Evaluation of Some Heavy Metals Contents in Soil and Tobacco Grown in Sokoto, Nigeria

Tobacco is among the major causers/ determinants of morbidities and mortalities in many parts of the world due to its content compounds such as heavy metals. Therefore, it is needful to evaluate heavy metals embedded in the tobacco plant and soil in our localities to divulge information to stakeholders and the public. The objective of this study is to determine the concentrations of for copper, nickel, iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, lead, and cobalt in soils and tobacco parts (root, stem, and leave) from Gwadabawa, Illela, and Sokoto; therewith, atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis using standard methods was carried out. The results indicate, the levels of metals increase from stem to leaves to roots to soils. 00.1-0.62ppm, 0.01-0.52ppm, 0.002-150.0 ppm, 0.2-10.5ppm, 0.20-6.20ppm, 0.01-101.02ppm, 0.01-2.0ppm, 0.00-1.20ppm, are the extent ranges of heavy metals determined in soils, and different parts (root, leave, and stem of the plant (tobacco for copper, nickel, iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, lead, and cobalt respectively. Thus, continuous or acute exposure to tobacco through consumption or inhalation or the likes can subject the people to many detrimental effects

EXTENT OF CYANIDE, NITRATE, AND FLAVONOIDS GOITROGENS IN SOILS AND TOBACCO PLANT IN SOKOTO, NIGERIA

Nitrate, cyanide, and flavonoids are among the chemicals that threatens hormones especially the thyroid gland and in turn affecting the body. Their presence in tobacco and cigarette shall be determine to inform the public. The objective of this work was to determine the extent of nitrate, cyanide, and flavonoids in soil and tobacco from Sokoto, Nigeria using standard methods. The results determined by this work indicated varied levels of goitrogens (cyanide, nitrate, and flavonoids) present in soils and tobacco leaves grown in three different points within Sokoto state, Nigeria (namely, Sokoto city, Gwadabawa, and Illela). 100.21±6.12 -705.10±4.60ppm, ppm 136± 6.10-170.30±3.36ppm, 7.10±0.3-17.0±0.11ppm are range values of cyanide, nitrate, and flavonoids respectively obtained in soils in Sokoto state. Likewise, 90.0±2.16-500.0±1.3ppm, 70.11±3.9-120.0±10.3ppm, 6.2±0.5-25.11±0.05ppm are the ranges of cyanide, nitrate, and flavonoids respectively determined in tobacco leaves in Sokoto state, Nigeria. There exist elevated levels of the goitrogens in soils and tobacco in Sokoto, therefore, risking the consumers and non-consumers to iodine deficiency

Factors Influencing Level of Satisfaction with Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) among Farm Families in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Input supply remains important in agricultural development. The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme aims at providing an effective input subsidy programme for Nigerian farmers. This study assessed the level of satisfaction vis-à-vis the factors influencing satisfaction with the scheme among farm families in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Two hundred and ninety-six beneficiaries were selected randomly from four randomly selected wards. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit regression model were used to analyze the data obtained.  Results computed from a Likert Scale indicated that majority of the farmers were either satisfied (47.6%) or highly satisfied (14.3%) with the scheme; while 28.6% were dissatisfied and 4.1% were highly dissatisfied. The level of satisfaction with the scheme increased among families with higher farming experience (p < 0.05, coefficient = 0.05), education (p < 0.01; coefficient = 0.008) and membership of association (p<0.1; coefficient = 0.06); while it decreased with age (p<0.05; coefficient = -0.394) and extension visit (p<0.01; coefficient= -0.328). The study therefore recommended that the scheme be extended for another cycle of five years thereby consolidating on its achievements and alleviating the bottlenecks before handing over to the private sector

Factors Influencing Level of Satisfaction with Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) among Farm Families in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Input supply remains important in agricultural development. The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme aims at providing an effective input subsidy programme for Nigerian farmers. This study assessed the level of satisfaction vis-à-vis the factors influencing satisfaction with the scheme among farm families in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Two hundred and ninety-six beneficiaries were selected randomly from four randomly selected wards. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit regression model were used to analyze the data obtained.  Results computed from a Likert Scale indicated that majority of the farmers were either satisfied (47.6%) or highly satisfied (14.3%) with the scheme; while 28.6% were dissatisfied and 4.1% were highly dissatisfied. The level of satisfaction with the scheme increased among families with higher farming experience (p < 0.05, coefficient = 0.05), education (p < 0.01; coefficient = 0.008) and membership of association (p<0.1; coefficient = 0.06); while it decreased with age (p<0.05; coefficient = -0.394) and extension visit (p<0.01; coefficient= -0.328). The study therefore recommended that the scheme be extended for another cycle of five years thereby consolidating on its achievements and alleviating the bottlenecks before handing over to the private sector

