A study was conducted to determine the effects of cutting frequency and fertilizer-N rates on growth and production of guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq). The experiment was conducted in Nsukka, Nigeria. Treatments comprised four levels of fertilizer N (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha ') and four cutting intervals (3, 6, 9 and 12 weekly intervals). Plant height, tiller number and herbage dry matter yields were significantly increased by 6%, 44% and 53%, respectively, during the establishment year when fertilizer-Nrate was increased from 0 to 450 kg N ha'. The extent of weed cover was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by 33% in 2000 when fertilizer-N rate was increased from 0 to 450 kg N ha'. Increase in interval between cuts from 3 to 12 weeks significantly (P < 0.05) increased plant height in all the years. Plant height was increased (P < 0.05) by 28% 34% and 28% in 2001, 2002 and 2004, respectively, when fertilizer N was increased from 0 to 450 kg ha'. Application of Nat 450 kg ha produced similar plant heights in 2001 with the 300 kg N ha' but differed from the 150 kg N ha'. Increase in nitrogen application progressively increased (P<0.05) plant height in 2002 and 2004. Key words: , , ,

A study of browse plants in Nsukka rural communities was conducted between February and March 2005. Structured questionnaires were administered to farmers in four communities in Nsukka Local Government Area. Twenty (20) browse species belonging to 14 families were identified. All the sampled respondents kept sheep and/or goats and depend on the natural pasture as the main source of browse plants for the animals. Fifty five per cent (55.0%) of the farmers sampled practised stall feeding while 45.0% of the respondents left the farm animals to roam and graze, especially during the dry season after crop harvests. The mean stock number per farmer in this study was 4.9 for goats and 1.0 for sheep with the highest numbers being in the Eha-Alumona community. In Obukpa community, sheep did not feature significantly. Species in the families of Bignonaceae, Chrysobalinaceae, Fabaceae, and Moraceae, are common in all the communities. The family of Moraceae has the largest number of commonly utilized browse plants.

A study of multipurpose browse and grass species from four rural communities of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State was conducted between 2005 and 2006. Structured questionnaires were administered to farmers in the four communities. A total of 38 plant species belonging to 24 plant families were identified as multipurpose browse species. A greater number of the plant species are used for fuel wood (22 species), for fruits and leaves as vegetables (20 species) and for human and veterinary medicine (16 species). Twenty seven species of these browse plants from 2 communities were subjected to nutritional evaluation of their ash and crude fibre contents. The percentage crude fibre content of Icancina trichantha (73. 8%) was highest compared with the other browse species. Browse species from Edemani community gave significantly (P < 0.05) higher crude fibre contents than those from Obukpa community. Elaeis guineensis had significantly (P < 0.05) the highest ash content (23.5%). Plants from Edemani had higher ash content (11.4%) than those from Obukpa community (8.1%). Location and species interaction significantly (P < 0.05) affected the ash contents of the browse plants. A total of 6 plants were identified as multipurpose grass species. A greater number of the grass species are used for soil fertility enrichment (4 species), for lighting (2 species) and as roofing materials (2 species). The most frequently used grass species (with mean usage = 15%) across all sampled communities include: Andropogon gayanus and Anthephora ampulaceae. All the grass species identified are moderately available in the area of study.

The effects of cutting frequency and levels of nitrogen on revitalization of a run-down pasture were investigated in 2000 and 2001 at Nsukka, Nigeria. Grass swards were cut at intervals of 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks and received 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha' nitrogen. Grass dry matter yield was increased from 52 to 75% at the 3 and 6 weeks intervals of cutting, respectively. Weed proportion was reduced from 48 to 25% with 6-weekly cuts compared with more frequent cutting at 3 weeks interval between cuts. Cutting interval did not affect the total herbage yield. The dry matter yields of leaf blade, stem and inflorescence fractions increased significantly with increase in interval between cuts in the second year. The percentage nitrogen content was highest with 3-weekly interval of cut and decreased with high interval of cuts in the second year. Crude protein yield (kg ha') was highest with 6- and followed by 3- and 9-weekly intervals of cut and decreased with lar cutting of 12-weekly interval. Fertilizer-N treatment significantly increased total annual herbage dry matter yield from 3,460 kg ha yrl where no fertilizer N was applied to 5,233 kg ha-yr' with application of 450 kg N ha-'. Grass dry matter as proportion of the total herbage dry matter was increased from 57 to 80% with the highest N rate of 450 kg Nha compared with where N was not applied, while the weed dry matter as proportion of the total herbage dry matter was reduced from 43 to 20% with the highest N rate of 450 kg N ha compared with where N was not applied at the second year. A combination of 6-weeks interval of cutting with 450 kg N ha' gave the highest dry matter yield. It was also adequate in suppressing weed. Frequent cutting at higher levels of fertilizer N (300 - 450 kg ha'') increased the nitrogen and crude protein percentages of forage foliage while 6-weekly interval of cuts when combined with higher N levels gave the highest crude protein yield per hectare per year in the foliage herbage.

