Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research Research Articles

Bacillus circulans as biosurfactant-producer during crude oil degradation

Petroleum and its byproducts are one group of universal environmental pollutants. Microorganisms have over time played significant roles in the clean-up exercise of unwanted substances in the environment. This research was aimed at studying the degradative potentials of biosurfactantproducing bacterial isolates (Bacillus sp.) from palm oil mill effluent (POME) in crude oil degradation. Standard microbiological and analytical methods were applied to ascertain biosurfactant production and degradation of crude oil by Bacillus sp. isolated from palm oil mill effluent discharged points and logging area of effluent bunk at Nigerian Institute for Oil-Palm Research (NIFOR) in Edo State. The bacteria were isolated and subjected to screening for hydrocarbon degradation and biosurfactant production. Biosurfactants characterization by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) technique. total viable heterotrophic bacterial count of POME and Bonny light crude oil ranged from 6.6 x106 – 8.2 x106 cfu/ml and 4.2 x106 – 5.8 x106 cfu/ml respectively. Bacillus sp. that had the highest biodegradative potential and biosurfactant production was identified molecularly as Bacillus circulans. It could be used as bio-stimulants to ameliorate crude oil polluted areas as an efficient and cost- effective technology.

The Effects of Manpower Planning and Crises Management in Public Sector: A Case Study of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research in Edo State

This paper examines the Effects of Manpower Planning and Crises Management in Public Sector: A Case Study of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Nigeria as a democratic sustainability. It evaluates how effective the organization policy have been able to restructure the political economy of Nigeria by training of its manpower and being able to resolve crises in the system. Since the early 1990s, the issue of Good Governance has become an important concept in the International Development debates and Policy discourse. Over the last decade however, Public Sector, especially Nigerian NIFOR has not adequate avail their workers opportunity to attend short-term courses if they cannot be released for training courses of between 1 to 3 years. This has led to several crises in the organization which would have been avoided, if adequate crises management techniques were put in place. The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) has not also imbibe the policy of inclusiveness. In the course of this study, the Effects of Manpower Planning and Crises Management in Public Sector: A Case Study of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Edo State were brought to the fore while the objectives of the study are well spelt out. Hypotheses were postulated and the Scientific Management Theory was used to explicate the works. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. From the primary sources, the survey method, that is, the use of questionnaire designed and adopted. Data obtained from this method were analyzed with the aid of Simple Percentage. Thereafter, the five researchable hypotheses were tested and accepted while the null hypotheses were rejected. The implication is that there was relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Generally, the paper brought to focus that the Effects of Manpower Planning and Crises Management is a collective effort in reaching a compromise in the management of Public Sector in Nigeria and it has contributed immensely to the growth and development of public enterprise elsewhere. Finally, it suggests policy and crises management techniques and recommendation which are aimed at repositioning Public Sector like NIFOR not only in Edo State in particular, but also in Nigeria in general. Keywords: Crises, Management, Resolution, Effects, Public, Manpower DOI: 10.7176/DCS/12-2-03 Publication date: February 28 th 2022

The micronutrient status of some soil supporting oil palm plantationin Nifor, Benin City, Benin

This study was conducted to assess the micronutrient status of soils under three different management practices at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from three different fields Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Edo with different management practices. The samples were air dried and analyzed for Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn contents using standard method. Data was subjected to ANOVA and correlation studies. Result showed that soil micronutrient status was generally low as revealed by their estimated levels of availability: field 53 (Mn = 0.0333; Zn = 3.723; Cu = 2.04; Fe = 6.4), field 56 (Mn = 0.0367; Zn = 3.737; Cu = 1.12; Fe = 7.0939), field 71 (Mn = 0.0167; Zn = 3.860; Cu = 2.89; Fe = 7.243). Fe and Zn were above critical level for the 3 fields. Mn was below the critical level for the 3 fields and was significantly higher in field 56 (Orlu and Kulfo series) (p≤ 0.05). They were all similar. Fe was significantly different in field 53 (Kulfo and Alagba series) but similar in fields 56 and 71 (p≤ 0.05). Cu was significantly different in the 3 fields tested with field 71 (Orlu and Alagba series) higher than the critical level. Correlation studies showed that pH had a positive and significant correlation with Fe and Zn as observed in fields 71 and 56 (r = 0.9934, P≤ 0.05) and (r = 0.9997, P ≤ 0.05) respectively. Cu was the only micronutrient that has correlation with clay on each of the fields: 53, 56 and 71 (r = 0.9929, P≤0.05) (r = 0.9988, P≤ 0.05) and (r = 0.9967, P ≤ 0.05) respectively. Strong correlation existed between clay and Fe in field 53 (r = 1, P≤ 0.05). The concentration of the micronutrients (Fe, Mn,Zn Cu), in field 53 were not extreme (neither the highest nor lowest) when comparing the three fields indicating that BMP (Best Management Practice) may be the best for maintaining good micronutrient level in soils supporting oil palm. Fields 53 and 56 is adequate in Fe and Zn but not adequate in Mn and Cu while field 71 was adequate in Zn, Fe, and Cu but not in Mn. Based on the result of this experiment, adequate fertilizers of these micronutrients as their respective sulphates or impurities should be added to maintain proper micronutrient level.

