African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Heritability and Genetic Variability Analysis of Reproductive Traits in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

L.O. Omoigui¹*, M.F. Ishiyaku², A.Y. Kamara¹, S.O. Alabi², S.G, Mohammed²

¹International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Nigeria

Accepted 19 May, 2024

Abstract

The success of most crop improvement programs largely depends upon the genetic variability and the heritability of desirable traits. The magnitude and type of genetic variability help the breeder to determine the selection criteria and breeding schemes to be used for improvement purposes. A screen house experiment was carried out at Samaru, Nigeria in 1999 and 2000 dry seasons to estimate the genotypic variability of some reproductive traits and their heritability in some selected cowpea varieties. Results of the study showed that there was considerable variation among cultivars for duration of reproductive phase and rate of photosynthate partitioning. Genotypic coefficients of variation were also high for days to first flower, 100-seed weight, plant height, and harvest index. Broad- sense heritability estimate (h2) was 98.9% for 100-seed weight, 94% for duration of reproductive phase, 84.5% for days to first flower, 83.9% for days to maturity, and 77.3% for harvest index. This information showed that there is sufficient genetic variance to warrant selection for improvement in the cowpea genotypes studied. We concluded that considerable progress in cowpea breeding could be achieved by exploiting these traits.

Key words: Cowpea, reproductive traits, variability, heritability.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Chromosomal Variability in Nigerian Solanum L. Species: A Cytogenetic Perspective

Gordian C. Obute*, Benjamin C. Ndukwu and Bosa.E. Okoli

Plant Science and Biotechnology Department, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt.

Accepted 26 March, 2024

Abstract

Cytogenetic studies to determine the chromosome number, structure and behaviour of some species of SOLANUM in Nigeria were carried out. Attempt was also made to induce polyploidy in the species. Comparative analysis of the cytological behaviour of the diploid and polyploid cytotypes was made. The studies show that the somatic chromosome number in the genus SOLANUM is 2n = 24. Colchiploidisation produced tetraploids with 2n = 48 and aneuploids with 2n = 69. The karyotype analysis indicates that the chromosomes were generally very small. There were also slight variations in centromeric positions and arm lengths. Meiotic behaviour of the chromosomes involved a combination of bivalent and multivalent associations especially at the polyploid levels. The significance of this work in the understanding of cytogenetic behaviour of plants and crop improvement efforts are discussed.

Key words: Cytogenetics, Solanum, colchiploidisation, crop improvement.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Review

Cost-Effective Liquid Chromatography Technique for Analyzing Metronidazole in Biological Fluids

Mustapha K.B¹, Odunola M.T.², Garba M.² and Obodozie O.¹

¹Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Quality Control, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development, Abuja, Nigeria.
²Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, A.B.U., Zaria, Nigeria.

Accepted 3 February, 2024

Abstract

A rapid and cost effective method for the analysis of metronidazole in biological samples was developed. The extraction method is a simple single-step liquid-liquid process that has eliminated the need for costly extraction and evaporation equipment. The mobile phase consists largely of water, making the method cheap to run with less than 6 min total analytical time per sample. The calibration curve was linear from 0 to 2.00 µg/ml. The regression coefficient was 0.99. The method is highly sensitive, with limit of detection of 1 ng/ml. The coefficient of variation for within-day run was less than 4% while that of day-to-day run was less than 6%. There were no interfering peaks from endogenous materials in the serum. The method was validated and used for pharmacokinetic studies.

Key words: Metronidazole, Liquid chromatographic, biological fluids.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-010, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper
    
Driving Forces of Desertification in Northern Shaanxi: A Remote Sensing Approach

Yanbing Qi¹*, Qingrui Chang¹, Keli Jia^1,2, Mengyun Liu¹, Jing Liu¹ and Tao Chen¹

¹College of Resources and Environment, North-West A & F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling, China 712100.
²College of Resources and Environment, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China 750021.

