Fertility Status of Soils under Irrigation along the Jakara Stream in Metropolitan Kano

This study was conducted on the irrigated lands along the banks of the Jakara Stream in metropolitan Kano, with the aim of assessing its fertility level. Two sites (Hajj Camp and Magami) were selected based on concentration of irrigation activity and irrigation water source. Grid sampling was employed in which 100m2 of land was selected in each area and divided into ten equally sized grid cells of 1m2. Five samples were collected from each cell to a depth of 20cm from the surface using an auger, and the five samples were mixed up to make a composite sample. Analytical methods were employed in determining the levels of various fertility related parameters. The fertility parameters determined were organic carbon, organic matter, CEC, exchangeable bases (K, Ca, Mg and Na), total nitrogen, pH and available phosphorus. Analysis of the data obtained shows that values fell between medium to low fertility level except for organic matter at Hajj Camp which was high. On the whole, results of the research revealed soils of marginal fertility when USDA/NRSC (2001) guideline for soil quality assessment was adopted and values were compared with those recommended by Landon (1991).Key words: Quality, Soil, Fertility, Jakara Stream, Irrigatio

A survey of ectoparasites on the gills, skin and fins of oreochromis Niloticus at Bagauda fish farm, Kano, Nigeria

Six hundred and two specimens of Oreochromis niloticus from Bagauda fish farm, Kano were examined for ectoparasites. Nine hundred and fifty six ectoparasites were found on two hundred and fourteen (35.6%) specimens. Piscine parasites recovered were protozoa and trematodes namely, Ichthyophthirius spp, Myxobolus spp, Clinostomum spp and Euclinostomum spp. Gill infestation was maintained to be higher throughout the year, than that on the skin and fins, and it was found to be statistically different by DMRT at 5% level of probability. Generally trematodes had higher frequency than protozoa in both the seasons (25.58%, 36.33% and 4.30%, 11.00% respectively). Frequency of protozoa infestation is higher in wet Season 11.00% than in dry season 4.30% so is the case with the trematodes, 36.33% in wet season and 25.5% in dry season

Genetic variability, heritability and correlation among soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merrill] varieties

The study was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano (Lat 11059`N, Long 8025`E and 466m above sea level), during 2016 rainy season, to determine the variability, heritability and correlation among the soybean varieties. The treatments consist of eight soybean varieties, laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated four times; varieties were evaluated for fifteen characters to determine variability, estimate heritability and correlation. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference (P>0.01<0.05) with respect to four characters and highly significant (P≤0.01) four seven characters. The results indicated the presence of substantial variability among the varieties. GCV, PCV, ECV and heritability estimates ranges from 0.000039-169.18, 0.000066-187.55, 0.000053-122.28 and 0-100% respectively, the high Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV), Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Environmental Coefficient of Variation (ECV) observed in this study indicated the existence of variability and selection can be done. Whereas high estimate of broad Sense heritability for the tested parameters indicated that these characters were highly heritable and selection can be imposed. Significant phenotypic correlation for GWha and FWha with FWP respectively revealed that, these characters were primarily influenced by their direct contribution to higher yield. It is therefore recommended for an effective selection of those characters could be adopted for cultivar improvement and hybridization program and more research is needed to validate the findings.Keywords: Genetic, Heritability , Soybean, Variabilit

Genetic studies of agronomic and kernel quality traits in white maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines

Field experiments were conducted at National Horticultural Research Institute, Bagauda (11°33´N; 8°23´E) in the Sudan Savannah and Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru (11011´N; 07038’E) in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zones of Nigeria. The experiments were conducted between July-October, 2014 rainy season to estimates mean squares for general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability( SCA) and interaction between general combining ability and location (GCA x location) and specific combining ability and location Interactions ( SCA x location) for agronomic traits and kernel quality traits. The study comprised of 15 hybrid lines, 6 parental lines along with 4 checks which were laid out in partially balanced lattice design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant (P≤ 0.01) GCA for days to maturity (27.74), ear length (8.85cm) , ear diameter (22.25cm), plant height (1501.60cm), field weight (1.70kg), moisture content at harvest (16.48%) and yield (10947553.16 kgha-1) indicating the additive gene action contributing the expression of these traits. The mean squares due to SCA were highly significant (P≤ 0.01) for days to maturity (7.49), ear length (10.06cm), ear diameter (26.96cm) and moisture content at harvest (6.78%) indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene action in the expression of these traits. The mean squares for GCA× location and SCA× location were not significant for all traits except percent whole kernel which shows highly significant GCA × location interaction (2077.97%) and this indicated that, different parental genotypes behaved differently with respect to this trait under different location.Keywords: Agronomic traits, Genetic, General Combining Ability, Inbred lines, Kernel Quality and Specific Combining Abilit

