Effect of Different Rates of Liming Materials on the Production of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogeae) In Owerri Southeastern Nigeria

This work evaluated liming effects on the production of groundnut. The field work was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD).Three lime materials (Calcium oxide, wood ash and palm bunch ash) were used at three rates (2,4,6tons ha- 1) and the control (Otonha-1) to give a total of 10 treatments. The treatments were replicated three times. Plant growth parameters collected at 2,4 and 8 week after planting includes% emergence at 2WAP; leaf area, plant height and number of leaves per stand at 4 and 8 WAP. Pod yield parameters per hectare. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis of (ANOVA). Results of the analysis showed significant difference at 5% probability level except for number of leaves at 4WAP which manifested at 8WAP. Soils of Owerri are acidic in nature and this could be as a result of parent materials, land use and climate. However, results of the post planting physiochemical analysis were promising at it showed considerable improvement in the soli system and the effective distribution and uptake of nutrient is an indication of the response of the crop due to liming. Highest performance of the crop was obtained from treated with 2 tons ha-1 of wood ash followed by palm bunch ash at 4tons ha -1 . The least performance was obtained from the control experiment. Key word: Lime and liming materials, groundnut production, soils of Owerri, Nigeri

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.)

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

Palm Bunch Ash Effect on Soil Base Saturation and Growth of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.)

This study was carried out to assess the effect of Palm Bunch Ash (PBA), at various levels (0, 2, 4t/ha) on soil Base Saturation and growth of Cucumis sativus L. at the Teaching and Research Farm, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. PBA, and Soil samples (0 – 15cm) before and after application, from the experimental plots, were collected and analyzed with standard methods for Physico-chemical properties and Base Saturation calculated. A total of 9 treatments were used with T0 (Control), T2, and T4, where T represents PBA as treatment, and the subscripts 0, 2, and 4 represent the levels. The experiment was a 1x3 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. 18 seeds of cucumber (2 per hole) from NSPRI, Port Harcourt were planted on each treatment plot of 2 x 2m at plant spacing of 45 × 45cm. Thereafter, it was thinned to one (1) per hole after emergence. This implies that there were a total number of 10,000 plants per hectare. Growth parameters include shoot height (cm), 3, 6, and 9WAP, and a number of leaves, 3, 6, and 9WAP. Data generated from the field were subjected to a one-way ANOVA test using the Minitab package and the means were separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference at 95% probability. The results revealed that Base Saturation increased (p<0.05) as the treatment level increased in the treated soil with the highest 65.96 of 4t/ha. Again, there was a significant effect (p<0.05) on shoot height, as the PBA level, increased in treated soil with the highest values  13.97 recorded in 2t/ha, and 48.13 and 77.90 recorded in 4t/ha for 3, 6, and 9WAP. Similarly, for a number of leaves, the highest values were recorded in 4t/ha, also for 3, 6, and 9WAP.  Hence, PBA is recommended as a good amendment for acid soil neutralizer, Base Saturation booster, and nutrient buffer and supplier to the soil and ultimately to plants

EFFECTS OF DUMPSITE SOILS ON MAIZE YIELD IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE

This study examined the effect of dumpsite soils on maize yeild in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Dump site soil samples were collected from three locations (Njemanze, Mileone flyover and Chinda) and the control soil from Rivers State University. The soil samples were analysed for N, P, K, Mg and Zn. Results of the soil analysis showed high nutrient concentrations in the dumpsite soils than the control except for poatassium.  The results also showed that there were slight differences in the nutrient profile of the dumpsite soils with nutrient analysis of total nitrogen (1.17±0.003, 0.92±0.006, 0.54±0.003 and 0.08±0.001), phosphorus (10,11±0.08, 9.31±0.06, 9.58±0.03 and 1.32±0.005),  magnesium (60.541±1.67, 67.384±3,89, 113.307±5.09 and 22.311±0.23),   potassium (3702.236±6.03, 3345.778±3.90, 5770.125±9.34 and  7501.789±11.56)   and zinc (142.303±3.04, 2837.142±12.45, 163.141±2.06 and 38.903±1.11) for Njemanze, Mileone flyover, Chinda and control respectively. Yield assessment revealed highest and lowest weight and length of cob for Chindah and Njemanze respectively. Mileone flyover recorded highest width of cob (4.0) while lowest width (3.6) was observed for Njemanze. Generally, the nutrient levels in the dumpsite soils were high and resulted to higher yield of maize. The use of dumpsite soils portends a greater agricultural yield for maize growth and should be encouraged but care should be taken to avoid soils that are heavy metal impacted as this is detrimental to health

Effect of Pb, Cu and Fe compounds on the germination and early seedling growth of tomato varieties

The germination and early seedling growth of two tomato seed varieties (NHLe 158-3 and ROMA VF) were investigated using five levels (0% 0.001% 0.01% 0.1% 1%) of lead acetate, cupric carbonate and ferric chloride respectively. The experiment was conducted under 12\ub12h photoperiodic laboratory condition in a laboratory germinator. The results showed that the aggregate germination percentage (AGP) as well as the coefficient of germination velocity (CGV) decreased with increase in the levels of metallic compounds on the two tomato varieties. The decreases in AGP and CGV were significant ( p<0.05) when compared with that of the control. The decrease in the growth parameters tested was higher in Roma VF than in NHLe 158-3 variety. Lead acetate and copper chloride salts indicated higher inhibitory tendencies to the germination and growth of the tomato varieties than the Ferric chloride. The study shows that NHLe 158-3 variety is more tolerant to metallic compounds pollutants than the Roma VF. @JASE

