Seed Management and Quality of Farmer Saved Seeds of Bambara groundnut from North Western, Northern and Eastern Uganda

Bambara groundnut (BG) is a protein and energy-rich legume crop of African origin with the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security. There is limited information on seed man­agement and quality of farmer saved seed of BG in Uganda. This study was conducted to inves­tigate seed management practices and evaluate the quality of farmer saved seed from Uganda. Four hundred BG farmers were chosen using purposive sampling and information gathered on their seed management. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview the farm­ers. Seed colour and size determination, standard germination and electrical conductivity tests were done on seed samples collected from farmers. Results from survey revealed that farmers recycled seeds for more than 4 years (39.2%) and maintained mostly single landraces (52.5%). Seed was sun-dried on the ground (81%), stored in gunny bags (93.5%), and threshed mostly by hand (52.0%). Collected landraces had varied seed coat colours and significantly differed at p = 0.05 in their seed sizes, final germination percentage (FGP), electrical conductivity (EC), germination velocity index and seedling vigour index II (SVI-II). Local Bam landrace recorded highest SVI-II (485.3) and EC (0.52MSg-1) while TVSU 688 landrace recorded the highest FGP (96.0%) and lowest EC (0.06MSg-1).

Yield, biochemical properties and cooking quality traits of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) as affected by Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizer rates

This study evaluated the effects of mineral fertilizer rates on biochemical properties, cooking quality traits and root yield of sweetpotatoes. The experimental design was 4 x 4 factorial in randomized complete block with three replications. The treatment factors were four varieties of sweetpotato (Ligri, Bohye, Dadanyuie and Apomuden) and four fertilizer amendments (T1: 30-30-30 kg /ha NPK, T2: 30-30-60 kg NPK+50 kg Muriate of Potash, T3: 30-30-90 kg/ha NPK+ 100 kg Muriate of Potash and T4: Control (No fertilizer). Results showed that the fertilizer rates did not influence root yield but variety had significant difference (P<0.05). Apomuden recorded the highest average root yield of 14.5 t/ha which was significantly higher than Ligri 5.1 t/ha. Ligri recorded the highest dry matter and sugar contents of 34.63% and 67.98% respectively while Apomuden recorded the lowest dry matter content and starch content of 23.75% and 50.00% respectively. However, it recorded appreciable amount of beta-carotene and sugar contents of 32.38 mg/100g and 28.04% respectively. There were significant variety × location interactions effect (P < 0.05) on average root yield and biomass yield. The significant varietal response observed in this study implies that choice of variety is an important factor to consider in sweetpotato production.

Population dynamics of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacépède, 1803) in Ikere-gorge, Oyo State, Nigeria

The growth and mortality parameters of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus were estimated to assess the sustainability of its exploitation in Ikere-gorge, Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 1210 of Chrys­ichthys nigrodigitatus were sampled from fishermen catches between January, 2017 and Decem­ber, 2018. C. nigrodigitatus were exploited with gillnet, cast net and traps (Malian trap net and bamboo). Total lengths were measured with fish measuring board. The FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool (FiSAT II) software was used to analyze length-frequency data of the fish. The estimated growth parameters are: asymptotic length is 60.9 cm, growth coefficient is 0.96, optimum length is 38.51 cm; length at maturity is 33.44 cm while length-at-first-capture is 12.62 cm. The estimated mortality parameters are: total mortality is 3.29 per year, natural mortality is 1.43 per year and fishing mortality is 1.86. It was observed that C. nigrodigitatus of Ikere-gorge were more vulnerable to exploitation at sizes less than their length at maturity. Likewise, the ex­ploitation rate (E = 0.57 yr-1) is greater than sustainable exploitation rate (Emax = 0.46 yr-1). This shows that exploitation of C. nigrodigitatus in Ikere-gorge is not sustainable. Therefore, there is need to reduce fishing pressure on C. nigrodigitatus to ensure its sustainability in Ikere-gorge.

Evaluation of poultry manure, cattle dung, water and cattle urine-based composts on soil chemical properties, growth and yield of Amaranthus cruentus L.

