Path coefficients are standardized versions of linear regression coefficients that can be used in partitioning correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects of various traits towards dependent variable. This study was carried out in the years 2014 and 2015 at theLaboratory of the Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, to investigate the relationship of some processing quality traits of tomato and their contributions to Total Soluble Solids (TSS), a vital trait in the tomatoprocessing industry. Tomato fruits on which the processing quality traits were evaluated were derived from plants cultivated at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Pearson‟s correlation analysis and Pathcoefficient analysis were carried out to examine relationships between traits and describe the effects of traits measured on TSS. Positive and highly significant correlations were observed between Total Soluble Solids (TSS) and pH, lycopene content and vitamin C while moisture content and titrable acidity had negative and highly significant correlation with TSS. Vitamin C content and pH showed positive and direct effects on TSS, while fruit firmness, moisture content, titratable acidity and lycopene content had direct but negative effect on TSS. Vitamin C content had the highest direct effect on TSS. It is concluded that an effective selection for high TSS in tomato fruit would not single out any of the traits with direct effects on TSS, rather screening of tomato genotypes using a combination of these traits as selection indices is recommended for tomato fruits total soluble solids. Keywords: Beske, Direct effect, Lycopene, Processing quality, Roma VF and Total Soluble Solids
Continuous use of synthetic insecticides has been reported to pose dangers to environmental health and it has become imperative to provide alternatives that will be friendly to the environment. Studies have shown that some botanicals have low efficacy which can beincreased by the combination of other plant species for synergistic effects.The synergistic effects of the combination of five insecticidal plant extracts (Lantana camara Linnaeus, Zingiber officinale Rosh, TithoniadiversifoliaHemsl, Azadirachtaindica A.Jussand Piper guineenseSchum and Thonn) combined in ratio 1:1 with karate and untreated (control) against insect pests of cucumber were evaluated at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria between 2015 and 2016. Treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Data collection commenced at 2 weeks after planting (WAP) and was taken on weekly basis for six weeks. Severity of insect damage carried out on fruits, and its effect on total yield were assessed. Major insect pests observed were PhyllotretacruciferaeFabricius,Diabrotical undecimpunctataHowardi Barber, Epilach navigintiopunctata Fabricius and Monoleptaspp Coquillett. The mixture of Z. officinale + A. indica had least mean number of 1.55 insects, Piper guineense + T. diversifolia had 1.64 insects with control having 2.97 against Monoleptaspp. Similar result was obtained from other insect pests. Higher cucumber yield was observed on all treated plots with highest on Z. officinale + A. indica 0.63 t/ha. It can be concluded from the results presented that mixture of the plant extracts of any of the five plants could be used to control insect pests of cucumber. Keywords: Insect pests, Botanical insecticides, Karate, efficacy, Plant extracts.
A survey was conducted to investigate the incidence and distribution of Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) infecting irrigated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Kano, Gombe and Jigawa States during the 2017 and 2018 dry cropping seasons. Three farms each from three major tomato- producing local government areas (LGAs) of each State were selected. Forty symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf samples per farm (n=2160) were collected in five quadrants measuring 4 x 4 m and assayed against ToMV, using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The results showed that ToMV occurred in all the states surveyed but with significant (P < .05) variation in distribution. In Gombe State, there was no significant difference amongst the surveyed LGAs: Akko (15.0%), Kaltungo (14.1 %) and Yamaltu Deba (14.0 %)) on ToMV incidence. In Kano State, ToMV incidence was higher in Kura LGA (10.2%) though comparable with incidence recorded at Bagwai (9.8%). Hadejia LGA significantly had the highest ToMV incidence (24.4 %) in Jigawa State. ToMV was significantly more preponderant in Jigawa State (20.1 %), followed by Gombe (14.4 %) while Kano had the least virus incidence (9.0 %). Within the bounds of the current available information, this is the first report of ToMV in these states. It is hoped that this finding will help in creating awareness on the prevalence of ToMV and the need to improve the quality of tomato seed certification and cultural practices for the management this virus disease. Keywords: DAS-ELISA, incidence, Sudan savanna, tomato, Tomato mosaic virus.
