Inheritance of resistance to head bug (Eurystylus oldi) in grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

The inheritance of resistance to head bug (Eurystylus oldi) was studied in ten populations of sorghum derived from crossing three susceptible sorghum elite varieties (ICSV 111, ICSV 112 and ICSV 400), and two resistant sorghum varieties (Malisor 84-7 and KSV 4). Parental lines, F1 and F2 populations were sown on a Randomized Complete Block Design in two replications. Artificial infestation of head bugs on sorghum was employed in carrying out the experiment. Samples of 5 panicles each from every artificially infested plot were observed. Resistance to head bug in sorghum seems to be controlled by a single pair of recessive genes in Malisor 84-7 x ICSV 400 and Malisor 84-7 x ICSV 111. The cross, KSV 4 x ICSV 112 appeared to be controlled by double recessive pair of genes. Head bug population affects quality of grains rather than the yield produced. There is a negative correlation (-0.095) between head bug population and the germination percentage of the grain. Positive relationship exists between glume size and head bug population, which suggests that longer glumes harbour more head bug. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2003 2(7): 202-205

Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on morphological and physiological growth of cassava and its efficacy in controlling Zonocerus variegatus

Zonocerus variegatus infestation has been found to cause a lot of devastation in the production of cassava crop plants in tropical and subtropical areas. Understanding the efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on controlling Z. variegatus is desired. The present study was conducted in the Department of Crop Science experimental site, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to investigate the effects of M. oleifera leaf extract (MLE) on the morphological and physiological growth characteristics of cassava (Manihot utilissima Pohl.); and its efficacy as organic insecticide for controlling Z. variegatus infestation. M. oleifera leaf extract diluted in water at the volume to volume (v/v) ratios of 1:10, 1:20, 1:30 and 1:40 were applied weekly while “Uppercut (R)” (30 g dimethoate plus 250 g cypermethrin), used as water emulsifiable concentrate, was applied at the rate of 0.2 a.i./ha at three-weekly interval for two months. Result shows that M. oleifera leaf extract (MLE) dilution at the ratio of 1:30 MLE in water gave the highest percentage stem height difference (%SHD) at 32 weeks after planting with a value of 20.5% followed by 1:20 (17.8%), 1:10 (10.56%), dimethoate plus cypermethrin (8.98%) and 1:40 (8.05%). The control had the least %SHD and %LND. Dimethoate plus cypermethrin treatment was more efficacious as it eradicated the insects and caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the number of leaves and reduction in the percentage leaf abscission especially from the thirtieth week after planting. However a combined use of Dimethoate plus cypermethrin and M. oleifera leaf extract may give a better result and as such recommended than a single treatment application

Financing Agro-Based Small and Medium Scale Enterprises by Selected Commercial Banks in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study analyzed the financing agro-based small and medium scale enterprises by selected commercial banks in   Enugu state, Nigeria. It specifically sought to ascertain the quantum of loans disbursed to the small and medium scale agro-based enterprises by the selected banks in the study area as well as the factors that determined such disbursements. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in this study. Three Banks, namely First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc were purposively selected because they are among the top lenders to agro-based enterprises and some other economic activities in the state. Data for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The bulk of the sampled small scale agro-based enterprises (76.67%) accessed between N200,000 and N600,000 ($1,256.25 and$3,750) while 56.67% of the medium scale agro-based enterprises obtained a loan of N1,000,000 ($6,250). This amount accessed is too small when viewed against the high cost of doing business in Nigeria. Determinant variables such as age of entrepreneurs, interest rate, enterprise experience, category of enterprises, rate of loan repayment, and business turnover were all found to be critical factors that influence the amount of loan that are given to SMEs. It is therefore the recommendation of this study that there is need for the banks to increase the amount of loan disbursed to agro-based SMEs in other to improve and increase their production

Studies on the correlation of some aggregate parameters in the drains of a service facility

Real composite samples from industrial waste drains were obtained from four different worksites in an oil company waste management facility, Warri Nigeria. The sites include: Recycle Waste Deport drain, PetroleumChemistry Laboratory drain, Tubo Scope Yard drain and Fuel Filling station drain. For each sample, four aggregate water quality parameter: Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and 5-dayBiochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), were determined weekly, and monthly averages were taken over a period of seven months. TDS and Turbidity were well correlated in each case and Pearson’s correlation coefficient for the seven months for each of the drain samples were respectively: -0.78, - 0.24, 0.58 and 0.42. BOD5 was also wellcorrelated with COD and Pearson’s correlation coefficient for each drain sample for the period was respectively: 0.97, 0.90, 0.49 and 0.93. Regression analysis gave equations of a straight line: y = a b + c for the eight plots. In each case the Pearson’s coefficient of determination, R2, shows that each regression model is adequate for future prediction ofone water quality parameter regarded as the dependent variable from another, a determined independent variable

Character association and path analysis in grain sorghum

Association and path analysis between hill count, bloom, plant height, panicle length, panicle count, 1000 seed mass, head weight and grain yield of thirty sorghum varieties were studied over two locations and years. There is significant high positive correlation between grain yield and head weight (r=0.976), grain yield and 1000 grain mass (r=0.522) and 1000 grain mass and head weight (r=0.528). Similarly, significant but negative correlation exists between panicle count and panicle length. Partitioning of yield and yield components into direct and indirect effects revealed that head weight had the highest direct effect on grain yield (0.961) while 1000 grain mass contributed indirectly to grain yield via head weight (0.507). Panicle count also contributed to grain yield indirectly through head weight (0.420) indicating the importance of head weight as one of the most important yield components followed by 1000 grain mass and then panicle count. There is high positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficient between hill and panicle count, panicle count and head weight, panicle count and grain yield and head weight and grain yield. Plant height has high positive phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients with head weight (rp=0.550, rg=0.881) and grain yield (rp=0.555, rg=0.904)

THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE MODEL: A CASE OF NIGERIAN MANUFACTURING FIRMS

The arguments on the responsiveness of capital structure leverage to sets of its major determinants have dominated the corporate finance literature. There is however no consensus regarding the direction of effects of these determinants on debt to equity ratio. In contribution to existing literature, this study explored development of debt to equity ratio in capital structure in the Nigerian context, with aim of filling gaps in methodology which have been argued to undermine the credibility of previous findings. The method of estimation used is the Panel-Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS). The Pedroni cointegration test was employed to test for long-run relationship. The descriptive statistics and the panel unit root test were the preliminary test. We ascertained that our data set are stable and normally distributed as precursor to determining if the variables are cointegrated. A more sophisticated method of panel estimation other than the traditional method was adopted which among other advantages purges the defects posed by heteroskendasticity prevalent in the conversional estimation method. We established that there is a long-run relationship between debt to equity ratio and tangibility, profitability, firm growth and firm size. The panel regression estimate confirmed the trade-off theory and the pecking order hypothesis in Nigeria as tangibility was found to have positive effect on corporate leverage. However, the finding with regards to growth and firm size supports the trade-off theory while discrediting the pecking order assumption. Profitability on the other hand confirmed the pecking order theory for Nigeria and shows that profitability has negative effect on debt to equity ratio. The robustness and reliability of the findings was embedded on the controls for residual weaknesses and disturbances.JEL: L60, O14, D24  Article visualizations

Development of sorghum populations for resistance to Striga hermonthica in the Nigerian Sudan Savanna

Six elite sorghum varieties, ICSV 111, ICSV 400, KSV 4, Gaya Early, CS 54, and CS 95 were used to improve Striga resistance through pedigree breeding. SRN 39 and IS 9830 varieties were confirmed resistant to Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth in field trials. The two Striga resistance lines were crossed with the six elite varieties. Three hundred and sixty Striga-free plants from F2s of good agronomic traits were identified, and selfed to produce F3s. The number of selections varied from 12 (ICSV 400 x IS 9830) to 59 (ICSV 400 x SRN 39) per F2 population. About 50% more plants were selected from the crosses involving SRN 39 as donor parent for Striga resistance than the crosses involving IS 9830. In addition, 58 out of the 100 plants selected were from a cross, ICSV 111 and SRN 39. Crosses from which Striga free plants were obtained were CS 54 x SRN 39 (12 plants selected), CS 95 x SRN 39 (9), ICSV 400 x SRN 39 (6), Gaya Early x IS 9830 (6), Gaya early x SRN 39 (5), and KSV 4 x IS 9830 (4). Crop syndrome reaction score was higher in 1995 (2.3 - 4.0) than in 1996 (1.0 - 2.7). Our results suggest that SRN 39 is a better donor parent for Striga resistance than IS 9830. ICSV 00090 NG, a cross between ICSV 111 and SRN 39 gave the highest grain yield of 2.02 t/ha in a replicated trial compared to the two parents, ICSV 111 (1.11 t/ha) and SRN 39 (0.86 t/ha). This variety combines potential for high yield and resistance to Striga. Our data indicates that the elite varieties can be improved for Striga resistance using pedigree breeding. A large F2 population (500 to 1000 plants per cross) is recommended for the selection of transgressive segregants. Further efforts are required to back cross-promising segregants with established Striga resistant variety in order to develop durable Striga resistant varieties with acceptable agronomic traits

Evaluation of introduced pigeonpea (cajanuscajan (l.) Millsp.) Genotypes for growth and yield performance in Sudano-Sahelian ecology of Nigeria

Evaluation study is essential to ascertain performance and adaptation of improved genotypes across new environment. Field experiments were conducted at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Research Farm, Minjibir, Kano State, Nigeria over two years to assess the performance of twelve improved pigeonpea genotypes comprising of early (ICPL 84031, ICPL 85010 and ICPL 87), medium (ICP 7120, ICP 8863, ICPL 161, ICPL 85063, ICPL 87051 and ICPL 87119) and late (ICP 7035, ICP 8094 and ICPL 9145) flowering groups introduced from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patencheru, India. Effects due to genotype, year and genotype x year interactions were significant (P=<0.01) for most characters evaluated. Grain yield ranged from 723 kg ha-1 to 2,710 kg ha-1 with ICP 7120 having the highest grain yield followed by ICPL 87119 and then ICPL 84031genotype. The two highest grain yielding genotypes (ICP 7120 and ICPL 87119) were medium flowering type, followed by ICPL 84031, an early flowering genotype whose grain yield did not differ significantly from that of the two medium flowering genotypes. The high yielding and early flowering genotype (ICPL 84031) is a candidate genotype recommended for promotion in short rainfall environments of northern Nigeria. Significantly higher grain yields were obtained during second year with mean yield of 3,118 kg ha-1 compared with 838 kg ha-1 recorded in first year, an indication that delayed planting in first year affected yield and that genotypes responded differently to year and soil effects. Correlation analysis (pooled over two seasons) revealed that number of primary branches plant-1 and pod weight were the most important traits influencing grain yield in pigeonpea

Performance of pearl millet variety LCIC-MV1 in a pearl millet-cowpea-based system in Nigeria

The performance of a new pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cultivar LCIC-MVI in a traditional and improved intercropping system with cowpea was determined in a field experiment in Nigeria, in 1999. In traditional intercropping, pearl millet and cowpea were sown in 1 : 1 ratio, while in the improved system, 2 rows of pearl millet cv. LCIC-MV1 were cropped with 4 rows of cowpea cv. IT 90K 277-2. The improved system produced higher pearl millet stover and grain yields than the traditional system