Cytogenetic and Morphological Effects of Gamma Radiation Induced Mutation in Groundnut Varieties in Nigeria

Groundnut is one of Nigeria's cash crops and export commodities before the discovery of oil. Since then, there has been geometric decline in the production of the crop in Nigeria due incidence of pests and diseases as well as weeds coupled with poor farming systems, especially in Northern Nigeria. This present study was aimed at inducing gamma radiation at various doses so as to evaluate its effects cytogenetically and morphologically on various varieties of groundnut grown in Nigeria. Cytogenetic and morphological effects of gamma radiation were carried out on five groundnut varieties in Nigeria (UGA7, EX-Dakar, MDR8-19, RRB and RMP12). The crops were irradiated with gamma radiation at 15, 20, 30 and 35 Krad doses. Germination rate decreased with increased dose. 85% at 15Krad and 11% at 35 Krad  growths were recorded. RRB and MDR8-19 varieties showed the highest growth rate after treatment (89%), while RMP12 (22%) was the lowest. Induced gamma rays decreased the rate of seedling in dose dependent fashion, while seedling survival rate of the crops were high at 15 Krad (77.8%). Seedling survival rate was 100% in RRB variety at all doses. High doses of radiation delayed flowering in most of the varieties except RRB and MDR8-19. Early meiotic division coupled with chromosomal mutations were also recorded in anthers and root tips of the groundnut varieties. The results showed that gamma radiation has major beneficial effects on groundnut varieties. Thus, this idea can be incorporated in crop breeding to improve yields of crops

Insecticidal Activities of Azadirachta indica A.J (Meliaceae) leaf and Seed on Stored Grain Weevils and Toxicological Studies of Pesticide-protected Stored Grains in Nigeria

Introduction: Azadirachta indica has been used in Nigeria for decades in traditional medicine for managing various diseases notably are fever, aches, common cold, as well as  urinary tract infections.Methods: A. indica  leaves and seeds were prepared after air drying into powder forms(PF), aqueous extract(AE) and ethanol extract(EE). Two kilograms of dried leaves and seeds were each prepared by grinding with electronic blender into fine powder, fresh leaves and seeds were  each macerated in 1000mL of water in a basin while 2000g of the other powdered parts were extracted using cold maceration techniques in 1.5 litres of absolute ethanol and concentrated using rotary evaporator. The grains tested were maize, bean, millet and guinea corn; each bagged in 25Kg storage bags and arranged in randomized block design in the laboratory for 8 weeks. Various preparations of A. indica PF, AE, and EE were used to store the grains for the period. % Mortality of weevils, as well as oviposition deterrence were determined in each bag and for each preparation. Results: The result showed that AE of leaf and seed exhibited 100% insecticidal and oviposition deterrence on Acanthoscelides obtestus (bean weevil) than maize and guinea corn weevil(Sitophilus spp.). Insecticidal activities increases with increased storage time. These results were comparable to the standard pesticide DD force at p≤0.05 (ANOVA).  Acute toxicity determination showed that  LD50 value were  363.10 mg/Kg and 977.10 mg/Kg for beans and maize respectively

Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthes in vegetables sold in Bali markets, Taraba State, Nigeria

In Nigeria, leafy vegetables form essential part of dietary foods especially in the South-eastern part. This is because of enormous supplements derived from them that affect human health positively. These benefits derived were however reduced drastically by incidence of soil-transmitted helminthes associated ailments in humans who consumed these vegetables on daily basis. This present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes in vegetables sold in Bali markets. Parasitological investigation of vegetables for parasitic stages of soil transmitted helminthes was conducted using centrifugation and microscopical methods. Out of nine vegetable samples examined 55.55% were positive for helminthes eggs contamination, 4.55% in bitter leaf and hibiscus leaves, 22.73% in moringa leaves, 54.55% in okra leaves and 13.64% in clove basil. Two larvae were found in bitter leaf and three larvae were also found in pumpkin or marrow leaves. Most of the helminthes detected in the vegetables were Ascaris lumbricoides and Ancylostoma duodenale while Necator americanus were low in prevalence. No parasites were detected in samples collected from leaves of spiny amaranth and black Beniseed. The results showed that highest prevalence rate was found in okra leaves while the lowest was bitter leaf and hibiscus leaves. The distribution of these helminthes in these leafy vegetables were responsible for the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthes associated ailments in Bali. Finally, vegetables should be properly washed with salt to deter predisposing factor for infection of soil-transmitted helminthes