The inclusion of cattle urine in compost preparation will improve compost quality, particularly with respect to nutrient composition. Field experiments were conducted at the organic farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2014 and 2016 to evaluate the ef­fects of water and cattle urine composts, sole poultry manure and cattle dung on post-harvest soil properties, growth and yield of Amaranthus cruentus. Treatments used were: compost derived from poultry manure + rice husk with water as source of moisture at 2.5, 5.0, 6.5 and 7.5 t ha-1, (PRW2.5, PRW5, PRW6.5 and PRW7.5 respectively), compost derived from poultry manure + rice husk with cattle urine as source of moisture at 2.5, 5.0, 5.4 and 7.5 t ha-1 (PRU2.5, PRW5, PRW5.4 and PRW7.5 respectively) and control. Post-harvest soil was analyzed for chemical properties, agronomic parameters and yield of Amaranthus cruentus were evaluated. Results showed that the application of PRU5.4 resulted in highest values for most of the agronomic parameters in both years, while the competition for highest values of post-harvest soil parame­ters was between PRW5 and PRW6.5. The highest values of Amaranthus cruentus yield in both years resulted from the application of PRU5.4 and PM3.

Characterization and Land Suitability Evaluation for Cocoyam in Southern Nigeria

The soils on diverse landforms in Ikot Esidem, Southern Nigeria were characterized and their suitability evaluated for three varieties of cocoyam. The study area was stratified into flood plains, inland valleys, gentle slopes and crest. The results indicate that sand (30-78%) dominated pedons of gentle slopes and crest while silt (25-55%) and clay (19-51%) dominated the pedons of flood plains and inland valleys. The soils of flood plains and inland valleys were moderately acid (pH 5.0-5.7), medium to high in organic carbon (6.3-20.5 g/kg) and medium to high in base saturation (BS) (46-90%). The gentle slopes and crest units were strongly acid (pH 4.0-5.1), low in organic carbon (4.0-11.3 g/kg) and base saturation (20.5-34.7%). The land suitability evaluated the flood plains and inland valleys as moderately suitable and the gentle slopes and crest as not suitable for Dasheen Type Taro. The flood plains and inland valleys were also evaluated moderately suitable, whereas gentle slopes and crest were marginally suitable for Eddoe Type Taro. Efficient water control drainage and erosion control will enhance cocoyam cultivation depending on terrain type.

Efficacy of tank mixture glufosinate ammonium and indaziflam for weed control in oil palm

The apprehension among oil palm farmers on the toxicity of glyphosate necessitated the need for an alternative herbicide for weed control in oil palm. Thus, a study was conducted at the Ni­gerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to determine the efficacy of tank mixture of glu­fosinate ammonium (Basta) + indaziflam (Alion) for weed control in oil palm. The treatments consisted of glyphosate at 1.5 kg a.i ha-1, glyphosate + diuron at 1.5+2.0 kg a.i. ha-1, glufosinate ammonium at 0.4 kg a.i. ha-1, glufosinate ammonium at 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1, tank mixture of glufos­inate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.4 + 0.04 kg a.i. ha-1, tank mixture of glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.5 + 0.04 kg a.i. ha-1and weedy control. The results showed that tank mixture of glyphosate + diuron at 1.5 + 2 kg a.i ha-1, glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.4 + 0.04 kg a.i. ha-1 and glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.5 + 0.04 had the best weed control efficiency of 78.5%, 78.6% and 78.3% respectively up to 20 weeks. The study concluded that tank mixtures of glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam were as good as glyphosate + diuron for weed control in oil palm.

Assessment of perceived effects of climate change on rice production among farmers in North-west zone, Nigeria

Rice farming is highly dependent on environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature. Rice yield is affected by changes in these climatic elements. Rice farmers’ perceptions of the changes in climate are important determinants of the management practices they use in reducing the effects on rice production. This study assessed the perceived effects of climate change on rice production among farmers. A multistage sampling procedure was used to obtain a sample of 522 farmers. Data were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that majority (94%) of the respondents were males. They were married (88%) and had farming as a major occupation (89%). They perceived that climate change was posing risks to rice production (X = 2.16), would lower rice production (X = 2.07) and would continue to affect storage of rice (X = 2.01). The study determined a significant relationship (p<0.01) between farmers’ perceived effects of climate change and rice yield. It was concluded that positive perception can lead to high adoption of climate change adaptation practices. The climate change knowledge-base of the farmers needs to be improved through more sensitization on climate smart agriculture.

