African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Nematicidal effects of some plant extracts on egg hatchability and control of Meloidogyne spp. in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

C. C. Ononuju and P. O. Nzenwa*

Department of Plant Health Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B 7267 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

Accepted 07 February, 2020

Abstract

The effects of cold and hot aqueous extracts of 5 test plants (Luffa cylindrica, Momordica charantia, Euphorbia hirta, Desmodium scorpiurus and Stachytarpheta cayennensis), wood ash of Gmelina aborea, a synthetic insecticide (Karate –Lambda cyhalothrin) and untreated tap water (control) were evaluated against the egg hatchability and control of Meloidogyne spp. in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in the laboratory and greenhouse. The experiments were laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 13 treatments (Hot water extracts (HWE) and cold water extracts (CWE) of L. cyclindrica; E. hirta, D. scorpiurus, S. cayennesis, M. charantia, wood ash, L. cyhalothrin and control) replicated 3 times. The result of the laboratory experiment showed that the hot and cold water extracts of L. cylindrica and HWE of M. charantia significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the hatching of nematode eggs. Results obtained from the Greenhouse indicated that HWE of E. hirta, CWE of S. cayennesis, CWE and HWE of L. cylindrica significantly improved cowpea yield, (p< 0.05). The aqueous extracts reduced the number of galls on the roots, nematode populations in the root and soil. The results obtained G. aborea extracts did not differ significantly with the synthetic nematicide – L. cyhalothrin. The leaf extracts of the test plants have potential as sources of botanical nematicides to reduce the devastating effects of plant-parasitic nematodes in cowpea fields.

Key words: Plant extracts, cowpea, lambda-cyhalothtrin, inoculum, nematomde.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Natural fibre plant resources of economic value found in wetlands of Swaziland: A review

P. E. Zwane¹*, M. T. Masarirambi², T. Seyoum¹ and B. S. Nkosi³

¹Consumer Sciences Department, University of Swaziland, Swaziland.

²Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Swaziland, Swaziland.

³Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science University of Swaziland, Swaziland.

Accepted 16 October, 2019

Abstract

Indigenous fibre plants found in different geographical wetlands in Swaziland include Cyperus latifolius (likhwane) and Phragmites australis (umhlanga).Various products are made from these plants. Tourists place great value to natural products made from indigenous fibre plants of the wetlands and are often the biggest buyers of these handicrafts. However, global warming due to climate change is threatening biodiversity of these wetlands and their plants as far as continued survival and contribution to the next generation is concerned. There is need for strong intervention measures biologically and socially in terms of formulation of policy in order to strike a balance between economic gains from these plants and their preservation and promotion of biodiversity. The poor rural, and nowadays poor urban communities, derive a living from these indigenous plants which may if care is not taken be threatened with extinction. There is dearth of documented information pertaining to harvesting practices, plant processing, product making, marketing and economic value of the natural plant resources industry. This paper will document products made from several indigenous plants found in wetlands of Swaziland and ways of preserving the plants and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) associated with them. These products include mats of various sizes, ranging from sitting mat, sleeping, burial mat, and mats for drying vegetables and baskets for various purposes, examples include winnowing baskets and those for general purposes as carrier packages. Data were sought through content analysis and interviews with key informants in communities that utilize plants of the wetlands.

Key words: Natural plant resources, ecological zones, wetlands, products, economic value.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Cultivation of Calocybe indica (P and C) during different months and influence of temperature and relative humidity on the yield of summer mushroom

D. Senthilnambi*, A. Eswaran and P. Balabaskar

Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar - 608 002 India.

Accepted 07 November, 2019

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim of finding out the most favourable month for the cultivation of Calocybe indica and records the influence of temperature and relative humidity on mushroom yield. Significant variation in the yield and other parameters existed when C. indica was grown during different months of 2004 to 2005. In summer months (March to July), a general increase in mushroom yield was observed. The maximum yield was recorded in the month of July 2005 (450.6 g per bed). However, the yields obtained in the months of April, May and June 2005 was found to be on par with that of the above observation. Mushroom attained harvesting maturity almost one day earlier during monsoon months. In addition, during this period, the average weight of individual mushroom was found to be comparatively high. Interestingly, a marginal but comparable reduction in stipe length was noticed during summer months

Key words: Calocybe indica, yield, temperature, relative humidity.

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Responses of Oryza glaberrima accessions to rice stresses and their morphological characteristics

Maji A. T.¹, Gana A. S.²* and Ukwungwu M. N.¹

¹National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

²Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 September, 2019

Abstract

Oryza glaberrima accessions were characterized for their tolerance to drought, African rice gall midge, blast and some agronomic traits to source for donor resistant genes. The experiment was conducted at both Badeggi and Edozhigi. The blast and drought experiments were drilled in a single row of 70 cm each spaced 20 cm apart at Badeggi. While the African rice gall midge and morphological characterization experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Entries were planted in a single row of 5 m each in the replicate and spaced 20 x 20 cm. Result for African rice gall midge (AfRGM) at the two locations showed that there were resistant genes available in this population. 16% of the entries showed immune reaction (score 0) to the insect at Badeggi. At Edozhigi location none of the entries was immune or resistant, however 4% were moderately resistant (score 3). Result of drought screening showed that 27% of the entries showed resistant reaction at 32 days of water stress. Blast reaction at 5 weeks showed that none had resistant reaction to disease. The morphological description showed high variability among the entries. Therefore useful donor genes for drought and African rice gall midge could be made available in this population. TOG 6892 and 7270 could be selected for AfRGM, drought and early stage blast.

Key words: Oryza glaberrima germplasm, resistance-rice-biotic, abiotic stresses.