National Horticultural Research Institute Research Articles

Perceived Influence of Communication Strategies on Agricultural Technologies Utilization among Farmers in Nigeria: A Study of NIHORT Adopted Village and School

This paper examined perceived influence of National Horticultural Research Institute’s (NIHORT) communication strategies on agricultural technologies utilization among adopted village commercial farmers in Awaye community, Egbeda local government area, and student farmers in Oba Abass Aleshinloye Grammar School, Eleyele in Ibadan North West Local Government Area Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. A total enumeration sampling procedure was used to obtain a sample size of 51 commercial farmers and student farmers altogether. Structured questionnaire was administered to assess their exposure and perceptions of the communication strategies implemented by NIHORT and analyzed using descriptive and inferential deductions. The results indicated that the communication strategies deployed by NIHORT had a positive influence on the farmers’ utilization of agricultural technologies. Specifically, the majority of the farmers (X̅=3.12) indicated that they had developed a greater trust in NIHORT’s communication strategies and the agricultural information disseminated through them, which encouraged the adoption of fertilizer application technology introduced with resultant effect in farm production increase. Furthermore, majority (52%) of the farmers have access to the agricultural messages disseminated through NIHORT. However, the farmers’ extent of exposure to and perception of the communication strategies deployed by NIHORT has no significant influence on the level of utilization of the agricultural technologies (p=0.579). The study recommended the integration of farmers’ needs into communication framework by agricultural research institutes to provide agricultural technologies’ utilization within farming communities to enhance sustainable agricultural productivity in Nigeria. Keywords: Adopted school, adopted village, agricultural technologies, communication strategies, farmers, NIHORT, utilization

Evaluation of Proximate Composition Based on Cutting Heights of Amaranth (<i>Amaranthus cruentus L.</i>) in Bagauda, Kano State

A field trial was carried out during the 2022 rainy season at the National Horticultural Research Institute Bagauda substation (NIHORT) situated in the Sudan savannah ecological zone of Nigeria (190 4̍ N, long 120 26' E, and 721m above sea level). The trial was done to investigate cutting heights response on the proximate composition analysis of Amaranthus cruentus. The treatments consisted of three cutting heights (10cm, 15cm and 20cm) and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Fresh samples were oven dried and grounded into powder using blender and passed through 2mm sieve. which were determined using standard procedure by AOAC method and analyzed for proximate composition.There were significant effects in the results obtained on the percentage of fat and crude fibre only.Percentage of protein, moisture, carbohydrate, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium were found to be non- significant. These findings suggest that cutting amaranth shoots at 20cm above the ground has an increased effect on means of percentage fat (3.062) and crude fibre (3.80) containing nutrients that has great potential for mechanical harvesting that may improve the nutritional components of the crop.

Selection of candidate varieties of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum) in an on-station trial using multi-disciplinary approach

The on-station trial was conducted at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan during the rainy season of the year 2021. Seven improved varieties selected from crosses generated through half-diallel mating design and two local checks were used in this study. The study aimed to select the best candidate varieties for multi-locational trials. The trial was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data were collected on agronomic and yield characters. The nine varieties of garden egg were screened for tolerance to Anthracnose and Tuta absoluta. Fatty acid Methyl Esters were also analyzed and sensory evaluation was done using a twelve-member trained panel of judges. The results showed that there were significant variations among all the agronomic and yield-related characters except for plant height, stem girth and days to flowering. L03 was the best in yield and related characters, followed by L06 and L01. All the seven improved garden egg varieties were tolerant to Athracnose while the highest disease incidence was recorded in YALO. The mining activities of Tuta absoluta were more pronounced in L03 while the least was observed in L07. The improved variety L03 had the highest Saturated Fatty Acids (SFAs) and very low Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). YALO had the best low SFAs and appreciable levels of PUFAs. This was followed by L06 and L08 with moderate SFAs and high PUFAs. L02 was the best in overall acceptability during sensory evaluation but had very high SFAs. L06 was second best in overall acceptability while L01 was third. However, L03 was the least accepted. Based on the overall assessment, L06, L08 and L01 were selected for multi-locational trials and future release.

