Evaluation of complementary use of organic manure for sustainable water yam production in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria

A two year study was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Use Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons to assess the effects of complementary use of different organic manures on water yam growth and yield, economic returns to management as well as attack by some pests . The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. There were 8 fertilizer treatments viz: poultry manure (PM), goat manure (GM), and oil palm bunch ash (OPBA) each at 20 tha-1 , OPBA + PM, OPBA + GM and PM + GM each at a ratio of 1:1 (10 tha-1 + 10 tha-1), NPK (15:15:15) at 400 kgha-1 ( a recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer) and control (no soil amendment). Results showed significant differences on vegetative traits, number of days to senescence and yield and yield components of water yam. Treatments that received complementary application of PM + GM produced the highest tuber yield (26.15 and 27.96 tha-1 in 2009 and 2010, respectively with corresponding cost- benefit ratios of 14.17 and 15.49,respectively) followed by complementary use of OPBA + PM, (24.22 and 27.03 tha-1,respectively). The use of inorganic fertilizer (NPK - 15:15:15) produced 22.60 and 23.81 tha-1 of yam tuber with a corresponding cost -benefit ratio of 11.02 and 10.88 in 2009 and 2010, respectively .All organic manure based treatments had no symptom of termite and yam beetle attack. This study indicates strongly the potentials of complementary use of organic manures for sustainable water yam production in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. Keywords: organic manures, complementary use, water ya

Growth and foliar yield responses of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in a Ultisol

Aims: Growth and foliar yield responses of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were studied in a Ultisol. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Place and Duration of Study: The University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, located at Use Offot - Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and was conducted between March, 06 and June, 06 in both 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons. Methodology: Treatments were various combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers applied to the soil, and these included NPK (15:15:15) at 400 kg ha-1, poultry manure (PM) at 5 t ha-1, PM at 2.5 tha-1 + NPK at 200 kgha-1, PM at 3.75 tha-1 + NPK at 100 kgha-1 , PM at 1.25 tha-1 + NPK at 300 kgha-1 and control (without amendment). Results: There were significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments in height, number of branches, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area, and total foliage yield of waterleaf in both years. Generally, application of PM alone and complementary use of PM and NPK, irrespective of the ratio, enhanced waterleaf growth and total foliage yield better compared to application of NPK alone and the control treatment. Total foliage yield from 100 kgha-1 NPK + 3.75 tha-1 of PM treatment (56 .03 tha-1 30 and 54 36 tha-1 31 in 2009 and 2010, respectively) superseded other treatments by 38 - 78% in 2009 and 35 -78% in 2010. Conclusion: With the high cost, scarcity, and environmental problems associated with the use of mineral fertilizer in Nigeria; and based on the foliage yield obtained in this study, it is obvious that the use of organic manure in combination with mineral fertilizer (particularly with 100kgha-1 NPK + 3.75tha-1 PM or 200kgha-1 NPK + 2.5tha-1 PM treatment) can sustain waterleaf production. It is also demonstrated that it would be more rewarding to apply 5tha-1 PM alone compared to sole application of 400kgha-1 mineral fertilizer for waterleaf production in a Ultisol. Keywords: Waterleaf; organic inorganic fertilizers; growth; foliar yield; ultisol

Evaluation of Yield Productivity and Economic Returns of Some Yam (Dioscorea esculenta Poir) Genotypes Grown in a Kaolinitc Ultisol

A two-year (2008 and 2009) study was carried out at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Use-Offot to evaluate yield productivity of eight yam genotypes (TDr 200/3/7A, M2/75/3, M2/25/1, M2/50/5x, 99/AMO/053, 99/AMO/094, 95/18894, and local -Eteme).and their economic returns to management. Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates was used. Results of the study indicated significant differences in all the yield and yield components of the different yam genotypes considered in both years., Cost of production in 2009 was 2% above the cost of production in 2008 due to increase in cost of land preparation. The cost -benefit ratio of all the genotypes were above 10.00 except in local variety, Eteme with values of 4.9 and 6.3 in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The average cost- benefit ratio of 14.25 recorded in TDr 95/18894 suggesting strongly that the genotype is more adaptable to Uyo, agro- ecology than others

