Effect of canker size on availability of cassava planting materials in Nigeria

Cassava (Manihot esculenta L.) production is highly limited by cassava anthracnose disease (CAD) which causes significant losses in planting materials. An experiment was laid out at Ihiagwa, Owern in Nigeria with eighteen treatments replicated three times. Disease severity was scored on a scale of 1-5, and disease incidence was recorded as the percentage of infected plants in each host plant line. In all the three trials, TMS 30211 (425 mm) had cankers high up on the stem, showing that they were infected later in life. This will lead to more disease - freestems. Cultivars Akwakwuru (39.6 mm2), TMS 30555 (31.6 mm2), and Nwaocha (43.7 mm2), had the large canker size on whole plant, young stem, shoot and maturing stem. These cultivars had low resistance to anthracnose. In all the trials, TMS 4(2)1425, and TMS 30211, had the smallest canker size (1.80 and 6.3 mm2, respectively) on whole plant, young stems, shoots and maturing stems. TMS 4(2)1425 and TMS 30211 had higher resistance to anthracnose and can be recommended for further improvement through breeding, because plants producing smaller – size lesions survive much longer and would also mature and produce flowers needed for breeding for improving resistance to CAD and other diseases

Estimation of Planting Dates for Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in the Humid Tropical Environment of Owerri, South-eastern Nigeria.

In order to fill the gap existing between the production and consumption of roselle in the humid tropical areas of Nigeria, this experiment was carried out in Owerri between May and December, 2012 to evaluate the effects of planting dates and accessions on the growth and performance of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Six planting dates including planting at monthly intervals from May to October and two accessions (Purple calyx and Green calyx) were evaluated. The experiment was laid out as a 2 x 6 factorial in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) with three replications. Results revealed that all roselle crops planted in May through August flowered within the same period (26 – 29th September) which coincided with the period of short days in the northern hemisphere. Consequently, roselle planted in May produced flower buds significantly (138 days after planting) compared to other dates. July sown roselle in addition to producing flower bud relatively earlier (80.2 days after planting), had comparably higher number of flower buds/plant and calyx length. Roselle sown in September and October however did not flower. For use as vegetables in soup making, green calyx roselle should be sown in May and harvested not later than 8 weeks after planting. Planting in July appears to favour early flowering and is appropriate for purple calyx roselle.Keywords: Roselle, Accession, Planting Date, Month, Calyx Lengt

The use of maize as an indicator crop and in the reclamation of farm land ladden with heavy metals as a result of crude oil pollution

No Abstract. Discovery and Innovation Vol. 17(3&4) 2005: 180-18

The effect of Cassava Anthracnose Disease on the yield of some cassava cultivars in Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Objectives: To study the effect of Cassava Anthracnose Disease (CAD) on the yield of some cassava cultivars in Eastern Nigeria. Methodology and results: The incidence and severity of CAD on cassava cultivars was assessed over 3 years of field trials and its effects on yield monitored. Cultivars TMS 4(2)1425 and TMS 30211 had the lowest incidence of 1.5 and 2.5 respectively, and severity of 1.0 and 1.67, respectively. This was significantly less (P<0.05) than on cultivars Nwaocha, Akwakwuru and Nwageri which had the highest disease score of 2.3 -3.5. TMS 4(2)1425 had the lowest incidence (7.67 and 1.3) and severity (1 and 1.67) of CAD in the first and second trials, respectively, which led to the lowest fresh weights (0.1 kg) of tubers and stems (0.1 kg) of infected plants in the second trial. This was followed by TMS 30211 which had incidence (17.67 and 9.7) and severity (1.67 and 2.14) of CAD in the first and second trials, which led to low fresh weights of tubers (0.85 kg) and stems (1.35 kg) from infected plants in the first trial. Cultivar Akwakwuru had the highest incidence (58.67) and severity (3.54) in both the first and second trials which led to the highest fresh weights of infected stems (3.8 kg) and tubers (3.4 kg) from infected plants in the second trial. Conclusion and application of findings: Cultivars TMS 4(2)1425 and TMS 30211 had higher resistance to anthracnose and can be recommended for further improvement through breeding. Cv. Akwakwuru and cv. Nwageri were highly susceptible and are not recommended for planting as infected stems of these cultivars could serve as sources of inoculum in the field

Effect of NPK fertilizer rates on the yield and yield components of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina del.) in Owerri southeastern Nigeria

An experiment was carried out from March – December 2004 and repeated in 2005 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology Owerri to evaluate the effect of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer rates on the yield and yield components including the cost benefit of bitter leaf in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria. There were 6 treatments namely 0 (control), 100,200,300, 400 and 500 kgha-1 rates of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer. A randomized complete block design was used with 4 replications. Results indicated that 500 and 400 kgha-1 NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer rates produced significantly higher growth and yield of bitter leaf and were better than 300, 200, 100 and 0 kgha-1 NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer rates. Although there was no significant difference between 500 kgha-1 and 400kgha-1 fertilizer rates, the former had higher yield and enhanced the crop growth more than the later. The NPK fertilizer treatment gave positive cost benefit at 400 and 500 kgha-1 respectively. The applications of NPK fertilizers with high N-levels supply enough nutrients for the high productivity of Vernonia amygdalina. Keywords: NPK fertilizer; yield; yield component; Vernonia amygdalina; NigeriaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 230-23

Efficacy of Garlic and Other Plant Extracts In the Control of Septorial Leaf Spot of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum)

