Short- and long-term effects of sparingly soluble phosphates on crop production in two contrasting Nigerian Alfisols

The effectiveness of Sokoto and Ogun rock phosphates (RP) as substitutes for the conventional phosphorus (P) fertilizer sources in the production of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and okra (Hibiscus esculentus) were evaluated using single super-phosphate (SSP) as reference. Their residual effects were also investigated using rice (Oryzae sativa) and soybean (Glysine max). The two experiments were 2 × 2 × 4 factorial combinations with completely randomized design (CRD) involving two crops, two soils, three P-fertilizer sources and a control. The treatment combinations were replicated four times to give a total of 64 pots, each containing 5 kg of either a slightly acid (pH 6.3) alfisol (Typic Paleudalf) A, from Abeokuta (rainforest ecological zone) or a medium acid (pH 5.9) alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) B, from Zaria (southern Guinea savanna zone). The soils represent a wide range of Nigerian soils with medium to low P-availability and cultivated to various food and economic crops. The rock phosphates (particularly SRP) were more efficient than SSP in soil A but had less than 50% relative agronomic efficiency (RAE) in soil B, especially when tomato was the test crop. They also had higher RAE in soil A than in soil B when okra was grown, though the efficiency was not as high as that of the reference fertilizer. In the slightly acid alfisol (A), ORP was less efficient than SRP whereas it had 47.8% RAE compared with 34.9% RAE for SRP in the medium acid soil. In the second cropping, the soil from the rainforest zone still produced greater biomass than soil B while soybean gave more biomass than rice. The results confirmed that, apart from crop species to be grown, organic matter and clay contents as well as pH of soils should be considered for efficient utilization of the sparingly soluble phosphates for both short- and long- term effects in crop production

Effects of strip intercropping and insecticide spray on the performance of cowpea (<i>Vigna Unguiculata</i>) (L.)walp) in a cowpea/maize intercrop

No Abstract

Effect of variety, intercropping and insecticide application on cowpea lamb's tail rot disease (<i>Choanephora cucurbitarium</i>)

No Abstract

On-Farm evaluation of interspecific rice hybrids for stable performance on fertilizer and no fertilizer environments

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 19 2005: pp. 34-4

Physico-chemical properties of early and medium maturing upland Nigerian rice varieties

The physico-chemical properties of early and medium maturing rice varieties were investigated. Protein values ranged from 7.5-8%: 7.54-7.65%; with amylose content of 22-24%: 22.64-24% for early maturing and for medium maturing rice varieties respectively. All the varieties were of medium soft gel consistency (63-78mm). Optimum cooking time (OT) for the samples varied between 22 and 28 minutes. Apparent water absorption at 96°C varied between 1.9-2.3 g/g. The degree of parboiling varied between 67-77%. There were significant differences (

Oil palm growth, yield and financial returns from interplanted food crops

Maize, soyabean and pigeon pea were inter-planted with a juvenile oil palm plantation in 1999-2002 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (7°15'N, 3°25', altitude 144m above sea level) to evaluate the growth of the interplanted oil palm as well as yield and overall economic returns from the inter-planted food crops. The treatments were: oil palm/maize/soyabean/pigeon pea, oil palm/maize/pigeon pea, oil palm/maize/soyabean and oil palm/maize grown with or without 125kg ha-I of a compound fertilizer N: P: K (20:10:10). Intercropping of oil palm with food crops had no significant effect on the plant height and canopy width of the oil palm, but significantly (

Peri-Urban Dairy Production In Ogun State

Peri-urban dairy production was assessed in sixty-nine settlements from five Local Government Areas of Ogun State. Majority of the household heads were Fulani from Kwara State. The mean herd size was 12 while thepredominant breeds were the Bunaji and Keteku. Calves suckle their dams until weaning at an average of 8.3 months. Estimates of extractable milk from each cow ranged from 227 to 816 litres per lactation. About 85.2% of the extractable milk is processed into wet soft cheese (Wara). Trypanosomiasis and diarrhoea were the commonly reported disease problems. Improved feeding and health management of cattle would improve the current level of milk production in Ogun State.Keywords: Peri-urban, milk, cattl