Size and quality has been attributed to the medicinal usage of ginger in addressing health maladies. An investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of propagule sizes and poultry manure rates on the growth and yield of turmeric during the rainy seasons of 2014 and 2015 at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was laid out in split plot design replicated three times. Main plot was propagule sizes of 5 and 10 g while poultry manure rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 t/ha were in the sub-plots. Propagule size had significant effects on plant height and rhizome yield for both seasons. Propagule size of 10 g had taller plants of 24.2 cm and 63.4 cm respectively and significantly higher yields of 16.1 and 14.9 t/ha for both seasons respectively. Poultry manure rates also had a significant effect on plant height, number of tillers and the rhizome yield. Rhizome yields of 13.9 t/ha and 16.7 t/ha respectively was highest at 15 t/ha poultry manure for both years. The interaction between propagule size and poultry manure was significant for plant height andthe rhizome yields for both seasons. Propagule size of 10 g gave a higher yield than 5g propagules while 15 t/ha of poultry manure produced an optimum performance. Keywords: Propagule size, vegetative propagation, organic manure, yield.
Fresh capsules of African walnut similar in maturity age were collected from nine locations in Ekiti State and one from Kogi State. Fresh and boiled nuts were assayed for proximate composition following AOAC standards. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and genotype x traits biplot analysis. Results showed that most proximate traits differed significantly (p < 0.05) across accessions. Main effect of accession showed that ash content (6.48 %) was highest in Aba-Oyo, which was statistically similar to Ara (6.46 %) accession. Ogotun accession was outstanding in crude protein (18.40 %) whereas Alafe accession was the best with respect to crude fat (41.09 %) and dry matter content (91.25 %). Highest crude fiber (11.67 %) was obtained in accession from Oranre and was statistically similar to Aramoko (11.63 %). Moisture content (9.58 %) was highest in accession from Aramoko but lowest (8.76 %) in Alafe accession. Accession from Ara possessed the highest nitrogen free extract (15.62 %). Main effect of processing showed that ash (6.40 %), crude fat (40.77 %), crude fiber (11.76 %), moisture content (9.07 %) and nitrogen free extract (14.97 %.) were higher in fresh nuts. Crude protein (19.20 %) and dry matter content (90.94 %) increased in boiled nuts. The biplot shows that crude protein was higher in boiled nuts in most of the accessions but moisture, dry matter content and fiber were generally higher in fresh nuts. Study showed that genetic variability existed among the accessions, which could provide basis for genetic improvement.
In Nigeria, maize is a crop of both household and industrial importance, despite the versatility of the crop growing across a range of agro-ecological zones, high yield losses have been sustained in maize due to weed competition and lack of optimum fertilizer application. These trials were conducted during the dry season of 2014/2015 at the Research Farms of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru Zaria in the Northern Guinea Savannah and at the Irrigation Research Station, Kadawa in the Sudan Savannah Agro- ecological zones of Nigeria. The research was conducted to determine the effects of weed control and poultry manure rates on extra-early maize production. The experiment consisted of five weed control treatments (Nicosulfuron at 5.5, 7.0 and 8.5 g a.i. ha-1 , two hoe weedings at 3 and 6 WAS, and a weedy check) and three poultry manure rates (0, 3 and 6 t ha-1) and NPK at 90:45:45 kg ha-1 as control, laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in split plot arrangement, replicated three times. Plots treated with Nicosulfuron at all doses and those weeded twice at 3 and 6 WAS produced longer, bigger and heavier cobs than those of the weedy check. Plots weeded twice at 3 and 6 WAS produced heavier seed yield per cob and higher grain yield than other weed control treatments. Application of NPK at 90:45:45 kg.ha-1 gave the best performance compared to manure rates (3 and 6 t ha-1 ). Application of 6 t ha-1 of poultry manure outperformed the other manure rates in all yield parameters. Based on the results obtained from these trials, it can be concluded that hoe weeding twice at 3 and 6 WAS and application of NPK at 90:45:45 kg ha-1resulted in effective weed control and the produced higher grain yield of extra-early maize at both locations. Keywords: Nicosulfuron, Poultry Manure, Rates,Growth, Irrigated, Maize
