Descriptive and Vegetative Characterization of fifteen ecotypes of Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina L.) in Nigeria

The descriptive and vegetative characterization of fifteen ecotypes of Trichosanthes cucumerina L (snake gourd) in Nigeria was carried out. The field study was done in two locations Markurdi and Umudike to evaluate the descriptive and vegetative characters of fifteen ecotypes of T. cucumerina from Middle Belt of the country, the South-South, South Eastern part and South Western part of Nigeria. Randomized Completed Block Design was adopted for the experiment at the exploration farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Federal University of Agriculture, Makurd at the same growing season. Descriptive and vegetative analysis was done using Minitab 16. The qualitative vegetative characteristic of snake gourd accessions vigour levels ranged from low, moderate and high. Leaf colour was from deep/pale/light green, stem colour was light, pale and deep green. The mean of the vegetative characters ranged from 2.7660-1575 ±0.48-99; cumulative variation percentage 7.65-64.75;. The germination percentage of all the accessions was significant (p<0.05). CRS – IKM (100+00), Osu – OSH – 2 (91.67±4.82).EKT – OYE was higher than Ben-MKDI (58.36±8.34). The plant height among the accessions was not significant, block was significant (P≤0.05). Leaf sizes (cm) of all the accessions were not significant (P>0.05), while main vine length (cm) at 5% probability was not significant and their treatment interaction was insignificant (P>0.05). The main vein length was highest in ABI-UKW with 636.0±164.0, followed by EKI-OYE 514.0±84.3 and least from RIV-ELE 275.7±26.4. The fruit colour at ninety days (90) of ten (10) accessions of snake guard was orange green or strip orange green and remaining accessions was milky green or light green. The fruit shape was long, thick and cylindrical. The seed colour was speckled russet

Physical purity of cowpea seeds from trained community based and licensed seed producers in three states of Nigeria

Open Access Article; Published online: 15 Sep 2021The study was conducted to compare two main sources of cowpea seed, Community Based Seed Producers (CBSP) and Licensed Seed Producers (LSP) for physical purity indices. From each seed source in every state, 15 seed samples of between 2 to 3 kg were collected for seed quality analysis. The collected seed samples were bulked according to variety, state, and seed source and then reduced to a working sample of four (4kg) using a modified halving method. The 4 kg was then divided into four equal parts as replicates. Seed purity was measured by sorting 1 kg of each working sample. The treatments were laid out in a completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications in the Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The experiment was set up as a factorial combination on pure seeds, using 2 (seed source) × 3 (States) × 3 (varieties). Data were collected on the following parameters; Percentage Pure Seed, Percentage Inert Matter, Percentage Offtypes seeds, Percentage Field Insect Damaged Seeds, Percentage Rain Damaged Seed, Percentage Weevil Damaged Seeds and Percentage Seeds Moisture Content and was analyzed was carried out using Minitab, version 2017. Seeds from the different states were statistically comparable. However, for varieties, cowpea seeds were not comparable except for rain damage and inert matter. On seed source, community-based seed producers performed below the licensed seed producers with respect to seeds damaged by rain, field insect damage, inert matter, weevil damage, pure seeds and moisture content. They were however, comparable in terms of off-types and mater. The two seed sources however, met the minimum standard required for cowpea seed certification by the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) with respect to off types and inert matter and hence could be used as an alternative seed source without any serious disadvantage of seeds purity. Therefore, we concluded that farmers can obtain seed from community-based seed producers without any serious disadvantage in terms of purity of seed lot

Studies on the background of cowpea seeds from trained community based and licensed seed producers in three states of Nigeria

