Exploitation of rank summation index for the selection of 21 maize hybrids for green maize production in South-eastern Nigeria

Green (fresh) maize (Zea mays L.) provides food security and income to farmers especially when other crops are still in the field. However, research on green maize varieties is scarcely reported in the literature or information on suitable genetic material (germplasm) for green maize production. Two local maize landraces collected from south-eastern Nigeria and five improved varieties sourced from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) were used for this experiment. These seven genotypes were crossed in a half diallel mating system in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and those found significant (p = 0.05) were further subjected to diallel analysis using Griffing’s method II and model I for fixed effects. Rank summation index was used for all the traits studied to identify and select the best performer amongst the genotypes. The rank summation index identified and selected the crosses between DTMA-4 X OKA BENDE-WHITE, OKA MBAISE X OKA BENDE-WHITE, PVA SYM 8 F2 X OKA BENDE-WHITE, POOL 66/ACR-91 X OKA BENDE-WHITE and DMR-ESRY X OKA BENDE-WHITE for the production of green maize in south-eastern Nigeria

Effect of powdered extract of peppermint (Mentha piperita) on adult cowpea bruchid (Callosobruchus maculatus) mortality during storage in Jos - Plateau

The over dependence and continues use of synthetic insecticides to control storage pests have been associated with several demerits. This study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal effect of peppermint (Mentha piperita) leaf powder on Callosobruchus maculatus. The peppermint plant was sourced locally and the C. maculatus were cultured to obtain the adult Bruchids. The peppermint was washed, dried under ambient temperature and pulverized. Complete Randomized Design was adopted for this trial with three replications of six treatment dosages of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 0.0 g respectively of the plant material. The trial lasted for four weeks. High Bruchids mortality was observed after treatment with Mentha piperita leaf powder extract. Phytochemical screening of the test plant revealed presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates and cardiac glycosides. Descriptive statistic and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Means (p≤0.05) were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Dosage rate and mean mortality values at the various doses were statistically significant after 48, 72 and 96 hours. The mortality could be attributed to high presence flavonoid in the Mentha piperita leaf powder. The results suggest that the leaf of peppermint has insecticidal property against adult C. maculatus. However, further trials are required to investigate effective dosage rates for other stored grains and to isolate and characterize the active flavonoids contained in the plant.

Effects of Gmelina arborea, Roxb leaf meal on egg characteristics of Coturnix coturnix japonica, Temmick

A thirty-six weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of inclusion of varying levels of Gmelina arborea on egg characteristics, using two (2) weeks old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Ninety-six birds were allocated to four dietary treatment groups with three (3) replicates of eight (8) birds each in a completely randomized design comprising of control (C) containing 0 g/kg; T1, 50 g/kg; T2, 100 g/kg and T3, 150 g/kg of Gmelina arborea leaf meal. Feed and water were provided throughout the experimental period. Egg characteristics were the response criteria that were monitored and subjected to a one-way anova. There were significant (p<0.05) differences observed between treatments for mean egg number and egg shell weight, while no differences (p>0.05) were observed between treatments for eggs composition, weight of eggs, egg shell thickness, egg length, egg width, albumen height, albumen width, albumen weight, yolk height, yolk width, yolk weight. From this study, the egg laying performance and characteristics of eggs laid by birds suggested that among the treatments, up to 50 g/kg of Gmelina arborea leaf meal could be successfully included in quails’ diets without any adverse effect