Propagation success of stem cuttings of kola (Cola indica) was assessed with four node levels, with or without hormone treatment. Hormone treatment was not benefi cial. The three-node cuttings (without hormone) gave the highest rooting success.
Results and discussionThe use of IBA had no benefi cial effect on the rooting of kola cuttings, as previously observed by Clay (1965) and Ashiru and Quarcoo (1971), who found that cuttings treated with hormone turned yellow within 1 week and died within 3 weeks. Cuttings that were not treated with hormone callused well, except for those with a single node ( Table 1). The highest rates of callusing (over 90%) were in cuttings with two or three nodes, but there was no signifi cant difference (at p = 0.05) between these. The sprouting rate of the cuttings followed a similar pattern. However, the rooting success (45.3%) of the three-node cuttings was the highest and signifi cantly better (p < 0.05) than that of the other cutting sizes. Farmers are therefore advised to use three-node cuttings (without hormone treatment).
The study explored the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice of cocoa farmers in Southwest Nigeria towards certification process. It specifically examined the sources of information, factors militating the adoption of certification processes and identified the training needs. A set of pre-tested questionnaire was used to solicit information while multistage sampling procedure was used to select 60 respondents each from two locations Ilare in Osun and Ile-Oluji in Ondo States. Results revealed a mean age of 43.33 years, farming experience 22.70years, farm size 8.73ha and age of farm 22.15years while yield was recorded as 14.14 tons. It was also established that 86% could read and write, 52.50% of the respondents were aware of certification process while only 35% had extension contact. Correlation analysis showed a positive and significant relationship at (r= 0.315 p<0.007) between farmers’ knowledge and practice of cocoa certification process. However, the KAP analysis showed positive attitude (65%), knowledge (10.50%) and practice (6.45%). It was concluded that the farmers had positive attitude to what can increase their produce but low knowledge which is consequential to their low practice of cocoa certification procedure which by implication can affect their yield and bean quality negatively. It is recommended that for sustainable production of cocoa, training and re-training of farmers is needed for quality and exportable cocoa bean.Keywords: attitude, knowledge, and practice
Damage on aerial cotyledons from emerging cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) by rodents severely affects seedling establishment in the field. The objective of this study was to evaluate sowing depth of cashew as a possible means of reducing pest attack and damage to seedlings during establishment via in-situ sowing. The study was conducted under shade of Gliricidia sepium trees at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) central nursery, using two nut sizes: jumbo (
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