Simulated flooding and drought effects on germination, growth, and yield parameters of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The effects of drought on germination of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) also known as benniseed were simulated in the laboratory using varying concentrations of sodium chloride, glucose and polyethylene glycol at 0 – 0.50 MPa water potential. Higher osmotic conditions (0.25 – 0.50 MPa) significantly reduced the percentage germination, radical and shoot development. The ability of the three chemicals to reduce germination and seedling development in sesame was of the order: polyethylene glycol < glucose < sodium chloride. Different irrigation regimes of water were used toinduce flooding and drought effects on plants cultivated in pots in a green house. Both flooding and drought resulted in stunted growth, reduced dry matter, number of leaves per plant and seed yield per plant. Prolonged flooding reduced maturity time, and induced chlorosis and floral abortion. The growth and seed yield of sesame are adversely affected by continuous flooding and severe drough

Evaluation of neem seed extract for the control of major field pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) under calendar and monitored sprays

Cowpea growers sometimes apply chemicals as many as 8-10 times to control insect pests during the growing season. Calendar sprays at 7 days' intervals (CA.S7) carried out 5 times and 10 days' intervals (CA.S10) carried out 4 times and monitored spray (MOS) carried out only when insect infestation/damage reached or exceeded the action threshold were studied to find out their effect on major insect pests and yield of cowpea - whether there were differences in the number of insect pests and grain yield. The insect pests studied were the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, legume bud thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab. and pod sucking bugs under the application of 5% aqueous extract of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE). The trials were conducted during the early and late planting seasons in Abraka, on a piece of land half a kilometre to Campus 2, Delta State University, Nigeria. The results indicated that calendar sprays significantly controlled A. craccivora colonies compared to control in the early season. Population of other major insect pests was generally low. During the late season, the various NSKE treatments effectively controlled A. craccivora. No significant difference among the treatments in their effect on the other major insect pests. Grain yields were high in both seasons and a significant difference did not exist among the calendar and monitored spray treatments. Three main things are obvious from this study: (1) neem seed kernel extract is effective in the control of cowpea insect pests, especially A. craccivora, (2) Grain yields were similar in calendar and monitor sprays. (3) spraying every 10 days for 4 times and monitoring insect pest damage/infestation before spraying reduced the number of chemical application.Keywords: Cowpea, insect pests, neem extract, calendar and monitored sprays

Evaluation of twelve cassava genotypes in derived Guinea Savanna agroecological zones of Nigeria

Cultivar adaptability trials were conducted for two years in two different locations of derived guinea savanna agroecological zones of Nigeria, Ibadan (07' 22°E, 03' 55°N, temperature 27°C, relative humidity:60-80%, rainfall: 1308 mm), and Ilorin (08' 30°E, 04' 46°N, temperature 28°C, relative humidity 60-80%, rainfall 1050 mm) using 12 cassava genotypes. Data collected included number of tuberous root yield, shoot weight and harvest index. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in cassava genotype performance among the environments (Ilorin, 1992/93; Ilorin 1993/94; Ibadan, 1992/93, Ibadan, 1992/93, Ibadan, 1993/94) for number of tuberous roots, shoot weight, fresh tuberous yield and harvest index. Cassava genotypes grown at Ilorin, 1993/94 had the highest mean values for the number of tuberous roots, fresh tuberous root yield, shoot weight and harvest index at 12 months after planting. Genotypic differences were observed across locations and years for tuberous root number, fresh cassava tuberous root yield shoot weight and harvest index. In across locations and years, TMS 30572, TMS 81/01635, TMS 82/00058 and TMS81/00110 had the highest mean values for total tuberous root number, shoot weight, fresh tuberous of tuberous root yield, shoot weight and harvest index. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in cassava genotype performance among the environments (Ilorin, 1992/93; Ilorin 1993/94; Ibadan, 1992/93, Ibadan, 1992/93, Ibadan, 1993/94) for number of tuberous roots, shoot weight, fresh tuberous yield and harvest index. Cassava genotypes grown at Ilorin, 1993/94 had the highest mean values for the number of tuberous roots, fresh tuberous root yield, shoot weight and harvest index at 12 months after planting. Genotypic differences were observed across locations and years for tuberous root number, fresh cassava tuberous root yield shoot weight and harvest index. In across locations and years, TMS 30572, TMS 81/01635, TMS 82/00058 and TMS81/00110 had the highest mean values for total tuberous root number, shoot weight, fresh tuberous root yields and harvest index respectively. In Ibadan, TMS 82/00058 and TMS 91934 had the highest values for parameter measured whereas in Ilorin, TMS 30572, TMS 82/00058, TMS 81/01635 and TMS 81/00110 performed better than other genotypes tested. Stability analyses were carried out on fresh tuberous root yield. When all the rank sums were summed for each genotype used as a parameter for stability, the result showed that for tuberous root yield, TMS 82/00942, TMS 82/00058 and TMS 30572 could be the most stable genotypes for the derived guinea savanna ecology. TMS 30572 has been widely adopted in some parts of these areas. TMS 82/00942 and TMS 82/00058 are new genotypes which are promising for distribution to farmers in derived guinea savanna ecology. Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol. 8 (1) 2006: pp. 92-10

Growth response of maize (Zea mays L.) to gas flaring in Delta State

No Abstract. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 12 (4) 2006: 457-45

HEAVY METAL CONTENTS OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) GROWN IN CRUDE OIL CONTAMINATED SOIL

Several research works have been carried out on crude oil pollution effects on crop plants. There is however, a dearth of information on the heavy metal contents of maize, a principal cereal food crop in the Niger Delta area - the hub of oil industrial activities in Nigeria. This study investigated the effects of crude oil contaminated soil on the heavy metal contents of maize. The study was conducted in Asaba and Ozoro locations of Delta State. Open pollinated AMATZBR w maize variety was used. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design replicated four times. Fivecrude oil concentrations (0 ml, 5.2 ml, 10.4 ml, 20.8 ml and 41.6 ml) applied five weeks after planting (5 WAP) constituted treatments. The study locations formed the main plots and the oil levels, the sub-plots. Maize grain was harvested at 14 WAP, shelled and analysed for heavy metal contents. Soil physical properties were also analysed from composite soil samples. The results showed that oil treatment had no significant (