Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science

Pesticide residue of some selected pesticides in guava fruit (Psidium guajava, cabi) sold at Giwa Market, Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

U. Malik — 2022-10-06

The laboratory study was conducted to check for pesticide residues in guava fruits sold at Giwa markets in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Three hundred grams (300g) of guava fruit samples was collected randomly each from ten different sellers during three consecutive market days to make up 3 kg. One kilogram (1k g) guava samples was randomly selected from the previously collected samples and blended into paste. One hundred grams (100 g) of the sample chopped from the blended samples was macerated in a blender and dipped in 150 mL acetone and kept overnight. The extracted sample was filtered through anhydrous sodium sulfate. The resulting extract was evaporated to near dryness using a rotary evaporator at a temperature of 28oC at Multi-user Laboratory. The residue was re-dissolved in 2 mL acetone and kept in the refrigerator for further determination by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Analysis. Finally, 1 ul of the sample was injected into the GC machine (Shimadzu GCMS (QP 2010 plus)) column RTX, 30 m x 0.25 mm/d, with 0.25 um film thickness (5% diphenyl, 95% dimethyl polysitoxane). Twelve molecules of pesticide residues in the guava sample that corresponds to the pesticides standards were detected. The quantity of pesticide found were below the European Union maximum residues limits (MRLs) standards. This signifies that farmers in this study area minimize the application of pesticide for protection of their guava fruits, thus making the fruits save for consumption.

Assessment of home gardening practices and consumption method of selected leafy vegetables during the lockdown in Osun State, Nigeria

A.E. Ojeleye — 2022-10-06

Home gardening not only contributes to agricultural production, it is also a relatively cheap source of vegetable for household consumption. Leaf vegetables supply micronutrients and antioxidants needed to complement starchy foods to make a balanced diet and protect against diseases associated with micronutrients deficiencies. However, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic led many households to bear the consequences of the unavailability of fresh vegetables during the lockdown. The study evaluated the consumption method of selected leafy vegetables (amaranth, celosia and cochorus) prior and during the lockdown in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. During the lockdown, questionnaires were administered using google forms to 562 households in Olorunda Local Government. Data were collected on source of purchase of the selected leaf vegetables and rate of consumption, storage and processing methods, and shelf-life of the selected leafy vegetables. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis. Results showed that 50.6% households consumed amaranth, 49.8% (celosia) while 66.7% (cochorus) during lockdown period. Households purchased most leafy vegetables from open market (83%), while others got from their garden. Different storage and processing methods were adopted, 51.6% households used refrigerator, open-air (45.6%) while 31.5% processed vegetables into powder. The result further observed that 41% households had home garden. Therefore, to ensure adequate intake of green leafy vegetables, households should be encouraged to practice home gardening to boost their nutrition and contribute to the nutrition needs of others.

Characteristics, food, health and economic values of the Nigerian pawpaw (Carica papaya) fruits

S.G. Odafe — 2022-10-06

Five varieties of papaya fruits (spherical shape variety (OSV), oval shape variety (OSV), ellipsoid shape variety (ESV), cylindrical shape variety (CSV) and bulb shaped variety (BSV)) were assessed for their characteristics. On the basis of size and shape attributes, the smallest OSV measured 16.0 - 15.38 cm in diameter (longitudinal and latitudinal), and 100.04 - 96.73cm in circumference while the shape was oval. The BSV measured the biggest size which was 34.98 - 21.59 cm in long and lat. and 220.15 - 135.80 cm in circumference. The weights of matured ripe fruits varied from 0.952kg for SSV to 2.636 kg for BSV; but the values were not perfectly correlated with the fruit sizes. All the varieties had high moisture contents (MC) which were not significantly (p>0.05) among the varieties. The concentrations of crude protein (1.04 – 1.13 %), crude fiber (1.56 – 2.49 %) and ether extracts (0.16 – 0.18 %) were low in the fruits. The soluble carbohydrates were high, varying from 23.04 % in ellipsoid shaped variety (ESV) to and 30.62 % in bulb shaped variety (BSV). Calcium contents of the fruits varied from 27.0 mg/100g (BSV) to 31.0 mg/100 g (CSV) of fresh fruit. The fruits also contained potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron and zinc in appreciable levels. Ascorbic acid contents of the fruits were high and significantly varied amongst the different varieties. With the nutritive contents of papaya fruits are considered useful for various food preparations hence, exploring the economic potentials of the Nigerian papaya is recommended.

