Agriculture

Spatial variability of soil properties have been attributed to factors of soil formation, land use and management. Mycorrhizal fungi are associated intrinsically with soil organic matter and have been reported to be spatially heterogeneous and largely influence soil fertility and crop production. The objective of this study was to assess spatial variability of arbuscular mycorrhizal and its relationship with particle size fractions on valley bottom soils in southwestern Nigeria. The study was conducted on a 9 hectare (900m by 100m) undergraduate internship plot in University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Surface (0 - 15cm) and subsurface (15 – 30cm) soil samples were collected at rigid grid nodes (10m by 100m), processed and analysed for particle size distribution, available phosphorus, organic carbon and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Gigaspora, Scultelospora, Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Glomus, etc.). Data collected were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistic, statistics of dispersion and geostatistics. The variables that were normally distributed included silt (surface), silt, clay and organic carbon (subsurface). Status of coefficient of variation of the soil properties ranged from least to moderate (7.6% - 42.3% and 0.7% - 42.7% for surface and subsurface soils respectively. There were significant correlations between clay content and Gigaspora (r = 0.43, p<0.01), clay and Glomus (r = -0.24, p<0.05), Gigaspora and Glomus (r = 0.43, p<0.01) on the surface. Whereas on the subsurface, clay and Glomus (r = 0.23, p<0.05), available phosphorus and Gigaspora (r = 0.23, p<0.05), Gigaspora and Glomus (r = 0.51, p<0.05) were significantly correlated. The semivariance analysis carried out indicated that extent of spatial dependence of the soil properties on both depths varied from strong to moderate (5.9% - 63.3% and 14.3% - 53.0% in surface and subsurface soils respectively) which is as a result of intrinsic variation caused by factors of soil formation. Variability of mycorrhizal spores in the study area is majorly attributable to pedogensis rather than land use and management. Clay and available phosphorus were found to influence distribution of mycorrhizal spores.

This study was conducted in Gedarif town; Gedarif State, Sudan in (2003-2006). The objective was to test the hypothesis that, the wild silkworm Epiphora bauhiniae (Guerin-Meneville) has ability to produce a lucrative silk fiber (cocoons), of commercial value, during the rainy season. A comparative study was done to determine the average values and basic production indices, of the wild silkworm, fed during the various months of rainy seasons August, September and October). The technological traits (cocoon weight, shell weight and shell ratio) of the produced cocoons were investigated under laboratory. Cocoons produced showed high weights, during the rainy season, particularly in August and September. The study revealed that, the cocoon of E.bauhiniae, easy to be degummed and released from cocoon by hand, after treatment using NaoH solution (low con. 0.25%). The fibers have high ability or capability of dyeing absorbency. Sericin percentage was 44%. Cocoon weight, shell weight and shell ratio ranged between (1.5 - 2.98 g, 0.37 - 0.59 g, 22.5 – 24.5 %, respectively). The technological traits were significantly varied, within the period of the rainy season, i.e. the values obtained during August and September was higher than October values. This study showed the potential of E.bauhiniae, as an important wild silkworm, to be a candidate as a commercial insect, for silk production in Sudan, because it is a bi voltine race (generate twice a year) beside that its products covers all quantitative and qualitative traits and accordingly this insect will have prominent concerns to contribute and help in future to defeat poverty and boost farmer income. This study claimed to be the first study that, showing the technological traits of E.bauhiniae in Sudan and open the door widely for the insect not to be placed out in the cold.

This experiment was conducted in a controlled environment, to evaluate the effects of Pre-treatment salts different on the characteristics of seeds Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) implemented. Experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with 4 replications. Pre-treatment included: potassium nitrate (1%), potassium phosphate (1%), sodium chloride (1%) and distilled water which was the control experiment. Seeds were submerged for 72 hours with aeration in treatments and then seeds dried and number of 50 seeds were on filter paper 30 x 30 towel method. The results indicated that in the pre-treatment, most positive effect on the germination coefficient of Ajowan plant was potassium nitrate, in other words,the seeds in less time, had the highest percentage of germination . Means comparison showed that the highest and lowest positive effect on the average time required for germination in plant Ajowan were potassium nitrate (6.9 days) and sodium chloride (9.3 days). According to results, the pre-treatment for 72 h with potassium nitrate 1% Seeds Ajowan recommended.

This experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki in order to evaluate productivity indices of spent lubricant oil-contaminated soil bio-remediated with organic wastes for three (2006 – 2008) cropping seasons. The field was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The spent lubricant oil was applied blanket on soil at 5 % equivalent to 50,000 mg kg-1 to all the plots to serve as source of contamination. The organic wastes were burnt rice husk dust, unburnt (fresh) rice husk dust, sawdust and control applied at 20 t ha-1 equivalent to 8 kg ha-1 and replicated five times. Modified Pierce et al. productivity index was used to compute the productivity indices. The modified productivity index entailed use of sufficiencies for bulk density, available water capacity, root weighting factor (RWF), pH and exclusion of sufficiencies for aeration and electrical conductivity. The productivity indices (PI) were highest (P1=0.31, 0.27, 0.27 and 0.27) for oil contaminated soil treated with saw dust (OS), oil contaminated soil treated with unburnt rice husk dust (OU), oil contaminated soil amended with (OS) and oil contaminated soil treated with unburnt rice husk dust (OU) amended plots in 2006, 2007 and 2008 cropping seasons, respectively. These PI were 29, 35 and 80% higher than the control for the three seasons for the respective treatments of OS, OU and OS and OU. The mean productivity indices were (x=0.19, 0.27, 0.24 and 0.27) for control, OU, OB and OS amendments, respectively. Grain yields of maize of 1.72 and 1.70 t ha-1 were obtained for PI of 0.31 and 0.30 for oil contaminated soil treated with saw dust (OS) and oil contaminated soil amended with unburnt rice husk dust (OU) amended plots, respectively. Oil contaminated soil treated with unburnt rice husk dust (OU) (x=27) and oil contaminated soil amended with saw dust (OS) (x=0.27) wastes predicted highly for spent oil contaminated soil amended with organic wastes and could be recommended for bio-remediation of such soil in Abakaliki.

An experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki in order to evaluate productivity of a degraded ultisol amended with different animal wastes in Abakaliki. The field was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were four treatments viz poultry droppings (PD), Swine Waste (SW), Cow Dung (CD) and Control (C) applied at 12 ha-1, respectively. These treatments were replicated five times. Maize hybrid (Oba super II) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) were used as test crops. Core and auger samples were collected at 0 – 20 cm depth before and after planting for pre and post planting soil properties determination. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated with Fisher’s least significant difference. Results showed that bulk density, total porosity, moisture content, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability and mean weight diameter were significantly (P<0.05) higher in poultry droppings amended plots than in control. The texture of soil remained sandy loam. The studied chemical properties showed no significant treatments effect except magnesium that was significantly (P<0.05) higher in PD and CD amendments relative to control. Cow dung treatment significantly (P<0.05) depressed Na compared to control and other animal wastes amendments. Bulk density was lower by 5 and 7% under poultry droppings compared to cow dung and swine waste treatments. Total porosity and hydraulic conductivity were 9,7,4 and 11% higher in PD relative to cow dung and swine wastes amendments. Available P, total N and organic matter were higher under PD treatment by 8, 17, 18, 12, 17 and 27% compared to SW and CD amended plots, respectively. Maize grain and groundnut yields significantly (P<0.05) increased in all animal wastes amended plots relative to control. Animal wastes enhanced physical properties of soil and yields of crops more than chemical ones. Poultry droppings that proved more superior compared to others could be recommended for improving productivity of a degraded soil in the study area.