Carcass yield and intestinal morphology of male rabbits fed diets supplemented with turmeric (Curcuma Longa) powder

Thirty-two (7-8 weeks old) male rabbits that weighed between 700 and 800 g were used to determine the effect of inclusion of Turmeric powder on carcass yield and intestinal morphology of rabbits. The rabbits were randomly allotted to four diets containing varying levels of turmeric powder (0, 5, 10 and 15 g) in a complete randomized design. Data were collected on carcass yield, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, crypt depth, mucosal thickness and analyzed using ANOVA. Significant (p<0.05) differences were obtained on bled and eviscerated weights, forelimbs, hind limbs, neck, tail and loin. Highest (p<0.05) duodenum crypt depth (111.50 μm) was obtained with buck fed diet containing 15 g turmeric inclusion while buck fed with diet containing 0 g turmeric had the least value of (67.67 μm). This was similar (p>0.05) with values obtained for buck fed diets containing 5 g turmeric (73.83 μm) and those fed with 10 g turmeric inclusion (79.33 μm). There was significant difference (P<0.05) of rabbit fed with diets with turmeric on jejunum villi height. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in jejunum crypt depth and mucosal thickness. However, 10 g inclusion could be assumed as economic inclusion level for carcass yield and intestinal increase in rabbit production.

Time of introducing component crop influences productivity of intercropping system

Field experiment was conducted at National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Mbato Sub-station, Okigwe, Imo State, South-eastern Nigeria in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to establish the most appropriate time to introduce component crops in cocoyam/cowpea mixture. Five different planting schemes (two and four weeks before, two and four weeks after and same day) and two cowpea genotypes (climbing Akidienu and erect IT97K-499-35) were used. The component crops were grown in monocultures to assess the productivity of the systems. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Growth and yield of cocoyam and the cowpea genotypes increased significantly (P<0.05) when either of the component crops was planted earlier than the other. Intercropping reduced significantly (P<0.05) cocoyam yield by 0.7 − 74% in IT97K-499-35 and 22 − 80% in Akidienu. Sowing the cowpea genotypes the same day or before cocoyam resulted in over-yielding of cowpea, whereas sowing Akidienu and IT97K-499-35 after cocoyam caused pod yield reductions of 64% − 73% and 32% − 59% on average, respectively. Cocoyam planted two weeks before IT97K-499-35 produced more satisfactory yields of the intercrops than the other planting schedules with LER, LEC and ATER of 2.15, 1.03 and 1.57, respectively.

Compatibility of Mancozeb 75 WP with some plant extracts in the integrated management of Cercospora leaf spot disease of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

The use of synthetic mancozeb fungicide has not been effective in the control of okra leaf spot (Pseudocercospora abelmoschi) disease amidst critical issues of environmental concerns. Therefore, this study evaluated the compatibility of mancozeb 75 WP with some botanicals in the integrated management of the disease. Laboratory assay was a 3×4×2 factorial laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications, while the field experiment was a randomized complete block design with 14 treatments. Four extract concentrations, 15, 30, 45 and 50% w/v and 0.5 g/l Mancozeb 75 WP were evaluated. The application of Syzygium aromaticum extract at 50% w/v concentration had the highest mycelial growth reduction of 71.89% of the pathogen. The soil textural class was sandy loam and treatments effect on okra growth indices did not differ significantly (p>0.05). The highest pod yield of 15.48 t/ha-1 was obtained in treatment inoculated with P. abelmoschi. but treated with a combination of S. aromaticum and Mancozeb. The same treatment had the lowest disease incidence of 4.01%, while combined application of C. papaya, S. aromaticum and Mancozeb recorded significantly (p<0.05) lower disease severity among inoculated plants. Therefore, this combination is recommended as foliar spray on okra in place of Mancozeb.