Influence of Organic Fertilizers on the Early Growth of Tamarindus indica L

Inadequacy of information on the early growth responses of T. indica seedlings to manure sources has limited its propagation. In an attempt to  enhance the growth of T. indica, an investigation was conducted to assess the influence of organic fertilizers on the growth of T. indica. The  experimental design adopted was a Completely Randomised Design with six treatments replicated five times. The treatment consisted of 10g of  each manure (cowdung, goat droppings, rabbit droppings, poultry droppings, pig droppings and control) assessed on the early growth of T. indica  seedlings. Six months old T. indica seedlings were transplanted into pots with and without manure and subjected to 200ml of water daily. Data  collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance. Results obtained showed that manure sources significantly  (P<0.05) enhanced the growth of T. indica. Significant height (27.82cm), number of leaflets (67.00), total fresh weight (5.57g) and total dry weight  (2.54g) were recorded from seedlings planted in the soil amended with goat droppings respectively at 12 weeks after transplanting. Highest girth  (0.33cm) and significant leaflet area (9.98cm2) were recorded from seedlings planted in the soil improved with cowdung and poultry droppings  respectively at 12 WAT. Goat droppings enhanced the growth of T. indica seedlings.      Le manque d’informations sur les premières réponses de croissance des semis de T. indica aux sources de fumier a limité sa propagation. Dans une  tentative d’améliorer la croissance de T. indica, une enquête a été menée pour évaluer l’influence des engrais organiques sur la croissance de T.  indica. Le plan expérimental adopté était un plan complètement randomisé avec six traitements répétés cinq fois. Le traitement consistait en 10 g  de chaque fumier (bouse de vache, crottes de chèvre, crottes de lapin, crottes de volaille, crottes de porc et témoin) évalué sur la croissance précoce  des plantules de T. indica. Des semis de T. indica âgés de six mois ont été transplantés dans des pots avec et sans fumier et soumis à 200 ml d’eau  par jour. Les données recueillies ont été soumises à une analyse de la variance (ANOVA) à un niveau de signification de 5 %. Les résultats obtenus  ont montré que les sources de fumier augmentaient significativement (P<0,05) la croissance de T. indica. Une hauteur significative (27,82 cm), un  nombre de folioles (67,00), un poids frais total (5,57 g) et un poids sec total (2,54 g) ont été enregistrés à partir de semis plantés dans le sol amendé  avec des excréments de chèvre respectivement à 12 semaines après le repiquage. La circonférence la plus élevée (0,33 cm) et la surface foliaire  significative (9,98 cm2) ont été enregistrées à partir de semis plantés dans le sol amélioré avec de la bouse de vache et des excréments de volaille respectivement à 12 WAT. Les excréments de chèvre ont amélioré la croissance des semis de T. indica.&nbsp

Effect of watering regimes on the growth and nutrient uptake of Citrus tangelo J.W. Seedlings grown in a mixture of sand and pulverized Jacaranda mimosifolia D. don leaves

There is dearth of quantified information on water requirement of crops growth in the soil amended with leaf litters of agro-forestry trees. In this light, a completely randomized design with five replicates was laid down to assess the effect of watering regimes on the growth of Citrus tangelo seedlings in the screen house of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State. C. tangelo seedlings were subjected to 200 mL of water at five watering regimes (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 day’s interval). Tissue analysis was carried out to determine the nutrient uptake in seedlings. Watering significantly (P<0.05) influences seedling growth and nutrient uptake. Significant height (9cm), number of leaves (8), leaf area (22.65 cm2) and phosphorus uptake (18.11 mg/100 g) were recorded for C. tangelo planted in Jacaranda mimosifolia soil and subjected to daily watering regime. Daily watering of C. tangelo enhances its growth and nutrient uptake. Daily watering of C. tangelo is recommended for its mass production for agro-forestry programmes.Keywords: Watering regimes, leaf litters, seedling growth, nutrient uptake, Agro-forestr

Effect of water temperatures and seed weights on the germination of black plum (Vitex doniana sweet) seeds

Vitex doniana is an underexploited indigenous tree species with enormous potentials. Investigation was conducted in Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna during dry season of 2018 to overcome problems associated with germination of Vitex doniana seeds. Effect of temperatures of water (27, 56, 73 and 96oC) and seed weights (3.3, 1.4 and 1.2 g) on the germination of V. doniana was laid down in a split-plot experimental design with five replications. Interaction of temperatures of water and seed weights significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the germination of V. doniana seeds. A significant germination percentage of 46.67 % was recorded in seeds soaked in 56 oC water. Germination percentage among the seed weights were not significantly (P<0.05) different. The least mean germination time of 12 days was recorded in 1.2 g seeds soaked in 73 oC water for 45 minutes. A significant germination percentage value of 80 % was recorded in 3.3 g seeds soaked in 96 oC water. Soaking of 3.3 g seeds in 96 oC water enhanced the germination of V. doniana. The study therefore recommends soaking of 3.3 g seeds in 96 oC water for 45 minutes.Keywords: Temperature of water, Seed weights, Germination, Indigenous fruit tree specie

Effect of sources and periods of organo-priming on the germination of Vitex doniana sweet seeds

