Effect of pre-sowing hardening treatments on germination, relative growth rate and yield of Pennisetum americanum (l) and s. Bicolor (Moench)

The effects of pre-sowing hardening treatment using 1 and 2 cycles of 1% calcium chloride, 50ppm ascorbic acid and 200ppm indole-3-butyric acid on embryo enlargement, relative growth rate and yields of Pennisetum americanum (cvs, ex Bornu, hairy compositae) and Sorghum bicolor (cvs, ksv11 and ksv12) were investigated. Seeds of the 2 cultivars of P. americanum and S. bicolor hardened with 2 cycles of water were employed as the controls. The 1 and 2 cycles of hardening treatments increased plumule and radicle lengths and relative growth rate of all the cultivars of P. americanum and S. bicolor with increases obtained for 2 cycles of hardening treatments being statistically significant. Yields of plants of 1 and 2 cycles ascorbic acid, calcium chloride and indole- 3-butyric acid treated seeds were significantly higher than those of the control plants. For all the cultivars of P. americanum and S. bicolor, 2 cycles of hardening treatments were generally better than 1 cycle of hardening treatments because they induced greater plumule and radicle growth, relative growth rate and yield. Out of the 4 hardening agents used in the study, indole-3-butyric acid stimulated the greatest plumule and radical lengths, relative growth and yield and was as such the best pre-sowing hardening agent. It was followed by ascorbic acid while water was the poorest

The use of spent mushroom substrate of L. subnudus Berk as a soil condition for vegetables

The effects of spent mushroom substrate on the vegetative growth and yields of cowpea and tomato were determined. Autoclaved and unautoclaved spent mushroom substrates, mixed with loamy soil in ratio 1:9 were utilized with both composted and uncomposted spent mushroom substrates. Composted spent mushroom substrate mixed with loamy soil produced greater vegetative growth and yields of cowpea and tomato than uncomposted spent mushroom substrate, which in turn gave better results than loamy soil controls. Autoclaving was found to be unnecessary in sterilizing the spent substrate; loamy soil mixture as autoclaving caused biodegradation of some of the component nutrients, thus resulting in lower vegetative growth and yields of cowpea and tomato. Oven-drying only of the spent substrate; loamy soil mixture was found to confer enough sterilization. Key words: Spent mushroom substrate, Lentinus subnudus, loamy soil, cowpea, tomat

PHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-DIABETIC PROPERTIES OF Hibiscus sabdariffa ON RATS

Effects of different quantities (75g, 100g and 125g) of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf, stem and root aqueous extracts and combination of 300g Hibiscus sabdariffa +100g Allium sativum+100g Zingiber officinale on alloxan-induced diabetic Wister albino rats at 1ml/kg/day for17 days were investigated. Body weight and fasting blood glucose level of rats were monitored before and during the experiment. Quantitative analysis of secondary plant products of various parts of the investigated plants was also studied. Results showed that 1ml/kg/day of 75g Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract did not cause significant (p>0.05) sugar reduction compared with basal values as high sugar level was still observed in alloxan-induced rats treated with 1ml/kg /day of 75 Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf (246.00+6.00mg/dl) and stem (207.50+3.50 mg/dl) extracts except root (196.00+1.20mg/dl). Combination of the extracts caused significant (P>0.05) sugar reduction compared with any of the single parts.1ml/kg of 100g Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extracts ameliorated rats«¤?? weights loss by 14.75%.1ml/kg of 125g Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf, stem and root extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced the glucose level of diabetic treated rats by 54.08%, 58.95% and 62.44% compared with glibenclamide (22.77%). Phytochemical analysis revealed that flavonoids (0.79mg/g) and alkaloids (0.86mg/g) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in root than in stem and leaf of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The combination 300gHibiscus sabdariffa + 100g Allium sativum 100g Zingiber officinale revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher flavonoids (0.85mg/g), saponins (0.95mg/g) alkaloids (1.81mg/g) and tannins (0.56mg/g). Combination of 300g Hibiscus sabdariffa +100g Allium sativum+100g Zingiber officinale produced the best hypoglycaemic effect (71.05%).ª¤?ª¤

Influence of inoculation method and spawn level on biological efficiency of Pleurotus ostreatus

Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible mushroom cultivated worldwide and appreciated due to its exotic taste and nutritional value. Spawning rate and method of spawn application are crucial factors influencing mushroom growth and yield. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of spawn quantity and spawning techniques on the growth and yield of P. ostreatus. It investigated the use of different spawning methods (on-spot, top and bottom, mixin and layering) and spawn levels (3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13%) on the mushroom. The results obtained showed that as the spawn level increased, growth and yield parameters also increased. The highest number of fruits (11.33), fruit weight (65.69g), widest pileus (657cm.) and longest stipe (5.53cm) were observed at 13% spawn level and least in others. The densest mycelia were obtained as from 9% spawn levels; the mean fruit weight was highest (7.56g) at 9%. Significantly shortest days to substrate colonization and primodia initiation were observed at 13% spawn level and the longest at 3%. The results for spawning methods indicated highest biological efficiency (62.57%) when spawn was applied at both ends of the bag while the least was on the on-spot application. Days to substrate colonization and initiation of the mushroom primodia were shorter significantly at p< 0.05. This findings implied that when sufficient amount of spawn is added to a fruiting substrate and applied bi-directionally, the mycelium grows faster and has more energy available for fruiting body formation, hence the increased yield and better biological efficiency.Keywords: Spawning method, spawn level, Pleurotus ostreatus, biological efficienc

