Development of a comprehensive systematic quantification of the costs and benefits (CB) of property level flood risk adaptation measures in England

Studies in the UK and elsewhere have identified that flooding comes with diverse impacts, ranging from significant financial costs (tangible) to social (intangible) impacts on households. However, it is not feasible for government spending on structural flood defences to adequately protect all at risk properties. Hence, the need for homeowners to take action in the form of investing in property level flood risk adaptation (PLFRA) measures to protect their properties has since been the subject of debate. However, the take-up of PLFRA measures remains low, due to factors such as financial constraints, aesthetics, emotional issues, and a lack of information on the actual cost and financial benefit of investing in the measures. Notably, previous research in this area has failed to include the value of intangible impacts such as health effects, meaning that the existing models do not reflect the full benefits of PLFRA measures. This in part is due to the inherent difficulty in monetising such intangible impacts. Nevertheless, evidence from the literature, indicates that knowledge of such impacts may be important in determining whether to invest in PLFRA measures.Based on a synthesis of the literature, a conceptual framework of the costs and benefits of PLFRA measures was developed. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey of homeowners who had experienced flood damage to their properties during the 2007 summer flood event. This data was combined with secondary data of the actual cost of reinstatement incurred in the aftermath of the 2007 flood event. By analysing these two data sets, the additional costs of resistance and resilience measures for four property types were established. The value of the intangible benefits of investing in PLFRA measures was found to be £653 per household per year representing an increase of 8% for resistance and 9% for resilience measures.Decision support lookup tables (DSLT) were developed so that homeowners can determine the cost effectiveness of PLFRA measures as pertaining to individual buildings; insurers can assess the level of potential financial benefit of adopting PLFRA measures by their customers, and perhaps offer incentives by way of premium reduction to encourage homeowners to invest in the measure. Flood risk assessment surveyors can determine the benefit cost ratio of taking up of PLFRA measures for their individual clients; thereby, enhancing the robustness of their professional advice. Most importantly, the DSLT has the potential to complement Government‘s effort in encouraging homeowners to invest in PLFRA measures

Does Entrepreneurship Education Determine Entrepreneurial Motivation among University Graduates?: An Empirical Investigation

The study seeks to know if the acquired knowledge from entrepreneurship education offered in the university enhances and moderates entrepreneurship competencies on entrepreneurial motivation. The study employs both qualitative interviews and a cross-sectional survey of a sample of 300 graduates cutting across different faculties. The study finds that entrepreneurship education is a requisite to entrepreneurship motivation. It also reveals that entrepreneurship motivation could be predicted through entrepreneurship competencies. Contrary to the common belief that entrepreneurship education is a requisite to entrepreneurship motivation and competencies, this study reveals otherwise. It shows that entrepreneurship education does not account for graduate’s motivation to becoming entrepreneurs. The study recommends that the entrepreneurship education should be directed towards developing the psychology of graduates along the path of entrepreneurship to boost entrepreneurial motivation, skills, and critical thought. The study contributes to research on entrepreneurship. Specifically, it seeks to find out if the acquired knowledge from entrepreneurship education influences entrepreneurship competencies on entrepreneurial motivation

The Status of Micronutrients and Sulphur in some Plantation Crops at Different Ages in an Alfisol of Southern Nigeria