Effect of combination of bio-pesticide and fertilizer treatment in the management of tomato wilt in an endemic soil

V.A. Chikaleke — 2022-10-06

Tomato wilt pathogen is a major constraint to tomato production in Nigeria and to increase production wilt problem must be effectively controlled. An experiment with 5 varieties, 4 fertilizer types and 3 bio-pesticides (in a 5 varieties x 4 fertilizer types x 3 bio-pesticide types) was conducted in split-split plot design in a wilt endemic soil at National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Ibadan. The parameters measured were plant height (cm), number of branches, stem girth (cm), number of wilted plants and yield (t/ha). The results showed that while varietal factor effect was very significant for number of branches, plant height and number of wilted plant, the bio-pesticide effect was very significant for plant height and number of wilted plant and fertilizer effect was significant with reference to wilted plant. The interaction effects (bio-pesticide *fertilizer, bio-pesticide *variety and bio-pesticide *fertilizer *variety) caused significant variation in the values of the growth parameters measured. In the third order interaction where bio-insecticide and bio-fertilizer were applied Castle bar variety and Peto variety recorded better fruit yield with 5.27ton/ha and 5.15ton/ha respectively than where fungicide and any of the fertilizers were applied.

Influence of rice dust with different packaging materials on fungi incidence of postharvest rot of sweet potato (Ipomea batata, L.) in storage

B.A. Yekini — 2022-10-06

The high perishability of sweet potato tubers during storage remains one of the major constraint to producer across Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa. Effect of rice dust with three different packaging materials (Baskets, Sack bags and Cartons) and control on post-harvest quality of tubers was evaluated for 12 weeks. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design replicated three times. Data were collected on weight loss, rot incidence and severity, isolation and identification of the isolates. Data obtained were subjected to 2-way Analysis of Variance and significant means were separated with Tukey HSD test at 5% probability level. The study showed that there was no significant difference among the treatments. However, rice dust with carton and control at 12th weeks had the highest (100.00 %) weight loss while rice dust with Sack bag had the least (94.39 %). Similarly, rice dust with carton and control at 12th weeks had the highest (100.00 %) rot incidence while rice dust with sack bag had the least (87.77%). The isolated organisms were Botryodiplodia theobromae, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifers, Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum. B. theobromae was prevalent with 51.32%. The percentage distribution of 46.05%, 34.21%, 18.42% and 1.32% were obtained for the treatments from Carton, Sack bag, Basket with rice dust and Control respectively. The study concluded that among the different materials evaluated, rice dust with Sack bag were the best method for sweet potato storage due to reduced weight loss and reduced rate of tuber decay compared to otherstorage materials.

Heterosis and combining ability study in African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.)

G.O. Otusanya — 2022-10-06

The choice of breeding method for genetic improvement of a crop depends on the nature of gene action involved in the expression of its quantitative traits. Hybrid vigour has become a potential tool for genetic improvement of many crops. This study examined heterosis and gene action controlling yield and component traits for selection among eggplant accessions. Four accessions of Solanum aethiopicum (ACN.NH-165; ACN.NH-124; ACN.NH-159 and ACN.NH-125) were crossed using diallel mating designed to produce first filial generation without reciprocals. The four parents and six diallel-crosses generated were evaluated between July-December, 2014, at National Horticultural Research Institute Ibadan, using randomized complete block design with three replications. Data collected on days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant (g) and 1000-seed weight (g) were analyzed for general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and heterosis estimation. Significant genetic variation was observed among the lines used with respect to all traits evaluated. GCA mean square was significant for all the traits studied, while SCA mean square was not significant for plant height and number of fruits per plant. Almost all give specific figure or value the studied traits had >50% proportion of total genotypic sum of square due to GCA except number of leaves. Heterobeltiosis was observed in ACN.NH-165 × ACN.NH-124 for earliness (-1.15%), 1000-seed weight (21.03%), fruit length (28.50%), fruit diameter (26.65%); and ACN.NH-124 × ACN.NH-125 for number of fruits per plant (7.70%). ACN.NH-124, ACH.NH-165 and ACH.NH-125 which were good combiners in the present study can be used as parents in hybridization breeding program for earliness, higher fruit yield and bigger sized of fruits of Solanum aethiopicum.

Iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (FeEDTA complex) induces morphological changes during in vitro regeneration of Bryophyllum pinnatum

C.O. Esuola — 2022-10-06

Bryophyllum pinnatum is fast becoming a medicinal and ornamental plant of choice to study in vitro secondary metabolites production due to its easy-to-regenerate leaves. The importance of microelements, iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (FeEDTA complex) in B. pinnatum micropropagation was investigated. Leaf explants of B. pinnatum were surfaced sterilized and cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal media with FeEDTA complex (MS) or without FeEDTA complex (MS-FeEDTA) in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) in triplicates. Data were collected on parameters such as root length, root number, shoot length, shoot number, number of leaves, number of nodes, plant colour at 8, 14 and 21 days after culture (DAC). The results showed that all the parameters studied were significantly different in MS supplemented with FeEDTA complex compared to MS without FeEDTA complex. There was significant colour changes at 21 DAC, as the plant turned yellowish in MS without FeEDTA complex indicating lack of photosynthetic activities with a possible role in siderophore production.

Entomo-toxicity potentials of Guinea Henweed (Petiveria alliacea) and Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) crude aqueous extracts compared with synthetic insecticide against Podagrica spp (coleoptera: chrysomalidae) infestation on okra

J.M. Adesina — 2022-10-06

Entomo-toxicity potentials of Guinea Henweed (Petiveria alliacea) and Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) crude aqueous extracts against insect infestation on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) were evaluated during the early and late cropping seasons of 2016 at the Teaching, Research and Commercial Farms, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replicates, with extracts prepared at a concentration of 20% w/v. The crude extracts had significant decrease effects on the population of Podagrica beetle. Plots treated with the synthetic insecticide and P. alliacea aqueous extracts at 3 and 7 days after first and second spraying reduced the beetle population compared to pre-spraying state. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two aqueous extracts except at 7 days after first and second sprays for both early and late cropping seasons. However, there exist significant difference (P<0.05) among the various treatments 3 and 7 DAS after fourth spray. P. alliacea aqueous extracts gave good protection to the okra plants so much that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in resultant yield attributes compared to the synthetic insecticide as it was able to significantly suppress damage caused to okra plant leaves by the target insect. The results from this study show that crude P. alliacea aqueous extracts could be adopted by resource poor farmers as an alternative to synthetic insecticides in controlling Podagrica spp infestation on okra plot. However, further study is required to know the bioactive chemical constituents responsible for the plant insecticidal properties.

Socio-economic characteristics and production constraints of smallholder tomato production in Benue State Nigeria

S.O. Ngbede — 2022-10-06

Tomato is one of the most popular and widely grown vegetables in the world. Over the years, tomato production in Benue state has increased. This paper seeks to describe the socio-economic characteristics, production practices and identifies challenges to increased tomato productivity in smallholder production in Benue State. Responses were obtained from 60 tomato farmers with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire in 2019 cropping season. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and mean score values generated from 5-point Likert scale. The revealed that majority of the respondents were male (55%), 46.7% were within the age bracket of 31-40 and 50.0% were married and 31.7% of them had both primary and secondary school education with household size of 11-15 (38.3%) and 83.7% had 6-10 years farming experience. Farm size of majority of the respondents (65.0%) was less than or equal to 1ha, 78.33% of the family labour were engaged in the farming process, 80.00% used family land for production of tomato, 58.3% used personal savings in the production process while (66.67%) used seed from previous harvest, and 50.0% made use of herbicide for weed control. Majority of the respondents (68.33%) planted their seeds in the nursery before transplanting and 71.67% were engaged in rain fed agriculture. Major constraints of tomato production included high incidences of pest and disease, perishability of produce, poor market structure, poor storage facilities, and high cost of agrochemical, inadequate credit facilities, high cost of transportation, bad road and high cost of hiring labour. Other constraints included high interest rate on credit, lack of adequate water for dry season production, availability of tomato on and off season, grazing activity and high cost of land. The study recommends the introduction of integrated pest management system to the rural farmers, cost of agrochemicals should be subsidized, farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative societies and generally each step in the tomato production system needs intervention by researchers and extension agents to improve productivity and quality through introduction of modern agro-technologies to the already existing rich traditional knowledge of farmers, finally aiming at bridging the yield gap.