Transformation d'une innovation institutionnelle : l'exemple des associations d'usagers des eaux agricoles dans le Moyen Sebou au Maroc

International audienceDans le cadre du débat international sur la gestion participative et le transfert de la gestion de l'eau d'irrigation, de multiples recherches, expertises et études de cas existent. Elles sont centrées sur des évaluations avant et après transfert de la gestion de l'irrigation aux agriculteurs, mettant en jeu principalement des indicateurs qualitatifs de performance et de rendement pour mesurer l'échec ou la réussite de ce transfert. Cet article adopte une autre forme d'analyse, il s'appuie sur l'étude de l'appropriation des associations de l'eau par les agriculteurs à travers l'exemple du Moyen Sebou, un périmètre géré depuis sa mise en eau par des Associations des usagers des eaux agricoles, mises en place par les pouvoirs publics sous la pression des bailleurs de fonds. L'adoption et la transformation des règles de fonctionnement créent une dynamique collective autour de l'aménagement et parfois autour d'autres organisations collectives que celles de l'eau d'irrigation

Effects of Compost on Mycelia Growth and Fructification, Mineral Elements and Proximate Composition of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fries)

Studies were conducted on the growth and cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fries) singer on lingocellulosic waste. Long composted substrate formulations of sawdust (86%) + rice bran (10%) + cassava peel (4%) supported the longest mycelia growth and density. Long composted also produced larger fruitbodies and significant increase in number of fruitbodies and compost % yield compared with uncomposted substrate having the same formulations. The mineral elements of Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, K, and P were found to increase from very young to mature fruitbody of both composted and uncomposted substrate with preponderance of potassium. Similar results were obtained for crude protein. However, organic carbon and organic matter tend to decrease from very young to mature fruitbody of composted and uncomposted substrates.Keywords: Composting, Fructification, Mineral Elements Pleurotus pulmonarius, Organic carbon and Organic matter

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF PLANTS USED IN MANAGING ULCER IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Ethnobotanical survey of plants often used for the management of ulcer in Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State was carried out. A total of 100 respondents comprising 50 herbal traditional practitioners and 50 ulcer patients were interviewed. Study was carried out on plant parts used, modes of preparation, solvents used and types of preparation. Also, quantitative analysis of phytochemical ingredients of the most frequently used plants; Occimum basillicum, Musa paradisiaca, Aloe vera, Azadirachta. indica, Brassica oleracaeª¤? and Carica papaya was carried out. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at (p<0.05). Results revealed a total of 40 plants belonging to 30 families out of which Zingiberaceae, Apocynaceae, Moraceae, Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Malliacaeae,ª¤? Arecaceae, and Poaceaeª¤? were the most frequent families. The most frequently mentioned plants were Occimum basillicum (57.5%), Musa paradisiaca (55%), Aloe vera (50%), Azadirachta indica (47.5%), Brassica oleracae (25%) and Carica papaya (25%). Records from this study revealed that the largest life form of plant was herbs (30%), followed by trees (28%), shrubs or trees (4%) while least plant forms were grasses, flowers, underground stems, climbers and chalk as represented by 1% each. The main methods of preparation were decoction and infusion. The plant parts recorded being used for ulcer management were leaves, barks, fruits, seeds, roots, rhizomes and the whole plant as in Aloe vera.ª¤? The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (45%) while fruits, seeds, roots and rhizomes were the least parts used as represented by 5% each. Water, alcohol palm wine, palm oil and fermented maize water were the medium for ulcer herbal preparations.ª¤

Textilome abdominal, à propos d’un cas

Le textilome, également appelé gossybipomas, est une complication postopératoire très rare. Il peut s'agir d'un corps étranger composé de compresse(s) ou champ(s) chirurgicaux oubliés au niveau d'un foyer opératoire. Ils sont plus souvent asymptomatiques, et difficile à diagnostiquer. En particulier, les cas chroniques ne présentent pas de signes cliniques et radiologiques spécifiques pour le diagnostic différentiel. L'anamnèse est donc indispensable pour le diagnostic vu que les signes cliniques ne sont pas concluants. Le cliché d'abdomen sans préparation est peu contributif, l'échographie est fiable. La tomodensitométrie permet un diagnostic topographique précis, mais ce n'est pas toujours le cas. Certaines équipes proposent des explorations par IRM. Nous rapportons un cas de textilome intra abdominal, chez une patiente de 31 ans opérée il y a 8 ans pour grossesse extra- utérine, chez qui la TDM abdomino-pelvienne a évoqué un kyste hydatique péritonéale sans localisation du foie. Traitée par extrait d'un petit champ de 25x15cm et adhérant au sigmoïde. Le but de ce travail est de mettre en évidence le problème de diagnostic de cette pathologie et l'importance de la laparotomie exploratrice

Effect of indole-3-acetic acid and coconut milk on vegetative growth of amaranthus hybridus Linn

Studies were carried out on the effect of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and coconut milk on the vegetative growth and chlorophyll contents of Amaranthus hybridus Linn. Subsp. Cruentus (L.) Thell. The various treatments of IAA and coconut milk considerably enhanced plant height, stem circumference, number of leaves, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area and chlorophyll contents. Of all the IAA and coconut milk treatments, 15% coconut milk was the most effective. As the concentration of IAA was increased from 50ppm to 200ppm, corresponding increases were observed in plant height, stem circumference, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, shoot and root dry weights and leaf content. As for coconut milk, there were increases in these parameters with increase in concentration from 5% to 15% but a decrease at 25%