Trends of Productivity of Water in Rainfed Crops in Ilorin South, Kwara State, Nigeria

In sub- Sahara, rain fed agriculture is the dominant source of food production. It is likely going to remain so for the next foreseeable future. However, yield from rain fed agriculture are often very low. But there is enormous opportunity to raise crop yield of rain fed agriculture especially by focusing on the aspect of increase productivity of water, formulate and adopt appropriate adequate option for increasing productivity of water in rain fed agriculture. The paper therefore, assessed the trend of productivity of water (PW) for each of the crop during the cropping season. Evapotranspiration occasioned by either mid cropping season, dry spell or early cessation of rainfall and low rainfall utilization are primary drive of production of water (PW) in rain fed agriculture in the area. Other factors that are usually put forward by agricultural stake holders in the region include poor soil nutrient and lack of proper crop management. These are secondary and could be considered as spill over effects from these primary drives of productivity of water (PW).Keywords: Cessation, crop yield, onset, productivity of water, water crop requirement

Reliability and Inequality Measures for the Weimal Distribution

Reliability analysis basically deals with the probability of survival or failure (death). This article aimed at discussing both reliability and inequality measures from the Weimal distribution. The work has derived and discussed theoretically, expressions for the survival and hazard function of the Weimal distribution. The ordinary and incomplete moments of the distribution were also obtained. Lastly, some inequality measures for the distribution were derived using the moments of the distribution.Keywords: Reliability; Inequality measures; Moments; survival function, hazard function, income distribution

Phytoconstituent Screening of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) Leaves

There is a growing concern associated with the safety of some medicinal plants as plant-based medicine stages a comeback in the last few decades. The phytoconstituent and acute toxicity of some selected food plants eaten as vegetables or spices in Nigeria and some other tropics of the world were evaluated in this study. The acute toxicity of the ethanolic extracts of roselle, moringa, ginger and fluted pumpkin was tested using albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). The extracts were then screened to identify the phytonutrients and phytochemicals in them, using standard protocols. The acute toxicity study shows the extracts were nontoxic to the rats, even at a high dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. The phytonutrients in roselle extract are calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C, while ginger extract has zinc, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Moringa and fluted pumpkin have all the tested nutrients. The phytochemicals in roselle extract are alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, and reducing sugars, while moringa contains all the tested phytochemicals except flavonoids and phlobatanins. Ginger extract has glycosides, reducing sugars, saponins, and flavonoids, while fluted pumpkin extract has all the tested phytochemicals except reducing sugars and phlobatanins. The findings of the study show the food plants are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, but contain traces of potentially toxic chemicals whose long-term use safety levels need to be evaluated.Keywords: Plant medicine, Phytoconstituent, Phytonutrients, Phytochemicals, Antioxidant

The roles of environmental pollutants in the pathogenesis and prevalence of diabetes: a review

Diabetes is on the rise worldwide with a growing suspicion of association between environmental pollutants and diabetes. This paper reviewed the roles of environmental pollutants in the pathogenesis and increasing incidence of diabetes. Relevant information was retrieved from reliable sources in the internet using Google search engine. The review found that studies have established environmental pollutants aid in the pathogenesis of diabetes by causing blood vessel rupture and insulin resistance. Toxic chemicals in pollutants may destroy or cause mutation in pancreatic β-cells, disrupting its insulin production. People are therefore advised to live far away from polluted or industrial environment.Keywords: Diabetes, Pathogenesis, Pancreas, Mutation, Insulin, Blood vesse

Activity of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on selected bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) landraces and breeding lines

Bambara groundnut, an indigenous African legume crop, is cultivated as a subsistence crop by resource poor farmers. In storage, yield losses are compounded through damage by insect pests, with Callosobruchus maculatus, being a leading one. The development of a variety with minimum susceptibility to this insect is thus desirable for the improvement of this nutritious crop. The study was carried out to determine the susceptibility of three bambara groundnut breeding lines (SSD5, SSD8, SSD9) and three landraces (Uniswa red, AS17, OM1) to attack by the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus and their germination success after damage. 20g of seeds of each variety, replicated four times, were used in the experiment. Physical characteristics of the seeds were noted and each replicate was infested with five pairs of C. maculatus and kept in a breeding chamber at 30°C. After an oviposition period of 7 days, the adult pairs were removed and number of eggs laid was counted. Subsequently, the developmental pattern of the insects, the amount of damage caused by the insects as well as susceptibility of the seeds to the insect were determined. The breeding lines were significantly larger and heavier than the landraces (p<0.05). The number of C. maculatus eggs laid were significantly different between the treatments (p=0.0012), with SSD8 and OM1 having significantly higher numbers laid. While % adult emergence was lower in SSD5, this was not significantly different between the varieties (p=0.1416). The susceptibility index was significantly different between varieties (p=0.0192) as well as between landraces and breeding lines (p=0.0255). On average, the landraces had higher SI (17.928 ± 2.4523) than the breeding lines (13.448 ± 5.9939). Germination success of damaged seeds was significantly higher in the landraces than the breeding lines (48.333 ± 18.007%). Results indicated that SSD5, SSD9 and AS17 were the most resistant to C. maculatus attack, while SSD8 and OM1 were the most susceptible. However, due to reduced germination success after damage, the breeding lines (SSD5 and SSD9) were not suitable for planting after storage while the landrace (AS17) was the most suitable due to its higher viability after C. maculatus damage.The results indicate that there is variability in resistance of the bambara groundnut varieties against the cowpea weevil. The use of resistant varieties could offer the simplest and cheapest way of improving bambara groundnuts production, especially if these maintain their viability after insect damage. The variability also emphasises the need for the maintenance of genetic diversity when selecting for desired traits. Keywords: C. maculatus, Vigna subterranea, bambara groundnut, susceptibility, landraces, breeding line