Open Access Article; Published online: 30 Aug 2021The survey was carried out to compare two main sources of cowpea seed, Community Based Seed Producers (CBSP) and Licensed Seed Producers (LSP) for their source of seeds, seed production and storage systems across the three states of Benue, Kano, and Jigawa. Seed producers were interviewed during seed collection using multiple-choice questions that were divided into three main categories to enable the researcher to get information on the following parameters; background of the seed or planting material of the seed producers, seed production and Seed storage background. Questionnaires were administered to Ninety (90) respondents each from both community based seed producers (CBSP) and licensed seed producers (LSP) across the three states to give a total of 180 respondents with the help of extension agents who were trained by the researcher in order to ensure consistency in response of the questions from the respondents. Copies of the questionnaires administered to the respondents were collected immediately from respondents after completion. Data collected from seed producers interview was presented in percentages using bar charts, histogram, line graphs, pyramids and radar webs using Minitab, version 2017 statistical software. The result showed that most of the community-based seed producers adapt to the technology introduced to them by the Tropical Legume III project. Community based seed producers are comparable with the licensed seed producers in most of the seed production practices and post-harvest handling. Community based seed producers are comparable with the licensed seed producers in most of the seed production practices and post-harvest handling. Most of the community based seed producers also adapt to the technology introduced to them by the TLIII project. We therefore, concluded that community based seed producers can be used as an alternative source for seed multiplication and distribution within their environs under good training and minimum inspection as there are comparable to the licensed seed producers in most seed production and postharvest handling

Maize-soybean intercropping for sustainable intensification of cereal-legume cropping systems in northern Nigeria

Article purchased; Published online: 20 Nov 2017Field studies were conducted during the 2014 and 2015 wet seasons at Zaria in the northern Guinea savanna and at Iburu in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria to determine the productivity of maize– soybean intercropping system. There were four treatment combinations in the experiment: sole maize; sole soybean; maize spaced at 50 cm and intercropped with soybean; and maize spaced at 65 cm and intercropped with soybean. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that sole cropped maize and soybean generally outperformed the intercropped component crops. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was greater than 1 for all the intercrop treatments, indicating that it is advantageous to grow maize and soybean in association than in pure stands. Except for 2014 in Zaria, LER for intercropped maize spaced at 50 cm was higher than that for maize spaced at 65 cm. Gross Monetary Value (GMV) was generally higher for intercrops than sole crops except in Iburu in 2015 where GMV for intercropped maize spaced at 65 cm was similar to those of sole maize and soybean. Monetary Advantage Index (MAI) was positive for all intercrop treatments in both locations and years, which shows definite yield and economic advantages compared to the sole cropping systems. This suggests that farmers can intercrop soybean and maize with maize spaced at 50 cm and 65 cm

Improving cultivation of cowpea in West Africa

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a legume crop of vital importance to the livelihoods of millions of people in West and Central Africa (WCA). It provides a nutritious grain and a less expensive source of protein for both rural and urban poor consumers (Inaizumi et al., 1999). It can be grown and harvested in as little as 60–80 days. This enables households to harvest leaves and grains for consumption or sale during the ‘hungry season’ when grain reserves from the previous cereal harvests have been depleted and current crops are not ready for harvest. Most of the world’s cowpea (>90) is grown in sub-Saharan Africa, most of which is in West Africa particularly in Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Over 12.61 million ha are grown to cowpea worldwide, with an annual grain production of about 5.59 million tons (FAO, 2014). Of this amount, Africa accounts for 94% of grain production. Nigeria is the largest cowpea producer in the world and accounts for over 2.5 million tons grain production from an estimated 4.9 million ha (FAO, 2014). Other major producers in West Africa are Mali, Niger and Senegal. Cowpea cultivation is mainly under traditional systems and cowpea grain yields in farmers’ fields are low especially in the West African sub-region (0.025–0.3 t ha−1). This is caused by severe attacks of pest complexes, diseases, low soil fertility, drought, inadequate planting systems, inappropriate cultivars and lack of inputs (Ajeigbe et al., 2010a). In addition to biotic and abiotic stresses, existing planting practices limit crop yields. Despite the availability of Striga and disease-resistant cowpea cultivars, grain yields on farmers’ fields are still low. However, on-station and researcher-managed plot yields are high and encouraging. Grain yields ranging from 0.5 to 2.76 t ha−1 have been reported in sole crop (Ajeigbe et al., 2005, 2008), whereas grain yields ranging from 0.37 to 1.27 t ha−1 have been reported in intercrop in the savannahs of Africa (Ajeigbe et al., 2005, 2010b). Yield potential assumes unconstrained crop growth and adequate management that avoids limitations from nutrient deficiencies; inadequate planting systems and water stress and reductions from weeds, pests and diseases (Evans and Fisher, 1999). Considering the large differences between farmers’ yields (0.3 t ha−1) and experimental station yields (1.5–2.5 t ha−1), potential for on-farm yield increase in the region is high. This has stimulated interest in agronomic practices that could enhance crop yields. Some of the agronomic practices that may increase cowpea productivity are optimal plant population, appropriate planting date, nutrient management, integrated pest management and suitable cropping system

