The application of organic and inorganic fertilizer to the soil is considered as good agricultural practice because it improves the fertility of the soil and plant quality. The objective of this study is to compare the effect of organic (saw dust, poultry droppings and cow dung: 500 kg haG 1) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK: 500 kg haG 1) on the mineral composition of Amaranthus spinosus on a plot of land in Akparabong, Ikom Local government Area of Cross River State. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in three replicates. Parameters assessed include proximate, mineral, anti nutrient, vitamins A and C. Data were analyzed using student t-test. Results were also expressed as percentage difference and differences between mean values were determined at 5% probability. Phytochemicals (percentage crude alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and reducing compounds) were higher in organic leaf samples with mean values of 0.84±0.

This study was carried out to determine physiological and biochemical changes in C. moschata inoculated with a Nigerian strain of MWMV isolated from Lagenaria breviflora in Calabar, Nigeria. The virus infection resulted in significant (p#0.05) reductions in plant height, leaf area and number of leaves produces with highest percentage difference of 39.3% (42 PID), 60.9% (35 PID) and 25.7% (49 PID), respectively. There was a significant (p#0.05) difference in chlorophyll content between inoculated and healthy plants. The chlorophyll content of inoculated plants at all stages of growth was lower compared with the healthy plants. Chlorophyll b content was higher than Chl a in both inoculated and healthy plants. Chlorophyll a, b and total Chlorophyll were significantly reduced in inoculated plants when compared with the healthy ones. Of the twelve photochemicals screened, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, polyphenols and reducing sugars were present while phlobatanins, anthraquinones and hydroxymethyl anthraquinones were absent. Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus engendered reductions in alkaloids (32.1%), reducing sugars (42.0%), saponins (33.6%), terpenoids (25.0%) and steroids (15.0%) and increase in inoculated samples of glycosides (14.8%) and flavonoids (12.5%). Effect of MWMV on proximate compositions of C. moschata revealed significant p#0.05) reductions in lipid (25.0%) and ash (14.6%) and significant (p$0.05) increases in protein (23.4%) and fibre (10.5%). Effect of the virus on carotene, vitamin A and C were insignificant. Infection of MWMV also led to significant decreases in the contents of K (48%), Fe (28.6%), Zn (25.0%) and Mg (22.0%), while Cu recorded 100% increase in inoculated samples. Marginal increase in Ca and P were recorded in inoculated samples. Infection of MWMV on antioxidants caused significant increase in inoculated samples of hydrocyanic acid and insignificant increases in total and soluble oxalate and phytic acid. Increases recorded in the antioxidant contents in plants inoculated with MWMV resulted in reduced bioavailability of minerals in the vegetable. Reduction in chlorophyll contents in inoculated plants would be a major factor explaining poor growth of host plants with attendant reductions in mineral elements of C. moschata. Changes in physiological and biochemical parameters induced by MWMV altered vital metabolic processes of C. moschata.

Aim: This study evaluates the effects of soil amendment with organic manure-OM and agricultural lime-AL on the growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna aconitifolia grown on soils with 3 different pH (locations) in Southern Cross River State. Study Design: The study was laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Greenhouse, Department of Plant and Ecological Studies, University of Calabar for a period of 3 months. Methodology: The three locations were: Akamkpa with pH 4.0, Calabar Municipality with pH of 7.0 and Odukpani with pH of 9.0. The treatments were; control (0 g), OM1 (100 g organic manure), OM2 (200g organic manure), AL1 (100 g agricultural lime), AL2 (200 g agricultural lime), OM1 + AL1 (50 g organic manure + 50 g agricultural lime) and OM2 +AL2 (100 g organic manure and 100 g agricultural lime. Results: Results obtained from the physico-chemical properties of the soil before treatment application revealed low nutrients and minerals which increased after treatment application. Six weeks after planting, there were significant increase in plant height (p<0.05) of P. vulgaris and V. aconitifolia on soil from Akamkpa (169.66 cm) and Odukpani (146.63 cm) treated with OM2 + AL2 compared to 43.77 cm and 71.77 cm from control. Leaf area, petiole length, number of leaves were all significantly improved especially at 8 weeks after planting. Fresh weights of leaf, stem and root revealed higher yield (p<0.05) at the final harvest recorded as 8 weeks after planting than the amount at 4 weeks after planting. The results obtained from the pod number, pod weight and number of seed showed significant improvement after treatment application. Conclusion: The findings of this study strongly support the use of organic manure and agriculture lime as affordable and accessible sources of manure especially for our local farmers.

The performance of maize (Zea mays) in crude oil treatment was investigated at the University of Port Harcourt botanical garden. Germination and growth responses of Z. mays were examined using various crude oil pollution treatments. There was no significant difference in the germination and development of Z. mays subjected to oiling at 1-3% compared to those of the control (0%), while 4-5% oiling showed a significant difference at P=0.05. Percentage germination decreased with increase in concentration of crude oil equilibrated with water. Germination rate decreased significantly with increased time of pre-soaking in crude oil. Crude oil spilled soil immediately after planting, increased the length of lag phase preceding germination from 48 hours to 96 hours and decreased percentage germination from 100% in the control to 58% in crude oil contaminated soil. This study shows that crude oil pollution has adverse effects on germination and development of Z. mays.

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