Sex-based assessment of nutrient composition in fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F)

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F), is an under-utilized leafy vegetable cultivated and consumed for its valuable nutrients and minerals playing a crucial role in combating micronutrient deficiencies. This shrub is dioecious, exhibiting distinct differences in sexual morphology. The study aims to contrast the phytochemicals, physico-chemical and mineral profiles of the female and male fluted pumpkin leaves. Seedlings of fluted pumpkin were evaluated at National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Fresh leaves were harvested at flowering from identified male and female vines for nutrient composition analysis. Beta-carotene, sodium and fibre content were notably higher in female leaves, whereas vitamin C, minerals, and anti-nutrients were more abundant in the male leaves. The concentrations of phenolic, flavonoid, vitamin C, tannin, saponin, and certain minerals emerged as the most influential factors for distinguishing between the sexes. Hence, leaves from both sexes can contribute to an enhanced diet as both sexes harbor valuable genetic traits that could be harnessed for the nutrient improvement of fluted pumpkin varieties.

Effect of foliar application of cow dung extract on growth and yield of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq.) in an ultisol

The research was conducted at the Umuowa Ibu 1 community via National Horticultural Research Institute, Mbato, Okigwe Imo State, Nigeria, where waterleaf production and consumption is predominant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of cow dung extract on the performance of water leaf. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were four levels of cow dung extract (3.75, 7.50, 11.25, and 15.00 L/ha) and three controls (5t/ha cow dung, 200kg/ha NPK fertilizer, and no soil amendment). Growth and yield data were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant means were compared with the least significant difference at 5%. The result showed a significant increase in waterleaf growth and yield parameters, with an increase in extract application. The foliar yield obtained from the 11.25 L/ha treatment (13.92 and 14.50 t/ha) and 15L/ha (14.46 and 14.75 t/ha) were not significantly different. The lowest foliar yields, 4.31 and 4.26 t/ha, were recorded in no soil amendment. Treatment of 15 L/ha had a significant foliar yield of 3-70% and 1-71% in 2021 and 2022. The result showed liquid manure had lower nutrient content than solid cow dung. In order to reduce frequent application due to its low nutrient content, this study suggests an alternative method of extraction instead of water. Therefore, applying 11.25L/ha to waterleaf was recommended in the interim.

PERFORMANCE OF RABBIT URINE ON THE YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENT OF CUCUMBER

Organic farming is known to be the production system where synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are largely or completely avoided, it has been observed recently the rapid growth of the system in the last decades. An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Oyo state to determine the influence of rabbit urine as organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of two varieties of cucumber. The experiment was laid out in a factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design replicated 3 times. The trial comprised of two cucumber varieties (Marketer and Poinsett), urine application as soil and foliar application, NPK and the control. The results showed significant influence of the treatments on growth and yield of cucumber also significant interaction was observed between varieties and treatments used on yield attributes and yield of cucumber. The application of rabbit urine into the soil and by foliar on marketer cucumber significantly had the highest fruit yield in both years.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Studies, Vol. 11, No. 1

Journal of Agricultural Studies (JAS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 11, Number 1 Anca-Luiza Stanila, ICPA, RomaniaCleber Duarte, University of Guararapes, BrazilHabu Saleh Hamisu, National Horticultural Research Institute, NigeriaSudu Hakuruge Pushpa Malkanthi, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Sri LankaWossenie Shibabaw Mebratie, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia Richard WilliamsEditorial AssistantJournal of Agricultural Studies--------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Email 1: jas@macrothink.orgEmail 2: jas@macrothink.comURL: http://jas.macrothink.org

Comparative efficacy of two plant extracts and cypermethrin against field insect pests of Amaranthus hybridus L.