Response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties to organic and inorganic fertilization in Sudan savanna ecological zone of Kebbi State

A. Muhammad — 2022-10-06

Field experiments were conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology (KSUSTA) Aliero located in Jega, Kebbi State, Nigeria during 2019/20 and 2020/21 dry seasons. The aim of the experiment was to study the response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties to organic and inorganic fertilization. Treatments consisted of three (3) cucumber varieties (Darina, Market-more and Poinsett-75) and three nutrient sources (NPK [15:15:15] mineral fertilizer, poultry manure, cow dung and the untreated control; each designed to supply the recommended nitrogen dose of 120kg N ha-1. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results revealed that vine length, crop growth rate, mean fruit length, mean fruit diameter, total number of fruits per plant and fresh fruit yield of Market-more and Point sett varieties were higher with the application of either poultry manure or NPK fertilizer. Darina, Market-more and Pointsett-75 varieties attained maximum growth with the application of poultry manure. Based on the results, it could be concluded that, both poultry manure and NPK mineral fertilizer have relatively the same potential as sources of nutrients on growth and yield of cucumber. However, considering the negative environmental effects and cost of the later, poultry manure could be recommended. Furthermore, varieties Market-more and Pointsett-75 are better than Darina in terms of yield.

Seedling growth and nutrient uptake of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) in response to soil type and AMF inoculum

O.I. Salawu — 2022-10-06

Most Tropical crops thrive under the rain-fed conditions, albeit with negative environmental effects having its toll on plant growth and productivity at the slightest abiotic stresses. Symbiotic relationships with plant-microbial organisms can provide varying degrees of ameliorative influences leading to drought tolerance and/or resistance and improved crop nutrient uptake responses. Experiments conducted in 2017 in Abeokuta, Nigeria evaluated the performances of 6- months old African star apple – Agbalumo (Yor.) (Chrysophyllum albidum) seedlings when cultivated in three soil types (clayey, loamy and sandy soils) and inoculated with three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) strains (Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), Rhizophagus irregularis (Ri), Glomus etunicatum (Ge) while the untreated served as control. The results showed that plants in loamy soil had an initial taller response, plants in sandy had thicker girth than those in loamy and clayey soils and wider spread than plants in sandy soil. Significantly higher K-uptake was observed for plants in sandy soil while the reverse was with P-uptake. AMF inoculation had no significant influence on P-uptake and other nutrient elements compared to control. Proximate content analysis was varied with higher values for fat content (FC) and crude fibre for plants in sandy and clayey soils, higher crude protein in loamy, and higher sugar content for plants in loamy and sandy soils. With exception to lower FC of plants in Ri, there was no significant difference among plants inoculated with AMF. In conclusion, C. albidum seedlings had better growth performances in loamy soil, but had no significant growth response to applied AMF inoculation.

Growth, yield and proximate content of two varieties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in response to compost

O.O. Ojo — 2022-10-06

A field experiment was conducted between August and November, 2013 at the Organic Agriculture Skills Demonstration Plot, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria to determine the growth and yield response of two cucumber (Cucumis sativus) varieties („Poinsett‟ and „Marketmore‟) to compost applied at 0, 5, 10 and 20 t/ha. The experiment was a factorial arrangement fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GENSTAT 12th edition (commercial version) and the separation of treatment means was done by the use of Least Significance Difference (LSD) at 5% level (Wahua, 1999). The parameters assessed were number of leaves, leaf area, number of flowers, fruit yield and proximate content. Both varieties did not differ significantly in vegetative growth and fruit yield. Nonetheless, Marketmore fruits had higher crude protein and calcium but lower vitamin C than those of „Pointset‟. Cucumber treated with compost rate at 10 or 20 t/ha produced more leaves and broader leaves than 0 and 5 t/ha. Cucumber that received compost at 10 t/ha produced highest number of flowers than other rates. There was no significant difference in the fruit yield of cucumber that received 5, 10 or 15 t/ha. However, application of compost at 5, 10 or 20 t/ha compost had higher fruit yield than control. Vitamin A content was highest in cucumber fruit treated with 20 t/ha of compost than other rates. Vitamin C content was higher in cucumber applied with 10 or 20 t/ha when compared with 0 or 5 t/ha compost. Vitamin C content was highest in „Marketmore‟ applied with 10 or 20 t/ha, and „Pointset‟ with 20 t/ha compost. Consequently, for cucumber fruit production, either variety could be used and 5 t/ha of compost is optimum. However, Marketmore‟ applied with 10 t/ha compost is optimum to enhance vitamin C content of cucumber.