Effect of Palm Bunch Ash on Soil pH And Growth of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L)

A field experiment to assess the effect Palm Bunch Ash (PBA), at various levels (0, 2, 4t/ha) on the pH of soil and growth of Cucumis sativus at the Teaching and Research Farm, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, was conducted. Soil samples (0 – 15cm) before and after application, from the experimental plots were collected, and analyzed with standard methods for pH and nutrients. Also, Palm Bunch Ash (PBA) sub-sampled, and analyzed with standard methods for pH used for the experiment. A total of 9 treatments were used with A0 (Control), A2 and A4, where A represents PBA, and the subscripts 0, 2 and 4 represent the treatment levels. The experiment was a 1x3 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. 18 seeds of cucumber (2 per hole) from NSPRI, Rumueme, Port Harcourt were planted on each treatment plot of 2 x 2m at a plant spacing of 45 × 45cm. Thereafter, it was thinned to one (1) per hole after emergence. This implies that, there were a total number of 10,000 plants per hectare. Growth parameters include shoot height (cm), 3, 6 and 9WAP, and Number of leaves, 3, 6 and 9WAP. Data generated from field were subjected to one-way ANOVA test using the Minitab package and the means were separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference at 95% probability. The results revealed that pH increased (p<0.05) as the amendment level increased in the treated soil with the highest 6.00 of 4t/ha. Also, there was significant effect (p<0.05) on growth, as the PBA level increased in the treated soil with the highest values  13.97cm recorded in 2t/ha, and 48.13cm and 77.90cm recorded in 4t/ha for 3, 6, and 9WAP. Similarly, for number of leaves, the highest values were recorded in 4t/ha, also for 3, 6, and 9WAP.  Hence, PBA is recommended as good amendments for acid soil neutralizer and nutrient buffer and supplier to the soil and ultimately to plants

The Effect of Nucleotide Transfer from Some Microbes to Improve Plants for Biotechnological Advancement

The advance in plant biotechnology has some challenges with the evolutionary trend and methods adopted to resolve some of these problems: to improve the host morphological and genotypic features by nucleotide alteration leading to changes in mitochondrial molecular structure in the eukaryotic and prokaryotic plants. However, some biotechnological designs used in this research are DGGE, Phoretix 1D, and the Shannon-wiener index (H). While the microbial DNA concentration,  virulent qualities coupled with the adaptative features of both the microbes and host plant and bioactive compounds reduction effects on the transformed host plant were the findings from this research

HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.) GRAIN GROWN ON DIFFERENT DUMPSITE SOILS

This study was carried out at the Botanical Garden of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, in Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Nigeria with the aim of investigating heavy metal accumulation in maize grain grown on different dumpsite soils. Soils used were collected from three different locations with the control; Njemanze Dumpsite, Mile One Flyover Dumpsite and Chinda by Iwofe Dumpsite and analyzed for the presence of the following heavy metals; Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Silver (Ag), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg). Soil from Rivers State University Botanical Garden was used as control soil. The soils were analysed using the American Public Health Association (APHA 3111C) method to determine the heavy metal concentration level. The seeds of maize were sown into polybags containing the different soils and the maize plants were allowed to grow to maturity. The result showed the presence of heavy metals in all soil samples with Mile One Flyover Dumpsite having the highest concentrations (Cd; 46.771, Cr; 61.885, Ag 18.629, Pb; 354.386, Hg; 170.474) and RSU (Control soil) had the least concentrations (Cd; <0.001, Cr; 12.295, Ag; <0.001, Pb; <0.001, Hg; <0.0005) of the metals. The heavy metals in the maize grains of the matured maize plants were analysed. The result showed the maize grains of the plants in the soil from Mile One Flyover Dumpsite had high concentrations while the control soil from Rivers State University had low concentrations except Cr that was slightly high when compared to WHO standard

Parallel Write-Efficient Algorithms and Data Structures for Computational Geometry

In this paper, we design parallel write-efficient geometric algorithms that perform asymptotically fewer writes than standard algorithms for the same problem. This is motivated by emerging non-volatile memory technologies with read performance being close to that of random access memory but writes being significantly more expensive in terms of energy and latency. We design algorithms for planar Delaunay triangulation, $k$-d trees, and static and dynamic augmented trees. Our algorithms are designed in the recently introduced Asymmetric Nested-Parallel Model, which captures the parallel setting in which there is a small symmetric memory where reads and writes are unit cost as well as a large asymmetric memory where writes are $\omega$ times more expensive than reads. In designing these algorithms, we introduce several techniques for obtaining write-efficiency, including DAG tracing, prefix doubling, reconstruction-based rebalancing and $\alpha$-labeling, which we believe will be useful for designing other parallel write-efficient algorithms