African Journals Online
Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science

Issues Available About the Journal

Volume 7 November 2002
Abstracts

Effect of seedling age on the susceptibility and early growth of Meloidogyne incognita infested okra seedlings

E.I. Nwanguma and B. Fawole

ABSTRACT

Screen house studies were conducted to test the effect of various seedling ages on the susceptibility and early growth of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 infested okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench seedlings. Pure culture of M. incognita infected Celosia argentea L. cv. TLV-13 plant and thereafter subcultured on celosia plants in sterilized sandy-loam topsoil. Zero (0) (i.e. at sowing), 1 (i.e. at emergence), 8,15,22 and 29 day-old okra seedlings were infested with 20,000 M. incognita eggs extracted from the infected celosia plants roots by the sodium hypochlorite (Naocl) method of Hussey and Barker (1973). Six replicates of the treatment were made in a completely randomized experimental design. Heights of 1, 8 and 15 day-old infested seedlings were not significant but statistically lower than the heights of 0, 22 and 29 day-old seedlings after four (4) weeks of growth. Severity of infection was significantly pronounced in 1, 8 and 15 day-old infested seedlings with corresponding higher root/shoot weight values. 29 day-old infested seedlings displayed the highest level of resistance to the nematodes with significantly higher biomass.

Key word: Seedlings age, Meloidogyne incognita, early growth, okra.

 

 

Electrophoresis of crude protein of seeds of some genera of Annonaceae

Folorunso, A.E. Olorode, O.

ABSTRACT

Seeds of five genera of Annonaceae were collected from different latitudes and special ecological zones of Nigeria, the crude proteins were extracted and analysed by electrophoretic fractionation with a view to establishing whether they have evolutionary relationships and also to know the highest protein richness in them.

0.5 ml of each protein sample was loaded into the gel tubes. A current of 1.5 m A per gel was applied until stacking. The current was increased to 3 m A per gel. The electrophoresis was allowed to run until the dye front was about 1 cm from the bottom of the gel. The result shows that the band at 5.2 cm is common among the genera except in Dennettia tripetala. Intergeneric bands were observed between pairs of gnera in the family. The highest intergeneric band is between Greenwayodenron suaveolens and Xylopia aethiopica at 0.2cm, 5cm and 5.1. The presence of common bands among the genera of Annonacea shows evidence of common evolutionary origin in them.

Key Words: Annonaceae, Electrophoretic, Ecological, Band Nigeria.

 

 

Responses of Calathea species in different growing media

J.A. Fagbayide and A.I. Makinde

ABSTRACT

Pot experiments were conducted at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan to investigate the most suitable medium for the growing of Calathea species. Four Calathea species namely: C. ornata; C.nigerica; C. princeps and C.zebrina, were planted each in three growing media made up of top soil; top soil and poultry manure (3:1) and top soil+ poultry manure +river sand (2:1:1). Results showed that the number of leaves, the plant height , and the number of plantlets produced per pot were best enhanced in the substrate of top soil and poultry manure mixtures. Although C.nigerica produced higher number of leaves and taller plants than C. zebrina, the latter may be preferred because of its more attractive leaves and its many plantlets that quickly fill the growing container.

Key words: growth , container, media, Calathea Species.

 

Performance index efficacy for cultivar rating in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill) evaluated for heat tolerance in a dry hot eco-zone

J. Goke Bodunde

ABSTRACT

The use of the factor called performance index (denoted as P) in rating trial entires was employed in a variety evaluation trial that secreened seven cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon essulentum Mill) for fruit yield under natural high environmental day and night temperatures. The index P was compared with the convertional use of LSD values in rating entries in field experiments that aim at screening crop varieties for selection. The trial was conduced at two locations, Azare in Bauchi state and Talata – Mafara in Zamfara state, both locations characterized by high temperatures between the months of February and May yearly. Rating cultivars by P was found desirable and complementary to the use of LSD. The P value was found to give information not normally made obvious by LSD in judging entries for selection. Based on P values at the two trial locations, cultivars most suitable or unsuitable for each location were indicated

Key Words: Performance index, cultivar rating, high temperature tolerance.