Freundlich and Langmuir Isotherm Studies of Phosphorus Sorption unto Soils Derived from Basement Complex Rock, Alluvium, Coastal Plain Sand and Shale Parent Materials

To provide information on best model to predict Phosphorus (P) Sorption unto Soils derived from Basement Complex Rock, Alluvium, Coastal Plain Sand and Imo Shale Parent Materials in 3 states of Nigeria. Completely randomized design was used to collect surface soil samples in 3 replications from 4 locations in Nigeria.
 Samples were collected from Idanre, Koko, NIFOR and Uhonmora in Ondo, Delta and Edo states Nigeria, laboratory analysis was carried out in the Central analytical laboratory of Nigerian Institute for Oil-Palm Research (NIFOR) Benin City, Nigeria between march 2016 and September 2017.
 Soil samples were equilibrated in 25 ml of 0.01 M CaCl2 containing various concentration of P as KH2PO4 to give 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/L P for 24 hours (h) at room temperature 25 ± 2oC. 3 drops of CHCl3 was added to inhibit P mineralization. The suspension was shaken for 24 h on a reciprocating mechanical shaker, centrifuged at 7000 rpm After equilibration, decanted and P determined using spectrophotometer. The sorption data were fitted to linear Freundlich and Langmuir sorption isotherm.
 Considering the Freundlich model, P adsorption capacity (a) and P sorption energy (n) was highest in soils B (1400 mg kg-1) and (2.806 L kg-1) respectively. The Freundlich model fitted better to the data obtained with average root mean square error (RMSE) and R2 value of 0.69 and 0.951 respectively, as against average RMSE and R2 value of 1.60 and 0.883 respectively obtained from Langmuir model.
 The sorption data fitted well to Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms of which Freundlich Adsorption model was found to be better based on lowest RMSE (0.69) and highest regression (R2 = 0.951) value. Freundlich model should be adopted to determine P sorption characteristics of the soils studied. These predictors, however, need further works to validate reliability.

Efficacy of tank mixture glufosinate ammonium and indaziflam for weed control in oil palm

The apprehension among oil palm farmers on the toxicity of glyphosate necessitated the need for an alternative herbicide for weed control in oil palm. Thus, a study was conducted at the Ni­gerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to determine the efficacy of tank mixture of glu­fosinate ammonium (Basta) + indaziflam (Alion) for weed control in oil palm. The treatments consisted of glyphosate at 1.5 kg a.i ha-1, glyphosate + diuron at 1.5+2.0 kg a.i. ha-1, glufosinate ammonium at 0.4 kg a.i. ha-1, glufosinate ammonium at 0.5 kg a.i. ha-1, tank mixture of glufos­inate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.4 + 0.04 kg a.i. ha-1, tank mixture of glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.5 + 0.04 kg a.i. ha-1and weedy control. The results showed that tank mixture of glyphosate + diuron at 1.5 + 2 kg a.i ha-1, glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.4 + 0.04 kg a.i. ha-1 and glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam at 0.5 + 0.04 had the best weed control efficiency of 78.5%, 78.6% and 78.3% respectively up to 20 weeks. The study concluded that tank mixtures of glufosinate ammonium + indaziflam were as good as glyphosate + diuron for weed control in oil palm.

