Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Research Articles

Effect of Manure and Glomus hoi on Heavy Metals and Soil Properties of Spent Engine Oil Contaminated Soil

This study aimed to assesses the impact of spent engine oil on selected soil properties including the heavy metal uptake before and after application of manure. The field experiments were carried in the early cropping season (April – July) and in the late cropping season (September – December) of year 2020 at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile-Ife. Spent-engine oil (SEO) was sourced from a mechanic workshop in Osogbo, Osun State. Amendments (poultry droppings, cow dung and leaves of Gliricidia sepium) were collected from OAU Teaching and Research Farm, Ile-Ife. Glomus hoi was also collected from around the region, and the spores were isolated through wet sieving methods. The test crop used was maize (variety is AWR- SYN- Y. A land area of 69 m x 17 m was ploughed and harrowed and arranged in an 8 X 6 alpha lattice design, containing sixteen (16) treatments with three concentrations which resulted in a total of forty-eight (48) plots in each replicate, each plot measured 2 m X 2 m with a spacing of 1 m in between the plots. The plots were impacted with Spent-engine oil (SEO) sourced from petrol engines. The oil was applied in concentration of 0 ml (0 L/ha), 400 ml (1000 L/ha) and 800 ml (2000 L/ha) to the plots. The treatments were applied to plots 7 days after Spent-engine oil (SEO) application. The layout of the experiment is as follows: Treatment 1 (T1) - Spent-engine oil only; Treatment 2 (T2) - Spent-engine oil + Cow dung; Treatment 3 (T3) - Spent-engine oil + Poultry Manure; Treatment 4 (T4) - Spent-engine oil + Glomus hoi; Treatment 5 (T5) - Spent-engine oil + Gliricidia Sepium leaves; Treatment 6 (T6) - Spent-engine oil + Cow dung + Poultry Manure; Treatment 7 (T7) - Spent-engine oil + Glomus hoi + Gliricidia sepium leaves; Treatment 8 (T8) - Spent-engine oil + Cow dung + Poultry Manure + Glomus hoi + Gliricidia sepium leaves. After treatments application, the plots were left for two weeks before planting to allow for incubation. Data collected were analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques. At the end of the experiment, all soils were impacted with the presence of increased Spent-engine oil with an increase in heavy metals in the soil. The findings suggest that a combination of different organic amendments can significantly reduce the heavy metal uptake of soils contaminated with spent-engine oil. However, further studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of these treatments on soil quality and plant growth.

The Impacts of Climatic Variability on the Grain Yield Performance of Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) of Maize in a Rainforest Location of Nigeria

Aims: The objectives of the study were to examine the effects of climatic factors on maize yield and identify best planting date for maize in Rainforest Agroecology of Nigeria.
 Study Design: Grain yield of seventeen open pollinated varieties of maize evaluated in 21 randomly selected environments in the Rainforest Agroecology of Nigeria were used for the study. Each field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications and 5 m long single-row plots spaced at 0.75 m apart and three seeds were planted 0.5 m apart within the row.
 Place and Duration of Study: Grain yield of 17 maize varieties evaluated at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm (7°28'N, 4°33'E, altitude 224 m above sea level) during the late cropping seasons of 2001, 2005 and early cropping seasons of 2002, 2006 were used for this study.
 Methodology: The grain yield and climatic data within the period of evaluation was subjected to Analysis of variance and correlation analysis.
 Results: Rainfall alone significantly accounted for over 42 % of the total variation on grain yield across the environments while the combination of two climatic factors revealed significant variation across the combination ranging from over 41 % to 45 % with minimum relative humidity and maximum temperature together having the highest significant variation on grain yield of Maize. There was also highly significant positive correlation between grain yield and total rainfall (r = 0.65**) and minimum relative humidity (r = 0.64**).
 Conclusion: Ranking of the twenty-one environments for average grain yield, the most favourable planting date ranged from early April to early May in Rainforest Agro-ecology of Nigeria.

