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Rapid nutrient depletion in soils is one of the major problems that affect food production and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. Studies have linked the growth of food crops with seasonal variation and differences in weather conditions. This study was conducted to assess the effects of various organic fertilizer formulations (OFFs) on the growth and yield of selected crops (Zea mays L.; Glycine max, TX 114 and Dioscorea rotundata Poir) during rainy and dry seasons to ensuring climate-smart agriculture. The OFFs used were plant-based (PB), animal-based (AB), rock-based (RB), organic mixture (OM-mixture of PB, AB and RB), synthetic/chemical (SC) while ordinary compost without fortification served as control. Effects of OFFs on growth parameters (number of leaves, plant height, stem girth, leaf area, and crop yield) of maize, yam and soybeans were assessed in plot experiments across the two seasons. The RB gave highest growth performances in maize and soybean plots at both seasons when applied at 2.5 t ha−1. It also improved yam growth when applied at 2.5 t ha−1 (rainy season) and 3.0 t ha−1 (dry season) more than any other fertilizer. The largest yield of maize in the dry season was obtained from plots with PB at 2.0 t ha−1. The AB at 2.0 t ha−1 gave the largest soybean yield in the rainy season. Organic fertilizers enriched especially with rock-based and plant-based materials have the potential to ameliorate the threat of climate change and seasonal variation to food security.

This chapter summarizes the sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from different economic sectors in Nigeria and emphasizes those arising from agriculture and forestry. The impacts of climate change on agricultural systems in Nigeria are likely to be large, motivating the need for additional knowledge to assess current practices and formulate appropriate modifications for both mitigation and adaptation. Some current farming practices are believed to be adaptive, but further study would provide better assessments. We also analyzed the trade-offs between household income and GHG emissions at two contrasting sites in northern Nigeria. A farm optimization model maximizing the value of crop, livestock, and tree production activities in a single representative year assessed the potential impacts for GHG reductions of 10% and 25% and the maximum allowable reductions of 26% and 30% on farm activities and income. Emissions reductions of 10% reduced annual household incomes by less than 5% but required substantive changes, especially in livestock owned. Maximum possible GHG emissions reductions (while still meeting minimum household consumption needs) would require marked changes in production pattern and would lower household incomes by 22–44%. We did not assess effects over longer periods, where the role of livestock as a key asset may imply additional negative impacts. Productivity-enhancing technologies that would simultaneously reduce GHG emissions and increase incomes are needed for smallholder farms to play a larger role in climate change mitigation without the burden of reduced incomes and greater risk. This suggests the need for programmatic and policy actions both by national agricultural research systems and the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

A field experiment was conducted at National Horticultural Research Institute Idi-ishin, Ibadan to investigate the influence of mulching materials on population of plant parasitic nematodes, weed density, soil moisture, temperature content, growth and yields of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The mulch materials were dried leaves of Azadirachta indica , Terminalia catappa , Eugenia uniflora, Pannicum maximum (grass straw) and plastic mulch with hoeing and no weeding as control. The experiment was conducted between June to September 2010. The experimental design was randomized complete block design in three replications. Data were collected on Vegetative Growth (VG), Gall Indices (GI), nematode reproduction. All data were analysed using ANOVA (p=0.05). GI was reduced by 76.91% in black plastic mulch, 69.28% in Azadirachta indica, 61.43% in no weeding control, 46% in Eugenia uniflora, 23.09% in Terminalia catappa and 15.24% in Pannicum maximum as compared to Hoeing weeding control. The root-knot nematode in the soil were also reduced by 96.63%, 89.28%, 76.81%, 53.63%, 50.72% and 24.63% in black plastic, no weeding control, Eugenia uniflora, Terminalia catappa, Azadirachta indica and Pannicum maximum mulching materials respectively as compared to hoe weeding control. The mulching materials significantly affected the growth and yield of okra (P≤0.05) with black plastic mulch resulting in the highest number of pods (30.0), fresh weight (378.0g) and dry weight (58.3g) per plant. Highest soil moisture retention was observed from hoe weeding plot (6%) while the highest soil temperature was recorded from black plastic mulch (25 o C) and the least weed density (6.0 plant/m 2 ) weed fresh weight (100.0g) and weed dry weight (34.0g) was also recorded on plastic mulch plot. These were significantly lower P≤0.05 compared with other mulched materials and no weeding control. Therefore mulch materials reduced the root-knot nematodes in the soil, weed interference in okra production while, enhancing moisture retention promotes faster plant growth and yield of okra. Keywords: Gall indices, Mulch materials, Nematode population, soil moisture and weed density

Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, with higher stage and higher grade at presentation. Evidence suggests that for education in health promotion behaviors (such as screenings) in early adult years, young Black men can be better equipped to make informed decisions in later years. Using the theory of reasoned action (TRA), we assessed the intention of young Black men to screen for prostate cancer when it is recommended and determined its correlates. This was a cross-sectional study of 267 Black men aged 18 to 40 years. A 47-item questionnaire collected information on demographics/personal factors, attitudes toward prostate cancer screening, social influence, comfortability with prostate examinations, cues to action, health screening experiences, knowledge of prostate cancer and screening, and intention. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and hierarchical logistic regression was employed to determine significant predictors of prostate cancer screening intentions. The regression model accounted for 46% of the variance in intention (p

This study was conducted to identify the salient behavioral beliefs of young Black men toward prostate cancer screening, and to identify the issues surrounding their comfortability with prostate examinations. A total of 20 Black men, aged between 18 and 40 years, participated in three focus group sessions between June 2013 and July 2013 in Austin, Texas. Participants were asked open-ended questions about: (a) the advantages and disadvantages of screening to identify salient behavioral beliefs about screening and (b) issues that would make prostate examinations comfortable or uncomfortable to identify comfortability factors. Focus group discussions were tape-recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed to identify emerging themes of salient beliefs and comfortability. Also, nine salient behavioral beliefs toward prostate cancer screening were identified, and eight factors were linked to comfortability with prostate examinations. Given the increase of prostate cancer disparity as a public health issue, understanding the beliefs of Black men of prescreening age (18-40 years) may be crucial to the effectiveness of future interventions to improve screening when recommended at later ages.

Composting has proven to be most effective in combating large organic waste generation in urban settings like Ibadan. This study was designed to determine macro-invertebrate population changes as indicator for stages of organic waste composting. Mixture of cow rumen (240 kg) and vegetable (80 kg) waste were shared equally into aerated (A) and non-aerated (B) windrows. Composite samples were taken twice from the each windrow for eight weeks. Macro-invertebrates were separated from compost by spread and Berlese funnel methods and species biodiversity by Simpson's (D) and Shannon-Weiner (H) indices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test at 5% level of significance. Dipteran, Coleopteran and Acarina population changes were predominantly observed. Biodiversity scores of D and H were 0.21; 1.89 in A and 0.19; 1.12 in B. Windrow B had more species abundance than A. Successive changes in macro-invertebrate population can be used with physico-chemical parameters during composting process.

Background The role of viral load level and/or CD4 (Cluster of differentiation 4) cell count in the aetiopathogenesis of hearing loss in HIV infection is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between CD4 cell counts, viral load and hearing threshold of HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) infected adults.This cohort audiometric study involved consecutive HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults as controls. Clinical data relating to hearing loss, HIV status, and highly -active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were obtained. Audiornetric evaluation was performed. The most recent CD4 cell counts and RNA viral load-of HIV-infected participants were obtained from clinic records.There were 299(66.7%) HIV-infected adults and 149(33.3%) controls with mean age of 39.64± 12.45 years and 39.60±12.45 years respectively (p=0.98). In both groups, there were more participants with left hearing loss. Mild to profound hearing loss was found in 65.9% HIV- infected participants and 53.7% controls. Majority (86.3%) of the HIV-infected participants were on HAART. The mean CD4 cell count was 654.58±289.15 in 41 HIV-infected participants not on HAART and 523.95±300.17 in 258 participants on HAART (p=0.01). Majority,- 197 (62%) HIV- infected participants with hearing loss had CD4 cell count ≤200 cells/mm3. Higher viral load significantly correlated with low CD4 cell counts (p0.0 1; r=0. 18) and low CD4 cell count significantly correlated with high hearing threshold (pO.01; r=0. 17).There was a trend towards more hearing loss among the HIV-infected adults. The higher hearing threshold in those with low CD4 cell counts of200 cells/mm3 suggests possible relationship between hearing status and severity of HIV disease.