The effects of fertilizer-N application and cutting frequency on the herbage yield of Panicum maximum pasture were investigated in 2001 through 2004 in a sandy loam soil at Nsukka. The experiment was a 4r 4 factorial arrangement laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments comprised four levels of Nitrogen of 0, 150, 300, and 450 kg N ha' and four harvesting frequencies of 3-6-19- and 12-weekly intervals, resulting in süteen treatment combinations per block, Grass dry matter yield increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 7.799 to 10,993 kg ha' and from 5,715 to 14,220 kg ha' when the interval between cuts extended from 3 to 12 weeks at the first and fourth harvest years, respectively. Pasture plots cut at 3- or 6 weeks intervals exhibited much greater weed proportion than those cut at 9-, or 12-week interval. The total annual herbage dry matter yield increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 8.564 to 11,312 kg ha and from 6,814 to 10,268 in 2001 and 2004, respectively, when fertilizer N was increased from 0 to 450 kg N ha. A combination of 12-weekly interval of cut with 300 kg N ha gave a significantly higher forage grass herbage dry matter yield compared with the values got from 3- or 6-weekly interval combined with any N rate. Fertilizing at 300-450 kg N ha when combined with cutting at 9 to 12-weekly interval bet ween citts was more effective in suppressing growth and proportion of weeds.

The effect of plant population on the growth and yield Mucuna flagellipes (Vogel ex Hook) was conducted for two cropping seasons (2013 and 2014) in the Teaching and Research farm, Department of Agronomy, Cross River University of Technology Obubra, Cross River State. The experimentwas laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Treatments comprised four plant populations of 33,333, 16,666, 10,000 and 8,333 plants/ha and there were three replications. Data collected were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) procedure for a randomized complete block design. Close spacing with high plant population significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of leaves, branches and dry matter of plant fractions per plant. The longest vine of 594.1 and 651.3cm and leaf area index of 7.462 and 7.609 were produced in plant population of 33,333 plants/ha at 24 WAP in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons respectively. Pod and seed yield per plant were higher in plots with the least plant population of 8,333 plants/ha as compared with other higher plant population of 33,333 and 16,666 plants/ha. The highest Mucuna flagellipes seed yield of 2.85 and 2.91 tons/ha were produced from plots with 33,333 plants/ha in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons.

Responses of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) to 3 levels of fertilizer N (0, 50, and 100 kg N/ha) and seven plant populations (55555, 63492, 74074, 88888, 111111, 148148 and 222222 plants/ha) were studied under field conditions in Nsukka, Nigeria. The experimental design was a randomized complete block and there were three replications. Seed yield progressively increased with increasing plant population, being significantly highest at 222,222 plants/ha. The application of 100 kg N/ha increased the total dry matter per plant compared with no application or with 50 kg N/ha, although seed yield benefits were not readily apparent. Nodulation was not statistically influenced by N treatment although zero or- low N application showed a slight increase in nodulation, suggesting a lack of adequate population of the effective rhizobium in the location. Innoculation of bambara groundnut seeds with effective rhizobium strain before planting becomes necessary for good nodulation and production of the crop under Nsukka agro-ecological conditions. Key words : Vigna subterranea, nodulation, N-fertilizer, plant population, seed yield, dry matter yield.