Evaluation of Maize Varieties for Resistance to Field Pests: Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith) and Stem Borer in a Tropical Rainforest Agro-Ecology

Aims: To evaluate newly improved maize varieties for fall armyworm and stem borer resistance and determine the relationship among traits for increased productivity in a rainforest location in Nigeria.
 Study Design: The experiments were laid out in a 10 x 10 triple lattice design with three replications and Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in four replicates.
 Place and Duration of Study: Field experiments were conducted during the late seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
 Methodology: Hundred newly improved maize varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2018 for fall armyworm resistance, while ten stem borers resistant varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2019. Data were collected on emergence, flowering, vegetative, armyworm, and grain yield traits. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), descriptive statistics, correlation and cluster Analysis.
 Results: Differential responses for resistance to fall armyworm traits were observed for all the varieties evaluated. Fall armyworm trait was observed to be negatively correlated with emergence percentage and ear number and positively correlated with flowering traits and moisture content. Furthermore, the results from the stem borer varieties evaluation indicated varietal differences for emergence percentage, plant height, ear height and kernel number. Stand count, ear number and weight per plot, moisture content had a significant positive correlation with yield while days to tasseling and silking and kernel row number had a significant negative correlation with yield.
 Conclusion: The best resistant varieties to fall armyworm were F2SCA 1413-36, ACR. 06 TZL COMP. 3C4 and 2013 TZEE-W POP STR with 6.01 tons/ha, 5.11 tons/ha, and 4.87 tons/ha of yield respectively while that of stem borer were TZBR Comp 1 –W C2 and Ama TZBR-W C4 with grain yield of 3.7 tons/hectare and 3.5 tons/hectare respectively.

Evaluation of Maize Varieties for Resistance to Field Pests: Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith) and Stem Borer in a Tropical Rainforest Agro-Ecology

Aims: To evaluate newly improved maize varieties for fall armyworm and stem borer resistance and determine the relationship among traits for increased productivity in a rainforest location in Nigeria.
 Study Design: The experiments were laid out in a 10 x 10 triple lattice design with three replications and Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in four replicates.
 Place and Duration of Study: Field experiments were conducted during the late seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
 Methodology: Hundred newly improved maize varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2018 for fall armyworm resistance, while ten stem borers resistant varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2019. Data were collected on emergence, flowering, vegetative, armyworm, and grain yield traits. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), descriptive statistics, correlation and cluster Analysis.
 Results: Differential responses for resistance to fall armyworm traits were observed for all the varieties evaluated. Fall armyworm trait was observed to be negatively correlated with emergence percentage and ear number and positively correlated with flowering traits and moisture content. Furthermore, the results from the stem borer varieties evaluation indicated varietal differences for emergence percentage, plant height, ear height and kernel number. Stand count, ear number and weight per plot, moisture content had a significant positive correlation with yield while days to tasseling and silking and kernel row number had a significant negative correlation with yield.
 Conclusion: The best resistant varieties to fall armyworm were F2SCA 1413-36, ACR. 06 TZL COMP. 3C4 and 2013 TZEE-W POP STR with 6.01 tons/ha, 5.11 tons/ha, and 4.87 tons/ha of yield respectively while that of stem borer were TZBR Comp 1 –W C2 and Ama TZBR-W C4 with grain yield of 3.7 tons/hectare and 3.5 tons/hectare respectively.

WEATHER FACTORS AFFECTING CANOPY ORIENTATION OF MAIZE IN THE RAINFOREST OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Despite the wide recognition of plant architecture as a key factor for optimum productivity in most crops, factors affecting maize (Zea mays L.) crop configurationis poorly understood and often neglected in the rainforest ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa. The present study provides an analysis of the weather factorsaffecting canopy architecture of maize in the rainforest of sw Nigeria. Five maize varieties were planted weekly from March to November of 2016 and 2017 in randomized complete block experiments at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching & Research Farm (OAU T&RF). Data were collected on upper and lower leaf angle (LAUpper and LALower), and leaf orientation values (LOVUpper and LOVLower) which served as indices for canopy architecture.Weather data were obtained from the automatic weather station located on the farm. ANOVA revealed that environment had significant effects on canopy architecture andgrain yield (P = 0.01; R2 ≥ 80 %). Correlation and regression analyses showed thatsoil moisture, soil temperature, and solar radiation greatly affected canopy configuration (P ≤ 0.01), particularly LA and LOV. Sequential path analyses confirmed that soil moisture for LA, and soil temperature for LOV, were the most important weather factors directlyinfluencing canopy architecture in maize. Leaf angle was directly influenced by soil moisture and indirectly byair relative humidy and rainfall, while LOV was directly influenced by soil temperature and solar radiation, and indirectly by air relative humidity, heat unit, total radiation, rainfall, and soil heat flux.

