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The grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus, is a crop pest in Africa that causes significant damage to crops and forest tree seedlings. The application of synthetic chemicals as management technique in the control of Z. variegatus has deleterious effects on the ecosystem. Therefore, it becomes pivotal to explore other better and safer strategy in the management of this pest. To this end, this study evaluated some isolates of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, as an alternative in controlling Z. variegatus under laboratory conditions. Synthetic insecticide DDVP (2, 3-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate) and sterile distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Contact toxicity and food bioassay methods were employed in the experiments. Mortality counts of the insects were recorded daily for 5 days. The result of the contact application showed that isolate Bb 362 caused significantly higher mortalities of 63% and 90% at 1- and 5-days post application, respectively. Isolates Bb 115 and Bb 11 caused 40% and 55% insect mortalities, respectively, at 5 days post-application. Application of DDVP (2,3-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate) caused 100% insect mortality within 24 hours post application, while food treated with fungal suspensions recorded low insect mortalities after 5 days post application. The study conclusively established that contact toxicity of Beauveria bassiana isolate Bb 362 showed promising potential in Z. variegatus management and can be used as an effective biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Eucalyptus is one of the exotic tree species used for fuel wood and utility pole purposes in Northern Nigeria. The early stages of its plantation establishment face the challenges of insect attack, especially the subterranean termites. The pest status of termites on Eucalyptus tree species is a prerequisite for effective management strategies. This study assessed the pest status of termites on four Eucalyptus tree species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus cloeziana and Eucalyptus tereticornis in Afaka, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The four Eucalyptus species were planted in the field in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times. Seedling mortality counts were taken at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplanting. Mortality data were subjected ANOVA and significant means were separated using Tukey's HSD (p = 0.05). The results showed that lower significant seedling mortality (9.66 ± 5.3%) was observed in E. camaldulensis at 1 month after transplanting. Seedling mortalities within a period of 1 - 12 months after transplanting ranged from 9.66±5.43 - 74.65±8.97%, 34.29±4.80 - 66.87±1.72%, 27.32±2.08 - 61.24±5.85% and 18.01±3.05 - 63.61±2.49% in E. camaldulensis, E. citriodora, E. cloeziana and E. tereticornis, respectively. It is therefore concluded from this study that the first year of Eucalyptus plantation establishment is critical for termite infestation and requires a prompt decision to embark on termite management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a serious emerging pest of maize (Zea mays L.) and many other alternative crop hosts in sub-Saharan Africa. Adequate knowledge on the development of S. frugiperda on maize and other alternative host crops is important in the development of integrated pest management programmes. The objective of this study was to determine the larval developmental stages of FAW using head capsule and other body morphometrics of FAW on maize and other alternative host crops in Nigeria. Food hosts (maize, cassava and cowpea) were replicated five times and arranged in a Completely Randomised Design. The results showed that mean growth ratio of larval development on maize, cassava and cowpea were 1.51, 1.54 and 1.50, respectively; and all conformed to Dyar's rule. Head capsule width of larval instars showed six frequency peaks, representing six larval instars. Mean width of head capsule from the first to sixth larval, in the three crops, were significantly different. The shortest (14 days) and longest (17 days) developmental periods were recorded on maize and cassava. Pupal weight and length were not significantly different among the crops. There was a linear and significant correlation (maize = 0.98, cassava = 0.98 and cowpea = 0.99) between the stages of larval development and head capsule width. The number of larval instars of FAW, duration of their developments and the weights of larva and pupa on maize, cassava and cowpea are useful information in determining the number of generations of FAW on each crop. This information could, therefore, be applied in decision making on the appropriate time and duration of application of control actions when these crops are infested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to compare the performance of wood hive types and plywood hive types in three different vegetation types between June 2018 and May 2020 in Akure South local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of eighteen (18) Kenyan Top Bar hives made from Danta, Gmelina and plywood were constructed at six (6) each per wood types. Two (2) each of Danta, Gmelina and Plywood hives were installed in three locations: Natural Forest, Plantation forest and cocoa farmland. The rate of colonization of each hive was evaluated