Effects of Organic And Inorganic Manures on The Yield Of Yam Tubers In Termite Infested Soils

A study on the effects of different organic and inorganic manures on the yield of yam tubers in termite infested soil of Owerri Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 2004 and 2005 cropping seasons respectively. The soil was naturally infested with three types of termite genera, namely: Microtermes, Ancistrotermes and Macrotermes. The variety of yam used was Dioscorea rotundata (white yam) cultivar (cv.) Obioaturugo, planted in May 2004 and 2005 respectively. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were poultry manure at 1.5 tons ha-1 (PMI) and at 3.0 tons ha -1 (PM2), pig slurry at 1.5 tons ha-1 (PS1) and at 3.0 tons ha-1 (PS2), municipal waste at 1.5 tons ha-1 (MW1) and at 3.0 tons ha-1 (MW2), NPK 15:15:15, NPKMg 12:12:17:2, NPK 20:10:10 each at 400kgha-1 and control (no manuring). Result showed that highest fresh tuber yield was recorded in plots where NPK 15:15:15 and NPK Mg 12:12:17:12 were applied in both years while the least was in control plots. Also in both years of the experiment, plots treated with organic manures generally gave lower fresh tuber yield than inorganic but showed marked reduction in termite damage especially with municipal wastes when compared with other treatments. Similarly, plots treated with organic manures gave higher soil pH after tuber harvest than inorganic manures. Keywords: inorganic manure, organic manure, termites, and tuber yield. International Journal of Agriculture and Development Vol. 9 2007: pp. 66-7

Influence of Yam /Cassava Based Intercropping Systems

Abstract: The research showed that intercropping significantly suppressed weeds, reduced pest/disease infestation and thereby can play a leading role in integrated pest management. However, no pests and diseases were observed in all plots at 4WAP while low incidence of termite and stem borers were observed at 8 and 12 WAP respectively. Although, there were heavy weed weights at 4 and 8 WAP, indicating weed troublesome nature and how it constitutes a major limiting factor to food production if not checked. Early canopy cover shading the land area on stakes and fast spread of the landrace legumes covering the ground reduced weed incidence at 12 WAP and beyond while timely weeding also reduced weed and host for pest and diseases syndrome prevalent in unweeded farms in rainforest zones

Incidence of Acute, Progressive, and Delayed Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Over an 8-Year Period in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients.

BACKGROUND: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a common radiographic complication of adult spinal deformity (ASD) corrective surgery. Although previous literature has reported a 5 to 61% incidence of PJK, these studies are limited by small sample sizes and short-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of PJK utilizing a high-powered ASD database. METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospective multicenter ASD database. Operative ASD patients \u3e 18 yr old from 2009 to 2017 were included. PJK was defined as ≥ 10° for the sagittal Cobb angle between the inferior upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) endplate and the superior endplate of the UIV + 2. Chi-square analysis and post hoc testing assessed annual and overall incidence of acute (6-wk follow-up [f/u]), progressive (increase in degree of PJK from 6 wk to 1 yr), and delayed (1-yr, 2-yr, and 3-yr f/u) PJK development. RESULTS: A total of 1005 patients were included (age: 59.3; 73.5% F; body mass index: 27.99). Overall PJK incidence was 69.4%. Overall incidence of acute PJK was 48.0%. Annual incidence of acute PJK has decreased from 53.7% in 2012 to 31.6% in 2017 (P = .038). Overall incidence of progressive PJK was 35.0%, with stable rates observed from 2009 to 2016 (P = .297). Overall incidence of 1-yr-delayed PJK was 9.3%. Annual incidence of 1-yr-delayed PJK has decreased from 9.2% in 2009 to 3.2% in 2016 (P \u3c .001). Overall incidence of 2-yr-delayed PJK development was 4.3%. Annual incidence of 2-yr-delayed PJK has decreased from 7.3% in 2009 to 0.9% in 2015 (P \u3c .05). Overall incidence of 3-yr-delayed PJK was 1.8%, with stable rates observed from 2009 to 2014 (P = .594). CONCLUSION: Although progressive PJK has remained a challenge for physicians over time, significantly lower incidences of acute and delayed PJK in recent years may indicate improving operative decision-making and management strategies