Effect of Some Plant Extracts on the Nematode Population and Yield Parameters of Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare L.) (Jacq.) Willd

Studies were conducted on the nematicidal properties of Jatropha curcas, Cymbopogon citratus and Chromolaena odorata and Carbofuran 5G. Consequently, hot water extracts of the plants and the nematicide at 20, 35 and 50 % concentrations were applied to 5-week old stem cuttings of T. triangulare in 5 kg of sterilized soil and inoculated with 5,000 eggs and second stage juveniles of M. javanica. The control had no nematode, plant extracts and cabofuran, thereafter uninoculated-untreated (Uit) and another had nematode suspension, but no extracts and nematicide [inoculated-untreated (Ut)]. The experiment was a factorial in a completely randomized design, with four replications. Data on the number of leaves, seeds and flowers, nematode population in the soil and root of T. triangulare including root galling index were obtained and subjected to Analysis of Variance. Results show that number of leaves was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in Uit (25.75) and carbofuran at 20% concentration (21.0) than in the Ut (11.25). There were no significant differences in the number of flowers and seeds, although visual observations show that number of seeds was higher in Uit (13.5). Nematode populations in the root and soil were significantly lower in J. curcas at 50% concentration (30.0 and 9.0) respectively, compared to others at the same concentration except in carbofuran for nematode in the soil. Also, gall index was lowest in J. curcas extract at 50% concentration. Thus, J. curcas extract was more effective in managing root-knot nematode in waterleaf than cabofuran. Key words: Carbofuran, Biopesticide, Talinum triangulare, Root-knot nematode

Response of ZEA MAYS to Oilfield Wastewater Treatment

This study was carried out to determine the impact of various concentrations (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of oilfield wastewater treatment on the physiology of Zea mays L( maize) which is commonly cultivated in the Niger Delta. The Physiology of the plants such as plant height and girth, leaf length, width and area and root density were determined (Akonye and Nwauzoma,2003); chlorophyll content, crude fibre and total ash were also determined using AOAC(1984) method difference at . Statistical analysis using one way ANOVA showed significant difference P= 0.005 for all the physiological characteristics of the plant. Chlorophyll content was highest at 50% for Z. mays . The girth and height of Z. mays were highest at 50% on the 56th day after planting (DAP). Generally, the leaf area was highest at 50% concentrations except at the 14th DAP. The control plants were consistently taller and had highest values  at 14 DAP; leaf area was generally highest in the control. At 56 DAP; the leaf area was also highest at the 50% concentration. Fibre content and total ash for Zea mays was highest in control and the 100% concentrations respectively. Absorption of total hydrocarbon and other hazardous constituents of the oilfield wastewater by the plants which serve as sources of food for humans pose a serious health hazard. The oilfield wastewater has been shown to have serious deleterious effect on soil and plants, leading to eco-toxicological and agro soil fertility problems that could create an artificial food scarcity

Observations on the Availability of Pleurotus Oestratum Jacq. On Some Economic Plants, Associated Insects and Their Control.

The edible Niger Delta mushroom, Pleurotus oestratum was collected from twelve plants of economic importance namely: Mango (Mangifera indica), Avocado pear (Persea Americana), African pear (Dacryodes edulis), African sour sop (Annona muricata), Terminalia catappa, T. ivorensis, Tectona grandis, Anacardium occidentale, Citrus sinensis, Elaise guineensis, Kola nitida and Cocos nucifera. Flies associated with their different phases of growth in Pleurotus oestratum were also collected, enumerated and identified. Identified insects included Megaselia halterata, Drosophila melanogaster, Fannia spp, Atherigona orientalis, Ceratitis capitata. Other insects also collected were Cryptolestis spp, Carpophilus dimidiatus, Zonocerus variegatus and Pseudocreobotra species and Cathartus quadricollis. Three phases of growth of the Mushroom were categorized as early growth phase, mature growth phase and dry growth phase. Detailed report on the percentage occurrence of the insects on different phases of mushroom growth is presented and their control using a biocide, Lepidagathis alopecuroides is discussed. Keywords: Pleurotus oestratum, Lepidagathis alopecuroides, insects, economic plants, control.

