Reactions and yield performance of three potato cultivars naturally infected with bacterial blackleg disease under irrigation practice

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) has become an attractive winter crop in many arid irrigated areas where they are grown on relatively large commercial farms. Two field trials were conducted to assess Irish potato cultivars for their tolerance/reactions to natural infection of bacterial blackleg disease under irrigation practice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.  The incidence of blackleg disease in both first and second trials ranged from 1.70 to 100% with the highest (100%) recorded in Mirabel, which was highly significant (p≤0.05), 1.70% - 5.00% disease incidence recorded for Yellow and 15.00% and 16.70% in Christian Lady in both first trial and second trials respectively. Yellow cultivar had 89.60% and 94.50% emergence and these were significantly higher than 8.30% and 21.10% observed in Mirabel in both trials.  The highest yield (2.06t/ha) was observed in Yellow cultivar followed by 1.86t/ha recorded for Christian Lady in second trial.  Yellow cultivar was tolerant to bacterial blackleg, followed by Christian Lady, while Mirabel was susceptible.  Yellow and Christian Lady cultivars proved to be promising cultivars in drought condition or low rainfall areas. Notwithstanding, Yellow cultivar was the most preferable for disease tolerant in drought conditions

MEASUREMENT OF ACTIVITY CONCENTRATIONS OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN THE TOP SOIL OF UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA, (UNAAB) FARMS

The natural radioactivity levels in the soils of University of Agriculture Abeokuta farms were measured.        20 soil samples were collected to a depth of about 10cm in twelve different farmlands within UNAAB        community.    The   average  activity  concentrations  obtained  for  the  three  radionuclides  were        520.13±32.06 Bq/kg for 40K, 33.66±23.27 Bq/kg for238U and 49.83±15.61 Bq/kg for232Th, respectively.        The distributions of these radionuclides were found to be uneven. The value of Uranium-238 was the        same at locations 4 and 16 but not detectable at locations 9 and 11, respectively. The average values        of the absorbed dose rates in air of each radionuclides were found to be 21.84 nGy/hr for 40K, 14.99        nGy/hr   for  238U   and   33.19   nGy/hr   for  232Th.   The   baseline   average   outdoor   annual   effective   dose        equivalent in UNAAB farms due to the radioactivity concentrations was found to be 86.92±28.37mSv/        yr. This value can be taken as representing the baseline values of natural radioactivity as no artificial        radionuclide was detected at any of the locations visited.&nbsp

ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF THYMOL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BACTERIAL WILT OF TOMATO

Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is a devastating disease of tomato world-wide. The disease is responsible for more than 60% reduction of tomato yield in Nigeria. Volatile plant essential oil, thymol, was evaluated against BW in artificially-inoculated potted plants.  Twenty milliliter of 108 cfu/ml suspension of Ralstonia solanacearum was introduced into 5 kg pot of sterilized soil and 20 ml each of three concentrations of thymol (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 g/L) applied as pre-plant soil drench 2 hours after bacterial inoculation.  Eight tomato genotypes were transplanted into the pots five days after thymol application.    The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates.  At 0.2 g/L thymol application, disease severity index was 1.50-4.00 at 5 Weeks After Transplanting (WAT).  Disease severity index was reduced significantly (p<0.05) by 77.78% in tomato variety Delila upon 0.4 g/L application of thymol. At 0.6 g/L thymol application, tomato varieties Delila, Perfect Pee and Kerewa each had 0 (zero) disease severity index, while tomato lines NG/AA/MAY/09/030, NG/TB/AUG/09/006 and NG/AA/SEP/09/037 had disease severity index of 1 (one) each.  These results indicated that application of thymol (0.6 g/L concentration, 1:250, thymol:soil, v:w) in potted experiment was effective in reducing the severity index of bacteria wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, and is therefore recommended for management of the disease

