Growth performance of rooted cuttings of Annona muricata linn. in different potting mixtures

Poor seedling propagation rates can be attributed to inadequate knowledge of their requirements including appropriate growth media that can  enhance their growth at the nursery. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of different growing media on the growth of rooted  seedlings of Annona muricata. The experiment was laid out using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and ten replicates. The treatments were combinations of green manure (Moringa oleifera leaf powder), gravel and top soil. The results showed that 63.6% Topsoil, 27.3% Gravel, and 9.1% Moringa oleifera leaf powder did well across the study, this media was also found to be the best media for the growth of  Annona muricata seedlings as it gave the highest parameters in terms of seedlings height for the double and single node cuttings: T1 (10.96cm and 4.8cm) respectively while T3 and T4 gave the least seedling height in double and single node cuttings: (2.2cm and 0cm) respectively. For leaf number double and single node cuttings, T1 and T3 the mean number of leaves were 8.7 and 5.2 respectively and stem girth in double and single T1 and T2 (4.5 and 3.6mm) respectively. Biomass accumulation was also influenced by the potting mixture. However, the higher the quantity of moringa leaf  constituent in the potting mixture, the lower the biomass accumulation. In terms of the number of nodes it was observed that seedlings from two  node cuttings grew better in terms of height, collar diameter, and number of leaves. Number of nodes also had a significant influence on biomass accumulation with seedlings from two nodes cuttings having higher biomass compared  to seedlings from one node. This treatment also  significantly indicated that potting mixtures and nodal number enhanced the growth and biomass accumulation of Annona muricata.for healthy  seedlings production. Keywords: Annona muricata, seedling growth, green manure, adaptability percentage

Light intensity variation and early growth performance of Anona muricata Linn seedlings in south-western Nigeria

The study was carried out in the Silviculture nursery of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Jericho, Ibadan, Nigeria. Fruits were collected  from Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Oyo States. The seeds were extracted, air dried and seedlings raised. Each seedling was transplanted into a polythene  pot filled with top soil. . A total of 160 seedlings were exposed to four different light intensities (100%, 75%, 50% and 25%) under light screening chambers made from wooden frames and covered mesh on all sides with single, double or triple layers of synthetic 1mm mesh netting. The  seedlings raised in the open nursery were receiving 100% light intensity and served as control. Seedlings were watered daily. Growth variables were taken fortnightly for eight months. The seedling height, collar diameter and number of the leaves were assessed. The results showed that the number of leaves of Anona muricata varied significantly among the three factors and the control. The highest number of leaves was found in seedlings exposed to 100% (23.2), 75% (20.65), 25% (20.2) and 75% (20.4) light intensities for seedlings raised from seeds from Ogun, Ondo, Osun  and Oyo respectively. The least leaf number was found in 25% (19.9), 50% (19.25), 50% (2318.0) and 100% (19.5) in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States respectively. The ANOVA revealed that there were no significant differences at 5% probability level in all the four seed sources. The highest diameter was found in seedlings exposed to 100% (4.47 mm), 75% (4 mm), 100% (4.14mm) and 75% (3.90 mm) light intensities in Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States respectively while the least was observed in 25% (3.06mm), (3.60 mm), (3.61 mm) and (3.36 mm) in all states. There were significant  differences at 5 % probability level among the treatment in Ogun, Osun and Oyo States while in Ondo State, there was no significant difference at 5% probability level. The highest height was found in 75% (31.01 cm), (32.44 cm), (31.69 cm) and (33.43 cm) light intensity while the least was found in 25% (21.01 cm), (22.46cm), (25.28cm) and (22.86 cm) light intensity in all sources. The ANOVA revealed no significant differences at 5% probability level in all the four sources used. Therefore, it was concluded that A. muricata requires partial shade (75 % light intensity) and seeds from Oyo State were found best among the sources. Keywords: Light intensity, Annona muricata, southwestern Nigeria, early growth performanc

Assessment of conservation conflicts in kwari-kwasa forest reserve and its environs Kebbi state, Nigeria

Conservation conflicts in Kwari-Kasa forest reserve and its environment were investigated. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection using simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that the major occupation of the people is farming (55.6%), followed by fuelwood gathering (22.2%) and Civil servant (0.9%) are the least vocation of the people. Three districts were identified in the study area. Farming (16.7%) was the highest causes of conservation conflicts in Dalijan district. While illiteracy was the main causes of conflicts in Gwandu and Kambaza districts with 14.3% and 17.9% respectively. Desertification (40.0%) was the major impacts of conservation conflicts in the study area, followed by climate change (22.2%) and the least was low rainfall (4.4%). Agroforestry practices (22.1%) were recorded as main strategy suggested, followed by forest education (20.0%) and the least strategy documented was good forest management (6.7%). The stepwise multiple regression analysis of the causes with other variables showed that illiteracy had the highest coefficient of determination R2 with 0.83, followed by farming with R2 (0.78), while briquetting of charcoal had the least R2 (0.40). However, sustainable livelihood empowerment programs were recommended to boost the living standard of the people in the area and to reduce their overdependence on the forest resources. Keywords: Conservation conflict, Respondent, Farming, livelihood, Illiterac

Bacteriological examination of public water taps and borehole water in Choba community, Rivers state

