Effects of sodium azide on yield parameters of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The mutagenic effects of different concentrations of sodium azide (0.01 – 0.05%) on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv SS1145B and RMP 91) were investigated. The characters studied include; plant height, number of branches per plant, pods/plant, seeds/pod, seeds/plant and 100 seed weight in the M1 and M2 generations. Both negative and positive shifts in mean values were recorded as a result of the chemical treatment. The most effective dosage for inducing mutation/morphological aberration was established at 0.03%. Increases in genetic parameters of variation, heritability and genetic gain under the chemical treatment indicate the possibility of evolving higher yield variants through proper crop selection. Thus, economic traits like pods/plant, seeds/plant with high heritability and genetic gain values in the M3 generation offer good scope for selection and improvement

Varietal response of four cowpea cultivars (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) to different densities of guinea grass (Panicum maximum)

Two field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the performance of four cowpea varieties to different densities (0, 5, 20 and 35 m-2) of guinea grass at the Experimental Garden of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 factorial scheme. Weed densities did not significantly (P>0.05) affect plant height at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after planting (WAP) but the varieties did. However, the interaction between weed densities and varieties was not significant throughout the study. Dry matter yield by the different cowpea varieties significantly (

The phytochemical analysis and antibacterial effects of stem bark extracts of Brachystegia eurycoma harms

Plant based antimicrobials represent a vast potential of untapped sources of medicines. Antimicrobial sensitivity patterns change over time due to resistance developed by microorganisms, underpinning the great need for search of novel antimicrobial drugs. Phytochemical and antibacterial effects of crude aqueous (hot and cold) and alcohol extracts of stem bark of Brachystegia eurycoma was investigated using standard methods. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, steroids and tannins as major components. Also, of the three different extracts tested against four pathogenic bacteria (Sphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris), only the cold aqueous extract showed a mild zone of inhibition (3mm) against Escherichia coli, with an MIC of 12.5mg/ml and MBC of 25mg/ml. This suggests that cold aqueous extract of B. eurycoma has antibacterial activity, which might account for its inclusion in traditional herbal preparations in the treatment of wounds and infections.Key words: Brachystegia eurycoma, phytochemical, stem bark, antibacterial, extract

Effects of salinity on germination, growth and yield of five groundnut genotypes

The effects of salinity on germination, growth and yield parameters as well as phenotypic variance and heritability of five groundnut genotypes (Ex-Dakar, RRB 12, RMP 12, RMP 91 and Esan Local) wereinvestigated. Saline treatments were imposed by irrigating the seeds and plants with varying concentrations of brackish water having electrical conductivities of 0.015, 1.50, 2.60, 4.68, 8.90 and 17.0mS/cm. The results revealed that salinity significantly delayed germination and also reduced the final percentages at electrical conductivities greater than 2.60 mS/cm. Seedling emergence, radicleelongation, plant height and dry matter weight also tended to decrease with increasing salinity. Agronomic characters such as number of leaves/plant and number of branches/plant were significantlyreduced with salinities higher than 2.60 mS/cm. The genotypes under study proved more salt tolerant during the germination than during the vegetative stage of growth and the result identified Esan- Local,Ex-Dakar and RRB 12 as being more salt tolerant than the other genotypes under study. Treated plants maintained high heritability and genetic advance values in characters such as 100 seed weight,pods/plant and seeds/pod, indicating that the characters under study were controlled by additive genes and could be improved by selection. Thus salt tolerant traits from the tolerant genotypes (Esan-Local,RRB 12 and Ex-Dakar) could be a source for developing salt tolerant variants in groundnut

Perceptions of the use of indigenous leaves as packaging materials in the ready-to-eat cornmeals

Although alternative food packaging materials are available, Ghanaians still use leaves to package some ready-to-eat cornmeal products. This study examines the perceptions of a representative community sample of 70 producers, 40 sellers and 120 consumers of ready-to-eat leaves-packaged cornmeal products in Kumasi using questionnaires. Fante Kenkey (packaged in dried leaves of either musa paradisiaca or sterculia tragacanta) and Ga kenkey (packaged in dried sheaths of zea mays) are the most preferred products, accounting together for 80% of all leaves-packaged cornmeals processed by producers, for 76% of products offered by sellers and for 96% of products purchased by consumers. Reasons producers cited for the continued utilization of leaves as packaging materials include medicinal via the infusion of the cornmeal with beneficial phytonutrients that also imparts distinctive aroma and taste (61%), environmental friendliness (17%), availability (4%), relatively low cost (4%), lack of toxicity and renewability (14%). Despite consumers concerns of unhygienic (7%), short shelf lives (18%) and loss of moisture leading to hardening of Ga Kenkey (60%), 87% of consumers declined a suggestion for use of alternative packaging materials for ready-to-eat cornmeals. Data provided by this study can be used to examine food packaging trends for research and policy analyses in Ghana.Keywords: Kenkey, musa paradisiaca, sterculia tragacanta, zea mays, phytochemical, leaf-packag