Effect of Oil Palm Bunch Refuse Ash Rates as Soil Amendment for Increased Maize Production in Nigeria

Maize (Zea mays L.) one of the oldest and widely cultivated world cereal is an annual of the order Poacea and it is an important member of the Graminaea family. It provides food for man, feed for livestock and raw materials for industries. In many parts of West Africa, this is a staple food and is occasionally cultivated on garden scale where it cannot be grown as a farm crop. It is an important source of carbohydrate and vitamins. Oil palm bunch refuse ash is a plant derived ash that serves as an effective liming material and also a source whereby major soil and plant nutrients are enhanced (Owolabi et al., 2003). In Port Harcourt South eastern Nigeria most soils are acidic due to the nature of their parent material, land use and climate. These inherently infertile soils are called ultisols, formed from coasted plain sands and are low in mineral reserve and fertility (Eshett, 1993). The soils are deficient in essential plant nutrient in a few years of cropping, hence, the need for a suitable liming programme. Due to scarcity and high cost of liming materials, research into low cost, internally sourced, cheap and affordable organic material that could serve as liming agent was carried out. Earlier Omoti et al., (1989), had indicated that there was great potential of reducing fertilizer bill in oil palm plantation by recycling empty oil palm bunch waste. However, very little has been reported on crop response to unorthodox liming materials Obi and Ekerigin (2001). However, Adetunji (1997), studied effect plant derived ash on maize yield. According to Ojeniyi and Adejobi (2002), the use of wood ash can ameliorate soil acidity. Other studies carried out in parts of Africa found that plant derived ash increase P, K, Ca, Mg status of soil and pH and yield of vegetable, rice, millet and maize (Adu-Dapaah et al., 1994). However, the potential of oil palm bunch refuse ash as a liming material has not been adequately investigated in the field. Hence, this work is geared towards putting together the gain derived from the use of oil palm bunch refuse ash for the production of organic manures and agricultural development with respect to Maize (Zea mays L.)

Postharvest Spoilage of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and Control Strategies in Nigeria

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is a globally grown vegetable fruit, rich in vitamins and minerals. It is used for culinary purposes and in the production of fruit drinks. A total of one million hectares per annum is reportedly used for its cultivation in Nigeria, alone. However, the quality and shelf life of postharvest tomato in Nigeria is hampered by biotic and social economic constraints which affect its nutritional value, and account for10-30% of losses. Amongst the biotic constraints are different species of fungi such as Alternaria, Fusarium, Penicilliun, Aspergillus, Geotrichum, Phytophthora as well as Botrytis, while those of bacteria are Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. Xesicatoria, and Clavibacter  michiganensis sub sp. Michiganensis. Some of the social and institutional constraints militating against the control of postharvest losses in tomato include amongst others, ineffective government agencies, lack of credit facilities that address the need of producers, lack of a clear-cut policies to encourage the utilization of human and scientific resources to prevent deterioration of the crop, inadequate institutions that would develop human resources with relevant knowledge in scientific technologies associated with preservation, processing, packaging, transporting, and distribution of food products. The application of biological, chemical and physical methods amongst others can be adopted to control postharvest diseases of tomato. Adopting strategies to reduce postharvest diseases and losses of food is more sustainable and environmentally sound than increasing production areas to compensate for these losses. Keywords: Tomato, Fungi, Bacteria, Postharvest, Disease Contro

Comparative Effects of Trichoderma species on Growth Parameters and Yield of Zea mays (L.)

