Showing papers in "Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science in 2009"

Rapid leaf area estimation in Capsicum (Capsicum spp)

Abstract: A study was conducted to develop a rapid accurate method of leaf area estimation in ‘Sombo Bawa’, ‘Sombo Chilli’ ( Capsicum frutescens ), ‘Atarodo’ and ‘Tatase’ ( Capsicum annuum ) using destructive and non-destructive approaches. Two linear regression estimators (Y=a+bX and Y=bX) were proposed. Leaf area estimated from LB had the highest coefficient of determination (r2) of 90-99% and the lowest percentage deviation of 4-5%, irrespective of the linear regression equation model. Thus for intact leaves of capsicum, leaf area can be estimated either by using regression estimator Y=bX (LA=0.63LB r2=90%) or by regression estimator Y=a+bX (LA= -0.62 + 0.64LB r2=90%). However, when large numbers of samples are to be handled, leaf area can be estimated on the basis of dry weight (DW) with reasonable accuracy. Thus for detached leaves of Capsicum, leaf area can be estimated by using either regression estimator Y=bX (LA=151.62DW r2=65%) or Y=a+bX (LA=8.55+97.27DW r2=87%).

Response of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) varieties to NPK fertilizer in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria

Abstract: Pot and field experiments were conducted to determine the response of three okra varieties to four NPK fertilizers. The okra varieties; V35 (in the pot experiment and Clemson spineless in the field trial), Jokoso, and Sologo formed the main plot treatments and four NPK fertilizer rates: no fertilizer (control), 30 +15 +15, 60 +30 +30, and 60 +30 + 90 in kg NPK ha-1 were the subplot treatments arranged as split plot in RCBD replicated four times. Generally, varieties and fertilizer treatments had significant effects on the fresh fruit yields and chemical composition of okra. For the pot trial, variety V35 produced significantly highest fruit weight; 48 g plant-1, followed by Jokoso 34.5 g plant-1 and Sologo 28.4 g plant-1. Application of 60 +30 + 90 kg NPK ha-1 produced higher fruit weight than the application of 60 +30 + 30 and 30 +15 + 15 kg NPK ha-1 which produced higher fruit weight than the control treatment. Interaction effect between varieties and fertilizer rates was highly significant (P= 0.05). For the field trial, on the average, variety Jokoso produced significantly higher fruit yield; 11.4 t ha-1 than Sologo 4.5 t ha-1 and Clemson Spineless 4.3 t ha-1. Mean fruit yield was significantly (P= 0.05) higher with the application of 60 + 30 + 90 kg NPK ha-1 than the control. Application of 60 +30 + 30 and 30 +15 +15 kg NPK ha-1 had similar mean fruit yield as the control treatment. Jokoso had higher N, K, Ca, and Mg uptakes in fruit than Sologo and Clemson Spineless. From the results, it was evident that the okra varieties exhibited variations in fruit yields’ response to NPK fertilizer. For Clemson Spineless, application of 30 +15+15 kg NPK ha-1 influenced highest fresh fruit yield, Jokoso 60 + 30 + 30 kg NPK ha-1 and for Sologo application of 60 + 30 + 90 kg NPK ha-1 will suffice.

Growth and yield responses of pawpaw varieties (Carica Papaya l.) intercropped with okra and cucumber

Abstract: Field experiment was conducted in 2004 and 2005 to investigate the responses of two Carica papaya L varieties (Homestead and Sunrise solo) to three cropping systems: sole pawpaw, pawpaw + okra and pawpaw + cucumber using 10 t/ha organo-mineral fertilizer as basal treatment. The objective of the study was to determine the compatibility of pawpaw with okra and cucumber vegetables. Intercropping significantly decreased pawpaw plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area and canopy spread in the first year while it sustained LER. The LER, growth and yield in both years indicated that Sunrise solo was more compatible with cucumber and Homestead selection with okra. Significant differences were recorded between Sunrise solo number of fruits/plant, 58.89 and Homestead, 38.44 and the fruit yield/plant, 22.35 t/ha respectively. Okra significantly depressed fruit yield of both varieties more than cucumber with sole, +okra and +cucumber crop mixtures recording 24.32, 20.27 and 22.55 ton/ha under Sunrise solo and 42.66, 24.54 and 39.16 ton/ha under Homestead respectively. The result should show that papaya could be inter-cropped with vegetable at the early vegetative stages to sustain land utilization as well as total productivity.

