Estimation of Planting Dates for Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in the Humid Tropical Environment of Owerri, South-eastern Nigeria.

In order to fill the gap existing between the production and consumption of roselle in the humid tropical areas of Nigeria, this experiment was carried out in Owerri between May and December, 2012 to evaluate the effects of planting dates and accessions on the growth and performance of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Six planting dates including planting at monthly intervals from May to October and two accessions (Purple calyx and Green calyx) were evaluated. The experiment was laid out as a 2 x 6 factorial in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) with three replications. Results revealed that all roselle crops planted in May through August flowered within the same period (26 – 29th September) which coincided with the period of short days in the northern hemisphere. Consequently, roselle planted in May produced flower buds significantly (138 days after planting) compared to other dates. July sown roselle in addition to producing flower bud relatively earlier (80.2 days after planting), had comparably higher number of flower buds/plant and calyx length. Roselle sown in September and October however did not flower. For use as vegetables in soup making, green calyx roselle should be sown in May and harvested not later than 8 weeks after planting. Planting in July appears to favour early flowering and is appropriate for purple calyx roselle.Keywords: Roselle, Accession, Planting Date, Month, Calyx Lengt

Effects of tillage operations and plant density on leaf spot disease severity and grain yield of maize in ultisols

Two seasons experiments conducted in 2002 and 2003 revealed that Tillage operations significantly influenced leafspot disease severity; Percentage lodging 3.14; 2.08 and Grain yield 3.02; 3.84 in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Plant density also had significant difference on leafspot disease severity; Percentage lodging 4.82, 3.16 and Grain yield 4.00; 4.18 in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Spot tillage recorded low leafspot disease severity 0.94; 1.02 in comparison with Strip tillage 1.18; 1.30 when zero tillage (control) 2.28; 2.77 were high. 53,000 plants/ha recorded high leafspot disease severity 1.84, 1.95 in comparison with 26,666 plants/ha 1.05, 1.14 when 17,777 plants/ha 0.92; 1.00 were low in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Spot tillage recorded significantly highest grain yield 4.35; 4.72 tons/ha followed by strip 3.82; 4.02; when zero tillage 3.20; 3.66 were lowest. 53,000 plants/ha recorded high grain yield 4.51; 4.30 tons/ha in comparison with 26,666 plants/ha 2.48; 1.10 when 17,777 plants/ha 2.02; 1.95 were low in 2002 and 2003 respectively. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 33-3

Management of Podrot, Oil Content, and Pod Weight of Benniseed in an Ultisols

Benniseed (Sesanum indicum L) is a well known oilÐseed crop grown mostly in the Savannah areas of Nigeria, and with little cultivation in the forest south. A two-season experiment was conducted in 1997 and 1998 to determine the effect of plant population and nitrogen application on podrot, oil content and pod weight of benniseed in the rain forest belt of Nigerian. Analysis of variance indicated that only the podrot and oil content were affected by plant population. An increase of 15.6% and 16.2% in oil content was recorded when plant population increase from 111,111, to 250,000 plants/ ha recorded list podrot 2.02; 2.30 in 1st and 2nd seasons while 60kg/ha recorded lowest podrot 2.59; 2.63 in 1997 and 1998, respectively. The 0kg/ha (control) recorded highest podrot 3.14; 3.46 in 1997 and 1998, respectively. An increase of 15.6% and 16.2% oil company was recorded when plant population increased from 111,111 to 250,000 plants/ha in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. Further increase from 62,500 to 111,111 resulted to further increase of 4.6 and 5.2 in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. The 9kg is highly significant on podrot (

Integrated pest management (IPM) and good agricultural practices (GAP) in relation to food security: need for government policy for successful implementation

Agricultural development is caught between increased competition accompanied by decreasing prices, land degradation and concerns for sustainability, environment, safe food and animal / human health. Pesticides have been around in some form or another for centuries and have posed a lot of harm to our crops, environment and animals over the years. The increased environmental and public health awareness and the need to implement sustainable agricultural production systems have discouraged the injudicious use of pesticides. Integrated pest management (IPM) and Good agricultural practices (GAP) aims to minimise the use of chemical pesticides and to ensure an integration of various control measures in an informal manner without harmful effects on the environment and occupational and public health. Decision makers in developing countries have to find an appropriate balance between a careful reversal of proactive pesticide support in the traditional agricultural development agenda, which nevertheles does not endanger food security and rural development objectives. For a successful implementation of IPM and GAP, government policy on agricultural development need to provide financial resources for their continual development. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 80-8

Efficacy of Garlic and Other Plant Extracts In the Control of Septorial Leaf Spot of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum)

