Shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa) tree is one of the most important tree species in Africa owing to its high potential in reduction of poverty and hunger in rural areas and enhancing environmental sustainability. All parts of shea tree are important from bark to wood and from leaves to fruits. Despite all the uses and many more, shea is amongst the endangered species of trees because of over-utilization, low regeneration abilities and lack of efficient propagation methods. Consequently, this research seeks to determine the most efficient methods for propagating V. paradoxa. The experiment consists of three stages. In the first stage, complete fruits were planted without depulping; in the second experiment, the seeds were exposed to single seed treatments that were applied to the seeds and in the third experiment, the seeds were exposed to double seed treatments. It was observed that intact fruits did not germinate while the results showed the single seeds treatment to significantly have affected germination performance. De-shelled seeds germinated faster (43 days) than all other treatments but 48 hours soaking produced the highest germination percentage (91.7%). An even better result was recorded with double seeds treatments in which de-shelled plus 24 hours soaked seed germinated faster (39.3 days) than other treatments while sandpapered plus 24 hours soaked seeds had the best germination percentage (75%). Therefore, scarification using sandpaper plus soaking for 24 hours was identified as the best treatment for breaking seed dormancy in V. paradoxa.
Rice, has been part of the most essential food crop for almost half of the world's rapid growing population. At present, it is a valuable commodity of relevant importance which drives the change in the pattern of crop preference selection both in the urban and as well the rural areas. Water scarcity has been termed the most deepened single physiological and ecological factor controlling the effect of growth and development of plants than any known other factor. Experiments have been undertaken to determine the resultant effects of moisture stress and evaluate plant biomass during the vegetative growth phase in local grown rice landraces in North Eastern Nigeria. Seeds of two different local varieties namely BG doguwa, Mai-zazzabi and NERICA as control were obtained from local farmers as they are the widely grown rice cultivars in the region. There were three treatments of irrigating once in a day (control), irrigating after every 2 days (mild) and after six days (severe), respectively. Data collection was done on the following parameters; plant height (cm), number of leaves, root length (cm), stem diameter (cm), and shoot biomass (g). The present study revealed significant reduction in plant growth and biomass accumulation because of severe water deficit. Maizazzabi was observed to be more tolerant to the moisture stress in terms of plant growth compared to the other two tested varieties and was noticed to accumulate higher biomass under the severe moisture stress condition.
This study focuses on the anti-protozoan activities of Stachytarpheta angustifolia (Tarkajiya; Hausa, Devil’s coach whip; English) on haematological parameters of Albino Wistar rats which is an unexplored study area. The work is aimed at the determination of the effects of S. angustifolia on Wistar Rats, when exposed to herbal extract on the haematological parameters of Wistar Rats infected with E. tenella Biomarkers. The plant was obtained whole; dried under the shade, made into a powdered form and aqueous extraction method carried by maceration technique. After infecting the experimental animals with the parasites; E. tenella, the following respective doses of 750 mg and 1500 mg were administered to the rats in groups of 3 and 4. Results obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). It was discovered that no significant harmful effect on the rats was recorded, but 60 % of the parasites were killed. This work demonstrated that the herbal extract killed the parasites but induced minimal stress to the animals as shown by the low haematological parameters in the study.
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