A  study  was  conducted  to  assess  nutrient  dynamics  of  soils  under  old  and  young  cocoa,  coffee  and  cashew plantations and the leaf nutrient contents of the crops at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria for proper cultural and soil fertility management of the plantations. Soil and crop leaf samples were collected from each plantation using random sampling technique. The samples were analyzed using standard procedures for sand, silt, clay, pH (H2O), electrical conductivity (EC), total N, available P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC). Leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. Data were compared with the corresponding soil and foliar critical nutrient values for each crop. Results indicated that the soils were texturally sandy clay loam and acidic. The soils varied in their nutrient contents, with soil P for the old cocoa, young coffee and cashew plantations far below critical values. The young cashew plot was low in N content but adequate for other plots. However, the soil ECEC increased with increase in calcium contents. Leaf N was below critical for all the crops. Leaf K was low for cocoa and coffee plants, leaf Ca was low for the young cashew plants, while leaf Mg was low for the young cocoa and old cashew. The high soil Mg/K ratio of 8.7- 22.3 as against the established value of 2.0 might have resulted in gross nutrient imbalance which must have affected the absorption and utilization of other nutrients. Hence, adequate soil N did not translate to availability of same to the crops. The ECEC showed that the soil needs to be improved upon for sustainable productivity. Soil nutrient content variation across the plantations with age of establishment will necessitate the need for consistent routine soil nutrient assessment for proper and balanced soil nutrient supply to the crops, for healthy crop growth and optimum yield.  Management practices of soil surface mulching using organic wastes and cover crops under compatible cropping systems are needed for successful plot establishment and better growth performance of the young seedlings.Keywords: Alfisol,different ages, leaf nutrient content,  micronutrient, plantation crops, soil nutrient content, soil [How to Cite: Joseph SO and RR Ipinmoroti. 2014. The Status of Micronutrient and Sulphur in Some Plantation Crops of Different Ages in an Alfisol in Southern Nigeria. J Trop Soils 19(2): 63-68. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.63]    

Soil Nutrient Dynamics under Old and Young Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Plantations at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria

A  study  was  conducted  to  assess  nutrient  dynamics  of  soils  under  old  and  young  cocoa,  coffee  and  cashew plantations and the leaf nutrient contents of the crops at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria for proper cultural and soil fertility management of the plantations. Soil and crop leaf samples were collected from each plantation using a random sampling technique. The samples were analyzed using standard procedures for sand, silt, clay, pH (H2O), electrical conductivity (EC), total N, available P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC). Leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. Data were compared with the corresponding soil and foliar critical nutrient values for each crop. Results indicated that the soils were texturally sandy clay loam and acidic. The soils varied in their nutrient contents, with soil P for the old cocoa, young coffee and cashew plantations far below critical values. The young cashew plot was low in N content but adequate for other plots. However, the soil ECEC increased with the increasing of calcium contents. Leaf N was below critical for all the crops. Leaf K was low for cocoa and coffee plants, leaf Ca was low for the young cashew plants, while leaf Mg was low for the young cocoa and old cashew. The high soil Mg/K ratio of 8.7- 22.3 as against the established value of 2.0 might have resulted in gross nutrient imbalance which must have affected the absorption and utilization of other nutrients. Hence, adequate soil N did not translate the same availability to the crops. The ECEC showed that the soil needs to be improved upon for sustainable  productivity.  Soil  nutrient  content  variation  across  the  plantations  with  age  of  establishment  will necessitate the need for consistent routine soil nutrient assessment for proper and balanced soil nutrient supply to the  crops,  for  healthy  crop  growth  and  optimum  yield.    Management  practices  of  soil  surface  mulching  using organic wastes and cover crops under compatible cropping systems are needed for successful plot establishment and better growth performance of the young seedlings.Key words: Nutrient dynamics, plantation crops, rehabilitation, soil fertility management [How to Cite: Rotimi RI and JS Ogeh. 2014. Soil Nutrient Dynamics under Old and Young Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Plantations at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria. J Trop Soils 19(2): 85-90. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.85] [Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.85]    

Soil Nutrient Dynamics Under Old and Young Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Plantations at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria

A  study  was  conducted  to  assess  nutrient  dynamics  of  soils  under  old  and  young  cocoa,  coffee  and  cashew plantations and the leaf nutrient contents of the crops at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria for proper cultural and soil fertility management of the plantations. Soil and crop leaf samples were collected from each plantation using a random sampling technique. The samples were analyzed using standard procedures for sand, silt, clay, pH (H2O), electrical conductivity (EC), total N, available P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC). Leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. Data were compared with the corresponding soil and foliar critical nutrient values for each crop. Results indicated that the soils were texturally sandy clay loam and acidic. The soils varied in their nutrient contents, with soil P for the old cocoa, young coffee and cashew plantations far below critical values. The young cashew plot was low in N content but adequate for other plots. However, the soil ECEC increased with the increasing of calcium contents. Leaf N was below critical for all the crops. Leaf K was low for cocoa and coffee plants, leaf Ca was low for the young cashew plants, while leaf Mg was low for the young cocoa and old cashew. The high soil Mg/K ratio of 8.7- 22.3 as against the established value of 2.0 might have resulted in gross nutrient imbalance which must have affected the absorption and utilization of other nutrients. Hence, adequate soil N did not translate the same availability to the crops. The ECEC showed that the soil needs to be improved upon for sustainable  productivity.  Soil  nutrient  content  variation  across  the  plantations  with  age  of  establishment  will necessitate the need for consistent routine soil nutrient assessment for proper and balanced soil nutrient supply to the  crops,  for  healthy  crop  growth  and  optimum  yield.    Management  practices  of  soil  surface  mulching  using organic wastes and cover crops under compatible cropping systems are needed for successful plot establishment and better growth performance of the young seedlings.Key words: Nutrient dynamics, plantation crops, rehabilitation, soil fertility management [How to Cite: Rotimi RI and JS Ogeh. 2014. Soil Nutrient Dynamics under Old and Young Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Plantations at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria. J Trop Soils 19(2): 85-90. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.85] [Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.85]    &nbsp

Micronutrient Assessment of Cocoa, Kola, Cashew and Coffee Plantations for Sustainable Production at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria

The micronutrient status of the soils and leaf of cocoa, kola, cashew and coffee plantations to study the soil-plant micronutrient content relationship in the plantation soils for proper management towards optimum production of the crops was investigated at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil and leaf samples were collected from these plantations and analyzed according to standard laboratory procedures. The soil samples were analyzed for the micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe) and in addition pH, organic carbon, sand, silt and clay contents, while the leaves were analyzed for only the micronutrient contents. Results indicated that the soils were sandy loam, acidic, low in organic carbon, deficient in Cu and Mn but very high in Fe and Zn contents. This probably resulted in nutrient imbalance in the soils and the deficiency of the nutrients in the crops. The plantations therefore require application of organic manures and micronutrient fertilizers to rectify the inadequate soil organic matter and to supply sufficient amount of Cu and Mn in the soils, to obtain quality fruit yield at optimum level from the plantations.Keywords: Cashew, cocoa, coffee, kola, micronutrients, sustainable production [How to Cite: Ogeh JS and RR Ipinmoroti. 2013. Micronutrient Assessment of Cocoa, Kola, Cashew and Coffee  Plantations for Sustainable Production at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria. J Trop Soils 18 (2): 93-97. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2013.18.2.93] [Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2013.18.2.93]  REFERENCESAdebiyi S, EO Uwagbue, EA Agbongiarhuoyi, I Ndagi and EO Aigbekaen. 2011.  Assessment of agronomic practices among kola farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. World J Agric Sci 7: 400-403.Afolabi CA and NE Egbe. 1984.  Yield response of kola to N, P and K fertilizer application:  A case study of preliminary trial. Cafe Cacao The 28: 13-16. AOAC [Association of Official Analytical Chemists]. 1990.  Official Methods of Analysis, 15th Edition. Washington DC: 774-784.Ayanlaja SA. 1983.  Rehabilitation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in Nigeria: Major problem and possible solution. Plant Soil  73: 403-409.CBN [Central Bank of Nigeria]. 2010.  Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year. Abuja, Nigeria. 182 p.Chude VO and GO Obigbesan. 1983.  Safe and toxic application rates of boron for cocoa seedlings. Plant Soil 74: 145-147.Egbe NE, EA Ayodele and CR Obatolu. 1989.  Soils and nutrition of cocoa, coffee, kola  cashew and tea. Prog Tree Crop Res 2: 28-38.Falade JA. 1978.  Cashew growing soil in Nigeria. East Afr Agric J 43: 100-105. FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization]. 2010.  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx? PageID=567#ancor. Accessed on 21 January 2010.Ibiremo OS and O Fagbola. 2008. Effect of phosphorus fertilizer and arbuscular mycorhizal  fungi inoculation on the growth of cashew seedlings in two soils in Nigeria. Nigerian J Soil Sci 18: 138-146.Ipinmoroti RR, OSO Akanbi, MA Daniel, LA Adebowale, GA Adewoye, EA Makinde and CO Kayode. 2011.  Potentials of NPK and organic fertilizers on growth performance of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) seedlings on degraded typic alfisol soils in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Agric Sci Tech 1: 876-881.Ipinmoroti RR, P Aikpokpodion and OSO Akanbi.  2009.  Nutritional assessment of cocoa plots for soil fertility management on some cocoa farms in Nigeria. Proceedings of 16th International Cocoa Research Conference Held at Grand Hyatt  Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, pp 1481-1485.Iremiren GO and  AM Ekhomun. 2005.  Effects of N fertilizer rates on the performance of maize-okra mixture in an acid sand soil of the Nigerian forest zone. Nigerian J Appl Sci 23: 11-14. McKenzie RH.  2001.  Micronutrient requirements of crops. Alberta Agriculture and Rural development   http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex713. Acessed on 21 July 2011.Nelson DW and LE Sommers. 1982.  Organic carbon and soil extracts In: D L Sparks (ed).  Methods of soil Analysis. Part 2- Chemical and microbiological properties. Agronomy Monograph No.9, 2nd Edition. American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, USA, pp. 539-579.Ogunlade MO, OS Ibiremo, RR Ipinmoroti, CI Iloyanomon and PE Aikpokpodion. 2011.  Determination of phosphorus and potassium fixation capacities and fertilizer fctors in soils of three cocoa growing areas of Nigeria. J Soil Nat 5: 11-16.Ogunmoyela OA and CR Obatolu. 1984.  Nutrient studies and fertilizer requirements of Nigeria tea. Cafe Cacao The 28: 179-184.Ogunwale JA, JO Olaniyan and MO Aduloju. 2002.  Morphological, physico-chemical and clay mineralogical properties of soils overlaying basement complex rocks in Ilorin East, Nigeria. Moor J Agric Res 3: 147-154.Ojeniyi SO. 1980. Nutrient studies of NPK treated coffee plots. Plant Soil 56: 175-179.Omotoso TI. 1974.  The effect of fertilizer and irrigation on the leaf macronutrient composition of Coffea canephora during a year. Turrialba 24: 315-318.Opeke LK. 1987. Tropical tree crops. Spectrum Books Limited, Ibadan, Nigeria, p 247.Wood GAR and RA Lass. 1985.  Cocoa, 4th ed. London: Longman, pp. 620-632. &nbsp

Evidence review for property flood resilience phase 2 report

Flood Re was established to promote the availability and affordability of flood insurance whilst supporting the transition to risk-based and affordable flood insurance for UK households at high risk of flooding. In order for the goal of affordability to be achievable, there is a need to manage down the risk to these properties. One way to reduce risk is to install measures at a property level, often termed property flood resilience (hereafter PFR). This report reflects findings from Phase 2 of a three phase project; it is designed to assist Flood Re to establish an evidence base for the value of PFR in order to help inform decisions about the PFR support to homeowners that could/should be provided by Flood Re in future. The findings of an evidence review, including synthesis of the existing literature and selected additional analyses of data extracted from the evidence sources, are presented in answer to the question, “How effective are property level resistance and resilience measures in reducing loss due to damage and time to repair damage resulting from flooding for UK householdsand their insurers?