In two light-controlled experiments conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the effects of six photoperiods (8, 10, 12, 14, 16 hours and natural photoperiod) on growth and flower induction in six accessions of bambara groundnut (TVsu 1023, TVsu 745, TVsu 323/764, TVsu 11, TVsu 9 and Yaudu (local) were studied at two different periods of the year. In experiment one, the design used was a 6 x 6 factorial arrangement laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications. The second experiment was a 5 x 6 factorial in CRD with three replications. In the first photoperiodic experiment (May 9, 1992 and August 10, 1992), Yaudu (local), TVsu 745, TVsu 11, TVsu 1023 and TVsu 9 showed a quantitative short day response to the number of leaves produced per plant, number of days to flower bud emergence and to anthesis. In the second growth chamber experiment (October 1992 to January 1993), TVsu 745, TVsu 764, TVsu 11, TVsu 1023 and Yaudu local exhibited a quantitative short day response in their number of days to flower bud emergence and to anthesis. As a result, they could be planted around July to take advantage of the short photoperiods of October to December for good crop.Key words: photoperiodism, bambara groundnut, accessions, anthesis, number of flowers, leaf area

An experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the 2006 cropping season, to assess the effects of planting distance and organic manure rates on dry matter and fresh vegetable yields of waterleaf at Nsukka in Southeastern Nigeria. Treatments comprised five plant spacings and four manure rates. The plant spacings were 25 cm x 10 cm, 25 cm x 15 cm, 25 cm x 20 cm, 25 cm x 25 cm and 25 cm x 30 cm corresponding to 1,000,000; 444,444; 250,000; 160,000 and 111,111 plants per hectare, respectively. The manure rates were 0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha -1 . All possible combinations of spacing and manure rates were laid out in a factorial arrangement using randomized complete block design in twenty treatment combinations per block, and there were three replications. Yields tended to decrease with wider spacing. The closest spacing of 25 cm x 10 cm gave the highest fresh vegetable yield. Fresh vegetable yield was significantly (P < 0.05) lowest with where no manure was applied. Application of manure at 30 t ha -1 significantly yielded higher than application of either 10 or 20 t ha -1 . Combination of organic manures at 30 t ha -1

Four legumes, Lablab purpureus, Stylosanthes hamata, Centrosema pascuorum and Stylosanthes guyanensis and 4 grasses, Sorghum almum, Panicum maximum, Chloris gayana and Andropogon gayanuswere investigated in a 2-year study at Nsukka, derived savannah, Nigeria. The response of these species to cutting management (4 and 8-weekly intervals) was evaluated. Increasing the interval between harvests increased (P<0.05) plant height and percentage dry matter production in the grass and legume species. Cutting treatment did not influence the extent of legume cover; however, the extent of grass cover was increased (P<0.05) by 30% when the interval between harvests was increased from 4 to 8 weeks. Weed cover in the grass plots was depressed (P<0.05) by 21% with increased interval of cut from 4 to 8 weeks. The tallest (P<0.05) plants among the legumes were obtained in S. guianensis when cutting was done at the interval of 8 weeks. Harvesting the grasses at the interval of 8 weeks produced the tallest plants in A. gayanusin 2007. The highest (P<0.05) tiller number per meter square was produced in both years when A. gayanuswas harvested at 4-weekly interval. S. guyanensis and S. hamata suppressed (P<0.05) weed growth more than L. purpureus or C. pascuorum. Percentage dry matter production was lower (P<0.05) in L. purpureuscompared with the other legumes. Grass cover remained relatively high with P. maximum and A. gayanus. Key words: Cutting frequency, forage species, seasonal yield, dry matter content.

