Nitrogen and weed management in transplanted tomato in the Nigerian forest-savanna transition zone

Weed infestation and inherent low soil fertility are among primary reasons for low yields of tomato in Nigeria. Field trials were carried out during the wet season of 2015 and 2016 to evaluate yield response of tomato to nitrogen (N) application and weed control methods in the forest-savanna transition zone of Abeokuta, Nigeria. Positive relationship exists between growth of weed species and increase in N application. Across the years of study, increase in N up to 90 kg/ha increased weed density by 11–25%, however, the increased N gave the transplanted tomato competitive advantage and thus enhanced weed smothering. Pre-transplant application of butachlor (50% w/v) or probaben® (metolachlor 20% w/v+prometryn 20% w/v) each at 2.0 kg a.i/ha followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT) significantly reduced weed density by at least 15% and increased fruit yield of tomato by at least 32%, compared to use of the pre-transplant herbicides alone, across both years of study. The greatest tomato fruit yield of 12.2 t/ha was obtained with pre-transplant application of butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i/ha followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6 WAT, averaged for both years. In general, this study suggests that increased application of N up to 90 kg/ha, and complementary weed control by pre-transplant herbicide and hoe weeding at 6 WAT would improve yield of tomato in the forestsavanna transition zone of Nigeria

Variability Analysis of HIV/AIDS Infection among Nigerian Students

HIV/AIDS virus infection and its prevention are of increasing concern to individuals, humanitarian institutions and governments. United Nations report on population fund (see Pop line, January-February 2004) revealed that nearly half of the infected adults were women and three fifth of all people affected were from Sub Saharan Africa. In some areas of Sub Saharan Africa, it was reported that 25% of work force were HIV/AIDS infection positive. HIV/AIDS infection positive definiteness of 15% was then valued to be equivalence of 1% drop in Gross Domestic Product of the affected nation states. Vast majority of those affected by the virus often had no access then to proven life saving antiretroviral therapy. With aim of alleviating suffering, WHO and UNAIDS 1999 decided to make treatment available to three million people in 2005 and to step down costs of drugs. Noting that HIV/AIDS virus is most sexually transmitted, this paper is of opinion that availability of up to date reproductive and sexual health information and services is required to provide basis for prevention of virus infection It is aimed to carry out a survey on the current state of infection among Nigerian students and to provide demographic analysis of relevant models. Analysis carried out on 822 effective responses yielded such models as infection trend forecast tool. Keywords: pre test data analysis, variability analysis, trends estimation, infection indicator and ratios

Social Welfare and Economics of Family Planning Practice: a Numeric Appreciation of Socio-Economics of Nigerian Family Selection Traits

Due to ignorance of unenlightened minds, man to women relation has given rise to unwanted pregnancies, births of unwanted innocent babies and undesirable loss of women and babies. In making efforts to curb further occurrence of such unfortunate instances, governments and institutions had since embarked on enlightenment and family planning programmes. Contributions had since been made and supports granted on improvement of family life. On having access to relevant information on the issue at stake, urge to formulate numerical measure was developed. In this paper, it is aimed to carry out studies of Nigerian women opinions in support of or against using family planning contraceptives and associated quality of life. In fulfillment of aim, sample opinions on related eight factors of three hundred and eighteen women were demographically processed. Economic selection traces were formulated and related to government supports and insurance covers. The test values obtained revealed that families which initially selected Norplant were likely switching on to Diaphragm. In future, such families would likely resort to use of Condom. Keywords: characterization by factors, selection traces relations, welfare supports and decision making analysis

Effects of Time of Weed Removal on Weed Species Composition and Crop Performance of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

