Characterization Studies and Yield Attributes of Some Varieties of Cowpea (\u3cem\u3eVigna unguiculata\u3c/em\u3e L.)

Investigations were carried out on sixteen improved varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L walp) obtained from International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan. These varieties were grown in the Department of Biological Sciences Garden, of the University of Ilorin. Qualitative and quantitative characters were observed for the study. Positive correlations were obtained between leaf number and stem diameter, leaf number and number of seeds per pod, number of branches and plant height. Negative correlation existed between number of pods per plant and number of seed per pod. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant difference in all the quantitative characters analyzed among the varieties. Each character was also analyzed using Duncan test and F-LSD. The result showed that IT99K-529-1, IT99K – 429 – 2, IT97K – 461 – 4, IT98K – 506 – 1 and IT99K- 1122 were outstanding in term of vegetative and yield performances in Ilorin, Kwara State of Nigeria

Cytogenetic Effects of Radiation from Projector on Meristematic Cells of Allium Cepa (Onions) Root

The objective of this study is to evaluate the cytogenetic consequences of exposing root tips of Allium cepa (onion) to varying distances and durations of radiation from the projector and treatment with sodium azide and distilled water using standard methods. The sodium azide and distilled water served as positive and negative controls respectively. Results obtained in this study revealed that radiations from the projector induced eleven chromosomal aberrations which included; binucleate cells, sticky chromosomes, vacuolated cells, star metaphase, bride chromosome, vagrant chromosome, faculty polarity, C-mitosis, spindle fibre disturbance, ghost cells, and fragmented chromosomes. This suggests that radiation from the projector poses danger to genetic systems. The higher mitotic index of irradiated onion root tip cells compared to negative control groups indicates that radiation from the projector exhibited a promontory effect on cell division. The findings in this study revealed that exposing cells to radiation beyond 20cm from projector reduced its potencies to induce aberrations as well as distortion of mitotic cell division cycles irrespective of the duration of exposure. This suggests that the genotoxic effects of radiations from a projector depend more on distance than the duration of exposure

Sedimentary Facies and Palynological Studies of Ajali Sandstones Formation Outcropping in Idah, Northern Anambra Basin, Nigeria

The paleo-depositional environment of the Maastrichtian Ajali Sandstone Formation of the Anambra Basin has remained controversial as numerous studies have inferred differing origins of the sedimentary unit. This study presents analytical evidence on the depositional environment of the Formation based on its lithofacies and palynological characteristics by evaluating its depositional mechanisms, paleoclimate, and depositional environment. Microfacies and palynological studies were carried out on sediment samples from outcrop sections along the western flank of River Niger. Nine lithofacies and two facies’ associations were identified with characteristics such as fining and coarsening upward sequences, which indicate subtidal channel and sandflat deposition in a shallow marine environment. Palynological studies reveal the occurrence of significant land-derived palynomorphs such as Tricolporopollenites sp., Cyathidites sp., Distaverrusporites simples, Cingulatisporites ornatus, Psilatricolporites Crassus, Longapertites sp. with freshwater algae Botryococcus braunii of Maastrichtian age. These results confirm that the sediments of the Ajali Sandstone are of a marginal marine system fed by continental facies. These facies have been reworked by tidal processes characteristic of an inner neritic environment deposited during regressive episodes