Application of microsatellite markers for hybrid verification and genetic analysis of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

The legitimacy of parents and progenies used in crop improvement programmes is vital for any meaningful progress in selection. While acknowledging the shortcomings of controlled pollination in oil palm breeding and commercial seed production, the legitimacy of 20 oil palm progenies from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) breeding programme was determined using 16 fluorescently-labeled microsatellite markers. The genotyping of parents and progenies was conducted by capillary electrophoresis using the ABI 3730 DNA Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, USA). Results revealed a complementary expression of the parents’ alleles in 18 out of the 20 individual progenies screened, confirming their hybridity and genetic identity. The two illegitimate progenies detected could be attributed to pollination and planting errors, respectively. A subset of three sufficiently informative loci (sMg00016, sMg00179 and sMo00102) was identified for routine quality control genotyping. The detection of illegitimate progenies provided ample evidence to substantiate the importance of assessing hybrid fidelity in breeding programmes. Furthermore, the usefulness of microsatellite markers as a reliable technique for routine assessment and unambiguous identification of oil palm crosses was established. The implications of microsatellite- based hybrid identification in oil palm varietal improvement programmes have been adequately discussed.
 Key words: Contamination, Genetic identity, Illegitimacy, NIFOR, Parent-Progeny relationships, seed production

Soil chemical properties and heterotrophic bacterial population in the rhizosphere of oil palm plantations under different ages

This study was carried out to determine the soil chemical properties and heterotrophic bacterial population and species that are predominant in the rhizosphere of oil palms (Elaeis guineensis. jack) and to compare the bacteria population in the rhizosphere of matured (10 years and above) fruit bearing palms with those present in young (3 – 6 years) palms that are just bearing fruits for the first few years. Four plantations of different ages were sampled at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) main station located in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State at soil depth of; 0 – 15 cm, 15 – 30 cm, 30 – 45 cm and 45 – 60 cm. The soil samples obtained were analyzed for their physical, chemical and microbial compositions and the bacteria counts found in the various oil palm plantations were tested for significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) using Duncan multiple range test in a Completely Randomized Design. The soil texture of Field 52 (3 – 6 years) was sandy in both top and sub soil (0 – 60 cm) while the older plantations had sandy-loam and loamy-sand at some depth. The nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon content of the soil were also observed to increase with age. The investigation further showed a high presence of bacteria at the top soil (0 – 15 cm and 15 – 30 cm) than in the sub soils (30 – 45 cm and 45 – 60 cm). This was in close relationship with the high presence of carbon and other primary nutrients that were also more at the top soils. On the basis of plant age, the heterotrophic bacteria populations were greater in the older plantations than found in the young (3 - 6 years) plantations. The specific bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere soils were Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Micrococcus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Coryrubacteria spp.

Impact of Weather Factors on Coelaenomenodera elaiedis MLK (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Nigeria

The leaf miner (Coelaenomenodera elaeidis) is a major pest of the oil palm. It breaks out in epidemic proportions periodically, resulting in severe leaf defoliation and consequently low fresh fruit bunch (FFA) yield. This study analyses temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, and leaf miner abundance records sampled in oil palm fields between 1976 and 1980 in the main station of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). Data for temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity were obtained from NIFOR meteorological station. Mathematical relationships between the insect stages (larva, pupa, and adult) and weather factors (rainfall and temperature) were developed indicating that pest predictions can be made for different leaf miner stages using their corresponding model equations giving specific values for rainfall and temperature. Variations in the seasonal patterns of temperature and rainfall are of major significance as a cue to timing leaf miner abundance and would help in making better decisions regarding where farmer action can target pest control interventions, thereby contributing to ensure food security. The need for continuous monitoring has great potential for detection and control of insect pests in oil palm growing areas.

English

Genetic diversity in oil palm has been usually determined using agro-morphological markers (traits) before the advent of DNA-based markers including microsatellite markers, which have the advantage of being environmentally independent. The current study aimed to compare genetic diversity and relationships among 10 Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) dura × tenera oil palm progenies using simple sequence repeats (SSR) and agronomic markers. 114 individual palms representing the NIFOR progenies were screened for polymorphism at five agronomic traits and 16 SSR loci. Coefficients of variation and genetic diversity parameters were calculated to compare the trait-based variation with genetic (SSR) diversity. Hierarchical clustering and principal coordinate analyses (PCA) were performed with agronomic and molecular datasets generated from the progenies. Agronomic traits showed wide range of variation from 5.6% for oil-to-mesocarp ratio to 40.5% for bunch number. The SSR markers deployed showed 100% polymorphism and high genetic diversity (He = 0.661, Ho = 0.580) among the progenies. While SSR data discriminated the progenies with respect to pedigree or shared ancestry of the parents, the clustering pattern based on agronomic data predominantly reflected the differences in agronomic traits. Results of this study suggest that agronomic trait data are insufficient in selecting parents for crossing and that genotypic data are more informative. Key words: Agronomic traits, Elaeis guineensis, genetic diversity, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers.