Field experiment was conducted at Efon - Alaaye, Ekiti state, in the rain forest zone of southwest, Nigeria in 2009/2010 cropping season to determine the effects of animal dung and cocoa pod husk residue ash on Okra yield, leaf nutrients composition and soil chemical properties. The treatments consisted of milled cocoa pod husk (CPH), cocoa pod husk ash (CPHA), oil- palm bunch ash (OPBA), poultry droppings (PD), cow dung (CD) applied at a rate of 5tons/ha and NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer at 200kg/ha. Control without any amendmentwas included for comparison. Data on number of leaves, plant height and stem girth were collected at seven weeks after treatments application. Pods were harvested starting from the 52nd day after sowing at four days intervals and monitored for 72 days after sowing. The fertilizers materials irrespective of sources and rates of application positively improved the growth parameters of okra plant. The effects of poultry droppings was comparable to NPK (20:10:10) on height, number of leaves and pod weight per unit area (12m2 ). Similarly, application of fertilizer materials significantly (p < 0.05) improved the chemical properties of soil and leaf nutrient compositions relative to the control. Key words: cocoa pod husk, evaluate, nutrients, okra yield, parameters, residue ash.
Eggplant is a popular vegetable/fruit consumed in Nigeria either in the fresh form or cooked. To study the genetic diversity; estimate the heritability and genetic advances of the fruit yield and to determine quantitative traits of this crop, a total of seventy-eight accessions of eggplants were evaluated in 2011/2012 at the vegetable research field of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan. Data on quantitative traits were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Single Linkage Cluster Analysis (SLCA), Fastclus technique and Analysis of Variance. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability (PCV and GCC), heritability and genetic advance of the yield components were estimated. The first four principal component axes accounted for 79.47% of total variability. PCA1 with largest variation (40.49%) was loaded with petiole length, fruit diameter, number of fruits and fruit yield/plant. The SLCA summarized relationship among the 78 accessions into three groups at 50% level of similarity while Fastclus technique separated them into sixteen clusters. Significant variation occurred among the eggplant accessions with respect to most of the traits studied. High estimates of broad-sense heritability (˃ 85%) suggested that the traits were highly heritable and under additive gene effect. Magnitude of PCV higher than GCV for some traits indicated that environment had great influence on these traits. Keywords: Genetic diversity, quantitative traits, variation, heritability, genetic advance
Two animal manure sources (swine and sheep/goat manures) each at 5 Mt·ha-1, were applied in mono- and intercropped maize (Zea mays L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) to assess their effects on growth, yield and productivity of the systems. A general control (no manure treatment of the component crops was established) for productivity assessment. The trial was conducted at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, in the derived savanna plains, Ishiagu, Nigeria in 2012 and 2013 mid-cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Maize and groundnut were planted in monocrop and intercrop without manure, and with swine manure or goat/sheep manure. Some of the growth and yield data collected from the component crops were plant height, number of leaves·plant-1, stem girth, cob length, number of seeds·m-2, weight of seeds·m-2, number of pods·m-2 and grain yield. All the data were statistically analysed and means compared with least significant difference at p<0.05 level of significance. The combined analysis indicated that animal manure sources significantly (P<0.05) increased growth and yield of the crops in the systems. The economic and biological productivity indices indicated that the application of sheep/goat manure in the mixture exhibited greater intercrop advantage. Hence, the application of sheep/goat manure gave higher gross monetary return, % land saved and total land equivalent ratio, which was higher by 13.76%, 7.50% and 4.79 %, respectively relative to swine manure application. Therefore, sheep/goat manure application should be encouraged in maize-groundnut intercrop.
