South-Southern Nigeria Research Articles

Growth and Development of Late Season Maize/soybean Intercropping in Response to Nitrogen and Crop Arrangement in the Forest Agro-ecology of South Southern Nigeria

Growth and Development of Late Season Maize/soybean Intercropping in Response to Nitrogen and Crop Arrangement in the Forest Agro-ecology of South Southern Nigeria

Influence of Soil Physico-chemical Properties on the Distribution of Woody Tree/Shrub Species in South-Southern Nigeria

KEYWORDS Soil Properties. Species Distribution. Species Density . Tree/Shrub Species. Dominance. Relative Frequency ABSTRACT Variations in soil physical and chemical properties influence the speciation and distribution pattern of flora in a given environment. Plants species like animals and humans alike are attracted to locations where conditions are favourable to them. The differences in the distribution and abundance of plant species in any environment are therefore indications of the variation in biophysical components of the environment such as soil, water , topography among others. The present study examined the influence of soil properties on the distribution of woody tree/shrub species. Quadrat method was employed to collect soil and vegetation data from fifteen randomly selected plots of 20 m x 20 m. Vegetation result showed that Elaeis guineensis, Anthocleista vogelii, Alstonia boneii, Baphia nitida, Dialium guineensis, Pycnanthus angolensis, Havea brasillensis, Pentacleithra macrophylla, Musanga cecropioides and Anthonata mycrophylla were the most dominant tree/ shrub species in the area. The result of step-wise multiple regression analysis (P<0.05) identified the combination of Silt + CEC + BS, Av. P + silt, CEC + OC and silt + CEC as well as individual soil properties of Av. P, TN, silt and CEC as soil variables that influenced the distributional pattern of tree/shrub species in the area. It was concluded that the spatial distribution and densities of tree/shrub species in area was due to the variation in the levels of essential soil nutrients within their range of tolerance.

The response of late season maize/soybean intercropping to nitrogen in the humid environment of south Southern Nigeria

Field experiments were carried out between September and December in 2007 and 2008 at Akamkpa (15&deg; 15'' N; 8&deg; 22'' E), Nigeria. The objective was to investigate the productivity of maize and soybean as sole crops and as additive mixtures (100:100) in response to five levels of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha) and five crop arrangements (sole maize at 53,333 plants/ha, sole soybean at 266,666 plants/ha and maize: soybean intercrop arrangements of 1:1, 2:2 and 1:2). The trial was a split-plot design in a randomized complete block with nitrogen in main plot and crop arrangement in sub-plot, with three replications. Nitrogen fertilization increased yield in both maize and soybean at all the treatment levels, when grown sole or in mixtures. Application of 100kg N/ha to maize increased number of ears per plant, cob diameter, cob length, 100-grain weight, cob yield and grain yield by 46, 106, 95, 35, 138 and 153 percent, respectively in 2007, and by 15, 33, 63, 48, 88 and 109 percent, respectively in 2008, over no nitrogen application. Similarly, application of 100kg N/ha to soybean increased number of pods per plant, number of barren pods and 1000-seed weight by 53, 120 and 16 percent, respectively in 2007, and by 55, 99 and 14 percent, respectively in 2008, over no nitrogen application. Optimum seed yield in soybean was obtained at 50 kg N/ha. The yield values of 1,352.8 and 1,158.2 kg/ha were higher than those obtained at 0 kg N/ha by 31 and 21 percent in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Increasing the nitrogen level further to 100 kg/ha depressed seed yield by 8 percent in 2007 over 0 kg/ha. The nitrogen x crop arrangement interaction effects on grain yield and all other parameters were not significant (p&lt; 0.05). Late season maize and soybean may be planted at 50 kg N/ha to take advantage of optimum soybean seed yield and 66-76 percent of the maize grain yield.Keywords: maize, soybean, intercropping, additive mixtures, interplant arrangement

Analysis of Soil-Vegetation Interrelationships in a South-Southern Secondary Forest of Nigeria

Soil-vegetation interrelationships in a secondary forest of South-Southern Nigeria were studied using principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). The grid system of vegetation sampling was employed to randomly collect vegetation and soil data from fifteen quadrats of 10 m × 10 m. PCA result showed that exchangeable sodium, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium, and sand content were the major soil properties sustaining the regenerative capacity and luxuriant characteristics of the secondary forest, while tree size and tree density constituted the main vegetation parameters protecting and enriching the soil for its continuous support to the vegetation after decades of anthropogenic disturbance (food crop cultivation and illegal logging activities) before its acquisition and subsequent preservation by the Cross River State government in 2003. In addition, canonical correlation analysis showed result similar to PCA, as it indicated a pattern of relationship between soil and vegetation. The only retained canonical variate revealed a positive interrelationship between organic matter and tree size as well as an inverse relationship between organic matter and tree density. These extracted soil and vegetation variables are indeed significantly important in explaining soil-vegetation interrelationships in the highly regenerative secondary forest.