The effects of Rhizobium leguminosarum inoculation on the growth and yield of Mucuna flagellipies (Vogel ex Hook) was conducted for two years (2008 and 2009) in the Greenhouse, Department of Agronomy, Obubra, Cross River University of Technology, Cross River State. Treatments were three Rhizobium strains (CB188, CB756, IAC636 inoculants and no Rhizobium (control), inoculated on Mucuna flagellipies seedlings planted in the polyethelene bags (50x30cm) arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with eight replications. The results showed that all cases of inoculation with Rhizobium strains significantly (p<0.05) increased higher growth and yield compared with the noninoculated ones. Rhizobium inoculated plants produced more number of leaves per plant (28.4 and 29.3), branches (5.3 and 6.2), longest vine length(225.5 and 238.3cm) than the non inoculated at 50% flowering in 2008 and 2009 seasons respectively. The highest leaf area index value (4.03 and 4.06), biomass dry weight of plant fractions; nodule ( 0.78 and 0,79g), vine(11.32 and11.44g), root (6.51 and 6.51g),and leaf (14.5 and 15 2g) were obtained in plants inoculated with IAC 636 Rhizobium strains. Inoculation also promoted earlier flowering ,pod formation in Mucuna flagellipies as compare with the non inoculated ones .Similarly, the same strain (IAC 636) gave the best seed yield of 120.0g and 126.1g per plant in 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively. The findings suggested that inoculation of Mucuna flagellipies with Rhizobium is beneficial and produced high seed yield and could be use as biofertilizer an alternative to nitrogen fertilizer.KEY WORDS: Mucuna flagellipies, Rhizobium, Inoculation, Growth, and Yield.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of cutting frequency and nitrogen rates on guinea grass (Panicum maximum) tiller production and herbage yield distribution over time. Plants were grown in the Department of Crop Science Research and Teaching Farm, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A 4 × 4 factorial experiment replicated three times was set in a randomized complete block design. Treatments comprised four levels of nitrogen fertilizer at 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1and four harvesting frequencies of three-, six-, nine- and 12-weekly intervals. Tiller number per square meter of ground significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with increasing interval of cuts, but significantly (P < 0.05) increased with incremental application of fertilizer N in all the years. The three-weeks interval of cuts significantly produced the highest tiller number when combined with the highest N rate of 450 kg N ha-1 in 2003 compared with six-, nine- or 12-week intervals of cut. Grass tiller number significantly (P < 0.05) increased with frequent cutting of intervals earlier in the 2001 season (June to August) than later (September to November) when compared with the infrequent cutting intervals. In most periods of the years, dry matter yields of grass herbage and crop fractions were significantly increased with increase in interval between cuts and with incremental application of nitrogen. However, grass dry matter yields were significantly reduced with longer intervals, relative to the shorter intervals late in the 2001, 2002 and 2003 seasons. Key words: Nitrogen fertilizer, crop fractions, interval between cuts, seasons.

The widespread adoption of cropping systems that are sustainable and environmentally friendly is vital for the macroeconomic survival of civilization. Intercropping could ensure stability of insect populations in a system. A 3-yr (2005-2007) field trial was therefore carried out in Nigeria under regular and ratoon crops to evaluate five recently developed pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan [L.] Huth) genotypes (ICPL 87, ICPL 161, ICPL 85063, ICP 7120, and ICPL 87119) from the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and one local variety for their relative performance and susceptibility to insect pests. The pigeon pea genotypes were in a mixture with two maize genotypes (Zea mays L., open-pollinated and hybrid) in regular crops for 2 yr (2005-2006) followed by a ratoon crop for 1 yr (2007). Termites (Odontotermes badius), crickets (Gymnogryllus lucens), and variegated grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus) were the crop's seedling pests and caused minimal damage. Clavigralla spp. infestations were high at the reproductive stage causing 24% and 29% seed damage in regular and ratoon pigeon pea crops, respectively. Maize slightly suppressed insect pest incidence and damage to pigeon pea pods and seeds but significantly (P < 0.01) reduced grain yield in the regular pigeon pea crops in 2005 and 2006, although not in the 2007 ratoon. The pigeon pea genotypes differed significantly (P < 0.05) in pest incidence at the podding stage in both the regular and ratoon crops and in grain yield (P < 0.01) for the regular crop. Grain yield of the pigeon pea ratoon crops was about 60% of the regular crop. Farmers were recommended to adopt the ICPL 161 and ICPL 87 genotypes based on pest tolerance and high grain yield or as idiotypes in pigeon pea hybridization programs.

The need to discover suitable native legumes of high nitrogen fixing ability was pinpointed. Potential native legumes growing in the wild in Nsukka, Nigeria were identified and the seeds were collected. Desmodium ramisissimon was found to be the common legume species in the University area and was used for germination and nodulation studies. D. ramisissimon showed good potentiality with regards to nodulation ability and was recommended for further investigation. Key words: Nodulation, germination, nitrogen fixation, Desmodium ramisissimon.

