Species diversity and forest regeneration potentiality in Buruku Forest Reserve was assessed.  Four (4) plots (A–D) of 60 m x 60 m were laid in each plot. Point centred quadrant method of sampling was used. Transect were selected on pure random basis where data were collected on species diversity and families, density of woody stem, diameter class distribution, regeneration potentials and relative frequency. 21 families with a total of 135 species were obtained on the species diversity at Buruku Forest Reserve. The densities of woody plant varied between 434.03 - 771.60 per hectare in plots A, B, C and D. While the highest number of trees in diameter-class distribution were apportioned to 10 – 19 cm class interval in plots A, B, C and D respectively. Diameter class 50 cm and above had the lowest number of trees allocated to it. The regeneration potential of the diversified species was very poor, which has a great implication for regeneration and conservation of the various species encountered. Although Isoberlinia doka Craib & Stapf.     had the highest regeneration potential from each of the examined plots followed closely by    Acacia senegal, Parkia biglobosa and Terminalia avicennoides Gull & Peer. Important woody plants of economic importance, like Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum had zero regeneration potential. However, it is recommended that Buruku Forest Reserve Should be regenerated artificially (through enrichment planting, re-afforestation programme and so on) to increase the plant diversity in the forest and regeneration potentials of the species for sustainability of the forest reserve.

There is paucity of quantified information on the simple, safe and affordable methods of invigorating seeds and storage of recalcitrant seeds. In this light, investigation was conducted in the screen house of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna on the effect of the botanical pelletings and storage periods of C. albidum seeds. A seed pellet is a coating, usually of clay mixed with other inerts, which streamlines the size, shape, and uniformity of a small, non-round seed. A split-plot experimental design with four (4) replications was laid down to assess the effect of botanical pelletings with the leaves of six agro-forestry tree species (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck, Acacia auriculiformis, Parkia biglobosa and Dacryodus edulis) and storage periods (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks) on the germination of C. albidum seeds stored in the refrigerator.  The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA)using SAS (2003)software. The percentage germination of seeds pelletized with G. sepium, L leucocephala, A. lebbeck, A. auriculiformis, P. biglobosa and D. edulis ranged between 18.50%-42.00%, 8.3%-13.60%, 5.2%-18.80%, 3.6% -16.30%, 5.0%-14.30%, and 2.5%-11.10%, for 2-8 weeks respectively. The percentage germination of seeds stored for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks ranged between 8.50%-21%, 4.70%-24.58%, 9.42%-22.75%, 8.67%-19.58% and 3.33%-8.83% respectively. The percentage germination of seeds pelletized with the leaves of G. sepium, L. leucocephala, A. lebbeck, A. auriculiformis, P. biglobosa and D. edulis and stored for storage periods ranged between 1-65%, 0-30%, 0-30.5%, 1-25%, 0-20% and 0-30%. Botanical pelletings and storage periods significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the germination of C. albidum seeds. Highest germination percentage of 65% was recorded for seeds pelletized with G. sepium leaves and stored for 3 weeks. The research therefore recommends seed pelleting with G. sepium leaves and storage for 3 weeks for mass production of C. albidum seedlings for agro-forestry systems.

Medicinal utilization and phytochemical composition of Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State was studied. Twenty (20) questionnaires were randomly administered in each of the six (6) districts to make a total of one hundred and twenty questionnaires (120). Ninety (90) were retrieved. The result revealed that the plant parts (leaves; stem; bark and seed) can be used in treatment and prevention of various diseases such as tuberculosis; anemia; malaria; dysentery; diarrhea; joint pains; serves as anti-diabetic; fever; urinary infection e t c. Infusion is the major (43.33%) method of herbal preparation. Parts of the plants species used in preparing the herbs include: the leaves; bark; root; seeds and fruits. Majority of the herbal are consumed in a dried form. Demographic characteristic of the respondents were also examined. The percentage of Male was (43.34%) while that of their female counter part was (56.66%). Majority (43.33%) of the respondents were between 31 – 40 years age bracket and majority (44.44%) are married with majority (37.78%) having 1-5 house hold size. 45.56% of the respondents had secondary education while 2.22% had no formal education and majority (51.11%) are traditional healers. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins; alkaloids flavonoids; terpenoids; saponins and phenolic acid in various concentrations as there were significant differences (p < 0.05) between these phytochemicals and their plants parts. The presence of varied active ingredients in the different parts of these plants explains their diverse use in the treatment of different disease conditions. However, it is recommended that due to the increased interest in baobab products (especially on its medical utilization) and slow growth of the plant research should be directed on how to develop a new cultivar with short maturation period. Also, the local population particularly the youth should be educated and also encouraged to learn more about the tradition medicine knowledge in order to preserve it from being lost with the old genera.

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This research aimed to investigate the soil moisture retention of some selected organic media for growing cucumber plant. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse structure and moisture content of each of the organic media was determined by a calibrated moisture meter, which was taken before and after the irrigation. The water application was uniform, using a drip irrigation kit for potted system with a capacity of 75cl storage each for the treatments. The pH values of each of the organic media used shows moderate alkalinity. The mean and sample variance of the moisture retention pattern for each of the media gave; saw dust (3.61, 0.073), maize husk (3.41, 0.044), rice husk (3.92, 0.034), eucalyptus leaves (3.27, 0.021), sawdust + soil (2.76, 0.0416), maize husk + soil (2.94, 0.153), rice husk + soil (3.88, 0.069), eucalyptus leaves + soil (2.76, 0.041), eucalyptus leaves + soil unsterilized (3.77, 0.074), and sandy loamy (23.345, 0.009). Moisture retention pattern of the selected media show high moisture retention in sandy loam while other media show a low moisture retention in approximately ratio 6:1, the sample variance shows small variance indicating how the data point spread out. It can be assumed that low retention could be as a result of the presence of fibre or coarse particles given room for large pore spaces that allows easy moisture drain from the organic media. It can also be deduced from the results that maize husk is least suitable for growing purposes because of unsteady moisture retention pattern.