CANOPY ARCHITECTURE AND GRAIN YIELD OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) IN THE RAINFOREST OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Plant architecture is a key factor for optimum productivity in most crops. Unfortunately, this aspect of maize (Zea mays L.) crop configuration has recieved little attention from researchers in the rainforest ecologies of Nigeria.We investigated the effects of the environment on canopy architecture and, in turn, canopy orientation on grain yield of maize in the rainforest of sw Nigeria. Five maize varieties were planted weekly from March to November of 2016 and 2017 in randomized complete block experiments at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching & Research Farm (OAU T&RF). Data were collected on canopy architecture, which was quantified with upper and lower leaf angle (LAUpper and LALower) and leaf orientation values (LOVUpper and LOVLower) obtained at the grain-filling stage.-At maturity, grain yield, along with some of its components (ear length, ear diameter and kernel row number) were also obtained from all plots. The data were subjectedto ANOVA, correlation, regression, and sequential path analyses to determine the relationship of grain yield with canopy architecture. The environment and genotype had significant effects on canopy architecture, grain yield (P = 0.01; R2 ≥ 80 %), and yield components. Leaf orientation value of the upper canopy (LOVUpper), with correlation coefficient r = 0.61** and direct positive causal effect (P = 0.61), rather than LAUpper, LALower and LOVLower, greatly affected grain yield. In conclusion, LOVUpper was the single most important leaf architecture index that positively affected grain yield which, in turn, was influenced greatly by the environment in the rainforest ecology of SW Nigeria

Maize seedling emergence in response to climatic variability in a tropical rainforest area

Environmental factors causing low seedling emergence often observed in tropical maize (Zea mays L.) are poorly documented. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weather factors on maize seedling emergence at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm (OAU TRF). Five maize varieties sown weekly, in 3-replicate RCBD experiments throughout the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons, were used to monitor emergence percentage (E %), emergence index (EI) and emergence rate index (ERI). Climatic data were obtained from the automatic weather station located on the farm. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) environmental effect for all traits. Soil moisture (Sm), relative humidity, air temperature, heat unit and soil heat flux (SHF) showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) correlation coefficients with all traits, but there was no relationship between the emergence traits and grain yield. Stepwise multiple regression and sequential path coefficient analyses indicated that increased Sm, rather than rainfall per se, increased the speed of emergence. Minimum air temperature and SHF with direct effects, and heat unit with indirect effect, negatively affected emergence the most. Relatively low Tmin and SHF, along with just enough Sm maximized seedling emergence in the rainforest agro-ecology of southwestern Nigeria.

Evaluation of two contrasting cassava canopy structures on weed flora composition in a rainforest zone of Nigeria.

The impact of weed competition on crop growth is a universal concern to farmers. This study was conducted in 2010 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to evaluate the impact of cassava canopy on weed diversity and identify shade-tolerant weed species in response to varying canopy structure at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile-Ife ecological zone. The treatments consist of hand-weeded, herbicidal treatment, and unweeded checks in the main plot. The sub-plots constituted the cassava cultivars (TMS 30572 and TME 1) laid out in a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement in three replications. Fifteen weed species survived under the shade of TMS 30572 where two families were monocots while four families were dicots. However, twenty weed species were recorded where TME 1 was cultivated of which two families were monocots while five families were dicots. TMS 30572 suppressed weeds by 20% when compared to TME 1. In conclusion, TME 30572 is recommended for cultivation in this agroecology to obtain a maximum benefit on cassava production. Keywords: Weed, TMS 30572, TME 1, Shade-tolerant, and Weed diversity. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-12-05 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

