Probable functions and remobilisation of calcium oxalates inMusa L.

The occurrence and distribution of calcium oxalate crystals were investigated in the young and ageing structures of Musa L. cultivars. The calcium oxalate crystals were tested histochemically and examined using light microscopy. The studies revealed the presence of varying forms of the crystals includingintra-amylar, solitary and raphide bundles in the different tissues and organs. Remobilization and redistribution of the crystals were observed following senescence in all the cultivars investigated. The usefulness of these observations in understanding the functions and fate of calcium oxalate crystals in plants are highlighted

The Ethno-Botany and utility evaluation of some Species of cucurbits among the people of Niger Delta Nigeria

Cucurbits are known to occupy a prominent position in the life and culture of many ethnic groups in the Niger Delta. Field observation has shown that every farming family (e.g. In Rivers State) has at least one cucurbit species in its garden. Beside the range of species already in cultivation, many more species are known to occur in the wild (at least six of such species) with their nutritional potential and other uses apparently unknown. There is the need to develop accurate data, and to put in place more effort toward the cultivation, improvement and conservation of various cucurbits germplasm. An inventory was canned out to track down and document the ethnobotanical uses of the various species of cucurbits found in the Niger Delta areas of Nigeria. The study recorded 15 (fifteen) species distributed into eleven genera in the ecozone. A number of the species are found to have established cultivars as in Lagenaria siceraria. The various species were also observed to be utilized for different purposes by the indigenous people of the Niger Delta. Keywords: Niger Delta, Cucurbits, Ethnobotany, GermplasmGlobal Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (3) 2008: pp. 279-28

Cytogenetic studies on some Nigerian species of Solanum L. (Solanaceae)

Cytogenetic studies to determine the chromosome number, structure and behaviour of some species of Solanum in Nigeria were carried out. Attempt was also made to induce polyploidy in the species. Comparative analysis of the cytological behaviour of the diploid and polyploid cytotypes was made.The studies show that the somatic chromosome number in the genus Solanum is 2n = 24. Colchiploidisation produced tetraploids with 2n = 48 and aneuploids with 2n = 69. The karyotype analysis indicates that the chromosomes were generally very small. There were also slight variations incentromeric positions and arm lengths. Meiotic behaviour of the chromosomes involved a combination of bivalent and multivalent associations especially at the polyploid levels. The significance of this work in the understanding of cytogenetic behaviour of plants and crop improvement efforts are discusse

Targeted mutagenesis in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. and Cucumeropsis mannii (NAUD) in Nigeria

The mutagenic effects of 0.2% aqueous solution of colchicine on gross and micromophological features of seedlings of Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp. and Cucumeropsis mannii (Naud.) were investigated.Terminal buds of two-week old seedlings were assaulted with 0.2% colchicine by the cotton plug and micro syringe methods and performances were monitored until maturity. Colchicine-treated V.unguicu-lata seedlings were observed to grow slower, had malformed leaves, flowered late and produced less number of seeds per pod than the control. Mean values of features like stomatal indiceson both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces, terminal leaflet dimensions and trichome distribution between the treated and control were found to be significantly different. In contrast, treated seedlings of C.mannii flowered and fruited earlier than the case of control material. However, growth was also slowed down by the treatment while features like stomatal indices and trichome distribution were notsignificantly different. The results here have shown that apart from doubling of chromosomes, colchicine can also be used to induce other mutagenic changes which may be of agronomic utility

Tracking sexual dimorphism in Telfairia occidentalis Hooker f. (Cucurbitaceae) with morphological and molecular markers

Morphological (foliar features) and molecular (DNA fingerprinting) markers were used to characterize sexual dimorphism in Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f. (Cucurbitaceae). A total of thirty strains comprising fifteen males and fifteen females from market-sourced fruits bred to the third generation were used forthe investigation. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was combined with silver staining to determine the level of DNA polymorphism in the strains. Results showed that the females were generally larger in size than the males in leaf morphological features, while DNAfingerprints revealed the existence of polymorphism in the plant. However, this genetic variability did not clearly correspond with presence of sexual dimorphism in the species. The implications of these results in understanding the genetics, breeding and conservation of the plant’s germplasm arediscussed

Phytogeography and bidynamic assessment of species of cucurbits in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria

No Abstract. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Physics Vol. 14 (1) 2008 pp. 59-6