Health Implications of Cassava Production and Consumption

The paper examined health issues on production and consumption of cassava. It was revealed that production of cassava is dominated by the use of cassava varieties that contain hydrogen cyanide (HCN) which if consumed without adequate fermentation may be toxic to human. Efforts should be intensified by research institutes to develop more cassava varieties that are low in hydrogen cyanide (HCN) especially in areas where cassava and its products were newly introduced. The use of agrochemicals on cassava farms should be approached with caution. Protective clothing and equipments such as gloves, overall, nose and eyes guards should be provided before applying agrochemicals. Farmers and stakeholders in cassava enterprise should be educated on the need to keep their environment and sources of water free from pathogen and disease causing organisms.Keywords: cassava, health, hydrogen cyanide, agrochemicalsJournal of Agriculture and Social Research (JASR) Vol. 11, No. 1, 201

Mulching an Arenic Hapludult at Umudike: Effects on saturated hydraulic conductivity and rhizome yield of turmeric

A study was carried out over two cropping seasons on an Arenic Hapludult at Umudike, southeastern Nigeria, to investigate and determine the quantity and type of mulch material that would optimize the rhizome yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn) and improve the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil. The turmeric was planted at two depths; 5 and 10 cm. Two types of mulch, straw (elephant grass)and wood shavings were evaluated at 3 rates (0, 4 and 8 t/ha). Results showed that the effect of mulching on rhizome yield was significant. Yields increased significantly with the rate of mulch. Rhizome yield of turmeric was significantly influenced by the depth of planting and mulch type used. The 10 cm planting depth out-yielded 5 cm depth, and straw mulch out-yielded wood shavings. Optimum values of Ksat occurred at the 4 t/ha mulch rate. Bulk density, macro porosity and microporosity were the most important physical properties influencing Ksat of the soil. Total porosity (Pt), and void ratio (Ve) were not good indicators of Ksat even though they positively explained between 98 and96% of its variations, respectively

Effect of the Critical Period of Weed Interference on Optimum Performance of Turmeric at Umudike, Nigeria

A field study was carried out at the National Root Crop Research Institute experimental farm to determine the critical period of weed interference and magnitude of yield loss caused by weed on turmeric in 2008 and 2009 cropping season. Turmeric was subjected to 13 weeding regimes using randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The result showed that turmeric rhizome yield was significantly affected by weeding regime in both years. Yield was found to be increasing as plots were kept weed free up to 12 weeks after planting (WAP) implying that turmeric should be weed free first 12weeks to avoid drastic yield reduction. Under the weed intensity, weeding at 8week after planting (WAP) produced the highest yield of Turmeric rhizome. On the other hand, delayed weeding beyond the 8weeks after planting (WAP) resulted in a noticeable yield depression in turmeric. This implied that the critical period of weed interference was between 8-12weeks after planting (WAP)

Studies on the optimum minisett sizes for rapid multiplication of Rizga (Plectranthus esculentus), Hausa potato (Selenosterum rotundifolius) and Tumeric (Curcuma longa) in Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigeria Agricultural Journal Vol. 38 2007: pp. 24-3

Mulching An Arenic Hapludult In Southeastern Nigeria: Effects On Selected Soil Properties And Rhizome Yield Of Turmeric

A study was carried out over two cropping seasons at Umudike, southeastern Nigeria, to determine the type and quantity of mulch that would improve some selected physical properties of an Arenic Hapludult and optimize the rhizome yield of turmeric. Effects of mulch rate on bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), macro-porosity (Ma. P), water stable aggregates (WSA > 0.5 mm) and mean-weight diameter (MWD) significantly depended on the type of mulch material used. Straw mulch reduced BD and increased other parameters more than wood shavings. Optimum values of WSA > 0.5 mm (23.2) and MWD (0.535) occurred at the 4 t/ha mulch rate, whereas, maximum values of TP (54.08%), Ma. P (26.55%) and minimum value of BD (1.51 g/cm3), were achieved at mulching beyond 4 t/ha. Apart from total porosity, which was found to be optimum, BD, organic carbon (OC), Ma. P and MWD explained individually between 80 and 99% of the variability in yield. Results also showed that all mulched plots out-yielded the bare plots. Rhizome yield varied with the rate of mulch application with yield increases declining in the order 8, 4 and 0 t/ha mulch rate. Increase in the rhizome yield of turmeric was dependent on the type of mulch used, with straw mulch out-yielding wood shavings by 38.4 and 76.6% in 2004 and 2005, respectively.Keywords: Turmeric rhizomes, soil physical properties, mulching, arenic hapludul

