Effect of Taungya on regeneration of endemic forest tree species in Nigeria: Edo State Nigeria as a case study

Taungya as an agroforestry system in regenerating endemic forest tree species is not successful in Edo State. This was revealed in the current study. Significant differences in natural regeneration exist in the zonesstudied. The failure of the Taungya system arose from abandonment of the sites after devegetation, non availability of planting stock which is due to poor funding. The area that was kept under continuous cultivationhad 15.60 of regenerated endemic species. The area that fallow for 3 years had 34.33 species regenerated. The control had 22.33 of regenerated species. The most occurred species is Terminlia Superba - 31. Evidence from the study is indicative of the fact that adequate endemic taxa regeneration can not rely on Taungya system as it is practiced now. To ensure safe environment, endemic forest species saved from extinction, proper regeneration and forest plantation establishment of endemic toxa are recommended

Macropropagation of Ocimum gratissimum,/i> L: A multi purpose medicinal plant in Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to determine optimum macropropagation method for Ocimum gratissimum, a multi purpose medicinal plant. The result showed that significant differences exist as influenced by seed sowing depth and type of soil. Seed sown at 1 cm depth in humus rich topsoil had 80% germination as against 26.3% from river sand of the same sowing depth. The surface sowing in humus rich topsoil had 33.3% while 23.3% was obtain from surface sowing in river sand. The total plant height was 30.6 cm from humus rich topsoil and 27.4 cm from river sand. Other parameters are mean number of leaf production which was 24.0±0.05 from humus rich topsoil and 12.0±0.04 from river sand both from seedlings of 1 cm depth of sowing. For seedlings from surface sowing mean leaf production was 20.8±0.02 and 10.07±0.01 from humus rich topsoil and river sand, respectively. Evidence from the study led to the conclusion that humus rich topsoil and seed sowing depth of 1 cm are the most suitable method(s) of propagating O. gratissimum

Physico-chemical analysis of fish pond water in Okada and its environs, Nigeria

Water samples were collected from concrete and earthen fish ponds in different locations in Okada and its environs, Edo State, Nigeria. Twenty-one different physiochemical parameters were analyzed using standard laboratory methods and procedures. In the present study, the values of the parameters ranged from pH 6.75 - 7.10, conductivity 0.012 - 0.017 mS/cm, TDS 22 - 906 mg/l, COD 162 - 397 mg/l, turbidity (NTU) 5 -170, TSS 85 -206 mg/l, BOD 1.69 - 3.38 mg/l, DO 9.3 - 16.2 mg/l, acidity 100 - 575 mg/l, alkaline 35 - 135 mg/l, calcium 16.01 - 50.06 mg/l, magnesium 1.21 - 5.46 mg/l, hardness 0.40 - 1.47 mg/l, chloride 7.1 - 10.65 mg/l, sulphate 0.66 - 0.96 mg/l, phosphate 1.40 - 4.51 mg/l, nitrate 2.21 - 4.91 mg/l, copper 0.01 - 0.07 ppm, and zinc 0.01 - 0.07 ppm; cadmium and lead were not detected in the samples. There was significant variation of values from location to location; generally there was no significant difference from desirable and acceptable standards. Although there is economic advantage to the fish farmers, there is the desirable need to analyze the fish pond water at regular intervals. This quality assurance process is to ensure that there are no toxic substances in ponds leading to possible bio-accumulation and magnification. In this way the good health of aquaculture, humans and the environment can be guaranteed.Keywords: Physiochemical parameters, concrete fish ponds, desirable and acceptable standardsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5922-5928, 6 September, 201

Effect of cassava effluent on Okada natural water

The study investigated the effect of cassava effluent on Okada natural water. It was observed that the colour, taste and odour of the water changed after cassava effluent had been discharched into it. Thiswas an indication of pollution. The physico-chemical analysis showed that the characteristics of water analysed varied and higher than federal environmental protection agency of Nigeria (FEPA). The BOD was in the range of 115 - 240 mg/l, salinity in the range of 20 – 40 mg/l, COD 325 – 735 mg/l, alkalinity 20 mg/l, total hardness 30 – 140 mg/l, nitrate 68 – 98 mg/l, sulphate 170 – 204 mg/l, TSS 38 – 53 mg/l, TDS 126 – 156 mg/l, TS 164 – 209 mg/l. The pH of 5.62 mg/l is within FEPA limit. The temperature range was 24.02 - 26.05°C, which is generally the temperature trend in water bodies in the tropical forest areas

Evaluation of chemical composition of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina

The leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina were analyzed for their chemical composition, minerals and vitamins. The results obtained from the analysis of the two plants were compared. The results revealed the presence of bioactive constituents comprising alkaloids (1.90 to 2.68 mg/100 g), tannins (0.04 to 0.07 mg/100g), saponins (0.06 to 2.94 mg/100 g), flavonoids (1.88 to 2.98 mg/100 g) and phenols (0.03 to 0.07 mg/100g). These plants contained ascorbic acid (241.06 to 310.62 mg/100 g), niacin (0.29 to 0.80 mg/100 g), riboflavin (0.08 to 0.09 mg/100 g) and thiamine (0.03 to 0.08 mg/100 g). These plants are good sources of minerals such as Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe and Zn. The importance of these chemical constituents with respect to their roles in ethnomedicine in Nigeria was also discussed.Keywords: Bioactive compounds, Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalin

Forest regeneration, dereservation and management in Edo State, Nigeria

In Edo State, Nigeria, forest dereservation is increasing, regeneration is neglected and management is not able to cope with the problem due to inadequate staffing and other logistics. The review thereforeconcluded that the role of the forests which cut across many areas of human endeavour seem not to be appreciated enough by the populace. Forest regeneration after harvest or deforestation is thus neglected. As a consequence the endemic forest species are faced with possible extinction. Enlightenment campaigns to educate the populace on the values of the forests and intensified efforts on national tree planting as an annual event are suggested. Furthermore, very serious commitment on the part of government to ensure adequate funding of forest regeneration, abrogation of forest dereservation, increased forest reservation and sustainable management of the forests are recommended

Studies on raising and preparation of planting stock of three indigenous forest timber species in Nigeria

Seed germination studies, seedling growth, planting stock preparation and field trial at planting espacement of 3 m x 3 m were evaluated in the study. Soaking seeds in tap water for ten days with daily replacement of water yielded 100% seed germination for A. africana, 100% for A. boonei and 90% for A. lebbeck respectively in light condition. These values were better than those obtained in the control and dark condition. Growth values observed in forest topsoil were significantly different from those from river sand. From Forest Topsoil the total plant heights were 98 ± 16.33 cm for A. africana, 41 ± 6.83 cm for A. lebbeck and 70 ± 11.66 cm for A. boonei while from the river sand, A. Africana had 36 ± 6.0 cm, A. lebbeck had 26.3 ± 4.38 cm and A. boonei had 25.6 ± 4.27 cm. The field trial showed that there is prospect of successful domestication of these species using stumps or seedlings as planting stock. Significant difference was not observed in the trial. The only observed advantage is that more stumps can be transported than the seedlings. For quality planting stock production, soaking the seeds of the species under study for 10 days with daily replacement of water, forest topsoil as seedling growth medium, stumps and seedlings as planting stock are recommended. Keywords: Afzelia africana, Albizia lebbec, Alstonia boonei,Planting stock, agroforestryInternational Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2008: pp. 573-57

Determination of alkaloids and oxalates in some selected food samples in Nigeria

The amount of alkaloids and oxalates present in some selected Nigerian food samples were determined. The samples include Solanum tuberosum L., Ipomea batatas L., Discorea alta, Discorea rotundata, Colocasia esculents L., Triticum vulgare, Soja hispida and Amarathus sp. The percentagealkaloids present in the samples ranged from 11.4 - 29.5% while that of oxalates range from 20 - 92 mg per 100 g of fresh weight sample. Sol. tuberosum L. has the highest alkaloid content while Amarathus sp. has the highest oxalate content. There is a positive correlation between the alkaloid content and oxalate content in the food samples analyzed

Phytochemical screening and insecticidal activity of leaf extracts of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Eucalptus globules against rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)

Ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Eucalptus globules were screened for secondary metabolite constituents and insecticidal activity against rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae). Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, phlobatannins and terpenoids in the plants investigated. Phlobatannins and terpenoids were found to be absent in ethanol extract of Eucalptus globules (leaf) while steroidal compounds were absent in Bryophyllum pinnatum (leaf). The extracts of B. pinnatum and E. globules of different concentrations were also investigated for their insecticidal activity against S. oryzae. Average mortality percentage indicated that the extracts caused significant mortality on the targeted insects. The bioassay indicated that the toxic effect of the extracts was proportional to the concentration, and higher concentrations had stronger effects. The observed mortality percentage also increased with increase in time intervals after treatment. The mortality percentage at 0.25, 0.50, 0.70, 1.00 and 1.50 h after treatment (HAT) indicated that 4% solution of the extracts of E. globules and B. pinnatum showed the highest mortality of 37.00% and 35.00% respectively in S. oryzae at 1.50 h after treatment. It could be inferred from the study that extract from E. globules leaf could cause significant mortality compared to extract of B. pinnatum.© 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Mortality, Phytochemical, Insecticidal activity, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Eucalptus globules, Sitophilus oryzae