Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science (Journal)
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Agroclimatological water balance approach for the determination of optimum planting dates for Egun maize (Zea mays) in southwest Nigeria
Full text linkThe study determined the preparatory period, rain onset, and the sowing period limit. It also assessed the planting dates in relation to growth parameters and evaluated the effects of the planting date on the yield of a local maize variety known as Egun maize. This research used an agroclimatological water balance method based on rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (P – PE) model to find the best time to plant Egun maize (Zea mays) in Abeokuta. Three planting dates derived from the (P – PE) model were used: D1(April 27) when the accumulated difference between rainfall and half potential evapotranspiration was zero (ƩP-0.5PE = 0): D2 (May 4) when ƩP-0.5PE = 6mm: and D3 (May 11) when ƩP-0.5PE = 10mm. The Egun maize was planted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Descriptive and inferential (analysis of variance) statistics were used for data analysis. Result showed that the optimum planting dates of Egun maize was April 27, with yield of about 3229.17 kg/ha. Planting dates had no significant effects (p0.05) on the growth parameters of Egun maize. The schedule of farm operations for maize cultivation showed that land preparation should commence as soon as the accumulated difference between P and 0.5PE approaches zero while ridging and planting could be done simultaneously. The rainfall variability was limited in extreme condition of wetness due to prolonged wet spells, and loss of soil nutrients might increase with higher accumulated difference between P and 0.5PE as planting season progresses. This implies that early planting of Egun maize is encouraged in the study area because of higher nutrients availability at the early dates of sowing. The study concluded that planting Egun maize around April 27 optimizes grain yield by ensuring better nutrient availability and reducing the risk of nutrient loss due to prolonged wet spells
Molecular detection and characterization of infectious bronchitis virus in live bird markets in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Full text linkInfectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) is a highly contagious coronavirus of chickens, ducks, turkeys and Pheasants. It mostly affects the respiratory, urinary and reproductive tracts, leading to considerable economic losses in the poultry industry as a result of drop in egg production, undesirable egg quality and poor weight gain. Thus, this study was designed to detect and characterize IBV circulating in live bird markets (LBMs) in Plateau State, Nigeria. One hundred pools of tracheal and cloacal swabs each were collected from two LBMs in Jos. Viral RNA was extracted and screened for IBV using real-time RT-PCR. Subsequently, the hypervariable region of the spike (S1) gene of positive samples was amplified and sequenced. The IBV nucleic acid was detected in 42% (42/100) of the pooled samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the S1 gene sequences showed that the IBV detected in this study belonged to two distinct genotypes: GI-14, and GI-23, with three clustering within the GI-23 group. One isolate showed a notable relationship with a previously reported Nigerian isolate, sharing 85% nucleotide identity, and formed a cluster within the GI-14 group. Overall, this study established IBV spread and therefore we recommend continuous surveillance to identify the current circulating strain for possible local vaccine development for effective control measures to mitigate the spread of the virus in the study area and the country at large
Opportunities for local electric vehicle manufacturing in Africa
Full text linkIn order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations on Clean Energy, Sustainable Industrialization and Climate Change, there is an urgent call on Africa to decarbonize transportation. Achieving these goals requires that Africa grows its current, largely, non-existent EV fleet to a reasonable level in the near future, to counter harmful emissions from fossil fuel vehicles. This paper discusses the opportunities available to African entrepreneurs on investing in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. It also discusses the factors militating against the establishment of a viable automotive sector. To exploit the opportunities offered despite the limitations, the paper advocates a paradigm shift from the conventional vehicle assembly of foreign vehicles to one in which African original designs are made in low-cost, low-volume vehicle manufacturing plants consisting of general-purpose workshop equipment and intensive labour such that the whole value chain for vehicle manufacturing is developed
DNA methylation in recovery of Maize (Zea Mays L.) from maize streak
