Applied Botany

Four Trichoderma species with known biocontrol activity (T. harzianum, T. hamantum, T. viride and T. virens) were tested for their efficacy against Cephalosporium acremonium, a causal organism of Black bundle disease in maize. Interactions between the fungi were assessed in vitro to study mutual antagonisms. Among the four bio-agents, T. hamantum proved to be promising which showed maximum inhibition (51.3%) followed by T. virens (45.2%), T. harzianum (44.6%) and T. viride (20.3%). T. hamantum was also found to be hyperparasite on C. acremonium whereas, T. harzianum and T. viride showed mycelial deformation. The volatile toxicants released by all the Trichoderma spp. were inferior in inhibiting the growth of C. acremonium when compared to the control as evident by inverted plate technique. The results of in vivo experiments confirmed the results from the in vitro study and showed that all the four bio-agents significantly reduced the disease incidence of Black bundle disease.

The ethanolic fruit extract of Cucumis trigonus Roxb. of family Curcurbitaceae was subjected to isolation and identification of chemical constituents. The extract was purified and isolated by column chromatography and thin layer chromatography (TLC). The isolated compound was then subjected to Infra red spectroscopy (IR) for identification of functional groups, 1H NMR and 13C NMR for identification of protons and carbon atoms. LCMS and elemental analysis were done for identifying the molecular weight and elemental composition of the isolated compound. From the spectra obtained from IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR, LCMS and elemental analysis, the isolated compound was found to be linolenic acid (C18H30O2) with a molecular weight of 278.43.

Plants are utilized as therapeutic agents since time immemorial in both organized (Ayurveda, Unani) and unorganized (folk, tribal, native) form. The ethanolic fruit extract of Cucumis trigonus Roxb of family Cucurbitaceae was used to treat the urolithiasis induced by ethylene glycol. On this course, the extract also repairs the changes that happened in the biochemical parameters urea, uric acid and creatinine in serum and urine of the urolithiatic rats. The ethanol extract (150 mg / kg b.w.) reduced the levels of elevated biochemical parameters in serum and urine significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the toxic groups. The results shown by the ethanol extract (150 mg / kg b.w.) was compared to standard thiazide drug treated group showing no significant difference (p<0.05) and thus exhibited potent antiurolithiatic activity.

This study was carried out to determine the in-vitro anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic and phytochemical constituents of the methanolic leaves extract of Citrullus colocynthis. The results of this study show that Citrullus colocynthish has strong antioxidant potentials against various radicals. The extract concentration-dependently scavenges DPPH radicals with IC50 of 357.14µg/ml compared to 16.32µg/ml of standard gallic acid, scavenge nitric oxide radicals with IC50 of 234µg/ml compared to 20.5µg/ml of standard ascorbic acid and has 20% activity of standard ascorbic acid ferric reducing power. The extract also inhibited induction of lipid peroxidation and ?-Amylase activity in a concentration-dependent manner in cell free assays with highest concentration of the extract inhibiting lipid peroxidation and ?-Amylase activity by 72% at 500µg/ml and 91% at 250µg/ml respectively. The phytochemical constituents of the extract were determined, qualitative assays employed revealed the presence of various phytochemicals in the extract and the amount of total phenolics, flavonoids and flavonol were found to be 58.76mg GAE/g, 2.01mg RE/g and 0.13mg RE/g respectively. Gas-chromatography analysis of the extract revealed the possible presence of albumin, ascorbic acid, beta carotene, vicilins, tocotrienols, lutin, 2-tetradcyclobutane, 2-dodecyclobutane. The presence of phenolics and various antioxidant compounds in the plants may explain the strong pharmacological potentials of the plant.

Seeds bags of Moringa oleifera were transplanted into a field on the Teaching and Research Farm of Ekiti State University, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria at 30 x 40cm (81,833 plants ha-1), 40 x 60cm (41,667 plant ha-1), 60 x 80cm (20, 833 plant ha-1) and 100 x 100cm (10,000 plants ha-1). Cured poultry manure was applied at 3MT.ha-1 one week before transplanting and thereafter at two month interval. No fertilizer or irrigation was applied throughout the duration of the experiment. Fodder was harvested from the top to tender stems at 60 days after transplanting and fresh and dry weights were measured. Regrowths were harvested at 30-day intervals during the wet (60, 90, 120 and 150 days after transplanting) and dry (210, 240, 270 and 300 days after transplanting) season. Regrowth height was measured at each cutting day and harvesting involved the tender portion of stem. The 30 x 40cm spacing produced the highest fodder yield (14.89 ton ha-1) which was significantly higher than other spacings. Fodder yield in the wet season (7.6MT.ha-1) was significantly higher than that of dry season (2.79MT.ha-1). Also, there was a positive correlation between the fodder yield and the amount of precipitation in all the months under study. However, plant spacing did not significantly affect regrowth height (p> 0.05) of Moringa oleifera in this area. It was therefore concluded that the agronomic potentials of Moringa oleifera is implicated for its use as an alternative feed resource for small ruminants in South Western Nigeria.

