This paper examined economic potentials of Moringa oleifera as commercial tree specie and its suitability for forest management intervention in Taungya farming system with a view to reviewing the objective in the Nigeria case study. Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo state, Nigeria and the second largest city in Africa. Results/ inferences drawn were primary data generated from FRIN research annual report and was used to rather establish quantitative relationships in an effort to provide a comparative account on the performance of Moringa oleifera in native and introduced ranges. Secondary data from two (2) research papers reporting rigorous scientific data on arable crop productivity in agroforestry combinations systems from Southwest (i.e. introduced range) and Kano state representing northern region (i.e. native range) of Nigeria were revaluated and analyzed. Findings suggest that growing and processing moringa leaves would require an illustrated guidebook that should contain the emphasis on cultivation; harvesting and transportation; processing the leaves; packaging and storage; and using Moringa leaves for nutrition. The standards, together with a code of good practices and an inspection guide, should be adhered to guaranty the good sanitary and nutritional status of the product especially for moringa leaf powder while emphasizes the need for more clinical studies to obtain acceptance of Moringa as a nutritional food supplement among the international scientific community. While prospects of farm forestry/ taungya potential to develop the Moringa oleifera processing and increase value addition to improve welfare of society is gradually assuming a significant position due to high land to man ratio factor. It is recommended that taungya-combined production of forestry and moringa tree /agricultural crops on forest lands be advocated. The taungya system always exhibited certain basic attributes and required some preconditions for its adoption. The preconditions, such as land hunger and low standard of living of the population, are clearly socioeconomic in nature. There is little economic validation of the farming systems described herein. Socioeconomic considerations should however be of high priority on any further research agenda. Evaluation of social acceptability of these practices by farmers should be a major consideration in the process of technology generation. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the Moringa oleifera (Miracle Tree), few address the social role of the resource, and its contribution to the reduction of the rural poverty. Therefore, a cursory look on the leading edge perspectives, science and application in terms of economic potentials of Moringa oleifera as a commercial tree species generally is encouraged for further research studies in Nigeria.
This experiment was conducted on the Bombax buonopozense plantation at the arboretum of the Forestry Institute of Nigeria during the wet planting season of year 2014. There were three treatments viz: maize planted within rows of trees under non pruned bombax trees, pruned bombax trees and the control which was an open space with no tree. Data were collected on the height, vigour score, leaf production and shoot dry matter of the maize planted in the different treatments from 3 to 12 weeks after planting. The data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated by Duncan Multiple range tests. It was observed from this study that there were significant differences in the height, crop vigour score, stem diameter, leaf production and shoot dry matter. Maize plants under control performed better than the maize plants under non-pruned and pruned trees but the growth of the maize plants from the three treatments are comparable. This study revealed that maize can be planted in a 5 years old bombax plantation. Farmers interested in timber production can plant trees alongside with their and apply pruning techniques to increase the duration of crop production.Keywords: Agroforestry, pruning, annual crop production, timber, light interception
Garcinia kola is found to be extinction-threatened due to over-exploitation and its regeneration has not been encouraged. This study investigated the influence of light intensities on the biomass accumulation of G. kola seedlings. Seedlings of G. kola were monitored under five light intensities namely; under forest canopy (5% light intensity), 25%, 50%, 75% light intensities and control treatment was direct sunlight (100% light intensity). The study was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Seedlings Leaf Dry Weight (LDW) under light intensities were not significantly affected (α=0.05) by different light intensities but significantly affect (α=0.05) the seedlings Stem Dry Weight (SDW), Root Dry Weight (RDW) and Total Dry Weight (TDW). Seedlings LDW ranged from 1.87 to 5.07 g, SDW ranged from 0.83 to 3.04 g, RDW ranged from 1.60 to 9.90 g and TDW ranged from 4.30 to 15.63 g respectively (after 24 weeks) depending on light intensity. The biomass accumulated by G. kola seedlings under 5 % light intensity was very low compared to the biomass accumulated by seedlings under other light conditions. Seedlings under 25%, 50% and 75% light intensities gave the highest biomass accumulation. This implies that G. kola preferred low light intensities for optimum biomass production.Keywords: Garcinia kola, Light intensity, Biomass accumulation, Propagation, Nursery Stage
The tour which followed the paper-reading session of the Sixth International Grassland Congress, afforded many opportunities to study developments in many branches of grassland science. In order not to repeat what has been said, and not to encroach upon Mr. Iorwerth Jones' subject, I shall confine my remarks to machinery which may be of practical interest to us, and the problem of soil and water conservation as seen in the Middle Western States. MACHINERYAmong the many implements seen, the following brief descriptions are of those which seem to have practical application in this countr}'. Caterpillar Root PlaneThis machine is used mainly for clearing brushwood on pastures, without disturbing the surface layer. It is composed of two strong duckfoot blades, which penetrate into the ground to a depth of 2 to 3 feet, and is drawn along by a caterpillar tractor. Its main asset in the United States, is that brushwood can be cleared without the risk of soil erosion. Such a machine would be useful to break up the ' pan ' which is created in the surface layers of restored open-cast coal and ironstone land. Roller CultivatorAs its name implies, this machine combines tbe duties of roller and cultivator. A serrated roller is placed at the front and back of a spring-tined cultivator. The rollers are sharply serrated and break up the very hard lumps of soil; the cultivator stirs them up again to be broken still further by tbe second roller. Brillion Culto-PackerThis is said to be one of the most valuable machines produced in recent years. It is quite simple in construction and is composed of two Cambridge-type rollers with blunt spikes on each roller. The rear roller which is rather smaller than the front one, runs along the ridge created by the latter; between tbe two rollers, a seed box is mounted. The seed is dropped into the hollows made by the front roller, and buried and consolidated by the second. This machine seemed to save three or four operations, and it is reported that the risk of failure has been reduced by 80 per cent. Forage HarvesterOne or two types of forage harvesters were seen, but the most effective seemed to be a machine which picked up the grass with a reel, and chopped and delivered it to a trailer alongside. The mowing was done by an independant mower with a special swather, which appeared to pile up neatly, grass of any size. When a trailer was full, it was towed away and replaced by an empty one, thus minimizing any hold-up in the Operations.
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