Problems of propagation and conservation of indigenous fruit trees in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Tropical rainforests as natural resources are constantly in a state of flux, as several benefits can be derived from it, such as timber, fuel wood, rubber, fruits and nuts, dyes and some medicinal plants. Fruits are very important components of man’s diet, containing a wide variety of amino acids, vitamins and minerals essential for growth and development. Unfortunately, in spite of their importance in the diet of man, indigenous fruits are often relegated to the background in preference for timber and its bye-products. A field survey was carried out in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria where the indigenous fruit trees were identified scientifically with their families and local names. Factors hindering their large-scale cultivation were also highlighted. Fruits play a leading role in the economy of many rural people and food security program too. Therefore a good study of them and the need for their conservation for future generations cannot be overemphasized.Keywords: Tropical rainforest, indigenous fruit trees, rural people, food security, conservatio

Composition and distribution of economic tree species in Nagi Forest Reserve, Benue State, Nigeria

The inventory of economic trees in Nagi Natural Forest Reserve, Benue state was carried out to determine the status and dominance tree species. A total area of 0.4ha was sampled representing twenty percent of the reserve. Ten (10) sample plots of equal size (20 m x 20m) were randomly selected using simple random design. In each plot, all living trees with stem diameter (dbh) ≥10 cm were identified with their botanical names and their diameter at breast heights were all measured. A total number of 84 trees were enumerated on 0.4 ha sample area. The results of the study showed that 19 genera belonging to 15 families were present.Families of Caesalpiniceae, Chrysobalanceae, Euphobiaceae and Leguminosae were dominant with two species each. All other families had only one species each. Based on the results obtained, only three (3) economic tree species out of the 22 protected were found in Nagi forest reserve. These include Prosopis africana, Parkia biglobosa and Khaya senegalensis, with frequencies of 9, 6 and 4, respectively. Prosopis africana recorded the highest mean basal area (0.27m) while Bridelia ferruginea (0.012m) recorded the least basal area. Higher number of stands were recorded in P. africana (9) and the least number of stands were recorded in Daniellia oliverii (2). Also, Prosopis africana was the most dominant while Morinda lucida was the least   dominant. Sustainable management of the protected species should be consider as a priority by Government and individual. This can be achieved through  establishment of plantation of such protected species. This could prevent the imminent loss of  biological diversity that would eventually accompany the exploration.Key Words: Economic, tree, species, dominant, forest reserve

Effect of pre-treatments on seed germination of Parkia biglobosa (Benth)

There has been emphasis on the use of indigenous tree species to check land  degradation but these have not yielded the desired result, due to poor regeneration and slow growth rate of most indigenous trees. Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth is being endangered as a result of over-exploitation coupled with the adverse effect of increasing human activities on its habitats and lack of its stand plantations (presently not being cultivated). This study was conducted at nursery section in University of Agriculture Makurdi. This study was carried out to investigate the most effective pre-sowing treatments to break seed dormancy and to stimulate seed germination. Matured seeds of P. biglobosa were collected from farmers at Mbalagh council ward of Makurdi area of Benue, Nigeria. The seeds were dried at room temperature and tested for viability by floatation. The seeds were subjected to four (4) different pre-treatments, namely: physical scarification treatment (treatment A); sulphuric acid for 20 minutes (treatment B); hot water treatment for 15 minutes (treatment C); cold water Treatment for 24 hours (treatment D) and untreated seeds which served as control. The result shows that dormancy was effectively broken by physical scarification which improved the germination  percentage to 72%; sulphuric acid for 20 minutes had 61% germination, treatment with hot water for 15 minutes had germination percentage of 49% while treatment with cold water for 24 hours had percentage of 32% and untreated seeds (control) had 21% germination. Based on this study, physical scarification is recommended as the best treatment to break dormancy in P. biglobosa (Jacq) Benth seed.Keywords: Seed, Dormancy, Germination, Treatment, Indigenous species P. biglobosa

Marketing and Utilization of Prosopis Africana Condiment in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

The study assessed and evaluated the marketing and utilization of Prosopis Africana condiment in Makurdi metropolis. Four major markets where prosopis condiment is sold in Makurdi were randomly selected for this study. The markets are wurukum market, north bank market, modern market and high level market. Structured questionnaires, oral interviews and field assessment were used to generate primary data. The data generated were analysed using descriptive statistics. Approximately 6.3%, 8.8%, 78.8% and 6.3% of the marketers of prosopis condiment in Makurdi metropolis fall within the age brackets of 15-25, 26-35, 36-45 and 46-55 years respectively. It was also observed that all the marketers of prosopis condiment in Makurdi are females. Seventy-two percent (72%) of the marketers of prosopis condiment in Makurdi obtain their supply from within the state while 28% get their supply from other states. Production of prosopis condiment in Makurdi is usually done locally with most of the marketers going to the bush by themselves to gather the seeds before processing them. Inadequate storage facilities, poor processing techniques and high cost of transportation are some of the problems encountered in the production and marketing of prosopis condiment in Makurdi metropolis.Keywords: Prosopis, condiment, production, marketin

