Effects of pruning location on growth and fruiting of three tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) varieties in rainforest zone of Nigeria

A field experiment was carried out during the 2016/2017 dry cropping season at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City to examine the effects of location of pruning on some vegetative and reproductive attributes of tomato varieties. The trial was laid out in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement fitted in a randomized complete block design in three replicates with twelve treatment combinations per replicate and 36 for the whole replicates consisting of four location of pruning, P1 (pruning the tips only), P2 (pruning the lateral suckers only), P3 (pruning the tips and lateral suckers) and P0 (control, i.e., no pruning) on three varieties of tomatoes V1 (Cobra), V2 (Roma VF) and V3 (UC82). The results showed that Cobra variety produced higher fruit weight/plant (37.86 g) and more number of rotted fruits (1.42) than other varieties. Roma VF showed superiority in number of branches /plant (22.58) compared with Cobra variety (15.42) and UC82 (14.67). Pruning at P1 and P0 increased number of branches (23.33 and 21.89) than P2 (14.56) and P3 (10.44) Number of leaves increased in P1 compared with P2 and P3 and the leaf area increased at P3 (36.32 cm2) more than P0 (28.34 cm2). The rotted fruits increased in this order P2, P3 > P0, P1. Since pruning increased the number of rotted fruits/plant but produced non-significant increases in fruit weight/plant (g) and fruit yield (t ha-1), any of the three varieties of tomato could be used in Edo rain forest zone of Nigeria at no pruning.Keywords: cultural practices, leaf area, rotted fruits, stem diameter, sucker

Effects of fertilizers and rates of application on growth and yields of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. Callide)

Two field experiments were conducted at Dagwom farm, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. The objective of the research was to compare the effects of three fertilizers (urea, NPK and poultry manure) and four rates of application (coded 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th to represent  either 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha1 for urea and NPK or 0, 25, 50 and 75 t ha1 for poultry manure) on the growth, fresh herbage and dry matter yields of a 2 year old Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. Callide) pasture. Twelve factorial treatments were fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated 3 times. The variables measured were sward height (cm), fresh herbage and dry matter yields (t ha1). Poultry manure was  comparable to NPK and furnished significantly better growth, higher fresh herbage and dry matter yields than urea. The   significantly (p< 0.05) tallest sward (58.10 cm) was obtained from poultry fertilizer. Similarly, the significantly heaviest dry matter yields of 15.30 and 18.20 t ha1 were produced with the 3rd and 4th rates of poultry fertilizer application, respectively. Rhodes grass could provide substantial quantities of fodder for ruminant nutrition if fertilizer application is adequate. Poultry manure should therefore be harnessed for increased production of Rhodes grass at NVRI, Vom.Keywords: Rhodes grass, poultry manure, ure

Utilization potentials of lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) and the constraints of field pests and diseases in Nigeria

In the last one decade and half, lablab was evaluated for its crop-livestock production potentials in Samaru, Kano and Benin City in both the savanna and humid forest zones of Nigeria. Very early, early and intermediate accessions were identified that may be suitable for dry savanna and late growing season of the humid forest while late, very late and extremely late accessions were identified for moist savanna and humid forest. Vegetable-type, grain-type and dual-purpose lablab were identified. Lablab grain ranged from 600-2400 kg ha-1 with an average protein concentration of 25.3%. Huge litter of leaves and stems was recorded at the end of production period which extended far into the dry season. Short fallow of one year supported maize-cowpea intercrop with component maize having 13.7% grain yields over that of natural fallow. Following a 2-year lablab fallow, subsequent maize yield was 72.7% higher than that from natural fallow. Lablab had an average of 2600 kg ha-1 of biomass and an average of 64.1 kg N ha-1, meaning that lablab has high potential for green manure and soil improvement. Of six herbaceous legumes, lablab was among those that had the highest soil cover. Fresh biomass of 3200 kg ha-1 was achieved at eight weeks after planting. Various insect pests, fungal diseases and parasitic plant including Ootheca mutabilis (Sahlb), Podagrica uniforma (Jac.), Nematocerus acerbus (Faust), Anoplocnemis curvipes (F.), Helicoverpa armigera (Hbn), aphids, Colletotrichum sp., Curvularia sp. and Cassytha filiformis (Linn.) were found on lablab plants, causing damage to the crop.Key words: lablab, fodder, grain yield, pest, diseas