Perception of Dentine Hypersensitivity and Its Management by a Group of Nigerian Dentists

Background: Dentists need to be aware of the management of dentine sensitivity in view of its high prevalence.Objective: The study is to determine by questionnaire the perception of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and its management by Nigerian Dentists.Method: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 176 Nigerian Dentists who attended professional dental workshops in Lagos, Ife and Jos, Nigeria.Results: The majority (73.3%) of the responding dentists claimed to see patients with DH. Nearly half (45.1%) of the dentists mentioned cold as the commonest stimulus evoking pain in DH while 56.8% could correctly identified the hydrodynamic theory as the commonest theory of tooth hypersensitivity. Multifactorial aetiology identified as causing DH included tooth wear lesions, periodontal causes and bruxism. Treatment options suggested varies but non-invasive was mentioned more than the invasive techniques. Sensodyne toothpaste was the commonest desensitising paste mentioned. The knowledge of Nigerian Dentists was found to be associated with the specialty of the practitioners (p= 0.0004).Conclusion: Dental Practitioners, especially the General Dental Practitioners should be enthusiastic in updating their knowledge of DH and the management. Prevention of DH by the Patients and the Dentists should be emphasised.Key Words: perception, dentine sensitivity, management, Nigerian Dentist

Evidence of carbamate resistance in urban populations of <it>Anopheles gambiae s.s.</it> mosquitoes resistant to DDT and deltamethrin insecticides in Lagos, South-Western Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Resistance monitoring is essential in ensuring the success of insecticide based vector control programmes. This study was carried out to assess the susceptibility status of urban populations of <it>Anopheles gambiae</it> to carbamate insecticide being considered for vector control in mosquito populations previously reported to be resistant to DDT and permethrin.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two – three day old adult female <it>Anopheles</it> mosquitoes reared from larval collections in 11 study sites from Local Government Areas of Lagos were exposed to test papers impregnated with DDT 4%, deltamethrin 0.05% and propoxur 0.1% insecticides. Additional tests were carried out to determine the susceptibility status of the <it>Anopheles gambiae</it> population to bendiocarb insecticide. Members of the <it>A. gambiae complex</it>, the molecular forms, were identified by PCR assays. The involvement of metabolic enzymes in carbamate resistance was assessed using Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist assays. The presence of kdr-<it>w/e</it> and ace-1R point mutations responsible for DDT-pyrethroid and carbamate resistance mechanisms was also investigated by PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Propoxur resistance was found in 10 out of the 11 study sites. Resistance to three classes of insecticides was observed in five urban localities. Mortality rates in mosquitoes exposed to deltamethrin and propoxur did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) but was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in populations exposed to DDT. All mosquitoes tested were identified as <it>A. gambiae s.s</it> (M form). The <it>kdr -w</it> point mutation at allelic frequencies between 45%-77% was identified as one of the resistant mechanisms responsible for DDT and pyrethroid resistance. <it>Ace-1R</it> point mutation was absent in the carbamate resistant population. However, the possible involvement of metabolic resistance was confirmed by synergistic assays conducted.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Evidence of carbamate resistance in <it>A. gambiae</it> populations already harbouring resistance to DDT and permethrin is a clear indication that calls for the implementation of insecticide resistance management strategies to combat the multiple resistance identified.</p