Genetic Relationships between Elite Oil Palms from Nigeria and Selected Breeding and Germplasm Materials from Malaysia via Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers

<p>Nine SSR markers were used to study the genetic relationships among 26 elite oil palm materials from Nigeria and Malaysia. The Nigerian elite materials comprised 15 Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) oil palm parental genotypes. The 11 Malaysian genotypes included 2 <em>dura</em> and 2 <em>pisifera</em> advanced breeding lines, 3 palms from natural populations of Nigeria, and 2 from each of the Angola, and Madagascar natural oil palm collections maintained at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The results revealed a high percentage of polymorphic loci (83.3%) in the entire materials with average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.7325. Two SSR markers showed relatively high PIC namely sMg00016 and sMg00179 (0.8018 and 0.8509, respectively). The mean number of alleles varied from 1.333 in Madagascar germplasm material to 4.889 in NIFOR <em>tenera </em>materials (mean = 2.958). The observed heterozygosity varied from 0.167 in Madagascar material to 0.778 in Nigeria germplasm materials (mean = 0.575) and the expected heterozygosity from 0.153 to 0.643. The various oil palm provenances showed significant genetic differentiation (F<sub>ST</sub> = 0.177, P = 0.001) indicating the existence of a genetic structure among the materials used. UPGMA analysis based on Rogers’ dissimilarity coefficient matrix displayed two main clusters, one separating Madagascar accessions from the rest. PCoA showed that the NIFOR breeding parents clustered closely with MPOB’s Nigeria and Angola-derived materials suggesting a common origin of mainland genotypes. The high genetic diversity observed among the MPOB’s germplasm materials highlights the need for proper characterization of entire NIFOR oil palm germplasm with SSR markers to facilitate effective utilization in the breeding programme.</p>

Econometric Analysis of the Economic Cost of Lethal Yellowing Disease (LYD) on Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Yield in LYD Epidemic Area of Nigeria: A Case Study of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR)

Econometric Analysis of the Economic Cost of Lethal Yellowing Disease (LYD) on Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Yield in LYD Epidemic Area of Nigeria: A Case Study of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR)

Economic assessment of oil palm projects in Nigeria.

Due to the dramatic increase in the incidence and severity of poverty in Nigeria arising from the dwindling performance of the agricultural sector where a preponderant majority of the poor are employed, the revenue from the farmer’s output is of paramount importance in order to maintain continuous cycle of production. However, this study was designed to economically assess oil palm projects in Nigeria. Secondary data used for this study were collected from Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and related journals. The data collected were analyzed using discounted cash flow techniques. The result shows that at 32% interest rate NPV was positive (N20,275), IRR was 33% and the BCR was 1.06. The sensitivity analysis revealed that at 5% fall in revenue of the project, the NPV was positive (N1,403) while at 10% fall in revenue, the NPV became negative (N-28,747). Therefore, since price and yield quantity is an important ingredient in determining the revenue from oil palm project, investor has to watch closely these variables that may affect the profitability of the project.Keywords: Oil palm, NPV, IRR, BCR, discount factor.

Replacement Model Analysis of Extension Work Seed (EWS) in Nigeria

Oil Palm cultivation represents one of the most effective methods of impacting on the society of Nigerians who trade on this commodity, thereby reducing poverty and ensuring food security. This study determined the analysis of optimum replacement age of extension work seed in Nigeria in order to sustain the flow of income accruing to farmers. Secondary data was collected from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). Data collected were analysed using profit maximization replacement model. The replacement model results reveal that the optimum age of oil palm replacement was 24th year. For continual flow of benefits to the farmers, the Oil palm plantations should be replanted after every 24th year of economic exploitation. It is economically advisable to use new but identical oil palm seedlings to replace an old oil palm plantation.

English

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), a monocotyledonous plant belonging to the Arecaceae family, is one of the most important oil crops in the world. In Nigeria, oil palm has benefited immensely from conventional breeding efforts resulting in high yields that have been achieved with this breeding material. However, oil palm breeding is slow and time-consuming due to a breeding cycle of about 10 years. In addition, the process of outcrossing leads to high variation in yield components and vegetative traits. Although DNA marker technologies offer great possibilities for plant breeding through marker-assisted selection, there are so far no reports of its application to oil palm breeding in Nigeria. In this study, 32 SSR markers were used for the assessment of marker application in an oil palm breeding population coming from the extensive breeding program at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). Seven SSR markers out of the 32 tested (22%) segregated in the progeny 12 (tenera x Deli dura). SSR markers mEgCIR0059, mEgCIR1917, mEgCIR3260, mEgCIR3275, mEgCIR3533 and mEgCIR3557 proved to be fully informative markers following a segregation ratio of 1:1:1:1, while marker mEgCIR0074 segregated in a 1:1 ratio.   Key words: Oil palm, microsatellite marker, marker-assisted selection, NIFOR.