Essentiality of two week delay period to seed sowing after compost application in the face of current climate change was the focus of this work. This effect on growth, yield and viscous quality of Corchorus olitorius compared to chemical fertilizer (CF) fertility management practice by farmers in the study area was evaluated in a field trial. Three equilibration periods of compost applied at 500 gm-2 in soil prior to sowing: no equilibration (C0), a week (C1) and two weeks (C2) equilibrations were compared with CF (a mix of NPK 20:10:10 at 30 gm-2 and urea at 6.7g gm-2) and unamended soils in a randomized complete block experimental design in three replications during the 2017/2018 cropping season. Corchorus olitorius sown on the same day in all the plots was nurtured for six weeks and data were taken on number of leaves, plant height, fresh shoot (FSW) and root weights (FRW), leaf viscous quality, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means separated by DMRT at 5% probability level using GENSTAT statistical package (8th Edition).The compost treatments were superior in enhancing number of leaves, leaf viscous quality, SOC and total nitrogen above CF and unamended soils. The C1 and C2 significantly reduced FSW and FRW by 5.6 and 6% and 35 and 32.4% respectively while C2 produced leaves 42 and 60% more mucilaginous than C0 and CF respectively. The C1 enhanced SOC and total nitrogen than other treatments. Highest rotation intensity (600 rpm) of C. olitorius leaf paste improved viscous strength by 61.7, 46.5 and 31.3% over 100, 200 and 300 rpm respectively. Conclusively delaying seed sowing by two weeks produced C. olitorius with least fresh biomass weight and highest leaf viscous strength.
Adansonia digitata (Linn) Baobab is well known with hard seed coat, endanger by nature and its need for sustainable livelihood is unavoidable. Therefore, there is a need to determine the best silvicultural methods of handling the species. This study was investigated the pre-treatments, inorganic fertilizer and varying soil volumes on the growth and development of Adansonia digitata seeds and seedlings in a nursery at the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State. Seeds were subjected to four pre-sowing seed treatment methods namely: soaked in cold water for 48 hrs, soaking in hot water for 30 mins, soaking in concentrated Tetraoxosulphate (vi) acid 35 mins, control. The growth parameters considered for assessment were shoot height, leaf area, stem diameter and leaf count. The experiment was a 3x3 factorial experiment laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with nine treatment combinations for growth experiment with three replications making twenty-seven samples altogether. The results of pre-sowing treatments revealed that there is significant different (p≤ 0.05) across four treatments applied on seeds. Acid treated seeds had the highest performance (95%) followed by the hot water treatment method (40%). 0g of Muriate of Potash + 2kg of topsoil, had the highest performance of leaf count, stem diameter, shoot height, leaf area with the mean values of 29.16, 1.2 mm, 43.5cm and 40.4cm2 respectively. The research, therefore recommends soaking of Adansonia digitata seeds for 35 minutes in 20ml of acid for mass production of seedlings while 0g of Muriate of Potash + 2kg of topsoil played pertinent roles in growth performance. Keywords: Growth performance, Inorganic fertilizer, Pre-sowing treatments, Soil volume, Tetraoxosulphate (vi) acid (H2SO4).
Tomato (Lycospersicon esculentum) is one of the most important vegetables worldwide. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the performance and adaptability of nine varieties of tomatoes to local environment. The preliminary trial was carried out at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) vegetable experimental field in Ibadan. The tomato seeds were collected from Vegefresh, viz: veg 21,veg 5, veg 87-5, veg 7, veg 6, veg 9, veg 8, veg -, and veg 99. The seeds were sown along with two standard check varieties (roma vf and big local). Tomato seedlings were transplanted to the field at 4 weeks after sowing (4WAS). Plant spacing was 50 cm x 50 cm, giving a population of 49 plants initially transplanted to each plot of 3m x 3m. The trial was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) in four replicates. Weeding was done with a hoe as necessary to reduce weed infestation. Growth parameters were taken fortnightly and the results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The means were separated using LSD. There were no significant differences (P<0.05) in plant height among the accessions except veg 5, veg 8, veg 9, and veg 11. Veg 9 and veg 11 recorded the tallest plants 18.5m and 19.1m, respectively. There were significant differences in number of fruits and fruit weight as veg 21 gave the highest in both 14.2 and 155.8g respectively.