The effect of time of weed removal on weed species composition and crop performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) was assessed in the early and late seasons of 2002 in Ondo (07° 05’N, 04° 55’E). Okra plots weeded at 2, 4. 6, and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) were compared with weed free (WF) and weedy (WY) okra in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Weed removal (WR) at 8 WAP was similar to weedy check with regards to crop growth parameters. Plant height, stem girth, nodes per plant, total dry matter, shoot dry matter, mean root length, number of roots, root dry weight, shoot/ total dry weight ratio (SWR) and root/total dry weight ratio (RWR) were superior in the early season to the late season. However number of leaves/plant, number of branches/plant and leaf area/plant were better in the late season than in the early season. Pod number, pod length and fruit yield/plant were also higher in the late season than early season, except weedy throughout and WR at 8 WAP.  WR at 4 WAP gave comparable values of plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, mean root length, root dry weight, pod number, pod length and pod yield with WF. The order of pod yield was WF >WR at 4 WAP >WR at 6 WAP >WR at 8 WAP >WY. The critical time of weed removal in okra production under the condition of this experiment was 4 WAP. Uncontrolled weed infestation in okra resulted in 39 % and 84 % reduction in potential okra fruit yield compared with the maximum obtained from the WF okra in the early and late seasons, respectively. It is suggested that plot be weeded early (4 WAP) for optimum growth and yield of okra. Keywords: weed removal, weedy check, weed species, okra, weed- fre

Weed Control Efficacy and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Colonization of Upland Rice Varieties as Affected by Population Densities

Field  experiments were  conducted in 2011 and 2012 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Latitude 7 20`N and Longitude 3 23`E) in the Forest/ Savanna Transition Agro- ecological zone of South Western Nigeria  to determine the weed control efficacy and AM colonization  of upland rice varieties   at different population densities. The experiment was a 3x3 factorial arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The three plant population used included 333, 333; 250, 000 and 166, 666 plants per hectare obtained by planting at 20cm x 15cm, 20cm x 20cm and 20cm x 30 cm respectively, while the three rice varieties used were ITA 150, NERICA 2 and OFADA. The results obtained from the study showed that plant population at 333, 333 plants per hectare significantly (p < 0.05) reduced weed population, number of tillers per hill and yield of rice varieties. Moreover, the local rice variety, OFADA was observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) taller than the other varieties, reduced weed biomass and consequently gave better yield advantage over the other tested varieties (ITA 150 and NERICA 2).   Panicle length and days to 50% flowering were significantly (p<0.05) longer in OFADA and NERICA 2.  Planting density did not affect AM root colonization but significant differences were observed among the rice varieties with respect to spore abundance. Keywords: rice, arbuscular mycorrhizal, plant population, varietie

INFLUENCE OF INTER-ROW SPACING AND WEED CONTROL METHODS IN GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogeal (L.)

Weed competition has been identified as one of the major obstacles in crop production. The produc-tion of groundnut is limited by high weed infestation resulting in yield losses ranging from 50 - 80% in Nigeria. Hence, the need to evaluate integrated weed control in its production. Field trials were there-fore conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (7o 20’ N, 30 23’ E) to evaluate the influence of inter-row spacing and weed control methods on growth and yield of groundnut during the wet seasons in 2009 and 2010. The experiment was a Randomised Complete Design (RCBD) laid out in a split plot with three replications. The main plot treatment con-sisted of three inter-row spacings of 60 cm, 75 cm and 90 cm while the subplots included five weed control treatments of commercial formulation of metolachlor plus promethyne mixture (codal) at 1.0 kg a.i/ha, codal at 1.0 kg a.i./ha followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS), codal at 2 kg a.i./ha, hoe weeding at 3, 6 and 9 WAS and a weedy check. Inter-row spacings of 60 cm and 75 cm reduced weed growth with consequent higher yields compared to the inter-row spacings of 90 cm in the early season of 2009. Application of codal at 1.0 kg a.i./ha followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6 WAS combined with 60cm inter-row spacing gave effective weed control and higher groundnut pod yield than hoe-weeded control in both years of experimentation

CHARACTERISATION OF THE NIGERIAN-GROWN EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS TIMBER SPECIE ACCORDING TO EN 338 (2009) AND NCP 2 (1973)

