Production of Enamel Stains from Igbokoda Silica Sand

Silica sand was sourced from Igbokoda, ondo state, this was washed, dried and the percentage clay and organic matter present in the silica sand determined. Some percentage of the silica sand was used to compose different batches of  enamel compositio and was fired to a temperature of 1200oC. The compositions were fritted in metallic bucket and then pulverized to form powder. The powder was mix with gum arabic to form a paste and this was used to print on ceramic wares and glass cups. The printed wares were tested to determine the resistance of the wares to acid and base environment. From the test, the result showed that the enamel produced exhibit a good resistance to acid and base. Keywords: Enamel, frits and  Igbokoda silic

Studies on the Comparative Toxicity of Jatrophacurcas and Synthetic Nematicide on the Root-Knot Nematode Infected Sweet Pepper (Capsicum Annuum)

Meloidogynesppwas investigated in screen house experiments using potted plants. The carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide was applied at the rate of 3kg ai/ha (0.5g/stand). The plant powder material were applied as soil amendment and was incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons/ha (25g per stand). While the test plant liquid extracts were applied to the soil at the rate of 30ml per pot. Also the test plant ethanoic-extract was applied to the soil at the rate 30ml per pot. There were also untreated controls which serve as standard check. The experiment was carried out as a 5 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that the plant materials used in this study was effective to different extents against the target nematode Meloidogynespp. as it reduced the incidence and adverse effects on the growth and yield performance of sweet pepper Capsicum annum. All the measured parameters except root gall rating were significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control). The result further showed that the treatments had significant effect on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, days to 50% plant flowering, shoot weight, root weight, fruit weight, number of fruit/pot and gall indices compared to untreated control plant. The roots of the treated plants were significantly less galled than those of the control. Phytochemical screening showed that the plant materials contained carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins which are known to be effectively lethal to most micro-organisms, nematode inclusive. Meloidogynesppwas investigated in screen house experiments using potted plants. The carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide was applied at the rate of 3kg ai/ha (0.5g/stand). The plant powder material were applied as soil amendment and was incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons/ha (25g per stand). While the test plant liquid extracts were applied to the soil at the rate of 30ml per pot. Also the test plant ethanoic-extract was applied to the soil at the rate 30ml per pot. There were also untreated controls which serve as standard check. The experiment was carried out as a 5 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that the plant materials used in this study was effective to different extents against the target nematode Meloidogynespp. as it reduced the incidence and adverse effects on the growth and yield performance of sweet pepper Capsicum annum. All the measured parameters except root gall rating were significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control). The result further showed that the treatments had significant effect on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, days to 50% plant flowering, shoot weight, root weight, fruit weight, number of fruit/pot and gall indices compared to untreated control plant. The roots of the treated plants were significantly less galled than those of the control. Phytochemical screening showed that the plant materials contained carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins which are known to be effectively lethal to most micro-organisms, nematode inclusive. Meloidogynesppwas investigated in screen house experiments using potted plants. The carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide was applied at the rate of 3kg ai/ha (0.5g/stand). The plant powder material were applied as soil amendment and was incorporated into the soil at the rate of 5tons/ha (25g per stand). While the test plant liquid extracts were applied to the soil at the rate of 30ml per pot. Also the test plant ethanoic-extract was applied to the soil at the rate 30ml per pot. There were also untreated controls which serve as standard check. The experiment was carried out as a 5 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design. The results showed that the plant materials used in this study was effective to different extents against the target nematode Meloidogynespp. as it reduced the incidence and adverse effects on the growth and yield performance of sweet pepper Capsicum annum. All the measured parameters except root gall rating were significantly higher for treated plant than for untreated ones (i.e control). The result further showed that the treatments had significant effect on number of leaves, plant height, number of branches, days to 50% plant flowering, shoot weight, root weight, fruit weight, number of fruit/pot and gall indices compared to untreated control plant. The roots of the treated plants were significantly less galled than those of the control. Phytochemical screening showed that the plant materials contained carbohydrate, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoid and saponins which are known to be effectively lethal to most micro-organisms, nematode inclusive