Influence of mutation induction on the chemical composition of cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

Cowpea is one of the major sources of plant protein in Nigeria. The nutritional value of cowpea has long been recognized in Africa. This study was conducted to examine the influence of mutation induction onnutritional quality of cowpea. Dry sample of cowpea ‘IT84S 2246 D’ mutants and the non irradiated parent were ground to fine powder and used for proximate analyses in three experiments. Data werecollected on dry weight basis on crude fat, crude fibre, crude protein, tannin, dry matter, moisture content and ash content. Results from the proximate analysis showed significant variation between theplant types for all parameters except crude fibre content. Mutant 7 which has the highest protein content (31.06%) and the least ash content (3.50%) and mutant 14 which has high dry matter (95.06%)and the least moisture content (4.91%) are much better than the parent. They are therefore recommended for inclusion in cowpea breeding program for improved seed quality. Crude proteincontent was significantly negatively correlated with ash and tannin contents. These are indices of improved seed quality in cowpea mutants

Effect of Varying Concentration of Auxins and Stem Length on Growth and Development of Jatropha curcas L.

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of varying hormonal treatments and length of cuttings of clonal materials on the sprouting and rooting abilities of Jatropha curcas L. Two stem cutting lengths: 30cm and 60cm were pre-treated with two types of auxins: Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) at four concentration levels: 0 (control), 100, 150 and 200mgl-1. The experiment was a factorial laid as randomized complete block design. Results showed that cutting length and hormone concentration had significant effect (P<0.05) on all parameters. The 60cm cuttings performed better than the 30cm cuttings in terms of sprouting, rooting and plant biomass accumulation. The untreated cuttings (control) showed better development than those treated with NAA and IBA. Significant interaction effects were observed between the cutting length and hormone concentration for all parameters (p<0.05). The 60cm cuttings performed better when untreated with hormone while 30cm cuttings performed best when treated with IBA at 200mgl-1. Hence, 60 cm untreated cuttings could probably be used for large scale propagation of J. curcas while 30cm cuttings required hormonal treatment for high performance.Keywords: Jatropha, cuttings, auxins, stem length, concentratio

Community-based natural resource use and management of Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, Uganda, for livelihood benefits

publisher versionConservation and sustainable management of wetlands requires participation of local stakeholders, including communities. The Bigodi Wetland is unusual because it is situated in a common property landscape but the local community has been running a successful community-based natural resource management programme (CBNRM) for the wetland for over a decade. Whilst external visitors to the wetland provide ecotourism revenues we sought to quantify community benefits through the use of wetland goods such as firewood, plant fibres, and the like, and costs associated with wild animals damaging farming activities. We interviewed 68 households living close to the wetland and valued their cash and non-cash incomes from farming and collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and water. The majority of households collected a wide variety of plant and fish resources and water from the wetland for household use and livestock. Overall, 53% of total household cash and non-cash income was from collected products, mostly the wetland, 28% from arable agriculture, 12% from livestock and 7% from employment and cash transfers. Female-headed households had lower incomes than male-headed ones, and with a greater reliance on NTFPs. Annual losses due to wildlife damage were estimated at 4.2% of total gross income. Most respondents felt that the wetland was important for their livelihoods, with more than 80% identifying health, education, craft materials and firewood as key benefits. Ninety-five percent felt that the wetland was in a good condition and that most residents observed the agreed CBNRM rules regarding use of the wetland. This study confirms the success of the locally run CBNRM processes underlying the significant role that the wetland plays in local livelihoods

Effects of NPK Fertilizer Application on the Growth and Seed Yield of Cowpea in Ilorin, Southern Guinea Savanna Zone Of Nigeria

To forestall wastage and determine the optimum level of complete fertilizer needed for better production of cowpea, the application of NPK 16:16:16 fertilizer on the growth and yield of the crop was investigated. The field experiment was conducted on the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin. A medium-maturing cowpea variety IAR- 48 was tested with five NPK fertilizer rates viz: 200kgNPK/ha, 400kgNPK/ha, 600kgNPK/ha, 800kgNPK/ha and 0kgNPK/ha as the control. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, replicated twice. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of branches, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, weight of 100seeds and grain yield per treatment. All data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using GENSTAT package while separation of significant means was done using Least Significance Difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Results showed that NPK fertilizer at the rate of 200kg/ha improved pod production, weight of 100seeds, pod weight and final grain yield per hectare. It could, therefore, be inferred that, subject to further research, if NPK 16:16:16 is applied at rate of 200kgNPK/ha or less, better yield and reduction in the cost of production will be achieved with cowpea variety IAR- 48 in Ilorin, a location in the Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria. Keywords: Complete fertilizer, cowpea, vegetative growth, yield potential and yield improvemen

Cowpea growth and yield performance as influenced by phosphorus nutrition in the southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

The major constraint to increasing on-farm production of cowpea, getting the optimum yield and the widespread cultivation of the crop in the forest and savannah region is the limitation posed to it by phosphorus nutrition. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the optimum level of phosphorus for better growth and yield of cowpea. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin. Five levels of phosphorus fertilizers (0kgP/ha,  30kgP/ha, 60kgP/ha, 90kgP/ha, 120kgP/ha) were used in the study and the experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data on plant height, number of leaves, number ofbranches, number of flowers and number of pods were taken. All the data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance and significant means were separated using LSD with the aid of GENSTAT 5.2 statistical package. The results showed that phosphorus fertilizer at the rate of 30kgP/ha and 60kgP/ha could significantly improve number of leaves, number of branches, number of flowers and grain yield of cowpea at P < 0.05. It is therefore, recommended that application of phosphorus fertilizer at 30kg/ha be used to enhance grain yield because it is more economically viable than 60kgP/ha to achieve the same objective.Key words: Cowpea, phosphorus nutrition, soil fertility, growth and yield improvement

Improvement of rice seed germination and seedling growth using seed priming

Background: Improvement of rice seed germination as well as growth of seedlings which will eventually result in higher yield is highly needed. Objectives: In a study was conducted to determine the influence of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of rice. Methods: The osmotic priming media used were 100mM CaCl2, 40% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and 100 mg/kg kinetin solutions. Rice seeds (50g) of variety MR 219 were soaked in each of the priming media for the duration of 24 and 48hours respectively to have a total of seven treatments with inclusion of the control. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data collection was on root fresh and dry masses, shoot fresh and dry masses, root length and shoot length, final germination percentage, root volume, electrical conductivity, days to 50% germination, germination index, seedling vigour index, succulence index and root to shoot ratio. Results: The results showed that priming treatments improved root dry mass, shoot fresh and dry masses, shoot length, final germination percentage, root volume, electrical conductivity, days to 50% germination, germination index and seedling vigour index. From the priming media used, priming with 40 % (w/v) PEG6000 for duration of 24hours improved root and shoot dry masses, shoot length and root volume. Conclusions: It could, therefore, be concluded that priming with 40 % (w/v) PEG6000 for duration of 24hours be used for improving seedling growth of MR219 rice variety. Keywords: Rice, germination, seedling growth, osmotic priming and hormonal primin