Full text linkDNA methylation influences regulation of gene expression during cell development and tissue differentiation in plants. This study therefore discussed the role of DNA methylation in the recovery of maize from Maize Streak Diseases (MSD). Bisulfite treatment and DNA sequencing methods were carried out on the 2nd, 4th 6th and 8th white to yellowish streaking leaves of five infected maize varieties (DMR-ESR-Y, TZEBR, and ART/98/SW6) to assess the disease severity using digital phenotyping. The bisulfite treatment utilizes various sensitivities of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC) to deamination by bisulfite under acidic conditions in which cytosine is converted to uracil, whereas 5-MeC remains unreactive. This study showed that DMR-ESR-Y variety significantly (p0.05) tolerated best for MSD, while TZEBR and ART/98/SW6 varieties slightly tolerated MSD but were not significantly different. The analysis of the images from digital phenotyping revealed that DMR-ESR-Y variety had the highest level of resistance, followed by TZEBR while ART/98/SW6 showed mild resistance and DMR-LSR-Y had the least. The leaf length had strong positive correlation with leaf width (r=0.94), number of leaves(r=0.64), plant height (r=0.96) and stem height(r=0.96). The methylation patterns in bisulfite sequences across the same leaf positions were significantly different (p0.05), thus suggesting that CG methylation could contribute to transcriptional gene silencing plant recovery mechanism in maize
Innovative solutions: Of internet of things and biotechnology
Full text linkThe broad term, "biotechnology" dates to domestication of animals, cultivation of plants, and their modification through breeding programmes using artificial choice and conjugation. Attaining sustainability requires fast research and developments in every sector including the most diversified field of biotechnology. The Internet of Things (IoT), one of the coveted areas in technological revolution carries tremendous potential for the transformation of research, innovation and invention in every discipline. IoT provides a window for the efficient, reproducible, fast and precise research into biotechnological research. The potential role of IoT in advancing innovation, conferring economic up-scaling and invention in biotechnology was explored in this editorial
Carbon-neutral aviation in Nigeria: Assessing the feasibility and impacts of sustainable aviation fuel adoption
Full text linkThis study investigates the feasibility and potential impacts of transitioning Nigeria's aviation industry towards carbon-neutral operations through the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By examining Nigeria's aviation landscape, international efforts for carbon-neutral aviation, and factors such as feedstock availability, infrastructure, and economic considerations, the paper assesses the viability of SAF adoption. Environmental and economic benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, job creation, and economic diversification, are explored. Challenges such as regulatory hurdles, investment requirements, and public awareness are analyzed, with recommendations provided for policy support, industry collaboration, research and development, and public education campaigns. Despite the absence of specific SAF adoption case studies in Nigeria, insights from international experiences inform the recommendations. The findings suggest Nigeria's potential to lead in SAF adoption regionally, contributing to environmental sustainability and economic growth in the aviation sector, while also offering broader implications for the global industry's transition towards a more sustainable future
Botryodiplodin (A Mycotoxin) detection in pathogenic Botryodiplodia theobromae isolated from diseased coconut fruits
Full text linkBotryodiplodia theobromae is a threat to crops because it produces botryodiplodin, that plays a role in the initial stages of plant infection, creating necrotic areas through which it can easily penetrate. In addition, the botryodiplodin produced is not easily detected during quarantine, and other techniques developed to detect botryodiplodin are not easily practicable for screening numerous samples. Hence, the need to develop an in-culture pigment formation method to identify and differentiate toxigenic and non-toxigenic pathogenic isolates of B. theobromae. In this study, to detect botryodiplodin produced by isolates of B. theobromae, PDA, CDA and modified CDA media were used. Only the modified CDA medium enhanced the detection of botryodiplodin produced by B. theobromae isolates due to the addition of glycine into the medium. The effect of modified CDA composition or formulation, sucrose, and glycine concentrations on botryodiplodin detection were also evaluated. Study on the effect of the modified CDA composition on the detection of botryodiplodin produced by isolates of B. theobromae revealed that only sucrose stimulated the detection of botryodiplodin in comparison with other ingredients in the modified medium. In addition, the results from the study also reveals that increasing sucrose and glycine concentrations directly enhanced botryodiplodin detection, with optimum concentration of sucrose and glycine for detecting botryodiplodin by isolates of B. theobromae established at 15 and 10 g/l respectively. Hence, there is no need to increase the concentration of both sucrose and glycine above these established concentrations when preparing an in-culture medium for screening B. theobromae isolates capable of producing botryodiplodin
Characterization of wild lactic acid bacteria for industrial applications
