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This study analyzed relationships between soil properties and food crop production in Ebonyi State of southeast Nigeria. Free survey was conducted after three zones (Agbaja, Akaeze and Ikwo) in the state were purposely selected for representation of the soil sampling. Two types of sampling were conducted; Auger sampling at 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths and soil profile sampling. Annual crop yield data on maize and cassava for the state from 1988 to 2017 were collected from Agriculture Development Program. Variations in properties among soil horizons were obtained using coefficient of variations while soil parameters were regressed against crop yields to establish their relationships. Results showed that fine sand, total sand, bulk density, total porosity, soil pH, and available phosphorus significantly (p = 0.05) differ from 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depths. Also, cassava yield correlated negatively with base saturation, and organic matter at 0.05 probability level; with exchangeable Ca and Na at 0.01 probabilities level but correlated positively with bulk density and available water capacity at 0.01 and 0.05 probability levels, respectively. Similarly, maize yield correlated negatively with available phosphorus and total nitrogen at 0.05 probability level; and with total porosity and exchangeable Ca at 0.01 probability level; and then correlated positively with available water capacity, and bulk density, at 0.01 probability level; with coarse sand at 0.05 probability level. However, soils of Ebonyi State are fertile but some of the chemical properties are still low, therefore, it is paramount to improve the quality of the soil to achieve improved food security in the state.

The earth's climate is becoming increasingly warmer, most likely due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Climate variation is driven by uneven distribution of solar heating, the individual responses of the atmosphere, oceans and land surface, the interactions between these and the physical characteristics of the regions. Climate, more especially temperature has a strong and direct influence on development, reproduction and survival of tropical insects such as mosquitoes. Insect population growth potentials are mainly temperature driven, so a rise in temperature may either increase or decrease insect development. This paper highlights the influence of temperature on malaria cases in Orlu Macro-climate in Imo state of Nigeria. It employed the use of 20 years (1991-2010) temperature data of Orlu from Nigerian Meteorological agency and 20 years data on malaria cases in Orlu collected from the (9) nine health centers located within Orlu Local Government Area. In the correlation analysis, adopting Pearson's correlation coefficient method, there was stability in high temperature regime with stable increases in malaria cases. Therefore, the results show that more than 50% of the malaria cases were, influenced by increase in temperature in the area. This means that temperature enhances mosquito breed, which causes spread of malaria in the environment. Hence, evidence of climate variability in Nigeria includes increasing heat waves, which enhances disease vectors, communicable diseases and epidemics. However, the people try to prevent the spread of malaria in the environment to some extent, but the study suggested more measures that are preventive.

This study geospatially analyzed the effects of soil physical and chemical properties on production of maize and cassava in Ohaji/Egbema of Imo State Nigeria. The research adopted a free survey method of sampling soils from ten (10) different locations (communities) in the area. Auger and soil profile samplings were performed and soil samples were bulked for laboratory analysis. Sampling sites were geo-referenced using handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver for map production and digital elevation model (DEM) of the study area. Cassava and maize yield data from 1988-2017 were collected from the agricultural development programme (ADP) headquarters at Owerri, Imo State. Data were analyzed using different techniques including laboratory studies and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Variations in properties among soil horizons were obtained using coefficient of variation, and soil properties were correlated with crops. Results indicated that some soil properties showed high variations, such that at the two sampling depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm), soils were strongly acidic with low values in organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable bases and available phosphorous. Few soil properties correlated positively with, cassava at 0.05 (Total nitrogen = 0.5333; Silt = 0.7750) and maize at 0.01 (Total sand = 0.7774; Coarse sand = 0.8742) probability levels but generally, most soil properties significantly correlated negatively with the crops in the area. Thus, the soils contained low/less plant nutrient elements for crop production enhancement. It's paramount therefore, to improve the quality of soils and soil fertility in order to achieve sustainability of food security in the area.

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