Supporting the uptake of low cost resilience: Summary of technical findings (FD2682)

This report summarises evidence collected by the Defra research project FD2682 regarding technical aspects of low cost flood repairable approaches designed to limit damage to buildings. It is derived from a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) that is reported in greater detail in the accompanying REA report. Flood repairable measures applied to buildings are designed to limit damage or speed recovery once water has entered a property. They include strategies to keep water away from building elements (such as raising power sockets) and the use of waterproof or water resistant materials, including those capable of retaining their integrity and recovering quickly after inundation. The measures are useful when water exclusion approaches are not practical or cost effective, and also as an addition to water exclusion approaches as a failsafe.The REA comprised a systematic scoping of relevant academic and grey literature; consultation with a panel of experts; interviews with professionals from the sphere of flood reinstatement and property protection; and interviews with occupants of properties where flood repairable approaches have already been adopted. This was followed by an assessment of the costs and benefits of selected low cost flood repairable measures and of illustrative packages of low cost repairable measures.The review found 139 suggested measures that could be regarded as flood repairable, over half of these being ‘low cost’ or ‘low additional cost’ (for example, when adopted during reinstatement or other building work) and which will prove to be cost beneficial for properties in the UK. Four packages of measures were costed. Three of the four packages evaluated could result in a pay back after just one subsequent flood (assuming they were successful in preventing damage). The most appropriate measures for any individual property depends upon a combination of factors, however, including the structure and condition of the building itself; the nature of the flood risk; and the preferences and lifestyle of the occupants.Scientific evidence on the performance of measures was found to be scanty, but the experts in the industry were seen to be successfully applying experiential knowledge along with current guidance on an ad hoc basis. The wider industry was seen as less well informed, with some flood repairable features being removed at reinstatement, as their purpose and value is not yet understood.The report concludes that further research is needed to provide evidence of the potential effectiveness of flood repairable approaches. Attention should also be directed towards understanding the performance of flood repairable measures during and after floods to ensure that the potential effectiveness is realised in practice. Improved technical guidance and training is recommended to further develop the understanding and awareness within the flood damage industry

The Status of Micronutrients and Sulphur in Some Plantation Crops at Different Ages in an Alfisol of Southern Nigeria

A  study  was  conducted  to  assess  nutrient  dynamics  of  soils  under  old  and  young  cocoa,  coffee  and  cashew plantations and the leaf nutrient contents of the crops at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria for proper cultural and soil fertility management of the plantations. Soil and crop leaf samples were collected from each plantation using random sampling technique. The samples were analyzed using standard procedures for sand, silt, clay, pH (H2O), electrical conductivity (EC), total N, available P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC). Leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. Data were compared with the corresponding soil and foliar critical nutrient values for each crop. Results indicated that the soils were texturally sandy clay loam and acidic. The soils varied in their nutrient contents, with soil P for the old cocoa, young coffee and cashew plantations far below critical values. The young cashew plot was low in N content but adequate for other plots. However, the soil ECEC increased with increase in calcium contents. Leaf N was below critical for all the crops. Leaf K was low for cocoa and coffee plants, leaf Ca was low for the young cashew plants, while leaf Mg was low for the young cocoa and old cashew. The high soil Mg/K ratio of 8.7- 22.3 as against the established value of 2.0 might have resulted in gross nutrient imbalance which must have affected the absorption and utilization of other nutrients. Hence, adequate soil N did not translate to availability of same to the crops. The ECEC showed that the soil needs to be improved upon for sustainable productivity. Soil nutrient content variation across the plantations with age of establishment will necessitate the need for consistent routine soil nutrient assessment for proper and balanced soil nutrient supply to the crops, for healthy crop growth and optimum yield.  Management practices of soil surface mulching using organic wastes and cover crops under compatible cropping systems are needed for successful plot establishment and better growth performance of the young seedlings.Keywords: Alfisol,different ages, leaf nutrient content,  micronutrient, plantation crops, soil nutrient content, soil [How to Cite: Joseph SO and RR Ipinmoroti. 2014. The Status of Micronutrient and Sulphur in Some Plantation Crops of Different Ages in an Alfisol in Southern Nigeria. J Trop Soils 19(2): 63-68. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.63]  [Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.63] &nbsp