ORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS FOR THE TAXONOMIC IDENTIFICATION OF SOME SPECIES OF ACACIA FROM ZARIA, KADUNA STATE NIGERIA

Acacia belongs to the family fabaceae among the largest legume genera consisting of eighteen species with the majority of the species distributed in tropical and sub-tropical Africa. Classification of Acacia have remained a daunting task due to it wide spread and also hampered by is large number of species ,prevalence of morphological convergence. Morphological variations in foliar, thorn, inflorescence of some Acacia species found in Zaria for their taxonomic identification at species level were evaluated were Seven species and one variety of Acacia were taxonomically classified using morphological characters. In almost the species leaves were compound bipinnate, alternate and pinnulesare oblong. However the pinnules of A. senegal are obovate. In A. auriculiformis the leaves are simple and sickle-like in shape. Leaves texture ranges from glabrous to pubescent and leaf margin were entire in all the species. The morphological measurement parameters were analyzed using ANOVA cooperation and the results indicate variations among the species. The variations observed in some of the characters could be of taxonomic importance in the identification of the species. Overall ranking indicated that Acacia sieberiana var sieberiana and Acacia sieberiana var villosa were the best with high values of morphological characters of pinna length (3.50±0.11 cm and 3.82±0.16 cm respectively) and number of pinna (18.80±1.32 and 41.70±1.52 respectively). The high values of pinna could be used in solving taxonomic problems associated with Acacia species and in mapping out breeding strategies for the production of cultivars with better foliar yield of Acacia species in Nigeria

EVALUATION OF COFFEE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY UNDER COFFEE SHADE TREES AT MECHARA ON STATION, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Coffee production with shade trees is important to improve growth and quality of coffee, sustain and restore agroecology and nature based agroforestry practices. The trial was conducted at Mechara Agricultural Research Center (on station) in DaroLebu District of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The study was intended to evaluate the influence of coffee shade trees on growth performance, yield and quality of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under the canopy of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana and Acacia sieberiana. The design was Randomized complete block design with three replications. The outcome had been observed a significant value at (p<0.05) probability level, non- significant value at (p>0.05) probability level and highly significance value at (p<0.01) probability level between treatments. Statistically significant and non- significant differences were observed between shaded and unshaded as well as within shaded effect based on the given parameters. Integration of shade in coffee farming system created creditable promising in producing organic coffee. Shade utility could be confirmed as to be ecologically sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable practice. In so doing that, the effect of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana shade trees illustrated the highest mean value in most parameters, while the least one is under the Acacia sieberiana shade tree. So the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the highest value on total bearing plants 60%, thousand seed weight 59% and yield in Quintal per hectare 47.4% greater than the least treatments’ mean value based on growth parameters. On the other hand, the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the higher value on aromatic intensity 46.4%, aromatic quality 87.2%, acidity 92.4%, body 93.5%, flavors 88.6% and overall quality 88.6% than the least treatments’ mean value, and also the effect of un-shade mean observed with the higher value on astringency 68.8% and bitterness 93.5% than the least treatments’ mean value based on organoleptic parameters. The highest mean value of Erytherina absinica observed on total bearing plants 12.1, thousand seed weight 130 gram and yield in Quintal per hectare 5.7 based on growth parameters, while based on organoleptic parameters, the highest mean value observed under the effect of Erytherina absinica shade tree on aromatic intensity 4.5, aromatic quality 3.9, acidity 7.9, body 7.7, flavors 7.9 and overall quality 7.9. Therefore, based on the most treatments’ parameters, to be the best shade tree was Erythrina abyssinica followed by cordia africana. Commonly, the dynamic indication of the treatment’s means difference were indicated between shaded and unshaded rather than within shaded means variation at most treatments’ parameters.

