Effect of different levels of Striga gesnerioides on the growth and yield of some local and improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) varieties

Experiment was carried out at International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of Striga infestation on the growth and yield of some varieties of cowpea. Four cowpea genotypes were selected for the study. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with two treatment regimes of Striga infestation. The levels of Striga infestation include 0.05g, 0.1g and 0.0g (control). The results showed that IT97K-499-35 recorded higher plant height at 0.5g and 0.1g of Striga infestation, but DANILA showed lower plant height at 0.1g of Striga infestation. The result for chlorophyll content (SPAD) indicates that at 30 days after Striga infestation, IT99K-241-2 recorded higher chlorophyll SPAD value of 39.2. But IT97K-499-35 had lower chlorophyll SPAD value of 16.3. Higher number of days to 50% flowering was recorded in IT99K-241-2 across the treatment. IT98K-205-8 recorded early days to 50% flowering across the treatment. IT99K-241-2 and DANILA recorded Striga emergence and attachment to their roots. But IT97K-499-35 and IT98K-205-8 had no Striga attachment and emerged. Higher grain yield was recorded in IT97K-499-35, but IT99K-241-2 and DANILA recorded lower grain yield. Higher Fodder yield was recorded in DANILA. The result indicates that fodder yield was reduced in 0.5g and 0.1g of Striga infestation in all the varieties. The present study conclude that varieties IT99K-241- 2 and DANILA were susceptible to Striga at 0.1g of infestation, while IT97K-499-35 was tolerant to Striga at 0.5 and 0.1g of Striga infestation.Keyword: Striga gesnerioides, Cowpea, growth and Yiel

Pharmacognostic and Antibacterial Effect of Citrullus lanatus Leaves against Selected Respiratory Tract Pathogens

Bacterial species have been reported to develop resistance to antibiotics commonly prescribed for respiratory tract infections. Therefore, the need to search for natural products for the remedy of this problem cannot be overemphasized. The extraction of Citrullus lanatus leaves was carried out using cold maceration extraction method. Chemomicroscopical and phytochemical analysis were carried out using the standard methods. Agar well diffusion, agar dilution and spread plate methods were employed to determine the zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration and rate of kill respectively. Chemomicroscopical evaluation revealed the presence of cellulose, tannins, starch, lignin, calcium oxalate, suberin, aleurone grain and mucilage with the exception of calcium carbonate. Phytochemical screening of Citrullus lanatus revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoid as secondary metabolites. The antibacterial activity  result indicated that S. aureus showed higher zone of inhibition (20 mm and 24 mm) followed by K.pneumoniae (18 mm and 22 mm) and P. aeruginosa (18 mm and 20 mm) at a concentration of 250 mg/ml in aqueous and methanol extract respectively. The two extracts showed broad spectrum of activity and moderate M.I.C and M.B.C values ranging from 15.625 mg/ml – 31.25 mg/ml respectively. LD50 of both extracts was above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. The results of this investigation may be useful for deriving doses that are safe for human consumption medicinally.. This study has justified the traditional use of Citrullus lanatus leaf extract in the treatment of respiratory tract infection caused by bacteria. Keywords: Agar well diffusion, Chemomicroscopical, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Minimum bactericidal concentration, phytochemical, Citrullus lanatu

Correlation analysis of bulb yield with growth and yield components of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Two experiments were conducted under irrigation at the Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R) Kadawa in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 (Nov- Mar) dry seasons to study the relationship among growth, yield components and bulb yield of garlic (ex- Kofa var). Growth parameters studied included plant height, number of leaves, total dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) while the yield parameters studied included fresh bulb weight, cured bulb weight, bulb diameter, number of cloves/bulb, weight of cloves and cured bulb yield (kg/ha). Results obtained showed a significant and positive correlation between total bulb yield per hectare and growth as well as the other yield characters except RGR in  2007/2008 trial and CGR as well as the number of cloves in 2008/2009 trial. However, for the combined analysis, CGR, RGR and number of cloves were found not have positive correlation with the bulb yield. These characters should therefore, not be aimed at if the aim is to increase/ improve yielding ability of garlicKey Words: Correlation, Kadawa, Sudan Savanna, Garlic,  Irrigation, growth and yield components

Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of AmpC and ESBLs producing clinical isolates at a tertiary health care center in Kano, north-west Nigeria

