Relevance of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) for Effective Skill Development among Technology Education Students in Nigeria

The main purpose of the study reported is to show how computer assisted instruction (CAI) has significantly impacted on all aspects of our live particularly on education, it has radically influenced the way knowledge and information are generated, developed and transmitted in technology education. Every technology teacher must be acquainted with how to apply CAI in teaching technology education programme since teachers have a vital role in trainees skill development. Therefore, this study was designed to determine relevance of computer assisted instruction for effective skill development among technology education students in Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses, tested at 0.05% level of significance. The respondents for the study comprised of 310 technology vocational teachers.  Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the research questions, while t-test statistics was employed to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study among others revealed that technology vocational teachers should be skilful in using CAI in the production  of  teaching materials that can be used in developing appropriate skills, incorporate the  use of media and technology for teaching where appropriate and technology vocational teachers teaching and managing courses through web-based system. It was recommended that Federal government should ensure that her policy statement regarding the provision of necessary infrastructure and training for use of computer in the school system is effectively implemented and making it mandatory for technology vocational teachers  in developing computer skills needed in classroom environment. This could be achieved through adequate financial provision for tools and resources. Key words: Computer assisted instruction, Technology education, Technical vocational teachers, and Skill development

MORPHOTAXONOMIC RE-CLASSIFICATION OF C. ANNUUM VAR. ACCUMINATUM FINGERH AS C. FRUTESCENS VAR. ACCUMINATUM

The taxonomic identities of some Capsicum varieties are somewhat controversial. This study is aimed at using morphological characters to ascertain the Capsicum species to which variety accuminatum belongs. The study was conducted at the Experimental Plot of the Department of Pure and Applied Botany, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Latitude: 7.214952; Longitude: 3.437090) using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in 10 replicates. Quantitative and qualitative characters were evaluated through measurements and visual observation respectively. Data were analyzed using Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.2 and Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to separate means at p ˂ 0.05. The reults revealed erect growth habit, lanceolate leaf shape, pendant flower position, white corolla colour, obtuse fruit shape at pedicel, elongated fruit shape, and pointed fruit shape at blossom end on variety accuminatum as characteristic features of C. frutescens. Plant canopy width 103.41±(4.30) cm, number of branches per plant 24.70±(0.15), days to flowering 73±(0.21), fruit length 11.69±(0.07) cm and fruit width 5.78±(0.05) cm in variety accuminatum are closer to mean values in C. frutescens. This study showed that variety accuminatum is morphologically and evolutionary related to C. frutescens. Therefore, re-naming of C. annuum var. accuminatum is hereby suggested and proposed to be C. frutescens var. accuminatum.   &nbsp

Preliminary study on climate seasonal and spatial variations on the abundance and diversity of fungi species in natural plantation ecosystems of Ile-Ife, South West, Nigeria

The biodiversity assessment of fungi and the knowledge of the forces that controls the distribution of fungi and their community are becoming more important in the light of climate change and variability. Fungi provide the global foundation for plant as mutualists, decomposers and pathogens. This study deals with the primary screening, characterization and seasonal variations of mycoflora, isolated from medicinal, oil palm and plantain plantations of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, from February to June. Fungi colonies and different fungal species were screened and identified across different months and weather variability. Data on the weather variations were collected. Soil samples (0 to 30 cm depth) were collected at different locations within the rhizosphere in each plantation, and the physico-chemical properties and fungi microbial load were determined using standard techniques. The result of soil physico-chemical properties showed that the soil type was humus and acidic in nature. A total of 8 fungi genera and 33 species were recorded in the studied plantations. Temperature of the studied areas ranged between 22.5 to 31.06°C, while the relative humidity of the studied sites ranged from 54.6 to 100%. The rainfall data obtained in this study ranged between 0.381 to 0.584 m. The highest microbial load was (8 × 105 CFU/g) and was observed under medicinal plantation in the month of June. The results obtained showed that weather variability’s have direct effect on different fungal species sporulation and CFU formation.Key words: Climate, fungi, soil, microbial load, natural plantation

Potency of Arati-Obd+ Organic Fertilizer on Plant-Parasitic and Free-Living Nematodes in Peppermint (Mentha Piperita L.) Field

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is one of the most economical aromatic and medicinal crops useful in pharmaceutical and agro-allied industries globally. It is among the neglected crops currently receiving attention by organic agriculture experts in Nigeria. In view of the potential threat Plant-Parasitic Nematodes (PPN) pose to the crop, a study was conducted to appraise the effects of Arati-OBD+ organic fertilizer in the control of associated phytonematodes in a field in Abeokuta. Responses of Free-Living Nematodes (FLN) to the organic fertilizer were also recorded. The fertilizer was applied at 0 tha-1, 5 tha-1 or 10 tha-1, laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Five core soil samples were collected randomly from the rhizosphere at depth of 0-30 cm, once every month for the period of three months per plot. Soil samples per plot were bulked to form a composite sample from which 250 g sub-samples were obtained and assayed for nematode presence, type and numbers of each found. Results indicated that 11 genera of PPN were found in the organic peppermint tested. They included Helicotylenchus, Rotylenchus, Rotylenchulus, Meloidogyne, Longidorus, Aphelenchus, Radopholus, Tylenchulus, Ditylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Pratylenchus and some free-living nematodes. These nematodes varied significantly (P 0.05) across treatments. Application of Arati-OBD+ at 5 tha-1 and 10 tha-1 significantly (P 0.05) suppressed PPN compared with untreated (control) plots. Ditylenchus, Tylenchulus, Meloidogyne, Radopholus and Aphelenchus decreased by up to 100% (total control), Helicotylenchus by 73 - 50% and Rotylenchus by 60 - 33% in the treated plots while the FLN increased by as much as 18 - 47% in the soil following application 5 – 10 tha-1