Assessment of wood waste generation and utilization in Makurdi metropolis: Implication for sustainable management of forest resources

This study assessed forest waste generation and utilization in Makurdi metropolis. The increasing quantities of wood wastes from timber sheds, furniture industries and chainsaw millers possess a threat to the sustainable management of forest resources and environmental sustainability. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, percentages and tables, were used  to analyze the result. A five-point Likert scale was used to determine the level of utilization ofwood wastes. The findings of the study revealed three major sources of wood waste which were: timber sheds (37.8%), furniture factories (33%) and chainsaw millers (29.2%) while the types of wood wastes include: sawdust (14.9%), wood chippings (12.8%), wood shavings (21.1%), offcuts (20.2%) and trims (21%). Generated wood wastes were utilized as: animal beddings (39.4%) mulching (28%), generation of household energy (22.7%) briquettes production (6.0%) and engineered wood production (3.9%). The result on the level of utilization of wood waste indicated that it was low with Weighted Mean Score (WMS) of 1.9042. Lack of awareness (55.9%) was the most limiting factor of wood waste utilization followed by lack of technical know-how (18.6%), lack of start-up capital (25%) while the least limiting factor was inadequate raw material (0.5%). This study therefore concludes that the level of utilization of wood waste in Makurdi metropolis was very low. It is therefore, recommended that policy measures or incentives should be provided to wood merchants to encourage investments into utilization of wood wastes in Makurdi metropolis. Keywords: Wood waste, Wood generation, Wood utilization, Sustainable managemen

Place de la tomodensitométrie dans les urgences neurologiques cérébrales non traumatiques au chu campus de Lomé (Togo)

Objectif : Ce travail avait pour objectif général d’étudier l’apport de la TDM dans les urgences neurologiques cérébrales non traumatiques au CHU Campus de Lomé. Méthodologie : Il s’est agi d’une étude rétrospective et descriptive sur une période de douze (12) mois allant de janvier à décembre 2016 qui s’est déroulée au service de neurologie du centre hospitalier universitaire Campus de Lomé du Togo.Résultats : L’âge des patients a varié de 18 à 125 ans avec une moyenne d’âge de 66,5 ans. Nous avons noté une prédominance masculine dans 57,25 % (n= 687) avec une sex-ratio de 1,33. La tranche d’âge la plus dominante était de 50 à 60 ans (28%). Le déficit hémi-corporel était le motif d’hospitalisation le plus répertorié avec (n=601, 37,73 %). Les différentes pathologies notées étaient dominées par les accidents vasculaires cérébraux (85%) suivis des lésions infectieuses (8%) et les lésions dégénératives (5%). Les AVC ischémiques étaient dominants avec 67 % des cas suivis des AVC hémorragiques avec 37 %.Les pathologies infectieuses étaient dominées par la toxoplasmose (57,55 %). Les lésions dégénératives étaient dominées par les atrophies corticales (48,53%).Conclusion : La tomodensitométrie est d’un apport non négligeable dans la prise en charge des urgences neurologiques cérébrales non traumatiques.Mots clés : Tomodensitométrie, urgences neurologiques non traumatiques, AVC, Lomé

Echographie pelvienne chez la femme en age de procreer. A propos de 410 cas au centre hospitalier universitaire de Kara au Togo

But : évaluer la place de l’échographie dans la pathologie pelvienne chez la femme en activité génitale.Patientes et méthode: Il s'est agi d'une étude rétrospective et descriptive portant sur les résultats des examens d'échographies pelviennes réalisées chez les femmes en âge de procréer au CHU Kara. L’étude s’est déroulée du 1er janvier 2015 au 31 décembre 2016.Résultats : la fréquence des échographies pelviennes était de 12,7 %. L’âge moyen des patientes était de 32 ans. Les techniciens supérieurs de santé et les sages-femmes étaient ceux qui prescrivaient le plus d’échographies pelviennes avec respectivement 189 patientes (41,6 %) et 101 patientes (24,6 %). Les médecins gynéco-obstétriciens avaient prescrits 52 examens, soit 12,7 % des examens. Les indications des échographies étaient dominées par les douleurs pelviennes (n= 132 ; 32,2 %), le bilan d’infertilité (n=72 ; 17,4 %) et les troubles du cycle menstruel (n=58 ; 14,1 %). L’examen était pathologique chez 263 patientes (64,1 %). Les lésions utérines étaient principalement des myomes utérins (n= 152 ; 80,4 %). La pathologie ovarienne était dominée par la pathologie fonctionnelle (152 cas ; 76,8 %) et le kyste organique (33 cas ; 16,7 %). On avait noté un épanchement liquidien pathologique du cul-de-sac de Douglas chez 132 patientes (32,2% des cas). Les trompes étaient pathologiques chez 8 patientes (1,9 %). L’appendicite aiguë a été notée chez 6 patientes (2,3 % des lésions).Conclusion : l’échographie est un examen par excellence pour faire le bilan lésionnel des affections pelviennes chez la femme.Mots clés : échographie pelvienne, femme, âge de procréer, pathologie pelvienne, Togo