Abstract
AbstractClimate change is a global issue threatening food security, environmental safety, and human health in tropical and developing countries where people depend mainly on agriculture for their livelihood. Nigeria ranks among the top in the global yam production. It has the largest population in Africa and has been able to secure food for its growing population through food crops especially yam. Unfortunately, the recent increase in termites’ colonies due to climate change threatens yam yield. Besides harming man and environment, pesticides are expensive and not easily accessible to control the pests. This prompted a study which aimed at applying a biotrado-cultural approach in controlling the termites, as well as improving soil chemical properties and yam production. The study hypothesized thatChromolaena odorataandElaeis guineensissludge improved soil nutrient and yam yield and consequently decreased termites’ outbreak. In a randomized design experiment of five blocks and five replicates, five different treatments including unmanaged (UM),Vernonia amygdalina(VA),Chromolaena odorata(CO),Elaeis guineensis(EG) liquid sludge, and fipronil (FP) were applied in termites-infested agricultural soil. Data were collected and measured on the responses of soil chemical properties, termites, and yam yield to treatments using one-way ANOVA, regression, and multivariate analyses. The result showed thatChromolaena odorata(CO) and EG treatments were the best treatments for controlling termites and increase yam production. Termites were successfully controlled in VA and FP treatments, but the control was not commensurate with yam production. The experiment needs to be extended to other locations in the study region. It also requires an intensive and long-term investigation in order to thoroughly understand (i) the influence of climate change on the termites’ outbreak, (ii) the extent of termite damage to the crops, (iii) the impacts of climate change and variability on yam yields, (iii) the agricultural and economic benefits of the applied treatments, and (iv) the ecological and human health safety of the treatments.
Highlights
Climate change has globally become a serious threat to environment and man especially in the areas of food security and rapid growing population
This finding was consistent with other studies which have revealed that the elevation of heavy metals in most agricultural soils often leads to soil alkalinity (Nederlof et al 1993; Lenart and Wolny-Koładka 2013; Almaroai et al 2014) and V. amygdalina like Baphia nitida accumulates high heavy metals in the region (Ogbonna et al 2013)
Climate change with its variability was found as a factor which has important influence on yam tuber production because (i) the termite colonies increased when there is low rainfall, (ii) the damage caused by the pests exacerbates during dry season than in wet season, and (iii) optimal rainfall enhances soil moisture and promotes the soil microbial activities and decomposition of organic matter which in turn elevates the soil fertility
Summary
Climate change has globally become a serious threat to environment and man especially in the areas of food security and rapid growing population. Though the impacts of climate change have no geographical boundary, yet the countries in sub-Saharan Africa tend to suffer more because of several reasons including socioeconomic, political, and ecological factors (Slingo et al 2005; Kurukulasuriya et al 2006). Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a tuber crop which serves as a major staple food for about 34% of the world’s population. In comparison to other tuber crops, yam is a vital source of essential minerals including carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, and dietary fibers (Olajumoke et al 2012). Nigeria ranks highest in yam production among the sub-Saharan African countries (CGIAR 2004). Yam is a highly preferred food crop in Nigeria because:
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