at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after installation in the field. The results revealed that plywood hive type was not colonized in the natural forest throughout the period of study while Danta and Gmelina each recorded 50% colonization at the end of the experiment. In plantation forest, each of the Plywood and Gmelina hives recorded 50% colonization at 24 months after installation while bees in Danta hives absconded before 24th months after installation. In cocoa farmland, Gmelina recorded 100% colonization at 24 months, Danta recorded 50% colonization at 24 months and plywood accounted for 100% colonization at 24 months after installation. An improvement was recorded in the colonization performance at 12,18, 24 month after installation of hives. Plywood hives installed in the cocoa farmland and plantation accounted for higher colonization percentage than natural forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources is essential to the sustainable development of agricultural production and rural in production zones in Nigeria. This study, therefore investigated the utilisation of recently released superior rice germplasm among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. A post- crop varietal release impact assessment was conducted in Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara and Ebonyi states of Nigeria in 2019. Structured questionnaires were administered to 120 farmers using a simple random sampling technique. Result from the study revealed that rice farmers are mainly males, middle aged, married, with some form of education. They have medium (3-6 household member) household size with longer years of farming experiences. Inadequate capital and limited credit facilities, plant disease, birds and insect infestation are the major constraints encountered by the farmers. Result of the correlation analysis shows that there was no significant relationship between sources of planting materials and frequently planted varieties (r = 0.100 and p = 0.786). However, there was significant relationship between production constraints and frequently planted varieties (r = 0.010 and p = 0.648). It is recommended that more channels of credit facilities should be provided to rice farmers by governments at various levels to improve their level productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on the estimation of stature from hand and foot length of an individual are essential study in personal identification. Aim and Objectives: This study is to find out correlation between statures with hand and foot dimensions in both sexes and gender comparison from an individual in Lautech Staff College in Ogbomoso and College ogbomoso and College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Material and Methods: A sample of 140 students and staff; 70 male and 70 female Students and staff of Lautech Staff College in Ogbomoso and College ogbomoso and College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, between 16-35years were considered and measurements were taken for each of the parameters. Gender differences for the two parameters were determined using Student t-test. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to examine the relationship between two anthropometric parameters and standing height (stature). All these measurements were done by using standard anthropometric instruments and standard anthropometric techniques. Results: The findings of the study indicated that the males mean values are not significantly difference when compared with females mean values in all measured parameters. The study showed significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between the stature with hand lengths and foot lengths. The hand and foot length provide accurate and reliable means in establishing the height of an individual. Conclusion: This study will be useful for forensic scientists and anthropologists as well as anatomists in ascertain medico-legal cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse effects of climate variability and extremities on agriculture in Africa have been widely reported. This calls for adaptive strategies in farming so as to reduce vulnerability and ensure food security. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the awareness of farmers to climate variability and their adaptation strategies in four selected farm settlements in Oyo State, Nigeria. . Structured questionnaires were administered to 120 farmers using a stratified random sampling method. The results showed very high awareness of climate variability among the farmers. However, majority of the farmers acquired their land by lease, while local farm tools are still used by most of the farmers. Sole cropping, mixed cropping and crop rotation were mostly practiced by the farmers. The farmers reported prevalence of crops pests and diseases, flooding, disappearance of bi-modal rainfall, increased temperature and drought in their farmlands, leading to increase in poverty, higher production costs and poor crop harvests as evidences of harsh climatic conditions. Adaptation strategies used by the farmers were changing planting dates, planting new varieties, intercropping and alternative income generating activities. The farmers are encouraged to acquire more efficient farming system and equipment, while they should strongly consider other adaptation strategies such as agricultural insurance, agroforestry, water conservation methods, soil conservation farming, irrigation farming, organic farming and mechanized