In vitro Antitrypanosomal Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Selected Acacia Plant Species Aqueous Methanol Extract

Trypanosomiasis has been recognized as a scourge in sub-Saharan Africa for centuries and chemotherapy of the disease still remains unsatisfactory. This study is to explore an alternative source of antitrypanosomal agents from the stem bark of four Acacia species; Acacia nilotica, Acacia sieberiana, Acacia geradii and Acacia hockii. Dried stem bark of each plant was pulverized and extracted with 98% methanol by maceration. Phytochemical screening was carried out followed by in vitro testing of extracts on the motility of Trypanosoma congolense maintained in Ringer solution. Motility assessment of trypanosome was carried out after exposure with varied concentrations of the extracts for 2 hours. Thereafter, infectivity test was carried out using albino mice. Seventy-two mice, divided into twenty-four (24) groups of three animals were each inoculated with 100µl of the mixture containing the varying extract concentrations intraperitoneally. Berenil was used as standard drug control. Establishment of infection and subsequent Parasitaemiawere monitored in the animals for 60 days. The Phytochemical assay revealed the presence of anthraquinones, tannins, glycosides, cardiac glycosides and terpenes in all the extracts. Saponin was only present in Acacia nilotica and Acacia geradii. Incubation of parasites with each of the four acacia species recorded cessation in parasite motility which was concentration dependent. The highest concentration 20 mg/ml showed the highest effect within fifteen (15) minutes of incubation which was similar to the Berenil incubated control. However, lower doses (0.005 and 0.00005) mg/ml did not show difference from the non extract incubated negative control. Incubation of T. congolense with Acacia nilotica, Acacia sieberiana, Acacia geradii and Acacia hockii at 20, 10 and 1 mg/ml inhibited the ability of the parasites to establish infection in the albino mice as compared the standard control drug. The results indicate that the methanolic stem extracts of the four acacia species possess antitrypanosomal activity with potentials for the treatment of trypanosomiasis.

PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS GIVEN DIFFERENT DIETARY LEVELS OF ACACIA SIEBERIANA DC. VAR. SIEBERIANA SEEDS

The study was aimed at evaluating the seeds of a leguminous plant, Acacia sieberiana DC as an alternative source of dietary plant protein for broilers. Five experimental diets containing 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20% Acacia sieberiana seeds (ASS) were formulated and fed to 5 groups of birds during starter (0 - 4 weeks), grower (5 - 8 weeks) and finisher (9-12 weeks) periods respectively. There were 3 replicates per treatment, with 10 birds per replicate. At the end of the experiment, average weekly liveweight gains of 128.90 ±24.17, 122.68±25.09, 112.79 ± 22.83, 96.40 ± 21.53 and 99.56 + 21.53g were obtained for the birds on 0, 5, 10 and 20% ASS inclusion respectively. The average weekly feed consumption values were 413.47 ± 63.63, 408.59 ± 63.82, 304.60 ± 61.70, 347.96 ± 58.0 and 352.83 ± 59.76g for the birds on 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% ASS respectively. The feed efficiencies were 0.289 ± 0.03, 0.272± 0.03, 0.264 + 0.03, 0.248 ± 0.03 and 0.253 ± 0.03 for the birds on 0. 5. 10. 15 and 20% ASS respectively. The data revealed that in general, the birds on 0, 5 and 10% ASS inclusion performed better (PÇ<.05) than birds on 15 or 20% ASS. Results of carcass evaluation show that the gizzard, lungs and heads of the control birds had significantly (PÇ<.05) higher weights than those of birds on 15 and 20% ASS. From these results it can be concluded that up to 10% ASS could be incorporated into poultry diet without deleterious effect on broilers.

Evaluation qualitative des espèces fourragères présentes dans le département de la Bénoué (Nord Cameroun)