Approprate hydroponic systems for growing tropical leafy vegetables In greenhouse

Weerakkody W.A.P., Kumari N.A.K.G.E., Bandara W.M.S.M. Dris R. and Oladele O. I.

Abstract

This study work was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield of two selected tropical leafy vegetables, Kankung (Ipomea aquatica) and Mukunuwanne (Alternanthera sessilis), in different hydroponics systems under greenhouse conditions. Three hydroponic systems namely NFT, coir bag culture, and trough culture were compared with soil culture under greenhouse conditions. The greenhouse was 30 x 100 ft2 tunnel greenhouse with side netting and forced-air ventilation. Crops were grown with recommended management practices and evaluated for vegetative growth and leaf yield. Significantly higher shoot growth hand leaf yield were found in NFT and coir bag culture during the final vegetative growth of both crops. However, the effect of growing systems on leaf area (size) and the plant height of Mukunuwenna were not significant. Through grown plants dominated in root growth while, dry matter accumulation appeared to be lower in hydroponically grown plants compared with soil culture. Coir bag culture and NFT were identified as better growing systems for both leafy vegetables under greenhouse conditions in tropical region.

Key words: Soilless culture, cutivation system, hydroponic, vegetable

 

 

Effects of row spacing and seed rate on onion quality and set yield

Z. Barakauskienzi, R. Dris and O.I. Oladele

Abstract

The effect of sowing schemes and seed rates on onion sets yield and quality was investigated in 1999 – 2000 at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture. Seeds were sown according two schemes: (8 + 15) X 4 + 63 and (8 + 27) X 3 + 61. In each of them seed rates were 14; 17; 20; 23; 26 mln\ha.

The highest yield of standard onion sets (14.65 t/ha) was obtained at the scheme (8-15) X 4-63 and at 20mln/ha seed rate. When sowing according to this scheme and the rate of seeds being 20 mln\ha. When sowing according to the scheme (8 – 27) X 3 – 61 the highest yield of standard onion sets – 13.13 t\ha was obtained when applying the seed rate of 17 mln\ha.

When increasing the seed rate according to the scheme (8+15) X 4 + 63 over 20 mln\ha, and according to the scheme (8 – 27) X 3 – 61 over 17 mln\ha the yield of standard onion sets was decreasing and sets reached maturity later. At lower seed rates the amount of standard sets was decreasing as well because in thinner crops the amount of bigger sets was higher than of standard ones.

Key words: sowing scheme, seed rate, onion sets, onion bulbs, standard yield.

 

 

Insect pest situation and farmers’ cultural practices in citrus orchards in the Southern Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria.

V. C. Umeh, I. O. O. Aiyelaagbe, A. A. Kintomo, and M. B. Giginyu

Abstract

A survey was conducted in the major citrus producing areas located in Southern Guinea savannah agroecological zone of Nigeria to identify major insect pest and assess the effects of farmers’ citricultural practices on citrus production and pest control. Various species of insect pests were identified attacking citrus. The major leaf feeders were the scale insects which infested a mean of 13 % of the trees, the leaf miners (8.7 %), aphids (10.6 %) and the swallowtail butterfly larvae (23.7 %). Termites damaged the exposed parts of roots and the woody structure of some citrus trees, and was suspected to have positively influenced the spread of Phytophthora-induced diseases (r = 0.75; P<0.01; n = 10). Fruit drop caused by fruit piercing insects occurred in 30 to 90 % of sampled trees per farm. Major citrus diseases observed included the citrus tristeza disease, foot rot, brown rot and leaf spot diseases. Farmers’ pest/disease management practices were ineffective. Factors that contributed to unsatisfactory control were highlighted.

Keywords: Citrus, fruit drop, insect pests, die-back, pest-disease complex, intercropping

 

 

Comparative analysis between maturity traits, yield components and yield of Tattasai Pepper under contrasting conditions.

Olanrewaju, J. D. and Showemimo, F.A.