Genotype by Trait Relations between Yield and some Morphological Traits of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Hybrid Varieties Based on GT Biplot

The objective of this study was to evaluate the coconut hybrid varieties based on Genotype by Traits (GT) biplot to examine its usefulness in visualizing coconut trait relationship and its application in genotypes comparison. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with two replications; each block consisted of 5 plots with a total of eight palms per plot while the remaining palms were used as guard rows. This experiment was conducted at the Main Research Station of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The materials for the present study consisted of 5 hybrid varieties of Coconut palm. Data on individual palms were recorded on seven quantitative traits: thickness of petiole (TP), number of fronds (NFD), number of leaflets (NL), number of fruits per palm (NF), number of bunches per palm (NB), width of leaflet (WL) and circumference of the stem 20 cm from the soil level (CF).The GT biplot analysis revealed close associations among the studied traits. The two Original Research Article Odewale et al.; IJPSS, Article no. IJPSS.2014.005 271 axes explained 90.4% of the total variation among the cultivars due to the various traits measured thus reflecting the accuracy of inter-relationships among the measured characters. Correlation coefficient between the studied traits showed that there is a strong positive relationship between number of fruit and number of bunches. These two traits were however negatively correlated with other traits except number of fronds. Based on the Auto Find QTL function of GGE biplot, bunch yield and width of leaflets were identified as traits suiTable for indirect selection for nut yield improvement. H4 was identified as an ideal genotype as it combines several good traits in its genetic composition and thus could serve as a good genetic raw material from which better cultivars, synthetic varieties and pure lines can be developed. H1 was the best in terms of nut and bunch yields, indicating that it can be used as parents in the development of hybrid varieties and populations that are outstanding in these traits.

Biodiversity of Soil Arthropods in Nigerian Institute for oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Nigeria

A survey of soil arthropod fauna inhabiting Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) was carried out from July-September 2012, with a view to determine the diversity and distribution of soil arthropods of the area. Two study stations were identified at the area, namely; Station one (Plantation site) and Station two (Control site). One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven (1877) individual soil arthropods were recorded from both stations. These individuals were represented in 4 classes, 11 orders and 21 families which were collected and extracted using the pitfall trap method and the Berlese Tullgren Extractor Funnel. Data collected from the study stations were subjected to appropriate statistical analyses which included Simpson’s index (Ds), the Shannon Wiener index (H’), the Shannon Diversity T-test and Evenness (E) to determine the diversity of the soil arthropod fauna. Station one (Plantation site), was the most diverse station (Ds=2.99) and (H’=1.84) while station two (Control site) having (Ds= 2.94) and (H’= 1.69) is the least diverse station which may be as a result of anthropogenic activities. The Order Hymenoptera and Family Formicidae (50.5%) and (38.7%) respectively were the dominant and abundant group in both stations with the Order Crustacea and Family Armadillidae (22.2%) and (1.63%) respectively were the least dominant and abundant in both stations. The soil arthropod fauna correlated positively with the soil organic carbon (r=0.16), soil moisture content (r= 0.26) and soil pH (r=0.60) while the soil temperature correlated negatively (r= -0.89) in both stations. This implies that soil arthropods increase with increasing soil moisture content and decreasing soil temperature. © JASEM

Development of a Production Planning Method for the NIFOR Digester Screw Press

In most production environments, the problem of efficiently scheduling production jobs on several machines is an important consideration when attempting to design a work plan that makes effective use of the available resources because job scheduling in manufacturing is at the crux of production planning because of its impact on revenues. This work examined the production planning and scheduling of jobs at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) with the aim of developing an effective production planning method for the production of one of its products the Digester Screw Press (DSP). The material flow pattern and current manufacturing practice were observed and production data was collected on machine set up and run times. The data collected was used to estimate the actual average run times for all the machines and the total processing times for each of the three components that make up the Digester Screw Press. The Microsoft Project 2003 was used as a tool in producing an improved job schedule based on the shortest processing time rule. The technique has reduced the general processing time for the production of DSP from 157hours to 99hours. It provides low machine waiting time, high machine utilization and reduced job tardiness across the shop floor.