State of the Art on Vehicular Engine Exhaust Emissions Standards and Regulations: a Review

The burning of fossil fuel introduced massive quantities of pollutants leading to many adverse effects on human health. Therefore, regulations to reduce or eliminate exhaust gases and pollutants emissions from fossil fuels began to be issued worldwide in the 1970s. Automotive emissions issue has been strictly regulated since 1980. Therefore, this article reviewed some significant countries' vehicular emission standards for diesel and gasoline engines. The review began with an overview of considerable diesel and gasoline exhaust emissions, how they are generated, and their impact on the environment and human health, then surveyed the emission standards and regulations for motor vehicles in the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia, China, India and Nigeria. This section discovered that most countries have modelled their regulatory standards using the European and US regulatory models. Since Countries like Japan and Europe have already been following the worldwide harmonised test cycle (WHTC) to rectify the differences in present emission standards followed by different countries, more concerted research is needed for evolution to a shared universal emission standard implementable worldwide so that other countries may introduce the same shortly. Policies to discourage growth in personal automobile use are also potentially most significant. Thus, the review herein has been discussed to have better insight into the status of existing vehicular emission standards, which may be helpful for future improvisation and implementation of vehicular emission standards in Nigeria

Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Properties of Soils in Kano Urban Agricultural Lands

This study was conducted on the urban agricultural soils at the banks of three metropolitan and suburban rivers namely Challawa, Jakara and Watari in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria to determine the total, exchangeable and soluble concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd . The soils are all slightly alkaline (mean pH 7.42 – 7.77), with moderate CEC (12.63 – 23.11cmol/kg), medium to high organic carbon (7.16 – 11.27g/kg). The mean ranges of total Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd were 4.95 – 5.99, 5.85 – 165.66, 54.03 – 57.77, 55.07 – 255.52, 42.84 – 68.12 and 0.59 – 11.81mg/kg respectively. All the values were lower than the maximum allowable concentrations in soils, except for Cd at Jakara and Challawa. The mean ranges of exchangeable metals were 0.57 – 1.18, 1.69 – 29.26, 13.89 – 15.59, 14.16 – 49.01 10.48 – 18.31 and 0.39 – 1.20mg/kg for Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd respectively. The mean soluble concentrations were 0.27 – 0.48, 0.61 – 15.91, 5.60 – 7.15, 4.90 – 17.42, 2.78 – 9.36 and 0.00 – 0.60mg/kg for Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cd respectively. Although appreciable amounts of all the metals were detected in the various forms, variability exists between the sites with concentrations found to be significantly higher (p≤ 0.05) in areas irrigated with waters receiving industrial and domestic sewages namely, Challawa and Jakara than Watari which was the control and significant relationship (p≤ 0.05) exists between exchangeable and total metal forms on one hand and such soil properties as organic carbon, available P, total N and basic cations on the other.Keywords: Heavy metals, bio-avaliable, Kano, Urban, Agricultur

Should the State Control Tariffs?

Tariffs or price control has been a controversial subject in recent years. The debate between legal experts and economists is still a hot topic in any discussion. Tariff control regulated in the work creation omnibus law seems to be a topic that must be discussed again regarding this regulation’s urgency. Are specific prices so impressive that the government can intervene in regulating them? This article examines the urgency of rules regarding price controls to create a healthy competitive environment. After conducting a critical literature review, it was analyzed with critical analysis and looking at the objective of competition law was to maximize welfare by protecting competition. The results in this article indicated that the government could only intervene in regulating price-fixing only if companies’ pricing could harm the country’s economy and consumer welfare. The government, therefore, had an interest in regulating the price ceiling. Meanwhile, the price floor, which was believed to be pro-consumer and could promote consumer welfare had no interest and should not have been limited by the government