ABSTRACT

This work reports on the results of comparative traits involving 10 tattasai pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown for 2 years under contrasting conditions of wet and dry season as treatment in randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The result showed non significant effect of years, year x treatment and year x genotype for all the traits. Mean reduction ratio (MRR) signifies delayed expression of maturity traits from -12.1% for days to maturity to - 47% for number of leaves at first flowering under dry season, while MRR for yield and yield components was high and positively expressed under wet season. Correlations indicate that improving yield of tattasai pepper requires simultaneous selection of yield, yield components and number of leaves at first flowering. Correlated response revealed that fruit weight, fruit/plant and percent fruit set are the largest contributors to yield under both seasons and years.

Key words: Mean reduction ratio, correlated response, pepper, dry and wet seasons.

 

 

Tillage Systems and their effects on soil properties, crop growth and shoot yield of Corchorus olitorius (Ewedu)

Afolayan, S.O., Igbeka, J.C., Babalola, O.

ABSTRACT

Experiments were conducted in the South West of Nigeria to investigate the effects of tillage methods of Corchorus olitorius (ewedu) for two seasons. on the changes in soil moisture retention, aggregate size distribution and crop performance.

Results showed no-tillage (NT) recorded the highest mean value at saturation (62.5%) and at all the suction points. At 10-20cm soil depth, soil moisture retention was best for ploughing plus harrowing except at 15 bar , where No- tillage gave the highest mean value (5.1%). Mean weight diameter of aggregates (MWD), geometric mean diameter of aggregates (GMD), mean clod size (D50), indices of aggregates size stability were similar among the tillage methods. It was observed that MWD increased for NT and ploughing (PHO) and decreased for ploughing and harrowing (PHA) and ploughing, harrow and bedding (PHB).

The highest values of leaf area and root depth were recorded under PHB treatment (40.75cm2) for the first season while PHO treatment gave the best plant height (42.325cm) for the second season. Shoot yield of “ewedu” was significantly highest (P<0.05) for PHB treatment in both seasons followed by PHO.

KEY WORDS: Yield, moisture retention, tillage systems

 

 

Effect of water soluble and water inso luble types of phosphate fertilizer on the growth of coffee seedlings.

Ibiremo, O. S, Fagbola, O and Obatolu, C. R,

ABSTRACT:

A greenhouse study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different sources of phosphorus applied at different rates on coffee (Coffee canephora) seedlings at the headquarters of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan in 1999 and 2000. This is towards finding a lasting solution to the problem of P-limitation in soil and supply by the coffee growing farmers.

Two sources of phosphorus fertilizers: Single super-phosphate (SSP)(water soluble) and Sokoto rock phosphate (SRP) (water insoluble) were applied at rates equivalent to 20 and 40 kg P205 ha-1.

 Coffee seedlings with SSP applied at 40 kg P205ha-1 was significantly higher (p< 0.05) in height, leaf area and dry matter yield compared to other application rates. The relative agronomic efficiency of SRP applied at 20kg P205ha-1 was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to SRP applied at 40 kg P205 ha-1. Effect of SRP in all the rates tested was lower compared to that of SSP at corresponding rates.

Keywords: Sokoto rockphosphate (SRP); Single super phosphate (SSP); Coffee; Relative agronomic efficiency (RAE).

 

 

Improving the germination of Irvingia gabonensis var. excelsa seeds.

U. Nzekwe, S. S. C. Onyekwelu and V. C. Umeh

ABSTRACT:

An investigation on how to improve the germination of the seeds of the bush mango Irvingia gabonensis var. excelsa (= I. Wombulu) was carried out using various soil media in planting depulped and undepulped and, dried and non-dried fruits in polythene bags. The results showed that depulping of fruits, and drying for two days before planting in a 1:1 mixture of sawdust (SD) and forest top soil (TS) enhanced the production of a large quantity of uniform vigorously growing seedlings during the period of investigation. These methods significantly (P £ 0.05) increased seed germination and thus could be used to solve the age long problem of poor germination encountered by growers of the bush mango Irvingia gabonensis var. excelsa.

Keywords: Irvingia gabonensis, depulping, germination media, sawdust, topsoil


 

AJOL Home Page How to order photocopies Order Form INASP Home Page