Effect of mulching on growth of ginger in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The paper investigates effect of mulching on growth of ginger in ishiagu, ebonyi state, Nigeria. The experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, during the 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons, using ginger as test crop. In 2009, there was less than 40% sprouting of ginger at 4 WAP but all the mulched plots were significantly higher than the control. In 2010, there was also significant difference (P < 0.05) in sprouting at 4 WAP but not at 6 and 8 WAP. At 6 WAP there was 50 to 62% sprouting across the treatments. However, at 8 WAP, there was 80% or more sprouting across the treatments. Number of leaves per plant showed that at 6 WAP on average, the organic mulch materials produced higher number of leaves when compared with either the control plot or the black polythene mulched plot. No significant differences occurred between the treatments at 8 WAP. In both years, the dry grass mulch resulted in significantly higher leaf area than the saw dust mulch. The mean leaf area for 2009 and 2010 was in the magnitude of dry grass >rice husk> saw dust > black polythene > control. There was increase in plant height from 4-12 WAP in 2009 and 2010. The organic mulches available were suitable for ginger production in the study area and the test crop UG1 is well adaptable to Ishiagu Environment. It is therefore concluded that mulching is imperative for ginger production and variety UG1 could be used to maximize production at Ishiagu environment. Dry grass and rice husk mulches should be used in Ishiagu environment.Keywords: mulch, growth, ginger, rice husk

Fourier-transform Infrared Characterization of Kaolin, Granite, Bentonite and Barite

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) is a technique that is used to identify the functional group and the finger prints present in a particular sample. In this characterization, Kaolin clay from Wanka Kirfi and Granite from Kafin Tafawa in Bauchi state while Bentonite and Barite from free zone drilling company, Port-Harcourt, River state have been analyzed within the mid infrared region using Perkin Elmer 1310 infrared spectrophotometer. The result obtained showed that mineral contents of the samples free hydroxyl were within the spectra region of 3900-3820cm-1. Diazonium salts at the peak region frequency of 3200-3100cm-1, organic substance at peak region of 2900-2700cm-1, by comparing the spectra obtained with those present in literatures. These indicate that the Si-O, Si-O-Al, Si-O-Fe, Al-Mg-OH, Si-OH, Ba-S-O and Si-O-Si groups prevailed in the FTIR spectral measurement of the samples which are indication of the finger prints and functional group based on their group. Other distinct spectra with octahedral, polyhedral stretching vibration and symmetric stretching bonds of SO42- and CO32- modes in barite and granite spectrum indicate the presence of the calcite group common to most clays.Keywords: characterization; clays; infrared; minerals; spectroscop