The increase in production of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) and Amp C beta lactamase among clinical isolates in our hospitals is of utmost importance. Failure to detect these enzymes in many of our hospitals has greatly led to treatment failure and uncontrolled spread of multi drug resistant pathogens. It was for this purpose that the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence, distribution and susceptibility pattern of Gram negative bacteria producing ESBLs and Amp C beta lactamases in the largest tertiary health care provider in Kano, North-West Nigeria. A total of 75 ESBL and 10 AmpC producing bacteria were involved in the study which were obtained from a study involving 500 Gram negative clinical bacterial isolates from various hospital wards over a period of 9 months from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Nigeria. Isolates were screened for ESBLs and AmpC using Double Disc Diffusion Method and Amp C Disc test respectively. All confirmed ESBL and Amp C producing isolates were tested for susceptibility to sixteen (16) different antibiotics by the Disc Diffusion Method (DDM). The prevalence of ESBLs was high in Shigella spp. (1/2 or 50%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (10/50 or /20%), and E. coli (47/247 or 19.3%) while Amp C producers were detected more in Klebsiella pneumoniae (4%) and E. coli (2.8%). Of the specimens screened, distribution varies between ESBL and AmpC producers, but more prevalent in urinary tract pathogens in both. Highest prevalence of ESBLs and AmpC producers was recorded in intensive care units and surgical wards. ESBL and AmpC production in the hospital is not sex dependent statistically, thought higher in males (52 and 60%) than in females (48 and 40%) for ESBL and AmpC respectively. ESBL and AmpC producers were both sensitive to Imipenem, Nitrofurantoin and Levofloxacin and resistance to Amoxycillin, Ceftazidime and Tetracycline. The study indicates the occurrence of ESBL and AmpC producers in our tertiary health provider, widely distributed in various clinical samples, wardsand sexes and are multi drug resistant posing serious threat in managing life threatening infections.Key words: prevalence, distribution, ESBL producers, Amp C producers, antibiotic susceptibilit

Response of some cyanobacterial species for adsorption of manganese, cobalt and nickel from untreated tannery effluent in Kano, Nigeria

The research was conducted to monitor the performance of some endogenous species of Cyanobacteria for the adsorption of Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni) from untreated effluents of Fata Tanning Limited (FTL) in Kano between July 2014-June, 2015. Primary field investigation and laboratory analysis were the main sources of data in the study. The study areas were divided into three strata within which samples were collected using stratified sampling techniques from a depth of 0 30cm.The study assessed the adsorption capacity of some heavy metals namely; Mn., Co. and Ni using Atomic Absorbance Spectrophotometer (AAS). Indigenous cyanobacteria species identified and isolated were Anabaena variabilis, Lyngbya majusculata and Oscillatoria princeps using microscopy and standard phycological chart as described by Komerak and Anagnostidis, (1989). Bioremediation Bioassay was conducted to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the isolated organisms. The results showed that, tested organisms reduced the concentration level of heavy metals in the effluents to the standard limit proposed by FEPA (1997), WHO (1999) and (ICLARM, 1997). Anabaen was found to remove more Ni (4.13%) followed by Lyngbya (3.78%) all at 9 weeks after inoculation. Higher concentration of Mn (3.85%) and Co of (4.04%) were removed by Lyngbya and Oscillatoria at 9 weeks after inoculation. These findings indicated that all the tested organisms possessed great potential in removin heavy metals from untreated tannery effluents. These findings also showed that adsorption of heavy metals by the tested organisms increased with time from 3-9 weeks of inoculation and adsorption was significantly higher at 9 weeks after inoculation and some decline at 9 WAI.Keywords: Cyanobacterial species, Effluent, FTL and Heavy metal

Evaluation of qualitative phytochemicals and antifungal activity of aqueous leaf extract of Senna tora on downy mildew of cabbage

This study was embarked upon to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extracts of Senna tora leaf against Perenospora parasitica, causing downy mildew on cabbage. Phytochemical analysis of the leaf extracts revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites (Tannins, Saponins, Flavonoid, Glycosides, Alkaloids, Phenolic compounds and Carbohydrates) which have been reported to have antimicrobial effects. Assays were performed using extract concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, 125 mg/ml by agar well diffusion technique. Results obtained, revealed a significant difference in diameter of mycelial zone of inhibition between the concentrations. Highest zone of inhibition was recorded at 1000 and 500 mg/ml (20 and 15 mm) respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined and recorded at 250 mg/ml. The antifungal screening revealed that the extract exhibited inhibitory activities at varying concentrations against the downy mildew pathogen. These activities observed could be attributed to the presence of active metabolites contained in the extract.Keywords: Aqueous leaf extract, Downy mildew, Perenospora parasitica and Senna tor

Heamatological and Histopathological Assay of Red Sokoto Bucks Fed Varying Levels of Energy and Protein Feeds