The effects of plant population on growth and yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) was investigated for two planting seasons (2008 and 2009) in the teaching and research farm, Department of Agronomy, Cross River University of Technology, Obubra . Treatments were five Okra plant populations : 111,111, 55,555,35,714, 27,77 and 23,810 Okra plants/ ha. High plant population significantly( P< 0.05) reduced number of leaf blades per plant, number of branches per plant and dry matter of plant fraction. The highest plant height of 1.01.3cm and leaf area index of 5.1 were obtained from plant population of 111, 111 plants/ha and this was significantly( P<0.05) higher than values obtained from others. The least plant population of 23,810 plant/ha produced more higher okra fresh pods and weight per pod and seeds per plant as compare with other higher plant population of 55, 555 and 35,714 Okra plants /ha. The highest Okra fresh pod yield of 7.36 and 7.43 tons/ha were obtained from plots treated with 111,111/ha during 2008 and 2009 planting seasons respectively ,The lowest yield values of 3.45 and 3’36 tons/ha were obtained from 23,810 okra plants/ha in the two planting seasons (2008 and2009)respectively.

Four major browse species were studied with respect to their time of availability throughout the year and some aspects of their physical and chemical characteristics. Elaeis guineensis and Ficus elasticoides were available at all times of the year for stock feeding. For the physical milling characteristics studied, the browse species compared well with those of the legume species included in the study or were intermediate between those of the legumes and grasses. The nutrient composition indicated that the browse species could be a good source of livestock feed, especially during the dry season when grass from the natural grassland is scarce. Key words : Nutrient composition, milling characteristics, livestock, browse species.

This experiment was a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design and was replicated three times. Treatments comprised three sward types (pure grass, pure legume and grass/legume mixed swards), three cutting regimes (4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks) and two nitrogen fertilizer rates (0 and 300 kg N ha -1 ). Increasing the interval between harvests increased the number of branches per plant, number of leaves per legume plant, and heights of grass and legume species. The application of N increased heights of grass and legume plants, with no effect on the number of leaves per plant and number of branches per legume plant. Fertilizer effects on height of grass and legume plants were generally, not significant during the later periods of 2006 and 2007. There were significant reductions in the height, number of nodules per plant, length of longest root per plant, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, and dry matter yields of leaf, stem and root fractions per verano stylo plant in the grass-legume mixed swards when comparedwith the pure legume swards.

This experiment was a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design and was replicated three times. Treatments comprised three sward types (pure grass, pure legume and grass/legume mixed swards), three cutting regimes (4, 8 and 12 weeks) and two nitrogen fertilizer rates (0 and 300 kg N ha(-1)). Tiller density per m(-2) was increased (P < 0.05) with increase in cutting frequency and with fertilizer-N application. Tiller number per m(-2) was higher (P < 0.05) in pure grass sward compared with where grass was in mixture with legume in 2007. Increasing cutting interval from 4 to 12 weeks reduced (P < 0.05) the proportion of leaf fraction from 55 to 40% in 2006. The stem fraction was increased (P < 0.05) from 32 to 42%, while the proportion of inflorescence was increased from 13 to 15% when the interval between cuts was increased from 4 to 8 weeks but decreased later at 12 weeks. The proportion of leaf fraction decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 49 to 43% with fertilizer-N application compared with the control in 2006. The proportion of inflorescence in the total herbage dry matter was, however, increased (P < 0.05) from 11 to 14% with fertilizer application compared with the control in 2006. Type of sward treatment did not influence the proportions of crop fractions in both years.

Nitrogen fertilisation and carbofuran applications impact plants, yet few studies examine their general impact on plant performance and plant susceptibility to insect pests and diseases when applied together. The performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) and infestations by flea beetles in relation to nitrogen and carbofuran applications were, therefore, evaluated under a humid tropical environment. Treatments comprised of combinations of four rates of 2, 3-dihydro-2, 2-dimethylbenzofuran or carbofuran (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg ha-1) and four levels of N- fertiliser (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1). The presence of Podagrica uniformis was recorded much earlier on the plants than Nisotra sjostedti. The population of either flea beetle remained lower throughout the vegetative than the reproductive phase. While N fertilisation resulted in higher insect count than where no N was added, carbofuran at 1.0 kg ha-1 and above significantly (P