Seed yield of selected Nigerian Bambara Groundnut landraces under two varying water conditions was evaluated. Twenty eight (28) Bambara groundnut accessions were planted in a randomized complete block design with two treatments (Nonwater stressed and Water stressed) and replicated five times. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State. The accessions were planted in planting bags during the cropping season of 2016 between July and October. The two treatments were rain fed until maturity except during the period of exposure to water stress where the water stressed plants were transferred to a screen house made with polyvinyl ceiling to prevent water during the flowering stage for two weeks. It was observed that water stress reduced the yield of the Bambara groundnut landraces by 47%. Accessions NGB-01646-B, NGR-NI-20-H and NGB-01491 which had relatively high yield in the stressed and non-water stressed condition were considered the most drought tolerant accessions and accession NGR-KG-02-C with low yield both in stressed and non-stressed conditions was identified as the most susceptible accession. Accessions which had high yield only in water stressed conditions could serve as elite line for Bambara groundnut for areas which have problem of drought. These drought tolerant accessions identified in the research can serve as potential parent lines in breeding programmes aimed at the development of drought tolerant varieties of Bambara groundnut.
Insufficient genetic variability is one of the major problems of plant breeding programmes, especially in sesame. Gamma radiation has been reported to be very effective in creating genetic variability in plants. Three varieties of Nigerian sesame were assessed for spectrum and frequency of mutation induced by Gamma radiations in M1 and M2 generations. The varieties (NCRIBEN-04E, NCRIBEN-01M and NCRIBEN-03L) were treated with four different doses of gamma rays (250, 350, 450 and 550 Gy). The treated and untreated seeds (control) were sown in planting bags (under field condition) to raise M1 plants. respectively. The highest branching (7) was from NCRIBEN-01M, while the least (2) was from NCRIBEN-04E. The M2 plants were grouped into eight M2 lines. The dose range (250-550 Gy) was proved to be effective in inducing viable mutations in sesame.
Members of family Cucurbitaceae are collectively called melon; they are mainly found in the warmer parts of all continents. A germplasm collection was undertaken in Nigeria between April and August, 2015 which corresponded to the periods of harvesting of the crop across major growing regions of the country. Eighteen states including Federal Capital Territory, which are the major growing areas of the crop, were visited. The collections were done in collaboration with Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) extension officers. Fifty five farmers were interviewed and a total of 60 accessions were collected. The accessions collected were identified to species level. All the 60 accessions fall into 5 genera and 7 species; Colocynthis citrullus (45), Cucurbita moschata (3), Cucurbita maxima (3), Lagenaria siceraria (2), Lagenaria sphaerica (2), Cucumeropsis mannii (4) and Cucumis melo (1). All the farmers interviewed preferred cultivation of Colocynthis citrullus due its high oil content, demand and more acceptance by consumers all over the regions. Niger state had highest number (8) of Egusi melon (Colocynthis citrullus) while Nasarawa and Kogi had same number (5) each. The high number of egusi melon encountered might be due to fact that it is the most cultivated member of Cucurbitaceae in the country. This collection had boasted the baseline information of diversity of family Cucurbitaceae. Also it has generated source of genetic variability for members like Colocynthis citrullus which can be aid in improvement of the crop.
Characterisation of germplasm collection is imperative for identification and selection of new resistance sources in any crop breeding programmes. Thus, evaluation of pearl millet germplasm for resistance to stem borer infestation was carried out in view of the challenges of poor yield and quality reduction of pearl millet, elicited by its feeding activities. Thirty-five (35) pearl millet accessions were collected from different states where the crop is majorly cultivated in Nigeria. The accessions were characterised for resistance to stem borer infestation on the field. Further confirmation for selected potentially resistant accessions under artificial screen house conditions was done using a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with ten replications each. The field estimated selection index showed that out of the 35 accessions screened, 15 accessions were potentially resistant; 13 resistants with range value of 0.00 to 0.40 and 2 moderately resistant. Further nursery screening confirmed 9 of the 15 accessions to be resistant under artificial infestation. NS-JIL-01 accession was most highly resistant with significant least leaf damage score of 0.25. Significant and positive correlation (r = 0.32) was obtained between days to anthesis and number of larvae per plant at p < 0.01. Negative correlation of percentage internodes damage with panicle diameter (-0.26) and panicle weight (-0.25 gn) at p < 0.01 as well as weight of 1000 seeds (r = -0.19, p < 0.05) were also significant. The identification of potentially resistant accessions on field and confirmation of some of the accessions under artificial screen house conditions indicated, gene for resistance to stem borer infestation in pearl millet could be obtained from the natural eco-type germplasm.
