Effect of Colchicine Induced Mutagenesis on Growth and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Chemical mutagenesis through the use of colchicine on the seeds of two varieties of sesame (Sesamum indicum L. Var. Ex-Sudan and E-8) with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the genetic improvement of its growth and yield was carried out. The sesame seeds were treated with colchicines at four different concentrations (0.1mM, 0.5mM, 1.0mM, 2.0mM and control) for two mutant generations (M1 and M2). Highly significant variation (P≤0.01) was observed in such quantitative traits like the germination percents, height at maturity, number of leaves produced per plant, internodes length, leaf area, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod and 1000 seeds weight which decreased with increase in colchicines concentrations. Besides these, a segment of chlorophyll deficient mutants such as: Chlorina, Xantha, Striata, Virescents and Lustescents were found among the mutant generations, with their frequency decreasing with increase in colchicines concentrations. Lower concentrations of colchicines were recommended for inducing genetic variability in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to improve the yield of such economic plant. Key words: Concentrations, Colchicines, Sesame, Ex-Sudan and E-

Studies on the germination and seedling characteristics of the savanna palm trees

Mode of germination and seedling characteristics of four Savanna palm trees; Borassus aethiopum, Hyphaene thebaica, Phoenix reclinata and Raphia sudanica were studied. In the course of their germination, the radicle was found to be cotyledonary in nature, and it carried the undeveloped plumule below ground before its further development. This is called cryptogeal germination which occurred in two stages: (i) preparatory germination and (ii) germination proper. Bigger seedlings were produced by larger seeds. Pinnate and palmate leaf arrangements with parallel venation were also found among these palms. Keywords: Palm trees, germination, seedling, characteristics, Savanna, Nigeri

DETERMINATION OF PREVALENCE RATE OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA AMONG CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE DIARRHEA IN KANO, NIGERIA

Background: Diarrhea is a major contributor to childhood mortality and morbidity in the developing world. Objective: The study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica among children diagnosed with acute diarrhea in Kura General Hospital Kano, from February to August 2017. Methodology: A total of 236 stools samples were collected from children within the age group of 0 – 5 years diagnosed with acute diarrhea attending the Hospital. The stool samples were examined for Entamoeba Histolytica cysts and trophozoites using direct wet preparation and Formol Ether concentration techniques. Results: The result showed that 23 samples which accounted for 9.75% of the samples were found to be positive for the parasite. Highest incidence of the parasite was found among children within the age category of 4 - 5 years. The results also indicated that males (56.5%) were more infected than females (43.5%). However, there is no statistical difference in the rate of infection among the sex and age group of the patients at p< 0.05. Conclusion: In conclusion, maintenance of personal hygiene and improved sanitation of the environment will indeed prevent contamination of food and water sources

Production and Economics Evaluation of Pilot Scale Essential Oil Extract from Eucalyptus Citriodora Leaves

In this study, essential oil was extracted from eucalyptus citriodora leaves plant species (lemon-scented gum) in a pilot plant using steam distillation technology. The extraction pattern of the oil was monitored over time and economic analysis of the production was carried out.  Five batches were carried out in a day and the results revealed that the daily production of the oil was 0.579 liters in a loading capacity of 100kg of leaves. It was also observed that the total production cycle per batch was 1.96 hours out of which 80 minutes were the actual extraction time with lag period of 37 minutes. The results further revealed that 66.7% of the oil was extracted in 40 minutes while 95.6% in 80 minutes. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was used as source of energy with daily consumption of 7.5 kg at a cost of N2,400.00K. The economic analysis on annual basis revealed that the operating cost was N1,742,400.00K. The production output of the oil was estimated at 138.96 litres with expected selling price of N4,863,600.00K at the rate of N35,000.00K per litre and expected profit after tax of N2,115,871.00K. From this economic analysis carried out based on the practical data generated in the pilot plant, this project is highly profitable and is strongly recommended to potential investors and entrepreneurs. This will help in providing jobs for our teaming unemployed youths mostly in rural areas where these raw materials are in abundant thereby increasing nation’s foreign earning due to its export potential

Effect of Period and Storage Conditions on Essential Oil Yield And Composition of Eucalyptus Citriodora Leaves

Fresh eucalyptus citriodora leaves were harvested and kept under shade and sun for a period of four weeks. The effect of storage conditions and period of storage on the oil yield, oil composition and extraction pattern of the oil were investigated. It was observed that for the leave kept under sun there was significant decrease in the oil yield from 0.38% in the 1st week to 0.11% in the 4th week. However, for leaves kept under shade the oil yield slightly decreased from about 0.40% in the 1st week to 0.36% in the 4th week. The results further revealed that the storage condition and period of storage had no effect on the extraction pattern of the oil with about 72% of the oil extracted within 40 minutes of extraction time after induction period of 24 minutes. Two mathematical model equations were developed for the prediction of oil yield as a function of storage time for both conditions. The models predicted that for leaves stored in the shade and sun the expected oil yield would be 34.5% and 1% respectively. Physiochemical analysis of the oils revealed that the properties of the oil were not affected by both the period and condition of storage except the colour which changed from pale yellow to light brown. These results imply that the leaves should best be kept under shade before production in order to preserve its oil content and physiochemical properties

Performance Comparison of the Ball and Beam System using Linear Quadratic Regulator Controller