Efficiency of molecular markers to select for Striga gesnerioides resistance in cowpca [Vigna unguiculata (L.)Walp]

Striga gesnerioides (Willd) Vatke is a major biological constraint to cowpea productivity in the dl) savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last two decades, the use of molecular markers in crop improvemem has gained prominence owing to its ability to sh0l1en the breeding cycle. The available molecular markel techniques are being improved upon and continuously tested for higher preci sion, shOl1er duration of application and better cost effectiveness. [n the present study, a total of four molecular markers developed for selecting Slriga resistant cowpea were used to genotype F2 population derived from a cross between Borno Brown and [T97K-499-35 to identify markers more close ly linked to S. gesnerioides resistance. SSRI and 2 were found 10 be tight ly linked to Striga gesnerioides with a genetic distance of 1 and 2cM.The selection efficiency of SS~I and SSR-2 were 99 and 98 % and was better than that of C42-B 85.5%

SSR Markers Linked with Alectra vogelii Resistance in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important food legume grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the importance of cowpea, yield on farmers' field is still low due to variety of biotic and abiotic stresses that constrain its production. Among the biotic constraints, the parasitic flowering plant, Alectra voge/ii (Benth.) is one of the more formidable limitations to cowpea production in the dry Savannas of West and Central Africa, a region which accounts for over 64 % of world cowpea production. Several control measures have been suggested for the control of the parasite. These include: cultural practices, application of ethylene chemicals, and host plant resistance. Among these control measures, the use of resistance cultivars appears to be the most attractive option to the resource poor farmers in sub-Saharan Africa Breeding resistance cultivars would be facilitated by markerassisted selection (MAS). The objective of this study was to identify molecular markers tightly linked to Alectra resistance gene that would be useful in MAS in breeding cowpea for resistance to Alectra vogelii. F2 population of a single cross, Banjar (susceptible parent) x B30 I (resistant parent) was screened for reaction to Alectra using pot culture technique. DNA was extracted from parental genotypes and F2 lines from young leaves of plant at 14 days after planting using FTA ® PlantSaver cards. 50 SSR cowpea, 40 SSR rice bean and 50 SSR asparagus bean primers, previously reported to give amplification products in cowpea, were used to screen DNA from B30 I and Banjar for polymorphism. Of the 140 primers screened 20 primers were polymorphic between B30 I and Banjar and these were used in the technique of BSA performed with DNA bulks of highly resistant and highly susceptible F2 lines to select those that cosegregate with the resistant gene. Two of the markers (RB 16 from rice bean and CLM0356 from asparagus bean) were found to be consistently associated with the resistance gene. The utility of these two markers were validated using 150 F21ines for marker segregation and association analysis. Similarity index (SI) revealed that these markers were closely linked (90.23%) with Alectra resistance gene. Cluster analysis as depicted by dendogram also showed a tight association (>0.75) between these markers, suggesting that these markers can be explored in MAS targeting breeding for Alectra resistance in cowpea