Influence of NPK fertilizer on tuber yield of early and late-planted cassava in a forest alfisol of South-Western Nigeria

Four new cassava varieties ( NR 8082, TMS 00033, TMS 91/ 453 and TMS 00447) were fertilized with NPK ( 20-10-10) at the rates of 0, 200, 400, and 800 kg/ha in an experiment with the crop planted early (April) in 1999 and then late (September) in 2000. Tuber yield was 28% higher in early-planted cassava than in the late cultivation. Yield was reduced by 44% in NR8082, 15% in TMS 00033 and 45% in TMS 00447 as a result of late planting. Tuber yield from NR 8082 (44t /ha) was the highest for early-planting while TMS 00033 gave the highest yield (31 t/ha) in late planting. Fertilizer influence on tuber yield was not significant in early-planted cassava. In late-planted cassava, significant reduction in yields was observed from the application of 400 and 800kg/hectare of fertilizer. Incidence of tuber rot was influenced by varietal differences rather than fertilizer rates. Incidence of rot was lowest in NR8082 (9-10%) and TMS 00033 (10-11%) in both plantings and the severity was mild in all the varieties. TMS 00033, a low cyanide variety, have tuber yields above 30 t/ha in both early and late plantings and is therefore recommended for adoption trials by farmers. Key Words: Early and late planting, cassava varieties and tuber rot. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(10) 2004: 547-55

Influence of agronomic practices on yield and profitability in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) fibre cultivation

Field trials were conducted in 2003 and 2004 at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan (7o 38’ N 3o 84’ E), Nigeria to determine the influence of some agronomic practices on yield andprofitability in kenaf bast fibre production. Three kenaf varieties, Cuba 108, Ifeken 400 and Ibadan local, were subjected to three agronomic practices in a split-plot experiment. The agronomic practicesinclude the farmers’ practice where no input was used and two levels of improved management practices (IMP) where the influence of pests and soil nutrition were ameliorated. The results showed that total dry matter, fibre and core yields increased by 150 – 170%, incidence of nematode reduced by 50% and severity scores of insects attack on foliage reduced by 83% in the improved management practice (IMP). The three kenaf varieties differ significantly in their leaf biomass, reaction to nematode and foliage pests attack. In the control treatment, Ibadan local had more leaf biomass and was tolerantto pests attack while other varieties were susceptible. Economic analysis showed that net return was higher in the local cultivar than in the improved varieties under the farmers’ practice. However,economic returns and marginal rate of returns were higher under IMP’s than the control in Cuba 108 and Ifeken 100 varieties than the local cultivar

Comparative effects of Apron plus 50DS and soil amendment on the growth, yield and food components of soybean

Comparative effects of Apron plus 50DS (a systemic fungicide) and soil amendment (poultry droppings) on growth yield and food components of soybean (TGX 1485-1D) were studied. Soybean seeds treated withrecommended dose of Apron plus 50DS had lower percentage germination when compared to the other treatments while the untreated seeds (control) had the highest percentage germination. Seeds treated with Apron plus and planted on amended soil gave the best performance in terms of development and yield. Biochemical analysis of harvested seeds showed an increase in protein content of seeds treated with recommended dose of Apron plus, planted on amended soil. Seeds treated with less than the recommended dose had the highest percentage carbohydrate content, while untreated seeds planted on amended soil had the lowest carbohydrate content. The control experiment had the highest percentage crude fibre while the lowestwas recorded for seeds treated with recommended dose of Apron plus, planted on amended soil. However, there is no significant difference among the treatments in percentage ash and moisture content

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

Effect of Transplanting on Yield and Growth of Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

An experiment was carried out to study the effects of transplanting on growth and grain yield of three varieties of Sorghum bicolor, 'Ilorin local', SK 5912, and SSV10. Seedlings from each variety transplanted at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP) were compared with directly seeded plants used as control. Results show that at 8 WAP with seedlings transplanted at 2 WAP were taller than the other transplants, but shorter than directly seeded plants. Transplanting caused delay in flowering, but at this stage, height of transplants was comparable to directly seeded plants in SK 5912 and SSV10, while in 'Ilorin local' the transplants were significantly shorter at P< 0.05. Dry matter accumulation and grain yield was comparable among transplants but lower than those of directly seeded plants. However, grain yield of seedlings that were transplanted at 2 WAP was statistically comparable with directly seeded plants at P< 0.05