This paper proposes the performance comparison of a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller for the ball and beam system (BBS). The BBS is a standard benchmark control system, which has two degree-of-freedom (2 DOF). It is an open loop and a highly nonlinear unstable system. This makes its parameter difficult to be estimated accurately, hence designing a controller for it is a challenging task. MatheThe BBS was modelled using Euler–Lagrange modeling technique, while the LQR controller was used for the stabilization of the ball on the beam. Simulation was done in MATLAB/Simulink 2022b environment, and the results simulated showed that for the two weighting matrices (Q and R), the state weighting matrix had a higher penalty on the ball displacement, ball velocity, beam angle, and beam angular velocity at lower values of Q. For the state weighting matrix had a better effect of penalty performance on the BBS with lower values. Also, as the diagonal element of the state weighting matrix Q increases from 0.1 to 20, the values of the optimal controller K increase, the reduced Ricatti matrix P increases, and the estimated eigenvalues E reduce. This implies that the ball displacement, ball velocity, beam angle, and beam angular velocity are better at lower values of Q

Effect of Crossability in Improving Some Selected Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata [L.,] Walp) Varieties

The studies on the effect of crossability in improving some selected cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] walp) varieties(IT87D941 - I, IT97K 499 - 35 and Dankurmi) was carried out in the screen, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University. Seeds of three cowpea varieties were sown in a Completely Randomized Design. Pollen viability studies and cytological study were conducted. The result of the study showed that fertile hybrids were produced which were vigorous and intermediate between the parent varieties with respect to many morphological characteristics. Meiotic analysis of parents and F1 hybrids revealed normal meiosis with 11 bivalents and normal viable pollen were found in high percentage ranging from 90% to 98% in both parents and F1 hybrids. It is concluded that fertile hybrids were produced through cross combinations. Hybridization is quantitatively an effective method to improve cowpea genotypes using quantitative traits. This study recommended that hybridization using cowpea varieties with high receptivity for pollen due to high fertility and compatibility could improve local varieties with low pollen contents which will in turn improve the quality and quantity of cowpea genotypes (varieties)

Soil-root interaction and effects on slope stability analysis

This work combines the mechanical and hydrological effects of vegetation with a slope stability framework. The analysis provides further understanding of the effects of vegetation on slope stability analysis. From the results obtained, trees contribute to the stability of sloping ground both hydrologically as a result of increase in matric suction of the soil resulting in a increase in the shear strength while mechanically is due to root reinforcement, the shear strength of the rooted soil mass is enhanced due to the presence of a root matrix. It is found that the most significant benefit is likely to be achieved only when the tree is located at the toe of the slope. The results indicate that the Factor of Safety against failure can increase by more than 8% when including the influence of a mature tree located at toe of a slope. The results also indicate that the mechanical contribution to strength offered by vegetation is much greater than the influence of hydrological effects

Determination of antibiotics susceptibility profile of Shigella species isolated from children with acute diarrhea

Diarrheal diseases continue to be the major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years. This study aimed to isolate, identify and determining the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Shigella sp associated with acute diarrhea among children in Kano, Northern Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted among children less than 5 years diagnosed with acute diarrhea and admitted to paediatric ward of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano. Stool samples from a total of 37 (20 male and 17 female) subjects were used to isolate and identified the pathogen. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using disc diffusion method. The result showed 12 out of 37 samples were positive for Shigella sp which accounted for 32.4%. Higher incidence of Shigella sp was found among subjects of age between 2 – 3 years. The isolates were 100% resistant to Ampicillin. High resistance was also observed in Amoxicillin (83.33%), Chloramphenicol (58.33%) and Tetracycline (25%). The isolates are 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin, 66.7% to Levofloxacin and Gentamicin each and 58.33% to Erythromycin. Three (3) isolates were resistance to Ampicillin and Amoxicillin, 5 isolates were resistance to Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol and Amoxicillin while 2 isolates were resistance to Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline and Amoxicillin. It is concluded that Shigella sp is one of the etiological agent of diarrhea in children. Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and Gentamicin are drugs of choice for treating diarrhea caused by Shigella sp

Assessment of Genetic Variability of Some Quantitative Traits of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.,] walp) Varieties

The studies on the assessment of genetic variability of some quantitative traits of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.,] WALP) varieties were conducted at the green house of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Completely Randomized Design was used. The Seeds of the three cowpea varieties (IT87D 941-1, IT97K 499-35 and Dankurmi) were sown in Plastic pots and are arranged in six replications. Variations of selected quantitative traits were studied in three cowpea varieties (IT87D941 - I, IT97K 499 - 35 and Dankurmi) and their F1 and F2 hybrids. The first two varieties are improved varieties which are tall and photo-insensitive. The latter is a local variety which is short and photo-sensitive. There were improvements in quantitative traits of F1 hybrids derived from crosses involving Dankurmi. Highly significant differences were observed in many traits such as height at maturity, number of pods per plants, length of pods per plants, number of seed per pod and leaf area in the F2 population. Positive correlation coefficient was obtained and this will enhance productivity through selection using the two characters positively correlated. It was concluded that hybrid plants were found to be vigorous and intermediate between the parent varieties with respect to many quantitative traits. The seed set data indicated that cross compatibility was lower in crosses involving Dankurmi, which may be due to low pollen content and the high seed set in IT87K 499-35 suggests high receptivity for pollen. This may be due to high fertility and compatibility. This study recommended that cross combination through the use of hybridization would improve the quality and quantity of quantitative traits which would in turn improve the quality and quantity of cowpea genotypes (varieties)