Genetic variability study and path coefficient analysis in African eggplant ( Solanum aethiopicum L.)

G.O. Otusanya — 2022-10-06

Genetically improved African eggplant is needed for the exploitation of its potential for commercial use. Heritability and knowledge of correlation among agronomic traits help plant breeders decide which selection methods will be effective in crop improvement. Ten genotypes were grown at the research farm of NIHORT in July, 2014, using Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications, to determine the extent of genetic variability, strength of association and level of heritability among nine agronomic traits. Estimates of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variance, broad sense heritability, genetic advance, phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients were computed. Number of leaves per plant had the highest genotypic variance (253.98), while number of leaves per plant had the highest phenotypic variance (281.06). Number of leaves per plant, days to 50% flowering and fruit weight per plant showed high genotypic and phenotypic variance indicating that the genotype could be reflected by the phenotype and selection based on the phenotype performance of these traits could be effective. High heritability and high genetic advance observed in days to 50% flowering, stem girth, number of leaves per plant and fruit weight per plant revealed the preponderance of additive gene action which shows that selection for these characters could be effective. At genotypic level, fruit diameter had the highest direct effect on fruit weight per plant, while at phenotypic level; fruit length had the highest direct effect on fruit weight per plant. These two characters can be used as selection index for fruit weight per plant in eggplant improvement.

Impact of provenances on seed germination, early growth performance and survival rate of Tamarindus indica (L) in North Western Nigeria

A.U. Jibo — 2022-10-06

Tamarindus indica is well known with its values in Savana area. It is very important to determine the best location for the species in the arid. Therefore, the study was conducted from March to May, 2020 was aimed at determining the impact of variability on seed germination, early survival and growth performance of Tamarindus indica at the nursery stages from four provenances within the North Western Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four (4) treatments: Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano and Yobe (provenances). A total of 80 pods were used (i.e 10 pods per site) pods were sown in a mixture of top soil and river sand at the ratio of 2:1. Germination was assessed for six (6) weeks and germination percentage (%) determined. The growth parameters measured include: Pod length (cm), leaf area (cm2) stem diameter (mm), shoot height (cm). Analysis of variance showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) among the growth parameters except for leaf area. The result showed that Jigawa provenance had the best morphological characteristics in terms of pod length (4.5cm) shoot height (14.9cm) stem diameter (0.48mm), germination percentage (100%) and seed germination survival rate (100%). Therefore, it is recommended that nursery attendants, growers and consumers should source for better germplasm (pod) of the species from Jigawa State.

Response of groundnut to thermal indices as influenced by intercropping and mulching in tropical wet and dry climate in Nigeria

Y. Rabiu — 2022-10-06

Temperature as a limiting factor to groundnut production had affected groundnut economic value in a tropical wet and dry climate of Nigeria. A field trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of mulching on some selected thermal indices of groundnut intercropped with maize at Abeokuta during the early 2018 cropping season. The experiment was arranged in 6×3 factorial and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Experimental factors were the cropping system of sole planting of three groundnut cultivars SAMNUT-24 (GNUT1), SAMNUT-25 (GNUT2), SAMNUT-26 (GNUT3) and their intercrop combinations with maize (SAMMAZ-15), mulching methods were black polythene, white polythene and banana leaf. Thermal indices were estimated on emergence, flowering, pod formation, seed formation, and maturity phases. The results of thermal indices showed that intercrop significantly influence (p≤0.05) growing degree days (GDD) of groundnut at emergence (2225.50 ºday) and flowering (2700.96 0day) phases and mulching was significant (p≤0.05) at seed formation phase. In conclusion, intercrop showed significant influence on thermal indices and yield of groundnut, white polythene mulch enhanced heat accumulation at emergence, flowering and seed formation stages.