The study examined the potentials of some organic chelates to enhance zinc availability, uptake and deposition in the edible root of cassava. The chelates used were EDTA as standard chelate, Bontera as commercial organic chelate and periwinkle effluents and Smoke solution as local organic chelates. The cultivars used were TME419 and TMS3168/UMUCASS/36 also known as YELLOW ROOT (YR). One hundred (100ml) of 100µg of zinc obtained from zinc oxide was added to 5000ml each of deionized water, 1ml/L Bontera, 1ml/L EDTA, Periwinkle effluents and Smoke solution. The treatments were applied through foliar application at 3 months after planting. The zinc concentration distribution ranged from 13.627µg/g (YR peel; control) to 85.843µg/g (YR edible root; EDTA +ZnO). In the edible root, the bioavailable zinc ranged from 18.494µg/g (YR; Boontera+ ZnO) to 85.843µg/g (YR; EDTA +ZnO). After processing to garri and fufu, the content ranged from 0.2116mg/100g (TME419; control) to 1.1645mg/100g (YR; Smoke solution + ZnO) in fufu and 1.0178mg/100g (YR, Bontera +ZnO) to 4.494mg/100g (TME419; PE +ZnO) in garri. After seven months storage, TME419 retained Zn in 30% of the treatments, while YR retained Zn in 60% of the treatments. The study revealed that organic chelates have good potentials to enhance zinc biofortification. Periwinkle effluents proved to be better because it retains the nutrient for longer period after processing to garri. YELLOW ROOT proved to be better because it can retain zinc for a longer period. The use of organic chelates should be encouraged for micronutrients sufficiency, sustainable agriculture and food security.
Rice is a stable food crop in Nigeria and greater percentage of the world. Rice is an important cereal crop of the world and nutritionally potential food crop. Iron plays a vital role in human life. Such as in production of red blood cells, transportation of oxygen around the body, strong immune system and a component structure of the human haemoglobin. It is also involved in the conversion of blood sugar to energy. The study screened some cultivars of Oryza sativa for their abilities to retain Iron (Fe), their response to Fe biofortification and their adaptabilities and tolerance capacities for Fe biofortification under saline condition. Five (5) cultivars of lowland rice namely; FARO 44, UPIA 3, FARO 52, FARO 57 and IWA 4 were used for this study. One hundred (100µg) of Fe from FeNH4.(SO4).12H2O was applied through foliar application. The Fe increase available for human body use was comparatively higher in the fortified than unfortified treatment, especially those planted in the non saline treated soil. Under saline condition, the Fe increase in fortified FARO 44 was less than in the unfortified by approximately nine percent (9.29%). UPIA 3 was higher by 20.48%, FARO 52 higher by 14.43%, FARO 57 higher by 22.83% and IWA 4 was higher by 27.08%. In the non saline fortified, FARO 44 was higher than the unfortified by 71.9%, UPIA 3 by 20.26%, FARO 52 by 30.71%, FARO 57 was higher by 217.21% and IWA 4 increased by 6.95%. The study revealed that FARO 57 was more sensitive to salinity in Fe biofortification and UPIA 3 was more suitable for Fe biofortification under saline condition among the cultivars used for the study. UPIA 3 is the best because it was more stable in both saline and non saline, fortified and unfortified conditions, high yielding and was not infected or being susceptible to any disease. The study also showed that FARO 57 in non saline soil had the best ability to retain Fe in iron biofortification. But unfortunately, FARO 57 has lodging mechanism that affected its yield.To eliminate micronutrients malnutrition and improve food security, there should be integration of multidiscipline and biofortification employed as a tool to produce cultivars of high yielding and rich in essential nutrients.
Land is an inevitable resource in agricultural production and its health status determines the position of agriculture in the present and future. The study investigated the ability of microbial soil enhancer to increase yield and soil nutrients, maintain soil health for sustainable and continuity in agriculture. Two (2.5ml/liter) of microbial soil enhancer was applied to the soil before planting and thereafter, 2ml/liter was applied through foliar application after every four weeks till maturity, followed by treatments with different rates of inorganic fertilizer NPK15:15:15 (20g/plant, 15g/plant, and 10g/plant). The study revealed that microbial soil enhancer gave the best-improved yield (52.67 Ton/Ha), SOM and many primary nutrients when used with 50% (10g/plant) inorganic fertilizer. Microbial soil enhancer improved and balanced the soil microorganism's community, making the soil fit for sustainable use and continuity in agriculture. It generated pro-bacteria and fungi needed for plant protection and productivity. The study also revealed that microbial soil enhancer should not be used in a virgin or fertile soil to avoid disaster outbreak. It is also good for bioremediation. It should be encouraged and supplemented with a low rate of inorganic fertilizer to increase yield, sustainability, and continuity in agriculture and also for bioremediation, to reclaim agricultural lands lost to pollution.
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