Multivariate Analysis of Soil-Vegetation Interrelationships in a South-Southern Secondary Forest of Nigeria

Multivariate statistical techniques were employed to study soil-vegetation interrelationships in a secondary forest of South-Southern Nigeria. The grid system of vegetation sampling was used to randomly collect vegetation and soil data from fifteen quadrats of 10m x 10m. The result of principal components analysis identified seven basic sets of soil-vegetation variables that enhanced the interrelationships. Canonical correlation result indicated a positive association between organic matter and tree size, while the linear association between organic matter and tree density revealed an inverse relationship. The result of redundancy coefficient indicated that 18 percent of the variance in vegetation characteristics was accounted for by the variability in soil properties whereas, 81 percent of the variance in soil properties was accounted for by the variability in vegetation characteristics. The regression analyses on the other hand indicated that exchangeable sodium positively influenced tree species composition and richness; and that tree size as well as tree density exerted substantial influence on the contents of organic matter and total nitrogen of the soil. However, drawing inference from results of canonical correlation analysis and those of multiple regression analysis, it was concluded that soil and vegetation components of the secondary forest vegetation were mutually dependent and therefore exerted joint influences on each another.

Refractive errors among a young population in an urban secondary school in South-Southern Nigeria

Refractive errors among a young population in an urban secondary school in South-Southern Nigeria

Microbial and physico-chemical quality of powdered soymilk samples in Akwa Ibom, South Southern Nigeria.

Branded and unbranded powdered soymilks were evaluated for microbial quality, physicochemical parameters and aflatoxin level. The total bacterial count ranged from 4~104 to 1.1~105 cfu/g and 2.0 ~ 104 to 7.2 ~ 104 cfu/g for branded and unbranded powdered soymilk samples, respectively. Coliform were not detected in the branded and unbranded powdered soymilk samples. The fungal count ranged from 2.1~104 to 4.9 ~104cfu/g and 1.5 ~104 to 2.6 ~104 cfu/g for branded and unbranded soymilk, respectively. The isolated microorganisms were Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Aspergillus flavus, Candida pseudotropicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisae, Penicillium citrium and Cladosporium sp. in branded samples while Pseudomonas sp., B. subtilis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Streptococcus sp., A. flavus, Aspergillus niger, C. pseudotropicalis, Saccharomyces sp. were isolated from unbranded samples. The pH ranged from 7.9 . 8.0 and 7.8 . 8.0 while the lactic acid ranged from 90.08 . 144.13 mg and 81.07 . 162.144 mg for branded and unbranded samples in that order. The moisture content ranged from 12.76 . 13.05%. The proximate analysis revealed that the crude protein ranged from 16.68 . 17.74% branded and unbranded powdered soymilk samples. Aflatoxin B1 were detected in the samples and it ranged from 7.87 . 19.76 ƒE/kg and 4.58 . 16.74 ƒE/kg for branded and unbranded samples respectively while Aflatoxin B2 ranged from 3.43 . 11.74 ƒE/kg and 2.57 . 9.79 ƒE/kg. The microbial population in terms of numbers and types reflected poor standard of production constituting a serious health hazard among populace. Thus, this calls for proper monitoring and quality assurance.

Phytochemical and microbial screening of herbal remedies in Akwa Ibom State, South Southern Nigeria

Ethanolic extracts of six commonly used medicinal plants (by traditional medicine practitioners in Uyo and Ikot-Ekpene), Vernonia amygdalina del. (“Etidod”), Ocimum gratissimum L. (“Nton”), Smilax anceps wild. (“Odufad”),Holarrhena floribunda (“Idid ikot”), Parkia biglobosa (“Epo igba”), and Khaya senegalensis (“Ogawo”), were analysed phytochemically and evaluated for their significant antimicrobial activity (P < 0.05) against different multiple drug resistant, MDR (pathogenic) organisms: Neisseria gonorrhea, Shigella flexineri, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mean inhibitory zones were calculated for each of the extracts. Five of the plant extracts contain spanning and tannins only; two contain salkowski, and keller-kilini only, while three extracts contain just one of alkaloids, plobatannins, liberman. The results revealed that each of the six plants extracts, at different concentrations of 80 and 40 mg/ml, exhibited various degrees of inhibition and activity index on the test organisms. The extract of the O. graissimum (“Nton”), had the highest mean inhibitory zone of 23 mm against S. flexineri. This was followed by H. floribunda (“Idid ikot”) with a mean inhibitory zone of 22 mm against N. gonorrhoea, V. amygdalina(“Etidod”) with a mean inhibitory zone of 19 mm against S. aureus and S.anceps wild (“Odufad”) had a mean inhibitory zone of 17 mm against both N.gonorrhoea and S. aureus. The MIC results of S. flexineri in 26.24 mg/ml ofO. gratissimum excite us to analyse for its MBC which was 47.24 mg/ml. These results provide a rationalization for the traditional use of these plants for the treatment of infectious diseases. Key words: Ethanolic extract, phytochemical, pathogenic organisms, Smilax anceps, activity index.