An Evaluation of the Role of Competitive Strategies in the Development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria (A Case Study of Kaduna State)

For any business to be successful, the organization must have a good strategic framework, and be aware of the need for all the top management or the policy formulators to be able to think strategically and have a good framework to implement such strategies effectively and efficiently. Strategic management is an important element of organizational services. Strategic success requires a clear identification and understanding of the need of the market and satisfying the customers more effectively and profitably. Real competitive advantage implies that companies are able to satisfy customer’s needs more effectively than their competitors which are only achieved if only real value is given to customer. The study is aimed at proving whether Small and Medium Enterprises that understands their customers can creates competitive advantage and benefit from lower prices and loyalty of customers, since higher capacity utilization can help to reduce cost. The objectives of the study is to appraise the value of competitive strategic management concepts and techniques, as applied to SMEs and to determines the best ways the SMEs can apply the competitive strategic management ideas in a time-saving manner. In Kaduna state, studies and researches has shown that 60% of SMEs failed in the first three years of establishment and in Nigeria at large, the picture is much the same with eighty percent 80% of most startups fail within their first five years. To carry out this research effectively, 45 questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected SMEs in Kaduna State Spread across the southern and Northern part of   Kaduna metropolis. The study revealed that the advantages of competitive strategy surpassed the disadvantages and also revealed that any bad or good strategy by top management affects the organization directly. The researcher was also quick to advice that management of SMEs should always survey the market and the market forces likely to confront them before jumping into a competitive market. Key words: evaluation, role, competitive, development and strateg

Assessment of the Relationship between Increase in Height of Cassava Growth Rate and Agro-Climatic Parameters in Ilorin Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

Cassava is primarily produced for food in its various forms and Nigeria has been recognized as the largest producer of the crop in the world. Despite the impacts of various weather parameters on crop production, Cassava can still withstand harsh conditions making it a key crop for protecting small holder farming against climate change. This paper therefore examined the relationship between increase in height of Cassava growth rate and agro climatic parameters. The agro climatic indices appraised were Rainfall, Relative humidity, Temperature and wind speed. Interrelationship between these agro climatic variables and increase in the height of growth rate of Cassava was computed using regression analysis. It was discovered that the four agro climatic variables had relationship with one another at either 95% significant level or 99% level. It was also reveal that there is 75% at 95% significant level in the rate of increase in height and yield of Cassava which was accounted for by relative humidity. It was therefore concluded that increase in the height rate and yield of Cassava due to relative humidity was as a result of combined effects of the three others climatic parameters. Keywords: Cassava, Growth rate, Agro climatic parameter

Decision making in management of proximal fifth metatarsal fracture: a short review

Fifth metatarsal bone fracture is one of the most commonest fractures of the foot. The decision for surgical or conservative approach is still inconclusive. Scoring system, decision analysis model and classification system are established to weigh between surgical and conservation approaches. Its unique anatomy and surgical complication influence decision on optimal surgical approach. Therefore, the present review attempts to look at factors that might influence decision making in management of fifth metatarsal fracture

GROWTH RESPONSE OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) TO METAL TOXICITY

This study evaluated the phytotoxic effects of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) as Pb(NO3)2  and Zn(NO3)2 on maize  (Zea mays L) considering the  plants’ growth indices, biomass as well as soil parameters and soil microorganisms after treatment. The results showed that plant growth significantly reduced with increasing concentrations (100,150 and 200 mgkg-1) of Pb and Zn contamination. The results indicated significant inhibitory effect on the growth parameters (stem height, root length, leaf area, fresh and dry weight) measured, compared to control experiment. This study therefore revealed that the heavy metals have harmful effects on maize’s growth.  Consequently, the consumption of such contaminated cereal by man and animals can lead to their death after the metals have biomagnified in their systems. Lead and Zn application in general, affected the vegetative growth; both fresh and dry weights were reduced with increasing concentrations of the metals. These results show that these metals are toxic to human and animal health. As a result, farmers should be encouraged to use water from good source for irrigation and also cultivate on metal-free soils if possible to save lives.     &nbsp