The termicidal effect of some plant material on some selected wood species

The resistance of some wood species treated with plant extracts against termite attack was  investigated in this study. Three wood species were used for the study (Ceiba petandra (Araba), Gmelina arborea and Triplochiton scleroxylon (obeche)) they were treated with five different plant extract (Allium sativum extract, Datura stamonium extract, Jatropha curcus oil, Musa acuminata sucker extracts and the Chrysophyllum albidum extract). The treated wood samples were exposed to termite infestation for a period of 12 weeks at the timber grave yard. Before exposure, the wood samples were oven dried for 24 hours at 105 °C, cold soaked for 24 hours and condition for 72 hours. The visual observations of the wood were recorded bi-weekly for 12 weeks. All the plant extracts were in 100% concentration except D. stramonium which had a concentration of 0.058%. The result showed that C. petandra had the highest mean percentage absorption for D. stramonium water extracts with 89.06% follow by M. acuminata extract with 58%, while C. albidum extracts had the least absorption. The weight loss was significantly lower in G. arborea wood. It was observed that D. stramonium water extracts and J. curcas were found effective for wood preservation in other to elongate the life span of wood material.Keywords: Allium sativum, Datura stamonium, Jatropha curcus, infestation, extracts

Evaluation of chemical and antinutritional characteristics of obeche (Triplochition scleroxylon) and some mulberry (Morus alba) leaves

The chemical composition and antinutritional contents of some selected varieties of white mulberry leaves and obeche leaves were investigated. Three varieties of mulberry leaves (S36, S54 and K2) were harvestedfrom Ondo State sericulture centre while obeche leaves were harvested from Aponmu Forest Reserve located in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, for analysis. Proximate composition, minerals and antinutritionalcontents were determined on dry matter basis for the samples. The percentage of crude protein in all the samples were significantly high (P≤0.05) with 34.31, 21.66%, 21.55% and 21.24% in obeche, S36, S54 and K2 respectively. Similarly, crude fibre follow the same trend with 20.73%, 13.70, 10.81%, 13.70% and 8.74% respectively, while the percentage water content were 73.70% 79.35%, 72.16% and 76.00%, in obeche, S36, S54 and K2 respectively. The results further show that the samples contain zinc in the range of 34.4 - 57.5 mg/kg, sodium 1069 – 1526 mg/kg, manganese 14.83 – 24.37 mg/kg, calcium 944 – 1467 mg/kg, potassium 1684 – 2170 mg/kg, iron 129.70 – 238.00 mg/kg, and magnesium 1450 – 2196 mg/kg. Phytate is significantly higher(P≤0.05) in obeche than other treatments. Likewise, cyanide and tannin were significantly higher (P≤0.05) in S36 than other treatments (obeche, K2 and S34). However, these antinutrients (phytate, cyanide and tannin) were much lower than the permitted values in fruits and any other food items. The result of the chemical analysis showed that all the selected mulberry varieties and obeche leaves contained adequate level of food nutrients required for normal body functioning.Keywords: mulberry leaves, nutritional characteristics, obeche leaves, Proximate composition

EFFECT OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF MULBERRY LEAF

The influence of Leucaena leucocephala, pig dung and NPK fertilizer application on the growth (girth and height), total yield, coppice potential as well as nutritional composition of mulberry leaf was examined. The treatment were replicated four times in completely randomized design. There were significant (p£0.05) differences on the height, girth, yield potential and fat content of mulberry plant while there were no significant (p³0.05) differences in girth, moisture content, Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, crude protein and dry matter of mulberry leaves Key Words : Leucaena leucocephala, pig dung, mulberry, and silkworm. Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003:106-10