Traditional Fermented Condiments Modulate Biochemical Indices in High Cholesterol Diet-Fed Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is implicated in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is identified as a common cause of mortality in this degenerative condition. Hence, CVD management strategy should include control of hypercholesterolemia. This study describes the effect of some legume condiments on biochemical indices in hypercholesterolemia rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were used for this study and hypercholesterolemia was induced by inclusion of 1% cholesterol in the rat feed. The animals were divided into five groups containing six animals each and were fed with diets supplemented with 16% fermented soybean, bambara groundnut and African locust bean. The study lasted for 30 days after which plasma was analyzed for the lipid profile and liver function marker enzymes and the liver tissue analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Elevated plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and MDA content showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the rats fed with fermented legume condiment-supplemented diets, with a concomitant increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol as compared with the hypercholesterolemia control rats. This study revealed that fermented legume condiment-supplemented diets attenuate hypercholesterolemia and protect the liver of the experimental rats from oxidative damage, with African locust bean condiment displaying the best biological potential

Modulatory effect of protocatechuic acid on cadmium induced nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in rats in vivo

Introduction: This study sought to investigate the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA); a phenolic compound readily available in most plant foods on cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity and hepatoxicity in rats. Case description: Thirty six adult male rats weighing about 150–160 g were acclimatized for 2 weeks and subsequently divided into six groups: Group 1 rats received normal saline (control group), group 2 rats were administered 5 mg Cd/kg body weight in form of solution orally (induced group), groups 3 and 4 received cadmium solution and different doses of PCA (10 and 20 mg/kg body weight) respectively, while groups 5 and 6 were the normal rats administered different doses of PCA (10 and 20 mg/kg) respectively in an experiment that lasted for twenty one days. The animals were sacrificed, the blood was collected and the serum was subsequently prepared. Furthermore, the liver was excised, homogenized and centrifuged to obtain the tissue homogenate used for the analyses. The serum was used for the determination of the total protein, urea, creatinine and uric acid levels while the liver homogenate was used for the estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Discussion and evaluation: The result revealed that total protein level was reduced in cadmium induced toxicity rat group which was elevated upon treatment with PCA. Conversely, the elevated levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine in cadmium induced toxicity kidney rats were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in PCA treated groups. Similarly, marked elevation in the ALT, AST and ALP activity were observed in cadmium induced toxicity rat group when compared with the control group. However, significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ALT, AST and ALP activity were noticed in groups administered different doses of PCA. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that PCA may protect against cadmium-induced toxicity in the kidney and liver

Prescribers’ Adherence to Treatment Guidelines for Uncomplicated Malaria in Primary Health Centres in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria, though preventable and treatable, remains a disease with unacceptably high mortality in Nigeria. Effective and prompt treatment of uncomplicated cases reduces progression to severe disease, development of drug resistance, and cuts the costs of the disease.Objective: To assess adherence by prescribers to recommended treatment (based on National Treatment Guideline) for uncomplicated malaria in primary health centres (PHCs) in the eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Methods: A retrospective review of case notes and prescription sheets for suspected malaria cases treated at 28 PHCs within a year of data collection was done. Relevant data about the prescribers, the patients, and the antimalarial drugs prescribed were collected and analyzed as appropriate.Results: A total of 2,303 case notes of patients attending PHCs were examined over the study period. A high proportion of malaria (1422, 61.7%) was observed among the 2,303 cases. The median age (years) of adults was 28.0 (IQR = 14), and for children of 0-5, 2.0 (IQR = 2.17). Majority of those treated were females (792, 55.7%) and children (967, 68.0%). Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) were the most prescribed antimalarials (961, 67.6%), followed by artemisinin monotherapies in 23.8% of cases. Proportion of treated cases of malaria that could be considered rational across the LGAs was 67.6%.Conclusion: Adherence of prescribers to National Treatment Guidelines of uncomplicated malaria in PHCs in Bayelsa State was below the required standard, with continued usage of obsolete agents, such as artemisinin monotherapies. Training on case management for prescribers at this level of care is urgently needed. Keywords: Antimalarial drugs, Malaria, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Workers, Bayelsa State

TUBE GRAFTING REDUCES INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF BACTERIAL WILT IN TWO TOMATO CULTIVARS IN ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

Bacterial wilt, Ralstonia solanacearum, causes severe loss of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) pro-duction in Nigeria. Tube grafting of two tomato cultivars (Beske and UC82-B) on bacterial wilt-resistant tomato landrace rootstock (Tomachiva) was conducted to reduce incidence of bacterial wilt and in-crease the yield in the two cultivars. The experiments were laid in Randomized Complete Block De-sign (RCBD). Percentage incidence and Percentage Severity Index (PSI) of grafted tomato were 0.00% each in the early planting season. Incidence (1.70%) and PSI (1.50%) of grafted tomato were observed in late planting season. Non-grafted tomato had higher significant values of 42.50% and 38.80% in incidence and percentage severity index in late planting season. Grafting on Tomachiva effectively reduced the incidence and severity of bacterial wilt in two cultivars of tomato in southwest Nigeri

