Macro-propagation technique for different physiological ages of Gongronema latifolia Benth cuttings

Non-wood forest products have been shown to be sustaining the rural poor in Nigeria and other developing countries. They are in most cases threatened to extinction because most species are not domesticated and thus harvested from forests. Macro-propagation of Gongronema latifolia Benth highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal qualities but has not been substantially domesticated was studied using three physiological ages (hardwood, semi-hardwood and soft wood) in Nsukka. Statistical analyses were performed on the attributes of the cuttings and nodal cuts. The study showed that largenumber of clones could be produced from a single stem cutting of G. latifolia with any of the three physiological ages. Hardwood and semi-hardwood nodal cuts produced five and four shoots/clones respectively and thus have higher potential of producing clones. Macro-propagation technique couldthus be utilized to rapidly disseminate selected land races and new varieties of G. latifolia resulting from hybridizatio

Initiation and growth of shoots of Gongronema latifolia Benth stem cuttings in different rooting media

Vegetative propagation of Gongronema latifolia Benth commonly used as a forest leafy vegetable and spice, was studied in three rooting media (sawdust, ricehull and soil) under two seasons in Nsukka. The study showed that G. latifolia could be effectively propagated by stem cuttings. There was significant reduction in number of days to shoot initiation and growth in sawdust medium in the wet season. Sawdust and soil gave a better performance of the cuttings in opening of apical buds, initiation of shoots, percentage of rooted cuttings, number of vines, vine length and number of opposite leaves on vines in both seasons. Even though, both media performed similarly in most of the attributes, sawdust medium will be preferred to soil because it is readily available and affordable. Effective and high percentage rooting of G. latifolia stem cuttings, which will provide excellent conservation of a selected clone derived from virgin forest and hybridization, could be achieved in sawdust medium during the dry season.Keywords: Gongronema latifolia, rooting media, propagation, stem cutting

Oral administration of Gongronema latifolia leaf meal: Implications on carcass and haematological profile of broiler finishers raised in the humid tropics

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Gongronema latifolia leaf extract (GLLE) on carcass characteristics and haematological indices of broiler finisher birds. A total of 120 four weeks old Marshall Strain commercial broilers were randomly selected and assigned to four experimental treatments namely: W- water only, WV- water + vitalyte, GL30- water + 30 ml GLLE and GL60- water + 60 ml GLLE. At the end of four weeks, nine birds were randomly selected from each treatment and humanely slaughtered for carcass, organ evaluation and haematological studies. The live weight, dressed weight and the relative weights of the thigh, drumstick and breast of the birds were better (P < 0.05) for birds on the GLLE. The relative weights of the eviscerated carcass, head, neck and organs were not affected by the treatments. The haematological characteristics of the birds showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in packed cell volume, red blood cell counts and white blood cell counts in favour of birds on WV, GL30 and GL60. The study showed that GLLE had nutritional benefits on carcass and organ quality of birds in spite of its antinutritional content. Therefore, it can be used as a nutrient supplement in poultry production.Keyword: Gongronema latifolia, carcass, organs, vitamins, minerals, strain, haematology

Patterns of vegetative propagation of stem cuttings of three physiological ages of gongronema latifolia benth over two seasons in Nsukka

No Abstract

Morphology and chromosome numbers of <i>Gongronema latifolia</i> benth. clones from Nigeria

Cytological studies on the root-tips of four clones of Gongronema latifolia Benth. were conducted to identify cross-compatible clones for possible improvement through hybridisation. The results showed that the diploidchromosomes number in G. latifolia was 2n = 16. Clones, IMS-20-NJIABA, AKS-33-EKPENE EDIENE, ANS-38-AWKA and ENS-47-MBU used in the study had 2n = 16, 2n = 16, 2n = 24 and 2n = 20 chromosomes, respectively.This showed that ANS-38-AWKA and ENS-47-MBU are polyploids.  Chromosomes were metacentric and submetacentric, with only a pair of subtelocentric chromosome in ANS-38-AWKA. Chromosome lengths rangedfrom 4.03 to 4.28 ìm, and were generally of the B-size. The F values ranged from 21.76 to 49.87%. Chromosomal variations among the clones suggest presence of high levels of cross incompatibility between clones that are not ofthe same ploidy level. Hence, only clones IMS-20-NJIABA and AKS-33-EKPENE EDIENE that are of the same ploidy level will be cross compatible

Influence of seed removal from capsule on germination of gongronema latifolia benth

No Abstract. Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp.103-11

Indigenous knowledge and utilization of Gongronema latifolia Benth.: a case study of women in University of Nigeria, Nsukka

No Abstract.Bio-Research Vol. 3(2) 2005: 66-6

Field reactions of interspecific hybrids of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon Mill.) lines to leaf spot disease

Leaf spot is a major disease of tomato causing reduction in fruit yield under humid environments. It's control using some of the major systemic fungicides available is environmentally unfriendly and costly. Heterosis known to increase productivity in crops was used to assess improvement in tomato yield and resistance to leaf spot disease. Crosses were made on four selected parent plants in a diallel fashion in 2011. Seedlings of the parent plants and their resulting hybrids were established in a field in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2012. The leaves were assayed at the vegetative and reproductive stages for leaf spot infection and some phytochemicals content. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, correlation and path analysis to partition the effects to the causes. Better parent heterosis (BPH) was obtained at both stages of growth. The disease incidence and severity amongst the hybrids were significantly (p= 0.05) reduced in all crosses with wild as the pistillate parent relative to others. The hybrid, wild x petomech (W x P) had significantly higher phenol content of 4.29 mg/100g, highest negative BPH of -30.40% and lower in disease severity. Flavonoid showed a positive and significant correlation with phenol (r= 0.51, n= 39, p= 0.01). There was a high direct (0.98) and indirect (1.0) effects of flavonoid to fruit yield through disease severity at fruit ripening. The hybrids, W x P and wild x insulata could be selected as they had less leaf spot disease severity and high fruit yield.Keywords: disease incidence, disease severity, heterosis, phytochemicals and wild tomat