Planting date effects on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and development in the rainforest of southwestern Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the optimum planting date for maize (Zea mays L.) to cope with the negative impacts of climate change in the marginal rainforest agro-ecology as typified at Ile-Ife, SW Nigeria. Five maize varieties were planted weekly, in 3-replicate randomized complete block design experiments at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, throughout the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The varieties were monitored for seedling and adult plant traits including grain yield with its components. Statistical analysis showed significant effect of planting dates (DOP) on all traits. The first few DOPs in March and April had the highest grain yield which reduced with delayed planting till June and increased again mid July/August before finally dropping off thereafter. The higher yield in the earlier dates each year, was due to early flowering and taller plants with higher ear placement. Planting after the first few rains in March/April was the optimum for the first cropping season, and late July to mid-August was best for the second cropping season in this agroclimatic zone. Planting beyond these periods results in poor grain yield and pre-disposes the crop to terminal drought, which could result in complete crop failure.

Morphometric traits of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) as affected by genotype and sex

Morphometric traits have been found useful in quantifying body size and shape and scientific information on them would be required for genetic improvement of turkeys. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of sex and genotype on morphometric traits of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Linear body measurements were taken on 70 exotic turkeys (20 males and 50 females) and 80 locally adapted turkeys (30 males and 50 females) randomly selected from the Turkey Unit at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm. The linear body measurements taken and recorded were the beak length, head length, neck length, body length, keel length, wing span, wing length, drumstick, Shank length, toe length, tail length and body girth all taken in centimeters (cm) using a measuring tape. Data were analyzed with the GLM procedure of SAS and Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to detect differences among means. There were significant differences (p <0.05) between male and female turkeys with male turkeys having higher values as an expression of sexual dimorphism for all studied traits. Further, the male was found to be significantly higher (p <0.05) than the females for all the morphometric traits measured both for the local and exotic type. The exotic type was found to be significantly (p <0.05) higher than the local type for all the morphometric traits measured. There were significant (p <0.05) interactions between sex and genotype with the male exotic having higher values of all the morphometric traits observed. It was concluded that turkeys are sexually dimorphic and that exotic type had higher body conformation and morphology than their locally adapted counterpart.

Analysis of the variability of airborne particulate matter with prevailing meteorological conditions across a semi-urban environment using a network of low-cost air quality sensors

The concentrations of fine and coarse fractions of airborne particulate matter (PM) and meteorological variables (wind speed, wind direction, temperature and relative humidity) were measured at six selected locations in Ile Ife, a prominent university town in Nigeria using a network of low-cost air quality (AQ) sensor units. The objective of the deployment was to collate baseline air quality data and assess the impact of prevailing meteorological conditions on PM concentrations in selected residential communities downwind of an iron smelting facility. The raw data obtained from OPC-N2 of the AQ sensor units was corrected using the RH correction factor developed based k-Kohler theory. This PM (corrected) fast time resolution data (20 s) from the AQ sensor units were used to create daily averages. The overall mean mass concentrations for PM2.5 and PM10 were 213.3, 44.1, 23.8, 27.7, 20.2 and 41.5 μg/m3 and; 439.9, 107.1, 55.0, 72.4, 45.5 and 112.0 μg/m3 for Fasina (Iron-Steel Smelting Factory, ISSF), Modomo, Eleweran, Fire Service, O.A.U. staff quarters and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm (OAUTRF), respectively. PM concentration and wind speed showed a negative exponential distribution curve with the lowest exponential fit coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.08 for PM2.5 and 0.03 for PM10 during nighttime periods at Eleweran and Fire service sites, respectively. The relationship between PM concentration and temperature gave a decay curve indicating that higher PM concentrations were observed at lower temperatures. The exponential distribution curve for the relationship between PM concentration and relative humidity (RH) showed that PM concentrations do not vary for RH < 80 % while stronger relationship was noticed with higher PM concentration for RH > 80 % for both day and nighttime. The performances of the MLR model were slightly poor and as such not too reliable for predicting the concentration but useful for improving predictive model accuracy when other variables contributing to the variability of PM is considered. The study concluded that the anthropogenic and industrial activities at the smelting factory contribute significantly to the elevated PM mass concentration measured at the study locations.