An experiment was conducted to determine the haematological, biochemical and histopathological indices of goats fed energy (molasses) and protein (Groundnut cake) in a mixed ration. The dietary treatments compared were T1 (0% molasses and 40% GNC), T2 (10% molasses and 30% GNC), T3 (20% molasses and 20% GNC), T4 (30% molasses and 10% GNC), and T5 (50% molasses and 0% GNC). The animals were allotted to five (5) dietary treatments in a complete randomized block design with four animals per treatment. The results reveal significantly (p<0.05) higher values for Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Non-fibre carbohydrates and Energy content of the diets (394.00 g kg-1 DM, 341.00 g kg-1 DM and 2668.70 kcal/kg).  Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb) and Red blood cell count (RBC) were significantly (P<0.05) higher for T4. White blood cell differentials and lymphocytes significantly higher (P>0.05) among treatments. Neutrophils was observed to be highest for T5 compared to other treatment groups. All the parameters studied for serum biochemical indices were significantly (P<0.05) different among treatments except for Sodium (Na2+, K2+, Total Bilirubin, Triglycerol and High Density lipoprotein). Histopathology of the kidney revealed that T1 shows no damage, T2 showed mild necrosis while T3 showed moderate necrosis, atrophy congestion and degeneration of the convoluted tubules. T4 showed severe necrosis, congestion, atrophy degeneration of the convoluted tubules. The result of the micrograph also showed severe congestion, necrosis and degeneration of convoluted tubules. The histopathology of the liver for T1 reveals no expanded portal zones with portal fibrosis with fewer pyknotic nuclei in hepatocytes and lymphocytes infiltration while T2 and T3 were characterized with infiltration by inflammatory cells with multifocal areas of necrosis. The photomicrograph of the liver also reveals severe vescular degeneration of the hepatocytes for T4 and T5. The effect of molasses was also observed on spleen as the level of molasses increase from T1 to T5. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that feeding high energy (40% molasses) and protein (0% GNC) level of inclusion has negative effect on the kidney, liver and spleen

Incidence of staphylococcus spp and some members of enterobacteriaceae family and their susceptibilty to leaf extracts of Momordica balsamina (balsam apple)

Study was carried out on the incidence of Staphylococcus spp. and some members of the family Enterobacteriaceae family, in lettuce and cabbage. And their susceptibility to Momordica balsamina leaf extracts. Forty samples each of lettuce and cabbage were analyzed. Salmonella species were isolated from 32 (80%) lettuce and 30 (75%) cabbage samples. Staphylococcus species were isolated from all the lettuce and cabbage samples. Only three (7.5%) of the lettuce samples yielded Shigella species, and none from cabbage. Escherichia coli was isolated from 5 (12.5%) lettuce and 6 (15%) cabbage samples. E. coli 0157:H7 was not detected in any of the samples. All the isolates were tested for susceptibility to the methanol, ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of M. balsamina using disc diffusion method Disc concentrations of 1.0, 10, 100, 1000, 2000, and 3000μg/disc were prepared from the leaf ectracts of M. balsamina Highest activity was recorded with ethanolic extracts on Shigella spp and E. coli with zone diameter of inhibition of 14mm and 13mm respectively. Other extracts were active against the test organisms with varying degree of inhibition, while some were not active. The susceptibility of Staphylocuccus species to the extracts was insignificant and seemed to be the most resistant bacteria among the text organisms. The study therefore stresses the need to sanitize vegetables adequately before consumption

Rheological Properties of Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide Seeded by Nanoparticles

This work aims to improve the rheological properties of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) for enhanced oil recovery by using silica (or silicon dioxide, SiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs). Novel aqueous HPAM-based SiO₂ nanocomposites were formulated, and their rheological properties were investigated under different salinities, temperatures, and aging times. The results show that the inclusion of silica NPs significantly improved the viscosity and viscoelastic properties of HPAM especially under high temperature and high salinities. The NP/HPAM hybrid showed an impressive thermal stability at T = 80 °C after 12 days, and the viscosity reached ∼5 times that of HPAM at 0.8 wt % NP loading. The Fourier transform infrared spectral data confirmed that the formation of a hydrogen bond between the carbonyl groups in HPAM and the silanol functionalities on the surface of silica NPs contributed to the improved performance. The oscillation test indicated that seeding SiO₂ remarkably facilitated the cross-links among polymer molecules and made the hybrids more elastically dominant. For a given HPAM concentration, it was observed that there was a critical nanoparticle concentration, which may indicate the absorption status of SiO₂ NPs onto HPAM, and the salinity also affected the viscosity value

BET Surface Area Determination of Calcium Oxide from Adamawa Chalk Mineral Using Water Adsorption Method, for Use as Catalyst.

This paper describes a test procedure for determining the total surface area of chalk mineral using the water adsorption method. The test involves saturating the thermally treated chalk sample with saturated salt solution of known relative humidity, until the water vapor forms a monomolecular layer on the treated chalk sample surface. The results of the test are expressed as Specific Surface Area (SSA), which describes the surface area/unit mass of dry treated sample with units of m2g-1. The test results presented demonstrate the BET isotherm of chalk samples after being thermally treated at 700, 900, 1100 and 1200oC. Results for a number of different treated chalk samples are presented. The proposed method uses simple and inexpensive laboratory equipment, is relatively simple to perform, and allows for rapid determination of SSA. Keywords: specific surface area, chalk mineral, water vapor, BET isother