Les espaces pastoraux subissent des régressions et des conquêtes de par le monde. Ceux-ci occasionnent la diminution assez large de la quantité et de la qualité des fourrages encore disponibles. Cette étude a été réalisée dans le but d’évaluer qualitativement les espèces fourragères présentes au sein du département de la Bénoué. La méthode utilisée pour l’identification des espèces fourragères (herbacées et ligneuses) se base sur les différents entretiens menés auprès des éleveurs de ruminants, par le suivi des bovins, caprins et ovins au pâturage et par l’utilisation des clés d’identification disponibles. Les résultats montrent que les zones de pâturages existantes, diffèrent en qualité floristique et selon la localité où l’on se retrouve. En plus, plusieurs essences fourragères existent et appartiennent à environ 41 espèces. Parmi la vingtaine d’espèces fourragères appréciées par le bétail, 05 ligneuses le sont encore plus (Prosopis africana, Daniella oliveri, Acacia sieberiana, Stereospermum kunthianum et Balanites aegyptica). Il en est de même des 02 herbacées : Acroceras amplectens et Pennisetum pedicellatum. Plus d’une dizaine se retrouve en voie de disparition/menacées de nos jours. Si rien n’est fait, dans quelques années on observera une diminution de la richesse floristique en termes de ressources fourragères dans les différentes localités. Par ailleurs, une étude portant sur les éléments nutritifs et une étude quantitative de ces espèces fourragères rencontrées doivent être menées, pour mieux enserrer les espèces à conserver et les meilleurs espaces offrant de meilleures ressources fourragères.Mots clés : Zones de pâturage, richesse floristique, éleveurs de ruminants, clés d’identifications. English Title: Qualitative assessment of fodder species present in the Bénoué division (North Cameroon)Pastoral land (areas) worldwide are undergoing rapid decline as a result of urbanization (development). This often leads to a large decrease in the quantity and quality of available fodder. This study was aimed at evaluating quantitatively the various fodder species present within the Bénoué division. The method used for identification of fodder species (herbaceous and ligneous) was through interviews (surveys), conducted with animal-grazers (breeders) pasturing their flocks (cattle, goats and sheep) in the field and using available keys for fodder for pinpointing. The existing pastoral areas (zones), varies in quality and quantity of flora depending on the location where it is found. Several fodder species exist, belonging to about forty-one (41) classes of species. Among the twenty (20) fodder species best valorized by livestock, five (5) ligneous are most preferred (Prosopis africana, Daniella oliveri, Acacia sieberiana, Stereospermum kunthianum et Balanites aegyptica). As for the herbaceous, same is true for two (2) species, Acroceras amplectens et Pennisetum pedicellatum. More than a dozen species happen to be endangered. Thus, if nothing is done in a few years in order to conserve and preserve these endangered species they might become threatened as a result of gradual reduction in terms of their flora abundance within the different localities. In addition, a study relating to the nutritive elements and a quantitative study of these fodder species met must be undertaken, for better enclosing the species to be preserved and best spaces offering of better fodder resources.Keywords: Pastoral areas, flora abundance, livestock grazers, keys of identifications.

UPAYA PENINGKATAN FITOREMEDIASI TANAHTERCEMAR MERKURI DI KOKAP KULONPROGO YOGYAKARTA MENGGUNAKAN AKASIA (Acacia sieberiana DC) DENGAN PEMANGKASAN AKAR DAN INOKULASI MIKORIZA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji upaya peningkatan fitoremediasi tanah tercemar merkuri di Kokap Kulon Progo Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta menggunakan Akasia dengan pemangkasan akar (under ground root pruning/URP) dan inokulasi mikoriza.Penelitian ini dilaksanakan menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok lengkap dengan tiga ulangan.Faktor pertama adalah URP, yaitu dengan dan tanpa URP (pemangkasan akar). Faktor kedua ialah takaran Jamur Mikoriza Arbuskula (JMA) , meliputi 0 ; 50; 100, dan 150 g/pot. Hasil penelitian telah membuktikan bahwa pemangkasan akar serta inokulasi JMA ke dalam tanah sisa olahan penambangan emas telah berhasil memacu proses fitoremediasi melalui perluasan rizosfer. Serapan merkuri oleh tanaman Akasia (Acacia sieberiana DC) yang menjalani pemangkasan akar serta inokulasi JMA sebanyak 100 g paling tinggi dibanding perlakuan lain maupun kontrol. Pada perlakuan ini, efisiensi penurunan merkuri di dalam tanah oleh tanaman Akasia sebesar 71,83 %, sedangka kontrol hanya mencapai 35,33%.