Effect of different seed treatment methods on the germination of Senna obtusifolia in Sudan savanna ecosystem, Nigeria

Breaking seed dormancy is commonly practiced in phanerogamia for seedling production but is conducted in different forms depending on the type of seed coat and other factors that hinder successful seed germinability. It is against this background that laboratory germination test was conducted at the Agric. Chemical Laboratory of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto for 36 days period and determined 3 days soaking (86.66 %), 15 minutes hot water (96.67%) and 15 minutes chemical (H2S04) (73.32%) methods as the best germination test for seed germinability of S. obtusifolia. The field experiment in turn revealed that germination percentages obtained were 51.11 % at fadama habitat and also 47.22% in S. obtusifolia at upland location. These were carried out to produce good young and matured leaves samples for nutritional chemical analysis. Therefore, the best methods determined were recommended for practice in the seedling production of the study species and it&rsquo;s allied

Solid Waste Disposal and Extent of Selected Heavy Metals in Fadama Area of Sokoto City, Nigeria

This study was carried out with the purpose of assessing solid waste disposal and levels of heavy metals in Fadama area of Sokoto city. A survey using questionnaire and atomic absorp-tion spectroscopy was employed for the study. The descriptive statistics and X2 test were done. The types of pollution noticed include: land (40.0%), air (40.0%), and water (20.0%). The possible causes of the pollution include, mostly open dumping of solid waste (41.7%), then open defecation (33.3%), and lastly burning (25.0%). Spread of diseases was most (40.0%) perceived effect, then effect on children (20.0%) and gastroenteritis (20.0%). Other effects are: sickness (13.3%) and accidents (6.7%). The efforts to address the waste disposal are: burning (60.0%), pushing it away from road (20.0%) and provision of containers (20.0%). Effort did by the government involves, promising to bring con-tainers (30.0%), and doing nothing (70.0%). Wastes found are: plastics (70.0%), organic and defeca-tions (23.3%), metal and relations. The heavy metals analysis shows, the lead ranges from 5.1 ± 1.2 to 10.0 ± 0.80 (ppm); chromium ranges from 0.59 ± 0.01 to 2.10 ± 0.02 (ppm); zinc ranges from not detected to 0.81 ± 0.3 (ppm); cadmium from 0.25 ± 0.02; and mercury ranges from 0.95 ± 0.02 to 10.20 ± 0.11 (ppm). There is poor waste management in an agricultural area, a trend that can seep harmful chemicals to be taken up by plants to the upward food chain/web, coupled with other harmful ef-fects of waste such as instigation of diseases and environmental degradation

Potential of Neem Leaves on Preservation of Selected Elemental Compositions in Two Tomato Cultivars from Sokoto, Nigeria

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of neem leaves in preserving the mineral elements content of two tomato types from Sokoto state, Nigeria. Healthy, ripe and firm tomato fruits brought from Sokoto City, were selected, cleaned for this study. 5%, 10% and 25% by were prepared by dissolving respective 5g, 10g and 25g neem extracts in 9.5, 9.0 and 7.5 liters of distilled water respectively to preserve tomatoes. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design. And elements, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P were determined in the tomatoes after the experiment using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The levels of Na, K, Ca, and P in Daneka after preservation ranges are: 1.1-1.3(ppm), 2.1-2.3 (ppm), 1.0-1.3 (ppm), 0.30-0.34 (ppm), and 0.3200-0.3330 (ppm) respectively. The levels of Na, K, Ca, and P in UTC after preservation ranges are: 1.6-1.10 (ppm), 1.6-1.10 (ppm), 0.10-1.16 (ppm), 0.30-0.35 (ppm), and 0.9997-1.0998 (ppm) respectively; revealing an increasing trend of elemental contents of all the tomato cultivars with an increasing neem concentration. Thus, the neem leaves indicate the capacity to preserve a typical quality parameter of tomatoes, that is concentration of Na, K, Ca, and P elements at p < 0.05 significant level

Factors Influencing Level of Satisfaction with Growth Enhancement Support Scheme among Farm Families in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study assessed factors influencing the level of satisfaction with the Growth Enhancement Scheme among farm families in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Two hundred and ninety-six beneficiaries were selected randomly from four randomly selected wards. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit regression model were used to analyze the data obtained. Results computed from a Likert Scale indicated that majority of the farmers were either satisfied (47.6%) or highly satisfied (14.3%) with the scheme; while 28.6% were dissatisfied and 4.1% were highly dissatisfied. The level of satisfaction with the scheme increased among families with higher farming experience (coefficient = 0.05) and education (coefficient = 0.008); while it decreased with age (coefficient = -0.394) and extension visit (coefficient= -0.328). The study recommended that the scheme be extended for another cycle of five years to consolidate on its achievements and alleviate the bottlenecks before handing over to the private sector.Keywords :GESS, inputs, satisfaction, subsidy