The effects of two Trichoderma species (T. harzianum and T. koningii) on number of leaf, stem height, leaf length, leaf area and yield of maize was investigated at the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State University. Trichoderma species were isolated from a contaminated mushroom at Dilomat Farms and Services Limited, Rivers State University. The species were applied on maize as follows: T. koningii combine with T. harzianum, T. koningii only and T. harzianum only; they were replicated thrice at 10-3 spores/ml, 10-5 spores/ml and 10-7 spores/ml levels of concentration. The results showed significant differences in the number of leaf, stem height, leaf length, and leaf area at 5ml and 10ml at six weeks after planting, but no significant difference was recorded on the growth parameters at 10-3 spores/ml concentration. The highest percentage yield (%Y) increase was observed at 10-7 spores/ml in T. koningii+T. harzianum combination with 61% increase in yield followed by10-3 spores/ml in T. harzianum with (40%) yield increase when compared to the control that had 18% yield increase. Trichoderma species have positive effects on all the growth parameters at the various concentration levels. For best results, combination of T. koningii and T. harzianum should be used to promote high yield in maize

Effects of Solubilised Orange Peels on the Occurrence of some Fungal Soil-borne Pathogens of Zea mays (L.)

This work examined the use of Trichoderma solubilised orange peel to inhibit the occurrence and growth of some fungal pathogens associated with soil-borne diseases of maize (Zea mays). The study was conducted in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology demonstration plot, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Trichoderma species were isolated from contaminated mushroom substrates at Dilomat Farms and Services Limited, Rivers State University. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peels were collected from a local market at the Port Harcourt Metropolis, air-dried for seven days and ground to powder. The treatments were Trichoderma harzianum+orange peel, T. koningii+orange peel, orange peels only, T. harzianum only, T. koningii only, T. harzianum+T. koningii and Soil only. The layout was a completely randomized design with three replications and concentrations at 5g/15ml, 10g/15ml and 15g/15ml which were applied to the soil at the interval of two weeks for 10 weeks. Pythium spp, Fusarium spp, Rhizoctona spp and Phytopthora spp were isolated and identified at three weeks and ten weeks of treatments. Average number of individual colonies of soil mycoflora in the various treatments at the three concentration levels varied relatively and the total number and frequency of occurrence decreased as the number of weeks of treatments increased. There was relatively high occurrence of soil-borne pathogens of maize at 5g/15ml concentration, but 10g/15ml concentration recorded less whereas 15g/15ml had the least occurrence. However, the frequency of occurrence was very high on the control experiment. Frequency of soil-borne fungal pathogens of maize decreased with increase in concentration as well as Trichoderma spp occurrence in the soil across the treatments when compared to their controls. The treatments had higher inhibitory effects on all the soil-borne pathogens of maize at 15g/15ml at 10 WAP

STUDIES ON THE PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF PIPER UMBELLATUM (LINN) FROM NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Piper umbellatum L. is a tropical shrub with many medicinal and nutritional values in different parts of Nigeria. The leaves of P. umbellatum were obtained from Amaku Igbodo in Etche local local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The leaves were processed and analyzed for phytochemical properties and proximate composition to ascertain its importance in medicinal and culinary purposes, using standard analytical procedures. The phytochemical results revealed a very high amount of steroid (more than 95%), little traces of tannin and alkaloid. Saponin and phenol were slightly above 10% each, and flavonoid (less that 10%). Proximate analysis demonstrated the presence of protein (20. 56%), ash (17%), high amount of fibre (55.6%), moisture (less than 10%) and small amounts of carbohydrate and lipid. The presence of these substances accounts for its local use in herbal medicine and nutritional purposes. The implications of these findings and the need to conserve this underutilized and endangered plant species are discussed

A REVIEW ON SWEET ORANGE (CITRUS SINENSIS L Osbeck): HEALTH, DISEASES AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract Citrus sinensis (L. Osbeck) or sweet orange originated from south East Asia, but is consumed all over the world as an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful natural antioxidant that builds the body immune system. Important phytochemicals like liminoids, synephrine, hesperidin flavonoid, polyphenols, pectin, and sufficient amount of folacin, calcium, potassium, thiamine, niacin and magnesium are also present. These biologically active compounds prevent arteriosclerosis, cancer, kidney stones, stomach ulcers and reduction in cholesterol level and high blood which promote human health. However, the impact of diverse diseases caused fungi (sweet orange scab, citrus black spot, powdery mildew