Intra-family transmission of Vibrio cholerae during a cholera epidemic in rural south-southern Nigeria

Intra-family transmission of <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> during a cholera epidemic in rural south-southern Nigeria

Dermatoglyphics in idiopathic (primary) dilated cardiomyopathy in South Southern Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine any dermatoglyphic pattern associated with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in South Southern Nigeria. Digital and palmar dermatoglyphic analysis of 49 patients with primary Idiopathic (primary) dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and 49 normal subjects from Kalabari ethnic group of Rivers State were carried out. The numbers of male and female subjects in each group were 27 and 22 respectively. It involved the digital patterns, ATD angle, DAT angle and ridge count. The results showed that on the right digits of males there was no significant difference (zero) in the digital patterns between the IDC and normal subject (p > 0.05) while on the left hand, IDC patients showed significantly higher whorl pattern (81.48%) on the first digit than the normal subjects (39.63%) (p < 0.05). Radial loop was observed on the second left digit of male IDC patients while no such pattern was observed on any of the digits of the normal male subjects. In females, arch pattern was observed on the second and third right digits of the IDC patients but absent in normal subjects. Also whorl pattern was observed on the 5th right and left digits of IDC patients with percentages of 18.18 and 36.36% respectively. This was however absent in normal female subjects. On the right palm of male IDC patients the mean ATD angle (39.22o) was significantly smaller than the mean ATD angle (41.29o) of the normal male subjects (p < 0.05).Similarly, significant differences were observed on left palm. Amongst female subjects also there was a significant difference (p<0.05). Significant difference was observed in the mean total ridge count of the male IDC and normal subjects (369.3 and 429.1 respectively) (p < 0.05). There was however no difference between the female IDC and normal subjects. The study has shown that IDC presents characteristic dermatoglyphic features which could be used for early diagnosis of the disease. Key words: Dermatoglyphics, Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Prevalence and risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy in South Southern Nigeria

The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in South Southern Nigeria, and to identify an 'at-risk' group for targeted intervention. Antenatal women were screened for anaemia for 1 year (October 2000-September 2001) at the booking clinics of our three government hospitals in Kwale zone. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions of risk factors for anaemia ([Hb] < 11 g/dL) and severe anaemia ([Hb] < 7·0 g/dL) were carried out. The prevalence of overall anaemia and severe anaemia was found to be 56·1% and 6·7%, respectively. Independent risk factors for anaemia and severe anaemia were primigravidity, booking in late pregnancy and wet season. We conclude that anaemia remains a common problem in our population, and additional intervention for the 'at-risk' group is recommended.

Species diversity and abundance of Oligochaeta fauna in a tropical rain forest lake in South-Southern, Nigeria

The composition, distribution and abundance of Oligochaeta in Obazuwa lake of Benin City in Edo State, South-Southern Nigeria was investigated between July 2014 and June 2015. The findings, revealed a total of 18 Oligochaeta taxa and 482 individuals comprising, 11 species of Naididae family, 1 species of Aeolosomatidae family, and 6 species of Tubificidae family. The percentage abundance of Oligochaeta in the study stations showed that Naididae had the highest abundance of 66% followed by Tubificidae and Aeolosomatidae recording 28% and 6% respectively. Naididae was predominant and widespread in the study stations. The abundance and community structure of Oligochaeta in this study showed significant variations (P&lt;0.05). The diversity indices indicated that taxa richness (d), Shannon –Wiener (H) and Evenness (E) are highest at station 1 and lowest at station 2. Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity of species revealed significant similarity between the two stations studied (P&gt;0.05). The impact of seasonal variations, human activities and environmental factors influencing the distribution and abundance of Oligochaeta are observed. There is a need for freshwater biologists to investigate the developments in Oligochaeta ecology in lakes and other freshwater ecosystems.Key Words: Oligochaeta, Naididae, Aeolosomatidae and Tubificidae, Obazuwa Lake