Effects of pharmaceutical effluents on germination, growth and development of Amaranthus hybridus L

The growth and development of Amaranthus hybridus polluted with pharmaceutical effluents were studied. Preliminary experiments were carried out in the Laboratory and Screen house with Paracetamol (P) and Amoxicillin (B) effluents. Distilled water served as the control. Media utilized for the main experiment was remediated with poultry manure and compost from Delonix regia leaves. Results from the preliminary experiments in the laboratory showed that seedlings germinated on effluent P had significantly (p < 0.05) higher shoot length, root length and percentage germination. Results from screen house experiments showed yellowed, stunted seedlings for the polluted treatments at week 3; control had significantly (p < 0.05) the highest leaf area, shoot and root lengths. Seedlings grown on effluent P had the lowest growth parameters. In the experiment with remediated soil, both polluted and unpolluted plants showed morphological similarities. T3 (Soil + Poultry manure + effluent B) recorded the highest mean fresh weight of leaves, stem and root at week 7. T2 (Soil + Poultry + effluent P) recorded the highest mean leaf area, plant height, stem girth and root circumference at week 10. A. hybridus adapted to and utilized pharmaceutical pollutants better while under natural attenuation (outdoor, with access to unsterilized soil and direct sunlight). These findings suggest caution in the use of effluents in agricultural practices

Determination of Swelling and Dimensional Stability of Some Nigerian Timber Species

Aim: The absorption of moisture and dimensional distortion are the major shortcomings of wood utilization as building and furniture materials. This study was aimed at determining the moisture content, swelling ability and dimension stability of five selected timber species.&#x0D; Methods: The samples were collected with the help of the Forest Ranger from the Forestry Department of Enugu State, Nigeria, attached to the Nsukka timber market. The wood samples were evaluated for moisture content change, shrinkage or swelling (%) coefficient, amount of swelling and dimensional change.&#x0D; Results: The change in moisture content across the five species was in the order of Gmelina aborea &lt; Milicia excels &lt; Daniellia oliveri &lt; Alstonia bonnie &lt; Antiaris toxicaria. At 12hrs, Gmelina aborea recorded significantly (P &lt; 0.05) the highest dimension change (46 ± 0.70%) in the radial dimension (direction) as compared to the other species except for Antiaris toxicaria. The swelling coefficient and the amount of swelling were observed to have a strong positive correlation with the dimensional change in the sampled wood.&#x0D; Conclusion: The lower swelling coefficient and the amount of swelling observed in Milicia excels among the five timber species, make it a more suitable species for industrial use.</jats:p