Bacteriological examination of public water taps and borehole water in Choba community, Rivers state

This study examined the bacteriological quality of public water taps available in Choba community of Rivers State. Public water tap samples were collected using sterile glass jars. The samples were serial diluted and from 10-1 to 10-5 and were plated, the samples were gram stained and viewed under light microscope. Total heterotrophic bacteria was analyzed using spread plate method, feacal and total coliform was enumerated, so also motility test was done for the identification of salmonella shigella spp. Biochemical test and physical parameters were also analyzed. Results showed that bore hole water1 (BHW1) had 9.7 10^5, 2 , 240 and 3 respectively, bore hole water 2 (BHW2) had 1.7x 10^7, 200,4 and were not motile. Public water tap1 (PWT1) had 1.7 x10^6, 60, 20 and 10.public water tap ( PWT2) showed 1.6x 10^7, 120, 7, and 16 respectively for each of the tests. Physicochemical properties were also examined and public water tap (PWT1) had the highest alkalinity of 30, temperature of 32.5, pH 3.24 and hardness of 160 while bore hole water 1(BHW1) had 13.9, 30.3, 4.32and 10 for each of the physicochemical parameters respectively. The results showed that the water from the boreholes in the study areas are contaminated with coliform bacteria. There is therefore need to increase awareness of the community towards preventive and treatment approaches in order to minimize the dangers associated with the use of contaminated water. Pipe connections should be checked properly and regularly. Keywords: Bacteriological analysis, Water quality, Coliform , Diseases and Contamination.&nbsp

Contributions of some non-timber forest products to household income of rural dwellers in Onigambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria

The communities surrounding the forest reserve get their daily income from the sales of some of the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as a means of survival for them and their house hold without proper documentation. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the rural dwellers in the study area and determined the income made from some of these NTFPs. Data was generated through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 120 randomly selected rural household heads. Data obtained were described using frequency counts, percentages and mean scores; the relationship between dependent variables and independent variables of the study was tested using binomial test and logistic regression. Finding reveal that, non-timber forest products gathering in Onigambari was male dominated (72.3%), 78.1% were married and 38.1% had formal education. Contribution of income from non-timberforest products to total income of respondents in the State was 59.46%. It was concluded that the non-timber forest products  contribute significantly to rural household income at Onigambari forest Reserve Area of Oyo State, Nigeri

Effect of different potting media on the early growth of Mansonia altissima (A. Chev)

The effect of different potting media on the early growth of Mansonia altissima was investigated with a view to producing viable and vigorous planting stock of the species for afforestation and reforestation programs. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of nine (9) treatments of potting media with 9 replicates; T1- riversand (400g) + topsoil (400g) + poultry manure (400g) + cow dung (400g), T2- riversand (400g) + topsoil (800g) + poultry manure (400g) , T3- riversand (400g) + topsoil (800g) + cow dung (400g), T4- topsoil (1200g) + cow dung (400g), T5 - topsoil (1200g) + poultry manure (400g), T6- topsoil (800g) + riversand (800g), T7- topsoil (800g) + cow dung (800g), T8 - topsoil (800g) + poultry manure (800g) and T9- (control 1600g riversand). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean separation using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of significance. The results showed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) among the treatments in plant height, stem diameter, leaf and biomass production. T3 had the best performance in plant height (32.78cm), stem diameter (3.49mm) while T7 had the highest leaf production (32.0) and T6, the highest biomass production of 6.25g. However, T9 (control) gave the minimum results of mean plant height (10.10cm), mean leaf production (8.91) and biomass production (1.01g) but T8 produced least stem diameter (1.32mm). The study therefore showed that incorporation of optimum level of organic manure into the potting media will improve growth of M.altissima seedlings

Effects of selected green manure on the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taubert seedlings

Despite the high medicinal properties of Tetrapleura tetraptera to most of the people of Nigeria and other nations of the world, it only exist as a protected and semi domesticated plant. This study was carried out to determine the effect of green manure (Chromolena odorata and Tithonia diversifolia) on the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera seedlings with a view to enhancing growth without causing any damage to the environment. The treatments were Chromolena odorata leaves (5g, 10g, 15g and 20g), Tithonia diversifolia leaves (5g, 10g, 15g and 20g) and the control. Thirty-six (36) healthy seedlings were selected and transplanted into polythene pots filled with 1 kg of loamy soil with different levels of C. odorata and T. diversifolia. Each treatment was replicated four times and laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Initial growth parameters were taken after transplanting into polythene pots and every other data were collected every two weeks for the period of 12 weeks. The data collected were height growth (cm) collar diameter (cm) and leaf production. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results from ANOVA revealed that there was no significant (p>0.05) difference among the treatments used at 5% level of probability which implies that varying level of green manure employed shows no significant effect on the height, stem diameter and leaf production of T. tetrapleura seedlings