Utilization of Work-Based Learning Program to Develop Employability Skill of Workforce (Craftsmen) In Construction Industry Towards Industrial Development

This study examined the utilization of a work-based learning program (WBL) to develop the employability skills of craftsmen in the construction industry towards industrial development. Also, it determines the influence of WBL on employability skills of craftsmen challenges militating against effective utilization of WBL, and strategies/techniques for improving utilization of WBL to develop competency and employability skills of craftsmen in construction industries. A descriptive survey research design was used and data was obtained using a structured questionnaire known as the Employability Skill Inventory Checklist. 95 site managers in construction industries and technical instructors in private vocational centers/colleges in Lagos State participated in the study. The analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16.0 for data computation. Mean was used to answer three research questions. Findings revealed that WBL enhances the employability potential of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates by promoting their soft skills, technical and vocational skills. Challenges against the utilization of WBL include; activities related to WBL programs that do not fit neatly into traditional school and lack healthy collaboration between TVET and industry. Also, recommended techniques/strategies for WBL include maintaining frequent communication between parents and teachers, producing regular reports that track each student’s progress; skill, knowledge, and attitude should be derived from work undertaken

Pollen morphological studies of selected flowering plants in Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

The taxonomic classifications of some flowering plants into families have been a subject of review in recent times. This is because many were classified in the early days of taxonomy using plant morphological characters alone. This study assessed pollen characters of ten flowering plants in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria with a view to identifying valuable taxonomic characters which could be employed for resolving classification controversies associated with the use of morphological characters alone. Pollen study was conducted using acetolysis method. Means, standard deviations and coefficient of variations were calculated while photomicrographs of pollen grains were taken at X400 magnification. The result showed tricolporate, pantoporate, triporate, tricolpate and heterocolpate pollen types while exine patterns were granulate, reticulate, psilate and echinate. Results of pollen shape revealed oblate spheroidal, prolate and subprolate while there were variations in pollen characters among species of the same family in apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility. This suggests that apertural type, sculpture, exine surface pattern, pollen shape and pollen fertility could be useful in resolving taxonomic issues related to classification associated with grouping of some flowering plants into the same family on the basis of morphological traits alone

Nature-Based Tourism Sustainability and Climatic Change Implication in Ikogosi Resort, Southwestern Nigeria

The implications of climatic changes have been predicted to have devastating effects on biodiversity condition particularly nature-based tourism. In this study, investigation on the climatic characteristics in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Nigeria was conducted. Also, spatio-temporal changes of green and non-green cover were analysed for the study. Climatic data from Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for a period of 1975-2014 were analyzed to reveal the trend of climatic changes using appropriate statistical tool. A 30 meter Landsat image of TM 1991, ETH+ 2002 and OLI 2015 were used for the study. The satellite images were digitally processed using Arcgis10.3 and Fragstat 3.0. Species Diversity and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis was conducted to assess the vegetation degradation in the study area. The result showed that rainfall and temperature pattern between the year 1975 to 2014 experience an upward trend with maximum rainfall observed in year 2010 (1692.500mm) and temperature distribution reached its peak in year 2010 (27.046o C); annual temperature increment over the years is at regression model 0.016o C per year. Furthermore, results showed that anthropogenic activities as a result of tourism developmental programmes accounted for 25.93% increase in built-up between the periods of 1991 and 2015 with a substantial loss (29.97%) of dense vegetation were observed within the study area. In addition, Shannon Diversity Index (SHIDI) showed diversity decrease of 0.54, 0.47 and 0.21 for year 1991, 2002 and 2015 respectively; NDVI analysis revealed a degraded vegetation with the epoch of the years assessed. The result revealed that changes in rainfall and temperature pattern negatively affected the luxuriant vegetation; uncultured human activities led to massive reduction in the quality of remnant forest. However, tourism vegetation potentials of the study area were threatened; hence, ecosystem imbalance and animal migration were observed. The study concluded that climate change and vegetation removal has significant effect on the green infrastructures, nature-based tourism and biodiversity conservation. The study recommends a need for ecotourism practices and strict protection of the tourist sit

Intraspecific reproductive variabilities in Capsicum frutescens (L.) in Nigeria

Natural intraspecific and interspecific crosses among Capsicum species are very high, resulting in intermediary forms which are complex to categorize. It is likely that through these crosses, new species or varieties may have arisen. The present study evaluated intraspecific reproductive variablities among eight accessions of C. fructesens. Each accession was planted in 10-litre plastic buckets arranged in single lines of inter- and intra-row (70 cm x 50 cm) and filled with loamy soil in five replicates at the Department of Pure and Applied Botany Screen House, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Latitude 7°9'N, longitude 30°21'E), Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative reproductive characters were evaluated through measurements and visual observation, respectively. Means were separated using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test at p ˂ 0.05 (Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.2). The wide variation in the flower position, corolla colour, corolla spot colour, anthocyanin spots, fruit colour at intermediate and maturity, fruit set, days to flowering and fruiting, number of seeds per fruit and locules between AS002 and other accessions revealed that AS002 was significantly different. The study, therefore, suggests AS002 to be a new species in Nigeria, suspected to be C. baccatum, and also the best among the accessions for breeding purposes