 In this work, the Nigerian-grown Eucalyptus camaldulensis timber specie was characterized based on the NCP 2 (1973) and EN 338 (2009) code. The specie was obtained from timber markets in Sabon Gari, Zaria and Fanteka, Kaduna, North-western Nigeria. The elastic modulus, bending strength (using four-point flexural test) and density of the timber as stated in EN 384 (2004) were determined at their various moisture contents with which other respective derived properties were obtained. The experiments were carried out using a 500 kN capacity Universal Testing Machine at the Department of Civil Engineering laboratory, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Results obtained indicate that the mean density of Eucalyptus camaldulensis timber is 975.9 kg/m3 at an adjusted moisture content of 18%. The flexural strength of Eucalyptus camaldulensis timber species was determined to be 69.02 N/mm2 and the mean Modulus of Elasticity of 5409.4 N/mm2. With these results, Eucalyptus camaldulensis was allocated to strength class D60 based on EN 338 (2009) and strength class N1 based on NCP 2 (1973) classification systems which makes it suitable for bridge construction, railway sleepers, pier construction as well as heavy duty flooring

EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE INDICES OF STARTER PULLETS IN A HOT - HUMID ENVIRONMENT

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritional effects of supplementary ascorbic acid (AA) at levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg in the diets of starter pullets reared at different seasons (harmattan season and rainy season) in a hot humid environment. Two hundred and forty day-old Harco pullet chicks were used in each trial, they were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments in three replications of twenty chicks per replicate. Each trial lasted 8 weeks during which data were collected and a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement was employed in the analysis of data collected.  Results showed significant (p<0.05) effect of treatments on feed conversion ratio of birds fed dietary treatments. Season of presentation of ascorbic acid significantly affected (p<0.05) feed intake with higher value obtained in the rainy season compared to the dry season (41.89g vs. 39.59). &nbsp

GROWTH RESPONSE OF BROILER BIRDS FED Asystasia gangetica LEAF MEAL IN HOT HUMID ENVIRONMENT

A 35- day feeding trial was conducted to study the effects of inclusion of Asystasia gangetica leaf meal (AGLM) on the growth response of broiler chickens. Samples of Asystasia gangetica leaves were sourced from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta environment. The leaves were chopped and wilted, sun dried to reduce the moisture level to the minimal level. The dried leaves were milled to produce leaf meal. Asystasia gangetica leaf meal contain 19.38% crude protein, 15.30% crude fibre, 12.70% ether extract, 1.70% ash and 36.34% NFE.  A total number of 120 day old Marshal Strain of broiler chicks was used. A standard starter diet was fed to the birds prior to the commencement of the experiment. At the end of the 3rd week, birds were allotted into four treatments having three replicates of 10 birds each. Four experimental diets were formulated with varying levels of A. gangetica leaf meal (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 %) respectively.  Final live weight and daily weight gain varied significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups. The feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by dietary treatments. Final weight and weight gain values were found to decrease across the dietary treatments with increasing level of A. gangetica leaf meal. The results of the experiment show that the use of A. gangetica as feed ingredient in broiler production significantly depressed growth.Â

TAX AGGRESSIVENESS AND TIMELINESS OF FINANCIAL REPORTING IN NIGERIA FINANCIAL SECTOR

This research explores the effect of tax aggressiveness on the timeliness of financial reporting. This research, comprising a survey of 50 companies operating in Nigeria's financial sector, gained insights from the stakeholders’ theory to investigate the impact of tax aggressiveness on the timeliness of financial reporting. Tax aggressiveness was measured using variables such as tax avoidance, taxable income, book-tax difference and book effective tax rate. We analysed the data using the logistics regression method. Empirically, the results showed that there is a significant positive association between the tax avoidance and the timeliness of financial reporting. Taxable income revealed a positive and significant relationship with timeliness of financial reporting. Book-tax difference indicates a negative and an insignificant relationship to the financial reporting timeliness. While, book effective tax rate revealed a positive and insignificant association with the timeliness of financial reporting. Overall, this indicates that Nigerian financial firms' tax aggressiveness has a bigger effect on the timeliness of financial statements. It therefore recommends that corporate strategies and policies should take into account the tax planning and structure when drawing up the company’s strategic framework