The mutagenic effects of gamma irradiation on the agro-morphological traits of eggplant accessions were investigated to induce useful genetic variability for further breeding programme. Seeds of two eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) accessions (MN/S/02/2015 and NHGB/09/132) were collected from the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NAGRAB) Ibadan, Nigeria. The seeds were exposed to five different gamma irradiation doses (40 Gy, 60 Gy, 80 Gy, 100 Gy) and un-irradiated (0 Gy) as control at
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.
This study was carried out to evaluate the genetic variability among twenty (20) wild cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) accessions collected from National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) Ibadan, Nigeria. The seeds of wild cowpeas were planted in the Experimental Garden of Plant Biology, Federal University of Technology Minna and nurtured to maturity. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replicates each and assessed for agro-morphological and yield parameters. The results showed significant deference (p≤0.05) in most of all the morphological parameters studied. NGB-001145 showed the highest plant height at maturity (26.10 cm), while NGB-001158 had the least plant height at maturity (14.90 cm). NGB-001033 had some superior qualities with earliest mean days (44.40) to flowering, highest number of branches at maturity (7.20) and highest number of pod per plant with the mean of 104.00 pods. The least number of branches a maturity (4.00) and number of pod per plant (22.80) were obtained from accessions NGB-001128 and NGB-001034 respectively. NGB-001145 showed the highest number of seeds per pod (13.40), while NGB-00994 recorded the least number of seeds per pod with the mean value of 5.40. NGB-001166 had the highest seed weight (4.68 g) and NGB-001934 had the least seed weight (2.08 g). The high morphological variability observed among the wild cowpea in this study indicated the presence of good and useful traits in the crop which could be explored for its improvement.
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