Abstract. Insect infestations are major constraints to vegetable production in Nigeria causing low yields and poor quality of produce. A study was conducted at the experimental farm of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Ibadan, Nigeria, to compare the efficacy of ethanol seed extracts of Azadirachta indica A.Juss (neem), Annona muricata L(soursop) and cypermethrin against field insect pests of Amaranthus hybridus L. under rain fed conditions. Four major insect species were observed causing damage to A. hybridus during the study and they include: cotton bollworm (Heliothis armigera Hubner), okra leaf roller (Sylepta derogata Fabricius), lagriid beetle (Lagria villosa Fabricius) and variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus Linnaeus). Ethanol seed extracts of A. indica were as effective as cypermethrin and more effective than A. muricata seed extracts in protecting A. hybridus against insect damage. Plots treated with A. indica extracts and cypermethrin significantly (p<0.05) reduced leaf damage, observed insect density and enhanced leaf yield compared to plots treated with A. muricata and control. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between A. indica and cypermethrin treated plots on observed insect density, leaf damage and leaf yield. A. indica has proved to be efficient as cypermethrin and can be successfully used for the control of field insect pests of A. hybridus.

Suppression of Meloidogyne incognita Infection on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Using Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Poultry Manure

An experiment was conducted to assess the suppression of root-knot nematode on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) using neem (Azadirachta indica) and poultry manure. The experiment was conducted at the screen house of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Idi-Ishin, Ibadan Oyo State. Tomato seedlings, Roma, Cobra, Nadira, Lindo, Kiara, and Panther cultivars are grown in pots filled with steam-sterilized soil. Seedlings were treated with neem extract (Azadirachta indica), poultry manure and a combination of neem and poultry manure which were assigned at 0.4g each to inoculated pots of root-knot nematode (5,000 juveniles of nematodes) which 5ml was applied per tomato stand. The treatments applied in the trials reduced root-knot nematode populations in the soil with corresponding increases in plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and fruit yield over the control. There was a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in the root galls from the treated pots with maximum nematode eggs (1200.00) and juveniles (980.00) observed in untreated pots followed by neem extract application (101.50 eggs) and (720.00 juveniles), poultry manure application (415.00 eggs) and 89.50 juveniles while minimum root-knot nematode eggs of 82.50 and 415.00 juveniles were obtained in neem plus poultry manure. This research recommends the incorporation of poultry manure in nematode-infested soils.

Fertility Levels of Soils under Selected Tree Vegetations for Efficient Agro-Forestry in Imo State, Nigeria

In many parts of Nigeria, large areas of lands are dominated by tree crop vegetations for timber production and for fruits with land users not knowing the fertility status of soils in these vegetations. Continual evaluation of soil properties of these tree vegetations has become pertinent for agricultural sustainability. This study therefore was carried out to evaluate the fertility levels of soils under selected tree vegetations at National Horticultural Research Institute Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. Five tree vegetations that were over 20 years of establishment were selected namely: oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth), African breadfruit (Treculia africana), mango (Mangnifera indica), Ogbonu (Irvingia gabonensis) and orange (citrus spp). In each of these tree vegetations, four soil samples were collected at uniform depths (0 – 20, 20 – 40 and 40 – 60 cm) at different locations using soil auger. The samples were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Data collected were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. Results obtained showed that despite the ages of these vegetations, the soils were acidic, low in macronutrient and basic cation concentrations when compared to FAO standard. The highest exchangeable bases and organic matter (1.78%) was recorded on bread fruit vegetation. Therefore, there is need to increase the fertility status of these soils in these tree crop vegetations by adopting measures that will boost organic matter content of the soil irrespective of the duration of the vegetation and this will help in agro forestry and alley cropping.

Aspects of the Biology and Morphometrics of the Life Stages of Epilachna chrysomelina Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Aspects of the biology and morphometrics of Epilachna chrysomelina was investigated on cucumber at National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan under ambient conditions: temperature 25o ± 2o C and relative humidity 75 – 90%. The mean developmental period from egg to adult emergence was 29.00 ± 4.35 days. The beetle development was in four distinct stages; an egg, four larval instars, pupa and an adult stage. The mean eggs length and breadth were 1.33 ± 0.01 mm and 0.78 ± 0.01 mm. The first, second, third and fourth larvae measured (2.34 ± 0.50 mm and 1.26 ± 0.03 mm) (2.55 ± 0.90 mm and 1.48 ± 0.04 mm), (6.97 ± 0.70 mm and 2.97 ± 0.03 mm) and (8.15 ± 0.40 mm and 3.77 ± 0.07 mm) in length and breadth respectively. Mean pupal length and breadth were 6.33 ± 1.10 mm and 4.25 ± 0.25 mm with mean pupation period 5.20 ± 2.40days. The females were larger than the males. Pre-oviposition period was 7.20 ± 1.20 days with oviposition of 24.5 ± 4.5 days during which the female laid 222.20 ± 6.1 eggs. Epilachna chrysomelina is a key pest of cucumber resulting into huge loss in yield. The study provides useful information in identification of different biotypes of the beetle and its management.