Effect of Growth Media on Rooting of Queen of the Philippine (Mussaenda philippica A. Rich)

Abstract: Experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of four growth media (topsoil-control, river sand, topsoil + sawdust and topsoil + poultry manure) on rooting characteristics of the two varieties of Queen of the Philippines ( Mussaenda philippica ) in the year 2001 and 2002 at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Stem cuttings of Queen of the Philippines ( Mussaenda philippica ) were grown in each of the four sterilized media in polyethylene pots using factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with five replicates. Data were recorded on root length, root dry weight, number of days to rooting, number of rooted cuttings and percent of plant survival after transplanting and number of roots per rooted cuttings. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance, significant of treatment means was tested using least significant difference at 5% level and correlation analysis was carried out. The result shows that, variety had significant (P Mussaenda philippica ), irrespective of the growing media. Pink variety performed better than the white variety in terms of earliness to rooting, number of roots per cutting and percent rooted cuttings. Cuttings raised in river sand medium rooted earliest with the highest number of roots per cuttings compared with other media. The interaction effect of variety and growing media on root length and percent rooted cuttings were significant (P former performed better than the latter and that river sand medium enhanced rooting better than other media.

Caffeine, phenol and protein contents of thirty-seven clones of Nigerian robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex. Froehner)

Abstract: A study was carried out to characterise thirty-seven Coffea canephora clones using three biochemical characteristics, namely caffeine, phenol and protein contents. The phenol and caffeine contents were determined by gravimetric method, while protein was assessed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of floral bud. The clones were planted using the Fisher blocks, in which five plants of each clone were established in contiguous rows, with three replicates. Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance and means separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Caffeine content among the clones ranged from 1.1% to 1.5% on dry matter basis (dmb). C36 a high yielding clone, has relatively low caffeine content, hence it is a suitable clone that could be included in any breeding programme for low caffeine coffee in Nigeria. All the Niaollou (M) clones had high caffeine content. Phenol content in the berry pulp of the clones ranged from 2.6% to 15.6%. Averaged over clones, phenol content of berry pulp (9.5 %), was significantly (p C. canephora clones observed provides further information on the existing genetic diversity of the coffee clones in addition to that provided by agro-botanical characters.

Response of Onion(Allium cepa L.) to Nutrient Sources and Weeding Regimes in Sudan Savannah

Abstract: Onion is an important vegetable in Nigeria, but its production and quality are often low due to inappropriate agronomic practices like good nutrient sources and proper weed control. A study was carried out for two years to investigate the response of onion ( Allium cepa L.) to nutrient sources and weeding regimes on the bulb quality during 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 seasons at Sabke Dam, Katsina State (12o56’ N;7 o45’E). The experiment consisted of five sources of nutrients(mineral fertilizer, poultry droppings, rumen content, farm yard manure and no fertilizer as control) and four hoe weeding regimes at 3, 6, 9 weeks after transplanting(WAT) and weedy check as control. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that poultry droppings significantly produced higher proportion of marketable bulbs, soluble solids and dry matter as well as high cured bulb weight and bulb yield compared to other nutrient sources in both years. The control recorded the least in respect of all quality characters studied. Weeding regimes significantly (P weight in 2007/2008. Good quality marketable bulbs of onion was best obtained from poultry droppings in combination with weeding at 6 WAT

Spread of the spiraling white fly Aleurodicus dispersus (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and its parasitoids Encarcia species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on horticultural plants in Northwest and Central Nigeria

Abstract: A survey was conducted in central and northwestern Nigeria to establish the extent of Aleurodicus dispersus Russel and Encarsia spp. spread on horticultural plants, especially citrus. The population dynamics of A. dispersus and the impact of Encarsia spp. were monitored on citrus for a period of two years in an orchard located in central Nigeria. Survey results indicated the spread of whitefly A. dispersus and its parasitoids in parts of central and northwestern Nigeria, notably in states sharing common boundary with the republic of Benin. Population of A. dispersus tended to depend on some factors such as vegetation zone and human activities in the surveyed area. In the monitored orchard, the population of Encarsia sp. nr haitiensis Dozier, the major parasitoid species, fluctuated with that of its host Aleurodicus dispersus especially during pick periods and had impact on the host over time.

Critical Period for Weed Removal in Garden Egg (Solanum Incanum)

Abstract: Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo during the 2004 and 2005 cropping seasons to determine the extent of yield loss due to weed infestation and the critical time for weed removal in garden egg (Solanum incanum). The experiment which was arranged in randomized complete block design and replicated three times consisted of two series of weed removal treatments. In the first series, plots were kept weed free of weeds by hand weeding for, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after transplanting, thereafter left weedy till harvest while in the second series weeds were allowed to infest the plots for 3, 6 , 9 and 12 weeks after transplanting, then kept weedy till harvest, control plots were either kept weed free or left weedy till harvest. Uncontrolled weed infestation resulted to an average yield loss of 87.13% in two years . Keeping the crop weed infested beyond the first 6-12 weeks after transplanting was not significantly different from not weeding at all till harvest. On the other hand, keeping the crop weed free by hand weeding for the first 12 weeks after transplanting was similar to keeping it weed free for any length of time beyond this period. The critical period of weed removal was observed to be 3-6 weeks from transplanting.