Water Use Efficiency of Maize Genotypes of Different Maturity Groups at Seedling and Grain-filling Growth Stages in a Rainforest Location

Aims: The objectives of this study were to evaluate maize genotypes of different maturity groups for seedling and grain filling water use efficiency and determine relationship that exist between the water use efficiency traits and yield of different maize maturity groups.&#x0D; Study Design: Sixteen maize genotypes were planted in Randomized Complete Block Design in three replicates for emergence, vegetative, water use efficiency traits at the seedling and grain-filling growth stages and yield.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The sixteen maize genotypes of different maturity groups were evaluated during the early and late cropping seasons of 2016 at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile-Ife, Nigeria&#x0D; Methodology: Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis among water use efficiency traits and yield for each of the maturity groups.&#x0D; Results: There was no significant difference among the genotypes within each maturity groups for water use efficiency at seedling and grain filling growth stages.&#x0D; The late maturity group of maize used more water at the seedling growth stage than the other maturity groups in the early season of this study while in the late season, the early and extra-early maturity groups used more water than the other maturity groups. Increase in emergence percentage, reduction in speed of germination, and minimal days to complete germination increased water use efficiency at the seedling stage only during the early cropping season.&#x0D; Efficiency of water usage at the seedling growth stage was more among the late and intermediate maturing groups than the extra-early and early maturing groups in the early season while in the late season, the extra-early and early maturing groups used water more efficiently than the late and Intermediate maturing groups&#x0D; Conclusion: Maturity group played a significant role in the expression and manifestation of water use efficiency traits under different environmental conditions.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia Coli Isolates from Clinical Sources at Tertiary Health Care Setting, Ile Ife, South Western Nigeria

Antimicrobial resistance is majorly an issue of public health concern. The aim of this study is to isolate and identify Escherichia coli from samples of stool and urine obtained from the clinical settings at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, and to determine their antibiotics susceptibility patterns. Nineteen (19) of stools and 22 of urine samples were analysed using standard microbiological and biochemical techniques and 11 pure isolates were obtained comprised of 5 (12,2%) isolates from urine and 6 (14,6%) isolates from stool. Antibiotics susceptibility studies were conducted using Kirby and Bauer disc diffusion method, and the results were determined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guides. The studies showed that all the E. coli isolated were 100% resistant to augmentin, gentamycin, streptomycin, tetracyclin and chloramphenicol, and 90.90% resistant to oflaxin, sparfloxacin, and amoxycillin while the isolates were susceptible tociprofloxacin (26.33%), and pefloxacin (45.46%). Effective hygiene must be encouraged and indiscriminate usage of antibiotic must be avoided in the study area.

Risk mitigation strategies and policy implications for carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in organically- amended soils in Nigeria

Global food security has been a challenge, especially in Africa. This has attracted the adoption of strategies to improve soil productivity and crop yield. One of such strategies is the use of solid wastes as soil organic matter amendments. An investigation of the effects of soil amendment using poultry manure, sawdust and their mixtures on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, maize (Zea mays L.) growth and dry matter yield were assessed under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Top soil obtained from unfertilized plots at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research farm, Ile-Ife, Nigeria was used for the experiments. The organic amendments were added at the rate of 10 g/kg, treatments were in triplicates and treatment means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 95% level of significance. Results obtained revealed that CO2 emission decreased while maize heights and dry matter yields significantly (P > 0.05) increased with increasing ratios of poultry manure in the poultry manure-sawdust mixtures. The CO2 emission from poultry manure amended soil was about 61% that from sawdust amended soil while the mean height and dry matter yield in sawdust-amended soils were 84% and 52% respectively those obtained in poultry manure amended soil. This paper concludes that it is essential to design and implement policies that will guide and encourage the use of organic amendments at ratios that can enhance crop yield and mitigate CO2 emission to the environment. Key words: Food security, solid waste, carbon dioxide emission, organic amendments, environment and policy