Adoption of Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum), an aesthetic edible plant in landscaping of conventional residential areas, offers a dual-purpose advantage. Provision is made for food and aesthetics purposes in the same landscape site, thus contributing to food security. Two years study was conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, to assess the desirability of the use of an edible plant component with ornamental characteristics, Ocimum basilicum, in a landscape under varying management practices as treatments which were; manuring with poultry droppings, mulching with saw dust and hedge trimming. This was evaluated in companion with a conventional species (Duranta repense). Two factor were involve: year and management practices. Experimental design was a randomized complete block, replicated thrice. Data were collected on plant height, number of branches, soil moisture content, re-growth yield and canopy volume. Capturing of the growth progression with a camera was done weekly from 2 weeks after transplanting. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). In both years, basil that received manuring resulted in taller plants with more branches. Canopy room in both years was widest for plants manured and mulched. The significant effect of management practices on number of branches contributed to improved yield of Basil and good hedge formation for aesthetic purpose. Manured and trimmed plants had higher yield (2.0 kg/plot of 9m2) compared with manured and mulched plants (1.9kg/plot of 9m2). Highest leaf yield of Basil was in 2014 (1.35kg/plot of 9m2) compared to 2013 (0.68kg/plot of 9m2). Re-growth leaf yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher at first and third trimming in both years. Mutual shading to form a proper hedge under manured and mulched plant showed the positive effect of maintenance practices on Basil growth as a companion and edible plant in a landscape. Use of Basil as an edible component along with other ornamental plants for private landscape is found desirable as source of food supplement as well as providing aesthetic effects in landscape sites. This has a positive implication on food security for urban dwellers in view of the nutritive importance of Ocimum basilicum.
Plantain peels are rich in plant essential nutrients, therefore, if used as soil amendment, could improve the yield of crops. Field experiments were carried out in 2014 and 2015 planting seasons to evaluate the direct and residual effects of compost derived from plantain peel and poultry manure on the chemical properties of soil, growth and yield of Celosia argentea. Treatments used were compost prepared from poultry manure and ripe plantain peel composts at ratio 1:3, applied at the rate of 10, 20, 30 tha-1 and control. Parameters evaluated were the chemical properties of post - harvest soil, height, number of leaves, stem girth and fresh yield of Celosia argentea. It was observed that in the first year of the experiment (2014), compost applied at the rate of 30 t ha-1 significantly increased the total N (0.65 g kg-1), available P (16.06 mg kg-1), K (0.36 cmol kg-1), Ca (0.20 cmol kg-1), Mg (0.21 cmol kg-1), exchangeable acidity (1.35 cmol kg-1), organic carbon (19.3 g kg-1) of post - harvest soil and the fresh yield of Celosia(17.04 t ha-1)above the control. A similar observation was made in 2015 where compost at 30 t ha-1significantly increased the Mg (1.21 cmol kg-1), organic carbon (37.6 g kg-1), N (0.47 g kg-1), P (36.73 mg kg-1) of post - harvest soil while exchangeable acidity (0.06 cmol kg-1) was significantly reduced over the control by the above treatment. The same compost treatment significantly increased the fresh yield (15.61 t ha-1) and height (65.03 cm) of Celosia argentea. Celosia argenteacould be planted twice on the same soil with the application of 30 tha-1 plantain peel- based compost for improved soil chemical properties and higher yield. Key words: Plantain peel, Poultry manure, Direct effect, Residual effect, Celosia argentea
Soil physical properties and crop yield may vary in their responses to different mulching materials. Therefore, field studies were conducted during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to evaluate the effect of different mulch types on selected soil physical properties, growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). The experiment consisted of six treatments (saw dust applied at the rate of 2.5, 5.0 and 10 tonha-1 and plastic mulch (black and transparent) and a control (no mulch) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Application of mulch reduced bulk density, increased total porosity and gravimetric moisture content, growth and pod yield of okra compared with the control. In 2019, 2.5, 10 t ha-1 and transparent plastic reduced soil bulk density compared with other mulch treatments. Total porosity was significantly (p≤0.05) higher with different mulch application than the control. Soil temperature was significantly higher under black plastic mulch than the control and other mulch treatments. Growth and pod yield of okra were significantly (p≤0.05) higher with mulch application relative to the control. Black plastic mulch recorded significantly taller plants compared with the control and other mulch treatments in 2018. Saw dust mulch applied at10 t ha-1 produced taller plants compared with 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1. Stem diameter had higher values on 10 t ha-1 compared with the control in 2018. In 2019, pod yield of okra was higher on black plastic mulch compared with the control. Therefore, the use of saw dust mulch at 10 t ha-1 improved soil physical properties while black plastic mulch maximized growth and yield of okra.