Acclimatization of Tissue Culture Pineapple Plantlet Using Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics Technique in Comparison with Other Conventional Substrates

Aims: Previously conventional substrates consisting of topsoil mixtures have produced low yield and low survival rate of the tissue culture plantlets. Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technique is being compared with Sawdust (SD) and Topsoil (TS) as a suitable method of acclimatization and further rooting of the plantlets. This research is aimed at optimizing the protocol for acclimatization of tissue culture pineapple plantlets.
 Study Design: Experimental Research Design.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Biotechnology Research Unit, Tissue Culture Laboratory, National Horticultural Research Institute, Jericho-Idi-Ishin, Ibadan. Feb 2021 – April 2021.
 Methodology: The technique employed was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 10 samples per treatment in 6 replicates. 5 treatments were investigated in this research. Data analysis was done with the use of SAS statistical analysis software (p<0.05).
 Fresh crowns of Ananas comosus (pineapple) were extracted and were cultivated in test tubes containing full MS media. The plantlets were sub-cultured twice, after which they were taken into the hardening chamber. The plantlets were acclimatized in the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics substrate and other substrates – Topsoil(TS), Sawdust(SD), Sawdust + Topsoil (3:1), and Sawdust + Topsoil (1:3).
 Results: The result shows that the mean difference in Plant Height and Root Length for SAH substrate was significant as against other substrates used in this study (p<0.05) with SAH having the highest value of 3.50cm for plant height and 2.53cm for root length. A 100% survival rate was observed for the plantlets grown SAH media as compared to the ones acclimatized on Topsoil and Sawdust combinations which showed a 50% survival rate. There was no significant difference in the number of leaves among all the groups of substrates.
 Conclusion: In conclusion, SAH media is a very effective media for the hardening and acclimatization of micro-propagated plantlets.

Aloe vera and STS solution on microbial population and vase life of Heliconia cut flowers

Abstract The use of several solutions as floral preservatives in extending the vase life of cut flowers has been an all-time research objective to meet the demands of florists and buyers. One of the major problems faced with the longevity of cut flowers is the accumulation of microorganism in the vase floral solution. This study was carried out to investigate the influence of Aloe vera gel and Silver thiosulphate solutions used as vase solution on the microbial population of Heliconia cut flowers. The experiment was carried out in the plant physiology laboratory, Floriculture programme, National Horticultural Research Institute, (NIHORT); Ibadan, Nigeria (7O25” N and 3O52” E). Six treatments supplemented with 1% sucrose were used in this experiment, they include; 1%, 2% and 4% Aloe vera gel solutions, 0.5% and 1% Silver thiosulphate solutions and distilled water (which serve as control) labeled AV1, AV2, AV3, STS1, STS2 and CO respectively. All treatments used for the vase life of Heliconia cut flowers were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different in the parameters analyzed as compared to the control. The vase life, relative fresh weight and relative water content of Heliconia cut flowers were best with Aloe vera gel solutions compared to the control with AV3 recording the longest vase life of 12 days (58.21%). The microbial population in the vases of the cut flowers was greatly reduced with the application of the silver thiosulphate solutions (STS1 and STS2) compared with the control with STS2 recording the lowest microbial colony at 32.67 CFU mL-1. Promoting the use of organic floral preservatives should be encouraged as it is eco-friendly and cost effective. The result of the study reveals that the use of 4% Aloe vera solution has the potential to reduce microbial growth and also enhance the longevity of the cut flowers.

