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Comparative Evaluation of Growth Performance and Soil Quality of Two Age-Sequences of Gmelina arborea Plantation in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study was conducted in 2019 to compare the growth performance and
soil quality of two agesequences of Gmelina arborea plantation within
the premises of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Data were
collected from two stands of G. arborea established in 2011 and 2015.
Growth performance was evaluated based on tree growth variables and
above-ground carbon stored. Tree growth variables estimated were total
height (TH), diameter at breast height (DBH), crown height (CH), crown
diameter (CD) and merchantable height (MH). Topsoil (0 \u2013 30 cm)
samples collected from the two sites were analyzed for particle size
distribution, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available
phosphorus (Av.P), exchangeable bases (Mg, Ca, K and Na), exchangeable
acidity (Al+H+), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), base
saturation (BS), pH, Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Zinc
(Zn). The above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon stock (CS) were also
determined. T-test was used to test for significant difference in the
measured parameters between the two age-sequences of G. arborea. Higher
values for TH, DBH, CS and MH were recorded for the older stand
although the differences between the two age-sequences were not
significantly different (p 65 0.05). The AGB and CS per hectare
were higher for the older than the younger G. arborea stand
(302.27/m3ha-1 and 151.52/m3ha-1, respectively). Higher values for
silt, clay, Ca, Mg, Al+H+, ECEC, BS, Mn, Fe and Zn were also recorded
for the older stand. However, the observed differences were only
significant (p < 0.05) for clay, pH, Av.P, Mn and Fe. The study
revealed that although soil properties, tree growth as well as carbon
sequestration capacity of G. arborea stand improved/increased with age,
the differences were mainly not statistically significant (p 65
0.05) between the two (eight and four years) age-sequences
Lithofacies Characterization and Quantitative Mineralogical Analysis of the sediments from Sahaiawei-1Well in the Northern Delta Depobelt of the Niger Delta Basin
Get PDFThe sediments of Sahaiawei-1 Well in the Northern Delta Depobelt are
represented by sand and shale alternation. Lithofacies characterization
and X-ray diffraction technique were used to characterize the sediments
from the well in order to characterize the lithofacies, identify the
minerals present, determine environment of deposition and identify
potential zones for hydrocarbon exploitation. The lithofacies
characterization was based on the textural properties, mineralogical
composition, fossil content, homogeneity and heterogeneity of the
lithofacies units of the well. The lithofacies analysis for Sahaiawei-1
Well identified four (4) lithofacies types of mainly sandstone, shaly
sandstone, sandy shale and shale; and fourteen (14) lithofacies zones.
The result of the X-ray diffraction analysis identified the following
clay minerals \u2013 kaolinite, illite/muscovite, chlorite and
sepiolite; carbonates and non-clay minerals. Therefore, due to the high
percentage of kaolinite in Sahaiawei-1 Well (2% to 39.87%), it could be
concluded that pore filing kaolinite may have more effect on the
reservoir quality than the pore bridging illite and pore lining
chlorite
Evaluation of Whitefly Population and Weather Effect of Cassava Mosaic Incidence on Commonly Grown Cassava in Benue State, Nigeria
Get PDFVector population and weather are critical in virus disease incidence
and could be strategic for its management in agriculture. To
investigate the influence of whitefly population and weather on Cassava
Mosaic Disease (CMD) in cassava, TMS 419 and TME 30572, commonly grown
in the state were planted. The varieties were laid out in Randomized
Complete Block Design in four replicates and left to natural infection
by CMD viruses. At two weeks after planting and fortnightly, whitefly
population counts were taken, CMD incidence was estimated and severity
scored on 5-point scale. Daily temperature, humidity, wind speed and
wind direction were obtained as secondary data. Data were analysed
using ANOVA at p=0.05. Whitefly population (18/plant) was significant
(P 640.05) in the first 30 days at 26.9-27.1oC, 42% humidity, 10
Km/hr wind speed and when the wind direction was in the East or
North-East. The vector population then declined until the end of
experiment. Cassava mosaic incidence changed with whitefly population,
humidity and wind speed. Disease incidence in cassava plots was low
(3.6%). TME30572 maintained lower disease incidence (3.0%) and severity
(2.0) during the study. R2 indicated that 27, 42 and 57% of whitefly
population could be explained by temperature, humidity and wind speed,
respectively while 4% of the disease incidence could be explained by
the whitefly population. The number of CMD infected plants peaked (4%)
when population of whitefly was 18/plant, above which the disease
reduced at 0.0017 rate per unit change in the vector population. Mosaic
disease incidence in cassava plots was influenced by vector population
as conditioned by the weather
Efficacy Evaluation of Different Foliar Fungicides for the Management of Wheat Strip Rust ( Puccinia striiformis ) in West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
No full textRust is one of the most widespread and devastating disease of cereal
crop all over the world. This study was conducted to evaluate the
efficacy of different fungicide against strip rust of wheat (Puccinia
striiformis) at Toke Kutaye District, West Showa Zone of Oromia region,
Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block
Design (RCBD) in three replications and contains five treatments.
