Efficacy of Selected Herbicides on Weed Control, Cowpea (Vigna Uniguiculata L. Walp) Performance and Economic Returns in Akamkpa, Southeastern Nigeria

A two year (2007 and 2008) field trial was conducted in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of selected herbicides on weed control, cowpea (Vigna uniguiculata (L.) Walp) performance and economic returns to management. A randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement was used and replicated three times. The main treatments were three cowpea varieties: Sampea 7(IAR-48), Sampea 4(IAR-176) and IT.4532-1, while the sub treatments were five herbicides: atrazine, diuron, galex, glyphosate, primextra, and all applied pre – emergence (a day after sowing) at 2.0kg.ai/ha and control ((manually weeded and no herbicide application). Results showed that cowpea establishment did not differ significantly among cowpea varieties whereas herbicide type significantly (P<0.5) affected cowpea establishment. High plant establishment was recorded in plots treated with Galex followed by Glyphosate compared to the high mortality rate in plots Atrazine and Primextra treated plots. Significant differences were also observed in the injury (mortality) rate of the cowpea. Atrazine was most lethal to cowpea followed by Primextra compared to other herbicides irrespective of the variety. Weed control efficiency rating differed significantly among the herbicides with Diuron being the most efficient in controlling the weeds followed by Primextra. The grain yield did not differ significantly among the cowpea varieties. However, on the basis of average for both years, the trend was in the order: Sampea7 (2.58 tha-1) > IT.4532-1(2.55 tha-1) > Sampea 4(2.28 tha-1 ). In contrast, grain yield differed significantly (P<0.05) among herbicide types irrespective of the cowpea varieties though no clear trend was exhibited. Averaged across both years indicated that Galex (3.42 tha1) promoted grain production in Sampea 7 variety plot followed by Glyphosate (3.13 tha-1) and control (2.56 tha1).In IT.4532-1 plot, glyphosate recorded the highest grain yield (3.20 tha-1) followed by Galex (3.11 tha-1) and the control (2.35 tha-1). The interaction effects between the cowpea varieties and the herbicide types on grain yield was significant (P<0.05) with Glyphosate, Galex and control highly favoured.The highest economic return (N 999,051.80) to management was obtained from Sampea 7(IAR-48) and was followed by IT.4532-1. This implies that Galex would be more effective in controlling weeds in cowpea plot followed by glyphosate particularly if Sampea 7(IAR-48) and IT.4532-1 varieties are planted

Efficacy of selected herbicides on weed control, cowpea (Vigna Uniguiculata L. Walp) performance and economic returns in Akamkpa, southeastern Nigeria

A two year (2007 and 2008) field trial was conducted in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of selected herbicides on weed control, cowpea (Vigna uniguiculata (L.) Walp) performance and economic returns to management. A randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement was used and replicated three times. The main treatments were three cowpea varieties: Sampea 7(IAR-48), Sampea 4(IAR-176) and IT.4532-1, while the sub treatments were five herbicides: atrazine, diuron, galex, glyphosate, primextra, and all applied pre – emergence (a day after sowing) at 2.0kg.ai/ha and control ((manually weeded and no herbicide application). Results showed that cowpea establishment did not differ significantly among cowpea varieties whereas herbicide type significantly (P IT.4532-1(2.55 tha-1) > Sampea 4 (2.28 tha-1). In contrast, grain yield differed significantly (P<0.05) among herbicide types irrespective of the cowpea varieties though no clear trend was exhibited. Averaged across both years indicated that Galex (3.42 tha-1) promoted grain production in Sampea 7 variety plot followed by Glyphosate (3.13 tha-1) and control (2.56 tha-1).In IT.4532-1 plot, glyphosate recorded the highest grain yield (3.20 tha-1) followed by Galex (3.11 tha-1) and the control (2.35 tha-1). The interaction effects between the cowpea varieties and the herbicide types on grain yield was significant (P<0.05) with Glyphosate, Galex and control highly favoured. The highest economic return (N 999,051.80) to management was obtained from Sampea 7(IAR-48) and was followed by IT.4532-1. This implies that Galex would be more effective in controlling weeds in cowpea plot followed by glyphosate particularly if Sampea 7(IAR-48) and IT.4532-1 varieties are planted. Keywords: Herbicides, weed control, cowpea performance, economic returns, Nigeri