Identification and molecular characterisation of cercospora leaf spot disease pathogen on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Cercospora leaf spot disease (CLSD) is a serious constraint to the production of cowpea worldwide, especially in the tropics. This study was conducted to identify the causative agent of CLSD on cowpea accessions. Infected cowpea leaf samples were collected from established cowpea experimental field at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan. The leaves were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and sub-cultured to obtain pure fungi isolates. Nucleic acid extraction from the pure culture was carried out at the molecular laboratory of National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to amplify fungi nucleic acid using ITS1 and ITS4 universal primers. The amplicon obtained were subjected to Basic Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) to determine the sequence homology. These sequences were compared with known sequences on the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The sequences analysed had similarity with Cercospora canescens (MK029364.1 and MW756382.1) deposited on the NCBI database. This study confirms that C. canescens is the causal pathogen of CLSD found on the infected cowpea leaves.

Genetic Diversity among Accessions of Indian Spinach (Basella spp. L.) Based on Agro-Morphological Traits

Medicinal and nutritional qualities of Indian spinach obviously make it a promising crop for food security in Africa. It exhibits high genetic diversity in its present under-exploited state; therefore, accurate assessment of the existing genetic diversity will be fundamental to its improvement. This study investigated the genetic diversity among twenty (20) accessions of Indian spinach using morphological descriptors. The field experiments were carried out at the Vegetable Research Farm of National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria during rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017. The experimental design adopted was randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on the vegetative characters, yield and on yield related characters. The data were subjected to Analysis of Variance, Principal Component Analysis and Cluster analyses. The first three principal component (PC) axes observed for year 2016 and 2017 explained 64.66% and 59.99% respectively of the total variation. The clustering method evolved groups of accessions based on similarities of morphological traits. Yield and yield related characters were highly and positively correlated with one another. Stem weight was positively correlated with leaf weight and total plant weight. Likewise, positive correlation existed between leaf weight and total plant weight.

Influence of NPK I5:15:15 fertilizer rates and vine training on profitability of Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) in Savanna zones, Nigeria

The study objective was to see how profitable it was to grow climbing bean cultivars with NPK 15:15:15 application rates in Nigeria's northern Guinea and Sudan Savanna zones. Field trials were done at the Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Bagauda sub-station research farm throughout the 2018 wet season (from the final week of May as rain began to the last week of November).The treatments consisted of two cultivars of lima bean (Ex-Manchok Brown and Ex-Manchok Cream), training (trained and non-trained) and four levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer rates (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. All lima bean production options were profitable at Samaru with trained Ex-Manchok Cream without fertilizer being most profitable (N476,858.4 ha-1) with net return of N 2.84 per naira invested. At Bagauda all production options were unprofitable due to low crop yields (105-237 kg ha-1): fertilizer and its application costs which accounted for 13.4 to 28.9% of total production cost in trained crop and 19.8 to 38.7% in non-trained. From this study it can be concluded that profitable and sustainable lima bean production, requires training of an adapted cultivar and application of 450 kg ha-1 of NPK 15:15:15 compound fertilizer.

Productivity of Lima Bean (Phaseolus Lunatus L.) Cultivars Using NPK Compound Fertilizer Rates and Training Practice in the Nigerian Savanna

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is a legume crop grown for its edible beans. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal rate of NPK fertilizer and the need for training to achieve the maximum yield of lima bean cultivars in the Nigerian Savanna. Field trials were performed at the research farm of Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Bagauda sub-station during the wet season of 2018 (Duration month-month). The treatment consisted of two lima bean cultivars (Ex-Manchok Brown and Ex-Manchok Cream), preparation (trained and untrained) and four fertilizer levels of NPK 15:15:15 (control, 150, 300, and 450 kg ha-1). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data showed that in Bagauda, Ex-Manchok Brown gave significantly higher in LAI at 6 WAS than Ex-Manchok Cream, while Ex-Manchok Brown outperformed in the number of seeds pod-1, 100-seed weight and seed yield ha-1 at Samaru Ex-Manchok Cream. Trained lima bean at Samaru resulted in significantly higher LAI at 9 WAS and branch numbers at 12 WAS, while 100-seed weight and seed yield ha-1 at Bagauda were significantly higher with vine training. NPK The application of 450 kg ha-1 in Samaru and Bagauda resulted in the highest seed yield. The outcome of this study verified that training with 9 DAS and 450 kg ha-1 of NPK 15:15:15 compound fertilizer is needed to obtain a maximum of Ex-Manchok Cream lima bean cultivar in Nigerian savanna beans.

