul 2020Several maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids have been developed and commercialized in the Nigeria savannas, but limited informationis available on how they perform at plant densities higher than the recommended density of 53,333 plants ha-1. Therefore, field trials were conducted in northern Nigeria in 2015 and 2016 at two locations with contrasting rainfall amount to evaluate the performance of selected maize hybrids at plant densities of 53,333 and 88,888 plants ha-1. All maize hybrids had higher grain yields, total dry matter, ears m-2, and number of grains m-2 at 88,888 than at 53,333 plants ha-1 at both locations. The magnitude ofincreases in yield when plant density was increased to 88,888 plants ha-1 was, however, higher for the new hybrids than for the old commercial hybrids. In Tudun Wada, five hybrids produced significantly higher mean grain yields than the remaining hybrid sat both plant densities. One of the hybrids (M1227-12) produced the highest grain yield at both planting densities at this location. In Samaru Zaria, the hybrid M1227-12 produced the highest grain yield only at 53,333 plants ha-1 at this location, whereas M0926-8 produced the highest yield at 88,888 plants ha-1. The 500-grain weight was 7-8% lower at 88,888 plants ha-1 than at 53,333 plantsha-1, which was offset by a significant increase in grain number. Our results showed that farmers in the Nigeria savannas can increase planting density of hybrid maize to 88,888 plants ha-1 and significantly increase their yields