Table of Contents

Effects of the Aqueous Seed Extract of Heliathus Annuus L on Some Biochemical Indices of Prostate Pathologies in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Saleh, B.G, & Carol C.D                                                                                                           1-21

Implications of Macro-Economic Variables for National Food Security in Nigeria

Osuji, E. E, Okwara, M. O., Eze, E. U., & Tim-Ashama, A.                                                        22-38

Determining the Moisture Content of the Soil Using (Tme 419) Variety of Manihot Esculenta Under (2014) The Federal Government Transformation Agenda@Evwode Ovia North East Lga, Edo State. Nigeria.

Brai M.A, Ehiomogue P, Eriakha E.C.                                                                                       39-45

The Environmental Impact of Oil Spill Pollution in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Yusuf I., Gambon., Sule G.Tabita., Ibrahim. B. Binta.                                                                46-57

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen Sources on Soil Properties and Maize Seedling Nitrogen Uptake

B. L. Abdulrahman, M. U. Dawaki, & I, Muhammad.                                                               58-73

EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC NITROGEN SOURCES ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND MAIZE SEEDLING NITROGEN UPTAKE

B. L. Abdulrahman*, M. U. Dawaki, & I, Muhammad.

Department of Soil Science

Bayero University, Kano State

Email: balawan.ssc@buk.edu.ng, bassam.al98@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Most Researchers have shown that organic manures are a panacea for soil fertility management in the dry savanna of Nigeria. An experiment was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano in May, 2015. Two maize varieties (2009 EVDT and 2009 TZEEW) were evaluated alongside three organic N sources (cow manure, poultry manure and sheep manure) with an inorganic N source (urea). The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design and replicated three times the experiment was conducted in experimental pots of equal height and diameter. From the result it was observed the N sources responded well to plant height at 4 weeks after sowing with the highest plant height observed with poultry manure treatment and the variety 2009 TZEEW(66 cm). There was also a significant effect for leaf chlorophyll content, with poultry manure treatments showing more chlorophyll content (41.9). From the result of the soil analysis,there were no significant difference observed   among the various nitrogen sources for organic carbon, organic matter and cation exchange capacity but treatment with poultry manure shows highest organic carbon (0.95%), organic matter (1.6%) and CEC(10.6cmol(+)kg^-1)), there was no statistical effect for soil physical and chemical properties due to the application of the organic and inorganic N sources. This may be due to the nature of the experimental pots which disrupt the soil natural condition and the slow effect of organic matter application to the soil. The experiment shows that poultry manure as an organic N source compared favorably with urea as an inorganic N source in terms of nutrient release to maize and in improving soil properties.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OIL SPILL POLLUTION

IN NIGER DELTA REGION, NIGERIA

Yusuf I¹., Gambon.², Sule G.Tabita.³, Ibrahim. Binta.⁴

^1&2Department of Chemistry Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua.

^3&4Preliminary Department Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua.

Emails: ibrazuby@yahoo.com, ibratimah74@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially marine areas, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is usually applied to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters, but spills may also occur on land. Oil spills may be due to releases of crude oil from tankers, offshore platforms, drilling rigs and wells, as well as spills of refined petroleum products (such as gasoline and diesel). Oil spills penetrate into the structure of the feathers of birds and the fur of mammals, reducing its insulating ability, and making them more vulnerable. This study described the damages caused by the oil industries in the Niger Delta Region; they resulted in violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, including food and water, violations of the right to gain a living through work and violations of the right to health. Different plants and animal species which are known for long history have now disappeared as a result of crude oil exploration for over 50 years causing ecological damage to the region. The study look at the impact of the oil spills in the following areas (Water, soil fertility, fisheries as well as human health). Impact on soil oil spills reduced soil fertility as well as destroying economic trees and food crops either by completely killing trees or reducing their production yield. Impact on human health, oil spill is associated with a significant increase in the period prevalence for diarrhea, sore eyes, itchy, skin and occupational injuries, shock acute, renal failure, extensive epiderolysis, conjunctivitis, microsites, esophagitis and chemical Pollution on water bodies, the Niger Delta region’s ecosystem as noticed by the Shell Petroleum Development Company has undergone Sensitive changes in water quality such as salinity, PH, and heavy metals. 75% of families in the Niger Delta region rely on fishing in Land Rivers and offshore for income and food to survive, damage to fisheries is widely acknowledged. A study shows six major causes of death diseases in Nigeria (measles, tuberculosis, dysentery, tetanus, malaria and pneumonia) the coastal area forms a zone for these diseases as a result of oil spills.