The attempt by man to improve crop yield in order to produce enough food for consumption by the increasing population is a decision in the right direction which has led to search of biopesticides of plant origin. The research work studied the effect of different rates of garlic juice in the control of septorial leaf spot of tomato caused by the fungus Cercospora sp. and also other plant extracts were compared with garlic so as to ascertain the effectiveness of garlic in the control of these leaf spots. The 0.5L of garlic (Allium sativum) spray produced the least number of infected leaves in all the different rates of applications. The utazi (Pergularia spp) spray was significantly different (P<0.05) from the bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and garlic (Allium sativum) spray and produced significantly lower number of infected leaflets (0-1.5) than that of the bitter leaf (1.5-3.0) and garlic (2.7-3.7) spray throughout the 6 weeks

Field Evaluation of Various Plant Biocides in the Control of Black Sigatoka Disease in Plantians

A field experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Teaching and Research Farm, Owerri in 2005 to evaluate the efficiency of using seven plant biocides (extracts) in the control of Black Sigatola disease in plantains. The experiment was carried out using the randomized complete block design with three replications. The Treatments include: Azadiractha indica (neem plant), Vernonia amygdlina (Bitter leaf) Ocimum gratissium (Nchanwu) Pergularia sp (utazi) Allium sativum (garlic), Citrus aurantifolia (lime) and Piper guinensis. (African Black Pepper). Data on disease development and efficacy of each plant biocide were collected at flowering on 5 plants of maturity per plot using the youngest leaf spotted (YLS) method. The proportion of the leaf area showing symptoms was scored on a scale of 0 to 6. A disease severity index (DSI) which also had a low DSI was also calculated were analyzed using the analysis of variance. Pair-wise testing between means was done using the Duncan New multiple range test at 5% level of probability. Results indicated that the ethanol extracts of plant biocides from Azadiractha indica and Piper guinensis were significantly (P. = 0.05) more effective than other plant biocides as observed from the youngest leaf spotted (YLS) assessed at flowering after 8 spray applications. The DSI recorded two weeks before harvest has 1.6 for Azadiractha indica and 0.8 for Piper guinensis which confirmed results from the YLS assessment. It is hereby strongly recommended to apply ethanol extract sprays of Azadiractha indica and Piper guinensis extracted at the rate of 20g plant material dissolved in 100ml ethanol due to its high level of fungitoxic ability on Black Sigatoka disease in plantains. It was also observed that ethanol extract of plant materials was more effective and efficacious in fungitoxic ability than the water extracts respectively

Nursery and Field Establishment of Moringa Oleifera: The Federal University Of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria Experience

Moringa oleifera fondly called “The miracle tree” is currently drawing global attention as a multi-utility plant. The products of this miracle plant (also called a life saver) have been reported to be useful to nutritionists, animal scientists, pathologists, entomologists, environmentalists, practitioners of natural medicine, etc. Though the Moringa tree is widespread throughout the tropics, around farms and compounds and often used as fence especially in Northern Nigeria, not much has been done to enhance its large scale production to ensure sustained availability. The Federal University of Technology, Owerri has keyed into the Moringa oleifera initiative through its Centre for Agricultural Research. About 2 hectares of this plant have been successfully established in the University farm sourced from different locations (Ilorin, and Lafiagi in Kwara State and Mokwa in Niger State), all in Nigeria. So far, some nursery practices have been developed for this crop including the avoidance of heavy shades and seed dressing with Apron Star 42 WS® (20% Thiamethoxam + 20% Metalaxyl-M + 2% Difenoconazol). Field trials are currently going on to monitor the performance of the seedlings in the field

Preliminary Evaluation of Nursery and Early Field Propagation Practices for Jatropha curcas L. at Owerri, Nigeria.

Jatropha curcas dubbed ‘the best source of biofuel production among the various plant - based fuel resources the world over’ is reputed to yield substantial quantity of seed oil which can be converted to biodiesel without refining. Though the Jatropha plant is found growing in semi arid, arid and tropical environments, around farms and compounds and often used as fence especially in Northern Nigeria, not much has been done to enhance its large scale production to ensure sustained availability. The Federal University of Technology, Owerri has keyed into the Jatropha initiative through its Centre for Agricultural Research. About 2 hectares of this plant have been successfully established in the University farm sourced from different locations (Ilorin, and Lafiagi in Kwara State and Mokwa in Niger State), all in Nigeria. So far, some nursery practices have been developed for this crop including the avoidance of heavy shades and seed dressing with Apron Star 42 WS® (20% Thiamethoxam + 20% Metalaxyl-M + 2% Difenoconazol). Field trials are currently going on to monitor the performance of the seedlings in the field.Key words: Jatropha, Nursery, Field Establishment, CAR, FU