Preliminary Evaluation of Effects of Herbicide Types and Rates on Growth and Yield of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

A field experiment was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, located at Use-Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria between September, 2007 and August, 2008.cropping season. to evaluate the effects of type and rate of herbicides on growth and yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The main treatments were types of herbicides viz: Primextra (Atrazine +Metolachlor) (2-chloro-4(ethylamino-6-(isopropylamino-s-triazine and 2-chloro-N-(-2-ethyl-6-methy-phenyl-N-(2-methozylmethylethyl acetamide), Atrazine (2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino) s-triazine) and Diuron (N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N, Ndimethlurea, while the sub-treatments were rates of application of the herbicides (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 kga.i ha ֿ◌ ¹ applied as preemergence as well as control treatments where no herbicide was applied. Results showed that type and rate of herbicides had significant effects on , stand establishment, plant height leaf area index, number of tubers /stand, tuber length(cm), weight of tuber per plant and tuber yield(t/ha) at (P<0.05). Primextra at 2.0kga.i/ha had the significantly superior growth and yield (19.8tha) than Atrazine (17.3t/ha) and Diuron (16. 8t/ha). Based on the findings, this study suggests that Primextra at 2.0kga.i/ha is effective for weed control in cassava due to low phytotoxicity, better crop growth, and higher storage root yield

Growth and yield responses of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) to varied poultry manure rates in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria

Field trial was carried out during the early cropping seasons of 2007 and 2008 at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of poultry manure rates (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 t/ha) on growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Results showed that increase in poultry manure rate resulted in increase in growth and yield of pepper up to 8 t/ha rate. It also showed decline in yield with application rate above 8t/ha. Application of 8 t/ha produced 22.75 and 23.56 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively while 10 t/ha produced 22.70 and 23.91 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively. This implies that application above 8t/ha rate will not be economical and beneficial to the farmer. Keywords: pepper, poultry manure, growth, yield

ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSES OF PEPPER (Capsicum frutescens L.) TO VARIED POULTRY MANURE RATES IN UYO, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Field trial was carried out during the early cropping seasons of 2007 and 2008 at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of poultry manure rates (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 t/ha) on growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Results showed that increase in poultry manure rate resulted in increase in growth and yield of pepper up to 8 t/ha rate. It also showed decline in yield with application rate above 8t/ha. Application of 8 t/ha produced 22.75 and 23.56 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively while 10 t/ha produced 22.70 and 23.91 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively. This implies that application above 8t/ha rate will not be economical and beneficial to the farmer

Epidemiology and clinicopathological manifestation of resurgent highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus in Nigeria, 2015

In January, 2015 the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria received some chicken carcasses from the Kano state Ministry of Agriculture. The carcasses were from a backyard-commercial poultry farm and a live bird market (LBM) in Kauna and Sabon gari, Kano state, northwestern Nigeria respectively. The farm kept  different types of chickens of various ages and stages and was experiencing high mortality of 350 birds daily with eventual 100% mortality observed in the older birds (54weeks). In a concurrent incidence, reports were received of unusual high mortality of birds brought from the northern part of the country at two LBMs in  Onipanu and Mushin, Lagos state, southwestern Nigeria. A total of 8 chicken  carcasses from the Kano suspicion were subjected to postmortem examination and testing. One broiler-chicken (4weeks old), 4 layer-chicken (22 weeks old) and 3 indigenous bred-chickens (from LBM) showed severe pathological lesions  consistent with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Moribund birds from the Lagos suspicion had cyanotic comb and wattles, torticollis and paralysis of the limbs. Parenchymatous organs, nasal and trachea swabs were collected from the dead and moribund birds respectively. The specimens were analyzed by RT-PCR and virus isolation in embryonating chicken eggs. All samples were found to be positive for HPAI (H5N1) subtype. This marks the re-introduction of HPAI (H5N1) subtype into Nigeria for a second time in the space of 9-years. So far, over 542 cases (January to December, 2015) have been confirmed positive for HPAI (H5N1) in 20 states of the country. Possible circumstances surrounding the resurgent and spread are discussed herein.Key words: Epidemiology, Resurgent HPAI H5N1, Pathology, Nigeria