Grain yield potential and associated traits in maize (Zea mays L.) varieties in the forest zone of Nigeria

Grain yield and 15 associated traits were studied in 10 maize varieties (DMR-L-SR-W, SUWAN 1, EV 9043-DMR, TZPB-SR, TZSR-Y, 8321-18, 8535-23, 8644-27, 8644-31 and 8805-4) from 1995 to 1997 at Ibadan, Nigeria. Varietal differences and the relationship between grain yield and associated traits were determined. Variety 8321-18 with the highest grain yield had a 27 per cent yield advantage over the lowest-yielding variety TZSR-Y. Crop growth rates at vegetative and reproductive stages were highest in TZSR-Y whilst its harvest index was lowest when compared to other varieties. 8321-18 had longer ear and kernel growth duration than most varieties evaluated, and its harvest index was higher than TZSR-Y. Kernels per plant were more in 8321-18, 8805-4, and EV 9043-DMR than in the other varieties. Positive correlations were found between grain yield and Kernels per ear (r=0.70***), kernel rows (r=0.30***) and kernels per row (r=0.63***), harvest index (r= 0.53**), total dry matter (r=0.50***), ear growth duration (r=0.36***), kernel growth duration (r=0.30***), and crop growth rate at reproductive stage (r=0.17**), except days to 50 per silking (r=0.19*). To improve grain yield, the biological traits that are significantly associated with grain yield could be incorporated into a model for developing improved maize genotypes for the forest zone in Nigeria. Potentialité de rendement de grain et les traits associés dans les variétés de maïs (Zea mays L.) dans la zone forestière du Nigiria Résumé Le rendement de grain et 15 traits associés étaient étudiés en 10 variétés de maïs (DMR-L-SR-W, SUWAN 1, EV 9043-DMR, TZPB-SR, TZSR-Y, 8321-18, 8535-23, 8644-27, 8644-31 et 8805-4) de 1995 à 1997 à Ibadan, au Nigéria. Les différences variétales et le rapport entre le rendement de grain et les traits associés étaient déterminés. La variété 8321-18 avec le rendement de grain le plus élevé avait un avantage de rendement de 27 pour cent par rapport à la variété TZSR-Y ayant de rendement le plus bas. Les proportions de la croissance de culture aux stades végétatifs et reproductifs étaient les plus élevées en TZSR-Y alors que son indice de moisson était le plus bas lorsqu'il est comparé aux autres variétés. 8321-18 avait une durée de croissance d'épi et de grain plus long que les autres variétés évaluées et son indice de moisson était plus élevé que celui de TZSR-Y. Les grains par plante étaient plus nombreux en 8321-18, 8805-4 et EV 9043-DMR que dans les autres variétés. Des corrélations positives étaient découvertes entre le rendement de grain et les grains par épi (r = 0.70 ***), les rayons de grain (r = 0.30 ***) et les grains par rayon (r = 0.63 ***), indice de moisson (r = 0.53 **), le total de matière sèche (r = 0.50 ***), la durée de croissance d' épi (r = 0.36 ***), la durée de croissance de grain (r = 0.30 ***), la proportion de croissance au stade reproductif (r = 0. 17 **) excepté les jour à 50 pour cent de l'apparition des soies (r = -0.19 *). Pour améliorer le rendement de grain les traits biologiques qui sont considérablement associés au rendement de grain pourraient être incorporé dans un modèle pour le développement des génotypes de maïs amélioré pour la zone forestière au Nigéria. Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.33(2) 2000: 191-19

Effect Of Npk Fertilizer On Fruit Yield And Yield Components Of Pumpkin ( Cucurbita Pepo Linn.)

Pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo Linn.) is a vegetable crop often grown without fertilizer by peasant farmers in Nigeria. With the increased pressure on land resources for other competing uses, farmers have adopted the use of fertilizers to boost crop productivity. This study was carried out for the purpose of evaluating the influence of NPK fertilizer on fruit yield and fruit yield parameters of pumpkin. The experiment was carried out under open field conditions in 2010 for two seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The farm is located on latitude 07°28’N and longitude 04°33’E about 244-m above sea level. NPK 15:15:15 compound fertilizer was applied as ring/side dressing at the rates of (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 kg/ha). The experiment was a randomized complete block design and was replicated six times. Each plot size was 10 m X 12 m and consisted of 7 rows. Alley was 3 m, while the plants were spaced 2 m x 2 m. Data were taken on yield and yield parameters such as: fruit height, fruit circumference, fruit fresh weight, fruit dry matter, fruit yield, seed number and seed weight. The fresh fruit yield was 21 t/ha and 7t//ha for early and late seasons, respectively. Fruits number/ha significantly (p=0.05) increased from 7000 in control to over 10,000/ha at fertilizer rates between 100 and 250 kg NPK/ha. Fruit weight also increased from 9 to 17t/ha between control and higher fertilizer rates. Seed yield from the application at 100 to 250 kg/ha were similar and significantly better than control and 50 kg/ha NPK application. Mean seed yield between 100-250 kg NPK was 460 kg/ha. The value was 37% higher than at 50 kg NPK and 57% higher than in control. Increasing fertilizer above 100 kg NPK/ha did not significantly (p=0.05) increase the fruit yield nor the seed yield

Studies on seed yield potential of some selected kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) genotypes

Kenaf seed yield depends on morpho-physiological traits between varieties, and the interaction between genotype and the environment. Studies were conducted in Ibadan, Ilora and Kisi stations of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria during 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons to determine the influence of location and genotypes on seed yield potentials in 20 kenaf genotypes. The experiment was carried out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Result shows that, kenaf plants had tallest average capsule height in Ilora in both years, while higher numbers of capsule/plant and seed number/capsule were recorded in Kishi. There were no significant differences among all the genotypes planted irrespective of the location on seed weight/plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield/ha. Average highest capsule height was recorded in 2009 across genotypes. However, average number of capsule/plant, seed number/capsule, seed weight/plant and seed yield/ha were higher in 2010. Local kenaf had highest number of capsules (55.04) with about the least seeds per capsule (9.45) and least weight of seed per plant (3.30 g). While BS-1 had the least capsule number (18.86) and highest seeds per capsule (15.74) was recorded in SF-549. AU-75 recorded the highest seed weight/plant. The 100 seed weight ranged from 3.37 to 2.19 g. Seed yield/ha across genotypes ranged from 660 kg/ha in Local line 36 to 1454.3 kg/ha in AU-75.Keywords: Kenaf, capsule height, capsule number, seed number, seed weight/capsule, 100 seed weight and seed yield/ha.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(24) 2420-242

An Assessment of the Levels of Heavy Metals, Nitrates and Nitrites in Three Leafy Vegetables from Selected Rural and Urban Markets in Kwara State, Nigeria

The concentration of some heavy metals, nitrates and nitrites in leafy vegetables sold in selected markets in Ilorin and its environment were investigated. Three leafy vegetables (Amaranthus hybridus, Celosia argentea and Corchorus olitorious) were used in this study. The concentration of selected heavy metals (cadmium, lead, copper, zinc and arsenic), nitrates and nitrites in the leaves were analyzed using standard methods and compared with the permissible limits recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)/WHO Expert Committee on food additives. The concentration of cadmium was significantly higher than the permissible limits (0.20 mg/kg) for all the vegetable types across locations. However, the concentrations of lead, copper, zinc and arsenic which ranged from 0.06 to 0.13 mg/kg, 0.09 to 0.18 mg/kg, 0.05 to 0.16 mg/kg and 0.08 to 0.17 mg/kg were lower than the permissible limits for all the vegetables and in all locations. The concentration of nitrates in the leafy vegetables ranged from 0.09 to 0.37 mg/kg and was within the safe limit (< 3.70 mg/kg) as recommended by (FAO)/WHO Expert Committee on food additives while nitrite was not detected. In conclusion, monitoring of vegetables for toxic heavy metals is essential for food safety in Nigeria. Although lead and arsenic were below safe limits they have the tendency to accumulate to toxic level in consumers. There is the need to increase the essential micronutrient content of soils around the study area given the low concentration of Cu and Zn in the leafy vegetables.Keywords: Food safety, toxicity, micronutrients and concentrations