farming. Furthermore, land tenure policy that could constrain the farmers should be reviewed, while they should be given proper training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethno-gynaecology is an important field of study relevant to women's reproductive health care. Within the Ido communities in lesser Ibadan, traditional remedies are integral part of the cultural and religious life of the people who are mainly of Yoruba origin. This study reports the phytotherapy information for the treatment of gynecological disorder among women in Ido local government in Ibadan. The structured questionnaires were used to gather information in these local governments, while descriptive analysis was used for data analysis. The villages depend on the herbal medicines for healing of various gynaecological disorders. Nine species(Gossypium arboretum, Heinsia crinita, Ficus carica, Nicotiana tobacum, Datura metel, Triclisia subcordata, Allium sativum, sorghum bicolor, Casia tora, Perquentina nigrescens and carica papaya) were identified for the healing of gynaecological disorders among women. The local names, binomial names, parts used and method of administration were documented. This investigation indicates that 60% of the people used leaves to cure while majority of people used tincture (40%), and Decoction (26.7%). A wide spectra of herbal traditional remedies are available to regulate the menstrual cycle, enhance fertility and as either abortifacients or anti-abortifacients. Further studies were suggested to validate the claims and herbal drug development for treatment of such disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted from June to September, 2010 to assess the impact of different mulch materials on the incidence and severity of okra mosaic virus (OMV) in okra cv. 'LD 88-1' in Ibadan, Nigeria. The overall effects of the different mulches were assessed on the incidence and severity of OMV and the resultant effect on the number of pods and pod biomass. The mulches assessed in the field experiment were Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves, Eugenia uniflora (pitanga) leaves, Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) leaves, Panicum clippings and black plastic polythene. Positive and negative controls included hoe-weeded and unweeded plots, respectively. Results indicated that at 5 weeks after sowing (WAS), there was no significant difference in the OMV incidence on plants mulched with A. indica, E. uniflora and T. catappa with values ranging from 11.91 to 15.48% while a low virus incidence of 0.5% was recorded for the plastic mulched plants. The mean virus disease severity ranged from 0.7 to 4.0 on a scale of 1-4 scoring system with plastic mulched plants showing little or no symptom of OMV at 5 WAS. However, the plants on the unweeded plots were stunted with deformed fruits. Similar trend was observed at 7 WAS with plastic mulched plot having the least incidence and severity score while the unweeded plot has the highest OMV incidence and severity. Of all the mulch materials, plots mulched with Panicum produced the least yield values while plastic mulch induced the highest yield on the okra plants. Comparing the mean number of pods of weeded and unweeded control plots; the weeded plot produced average value of 23.0±0.1 pods/plant while the unweeded plot produced average of 12.0±0.15 pods/plant. The results obtained showed that mulches especially plastic are effective in controling okra mosaic virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted from June to September, 2010 to assess the impact of different mulch materials on the incidence and severity of okra mosaic virus (OMV) in okra cv. 'LD 88-1' in Ibadan, Nigeria. The overall effects of the different mulches were assessed on the incidence and severity of OMV and the resultant effect on the number of pods and pod biomass. The mulches assessed in the field experiment were Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves, Eugenia uniflora (pitanga) leaves, Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) leaves, Panicum clippings and black plastic polythene. Positive and negative controls included hoe-weeded and unweeded plots, respectively. Results indicated that at 5 weeks after sowing (WAS), there was no signifi cant difference in the OMV incidence on plants mulched with A. indica, E. uniflora and T. catappa with values ranging from 11.91 to 15.48% while a low virus incidence of 0.5% was recorded for the plastic mulched plants. The mean virus disease severity ranged from 0.7 to 4.0 on a scale of 1-4 scoring system with plastic mulched plants showing little or no symptom of OMV at 5 WAS. However, the plants on the unweeded plots were stunted with deformed fruits. Similar trend was observed at 7 WAS with plastic mulched plot having the least incidence and severity score while the unweeded plot has the highest OMV incidence and severity. Of all the mulch materials, plots mulched with Panicum produced the least yield values while plastic mulch induced the highest yield on the okra plants. Comparing the mean number of pods of weeded and unweeded control plots; the weeded plot produced average value of 23.0±0.1 pods/plant while the unweeded plot produced average of 12.0±0.15 pods/plant. The results obtained showed that mulches especially plastic are effective in controling okra mosaic virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: This study investigates the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Sesamum indicum (EES), vitamin C (VC), and EES + VC in promoting fertility and finding a possible link between their profertility effects and their antioxidant activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult male Wistar rats [Body weight (BW) 186.56 ± 0.465 g] were randomly analyzed into four groups of ten rats each: Control, EESG (EES only), VCG (vitamin C only), and EES + VCG (EES in conjunction with vitamin C). Control was given 5 ml/kg BW/day of normal saline orally; EESG was administered 0.3 g/kg BW/day of EES; VCG was administered 15 mg/kg BW/ day of VC; while EES + VCG was administered both 0.3 g/kg BW/day of EES and 15 mg/kg BW/day of VC. All treatments were for 10 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Independent-sample T test was used to analyze the obtained results. RESULTS: The results obtained showed that EES, VC, and more importantly EES + VC are capable of significantly increasing BW gain, seminal parameters, testosterone level, and body antioxidant activities. CONCLUSIONS: These findings lead to the conclusion that EES + VC as well as ESS and VC promote fertility due to both their testosterone-increasing effects and their antioxidant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Nigeria envisions transition from finite fossil energy requirements to a safer, sustainable, and renewable alternative, local palm kernel oil is investigated as an alternative source of diesel fuel through potassium hydroxide catalyzed transesterification with ethanol. Three replicated experimental runs were conducted at 30°C, 37.5°C, 45°C, 52.5°C, 60°C, 65°C, and 70°C under reaction conditions of 100 g palm kernel oil, 1.0% potassium hydroxide, 20% ethanol (wt% palm kernel oil) and 90 min reaction time. Results show some palm kernel oil biodiesel properties to be within standard fuel specifications, while average palm kernel oil biodiesel yields of 59.0%, 69.0%, 77.4%, 87.5%, 95.4%, 95.4%, and 94.4% were obtained for the respective reaction temperatures. Optimal palm kernel oil biodiesel yield occurred at 60°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gari and eba, forms of cassava semolina, are mainly consumed in Nigeria and other West African countries. This study aimed to define the critical quality traits of gari and eba, to measure their heritability, to define medium and high throughput instrumental methods for use by breeders, and to link the traits with consumer preferences. The definition of a food product's profiles, including its biophysical, sensory, and textural qualities, and the identification of the characteristics that determine its acceptability, are important if new genotypes are to be adopted successfully., Results: Eighty cassava genotypes and varieties (three different sets) from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research farm were used for the study. Participatory processing and consumer testing data on different types of gari and eba products were integrated to prioritize the traits preferred by processors and consumers. The color, sensory, and instrumental textural properties of these products were determined using standard analytical methods, and standard operating protocols (SOPs) developed by the RTBfoods project (Breeding Roots, Tubers, and Banana Products for End-user Preferences, https://rtbfoods.cirad.fr). There were significant (P < 0.05) correlations between instrumental hardness and sensory hardness and between adhesiveness and sensory moldability. Principal component analysis showed broad discrimination amongst the cassava genotypes and the association of the genotypes concerning the color and textural properties., Conclusions: The color properties of gari and eba, together with instrumental measures of hardness and cohesiveness, are important quantitative discriminants of cassava genotypes. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Oxidative stress (OS) has been linked to blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction which in turn has been implicated in the initiation and propagation of some neurological diseases. In this study, we profiled, for the first time, two endothelioma cell lines of mouse brain origin, commonly used as in vitro models of the blood-brain barrier, for their resistance against oxidative stress using viability measures and glutathione contents as markers. OS was induced by exposing cultured cells to varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and fluorescence microscopy/spectrometry was used to detect and estimate cellular glutathione contents. A colorimetric viability assay was used to determine changes in the viability of OS-exposed cells. Both the b.End5 and bEnd.3 cell lines investigated showed demonstrable content of glutathione with a statistically insignificant difference in glutathione quantity per unit cell, but with a statistically significant higher capacity for the b.End5 cell line for de novo glutathione synthesis. Furthermore, the b.End5 cells demonstrated greater oxidant buffering capacity to higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than the bEnd.3 cells. We concluded that mouse brain endothelial cells, derived from different types of cell lines, differ enormously in their antioxidant characteristics. We hereby recommend caution in making comparisons across BBB models utilizing distinctly different cell lines and require further prerequisites to ensure that in vitro BBB models involving these cell lines are reliable and reproducible., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.