Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 1 (2), pp. 001-005, January, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Entomopathogenic fungi in population of Zonocerus variegatus (l) in Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria

S.A. BALOGUN¹* and O.E. FAGADE²

¹Environmental Unit, Department of Microbiology, Adekunle Ajasin University PMB 001 Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria.

²Environmental and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 November, 2011

Abstract

Field survey of population of Zonocerus variegatus revealed a high fungal incidence of 76% when Sporulation tests were carried out on grasshoppers cadaver. Eight fungi with differing incidence rates were isolated. These are Fusarium sp. (8%); Beauveria bassiana (18%); Metarhizium sp. (20%); Aspergillus flavus (10%); Penicillium sp. (13%) Aspergillus niger (14%); Mucor sp. (13%) and unidentified fungus (4%). Fungal isolates virulence bioassay response showed that B. bassiana had the highest lethal time (LT₅₀) of 2 days. Metarhizium sp with LT₅₀ of 5 days was selected in lieu of A. niger which does not prove to be pathogenic to grasshoppers. The results were discussed in relation to the ecology of fungal pathogens of the variegated grasshopper and their possible role in control of Z. variegatus in the agroecosystem of south west, Nigeria.

Key words: Fungal ecology, entomopathogenic fungi, Zonocerus variegatus infection incidence.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-003, January, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Control of Meloidogyne incognita (kofoid and white) chitwood (root-knot nematode) of Lycopersicon esculentus (tomato) using cowdung and urine

Abubakar U., Adamu T.* and Manga S.B.

Department of Biological SciencesUsmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 September, 2011

Abstract

Screenhouse experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of cowdung and urine separately and in combination in the control of root-knot nematode of tomato. Equal quantities of cowdung, urine and their mixture were separately made up to one litre with autoclaved soil. Two weeks old seedlings of tomato raised in autoclaved soil were transplanted into soil manure mixture and inoculated with 1,000 second stage larvae of Meloidogyne incognita race I. Treatments were completely randomized and effects assessed based on plant height, dry weight, extent of galling and the nematode multiplication factor. Results obtained showed that cowdung, urine, and their mixture produced significantly higher result than the untreated control. Similarly, the mixture of urine and cowdung, produced significantly higher results than the separate treatments.

Key words: Meloidogyne incognita, Lycopersicon esculentus, cowdung, urine, tomato.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Callus induction and growth in transgenic potato genotypes

Hakan Turhan

Field Crops Department, Agricultural Faculty, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020, Canakkale, Turkey. E-Mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 October, 2011

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish an effective protocol for callus induction from the potato genotypes (Solanum tuberosum L.) used and to investigate whether the transferred oxalate oxidase enzyme or transformation procedure has any effect on callus induction of transgenic lines of cultivar Desiree and Maris Bard. The results showed that the effects of genotype and medium on measured characters were highly significant. In order to compare overall performance of transgenic lines of each cultivar with their parental cultivars (non-transgenic), orthogonal comparisons were used and indicated the significant differences between transgenic and non-transgenic genotypes. The significant differences between the cultivars and their transgenic lines expressing oxalate oxidase enzyme indicated that the transformation procedure had a significant effect on their callus induction and growth.

Key words: Callus, Oxalate oxidase, solanum tuberosum, transformation.

Key words: Rhodanese, cyanide, sulphur transferase.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sporadic diarrhoea due to Clostridium perfringens in children aged five years and below

M. O. Efuntoye* and A. I. Adetosoye

Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 05 December, 2011

Abstract

In a study to identify the clostridial species associated with sporadic diarrhoea in children aged 5 years and below, clostridia species were isolated from 57 (3%) of 1761 diarrhoeic faecal samples studied. Fifty-one of the clostridial isolates were identified as Clostridium perfringens while the other six isolates were identified as C. bifermentans. Forthy-seven were C. perfringens type A, 4 were C. perfringens type C. Forty- one of C. perfringens type A and 2 of the C. perfringens type C were enterotoxigenic. From this investigation, it was observed that C. perfringens types A and C were involved in cases of sporadic diarrhoea affecting children aged 5 years and below in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Key words: Sporadic diarrhoea, Clostridium perfringens, children.

Frontiers of Agriculture and Food Technology Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative study of storage methods of maize grains in South Western Nigeria

S. A. Olakojo* and T.A. Akinlosotu

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.M.B.5029, Moor Plantation. Ibadan, Nigeria

Accepted 23 September, 2011

Abstract

Laboratory experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of different storage methods of maize grains in Ibadan (a humid tropical ecology) between year 2002 and 2003. The results shows that storage methods (SM), treatment (Tr), SM x Variety (V) and Tr x V interactions were highly significant for numbers of undamaged maize grains (P<0.05). Second order interaction (SM x Tr x V) was highly significant for undamaged maize grains, while first and second order interaction were also highly significant for initial kernel weight, kernel weight loss, remained kernel weight (RKW), percentage weight loss, tolerance level, as well as number of insects pest responsible for the damage.

Key words: Storage method, Remain kernel weight, Tolerance level, storage treatment.