African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of cassava/legumes intercrop before rice on weed dynamics and rice grain yield at Badeggi, Nigeria

A. U. Gbanguba¹*, U. Ismaila¹, M. G. M. Kolo² and A. Umar¹

¹National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi P. M. B. 8, Bida, Nigeria.

²Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology P. M. B. 65, Minna, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 June, 2020

Abstract

A trial was carried out at the lowland experimental field of National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Nigeria during the cropping seasons of 2005 and 2006 to determine the effect of preceding lowland rice with cassava/legume intercrop in the dry season on weed dynamics and rice grain yield. The treatments consisted of FARO 52 rice variety cultivated after cassava ( IIT 427 and Bida local ) intercropped with Mucuna pruriens, Soybean TGX 1019 – 2EN and Cowpea IAR 48 and sole cassava ( IIT 427 and Bida local ) and fallow as the control. The treatments were factorials combined and arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times each year. The results indicated that the least weed dry matter and percentage weed cover score were obtained when rice was cropped after cassava IIT 427 intercropped with M. pruriens, also in plots where cassava Bida local was intercropped with M. pruriens. The highest weed dry matter and occurrence of troublesome weeds such as Leersia hexandra, Echinochloa colona and Echinochloa stagnina were recorded in rice grown after fallow. The highest grain was obtained in rice cultivated after cassava cowpea intercrop.

Key words: Cassava/legume intercrop, weed dynamics.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (7), pp. 001-016, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological behaviour and biogeography of endemic species of the genus Piper L. in Africa: A case of the Guineo-Congolean region

Valery Noiha Noumi^1*, Louis Zapfack¹ and Bonaventure Sonke²

¹Laboratory of Plant Systematic and Ecology, Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P. O. Box 812 Yaounde-Cameroon.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teacher Training School, University of Yaoundé I, P. O. Box 047, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Accepted 13 May, 2020

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the ecology and the distribution patterns of the endemics Piper L. in the Guineo-Congolean region including the Lower Guinea, the Higher Guinea, the Congo Basin and the Mosaic of Lake Victoria. The distribution stretches from Senegal to Tanzania. Piper capensis and Piper guineense are both represented in Lower Guinea and Congo Basin; these phytochoria are eco-regions of endemism in Africa. P. guineense, hemi-epiphyte liana, appears mostly in fragmented vegetations. Its distribution is extended up to 1,500 m. P. capensis is mostly abundant between 1,000 to 2,500 m where homogeneous populations are often made in the gaps. Members of P. capensis are dwarves at the level of the understory and rarely attain 1 m in height; however, those from gaps are often between 2 to 3 m. The variation in the height of individuals is closely related to light; a phytosociological study has shown an abundance of herbs within the population of P. capensis. The dwarfism of the individuals in the understory is assigned to an adaptation character of the species. This dwarfism is a consequence of its plagiotropic branches that is beneficial for photosynthesis. The “ late turning green” of leaves save the individuals of the understory from leaf predators; in the gap where the sunlight boosts the process of photosynthesis, certain individuals establish “opportunist” symbiosis with ants. The flowering is related to the humid periods of the year. Fruits are mostly abundant during the dry season.

Key words: Adaptation, distribution, Guineo-Congolean region, Piper, symbiosis.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-011, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnobotanical survey of the uses of Annonaceae around mount Cameroon

Mekou Y. Bele¹*, Derek A. Focho², Enow A. Egbe³ and Bindeh G. Chuyong³

¹Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). P. O. Box 2008, Messa, Yaounde-Cameroon.

²Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.

³Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, SW Cameroon.

Accepted 15 March, 2020

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in eight villages around Mount Cameroon in the South West Region of Cameroon. It was focused on determining the uses of the members of the family Annonaceae in this region. Show and Tell Semi-structured Interviews employing a checklist of questions and direct observations were used. The results obtained enable the presentation of the rate of utilization of the members of that family in the study area. At least 70% of the 41 species recorded during field trips from the research area were found to be widely used in traditional medicine by local populations. Some 29 diseases were cured using 24 species. The bark and the wood of these species were the most commonly used plant parts. The check list and ethnomedicinal inventory was developed alphabetically by botanical name, followed by local name, part used, ethnomedicinal uses, mode of usage and information on species availability. Plant specimens were collected, identified, preserved, mounted and voucher was deposited in the Limbe Botanic Garden (SCA) for future references.

