Correlation analysis of bulb yield with growth and yield components of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Two experiments were conducted under irrigation at the Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R) Kadawa in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 (Nov- Mar) dry seasons to study the relationship among growth, yield components and bulb yield of garlic (ex- Kofa var). Growth parameters studied included plant height, number of leaves, total dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) while the yield parameters studied included fresh bulb weight, cured bulb weight, bulb diameter, number of cloves/bulb, weight of cloves and cured bulb yield (kg/ha). Results obtained showed a significant and positive correlation between total bulb yield per hectare and growth as well as the other yield characters except RGR in  2007/2008 trial and CGR as well as the number of cloves in 2008/2009 trial. However, for the combined analysis, CGR, RGR and number of cloves were found not have positive correlation with the bulb yield. These characters should therefore, not be aimed at if the aim is to increase/ improve yielding ability of garlicKey Words: Correlation, Kadawa, Sudan Savanna, Garlic,  Irrigation, growth and yield components

Evaluation of qualitative phytochemicals and antifungal activity of aqueous leaf extract of Senna tora on downy mildew of cabbage

This study was embarked upon to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extracts of Senna tora leaf against Perenospora parasitica, causing downy mildew on cabbage. Phytochemical analysis of the leaf extracts revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites (Tannins, Saponins, Flavonoid, Glycosides, Alkaloids, Phenolic compounds and Carbohydrates) which have been reported to have antimicrobial effects. Assays were performed using extract concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, 125 mg/ml by agar well diffusion technique. Results obtained, revealed a significant difference in diameter of mycelial zone of inhibition between the concentrations. Highest zone of inhibition was recorded at 1000 and 500 mg/ml (20 and 15 mm) respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined and recorded at 250 mg/ml. The antifungal screening revealed that the extract exhibited inhibitory activities at varying concentrations against the downy mildew pathogen. These activities observed could be attributed to the presence of active metabolites contained in the extract.Keywords: Aqueous leaf extract, Downy mildew, Perenospora parasitica and Senna tor

Effect of different concentrations of aqueous Ascophyllum nodosum extract on flowering and fruiting in some vegetables

A study was conducted in 2013 at the Screen House of Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano to test the effect of aqueous extract of of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on flowering and fruiting in watermelon (Cowlak) and okra (NHB-AI-13). Treatment consisted of four levels of the extract (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0g/L) and a control. These were replicated three times. Results obtained on the number of days to flowering in both plants showed significant effect of the extract. Plants treated with 1.5 and 2.0g/L seaweed extract flowered earlier and produced greater number of flowers and subsequently more number of fruits. Average number of flowers were greater in both plants treated with 2.0g/L. However, the average number of fruits per plant was observed to be 5.33 and 2.33 in okra and watermelon respectively treated with 2.0g/L which is greater than 2.00 and 0.33 observed in the same plants given 0g/L. Replications treated with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 also showed greater effect on the onset of flowering, number of flowers as well as the fruit yield when compared with the control treatment.Keywords: Watermelon, Okra, Seaweed, flowering, fruitin

Quantitative analysis of plant species diversity in Kano zoological garden

The study was necessitated by the fact that quantitative floristic inventories provide necessary context for planning and interpreting long-term ecological research. It’s also needed in conservation biology more than ever as an increasing number of threatened species find theirway onto international and national “red lists”. Objective evaluation of population decline and extinction probability is required for sound decision making. Long-term studies of tree population dynamics are critical for our understanding of the conservation needs of tropical forest ecosystems. The study analyzed the present Phyto-sociological, primary and secondary ecological parameters, plant species richness, dominance, similarities and pattern of plant species diversity status in selected habitats in Kano zoological garden. The dominant plant species were found to be Azadirachta indica which have the highest frequency, low frequency were observed in Zizipus spina-christi, Magnifera indica and Adansonia digitataKeywords: Plant, Diversity, Azadirachta indica, Richnes

Effect of automobile exhaust on some leaf micromorphological characteristics of some members of Verbanaceae, Annonaceae and Euphorbiaceae families