Concentrations of formaldehyde in rain waters harvested at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research

Formaldehyde has been recognized as one of the most important pollutants and a carcinogen that is present in the air, water, foods, soils, fabrics, cosmetics, cigarette smoke and treated wood. Related health effects and hazards are linked to formaldehyde, depending on mode of exposure which includes: weakness, blindness, vomiting et cetera. Additionally, occupational exposure through vapours, results in a temporary reversible decrease in lung function. Ocular exposure to formaldehyde could result in permanent alterations to vision or blindness. At concentrations below maternal toxicity, formaldehyde is considered not to be a reproductive or developmental toxicant. Sufficient evidence is now available for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde in both humans and animals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classed formaldehyde as a group 1carcinogen. Rain water is harvested and used for domestic and industrial purposes in Nigeria. Scarce information is available in the developing countries like Nigeria, relating to the sources of exposure to formaldehyde and other toxic substances. It was against the above background that samples of rain water were collected between April and October, 2008, 2009 and 2010 at the meteorological research unit of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in order to monitor the concentrations of formaldehyde, which were subsequently consumed by ingestion an d thus generate data on same for the populace of the area of study. The chromotropic acid method described by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was adopted for the determination of formaldehyde in the rain waters. Results indicated that the concentration range of the formaldehyde in the rain waters varied from month to month throughout the six months duration of analysis. The values detected were below the toxicity level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other world bodies for drinking water. In conclusion, the results of the rain waters collected for the period of assay suggests that the values did not cause any toxicity effects and thus were fit for human consumption based on the low formaldehyde concentrations.

Notes on the Floral Biology and Fruiting of Cycad Circinalis in Nigeria

The Cycas circinalis was first officially introduced into Nigeria by the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City. It belongs to the Division: Cycadophyta , Class: Cycadopsida , Order Cycadales , family Cycadaceae and genera Cycas . It was first recognized as a separate species in 1995. It is also known as Sago palm, Fern palm, Cycad or Starch palm. The floral biology of the plant is cone like as other cones in the Order Cycadales , the cone has the whorl of premature pinnate fronds embedded within the cone. This cone opens up and spreads out as the inflorescence reaches anthesis revealing the whorl of young leaves that will form the new generation crown. The mean number of fully formed fruits per stalk is 9.0 average fruit length is 5.24cm, fruit circumference ranged from 8.6-9.6cm while the average circumference is 9.03. Fruit weight range between 19.2 – 22.10g (mean = 21.6g), the length of dehusked fruit vary from 4.1 – 5.0cm, while the circumference of the dehusked fruit range between 7.1 – 8.0cm. The average circumference of dehusked fruit was 7.53cm. The weight of the dehusked fruit range between 9.7 – 18.6g, with a mean weight of 13.9g.

Nutrient Budget for Optimal Oil Palm (<i> Elaeis guineensis</i> Jacq) Yield on Coastal Plain Sands Soils of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria

The objective of the study was to establish approximate relationships between yield and soil nutrients in oil palm production. The study was conducted in Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) substation Ibesit ekoi in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria. Soil, rainfall and yield data were collected from oil palm plantation established 49, 29, 9 and 0 (control) years ago in an area underlain by coastal plain sands. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to study variations, effect of land use on soil properties at different depths and contributions of various soil nutrients at different depths to the yield (fresh fruit bunch ‘FFB’ and palm oil) of oil palm. Results of coefficient of variability revealed that approx. 45.5% of the variables were highly variable including available phosphorus, extractable zinc, FFB and palm oil, while others were either least or moderately variable. Oil palm trees influenced soil development with its effect on silt content at 30 - 60 cm depth. Uptake of phosphorus in oil palm land use system decreases with depth. This was further confirmed by the relative contribution of available phosphorus to FFB yield that decreased from the surface of the soil downwards. Extractable zinc contents of oil palm land use were not significantly different from each other (ranging between 9.65 and 7.84 mg·kg–1) but significantly different from the control (23.99 mg·kg–1). In the modeling process, it was observed that the absolute contribution of texture was minimal while exchangeable sodium was highest (i.e. 66.5 percent) in the quantity of oil palm production. Also extractable copper and zinc were found to have made large contributions to FFB and oil palm. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a high-yielding source of edible and technical oils but requires proper knowledge and precise administration of nutrient demands for management of a major production constraint which is soil fertility.