Abstract. Alternative approach to mitigate the negative consequences of aluminium toxicity on cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabales: Fabaceae) productivity cannot be overemphasized. The effects of aluminium toxicity on some morphological parameters of five cowpea accessions were investigated with the aim of determining the threshold of tolerance for the crop. Five cowpea accessions were collected from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA.), Ibadan, Nigeria. The seedlings were raised in perforated plastic pots filled with 10 kg of top soil and treated till maturity with 50 µm, 100 µm, 200 µm of AlCl 3 while those irrigated with tap water served as the control (0 µm). Variations were observed among accessions and treatments as plant height was accession dependent in contrast to stem girth, number of branches, root growth and shoot growth. Suppression of root growth among the accessions were attributed to more carbon allocation to the shoot at the expense of shoot growth leading to chlorosis, necrosis and reduced photosynthetic capacity among the accessions. Accession 5 was adjudged the best among the accessions based on the response to aluminium treatment. However, further research on the mechanism of tolerance especially at the molecular level is highly recommended.
Termites are detritivores, which means that by consuming decomposing organic matter they obtain nutrients. By feeding on cellulose matter, termites generate methane. Waste energy content offers good opportunities to generate low-cost and available energy. This can help increase energy access and reduce energy poverty in Africa. This work helps to determine the rate of gas production by termites when fed with maize cob. A simulated environment was created for Macrotermes Subhyhalinus Sp. of termites made with optically transparent polycarbonate material (plexiglas). Methane emission from termites' simulated environment was monitored with the use of a gas flow meter. The termites' production rate was highest at dry temperature 28.07 o C with RH of 88.30%, and 0.630µg/termite/day flow rate was recorded form their simulated laboratory environment. The cellulose in maize shaft/cob is in the native state and the chemical composition not inhibited by processing; this led to the relatively high consumption and overall production rate of termites when they fed on it because maize cob was easier to digest.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.