The study was carried using the Botanic Garden of the Kano State Zoological Garden as the control site in comparison with roadside in order to determine the effect of exhaust from vehicles on the number of stomata, epidermal cells, stomatal length, stomatal breadth, pore length and pore breadth. Results obtained showed an increase in the number of stomata and epidermal cells per unit area in leaf samples collected from polluted sites than those from unpolluted site. However, the length and breadth of stomata, pore length and pore breadth in the polluted sites was lower than that of the control site. Furthermore, there was no significant difference based on the type of stomata in the species studied at the two different sites. An increase in number of stomata, number of epidermal cells and stomatal density was found in plants growing on the road side both on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces, a decrease was found on the stomatal length, stomatal breadth, pore length, pore breadth and stomatal index of the plants growing on the road side when compared with those in the control site. These changes in stomata and epidermal cells per unit area could be used as an indicator of environmental stress which could be recommended in high traffic density areas for the early detection of urban air pollution.Keywords: Automobile exhaust, Micromorphology, Leaf, Verbanaceae, Annonaceae, Euphorbiacea

Phytochemical, Analgesic And Acute Toxicity Study Of Jatropha Curcus Root

Jatropha curcus Linn. is a multipurpose plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. The ethnomedical practice in West Africa showed the application of Jatropha curcus leaves in different forms to cure various ailments like fever, mouth infections, jaundice, guinea worm sores and joint rheumatism. The roots of J. curcus have been used as a decoction for bleeding gums, toothache, eczema, ringworm, and scabies and to cure dysentery. This study therefore assessed the phytochemical and analgesic properties of Jatropha curcus root. The acetic acid induced writhing test in mice was used to study the analgesic effect. The analgesic activity on methanol extract of the root (25mg/kg, 50mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) in the writhing test showed significant reduction of pain induced by acetic acid with the 50mg/kg being more potent. Phytochemical results of the three solvent extracts showed presence of tannins, triterpenes, alkaloids, carbohydrate and flavonoids. The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids (94.0 mg/g) was the highest phytochemical detected in the root while the lowest was saponins and phenols (23.0 mg/g). The results of this investigation may be useful for deriving doses that are safe for human consumption medicinally of Jatropha curcus root. Collectively, this study provides scientific data for the use of Jatropha curcus in the treatment of pains and contribute to the analgesic knowledge of this species. Further study should be carried oot o find out the mechanism of its action and also to isolate, identify and characterize the active agent responsible for these effects in this plant

Pharmacognostic, elemental and acute toxicity study of Fadogia agrestis root

An aphrodisiac is a type of food or drink that has the effect of making those who eat or drink it more aroused in a sexual way. Aphrodisiacs can be categorized according to their mode of action into three groups: substances that increase libido (i.e. sexual arousal), substances that increase sexual potency (i.e. effectiveness of erection) and substances that increase sexual pleasure. Fadogia agrestis (Schweing. Ex. Hiern), Rubiacea (Hausa: Bakin gagai; English name: Black aphrodisiac) is an erect shrub 1-3 feets high. Fadogia agrestis is a medicinal plant widely used for its reported antibacterial and aphrodisiac activities. The aim of this work is to carry out pharmacognostic standardization and safety profile on Fadogia agrestis root. Chemomicroscopic, physicochemical, elemental, phytochemical and acute toxicity studies were carried out using standard methods. The results obtained also provided scientific basis for the use of in folklore medicine. Chemomicroscopic characters present include; cellulosecell wall, lignified cell wall, tannins, starch, calcium oxalate and cutin. The physicochemical parameters evaluated include: moisture content (7.0%), total ash (10.5%), water soluble ash (4.1%), acid insoluble ash (8.33%), ethanol extract (15.0%), and water extractive value (12.0%). The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids (84.0 mg/g) was the highest phytochemical detected in the stem bark while the lowest was saponins (4.0 mg/g).LD50 of both extracts was above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. The results of this investigation may be useful for deriving doses that are safe for human consumption of F. agrestis root.&nbsp