International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Rainwater Harvesting for Sustainable Watermelon Cultivation in Sahelian Sandy Soils

D. Fatondji, D. Pasternak and L. Woltering*

ICRISAT Niamey, P.O. Box 12404, Niamey Niger

Accepted 4 November, 2025

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thumb) Matsun and Nakai ] is an important cash crop in West Africa where it is cultivated under rainfed conditions. The objective of this work was to identify best cultural practices for production of watermelons in the Sahel on stored rainwater in acid sandy soils. The experiments were carried out at the ICRISAT Sadore research center in Niger during two consecutive dry seasons, 2003 - 2004 and 2004 - 2005. Three soil management treatments were applied: micro- catchments (also called half-moons), planting pits (also called zaï) and sowing on flat land. Each of these three treatments came with and without a soil amendment comprising of 500 g of manure mixed with 24 g of a complete (NPK) fertilizer (15-15-15) individually applied to each planting hill. Two watermelon cultivars were tested: ‘Malali’ and ‘Kaolack’. In each of the two years the experiments were sown on the 1st and on the 21st of September. Fruit and biomass yield, fruit Total Soluble Solids (TSS), days to fruiting and harvesting were determined. Soil fertility, root development and other physiological parameters were monitored to explain some of the differences between treatments. Soil amendments increased marketable yields from 1.3 to 3.5 tons ha-1 on average. Marketable yields at the first planting date were double the yields of the second planting date (3.2 vs. 1.6 tons ha-1). Yield differences were due to changes in fruit number not in fruit weight. Deep placement of soil amendments resulted in significant root development in deeper soil layers. Highest watermelon yields were achieved when sowing the Malali cultivar in amended planting pits on September 1st giving a yield of 8.2 tons ha-1.

Key words: Citrullus lanatus, Malali, Kaolack, Zaï, planting pits, half moons, stored water, root development, Sahel.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation of Normal and Abnormal Chrysophyllum albidum Seedlings for Sustainable Taxon Management

J. E. Ehiagbonare¹*, H. I. Onyibe² and E. E. Okoegwale²

¹Department Biological Sciences, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.
²Department of Botany, Abrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 8 December, 2025

The authors’ field trip revealed that the local populace attempted to plant Chrysophyllum albidum seeds but met with severe limitation. In the light of the above a study was designed to determine the optimum seed germination medium, normality and abnormality of seedlings. Of all the growth media used, 4 parts topsoil (4PTS) + 4 parts farm yard manure (4PFYM) had the best result. A mean seed germination value of 83% was obtained. Biomass accumulation was also highest in the medium of (4PTS + 4PFYM) from which mean fresh weight of 1.7 and 0.98 g dry weight were obtained respectively. Abnormality of seedlings was detected. It was such that the seed coat attached to the cotyledon and could not be removed without damage to the tender shoot. The study concluded that farmers generally sowed seeds directly, though the seeds may be viable and could germinate, most of the plantings failed due to seedling abnormality. Seedlings of C. albidum be raised in a tree nursery in a growth medium of 4PTS + 4PF YM, where the seedlings can easily be assessed. The abnormal seedlings should be identified, thinned our and well discarded. This will ensure successful forest plantation of C. albidum that can guarantee good returns on investment.

Key words: Normal, abnormal, sustainable management, Chrysophyllum albidum.

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating the Hair Regrowth Potential of Botanical Ethanol Extracts Using Cellular and Mouse Models

Bo Huang1, Bueom-Goo Kang2, Zhiqiang Wang2,4 and Soon Sung Lim2,3,4*

1College of Food Science and Engineering, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China.
2Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do,
200-702, Republic of Korea.
3Institute of Natural Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 200-702, Republic of Korea.

4Institute of Korean Nutrition, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 200-702, Republic of Korea.

Received 7 January, 2024; Accepted 16 November, 2024

This study determined the effect of 30% ethanol extract of plant mixture (EPM: Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Angelica gigas, Acorus calamus, Cnidium officinale, Panax ginseng, Camellia sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Zanthoxylum schinifolium, Carthamus tinctorius, Prunus persica and Scrophularia buergeriana) on promotion of hair growth in human hair dermal papilla cells and C57BL/6J mice. EPM significantly increased the proliferation of human hair dermal papilla cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). EPM also enhanced mRNA and protein levels of growth factors such as IGF-1, VEGF, KGF and HGF. Moreover, photographical and histological observation showed that application of EPM resulted in the early onset and prolongation of the anagen phase of the hair cycle. In addition, the EPM was revealed to possess potent inhibitory effect on the 5α-reductase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that EPM has hair growth promoting potential and can be used for hair growing products.