Accepted 21 January, 2024

Abstract

Desertification has been widely treated as one of the major environmental hazards in the world by scientific communities and the public. In order to assess temporal-spatial variability of desertification from 1986 through 1993 to 2003 in an agro-pastoral transitional zone of northern Shaanxi, China, satellite images were interpreted and analyzed along with meteorological and socio-economic data. During the intervening 17-year period, desertification has decreased in severity and increased in extent. Temporally, severe desertification has decreased in area by 26.8% from 1986 to 2003. Desertification landscape patch quantities and fragmentation indexes have increased gradually. Spatially, desertification has increased in extent north of the Great Wall and decreased in extent in the Wudao river valley and north-western Shenmu County. The geographic centers of deserts in the study area have moved to the south-west and north-east. Climate change and human activities were somewhat responsible for the decrease in desertification severity but significantly affected the increase in desertification extent. The “Three north shelterbelt program” and “grain-for-green project” carried out by the governments were the dominant contributors to the desertification severity reversal. Desertification control is a difficult and gradually process and the government should continue to play a leading role in this process.

Key words: Desertification, spatio-temporal variation, landscape patch quantities, geographic centers, agro-pastoral transitional zone.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-009, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Investigating the Potential of Lichens as Bioindicators of Heavy Metal Pollution from Motor Vehicle Sources

Ali Aslan¹, Arzu Çiçek², Kenan Yazici³, Yalçın Karagöz⁴, Metin Turan⁵*, Ferda Akkuẟ⁵ and Omer Selim Yildirim⁶

¹Department of Biology, Kazim Karabekir Education Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.
²Applied Research Centre for Environmental Problems, Anadolu University, Eskiẟehir, Turkey.
³Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey.
⁴Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.
⁵Department of Ortohophatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey.

Accepted 15 July, 2024

Abstract

The contamination of heavy metals released by traffic activities on roadside soils and crops are important problems in developed and developing countries for decades. An assessment of the extent of pollution in roadside soils is a key procedure to protect their ecological function and sustainable agriculture. The objectives of this study were to determine heavy metal contamination of roadside soils that originated from motor vehicles through the use of eight different lichens species situated along D-950 motorway in Erzurum. The results showed that the contamination of Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd, and Ni in roadside soils stemmed mainly from traffic activities, especially for Pb and Cd in this study area judging by their distribution patterns and their enrichment factors. Some of the lichen species such as Xanthoria candelaria (L.) Th. Fr., Lecanora muralis (Schreb.) Rabenh. and Xanthoria elegans (Link) Th. Fr., present in the region can be used to monitor pollution of traffic origin and X. candelaria, in particular, is a very good indicator of pollution of traffic origin. This kind of lichen could be an easy and cost-effective means of air pollution monitoring.

Key words: Bioindicator, enrichment factor, heavy metal pollution, lichen, traffic pollution.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing Forage Yields and Nutritional Composition in Triticale (XTRITICOSECALE Wittmack) Varieties: Implications for Crop Selection

Mustafa Sürmen¹*, Tamer Yavuz¹, Necda Çankaya¹ and Sebahattin Albayrak²

¹Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute, P-Box 39, Samsun, 55100, Turkey.
²Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.

Accepted 9 March, 2024

Abstract

Eight lines obtained from CIMMYT and Presto and Tatlicak triticale cultivars (X TTRITICOSECALE Wittmack) were compared in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the two seasons of 2008 to 2009 and 2009 to 2010 in Amasya and Bafra conditions of Northern Turkey. Results of the present investigation clearly showed significant differences among tested lines in most of the studied characters namely, dry matter yield was 13.69 to 17.44 ton ha-1, CP content was 101.71 to 117.96 g kg-1, ADF content was 348.73 to 374.26 g kg-1, NDF content was 572.52 to 612.98 g kg-1, TDN value was 530.31 to 563.29 g kg-1, RFV was 91.17 to 100.79, P content was 2.89 to 3.21 g kg-1, K content was 9.68 to 14.23 g kg-1, Ca content was 3.56 to 4.68 g kg-1, Mg content was 1.60 to 1.83 g kg-1 and tetany ratio was 1.64 to 2.63. As a result of our experiments, we can conclude that the genotypes numbered 1, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10 can be recommended for similar environment because of high forage yield and quality.

Key words: Triticale, dry matter yield, neutral detergent fiber, relative feed value, tetany ratio.