The levels of yield and purity of genomic DNA from five tomato cultivars subjected to two DNA extraction techniques

Isolation of good quality genomic DNA from different plant materials is an important prerequisite for many molecular techniques related to both basic and applied research in the areas of plant molecular biology, crop improvement, biodiversity studies and conservation of genetic materials. Therefore, the need to extract reasonably pure DNA of both good quality and quantity for the downstream successful DNA-based diagnostic techniques is required. In this study, yield and purity of the extracted DNAs, using Dellaporta et al. (1983) and the use of Zymo Research Plant/Seed DNA MiniPrep Kit (ZR kit), were quantified with Nanodrop spectrophotometer and on agarose gel after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The results of the DNA yield and purity were in the range of 24.42 to 1430.52 ng/μl and 1.11 to 2.00, respectively. The outstanding DNA yield in Kerewa cultivar in yield (1430.52 ng/μl) and purity (1.99) makes it appropriate for downstream DNA-based diagnostic techniques in biotechnology research. On agarose gel DNA bands appeared to be compact with negligible smearing with Dellaporta et al. method indicating good quality of DNA. The results demonstrated that good yield of very pure, intact, high quality genomic DNA could be obtained from tomato leaves using the method of Dellaporta et al.Keywords: DNA, extraction, purity, tomato, yield

Delineation of Leachate Plume Migration Using Electrical Resistivity Imaging on Lapite Dumpsite in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

A geophysical investigation involving 2D resistivity survey was carried out on Lapite dump site that has been in operation since 1998 in ancient city of Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. The aim was to map the conductive leachate plume and extent of migration of leachate plumes in the subsurface for possible groundwater contamination. The 2D resistivity survey was carried out using Campus Tigre model resistivity meter with Wenner array configuration of electrode spacing distance ranging from 5 - 25m. A total of nine (9) 2D resistivity profiles with length ranging between 80 and 120 m were conducted within the dump site. A control profile of 2D resistivity survey was also carried out at about 300 m away from the dump site. The obtained resistivity data was interpreted using both RES2DINV and RES3DINV respectively. The 2D and 3D inverse resistivity models of the subsurface revealed the extent of leachate plumes with resistivity values less than 10 Ωm and allowed the location of leachate, clay soil, bedrock and seepage path from the dumpsite to be clearly delineated. There may be possible contamination of shallow groundwater system in the nearest future if proper mitigation measures are not taken into consideration at the dumpsit

Hysterosalpingography findings among women presenting for gynecological imaging in Ado-Ekiti, South western Nigeria

Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a valuable radiological procedure for imaging the female reproductive tract. This study highlights the spectrum of HSG findings among women presenting for gynaecological imaging in a tertiary health institution in Ado-Ekiti, South western Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted between October 2014 and September 2015. The study population consisted of 134 women presenting at the Radiology department with request forms for HSG. Pelvic ultrasonography was done using a 3.5MHz transducer prior to HSG. Imaging findings were documented, results were entered into a spread sheet and analysed using SPSS version 20. Chi square was used to determine association between tubal occlusion, age, type of infertility and previous history of surgery. Statistical significance was set at p-values &lt;0.05.Results: The age range of the study participants was between 23 to 50 years with a mean age of 34.9±5.53years. Age group 30-34 years (n=43, 32.1%) constituted a majority. Secondary infertility (n=84, 62.7%) was the most common clinical indication for HSG. The predominant relevant past surgical history was uterine evacuation (n= 41, 30.6%). Normal HSG findings were seen in 34 (25.4%) of the patients while others (n=100, 74.5%) had various abnormalities, the most common of which were tubal pathologies (n=89, 66.4%). There was a significant association between age and tubal occlusion (P=0.02).Conclusions: HSG is still a relevant gynecological imaging modality in resource limited settings. Tubal occlusion was the most common abnormal HSG finding in this study. There is a need for continuous advocacy on preventive measures targeted at reducing the incidence of tubal pathologies among women in developing countries