The attempt by man to improve crop yield in order to produce enough food for consumption by the increasing population is a decision in the right direction which has led to search of biopesticides of plant origin. The research work studied the effect of different rates of garlic juice in the control of septorial leaf spot of tomato caused by the fungus Cercospora sp. and also other plant extracts were compared with garlic so as to ascertain the effectiveness of garlic in the control of these leaf spots. The 0.5L of garlic (Allium sativum) spray produced the least number of infected leaves in all the different rates of applications. The utazi (Pergularia spp) spray was significantly different (P<0.05) from the bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and garlic (Allium sativum) spray and produced significantly lower number of infected leaflets (0-1.5) than that of the bitter leaf (1.5-3.0) and garlic (2.7-3.7) spray throughout the 6 weeks

Soil physical criteria for evaluating irrigation suitability of Okija upland soil of southeastern Nigeria

Suitability of upland soils of Anigbo Okija for irrigation was assessed using soil physical criteria of texture, depth, pore type, slope percent colour and soil structure for the purpose of estimating season farming and rainy season drought. Soils were classified using Soil Taxonomy and FAO/UNESCO legend. Mapping was done based on physiographic differences. Results showed two distinct soil mapping units A1 and A2 with two suitability classes: moderately suitable (S2) and marginally suitable (S3)., based on soil erosion and topographic limitations respectively. Two capability classes were consequently identified as e and IIIe for soil mapping units A1 and A2 respectively. Soils were classified as Typic Paleudalf and correlated to FAO/UNESCO legend as Dystric Nitisol for soil mapping unit A1 and Typic Paleudult (S.T.) or Dystric Nitisol (FAO/UNESCO legend) for A2. Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp.99-10

The use of plant extracts in the control of Aspergillus niger in the rot of yam (Dioscorea spp.) during storage

The storage rot of yam (Dioscorea spp) starts from the field to the storage barn. Fungi pathogens affecting yam tubers are controlled by either synthetic pesticides or plant extracts.The following plant extracts, Vernonia amygdalina (bittter leaf), Azadirachta indica (neem), Ocimum gratissimum (nchuanwu), Pergularia spp. (utazi), Citrus aurantifolia (lime), Allium sativum (gallic), and Capsicum annum (red pepper) were used to control the rot of yam (caused by Aspergillus niger). The ethanol extracts of the test plants were observed to have higher fungitoxic ability than the water extracts on A. niger, which was isolated from the rotten yam tubers. Ethanol extracts of A. indica and O. gratissimum were observed to have the highest percentage fungi growth inhibition, having 68.8% and 65.2% respectively, while A. sativum, and C. annum had the lowest with 36.3% and 40.6% respectively. A. indica was also observed to have the highest severity and A. sativum had the lowest. However, yam tubers which were treated 2 days before inoculation were observed to have more inhibitory effect on the fungi pathogen than those treated 2 days after inoculation.Keywords: storage-rot, yam-tubers, plant-extracts, fungal-pathogens, severityInternational Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 6 2005: 74-8

Integrated pest management (IPM) and good agricultural practices (GAP) in relation to food security: need for government policy for successful implementation

Agricultural development is caught between increased competition accompanied by decreasing prices, land degradation and concerns for sustainability, environment, safe food and animal / human health. Pesticides have been around in some form or another for centuries and have posed a lot of harm to our crops, environment and animals over the years. The increased environmental and public health awareness and the need to implement sustainable agricultural production systems have discouraged the injudicious use of pesticides. Integrated pest management (IPM) and Good agricultural practices (GAP) aims to minimise the use of chemical pesticides and to ensure an integration of various control measures in an informal manner without harmful effects on the environment and occupational and public health. Decision makers in developing countries have to find an appropriate balance between a careful reversal of proactive pesticide support in the traditional agricultural development agenda, which nevertheles does not endanger food security and rural development objectives. For a successful implementation of IPM and GAP, government policy on agricultural development need to provide financial resources for their continual development. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 80-8

Field Evaluation of Various Plant Biocides in the Control of Black Sigatoka Disease in Plantians

A field experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Teaching and Research Farm, Owerri in 2005 to evaluate the efficiency of using seven plant biocides (extracts) in the control of Black Sigatola disease in plantains. The experiment was carried out using the randomized complete block design with three replications. The Treatments include: Azadiractha indica (neem plant), Vernonia amygdlina (Bitter leaf) Ocimum gratissium (Nchanwu) Pergularia sp (utazi) Allium sativum (garlic), Citrus aurantifolia (lime) and Piper guinensis. (African Black Pepper). Data on disease development and efficacy of each plant biocide were collected at flowering on 5 plants of maturity per plot using the youngest leaf spotted (YLS) method. The proportion of the leaf area showing symptoms was scored on a scale of 0 to 6. A disease severity index (DSI) which also had a low DSI was also calculated were analyzed using the analysis of variance. Pair-wise testing between means was done using the Duncan New multiple range test at 5% level of probability. Results indicated that the ethanol extracts of plant biocides from Azadiractha indica and Piper guinensis were significantly (P. = 0.05) more effective than other plant biocides as observed from the youngest leaf spotted (YLS) assessed at flowering after 8 spray applications. The DSI recorded two weeks before harvest has 1.6 for Azadiractha indica and 0.8 for Piper guinensis which confirmed results from the YLS assessment. It is hereby strongly recommended to apply ethanol extract sprays of Azadiractha indica and Piper guinensis extracted at the rate of 20g plant material dissolved in 100ml ethanol due to its high level of fungitoxic ability on Black Sigatoka disease in plantains. It was also observed that ethanol extract of plant materials was more effective and efficacious in fungitoxic ability than the water extracts respectively