International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Traditional knowledge of edible plants among the Temuan villagers in Kampung Guntor, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

H. C. Ong, P. F. J. Mojiun and P. Milow*

Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Accepted 07 November, 2019

Abstract

A total of 62 species of edible plants were reported to be used by the villagers in Kampung Guntor. The edible parts were obtained from 17 species of wild plants, 23 species of cultivated plants and 22 species of plants that exist as both wild and planted. More species (26) were eaten cooked compared to the raw species (17). Fruits and seeds were the most common parts used with a total of 38 species followed by the leafy parts with 15 species. It is important not only to record such traditional knowledge and conduct further studies but also to take steps to conserve the genetic diversity of edible plants before they are lost to humankind forever. The knowledge, as well as usage, of certain edible plants is on the decrease due to various factors such as changes in culture, personal preferences, the tedious process of preparing certain food items, and the changes in habitat, thereby causing certain edible plants to be unavailable or less available.

Key words: Temuan, traditional knowledge, edible plants.

Key words: Protein, energy, gilts, quality of stern.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Combining ability studies amongst AREX and CIMMYT maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines under stress and non stress conditions

Xavier Mhike¹*, Davies M. Lungu¹ and Bindi Vivek²

¹Crop Science Department, University of Zambia, Zambia.

²Maize Breeder CIMMYT Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.

Accepted 22 November, 2019

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the staple food crop in Zimbabwe with a per capita consumption of 93 kg. It is grown in a wide range of environments with 80% being produced by the smallholder farmers who occupying more than 90% of the marginal areas of the country. Marginal area production has seen a high hybrid turnover on the market hence the need to develop hybrids with stable yields under diverse environments. National program use of inbred lines as testers has had shortcomings in the early identification of good inbred lines, resulting in slow variety development, poor commercial seed production and eventual variety release for farmer use. The objectives of this study were to develop single cross hybrid testers among AREX and CIMMYT lines as well as determine the heterotic relationship among the two sets of inbred lines. In the study, testcross development was done using 10 elite inbred lines each from AREX and CIMMYT programs. Using North Carolina Design II the resultant 100 hybrids were evaluated under optimum and stress (low N and drought) environments. Alpha (0,1) lattice design was used in the evaluation process with traits such as flowering dates, standability, disease scores, plant heights and grain weight being recorded. An across site analysis was done and results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) for environments, genotypes and genotype x environment interactions. Significant general combining ability (GCA) effects for all the traits (P<0.05) measured except for plant heights and stem lodging were observed, with five lines being identified as having good (positive) GCA effects for grain yield. Non additive genes were also predominant in most traits except for anthesis dates, anthesis silking interval and ear heights. A total of 39 testcrosses were also assigned heterotic groups basing on the N and SC heterotic groups. Tester identification was based on good GCA for grain yield, stability under diverse environments and maturity of genotype. In the N heterotic group, genotype LT52 (NAW5885/CMML442) was identified as a potential single cross tester in the intermediate maturity group while in the SC heterotic group genotype LT26 (SC5522/ZM621A-BBBB) was identified as another intermediate maturity group tester. In the early maturing category the only possible candidate identified was LT99 (RS61P/CML508) which is in the SC heterotic group. The study also showed that there were heterotic group overlaps of the N and SC groups in relation to CIMMYT’s A and B heterotic groups as some genotype combinations had to be assigned new heterotic groups or had their group unidentified resulting in the need for further evaluation.

Key words: Zea mays, inbred lines, combining ability, heterotic groups, AREX, CIMMYT.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria associated with frozen mackerel fish (Scomber scombrus) in a humid tropical environment

Eze, E. I.¹, Echezona, B. C.¹* and Uzodinma, E. C.²

¹Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

²Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 October, 2019

Abstract

Aquaculture products can harbour pathogenic bacteria, which are part of the natural micro-flora of the environment. An in-vitro assay was carried out to ascertain and identify major bacterial contaminants of frozen fish, which hitherto had constituted an important dietary intake of the people of Nsukka, Nigeria. Fish samples collected were identified and bacterial load of the samples determined using agar plate method. Differentiations and characterizations of various isolates were based on biochemical reactions and gram-staining technique. Frozen mackerel fish (Scomber scombrus) was used for the study. In-vitro assay result revealed that the samples were predominantly contaminated by three bacteria species viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum. Incidences of the various isolates in the culture were found to be 60, 20 and 15%, respectively. The mean bacteria load of the isolates was 1.135 x 10⁶ CFU g^-1. This value was found to be markedly higher than the recommended public health and safety standard value of between 5.0 x 10⁵ CFU g^-1, approved by Nigerian National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Key words: Isolation, identification, pathogenic bacteria, Scomber scombrus.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 10 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Public health implications of wildlife associated tsetse flies in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