This study examined the bacteriological quality of public water taps available in Choba community of Rivers State. Public water tap samples were collected using sterile glass jars. The samples were serial diluted and from 10-1 to 10-5 and were plated, the samples were gram stained and viewed under light microscope. Total heterotrophic bacteria was analyzed using spread plate method, feacal and total coliform was enumerated, so also motility test was done for the identification of salmonella shigella spp. Biochemical test and physical parameters were also analyzed. Results showed that bore hole water1 (BHW1) had 9.7 10^5, 2 , 240 and 3 respectively, bore hole water 2 (BHW2) had 1.7x 10^7, 200,4 and were not motile. Public water tap1 (PWT1) had 1.7 x10^6, 60, 20 and 10.public water tap ( PWT2) showed 1.6x 10^7, 120, 7, and 16 respectively for each of the tests. Physicochemical properties were also examined and public water tap (PWT1) had the highest alkalinity of 30, temperature of 32.5, pH 3.24 and hardness of 160 while bore hole water 1(BHW1) had 13.9, 30.3, 4.32and 10 for each of the physicochemical parameters respectively. The results showed that the water from the boreholes in the study areas are contaminated with coliform bacteria. There is therefore need to increase awareness of the community towards preventive and treatment approaches in order to minimize the dangers associated with the use of contaminated water. Pipe connections should be checked properly and regularly. Keywords: Bacteriological analysis, Water quality, Coliform , Diseases and Contamination.&nbsp

Influence of different compost on the early growth of Detarium microcarpum guill & perr seedlings

Detarium microcarpum commonly known as sweet detar is an African food crop tree belonging to Fabaceae family. Experiment was carried out to investigate the Influence of different compost (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Moringa olifera and Gliricidium sepium leaves) on the early growth of Detarium microcarpum Guill & perr seedlings. The seeds of D. microcarpum were collected, air dried and sowed into a germination box. After germination, fifty - two (52) healthy seedlings were carefully selected and were transplanted into polythene pots filled with 2kg of top soil and applied different quantities of compost The treatments used were( 40g, 50g, 60g and 70g) and control without compost application. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The parameters assessed were; plant fresh height (cm), stem diameter (mm), leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area and number of leaves. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that ( T1) 40g of L. leucocephala compost with 2kg of top soil had the best performance in terms of height with mean value of 14.89cm, stem diameter with mean value of 5.23mm and number of leaves with a mean value of 8.97 and leaf area was 214.89 while the least performance was observed in T1 (2kg of top soil) having a mean value of 2.22cm2 in number of leaves , stem diameter with mean value of 1.12mm and height with a mean value of 8.21cm and leaf area is 79.36 , Consequently mean value of biomass accumulation ,seedlings grown with ( T1) 40 g of L. leucocephala compost produced the highest mean of 1.98g of while T13 gave the least value with mean of 0.40g in (LWD), seedlings with T1 had the highest mean value of 0.95g while T13 gave the least mean value of 0.15g in (SWD). Result from the Analysis indicated that there was significant difference in height, leaf number, stem girth and biomass accumulation of Root dry weight at 5% level of probability. It is therefore recommended that ( T1) 40g of L. leucocephala compost should be adopted for raising of D. microcarpum in the nursery to have quality, healthy, good vigour and high production of the species. Keywords: Detarium microcarpum seedlings, Leucaena leucocephala , Moringa olifera , Giliricidium sepium and Compos

Appraisal perceived economic factors affecting rice production and its yield in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

This work aimed to run an appraisal of the perceived economics factors affecting rice production and its yield in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. In order to effectively carry out this study; the descriptive survey research design was adopted. The multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 120 rice farmers in Ogun State. Data were collected by conducting a face-to-face interview as well as a well-structured questionnaire designed in line with the objective of the study and was analysed using descriptive statistics such as, budgetary techniques and Ordinary Least Square regression. The various challenges deduced to be facing rice production in the study area includes soil degradation, stagnant agricultural production, transportation cost, foreign exchange rate, pest and diseases, lack of funds and plantation site. According to the means rating carried out on each of the challenges, stagnant agricultural production with a mean score of 4.24 is ranked first as a major challenge in the study area, followed by harvesting process with a mean score of 4.20 and followed by lack of fund with a mean score of 4.16.The least challenge in the study area was family size with a mean score of 3.27. The regression results of the socio- economic factors affecting farmer’s output indicated that only farm size, quantity of seed, quantity of fertilizer, quantity of chemical and years of formal education of the farmers are significant. The value of the coefficient of determination (R2) showed that 68.2 percent of the variation in the output of the farmers is explained by the independent’s variable in the model. It was recommended that increased farm size, seed, level of education, controlled use of fertilizer and chemicals should be encouraged

Assessment of changes in nutrient status of tropical lowland soil amended with leaf biomass of some agroforestry tree species: Assessment of changes in nutrient status of tropical lowland soil amended with leaf biomass of some agroforestry tree species

This research was aimed at assessing the nutrient status of tropical lowland soil; through the application of leaf biomass of some selected tree species evaluate the effect of the leaf biomass on soil nutrient status and also determine the changes in nutrient status in the past decades. Leaves from Anogeissus leiocarpus, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Gliricidia sepium, Leuceana lucocephala and Treculia Africana at the rate of 5 tons per hectare (5t haˉ¹) were assessed. Soil samples were collected at the forest nursery of federation university of agriculture Abeokuta at 2, 4, 6, 8 and10 weeks after application of, organic carbon, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na were analyzed in a split plot experimental design with the main plots being the time of soil sampling and the sub-plots mulch type means were separated. Leuceana lucocephala was observed to have the highest nutrient release capacity given its value for the following nutrients; total nitrogen 0.019, calcium 41.07 and sodium 139.0 Control plot has the highest organic carbon 3.12 content followed by Enterolobium cyclocarpum, 3.05 as well as highest pH value 6.45 The highest phosphorous content was recorded in Treculia africana 466.6 plot followed by Leuceana lucocephala 3.05. Enterolobium cyclocarpum however recorded the highest potassium 90.0 and magnesium 152.5 content. The rapid decomposition of Leuceana lucocephala and its nitrogen fixing ability is an indication that it is a good replacement to fixing soil nutrient in lowland soil