Anthropogenic activities inducing the accumulation of trace elements in Madaka village (between latitudes 6°00' E and 7°00' E, and 10°00' N and 10°04' N longitudes) of Rafi Local Government Area (Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria) have claimed many lives in the past. This study evaluated the accumulation of heavy metals and minerals in Butryospermum paradoxum and Parkia biglobosa and their soil rhizosphere at the lead polluted site around Madaka village of Rafi Local Government Area (Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria). Lead, arsenic, pH, nitrogen (%), organic carbon (%), organic matter (%), P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, N and cation exchange capacity were determined. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between the Pb content in the soil from control (3.13 ± 1.010 mg/kg) and polluted sites (12.71 ± 1.010 mg/kg), and in the seeds of Butryospermum paradoxum from control (3.80 ± 0.09 mg/kg) and polluted sites (13.10 ± 0.10 mg/kg). A significant (p < 0.05) difference was also observed between the Pb content in Parkia biglobosa seeds from the control site (2.50 ± 0.10 mg/kg) and from the polluted site (14.10 ± 1.10 mg/kg). Overall, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the nutrient contents among all samples analysed. A significantly high concentration of Pb and As in these plants around the lead polluted site poses a great health concern. This calls for the public’s attention, both governmental and non-governmental organisations, to intervene by creating awareness of the likelihood of their bioconcentration in humans and animals that consume these plants.
Vegetables have become an indispensable part of human nutrition. This study aimed at analyzing the biochemical compositions of three leafy vegetables (Corchuorus olitorius, Telfairia occidentalis and Spinacia oleracea) collected from local farm irrigated with municipal wastewater. The biochemical parameters were assayed following standard laboratory protocols. Results revealed significantly (P < 0.05) higher Ca (207.33 mg/kg) and Mg (182.53 mg/kg) contents in wastewater with Mg contents in both clean water (72.80 mg/kg) and wastewater (182.53 mg/kg) exceeding the FAO safe limits. The wastewater had significantly (P < 0.05) higher (Fe) and (Cd) contents (1.72 and 0.42 mg/kg), than clean water from the modern farm (0.67 and 0.13 mg/kg). Both water samples had heavy metals, exceeding the FAO safe limits. The Mn, Fe and Pb contents determined in the three vegetables collected from both farms were within FAO safe limits except Cd content which ranged from 0.05–0.87 mg/kg which is above FAO acceptable limits of 0.02 mg/kg. Results on mineral composition revealed significantly higher (P < 0.05) Na, K, Ca and Mg contents in the three vegetables collected from the local farm, Telfairia occidentalis having the highest Na (123.33 mg/kg), K (6500 mg/kg) and P (6.19 mg/kg) while, Corchuorus olitorius had the highest Ca (2.15 mg/kg) and Mg (2.12 mg/kg). The result of this study shows that municipal wastewater irrigation could be utilized in improving the mineral compositions of leafy vegetables. However, it is highly recommended that the wastewater is treated properly to avoid heavy metal contamination.
DOI: 10.15835/nsb13110876 Datura stramonium (L.) contains allelochemicals capable of affecting agro-morphological traits in plants. Thus, field experiment was carried out at Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Minna, Nigeria to examine the effects of different concentrations [25%, 50% and 100% and 0% (control)] of D. stramonium aqueous seed extracts on agro-morphological attributes of two soybean varieties (‘TG x 2018-5E’ and ‘TG x 2022-4E’), obtained from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan. Dry seeds of the soybean were pre-soaked in the Datura seed extracts for two hours before planting in a complete randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates each. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). At maturity, D. stramonium seed extracts significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased plant height (38.37 cm) and length of petiole (2.93 cm) for ‘TG x 2018-5E’ at 100% concentration. Significantly highest plant height (29.20 cm) and number of branches (17.00) were enhanced in ‘TG x 2022-4E’ at 50% concentration. Both ‘TG x 2018-5E’ and ‘TG x 2022-4E’ leaf areas were significantly highest (23.11 cm2 and 28.41 cm2, respectively) at 100% concentration. Yield attributes such as number of seeds per plant, weight of fresh and dry pods per plant for both ‘TG x 2018-5E’ (3.33, 1.60 and 1.32, respectively) and ‘TG x 2022-4E’ (3.00, 0.60 and 0.26, respectively) were significantly stimulated in 50% concentration while number of pods per plant was significantly highest for ‘TG x 2018-5E’ and ‘TG x 2022- 4E’ (3.33 and 3.00, respectively) in 100% concentration. On these premises higher concentrations (50% and 100%) of D. stramonium seed extracts support better morphological growth and yield characters in soybean varieties.
The nutritional attributes of sesame, Sesamum indicum, vary substantially and are primarily influenced by the plant’s genetic makeup. This investigation accessed the biochemical composition of sesame mutants from two generations. Seeds of eleven M3 lines were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to raise M4 lines, which were advanced to M5 generation. The seeds were harvested at maturity, and their biochemical compositions were quantitatively determined following standard procedures. Results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the biochemical composition of the mutants across the two generations. Exactly 27.27% of the mutants showed a substantial increase in oil composition over their parental varieties at the M4 generation. In comparison, 36.36% of the mutants had higher oil contents than their parental varieties at the M5 generation. The M5 mutants showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher oil content than the M4 mutants. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the protein content of M4 and M5 mutants, with M4 mutants having higher protein content. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in fibre, carbohydrate, energy, and moisture contents of M4 and M5 mutants, with M5 mutants having significantly higher (p < 0.05) carbohydrate and energy contents, while no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in ash content of M4 and M5 mutants. Results also reveal significant differences (p < 0.05) in anti-nutrients of M4 and M5 mutants with notable reductions in some anti-nutritional properties of some mutant lines. High and stable nutritional attributes are desirable traits in sesame breeding. The identified mutants with desirable traits are potential candidates that could be selected and developed as the first mutant varieties of sesame in Nigeria.
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