Genetic Diversity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) Cultivars in Semi-Arid Northern Nigeria

Over the last two decades, several seed-related studies have been conducted in semi-arid Africa to improve farmers’ access to quality seeds of dry land cereals and legumes. These have indicated that genetic diversity which is at stake is a major resource. However, there is an undeniable evidence of the erosion of crop genetic diversity. The aim of the study is to evaluate genetic variability of pearl millet cultivars obtained from four semi-arid villages of northern-eastern Nigeria namely Dagaceri and Kaska. It should be noted that all the 42 sampled respondents in all the study areas are males and heads of households. They are most active in agricultural practices and also have the final say in the activities of their household. A total of 25 pearl millet genotypes were collected based on diverse morphological data recorded on the field using Participatory Rural Appraisal. The main approach to the present study is to link the advanced biological technique (laboratory study) on genetic characteristics with social science field methodologies. The techniques used in the laboratory analysis are the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and Multiplexed Single Oligonucleotide Amplification. Laboratory studies revealed that genetic compositions of all inventoried pearl millet are not the same. The difference within and between the landraces was estimated using molecular marker (AFLP) and from the data it was noted that farmers’ husbandry practice resulted to the isolation of group ideotypes, making landrace names quid pro quo of genetic diversity. It was recommended that because farmers’ methods of selection play an important role in genetic management and conservation, it should be linked with the formal seed system to enhance genetic management and control genetic erosion.   Key words: genetic diversity, pearl millet, amplified fragment length polymorphism, northern-eastern Nigeria

Towards Sustainable Mitigation of Environmental Degradation in Nigeria

Our world is naturally blessed with dynamic resources such as vegetation, waters, air and soils. In the natural settings; vegetation change, rivers are polluted, sea levels rise, soil erodes and climate changes and yet human activities are on the increase and potentially more potent and dynamic activities on top of these already dynamic natural processes are surging up. Humankind has dramatically transformed much of nature and its natural environment through a process which is not new because it has been on for millennia. One significant dilemma is that transformation of nature has accelerated sharply over the last two centuries, and especially in the last several decades. Today, the natural environment is being progressively destroyed, bulldozed, and felled by saws or handheld axes, until only small remnants of its original extent survives. To substantiate this, by mid-1970s (after the drought that caused starvation in West Africa), humans had drastically increased the rate at which world’s forest cover is destroyed and over the last century development has claimed almost all fringes of major towns. If we have observed one thing common between human interaction and dynamic resources, it is that our inability to sustainably and effectively manage those resources is often quite clear. Efforts to stop further deterioration are never late because as Myers pointed out, “we still have half of all tropical forests that ever existed” (Myers, 1992). Although this paper is theoretically sounded, its aim is to review some salient issues on environmental degradation in Nigeria which mostly hinders the development of sustainable mitigation and provide options to alleviate the escalating rate of degradation. Success in fighting environmental degradation requires an improved understanding of its causes, impact, degree, methods and acquaintance with climate, soil, water, land cover and socio-economic factors. Considering this all, it is recommended that hybrid options combining indigenous and current externally developed approaches (which are mostly incompatible with the environment and cultures of Nigeria) should be produced and utilised to combat degradation in the country.   Key words: environmental degradation, mitigation options, resources, Nigeri

Mitigation Strategies to Environmental Degradation in Nigeria

Our environment is naturally blessed with dynamic resources to include vegetation, waters, soils and animals etc. Naturally, vegetation change, rivers are polluted, soil erodes and species are depleted all courtesy of human activities. While this is on the increase, some potentially more potent and dynamic activities on top of these already dynamic natural processes are surging up. Man who is at the center has dramatically altered much of nature and its natural environment through a process which is not new because it has been on for very long. One significant dilemma in that transformation is that nature has been destroyed sharply over the last two centuries. Today, the natural environment is being progressively destroyed with bulldozers and forests (species) felled by machine or handheld saws and reduced to small remnants of its original extent. To substantiate this, by mid-1970s (after the drought that caused serious degradation in Africa), humans had drastically increased the rate at which world?s forest cover and soils are destroyed. Over the last century development has claimed almost all fringes of major towns. If we have observed one thing common between the human interaction and the nature, it is that our inability to sustainably manage the natural environment is often quite clear. On the notion that efforts to stop further deterioration are never late, Myers (1992) noted ?we still have half of all tropical forests that ever existed?. Although this paper is theoretically sounded, its aim is to propose sustainable mitigation strategies to Nigeria?s rising environmental degradation. Considering this all, it is recommended that hybrid options combining indigenous and current externally developed approaches (which are mostly incompatible with the environment and cultures of Nigeria) should be produced and utilized to combat degradation in the country.   Key words: environmental degradation, mitigation, natural resources, Nigeri

Spatial Variability of Soil Properties around Baturiya Sanctuary, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Soil properties intricately vary spatially owing to several natural and anthropogenic factors including parent material, terrain as well as land use. The aim of this study is to assess the spatial variability of soil samples collected from three different land use types namely: reserved area, parkland and farmland around Baturiya Sanctuary, northwestern Nigeria with a view to providing information that will assist the government in planning and conservation of the area. Free traverse sampling technique was used to collect soil samples at the depth of 0-30cm. Laboratory analysis was done for the following parameters: bulk density, PSD, phosphorous, pH, EC, total nitrogen, exchangeable bases (Mg, Na, and K), and CEC. Geostatistical technique (semivariogram analysis) was used to test variation in soil properties. Result of the study depicted that It also indicated that BD (1.24 g/cm3), clay (22%), total nitrogen (0.25 g/kg), available phosphorous (32.61 mg/g), OC (1.6%) and Mg (0.05) are highest in reserved area. Also sand (55%) and silt (29%), pH (5.0), EC (522), Na (0.007), K (0.44) and CEC (4.5meq/100g) are highest in farmland. The variogram based nugget-sill ratio showed strong dependency with 0 (N, EC, OC) and weak dependency 1 (BD, Na) on the scale of 0.25 high, 0.25 – 0.75 moderate and 0.75 weak. In conclusion, this study found that soil properties in area showed high to moderate spatial dependency except for BD, Mg, K, and Na which showed low spatial autocorrelation owing increasing human activities in the area. This study depicted that apparently limitation by few samples have influenced the pattern in the result otherwise spatial variability of certain elements may be more discernible and beyond reasons such land use and parent materials

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L. R. Rr.]) Varietal Loss and its Potential Impact on Smallholder Farmers in Northern Nigeria: A Review

Pearl millet is an alternative source of livelihood for poor farmers who use it to supplement food and income. Pearl millet has high medicinal value and its consumption reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, constipation and anemia. Pearl millets is an excellent source of protein and fiber, and a great source of starch, making it a high-energy food. It is an exceptional food source for babies from six months of age because it has high nutrients and is easily digestible. Pearl millet is the most widely cultivated millet varieties in the world. The cereal crop is grown in arid, infertile, marginal lands in Africa and Asia, and cope with unpredictable climatic conditions. Nigeria is the second largest producer of pearl millet in the world with tremendous amount of pearl millet diversity. However, there is growing recognition that the diversity of pearl millet in northern Nigeria is vastly diminishing thereby affecting the livelihood of smallholder farmers. This paper reviews the erosion of pearl millet, multiple drivers of loss of local varieties of pearl millet, and presents some of the strategies that can be implemented to save the erosion of its diversity in northern Nigeria