Soil properties, nutritional quality and yield of two maize varieties using different bio-chars as amendment on metal contaminated soil

The study assessed the yield of the two maize varieties and also determined the proximate composition of the maize grains and assessed the effects  of the Bio-chars on the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The field study was conducted within the vicinity of a metal recycling plant in Ile-Ife believed to have been contaminated with metal particulates and wastewater from the factory. Viable seeds of the two maize varieties (BR-9928-DMR-SR-Y and ART98/SW1) were obtained from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR & T), Ibadan. The treatment were made up of the crop with: 100% maize stover (MS), 100% Milicia exelsa (ME), 50% MS + 50% AT, and each at the rate of ten tonnes per hectare as treatments. Zero Bio-char application served as control. The result indicate that the highest mean maize grain yield of 0.43 ± 0.28 t ha-1 with 100% maize stover Bio-char application was only significantly (p < 0.05) higher than 0.13 ± 0.08t ha-1 obtained from control plots. Lower values wereobtained with Br-9928-DMR-SR-R. Highest protein (9.94 ± 0.71%), crude fibre (2.60 ± 0.26%) and vitamin C (24.23 ± 2.26 mg kg-1) were obtained for the harvested ART 98 SW1 when compared with Br- 9928-DMR-SR-Y. Addition of Bio-chars soil enhanced the soil organic carbon, nitrogen, availablephosphorus and cation exchangeable capacity. The study concluded that the use of maize stover and M. exelsa Bio-chars at 10 t ha-1 as soil amendments enhanced the physiological performance, yields and proximate compositions of maize. It also enhanced the physical and chemical properties of the Bio-char amended metal contaminated soil. Keywords: Amendment, Bio-char, Contamination, soil properties, environment, maize, proximate composition, pollutio

Comparative yield and biological efficiency of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus) cultivated on sawdust of some selected tree species

The performance of mushrooms in cultivation to a large extent depends on the substrates employed. Wood species were used as substrates. The study aimed to ascertain the potentials of producing edible macro fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivated using different substrates. The substrate treatments were Triplochiton scleroxylon, Ceiba pentandra and Cordia milleni, replicated five times and the samples were inoculated with mushroom seed (spawn) of Pleurotus ostreatus. The mycelia growth (%), lengths of stipe (cm), diameters of pileus (cm) and heights of flushes (cm) were recorded. Data recorded were subjected to Analysis of Variance and descriptive statistics. The analysis of variance carried out on yield and biological efficiency showed significant difference (P≤0.05). From the study, the result of biological efficiency shows that, T. scleroxylon gave a significantly higher mean of (72.64%) when compared with what was obtained using C. pentandra (49.84%) and C. millenii (57.34%) as substrate. Keywords: Agricultural wastes, biological efficiency, comparative, P. ostreatus, yiel

Application of geographic information system in the documentation of settlement pattern of Imeri, Ijebu-Mushin Ogun State Nigeria

The aim of the study was to demonstrate how Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used to document settlement pattern of Imeri, Ijebu-mushin Ogun State Nigeria. The method of data collection was through the collection of information gathered on the site with the use of Geographic Information System, Global Positioning System, and questionnaires and oral interview method. The research was carried out in Imeri Ogun state Nigeria. Information was derived from Imeri, a secondary village settlement in Ogun State. The results  indicate that, 2% of the building is used for commercial purposes, while 4% of the buildings are dilapidated. 5% of the building in Imeri is not yet completed as at the time of carrying out this research, 5% is used for both residential and commercial purposes and another 5% is used for religious purpose. 79% of the buildings are used for residential purposes and this percentage ranks highest regarding the use of building in Imeri. Also, 2% of the buildings are constructed with wood, while 5% are made of mud and not with plaster, 12% are made of concrete and also not with plaster, 18% of the buildings are made of concrete and are plastered while, 63% of the buildings are made of mud and are plastered. Therefore, it is recommended that GPS should be used often as a powerful technological tool that could help a lot in knowing the settlement pattern of a large area and ways to help a particular community when needed

Phylogenetic relationship between the gut bacterial flora of honeybee (Apis mellifera) from Apiary in Ogun State, Nigeria