Phytosociological attributes of aquatic weeds of Kano-Hadejanguru wetlands

A survey was conducted during dry and rainy seasons of 2011 in order to determine the phytosociological attributes of acquatic weeds of Kano-Hadeja-Nguru wetlands. Random quadrat method was adopted for the phytosociological studies. The study areas consisted of communities from Kano, Jigawa and Yobe States. In each state, six communities were randomly selected. In each community20 quadrats of 4 m2 size were laid down and hence sum of 120 quadrats were randomly thrown for each state. Within each quadrat area, weeds were identified, counted and weed cover scores were recorded. Weeds were cut at ground level, fresh and dry weights were determined. Typha grass was the most dominant species in the wetlands of Jigawa (21.195 and 22.5%) compared to either Kano (9.345 and 5.27%) or Yobe (12.73 and12.135%) states. Weed density, weed cover scores as well as fresh and dry weight of weed samples from Kano were observed to be higher than the other two states. Morphological characteristics of Typha spp found in Kano State were taller with more leaves than the other two states. The study suggested that there is strong need to start an Integrated Typha management in the study areas.Keywords: Phytosocioloy, aquatic weed, wetlands, Typha morpholog

Distribution and abundance of freshwater snails in Warwade Dam, Dutse, Northern Nigeria

Preliminary investigation in August, 2017 reported the presence of Lymnaea natalensis, Bellamya unicolor, Melanoides tuberculata and Bulinus globosus in order of increasing abundance and distribution in Warwade dam, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A follow up study was carried out from April to October, 2019 to reveal further details on the abundance and distribution of freshwater snails in relation to some physiochemical factors of the dam. Four sampling sites; human activity, vegetation cover, lentic and lotic were selected for the study along the bank of the dam. Freshwater snails were collected using long handled scoop net with mesh 0.2mm complemented by hand picking methods in the four sampling sites. Water samples from the sampling sites were analyzed in the laboratory using standard procedures. A total of 2,027 of freshwater snails belonging to ten species were identified. Bulinus globosus 12(0.6%) and Lymnaea natalensis 12(0.6%) had the lowest abundance and distribution while Melanoides tuberculata 1553(76.6%) had the highest. Snail abundance was highest in site characterized by human activities (670) followed by vegetation (482), lotic (442) and lentic (433) waters. Most of the physico-chemical factors measured appeared to favour the growth and survival of fresh water snails. pH (p = 0.01), water current (p = <0.01) and magnesium ion concentration (p = < 0.01) varied significantly across the four sites. Only calcium ion concentration was significantly associated with snail abundance (p = 0.04). Snail abundance showed weak positive relationship with water temperature, color, turbidity and concentration of magnesium ion. The dam habours about ten species of freshwater snails in different abundance and distribution with M. tuberculata being the most abundant throughout the period of investigation. The dominance of M. tuberculata over other species particularly those of medical and veterinary importance could have positive implication for their control in the dam

The metaverse digital environments: a scoping review of the challenges, privacy and security issues

The concept of the “metaverse” has garnered significant attention recently, positioned as the “next frontier” of the internet. This emerging digital realm carries substantial economic and financial implications for both IT and non-IT industries. However, the integration and evolution of these virtual universes bring forth a multitude of intricate issues and quandaries that demand resolution. Within this research endeavor, our objective was to delve into and appraise the array of challenges, privacy concerns, and security issues that have come to light during the development of metaverse virtual environments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a meticulous review and analysis of literature spanning from January 2020 to December 2022, we have meticulously identified and scrutinized 29 distinct challenges, along with 12 policy, privacy, and security matters intertwined with the metaverse. Among the challenges we unearthed, the foremost were concerns pertaining to the costs associated with hardware and software, implementation complexities, digital disparities, and the ethical and moral quandaries surrounding socio-control, collectively cited by 43%, 40%, and 33% of the surveyed articles, respectively. Turning our focus to policy, privacy, and security issues, the top three concerns that emerged from our investigation encompassed the formulation of metaverse rules and principles, the encroachment of privacy threats within the metaverse, and the looming challenges concerning data management, all mentioned in 43%, 40%, and 33% of the examined literature. In summation, the development of virtual environments within the metaverse is a multifaceted and dynamically evolving domain, offering both opportunities and hurdles for researchers and practitioners alike. It is our aspiration that the insights, challenges, and recommendations articulated in this report will catalyze extensive dialogues among industry stakeholders, governmental bodies, and other interested parties concerning the metaverse's destiny and the world they aim to construct or bequeath to future generations