No abstract

No abstract

Comparative studies on the nutrients and mineral elements content of the two grass species was conducted at Gangam Rangeland, Shagari L.G.A., Sokoto state. Sokoto lies on latitude 12.00 0 and 13.60 0 N and longitude 4.80 0 and 6.50 0 E and altitude 350m above sea level. The result show that P. pedicellatum had high crude protein (Cp) ad crude fibre (Cf) content than A. gayanus. The high Cp content was attributed to its leafy nature (having abundant leaves) as Cp is more concentrated in leaves, whereas the high Cf content was possibly due to its stemmy nature particularly at the end of the growing period. However, in terms of Ether extract (Ee) and Ash content, A. gayanus had more. The high Ash content was probably as a result of high mineral elements content of the grass species. On the other hand, A. gayanus had high Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) content, while P. pedicellatum has high Calcium (Ca) and Sodium (Na) content. The high mineral elements content of A. gayanus made the grass more useful for grazing and feeding of livestock. The high Ca content of P. pedicellatum may account for its high Cf content as Ca forms structural components of cell walls and membranes.

Continuous and coherent hard rock between 10.0 and 50.0cm of topsoil can considerably impede crop production. A field survey was conducted in 2006 to assess the physico-chemical properties, Fa and Pp of lithosols from six locations (Muvur, Digil, Vimtim, Gella, Lamorde, and Madanya) in Mubi area, Northeast Nigeria. Soils were sampled at 0-20, 20-50, and 50-100 cm depths in each of the six locations for the analyses of particle size distribution, bulk density, water holding capacity, pH, EC, OC, %N, avail P, K, CEC, TEB and land qualities including Fi and Pi indices. The soils were generally loam textured with low SOM levels, slightly acidic reactions and low soil nutrient amounts. The Fa index for the lithosols rated low (31.80 at Muvur and Vimtim) to good (51.5 at Digil) for rain-fed agriculture and excellent for orchard in all locations. The Pf index was rated good (55.4 at Gella) to excellent (90.50 at Madanya) for rainfed agriculture and excellent for orchard in all locations. The coefficient of improvement (Ci) for fertility index (Fi) for the soils showed that rain-fed agriculture can be improved by 1.54-2.54 times while orchard by 1.11 times only. The Fa index rated extremely low (2.31 at Gella) to moderate (51.12 at Vimtim) for rain-fed agriculture and low (11.25 at Gella) to moderate (58.32 at Madanya) for orchard. Accordingly, the soils can be classified varying from PII(S2) (good or moderate at Vimtim) to PV(N2) (extremely low or not suitable at Gella) for rain-fed agriculture and from PII(S2) (good or moderate at Madanya) to PIV(N 1) (low or presently not suitable at Gella) for orchard. The Pp index was rated low to excellent for rain-fed agriculture and average to excellent for orchard. Accordingly, the soils can be classified as varying from excellent (PI(S 1)) to low (PIV(N1)) for rain-fed agriculture and from excellent (PI(S1)) to average (PIII(S3)) for orchard. The Pp coefficient revealed that rain-fed agriculture can be improved by 2-6 times and orchard by only two-folds. In conclusion, the lithosols studied had medium natural Fa and Pp with land slope, poor drainage, stoniness (gravel), and low nutrient levels as limitations. The Fa and Pp of these lithosols for rain-fed agriculture and orchard can be improved from moderate to high, with appropriate soil fertilization and conservation measures.

The study was conducted to determine the fertility status and irrigation potentials of selected Fadama soils in Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria. An area of about 54 ha of Fadama land was randomly selected within each site based on their usage for intensive irrigation agriculture. Three transects that are 300 m apart were cut in each of the Fadama areas. Four sampling points that are 150 m apart were located along each transect. The latitude and longitude of the areas sampled were determined with the aid of Global Positioning System (GARMIN, 12 Channel Receiver Model). The samplings were made at (0 to 20 cm) depth with hand trowel at each point. All soil samples were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The soils were Silt loam, loam and silty clay loam. Soil reaction varied from slightly acidic to neutral. The selected Fadama soils of Adamawa State, Northeastern Nigeria in their present status has low to moderate nutrient with moderate buffering capacity. These areas have potential for irrigation of rice, vegetables and maize crops, using underground and surface water. The incorporation of crop residues and application of inorganic fertilizers to the soils will play an important role in nutrient availability of these soils. Regular soil evaluation is imperative for sustainable crop production and increase yield.

A study was conducted in the screen house at the FAO/TCP teaching and research farm of Adamawa state University, Mubi to assess the effect of wastewater from fish pond and Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the mineral composition of maize plant. Results showed that the concentration of minerals in maize plant were in deficient range for P (0.11-0.12%), Ca (0.12 -0.22%), Cu (1.65 -2.55 mg/kg), and Mn (17.5 -19.0 mg/kg) in all irrigations except K (2.05 -3.02%) that was in sufficient range. Wastewater irrigation had Mg (0.70%) and Zn (31.93 mg/kg) composition in sufficient range and Fe (45 mg/kg) in deficient range. Moringa leaf extract irrigation had maize plant composition of Fe (66.7 mg/kg) in sufficient range while combined wastewater and Moringa leaf extract irrigation had Mg (0.31%), Fe (51.67 mg/kg) and Zn (33.60 mg/kg) in sufficient range. Irrigating maize plant with wastewater + Moringa leaf extract improved P, K and Zn composition by 9.1, 43.8 and 5.2%, respectively. Regression and correlations analyses indicate that Na concentration in the soil is the element affecting greater number of elements composition in the plant and subsequently the growth characters. Therefore, wastewater from fish pond and Moringa leaf extract irrigation either in combination or separately did not increase the nutrient elements and heavy metals to toxic limits and therefore can be used for irrigation purposes especially maize crop.

No abstract

Abstract. In 2017 and 2018 cropping season, field experiment was conducted at the Food and Agricultural Organization and Tree Crop Plantation, Department of Crop Science, Adamawa State University, Mubi using fifteen genotypes of West African okra. The study was undertaken to study the emergence rate of seedlings from hard okra seed coats, seedling growth and their development. The seeds of the genotypes were soaked in NaCl solution for 24 hours to accelerate the breaking of seed dormancy and to ease seed germination. Tough seed coat usually impairs seed germination by establishing a permeability barrier which can interrupt water uptake required for imbibition, radicle and seedling emergence. The combined analysis results revealed a highly significant (P≤0.01) difference among these genotypes with respect to days to first and 50% flowering including days to first harvest. Furthermore, accession 3 (NG/SA/DEC/07/0448) and accession 11 (Yar kwadon) flowered earlier, had shortest days to first harvest, recorded the highest number of seedlings and emergence percentage than the other genotypes studied.