There is paucity of quantified information on the simple, safe and natural methods of breaking the dormancy of Vitex doniana seeds. In this light, investigation was conducted on organo-priming which is the use of organic materials in priming in order to break the dormancy of V. doniana seeds, at the screen house of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State, Nigeria during 2018 dry season. The solutions of the leaves of nitrogen fixing trees are sources of organic materials used in organo-priming. Effect of sources (Prosopis africana, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Pentaclethra micropylla, Vitex doniana, Enterelobium cyclocarpum, Casuarina equisetifolia) and periods (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hrs) of organo-priming on the germination of V. doniana seeds was laid down in split-plot experimental design with five replicates. A significant germination percentage value of 64 % was recorded in seed organo-primed in J. mimosifolia and P. microphylla. The least mean germination time of 3.2 days was recorded in seeds soaked in E. cyclocarpum. A significant germination percentage value of 100% was recorded in seeds organo-primed in J. mimosifolia for 18 hours. Organo-priming significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the germination of V. doniana seeds. The research therefore recommends organo-priming of V. doniana seeds in solution of leaf litter of J. mimosifolia for 18 hours.Keywords: Soaked, Primed, Dormancy, Natural, Germinatio

Effect of periods of hydro-priming and seed weights on the germination of Vitex doniana sweet seeds

There is paucity of information on breaking the dormancy of Vitex doniana through hydro-priming. Hydropriming is the method of ensuring uniform and high germination percentage, by soaking seeds in water and follow by drying of seeds, while the emergence of radicle is prevented. There is need to determine the appropriate periods of hydropriming to prevent over or under hydro-priming of seeds. In light of this, investigation was conducted on the effect of periods of hydro-priming and seed weights on the germination of V.doniana seeds. To assess the effect of periods of hydropriming (0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36hrs) and three seed weights (1.2, 1.4 and 3.3g) on the germination of V.doniana seeds, a split-plot experimental design with five replications was employed. Result revealed that periods of hydropriming significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the germination of V.doniana. A significant germination percentage value of 50% was recorded in seeds hydroprimed for 36hours. Germination percentage of seeds increased with the increasing periods of hydropriming. Highest germination percentage value of 40% was recorded in average seed size of 1.4g A significant germination percentage of 100% was recorded in 1.4g seeds hydro-primed for 36hours. Least mean germination time of 8days was recorded for 1.4 and 3.3g seeds. Hydro-priming of 1.4g for 36hours enhances the germination percentage of V.doniana seeds. The study therefore recommends hydro-primng of 1.4g seeds for 36hours for mass production of its seedlings for agro-forestry systems.Keywords: Dormancy, Soaking and drying of seeds, Pre-sowing treatment, Germination, Agro-forestry specie

Effect of leaf litters of selected nitrogen fixing albizia trees on the growth and yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

There is paucity of quantified information on the plant based organic manuring of Zingiber officinale. In this light, a Completely Randomized Design  with five replications was laid out to assess the effect of leaf litters of selected nitrogen fixing albizia trees (Albizia zygia, Albizia coriaria, Albizia ferruginea, Albizia lebbeck and Albizia saman) and control on the growth and yield of Zingiber officinale on the field of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The experiment consists of 6 treatments replicated five times. A propagule represented a replicate. The total number of thirty propagules of approximately equal weight (20 g) was involved in the experiment. The same quantity of leaf litters (100 g)was placed at 5 cm depth and 5 cm radius from planted propagule in the heap of about 3 kg of soil. Water (500 mL) was applied per heap before and after planting the propagule. Zingiber officinale growth parameters evaluated include height, girth, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, total fresh and dry weight. Data collected was subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using Fischer’s Least Significant Difference (LSD). Leaf litters of nitrogen fixing albizia trees significantly (P<0.05) influenced growth and yield of Z. officinale. The significant height (37.34 cm)., widest girth (2.68 cm), significant leaf area index (3.28)., significant total fresh weight (72.95 g) and total dry weight (3.86 g) were recorded from seedlings of propagules planted in leaf litters of A. saman between 4- 12weeks after planting (WAP) respectively. Significant fresh weight (69.75 g) and dry weight (3.60 g) were recorded for the roots (yield) of seedlings from propagules planted in the soil incorporated with leaf litters of A. saman. The use of leaf litters of A. saman on the soil enhanced the growth and yield of Z. officinale. Key words: Nitrogen fixing trees, Leaf litters, Manure, Amendment, Growth, Propagule

Ethno- Medicinal Survey of Plants Used For the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna State

The study was carried out to survey ethno-medicinal plants used for the management of diabetes in Kaduna metropolis of Kaduna State. Primary data was used in the study and generated through the use of structured questionnaires. Two-stage sampling techniques were used to selects 60 respondents from four communities in Kaduna metropolis (Tudun wada, Kawo, Mando and Kaduna Central Market). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Result reveals that majority of the respondents (78.4%) were male and 48.3% within the age of 41-50 years. Many of the respondents (43.1%) have secondary education and 48.3% traders, civil servants, while 17.2% each were artisans and farmers. From the study, several plants belonging to different families were identified for the management of diabetes. Majority of the respondents (8.74%) used Azadirachta indica, 6.64% made use of Venonia amygdalina, 6.29% Mangifera indica, 5.9% Citrus auriantum and Zingibe officinale, and 4.9% Allium sativa for the management of diabetes. Other plants identified include; Psidium guajava, Allium cepa, Annacadium occidentale, Adansonia digitata, and Cocciana indica. From the study, different plants parts were identified in relation to the management of diabetes, they include; bark, stems, leaves and roots. The study therefore shows that different plants species were used for the treatment of diabetes. However, present knowledge on medicinal use of these plants needs further scientific investigation to confirm their medicinal efficacy in terms of the gradation and dosage. It is recommended that research be intensified in terms of the corresponding dosage in the phyto-remedy of diabetes and other ailments. Also, there should be coordination between government agencies and herbal organizations to enhance proper utilization of the medicinal plant resources