Assessment of Fertility Status of Soils Supporting Coconut (Cocus nucifera) Cultivation in Western and Central Regions of Ghana

Coconut cultivation is mostly practiced in the Western and Central regions of Ghana. Information on the fertility status of the soils on which coconuts are grown and possible fertilizer recommendation is not common. Sincecoconut yield is generally related to the fertility status of the soil, a study was conducted to evaluate the fertility status of soils supporting coconut in the Western and Central regions. The soils were sampled at three depths, 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm at 21 different sites. The soil physical properties do not constitute any major limitation to good coconut growth and yield. Evaluation of the top soil showed that the mean top soil pH was very strongly acidic (4.1 + 0.12) and far below the acceptable limits for good coconut yield. Mean exchangeable acidity [0.57 0.06 cmol(+)kg-1] was relatively high while exchangeable basic cations (Ca, Mg and K) were generally very low. Mean effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of 3.1 0.48 cmol (+) kg-1was very low. Mean organic matter status 22.1 1.9 gkg-1 was moderate. Mean available phosphorus of 2.8 0.56 mgkg-1 was very low and one of the major nutrients that will affect coconut yield. Except for soil pH, nutrient levels generally showed a decreasing trend in the order top soil > subsoil > sub-subsoil. The evaluation showed that the soils  suffer from multi-nutrient deficiency. Nutrient levels of the soils are low to very low, and will not support good coconut growth and yield. Liming to improve the exchangeable basic cations and pH of the soils is  recommended. Use of rock phosphate is also recommended for raising the levels of both phosphorus and some basic cations. Amendments and fertilizers with high K content must also be considered

Simulated flooding and drought effects on germination, growth, and yield parameters of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The effects of drought on germination of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) also known as benniseed were simulated in the laboratory using varying concentrations of sodium chloride, glucose and polyethylene glycol at 0 – 0.50 MPa water potential. Higher osmotic conditions (0.25 – 0.50 MPa) significantly reduced the percentage germination, radical and shoot development. The ability of the three chemicals to reduce germination and seedling development in sesame was of the order: polyethylene glycol < glucose < sodium chloride. Different irrigation regimes of water were used toinduce flooding and drought effects on plants cultivated in pots in a green house. Both flooding and drought resulted in stunted growth, reduced dry matter, number of leaves per plant and seed yield per plant. Prolonged flooding reduced maturity time, and induced chlorosis and floral abortion. The growth and seed yield of sesame are adversely affected by continuous flooding and severe drough

The effects of sodium azide and colchicine treatments on morphological and yield traits of sesame seed (Sesame indicum L.)

Seeds of Sesame (Sesame indicum L.) were exposed to varying concentrations of sodium azide and colchicine solutions ranging from 0 - 0.250% (w/v). Variations in the percentage germination and survival,number of days to maturity, plant heights, total leaf area/plant, chlorophyll content, pollen sterility, dry matter and fruit size were recorded in the C1 and C2 generations. The frequency of mutation/injury increased with increasing concentrations of the mutagens. The LC50 values based on survival percentages in the M1 generation were fixed at 0.0776 and 0.0473% for sodium azide and colchicine respectively. There were dose related effects of the mutagenic treatments on quantitative traits resulting in reductions in traits such as germination and survival percentages, plant height, number of fruit/plant, but increases in leaf area, maturity time and fruit size. Colchicine treatment produced shortened internodes, deformed leaves, and chlorophyll mutants. Low doses of both mutagens

The Limnological Status of an Old Intermitent Pond during the Wet Season in Ekpoma, Southern Nigeria

The limnological status of an intermitent borrow pit pond in Ekpoma, EdoState of Nigeria was studied between June and September 2005 (wet season). In situ measurements of temperature, pH, electrical conductivity,transparency and total dissolved solids (TDS) were recorded together withthe dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), totalsuspended solids (TSS), primary productivity and the phytoplankton species composition for the pond water. The study revealed that the pond was slightly alkaline (pH 7.9 – 8.4) and fresh with low electrical conductivities of 91.8 – 114.1ìS/cm and TDS of 46.4 – 57.2mg/l. Water temperature ranged from 26.0 – 32.10C and the pond was well oxygenated (DO values = 6.0 – 9.23mg/l) but slightly polluted with high BOD5 values (4.33 – 7.43mg/l) and highly turbid (TSS = 13.4 – 20.0mg/l). The high TSS was associated with run-offs and allochthonous inputs from the surrounding environment. The Gross Primary Productivity was low and ranged from 2.47 – 6.60mgO2/m3/day while the respiratory activities ranged from 1.8 – 5.23mgO2/m3/day. The distribution of phytoplankton was irregular but characterized by high densities and species diversity. The phytoplankton population was dominated by the Bacillariophyceae. These attributes are typical of an intermitent pond.Key words: Limnological status, intermittent pond, physicochemistry,phytoplankton, productivity