All year round demand for supply of pawpaw fruits in Nigeria necessitates irrigating pawpaw field during the dry spells. The moisture sensitivity of developmental stages of pawpaw was investigated in a greenhouse study at the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria to design an irrigation schedule based on maintaining critical soil water potential at different developmental stages.Three-month old seedlings of pawpaw cv. „Homestead Selection‟ potted in 80kg of loamy sand were irrigated whenever soil water potential fell below -0.02, -0.06, -0.20or -1.50 MPa at a depth of 15cm at the vegetative, flowering or fruiting stages. Moisture stress and developmental stage were combined in factorial and arranged following a completely randomised design replicated three times.At the vegetative stage, compared to -0.02MPa, soil water potential of -0.20 and -1.50MPa significantly decreased plant height, stem girth and leaf area, but not total dry matter accumulation. At the early flowering stage,compared to -0.02, -0.20 and -1.50MPa significantly decreased plant height and stem girth, -1.50 MPa significantly decreased flowering, while soil water potential had no consistent effects on leaf area.At the fruiting stage,soil water potential did not significantly influence plant height, stem girth or number of flowers. Nonetheless, compared with -0.02 MPa, -0.06, -0.20 and -1.50MPa significantly decreased leaf area, while -1.50MPa halted fruit set and significantly decreased dry matter accumulation. The critical soil water potential for the vegetative is -0.06 MPa while for the flowering and fruiting stages it is -1.50MPa. These values should guide irrigation of pawpaw. Key words: critical soil water potential, drought, hydro-periodicity, papaya
To ensure that moringa plant is used as a leaf vegetable crop or fodder crop to feed livestock appropriate spacing is required to optimize the crop performance. Studies were conducted in the experimental field of Teaching and Research Farm Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomoso in 2012 and 2013, to determine the effect of spacing on the biomass yield of moringa. In each year seeds were planted at different spacing to give nine treatments and these were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replicates. The spacings were 20 x 20cm, 20 x 30cm, 20 x 40cm, 30 x 30cm, 30 x 40cm, 30 x 50cm, 40 x 40cm, 40 x 50cm and 50 x 50cm. The experimental plot was ploughed and harrowed and seeds were sown at different spacing. The following were assessed until the first harvest, plant height and number of leaves/plant. The following data were taken at harvest, fresh shoot yield, fresh leaf yield, dry shoot yield and dry leaf yield. Thereafter, the leaves were used for estimation of dry matter, proximate and nutritional compositions. 50 x 50cm produced the tallest plant and number of leaves/plant. However, 30 x 40cm and 30 x 50cm spacing produced the highest biomass yield while 50 x 50cm had the least. In conclusion, 30 x 40 cm and 30 x 50cm spacing gave the highest leaf yield and are recommended for farmers in Ogbomoso growing moringa as a vegetable crop or fodder crop. Keywords: Biomass, Fodder Crop, Moringa, Spacing, Vegetable.