Growth and yield responses of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) to varied poultry manure rates in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria

Field trial was carried out during the early cropping seasons of 2007 and 2008 at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of poultry manure rates (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 t/ha) on growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Results showed that increase in poultry manure rate resulted in increase in growth and yield of pepper up to 8 t/ha rate. It also showed decline in yield with application rate above 8t/ha. Application of 8 t/ha produced 22.75 and 23.56 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively while 10 t/ha produced 22.70 and 23.91 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively. This implies that application above 8t/ha rate will not be economical and beneficial to the farmer. Keywords: pepper, poultry manure, growth, yield

Intersection of phosphate transport, oxidative stress and TOR signalling in Candida albicans virulence

Phosphate is an essential macronutrient required for cell growth and division. Pho84 is the major high-affinity cell-surface phosphate importer of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a crucial element in the phosphate homeostatic system of this model yeast. We found that loss of Candida albicans Pho84 attenuated virulence in Drosophila and murine oropharyngeal and disseminated models of invasive infection, and conferred hypersensitivity to neutrophil killing. Susceptibility of cells lacking Pho84 to neutrophil attack depended on reactive oxygen species (ROS): pho84-/- cells were no more susceptible than wild type C. albicans to neutrophils from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease, or to those whose oxidative burst was pharmacologically inhibited or neutralized. pho84-/- mutants hyperactivated oxidative stress signalling. They accumulated intracellular ROS in the absence of extrinsic oxidative stress, in high as well as low ambient phosphate conditions. ROS accumulation correlated with diminished levels of the unique superoxide dismutase Sod3 in pho84-/- cells, while SOD3 overexpression from a conditional promoter substantially restored these cells’ oxidative stress resistance in vitro. Repression of SOD3 expression sharply increased their oxidative stress hypersensitivity. Neither of these oxidative stress management effects of manipulating SOD3 transcription was observed in PHO84 wild type cells. Sod3 levels were not the only factor driving oxidative stress effects on pho84-/- cells, though, because overexpressing SOD3 did not ameliorate these cells’ hypersensitivity to neutrophil killing ex vivo, indicating Pho84 has further roles in oxidative stress resistance and virulence. Measurement of cellular metal concentrations demonstrated that diminished Sod3 expression was not due to decreased import of its metal cofactor manganese, as predicted from the function of S. cerevisiae Pho84 as a low-affinity manganese transporter. Instead of a role of Pho84 in metal transport, we found its role in TORC1 activation to impact oxidative stress management: overexpression of the TORC1-activating GTPase Gtr1 relieved the Sod3 deficit and ROS excess in pho84-/- null mutant cells, though it did not suppress their hypersensitivity to neutrophil killing or hyphal growth defect. Pharmacologic inhibition of Pho84 by small molecules including the FDA-approved drug foscarnet also induced ROS accumulation. Inhibiting Pho84 could hence support host defenses by sensitizing C. albicans to oxidative stress

Bacteriology of Osteomyelitis at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

This bacteriological study of osteomyelitis in our hospital was done with a view to reducing the morbidity rates associated with this disease. Clinical specimens were collected from 60 clinically diagnosed patients. The wound swabs and pus samples were inoculated onto blood agar, chocolate agar and MacConkey agar plates, while blood cultures were set up using Brain heart infusion and Thioglycollate broths. Direct Gram-stained smears were examined microscopically. The bacterial isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility tests using the disc diffusion method. The prevalence of the culture-positive osteomyelitis was 70%, with the 11 – 20 year age group having the highest prevalence of 42.9%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence in relation to gender. All the blood cultures remained sterile after 7 days incubation. Overall, 76.2% of the positive cultures were from wound swabs, followed by pus samples with 23.8%. Among the isolates, Staphylococcus aureus recorded the highest prevalence of 73.8%, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 11.9%. Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli recorded 7.1%, 4.8% and 2.4% respectively. Most of the isolates showed multiple resistance to the commonly prescribed antibiotics, except for ofloxacin that recorded 100% activity against all the isolates. Our results showed a very high rate of culture-positive osteomyelitis. Efforts should be made to start the treatment early based on culture-guided antibiotic therapy. In the absence of culture facilities, ofloxacin could be used for the empiric treatment of osteomyelitis in our community. Keywords: Osteomyelitis, Bacteriology, Antibiotics, resistance Journal of Medical Laboratory Science Vol. 13 (2) 2004: pp. 19-2