Disease parameters like incidence, severity, Area under Disease
Progress curve (AUDPC), and yield loss (dry biomass, grain yield, and
thousands grain weight) were used to evaluate the treatments. The
fungicides showed significant differences (P<0.05) in reducing
incidence, severity, AUDPC and yield losses compared to the control
treatment. There also significant differences between Zantara EC 216
and Rex\uaeDuo fungicide in reducing disease incidence and also
between Zantara EC 216 and Tilt 250 EC in reducing the disease
severity. Zantara EC 216 fungicide reduced strip rust severity by 94.2%
compared to the control treatment. The analysis of variance also
revealed significant difference among Zantara EC 216 and Rex\uaeDuo,
Tilt 250 EC and Progress fungicides in reducing grain yield loss and
thousand grain weights loss. Zantara EC 216 fungicide increased grain
yield by 32.2% compared to the control. However, for the most
parameters, there was no significant difference among Rex\uaeDuo,
Tilt 250 EC and Progress fungicides. Hence, Zantara EC 216 which is
newly introduced to Ethiopian country was very effective and can be
recommended as alternative fungicide for the management of strip rust
of wheat in westshowa zone of Ethiopia and areas of similar
agro-ecological condition
Assessment of Indoor and Outdoor Radiation Levels and Human Health Risk in Sheda Science and Technology Complex and its Environ, Abuja, Nigeria
No full textA study to assess the Indoor and Outdoor Background Ionizing Radiation
(BIR) of Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja has been
conducted. An in-situ measurement using a portable factory calibrated
radiation dose rate meter, Radiagem 2000, was used to ascertain the
radiation level. The measured radiation dose rates were used to
evaluate the radiological health hazards and radiation effective doses
to different body organs using well established radiological relations.
The results shows that the total Dose Rate (indoor and outdoor), the
Total Annual Equivalent Dose (indoor and outdoor), total Annual
Effective Dose Equivalent (indoor and outdoor) and the total Excess
Lifetime Cancer Risk (indoor and outdoor) are 0.113\ub10.022
(\u3bcSv/h), 0.071\ub10.016 (\u3bcSv/h), 0.794\ub10.155 mSv/y,
0.0.124\ub10.074 mSv/y, 0.556\ub10.109 mSv/y, 0.087\ub10.020
mSv/y, 1.945\ub10.379, 0.304\ub10.104 respectively for the three
zones. The dosage to organs received shows that the testes have the
highest dose while the liver has the lowest dose (indoor and outdoor)
for the three zones. Generally the study shows that the Annual
Effective Dose Equivalents were within the permissible limits of 1
mSv/y for general public exposure recommended by the (ICRP). Also, the
effective doses to different body organs are all below the recommended
limits of 1 mSv/y. The calculated Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk values
indicates that the chance of contacting cancer by workers and residents
of the study area is not probable hence the study area could be said to
be radiologically safe
Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Carboxymethylated Okra Gum as Suspending Agent in Metronidazole Suspension
No full textModification of natural polymers can alter their physicochemical
properties and consequently improve functionality. Modification should
be undertaken such that the natural polymers do not lose their
biological properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
suspending properties of plain and modified Okra gum in metronidazole
suspension. Okra gum was extracted from the pods of Abelmoschus
esculentus and modified by Carboxymethylation. Nine (9) batches of
metronidazole suspensions were formulated with 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of
native Okra gum (Batches KB1-KB3), 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of tragacanth
(KB4-KB6) and 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of carboxymethyl-Okra gum (KB7- KB9).
The formulated suspensions were evaluated using these parameters:
sedimentation volume, redispersibility, pH and viscosity and compared
with tragacanth used as standard gum. Experimental results revealed
that the swelling index of plain and modified okra gum were 260 and
525% respectively giving a 2-fold increase after modification; while
the viscosity of plain and modified okra gum were 150 and 15 mPas
respectively giving a 10-fold decrease in viscosity after modification.