Key words: Annonaceae, checklist, uses, Mount Cameroon.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative analysis of genomic DNA isolation procedures; hexa decyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and liquid detergent (morning fresh^®) methods from Samsorg 41 (icsv 400)

Inuwa H. M.¹, Aimola I. A.²* and Inuwa L.¹

¹Biochemistry Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, National Research Institute for chemical Technology, Zaria, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 February, 2020

Abstract

Genomic DNA was prepared from germinating seeds of a variety of sorghum in Nigeria (Samsorg 41) using two different isolation protocols (CTAB and morning fresh^® method). Highest quantity of DNA was obtained from Samsorg 41 using the morning fresh^® method. Genomic DNA obtained using this method had a much lower purity as compared with that obtained using the CTAB method. Both methods produced genomic DNA of high integrity with minimum shearing.

Key words: Genomic DNA, CTAB, morning fresh^®, isolation, Samsorg 41, Nigeria.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Partitioning of exogenously supplied ¹⁴C substrates into primary metabolites and accumulation of total triterpenoids saponins in CENTELLA  ASIATICA

N. K. Srivastava* and A. K. Srivastava

Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi), P. O.

CIMAP, Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, Lucknow-226015, India.

Accepted 14 March, 2020

Abstract

Comparative utilization of exogenously supplied carbon substrates as ¹⁴C-saccharose and ¹⁴C-acetate were analyzed for incorporation and accumulation into total triterpenoids saponins. Simultaneously, the metabolic status of the plant was determined by profiling assimilates into primary metabolic pool as sugars, amino acids and organic acids into shoots and roots of CENTELLA ASIATICA. ¹⁴C-saccharose was preferentially utilized for accumulation of total triterpenoids into shoots- as determined by high ¹⁴C content- compared to when ¹⁴C-acetate was supplied. The content of ¹⁴C label in metabolites in shoots as sugars, amino acids and organic acids was higher when saccharose was supplied as compared to acetate supply. Shoot to root partitioning of metabolites indicates higher ¹⁴C content in sugars and organic acids in roots when ¹⁴C-saccharose was supplied. The relative higher incorporation of ¹⁴C-saccharose indicates the preferential utilization of metabolites from DOXP/terpenoid pathway that contribute to total triterpenoids accumulation.

Key words: ¹⁴C assimilation, primary metabolites, total triterpenoids, Centella asiatica.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Production of exopolygalacturonase from wheat flour by Aspergillus awamori in submerged and surface culture fermentation

Heidar Abbasi* and Seyyed Ruhollah Mortazavipur

University of Applied Science and Technology of Khormuj, Bushehr, Iran.

Accepted 14 March, 2020

Abstract

Pectinases are a group of hydrolytic enzymes that degrade pectic substances. They are produced by a variety of microorganisms including filamentous fungi. Studies were carried out on the production of exoplygalacturonase (Exo-PGase) using wheat flour by Aspergillus awamori in submerged fermentation (SmF) and surface culture fermentation (SCF). Higher titres of was observed when medium was supplements with carbon (4 g/L Pectin for both SmF and SCF) and nitrogen (ammonium sulphate 6 g/L for both SmF and SCF) sources. SCF proved to be a better process than SmF for Exo-PGase production, giving the highest enzyme production rate in 96 h. Exo-PGase produced by A. awamori presented optimum activity at pH 5 for SmF and 5.5 for SCF. Use of continuous system for Exo-PGase production obtained a better result than the batch system.

Key words: Exopolygalacturonase, Aspergillus awamori, wheat flour, surface culture fermentation, submerged fermentation, continuous production.