A pilot study for targeted surveillance of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Nigeria.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), popularly known as 'mad cow disease', led to an epidemic in Europe that peaked in the mid-1990s. Its impact on developing countries, such as Nigeria, has not been fully established as information on livestock and surveillance has eluded those in charge of this task. The BSE risk to Nigeria's cattle population currently remains undetermined, which has resulted in international trade restrictions on commodities from the cattle population. This is mainly because of a lack of updated BSE risk assessments and disease surveillance data. To evaluate the feasibility of BSE surveillance in Nigeria, we carried out a pilot study targeting cattle that were presented for emergency or casualty slaughter. In total, 1551 cattle of local breeds, aged 24 months and above were clinically examined. Ataxia, recumbency and other neurological signs were topmost on our list of criteria. A total of 96 cattle, which correspond to 6.2%, presented clinical signs that supported a suspect of BSE. The caudal brainstem tissues of these animals were collected post-mortem and analysed for the disease-specific form of the prion protein using a rapid test approved by the International Animal Health Organization (OIE). None of the samples were positive for BSE. Although our findings do not exclude the presence of BSE in Nigeria, they do demonstrate that targeted sampling of clinically suspected cases of BSE is feasible in developing countries. In addition, these findings point to the possibility of implementing clinical monitoring schemes for BSE and potentially other diseases with grave economic and public health consequences

Current aetiology of neonatal sepsis in Jos University Teaching Hospital

BACKGROUND: Periodic bacteriologic surveillance in neonatal units is a necessity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the currently prevalent pathogens of neonatal sepsis in the Special Care Baby Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital, and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and twenty two neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis underwent bacteriologic screening over a 4 month period. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen bacteria were isolated from 66 (54.1%) of the infants. Forty two (36.8%) isolates were gram positive (predominantly Staphylococcus aureus), while 72 (63.2%) were gram negative (predominantly Escherichia coli). Gentamicin was most useful antibiotic, though effective against only 67% of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The susceptibilities of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria to the third generation cephalosporins were particularly poor (less than 10%). CONCLUSION: Our data show a change in the predominant gram negative bacterial pathogen compared with an earlier report from our unit, and an alarming overall decline in the susceptibilities of both gram positive and gram negative pathogens to the commonly used antibiotics

Microbial Flora of Fomites in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of a Nigerian

Background: This study addresses the problem associated with the persistently high prevalence of neonatal sepsis, and the unacceptably high mortality rate in the Special Care Baby Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. We therefore, decided to ascertain the role of fomites in the spread of nosocomial infections in our SCBU. Method: Sixty-seven (67) samples were collected from fomites using moistened sterile swabs, while the air was sampled using Settle-plate method. The specimens were inoculated unto dried Blood Agar and MacConkey agar plates and incubated appropriately at 370C for 18-24 hours. The isolates were identified and the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates which was responsible for the purported outbreak of neonatal sepsis in the unit were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility tests. Result: All the samples yielded growth and the various isolated microorganisms and their prevalence include Citrobacter freundii (1.4%), Escherichia coli (10.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (24.3%), Coagulase negative staphylococci (27.1%) and Bacillus alvei (31.4%). The prevalence of MRSA was 64.7%, while the K. pneumoniae isolates were multiply resistant to most of the antibiotics. Conclusion: Thus, some of the fomites in our SCBU contributed immensely to the incidence of neonatal sepsis and subsequently, to the high morbidity and mortality rates that were experienced in that unit during the purported outbreak. Keywords: Fomites, microorganisms, SCBU.NQJHM Vol. 16 (2) 2006: pp. 41-4