Field trials were carried out at the farm of Livestock development unit of Ekiti state Ministry of agriculture, Erinfun, Ado Ekiti (7°40? N, 5°15? E) in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 cropping sessions to assess the effects of sprout number per cassava stand on the performance of cassava Manihot esculenta. The treatments which represented the number of shoots allowed to survive from sprouted shoots per stand were single shoot; double shoots; triple shoots and multiple shoots. At four weeks after planting (4WAP), sprouted shoots were detached to the required number per stand in each treatment. Multiple shoots produced the tallest plants while single and double shoots per stand gave the shortest plants. Single shoot per stand produced the highest stem girth figure, number of initial and final branches, fresh shoot biomass, number of tubers per plant as well as tuber yield per hectare. While the percent peel per tuber was lowest in the single and double shoots per stand, the highest percentage of peel per tuber was recorded in the multiple shoots cassava plants. It is concluded that sprouted cassava should not be allowed to be more than two shoots per stand for optimum cassava tuber yield.

Airspora constitutes fungal spores, pollen, bacteria, hyphal fragments, insect’s scales, etc. Some of them are toxic and causing serious health hazards in human being, as well due to their higher concentration in the air creates environmental pollution. Among them fungal forms were taken into consideration to find out the status of various types of allergic and pathogenic spores at various places and their role in causing health hazards to plants and human beings. In vegetables and fruit market, airspora contain mostly fungal spores which are known to cause the diseases to vegetables and fruits and various allergies to human beings. The present aerobiological investigation was carried out by using Rotorod air Sampler for the period of one year. Total 17 fungal forms were recorded during the study period. Aspergillus (12.2%), Rhizopus (8.3%), Exosporium (7.7%), Sporidesmium (6.8%) and Curvularia (5.7%) were recorded as the predominant forms whereas Alternaria, Bispora, Heterosporium, etc. were found with comparatively less concentration. It was observed the concentration of the spores in the air varies from season to season probably due to variation in meteorological parameters. The dominance of name of the fungi in the air of vegetables and fruit market indicates their possible role in the damage of vegetables and fruits. The vegetables and fruit market environment had higher population of Aspergillus and Penicillium indicating possible source of contamination. Fungal spores are one of the chief components of aeromycoflora known to induce various allergic disorders in human beings.

The main objective of the research work was to check the presence or absence of the phytochemical constituents in the E. officinalis. The results of the phytochemical analysis of this medicinal plant showed that the terpenoids, tannins, reducing sugar, flavonoids and alkaloids were found to be present in mentioned medicinal plant.

Cassava is a staple food in the world and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A severe cassava epidemic would have long-lasting consequences for the population, which would probably result in malnutrition, reduced work performance, and possible migration to unaffected areas. This situation could be considered a disaster. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the severity of MAM and the bimonthly harvest on the leaf yield of ten cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars in Gbadolite, North Ubangi Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The experimental design used was that of randomized complete blocks with 3 replications and 10 treatments, or 10 clones. Leaf yields in tons per hectare were 5.2 for cultivar Amuma; 4.1 for cultivars Mado and Moyindo; 3.9 for cultivar TME 419 or Obama; 3.8 for cultivar Nganza; 3.1 for cultivar RAV; 2.9 for cultivars Badiya and Dabeke; 2.7 for cultivar Khadafi and 2.0 for cultivar Yasegumba. MAM infection levels were in the range of 1 for cultivars Amuma and Dabeke; 2 for cultivars Moyindo, TME 419, and RAV; 3 for cultivar Yasegumba; and 4 for cultivars Badiya, Khadafi, Mado or Madame, and Nganza. The one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's test at the 5% probability level showed a significant difference. Tukey's post hoc test grouped cultivars according to the level of MAM infection. These results certify the level of severity of this virus in this province; for this reason, it is advisable to consider the control of this virus by popularizing resistant varieties and adequate cultivation techniques related to it.

Water deficit is common stress in arid and semi-arid lands, also yield of wheat reduced by another environmental stresses such as heat and cold. The main causes of these changes are due to poor distribution of rainfall, and poor agronomy calendar. According to this fact that rainfall is one of the most important factors for agronomy in dry land, we calculated time of first effective rainfall with probabilities of 50% and 75% by using meteorological data (1994 to 2011) of Synoptic station at Eghlid region, The growing degree days (GDD) of wheat growth phenological stages were obtained by using 4 ° C as physiological Zero. Based on the results, the first effective rainfall happen in the November 19th and December 8th, by probability levels of 50% and 75% also the germination of wheat seeds happen in the March12th and March31th and the ended of phenological stages happen in the August18th and August25th by probability levels of 50% and 75% respectively. We suggest this planting calendar to obtain the best wheat yield.