UnizikSpace Community: Department of Crop Science and Horticulture

COMPARATIVE LEAF AND ROOT ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF FIVE VARIETIES OF COLOCASIA ESCULENTA (L.) SCHOTT

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: COMPARATIVE LEAF AND ROOT ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF FIVE VARIETIES OF COLOCASIA ESCULENTA (L.) SCHOTT Authors: Ezeabara, Chinelo A; Okeke, C.U; Izundu, A.I; Udechukwu, C.D; Ogbuozobe, G.O Abstract: Transverse sections of leaf and root of five varieties of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott present in Anambra State,Southeastern, Nigeria were evaluated to determine the anatomical characters of these plant parts. Fresh leaf and root of three months old plants, grown in March, 2014 were collected, and used for the study. The leaves possessed anomocytic stomatal type with the stomata present in both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. The root of Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum, ‘kochuo’ and ‘ogeriobosi’ had air chambered cortex, with greater number present in Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum. These anatomical characters could serve as additional data in delimitation of this specie Description: Scholarly work

Evaluation of Moringa Oleifera (Lam) (Moringaceae) Seed Oil For Larval Control of Aedes Aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

2014-11-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Evaluation of Moringa Oleifera (Lam) (Moringaceae) Seed Oil For Larval Control of Aedes Aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) Authors: Okonkwo, Nnaemeka J; Nwankwo, Edith N; Uko, Ibeabuchi; Okafor, Ebube G; Ukonze, Blessing C; Ogbonna, Confidence U; Egbuche, Chukwudi M; Chikezie, Friday M; Obiechina, Izuchukwu O Abstract: Comparative bioassays were carried out with 1st and 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) using Moringa oleifera seed oil. This was to investigate whether the oil extract would show lethal effects on the mosquito larvae and to further establish at which point during the larval growth the oil would be effective. The larvae were exposed at ambient laboratory temperatures of 28 ± 20C, 80 ± 5% r.h and photoperiod of 12:12 light and dark hours. Seven dosages of 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 µl of oil dissolved in acetone per millilitre of water and control treatments with ordinary acetone were included in the trials. These were arranged on the laboratory bench in a Completely Randomised manner. Larval mortality was recorded at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post treatment. Mortality data were subjected to analysis of variance and log-probit regression, accordingly. Results showed that significant (P<0.05) dosage-related morality responses were noted for both instars. Thus, Moringa oil showed significant (P<0.05) toxic action against all larval instars of Ae. aegypti tested. Higher concentrations of the oil resulted in higher kill of the larvae within 12 hours, while sublethal dosages gave low mortality rates. The LD50 values determined were 208.35 µl/ml and 62.94 µl/ml for the 4th and 1st instar larvae, respectively. The present studies therefore, demonstrate that moringa seed oil exhibits significant toxic action against all larval instars of Ae. aegypti especially the 1st instar. Higher levels of toxicity with increasing larval mortality were achieved with increasing dosage levels and longer exposure time. Description: Scholarly work

Assessment of Manual and Chemical Weed Control Methods on the Performance of Mungbean (Vigna radiata [L.]) in Awka, South East Nigeria.

2020-06-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessment of Manual and Chemical Weed Control Methods on the Performance of Mungbean (Vigna radiata [L.]) in Awka, South East Nigeria. Authors: Uko, I.; Okolie, H; Orakanma, C Abstract: A field trial was conducted at Awka to evaluate the effect of manual and chemical weed control methods on Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) growth and yield parameters. The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design, replicated five times. The four treatments were hoe weeding at 4 and 8 weeks after sowing (WAS), application of atrazine at the rate of 1.5kg a.i/ha at 4 and 8WAS, hoe weeding at 4WAS followed by application of atrazine at the rate of 1.5kg a.i/ha at 5WAS, and weedy check. The various treatments had no significant effect on mungbean growth measured parameters except on the number of branches where hoe weeding at 4WAS followed by application of atrazine at 5WAS had the highest number of branches at 6WAS (35.1). At 8WAS, application of atrazine at 4 and 8WAS had the least broad leaf weeds density (1.2) which showed that it is very effective against broad leaf weeds. The control (weedy check) significantly had the highest weed fresh weight (315g) and weed dry matter (88g) which showed that the various treatments were effective in the control of weeds in mungbean production. Application of atrazine at 4 and 8WAS had the highest number of pods per plant (15), mean weight of pods (10.27g) and weight of 100 seeds (4.93g). This showed that application of atrazine at the rate of 1.5kg a.i/ha at 4 and 8WAS effectively controlled the weeds and had no significant effect on yield of mungbean. The weed control efficiency and weed index showed that application of atrazine at 4 and 8WAS (64.3%, -3.0%) and hoe weeding at 4WAS followed by application of atrazine (51.4%, -18.0%) were more efficient in weed control. The result also indicated that application atrazine at 4 and 8WAS, hoe weeding at 4WAS followed by application of atrazine significantly produced higher seed yield and heavier seeds compared to weedy check. Application of atrazine at 4 and 8WAS is recommended for large scale mungbean production and areas where labour is scarce/very expensive since it was cheap and effective in mungbean weed control. While, hoe weeding at 4WAS followed by application of atrazine is therefore recommended for small scale production since it was effective in controlling weeds and also a type of integrated weed control method. Description: Scholarly Work

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH OUTPUT: DISSEMINATION, AWARENESS AND IMPLEMENTATION IN SELECTED SOUTH-EASTERN AND SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIAN STATES

2022-12-01T00:00:00Z

Title: ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH OUTPUT: DISSEMINATION, AWARENESS AND IMPLEMENTATION IN SELECTED SOUTH-EASTERN AND SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIAN STATES Authors: Onunwa, A. O; Uko, I.; Ndukwe, O. O; Okeke, C. C; Meludu, N. T Abstract: A survey was carried out to assess the research outputs on organic agriculture in south-southern and south-eastern Nigerian Universities. Random sampling technique was employed to select six Federal Universities from the study area. At least eighteen (18) respondents were selected from each of the six Universities. A total of 110 well-structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents although only 90 (81.8%) people responded. Information regarding areas of organic research conducted, publications on organic agriculture, means of dissemination of findings to farmers and constraints encountered in organic agriculture research by the respondents were collected, collated and analyzed. Results showed that organic agriculture research is still very low in the study area compared to research in conventional agriculture publications on organic agriculture. were mostly in Journals. Area of organic agriculture mostly researched was soil fertility management (37%) followed by organic fertilizer formulation (22.8%). The least researched area was organic weed management (7.6%) and mechanization. (7.6%). Radio was mostly used as dissemination strategy. The most serious constraints in organic agriculture research as well as dissemination of information in the study area were inadequate funding, government policy and poor incentives. Hence, it was recommended that funding organic agriculture research, providing incentives and formulating appropriate policies by government to support organic agriculture research will promote research in organic agriculture with the corresponding. technological innovations towards food security. Description: Scholarly Work.