Key words: Hair growth, extract of plant mixture, growth factors, steroid 5α-reductase.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating Bioremediation Potential of Pleurotus tuber-regium Against Diverse Crude Oil Fractions in Soil Environments

Erute Magdalene Ogbo1* and John Ariyo Okhuoya2

1Department of Botany, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
2Department of Botany, University of Benin, Benin City Nigeria

Accepted 19 March, 2025

The use of chemical fertilizer and animal manure on crude oil reduction during biodegradation with Pleurotus tuber-regium was investigated. The co-substrates and inocula types used for the investigation were shredded banana leaf blades and sawdust of Albezia and sclerotium and spawn of the fungus, respectively. The reduction of total petroleum hydrocarbons was higher in treatments with a combination of fertilizers and co-substrates. Degradation of total petroleum content was higher in poultry litter treatment than the NPK treatments. The degradation of aliphatics in substrates with co-substrates was higher than those without co-substrates. Reduction of aromatics was appreciable in all treatments with the least been ImageImage40% in banana leaf blades + contaminated soil and contaminated soil only substrates. Degradation of resins was higher in contaminated soils with co-substrates only than those with fertilizers + co-substrates. The reduction of asphaltenes was low and some substrates instead of a decrease, recorded increase in the asphaltic fraction. Phytoasssessment tests show that the addition of poultry litter and sawdust and banana leaf blades to fungal remediation restored the contaminated soil. The addition of NPK to crude oil contaminated soil in the presence of P. tuber-regium affected the soil negatively as it could not support plant growth anymore. P. tuber-regium is better able to remove hydrocarbons from soil with the aid of poultry litter and co-substrates.

Key words: Biodegradation, petroleum hydrocarbons, co-substrates, phyto-assessment, fertilizers.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological Restoration of Pentaclethra macrophylla: A Study on Regeneration Dynamics

J. E. Ehiagbonare1* and H. I. Onyibe2

1Department of Biological Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Botany, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 19 March, 2025

To provide a basis for sustainable management of a multipurpose tropical plant – Pentaclethra macrophylla, a study was carried out to determine the optimum method(s) of seed germination and seedling growth. Of all the methods evaluated in the seed germination studies the optimum method was soaking seeds in tap water for 10 days with daily replacement of water. This yielded mean value of 86.30% germination at 4 weeks while the control had 10.00% germination for the same period. A comparative method was soaking seeds in coconut milk which yielded mean value of 60% seed germination at 42 days after sowing in light condition and 30% germination in dark. The control had 20% germination in light and 10% germination in dark. The stem cuttings treated with 2% IBA rooted and mean value of 50% rooting was observed while the untreated cuttings had 35% rooting. The optimum growth medium was 1 part sand to 5 parts topsoil rich in organic manure. At 12 weeks the mean value of seedlings growth in 1 part sand to 5 parts topsoil had a total height of 36.91 cm, number of leaves 25.05, root length 10.01 cm and shoot length 26.0 cm. There was no seedling abnormality. The study concluded that P. mycrophylla can be regenerated thus providing basis for its sustainable management.

Key words: Pentaclethra mycrophylla, seed germination, seedling growth, growth media, sustainable forest management.
 

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 2756-3847 Vol. 12 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Analyzing the Key Drivers of Productivity Among Smallholder Cocoyam Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

B. C. Okoye1*, C. E. Onyenweaku2, O. O. Ukoha2, G. N. Asumugha1 and O. C. Aniedu1

1National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
2Department of Agricultural Economics, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 November, 2024

This study used the log linear model derived from the Cobb-Douglas functional form for explaining labour productivity of small holder cocoyam farmers in Anambra State. The study data were collected through a multi-stage random sampling technique from 120 farmers using the cost -route approach in 2005. The study found fertilizer, cocoyam setts, capital and farmer experience to be positively and significantly related to labour productivity at 5% level. Farm size and household size had a negative relationship with labour productivity and significant at 5% level. The coefficients for manure and education were negative but not significant. The results calls for policies aimed at increasing planting materials, fertilizer, capital inputs, encouraging experienced farmers to remain in production, birth control measures and access to productive resources to small scale cocoyam enterprises.

Key words: Labour productivity, log-linear model, Anambra State.