The study analysed the post-harvest losses (PHLs) in orange in Lagos Metropolitan markets, Nigeria.The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the orange marketers, appraise their marketing activities and identify the causes of PHLs.A two-stage sampling technique was used to select 100 orange marketers in the study area. Data were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale rating and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that majority of the orange marketers were female, within the age range of 41-50 years, had primary education and married with a mean household size of 6 people. Most of the marketers played a dual role of wholesaler and retailer, travelled an average distance of 78.3 km to purchase their wares, used open pickup van as mode of transportation, baskets as the major storage system and incurred an average postharvest loss cost of ₦ 4,551.55 monthly. The major causes of PHLs in the study area were distance (61.9%), high transportation cost (46.4%), bad roads (49.5%), poor storage system (47.4%) and perishable nature of orange (63.9%). Education (p<0.05), marketing experience (p<0.01), monthly income (p<0.05), storage system (p<0.05) and distance (p<0.01) were the major determinants of PHLs in the study area. It is concluded that, the economic burden of PHLs is enormous on the orange marketers and this needs to be disparaged by the state government and other relevant institutions in the study area. Keywords: Orange marketing, post-harvest losses, transportation, storage, distance
Soil fertility is a major factor influencing its productivity and the eventual yield of citrus in Nigeria. Fertilizer application to citrus trees is often carried out without recourse to appropriate soil information. Therefore, a study was carried out to assess and classify the fertility status of some basement complex soils supporting citrus production in southern and northern Nigeria. Soil samples were taken from representative soil profile pits and analysed for soil physical and chemical properties. Soil fertility classification was done using the Fertility Classification System while fertility assessment was based on soil samples collected from 0 – 50cm soil depth and rated on Soil Fertility Index (SFI) of 0 -100. The basement complex soils of southern Nigeria were characterized by low nutrient reserves, low organic matter content, waterlogging/poor drainage and high degree of leaching. The coarse nature and high gravel content of the soils are the main factors limiting soil productivity for citrus production. The range of actual SFI was 14.45 – 39.34 while the range of potential SFI was 72 – 100. Fertility constraints in the Northern basement complex soils include texture, strong dry season and low organic matter. Actual SFI ranged from 21.16 – 28.21. The soils are low in exchangeable potassium (0.34 cmol -1.74cmol//kg) and low to marginal for available phosphorus (3.17 mg/kg – 5.92 mg/kg). The values of both exchangeable K and available P are below the required values of 15 – 80 mg/kg (available P) and 100 cmol/kg – 200 cmol/kg (exchangeable K) required for citrus production. The soils are low to medium in fertility and should be improved through appropriate fertilizer application in order to attain optimum citrus production.
Management of Ralstonia solanacearumis a difficult task due to its extremely wide host range and different pathogenic races. This has limited tomato production limited as a result of severe losses due to disease caused by the pathogen. Two trials were conducted in early and late planting seasons of the year 2012. Two susceptible tomato cultivars (Beske and UC82-B) were used as scions on land race Tomachiva. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in both seasons. The results showed that Beske had 90% grafting success in early planting season and 87.75% in late season while 84.50% was observed in early season and 84.75% during late planting season for UC82-B cultivar. Grafted Beske and UC82-B performed excellently with 100%protection against bacterial wilt infection except in the late planting season when grafted UC82-B experienced 3.30% incidence, which was significantly lower(p ≤ 0.05) than both 21.70% and 33.30% (non-grafted UC82-B), 45% and 50% (non-grafted Beske) at seventh and eighth week after transplanting respectively. There was also significant yield increase (p ≤ 0.05) in grafted Beske up to 63.16% and 53.38% in both early and late planting seasons respectively. UC82-B grafted tomato had 56.14% and 71.76% yield increase both in earlyand late planting seasons respectively. Thus, the indigenous Tomachiva cultivar could be used as resistant rootstock for the management of bacterial wilt of tomatoin an integrated disease management in tomato production for yield increase. Keywords: Bacterial wilt, grafting, Ralstonia solanacearum, rootstock,tomato.