Suspensions were acidic with pH range of 3.83-4.76. The suspensions
formulated with carboxymethyl-okra gum had better redispersibility
profile with lesser redispersion number ranging from 6-12, as against
9-18 for native okra gum and 7-16 for tragacanth. The study
demonstrates that both plain and carboxymethyl-okra gum have good
suspending properties and compared favorably with the standard gum,
tragacanth. However, modification of okra gum by Carboxymethylation,
improved functionality in terms of the swelling index and
redispersibility which could result in more stable flocculated
pharmaceutical suspension systems
Assessment of Cardiovascular Changes among Indoor and Outdoor Cleaners in a Tertiary Institution in Delta State, South-South Nigeria
No full textThis study is aimed at assessing cardiovascular changes amongst indoor
and outdoor cleaners in Delta State University, Abraka. A total of one
hundred (100) cleaners were randomly selected for the study, comprising
of fifty (50) indoor and fifty (50) outdoor cleaners. Data were
collected and the digital sphygmomanometerwas used to measure blood
pressure and pulse rate of subjects. Results obtained ranged from
93/73mmHg \u2013 177/102mmHg, 62 \u2013 102beats/min and 85/50-
139/90mmHg, 60- 107beats/min for indoor and outdoor cleaners
respectively. The result showed that the mean blood pressure was higher
in indoor cleaner than outdoor cleaners and the mean pulse rate of
outdoor cleaners was higher than that of indoor. Also, age was
positively correlated with pulse rate and systolic blood pressure while
the duration of work per day was correlated negatively with blood
pressure and pulse rate. The study has established that blood pressure
was higher among indoor cleaner than outdoor cleaner, while pulse rate
was higher among outdoor cleaner than indoor cleaners. The study has
also strengthened the need for cleaners to put on protective devices to
reduce exposure to air pollution and encourage cleaners to undergo
regular medical check
Evaluating Safety Practices Associated With Use of Household Pesticides: An Interventional Study in Kurmin Mashi Rural Community, Kaduna, Nigeria
No full textMany households in developing countries routinely use pesticides
without any safety considerations. The objective of this study was to
determine types of pesticides and pesticide-use practices of the
residents, to determine self-reported adverse effects resulting from
pesticide use and to assess the impact of educational intervention on
pesticide use behavior in the study area. Commercially available
pesticide samples were collected from pesticide vendors in the area.
Pre -tested questionnaires were distributed to 375 family heads. Data
was expressed as frequency and percentages. Educational intervention on
safe pesticide use was carried out. Pre and post intervention behavior
were compared using paired t test. Relationship between demographic
variables and pesticide use practices were explored using Chi Square
statistics. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Prevalent pests were mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats, bedbugs, ants,
termites, houseflies, ticks and scorpion. The major constituent of
pesticides in this environment was Dichlorvos (DDVP). Many commercially
available pesticides were unlabeled. Nearly half, 48.8% had used
pesticides in the home. More than three quarters, 78.7% indicated that
they read instructions before using pesticides. More than one third,
36% had experienced health problems attributed to pesticide use. Many
locally available pesticides were un-labeled. Majority of labelled
pesticides contained mainly Diclorvos (DDPV). Unsafe pesticide handling
practices were common. The most common self -reported adverse effect
was respiratory symptoms. Educational intervention increased in the
proportion of respondents that used of non-chemical methods and adopted
safer pesticide use practices
High Terrestrial Radiation Level in an Active Tin-Mine at Jos South, Nigeria
No full textMineral mining and milling can be a source of national economic and
technological development. However, mining of minerals has been
confirmed to disturb the natural distribution of radioisotopes in the
soil, air and water bodies in the biota. In an attempt to evaluate the
radiological burden resulting from tin mining activities at Rayfield-Du
area of Jos, the background gamma-radiation level in the mine was
measured via a well calibrated hand-held dosimeter placed at 1 m above
ground level. The mean absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose rate
and excess lifetime cancer risk for the mine was 0.83 \u3bcSvh-1; 1.44
mSv-1 and 0.005 respectively. Generally, dose rates were higher in the
mine pits and processing areas as compared to administrative areas of
the mine. The mean measured dose rate and calculated dose parameters
for the mine were all high when compared to the regulatory limit for
public exposure. The potential of developing radiation-induced health
defects as a result of high radiation absorbed dose rate by the miners
and dwellers around the mine is highly probable
Fermentation and Effect on the Microbial Loads of Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua
No full textThe study was carried out to evaluate the effect of fermentation on the
microbial loads of Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ). Eviscerated samples
of Atlantic cod were fermented in three media: sterile distilled water,
14% saline medium and 14% salt with potash for 24 hours. The fermented
Atlantic cod samples were oven-dried at 600C for one hour and
thereafter, 1000C for three hours, cooled and stored in plastic baskets
at ambient temperature for four weeks. Analyses of the dried fermented
Atlantic cod was carried out weekly for Salmonella shigella, total
bacterial, Staphylococcal, total fungal and total coliform counts.
Results from the mean values indicated variations in the effects of the
additives and processing treatments over the 24 hours fermentation
period which were significant (p < 0.05). The dressed fish sample
fermented with both salt and potash (DRSFP), recorded the least mean
microbial counts during the 4-week storage period, followed by the
sample which was fermented with salt (DRSF) while the highest
occurrence of microorganisms was recorded in the sample which was
fermented with sterile distilled water (DRF). Hence, fermentation of
fish with salt and potash is recommended. Meanwhile, in relation to the
standard recommended microbial limits, the loads of microbes on the
fermented Atlantic cod samples from the three treatments still fall
within the safe and acceptable level