The present study is aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationship between honeybee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiome from Apiary in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Osoba Avenue Odo-Epo, Odogbolu Local  Government. Honeybees workers (A. mellifera) totaling twenty (20) were collected into a vile having a powdery sugar from the apiary located in OOU and Osoba Avenue at Odo-Epo during rainy season in July and transported to Zoology and Environmental Biology laboratory in OOU and kept in ice-cubes (-50oC) till  daybreak. Before the dissection process, the bees were washed in 95% ethanol and complete alimentary canals of the bees were aseptically dissected by clipping the stinger with sterile forceps. The phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rDNA gene were further used to characterize the organism in order to establish relationships among them. The partial 16S rDNA sequences obtained were utilized in search of reference nucleotide sequence available in NCBI GenBank database using BlastN algorithm. Maft version 7.0 was employed in the multiple  alignments of nucleotide sequences while trees were drawn based on character method (Maximum Likelihood) for comparing set of data against set of models of evolution using MEGA 7

Molecular Characterization of Gut Bacterial Flora of Honeybee (Apis Mellifera Adansonii) From Some Selected Apiaries in Ogun State, Nigeria

Research related to physiology and pathology of honey bees in particular Apis mellifera adansonii has attracted a lot of attention. The present study is aimed to determine honeybee (Apis mellifera adansonii) gut microbiome from Apiary in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Osoba Avenue Odo-Epo, Odogbolu Local Government. Twenty (20) honeybees workers (A. mellifera) were collected into a small vile containing sugar powder from the apiary located in OOU and Osoba Avenue at Odo-Epo during rainy season in July and transported to Zoology and Environmental Biology laboratory in OOU and kept in ice-cubes (-50C) till daybreak. Standard microbiological analysis for isolation of bacteria was used, adopting Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute procedures. The phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rDNA gene were further used to characterize the organism in order to establish  relationships among them. The results showed microbiota of the studied samples includes; Cedeca davisae, Cronobacter  dublinensis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Kluyvera cryocrescens, Klebsiella oxytoca, Providencia vermicola, Salmonella enteric, Providencia alcalifaciens, Serratia nematodiphila, Pseudomonas plecoqlossicida, Klebsiella michiganensis, Serratia marcenscens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila and Enterobacter asburiae. Klebsiella spp. was more abundant and prominent in the digestive guts of honeybee workers both in OOU and Osoba Avenue, Odo Epo. The result of the percentage identity and closest accession of the isolates revealed that, Enterobacter aerogenes had the closest accession number and with highest percentage identity of (99%). The findings from this study showed that microbiota component communities of A. mellifera adansonii in OOU were composed of more Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria in Odo Epo

Evaluation of soil chemical and physical properties at the logged forest at Onigambari forest reserve

S. Soil samples were collected randomly from five locations around the forest at depth of 0- 45cm. Samples of about 500g each were collected in plastic bags and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Results presented shows that sand had the highest % in soil of the area (91.62). Bulk densities were at ranges of (1.43, 1.45 and 1.23g/cm3) at the depth of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 respectively. The textural classification for each depth of soil was sandy-loam. Calcium present in the soil ranges between 2.33- 2.60 which is at its lowest and cannot properly support the growth of plant. Magnesium which functions as the central core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue seems to be deficient at each level of the soil depth. Therefore, if Mg is deficient, the shortage of chlorophyll will results in poor and stunted plant growth. Keywords: Decomposed, biomass, bulk density, deficien

Contributions of some non-timber forest products to household income of rural dwellers in Onigambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria

The communities surrounding the forest reserve get their daily income from the sales of some of the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as a means of survival for them and their house hold without proper documentation. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the rural dwellers in the study area and determined the income made from some of these NTFPs. Data was generated through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 120 randomly selected rural household heads. Data obtained were described using frequency counts, percentages and mean scores; the relationship between dependent variables and independent variables of the study was tested using binomial test and logistic regression. Finding reveal that, non-timber forest products gathering in Onigambari was male dominated (72.3%), 78.1% were married and 38.1% had formal education. Contribution of income from non-timberforest products to total income of respondents in the State was 59.46%. It was concluded that the non-timber forest products  contribute significantly to rural household income at Onigambari forest Reserve Area of Oyo State, Nigeri

Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths in Some Birds Kept at Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Zoo Park, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Captive-held wild animals are those housed in zoological exhibits, rehabilitation centres, zoos, research stations, sanctuaries, aquaria, circuses, and plantations. However, parasitic diseases constitute one of the major problems causing mortality in these animals while in captivity. The effects range from sub-clinical to death; hence, the study was conducted to assess the gastrointestinal parasite profile of birds kept in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta ZooPark. Freshly voided faecal samples of Psittacus erithacus, Psittacula krameri, Balaerica pavonina, pavo cristatus, Chen caerulescens, Struthio camelus and Anas platyrhynchos were collected before routine cleaning. Samples were collected weekly for 8 weeks between 7am- 9am within the month of October and November, 2019. A total of 56 faecal samples from 7 birds were picked from the ground by utilizing a sterile scoop for each animal species to avoid cross contamination. Each sample was put in a new labelled sterile bottle with the name of each bird from which the faecal sample was collected. Samples were then transported to the laboratory for microscopic analysis which was done within 24 hours. Egg counting was done using the McMaster Egg Counting Technique. Identification of intestinal helminth ova was done by using the keys. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and Microsoft excel. Prevalence was calculated while the weekly egg counts of intestinal helminthes were presented using descriptive statistics. The distribution of intestinalhelminthes infections among the surveyed birds vary from (Psittacula krameri 100%, pavo cristatus 100%, Psittacus erithacus 66.67%, Balaerica pavonina 66.67%, Chen caerulescens 66.67%, Struthio camelus 66.67%, and Anas platyrhynchos 66.67%). In conclusion, the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes revealed that Ascaridiagalli andStrongyloides spp had the highest prevalence among the birds with 100% while Raillietina spp recorded the lowest prevalence with 28.6%

Conservation Conflicts in Protected Areas in Nigeria: Case Study of Kainji Lake National Park

The exploitation of natural resources in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) had led to conservation conflicts within the environment. Information on conservation conflicts in the park is sparse. Thus, conservation conflicts around KLNP environment were assessed.  A total of 600 structured questionnaires using simple randomized sampling technique were used, 40 copies were administered in each of the 15 communities sampled. Data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result revealed that, conservation policies were poorly implemented, only 48% of the people were involved in decision making and 52% excluded. Four causes of conflict were identified: poaching (40%), deforestation (35%), overgrazing (14%) and agricultural practices (11%). Conflict evidence evaluated indicated 80.6% and 19.4% claimed ignorance of conflicts in the study area. ANOVA for conflicts indicated high conflicts with the natural resources of the park. Similarly, the ANOVA for incidence and absence of conflict in the park showed that conflicts have become common phenomena in KLNP environment. Hence, management measures like rural livelihood programs and awareness campaign were suggested to reduce the overdependence of the people on the natural resources and to militate against conservation conflicts in KLNP

Composition of tree species in Onigambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria

The tree composition of Onigambari Forest Reserve in Oyo State was evaluated by laying out a plot size of 50 x 50 m2 resulting to four plots per hectare. 104 and 93 stems per hectare were recorded. A total of 197 tree stands were encountered in the two compartments studied with family Sterculiaceae with species Cola gigantean, Cola millenii, Sterculia africana, Sterculia oblonga, Sterculia tragacantha, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Pterogota macrocarpa and Nesogordonia papaverifera.as the most abundant having 34 stands, followed by the family Papilionoideae with species Baphia nitida with 20 stands as the most abundance species. About thirty-nine percent of the tree species encountered were wildlings having a diameter at breast height of ≤ 10 cm. Less than one percent (0.50%) of the trees were of merchantable size. This could be a thing of concern and it calls for adequate resourceful and sustainable management techniques. Habits in Onigambari Forest Reserve are presented in Table 1. A total of forty-three (43) species of trees distributed into twenty (20) families were encountered. Family Sterculiaceae and Fabaceae was the richest with eight (8) species each followed by family Euphobiaceae with (5) tree species. Based on their habit, these species were classified into 100% trees. Furthermore, it is of the importance that the forest reserves be protected from illegal/indiscriminate logging among other anthropogenic activities in order to allow it regenerate. Keywords: Abundance, merchantable, sustainable, resourcefu