Full text linkFor some decades now, Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been an important raw resource in the food and pharmaceutical industries to produce variety of dairy based products including but not limited to cheese, yoghurt, lactic acid. drugs and cosmetics. The LAB strains include the genera of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus. The importation of raw materials such as lactic acid, which can be obtained from indigenous sources, however, affects the foreign exchange of Nigeria's economy greatly. This study was designed to screen, characterize and identify LAB for industrial applications. A total of eighty (80) Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from samples of nunu (a locally fermented milk product) using basic microbiological procedures such as morphological/phenotypic, gram staining, and other biochemical tests. All the isolates were tested for their acidification, curd formation and aroma production abilities. After forty-eight (48) hours of incubation at 420C, twenty-three (23) isolates which satisfied established phenotypic and biochemical criteria were selected for further functional tests. Out of the twenty-three (23) isolates obtained, two (2) strains L53 and L12 had additionally high exopolysaccharide production ability and correspondingly produced yoghurt with high viscosity and very low residual content. Based on the remarkable characteristics obtained from these two species, they are therefore recommended for optimization and proposed for large scale utilization as starter cultures in the dairy industries
Prevalence, effects, and factors associated with road rage among drivers in Owerri City, Imo State, Nigeria
Full text linkRoad rage and aggressive driving play key roles in road traffic accidents and therefore constitute a public health concern. In spite of the perceived daily exhibition of road rage in Owerri city, no published study has documented the impacts of road rage among drivers. This study therefore aims to assess the prevalence, effects, and factors contributing to road rage among commercial and non-commercial/private drivers in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria as well as presents possible solutions to road rage in Owerri. A total of 252 drivers (127 commercial drivers and 125 non-commercial/private drivers), were interviewed. A Semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographics, prevalence, effects, factors associated with Road Rage, and possible solutions to prevent road rage from the participating drivers. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS Version 26.Majority (88%) of the drivers were males (96% male commercial drivers and 79% male private drivers). Most of the drivers did not go to driving school (95% of commercial, 58% of private). The mean ages of the drivers were 31 ± 8.8 and 46 ± 7.2 years for commercial and private drivers respectively. The prevalence of road rage was 88.2% (commercial 88% and private 59%). The common expression of road rage includes rude gestures, arguments, and spitting on another drivers. The common effects of road rage include body aches/headaches, chest tightness/palpitation, regret/remorse, and transfer of anger to other road users. Main factors contributing to road rage include poor road maintenance and discourteous driving. The findings of this study provide a scientific basis crucial to devising appropriate intervention to reduce road rage in Owerri city. We recommend implementing public education on courteous driving, especially among commercial drivers as well as adequate and regular road maintenance
Enhancing fire safety through IoT-enabled flame detection systems: A cost-effective and scalable approach
Full text linkThe Internet of Things (IoT), which connects and automates numerous systems and gadgets, has completely changed how we live and work. One such application of IoT technology is in fire detection systems, which can help prevent and mitigate the devastating effects of fires on different types of facilities. The research presents a n IoT architecture for a fire detection system using small, low-cost cameras to collect surveillance feeds from large buildings. The data is uploaded to the cloud, where a Machine Learning algorithm detects fires in digital images. The proposed architecture consists of cameras, cloud, and clients, using an inexpensive camera for surveillance feeds and a convolutional neural network for image classification based on large datasets. However, the architecture's cloud component processes surveillance feeds and runs a Machine Learning (ML) model, utilizing computing resources for real-time data processing and continuous training for improved accuracy. Clients can subscribe to the data from the cloud and receive alerts in real-time when the ML model detects a fire in the surveillance feeds. There are significant benefits in comparing the proposed design to conventional fire detection systems. First and foremost, it is economical since the cameras used are compact, affordable, and simple to install around the building without the need for elaborate wiring or infrastructure. Secondly, it is scalable, as the cloud provides the necessary computing resources and storage capacity to handle large amounts of data, making it possible to monitor large structures with many cameras