Savannas are considered an exclusively tropical biome, largely found in Africa. It comprises of grasslands with scattered trees that are sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The savanna biome covers more than 86% of Nigeria's vegetation cover. There are three major savanna belts in Nigeria, namely: the Guinea savanna, the Sudan savanna, and the Sahel savanna. The Guinea savanna is the most extensive ecological zone, covering more than half of the country’s land area. It has typically short trees and tall grasses and is the most luxuriant of the Savannah vegetation belts in Nigeria. The Sudan savanna belt is found in the northern parts of Nigeria. The Sudan savanna is characterised by high rainfall variability, frequent droughts, and poor soil fertility. The Sahel savanna is found in the extreme northwest and northeast of the country. It has sparse vegetation that is dependent on uncertain rainfall, dominantly grasses with discontinuous shrubs and scattered trees, which are often thorny, and extensive sparse grasses. Savannah plants are faced with some delimiting factors, such as seasonal drought, low water and nutrient availability, the impacts of regular fire, and herbivory, among others, which threaten their survival. This article discusses the Savanna biome in Nigeria, its indicator species, and the adaptative features exhibited by plants in the savanna to ensure their survival.
<p class="042abstractstekst">This study evaluates eleven sesame accessions in Nigeria for performance and genetic diversity using morpho-agronomic traits, chlorophyll contents and nutrient composition in a complete randomized experimental design with five replicates. The results showed ‘Igboho Black’, ‘02M’ and ‘Kenan 4’ had the best growth attributes. Although ‘NGB0090’ and ‘Exsudan’ matured early, ‘E8’, ‘Bogoro Local’ and ‘Kenan 4’ had the best yield attributes. Seeds produced were predominantly milky-white, an accession had black seeds, while three produced white seeds. Plant height positively correlated with number of leaves and leaf area as well as peduncle length. Days to 50 % flowering positively correlates with days to maturity. So also the number of capsule per plant, capsule dimension and seeds per capsule. The moisture content in seeds of the accessions was < 3.5 %, ash (4.5-5.9 %), crude protein (5.3-7.4 %), fat and oil (53.6-60.5 %), and carbohydrate < 30 %. Out of the eight components that accounted for the observed variations, the PC-1 and PC-2 contributed 65.42 %. The dendrogram revealed that ‘NGB00960’ and ‘NGB00963’ which had ‘’Kenan 4’ as a distant member are the closest relatives, while ‘NGB00390’ and ‘01M’ are the most diverse. The study concludes that the accessions are genetically and phenotypically varied and the existing diversity can be harnessed for selecting high yielding and adaptable variety for the development of improved cultivars.</p>
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Agriculture is pivotalin feeding the world's growing population. However, it also poses significant ecological challenges that demand attention. This paper aims to explore the impacts of agricultural practices on the environment and propose sustainable solutions to mitigate these problems.The ecological problems of agriculture encompass various aspects, including land degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and the excessive use of agrochemicals. These issues have far-reaching consequences, such as soil erosion, depletion of natural resources, disruption of ecosystems, and climate change.To address these challenges, sustainable agricultural practices offer promising solutions. These include the adoption of precision farming techniques, such as site-specific nutrient management and precision irrigation, to optimize resource utilization and minimize environmental impacts. Conservation agriculture practices, such as minimal tillage and cover cropping, can enhance soil health, reduce erosion, and promote biodiversity conservation.Furthermore, agroecological approaches that integrate ecological principles into farming systems can enhance resilience, increase biodiversity, and improve ecosystem services. Organic farming, agroforestry, and integrated pest management are examples of such practices that reduce chemical inputs, preserve biodiversity, and promote natural pest control.Additionally, promoting sustainable intensification through the use of innovative technologies, such as precision agriculture, biofortification, and genetically modified crops with reduced environmental footprints, can contribute to sustainable agriculture.Overall, the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices holds promise for addressing the ecological problems associated with agriculture while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. However, their successful implementation requires supportive policies, knowledge dissemination, and stakeholder engagement across the agricultural sector.
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