Time of introducing component crop influences productivity of intercropping system

Field experiment was conducted at National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Mbato Sub-station, Okigwe, Imo State, South-eastern Nigeria in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to establish the most appropriate time to introduce component crops in cocoyam/cowpea mixture. Five different planting schemes (two and four weeks before, two and four weeks after and same day) and two cowpea genotypes (climbing Akidienu and erect IT97K-499-35) were used. The component crops were grown in monocultures to assess the productivity of the systems. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Growth and yield of cocoyam and the cowpea genotypes increased significantly (P<0.05) when either of the component crops was planted earlier than the other. Intercropping reduced significantly (P<0.05) cocoyam yield by 0.7 − 74% in IT97K-499-35 and 22 − 80% in Akidienu. Sowing the cowpea genotypes the same day or before cocoyam resulted in over-yielding of cowpea, whereas sowing Akidienu and IT97K-499-35 after cocoyam caused pod yield reductions of 64% − 73% and 32% − 59% on average, respectively. Cocoyam planted two weeks before IT97K-499-35 produced more satisfactory yields of the intercrops than the other planting schedules with LER, LEC and ATER of 2.15, 1.03 and 1.57, respectively.

Assessment of wild tomato accessions for fruit yield, physicochemical and nutritional properties under a rain forest agro-ecology

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a broadly consumed fruit vegetable globally. It is one of the research mandate vegetable of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria. The institute’s contains diverse collections of tomato accessions and wild relatives, without utilization information for the African continent. With the decline in diversity and potential of cultivars, a robust tomato breeding pipeline with broad genetic base that eliminates redundancy in the development of lines with desired horticultural traits is paramount. This study evaluated the mean performance and variations of thirteen wild tomato accessions obtained from the C.M. Rick Tomato Genetic Resource Center, University of California, Davis, USA, evaluated for agronomic, nutritional and physicochemical traits under a rain forest zone in Nigeria. The accessions were planted and grown in three replications with randomized complete block design. Agronomic traits, physicochemical and nutritional parameters were measured and analyzed. There was significant (P < 0.001) variation among accessions for all traits measured. Accession LA0130 was separated from others by cluster analysis and was outstanding for its unique attributes which include: fruit yield parameters, total soluble solids, acidity and content. The principal component analysis suggests fruit yield related traits, acidity and contributed most to the variation among the 13 accessions. The results obtained can be used to breed materials adapted to a rain forest . These wild tomato accessions have genes with desirable agronomic, nutritional and physicochemical traits that could be into breeding lines to improve commercial tomato varieties.

Livestock production as an integral of home garden in Nigeria

Globally, hunger and poverty are major challenges with number of household malnourished increasing daily. Conscious integration of the home gardens strategy into peri-urban and urban development can help to achieve food security. In this regard, a total of 412 questionnaires were administered to home garden owners around the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) in Ibadan (Southwest Nigeria), Mbato (Southeast Nigeria), Bagauda (Northwest Nigeria) and Dadinkowa (Northeast Nigeria). In all, 366 (88.8%) questionnaires were found suitable for analysis. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical analytical tools. Majority of people involved in the practice of home gardening were male (78%) and young <50 years (53%), implying that they were capable of handling more tedious activities than the female and the elderly respectively. Land and house ownership were found to be the most important factor in home gardening. Goat (77.1%), sheep (58.7%) and local fowl (49.7%) were the dominant livestock in the areas investigated.Most of the livestock were fed with household waste and crop residues which ought to have caused great problem through microbial build up, while the animal wastes were usually incorporated into the soil to serve as soil amendments. Some of the livestock owners were also mindful of zoonosis.