W. A. Ajibade* and S. A. Agbede

Department of Veterinary and Public Health, Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 October, 2019

Abstract

A survey of tsetse flies was carried out at the two sectors of Kainji Lake National Park. Gourtex fly traps, the drum shaped and biconical-shaped, were used. The traps were set adjacently at the same location. Four traps were set in each vegetation zone. At Bourgu Sector 20 traps were set, while 24 were set at Zurgurma sector. Cattle and Pig urine (Mixture) were used as attractant. The traps were set in the mornings and harvested in the evenings. Harvests were reserved in 4% formalin and identified later in the laboratory under microscrope. Three species of tsetse flies were identified. These include: Glossina morsitans, Glossina palpalis and Glossina tachnoides. They belong to the family Glosidae, the class insect (hexapoda) and order Diptera and genus Glosina. G. morsitans were found all over the wooded vegetation zones while G. palpalis and G. tachnoides were restricted to the Oli complex and the riverine vegetation zones at Borgu sector. At Zugurma sector, G. tachnoides was restricted to the riverine forests of River Nuwanzurugi. The reason for these findings is that morsitans group mostly live in open savanna while the palpali, which include G. palpalis and G. tachnoides inhabit the riverine area. The two types of traps, the biconical shaped traps and drum shaped, were equally efficient in catching flies (p ≤ 0.05) using one tailed t-test.

Key words:Tsetse flies, Tsetse traps, attractant, Glossina morsitans, Glossina palpalis, Glossin tachnoides.

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 10 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Reaction of some maize (Zea mays l.) varieties to infestation with root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita under field conditions

Ayodele Adesina Adegbite

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P. M. B. 5029, Moor- Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

Accepted 09 April, 2020

Abstract

Field trials were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to investigate the reaction of 13 varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) to natural infestation of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria under field conditions. Used maize varieties were ART/98/SW6-0B, BR-9928 DMR, BR-9943 DMR, DMR-ESR-White, DMR-ESR-Yellow, DMR-LSR-White, DMR-LSR-Yellow, ILE-1-OB, Obatampa, Suwan-1-SR, TZSR-Y-1, TZPB-SRW and Western Yellow. They were obtained from IAR&T, IITA, Ibadan and Ghana. Ten weeks after planting, 15 randomly selected plants per variety were assessed for root galling. Data were also collected on plant height, ear height, stem girth, days to 50% silking, days to maturity and yield (kg/ha). According to study results, gall index and nematode reproduction factor varied significantly among the maize varieties; ART98 SW6-OB recorded the tallest height of 200 and 195 cm respectively in 2008 and 2009 while the least (170 cm) was recorded for TZPB-SRW in the two cropping seasons. Stem girth ranged from 6.3 to 5.0 cm in 2008 and 6.2 to 4.9 cm in 2009. Ear height ranged from 72.5 to 65.5 cm in 2008 and from 70.5 to 64.5 cm in 2009. Days to 50% silking ranged from 60 to 48 in 2008 and ranged 59 to 48 in 2009. Days to maturity ranged from 120 to 70 days in the two cropping seasons. Grain yields ranged from 3650 to 2025 kg/ha in 2008 and ranged from 4125 to 2625 kg/ha in 2009. Based on gall index ratings, ART98SW6-OB and ILE1-OB were resistant to M. incognita, BR-9928 DMR, BR-9943 DMR, DMR-ESR-W and DMR-ESR-Y, totally 4 varieties, were found as tolerant, DMR-LSR-W and DMR-LSR-Y varieties were found as hypersusceptible while Obatampa, Suwan 1-SR, TZSR-Y-1, TZPB-SRW and Western Yellow were found as susceptible to M. incognita.

Key words: Field conditions, maize (Zea mays L.), Meloidogyne incognita, resistance, screening.