The influence of root rot incidence on cassava genotype on consumers’ acceptability of the gari produced from it

In Nigeria cassava root rot causes serious yield losses in cassava tuber production every year. However, the influence of root rot incidence on cassava genotype at harvest on consumers’ acceptability of the gari produced from it has not been studied. A sensory evaluation was conducted on gari processed from the tuberous root yield of rot susceptible TME-1 and improved TMS 30572, harvested at 12 months after planting at Sabongidda-Ora (humid forest eco-zone) of Nigeria during the2003 and 2004 cropping seasons. A 5-point hedonic scale ranging from like extremely, through neither like nor dislike, to dislike extremely was designed to measure the degree of liking for the gari processedfrom both genotypes. 28 panelists were asked to indicate their degree of preference for the colour, odour and taste of each gari sample by choosing the appropriate category in the hedonic scale. The results were compared with the tuberous root rot incidence and severity of genotypes in the field. All experiments were repeated and the data collected were statistically analysed using the general linear model statistical procedures with the SAS system for windows. Comparisons among treatment means was done with the least significant square, with the Duncan multiple range test (P = 0.05). Variety TME-1 with the highest root rot incidence and severity of 53 and 21% respectively was less preferred for gari colour, texture and odour compared to TMS 30572 which had 15 and 6% rot incidence and severityrespectively. In the second year trial where TME-1 still possessed the highest rot incidence and severity, panellists still showed more preference for the colour, taste and odour in TMS 30572 gari than TME-1 gari. All the differences observed and reported above between TMS 30572 and TME-1 were significantly different at probability 0.05%. The results of this experiment clearly show that high root rot incidence of a cassava genotype in the field can reduce consumer’s acceptability of the gari producedfrom it

Effect of Palm Oil Mill Effluent and NPK 15:15:15 Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Soya Bean

A field study was carried out in the rainforest ecological zone of Nigeria to determine the effect of palm oil mill effluent and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer on the growth and yield of soyabean genotype (Glycine max L). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates in six treatments viz; 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha NPK and 5 and 10 t/ha of POME. The parameters evaluated were plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, number of pods, weight of pods, number of branches, weight of grains, grain yield in Kg/ha and shelling percentage. The Results showed that soyabean responded to POME at 5 and 10t/ha while NPK fertilization at 200kg/ha resulted in significant increase in grain yield from 1416 to 3213.33kg/ha in one instance. Further more, inorganic fertilizer application resulted in higher vegetatative growth than POME.Keywords: fertilizer, soyabean, NPK, inorganic, vegetative growth

The effect of indole acetic acid on the performance of maize (Zea maysl.)in a Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Poor soil fertility and nutrient depletion continue to present huge challenges to successful crop production in  southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. Consequently, a study was conducted at Ilorin - Nigeria in a southern Guinea savanna zone during the wet seasons of 2012 and 2013 to evaluate the effects of indole acetic acid  (IAA), a growth regulator, on the growth and yield of maize and its economic implications. The treatments imposed were five rates of IAA (0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 ppm) using a randomized complete block design  replicated three times. A basal NPK fertilizer was applied at 3WAP and IAA was applied at the primary leaf stage foliarly. Data were collected on growth parameters and grain yield of maize. Analyses of variance  (ANOVA) for all observations were performed and mean separation was done by using the least significant  difference (LSD). Cost benefit analysis was also determined. The result of the experiment indicated that using IAA significantly (P<0.05) increased growth and grain yield of maize from 3300 to 3957.9kgha-1 but the result of economic analysis indicated that the control produced the highest net returns (N225,130 in 2012 and  N232,959.00 in 2013) and was more economical because of high cost of indole acetic acid for maize cultivation.Keywords: maize, growth regulator, growth, grain yieldand net returns

Effects of neem seed cake on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) in Ilorin, north central Nigeria.

Soils of the Southern Guinea Savanna are generally inherently infertile owing to low vegetation cover, soil erosion and low organic matter content occasioned by constant bush fire. Consequently, farmers move close to streams and rivers in the dry season where okra is cultivated by irrigation. Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to evaluate the effects of neem seed cake on the performance of okra. The neem seed cake was incorporated into the soil one week before planting of the okra seeds at the rate of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 t/ha. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, and number of branches) and yield parameters (fruit length and girth, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant and fruit weight per hectare). The result of the experiments indicated that applying neem seed cake significantly affected the growth and yield parameters that were evaluated. Applying neem seed cake however gave the highest yield at 3t/ha. Percentage mean for the two years combined was 75.81 over the control. The results generally indicated that neem seed cake can be used when inorganic fertilizers are unavailable or beyond the reach of peasant farmers for improved crop growth and development.Keywords. Neem seed cake, soil properties, growth and yield of okr