Contamination of stored rice with fungal pathogens results in rice of poor quality and economic value, and may also have harmful effects on human and animal health. This study aimed at evaluating the antifungal efficacy of chitosan against Aspergillus fumigatus of stored rice (Oryza sativa). Four forms of chitosan were used in this study viz; Purchased Low, Medium and high molecular weight chitosan and chitosan synthesized from Crab Shell using deproteinization, demineralization, decolouration and deacetylation. Degree of deacetylation of the synthesized chitosan was determined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The in vitro antifungal activity of all forms of chitosan were determined using food poisoning method against Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from stored rice seeds using agar plate methods. The percentage inhibition of mycelial radial growth Aspergillus fumigatus by the different forms of chitosan was determined. Fourier Transfrom InfraRed Spectra of synthesized chitosan showed major absorption bands from 3444.72, 2966.17, 2512.60, 2144.84, 1429.74, 1258.12, 1160.05, 1025.2, 869.92, 710.50, 608.40 to 559.36. Absorption peak at 559 was assigned to glucopyranose ring in the chitosan matrix. Degree of deacetylation of synthesized chitosan was at 98.6% degree. Highest mycelia radial growth of 8.00 cm was recorded in control, while 2.00, 0.00, 5.23, and 1.33cm were recorded in 2.0% concentration of High Molecular Weight Chitosan (HMWC), Medium Molecular Weight Chitosan (MMWC), Low Molecular Weight Chitosan (LMWC) and Chitosan synthesized from Crab shell (CSCS) treatment respectively. The result of the percentage inhibition reveals that A. fumigatus had 100% inhibition in 1.5% HMWC and 2.0% MMWC while 85% inhibition in 2.0% CSCS which were significantly different from 2.0% LMWC with 36.5% inhibitions. Results obtained from this study has shown the effectiveness of chitosan as an effective antifungal agent which can improve and maintain the quality of stored rice and ensure a safer environment due to its nontoxic and environmental friendly properties.
Yams (Dioscorea spp) are staple food crops of the people in tropical and subtropical region of the world. The crop consists of approximately 600 species. These species are threatened by genetic erosion due to several factors such as pest and diseases attack, inadequate improved varieties and dearth of germplasm collection and conservation. On this premise, this research was carried out to collect and manage the available germplasm in North-Central Nigeria. Fifty accessions of yam (Dioscorea spp) were collected from adaptable farmers' varieties. These were evaluated according to standard descriptors of yam into four (4) species (D. alata, D. bulbifera, D. dumetorum and D. rotundata). The highest germplasm (21) was recorded in Niger state, which was dominated by white yam (D. rotundata). This was followed by Benue state with twenty (20) accessions. Others are three (3) accesssions each from FCT and Kogi State, then two (2) accessions each from Nasarawa and Kwara States. Of the 50 accessions of yam collected, 40% (20) are rare landraces and are at the brim of becoming extinct locally. Phenotypic observation revealed that tuber skin colour varies from light-brown, through dark and milk spotted to dark and dark-brown. The most dominate of these were dark-brown with 60% of the accessions, this was followed by light-brown and the least were 6% which was recorded for dark-milk spotted accessions. Similarly, tuber shape showed that cylindrical dominated with 80% of the accessions and the least was snake shape with only 4% of the accessions. These findings have given some insights on the available germplasm of yam in North-central Nigeria with promising traits. However, there is for a promising approach of characterisation of the crop species in the area for the improvement, conservation and breeding programme of yam in the future.
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