DETERMINING THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE SOIL USING (TME 419) VARIETY OF MANIHOT ESCULENTA UNDER (2014) THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TRANSFORMATION AGENDA@EVWODE OVIA NORTH EAST LGA, EDO STATE. NIGERIA.

Brai M.A¹, Ehiomogue P², Eriakha E.C.³

¹Department of Sciences National Institute of Construction Technology (NICT), Uromi Edo State

²Department of Agricultural Engineering, Michael Okpara University, Umudike

³Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.

Email: maxcellusng6@gmail.com,

ABSTRACT

The use of mechanized method of cassava cultivation tends to assist in reducing the cost of production and increase plant yield. ( Akande L.O. 2006) Therefore, the essence of this study is to increase the output of fresh cassava using  the recommended International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA) TME419 and TMS98/0581 in sustaining the nation’s food security and being able to feed the cassava processing factories in the state. The study was carried out at Evbode in Ovia North East Local Government area of Edo State. Two hectares area of cassava arable land was cited and preliminary soil analysis was carried out using the soil sample and recorded to detect the fertility of the soil.

IMPLICATIONS OF MACRO-ECONOMIC VARIABLES FOR NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA

^1*Osuji, E. E, ²Okwara, M. O., ³Eze, E. U., & ⁴Tim-Ashama, A.

¹Department of Agricultural Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike

²Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State

³Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State

⁴Department of Agricultural Science, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, Imo State

Email: osujiemeka2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT  

In recent time, the impact of macro-economic variables on agriculture has become an issue of concern in terms of securing adequate food supply for the populace. The study evaluated the implications of macro-economic variables for national food security in Nigeria. This study employed time series data sourced from the publications of Central Bank of Nigeria Annual Reports, Statistical Bulletins and the National Bureau of Statistics spanning from 1995 to 2015. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration test with error correction model (ECM) was adopted to substantiate the implications of macro-economic variables for national food security in Nigeria. The results of the ADF test showed that Food security, Interest rate, Exchange rate, Net export and Government expenditures were non stationary at their respective level forms and became stationary at first difference. While Inflation and Money supply were found to be stationary at level form. ARDL bounds test for cointegration confirms the existence of long run relationship between the variables. The results of long run and short run relationships shows that INT, INF, GEXP and MS were both significant at 5% and 1% levels indicating that these variables had a significant impact on food security. The estimated error correction coefficient of -0.7996 is highly significant, has the correct sign, and implies a fairly high speed of adjustment to equilibrium after a shock. However, these findings recommend farmers to take good advantage of the linkages between macroeconomic variables and agricultural productivity, as this useful information can assist them to boost their land productivity, hence increased food security at all times. 

Keywords: Implications, Macro-economic Variables, Food Security, Error Correction Model, Nigeria

EFFECTS OF THE AQUEOUS SEED EXTRACT OF HELIATHUS ANNUUS L ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF PROSTATE PATHOLOGIES IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

¹Saleh, B.G, & ² Carol C.D

¹Department of Integrated Science, College of Education Gindiri, Plateau State, Nigeria

² Department of Biochemistry University of Jos. Plateau State, Nigeria

Email: Carrll42@yahoo.com, bitrussaleh@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous seed extract of helianthus annuus on some indices of prostate pathologies and contribute as to the relationship between diabetes mellitus and prostate pathologies. Twenty (20) Adult male wista albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) ranging from 150 to 250g weight were used in the study. Experimental diabetes was induced by single interperitoneal injection of alloxan-monohydrate dissolved in normal saline solution at a dose of 150mg /kg body weight. The rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups of five rats each. The experimental groups (C, D) were given 400mg/kg b.w single daily dose of the aqueous extract for fifteen (15) days. Diabetes mellitus was confirmed in the experimental rats by the significant increase (p<0.05) in serum glucose level. Treatment with the extract showed a significant time dependant decrease (p<0.05). There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the serum level of prostate specific antigen and testosterone in the diabetic rats. Treatment produced a significant (p<0.05) increase. For oestrogen the diabetic control group rats showed significant (p<0.05) increase compared to the normal control group rats. The diabetic treated group rats showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum oestradiol level when compared to the diabetic control group rats. The effect of treatment was not time dependent. In conclusion Helianthus annuus L (sunflower) seed extract may have a beneficial effect in reducing risk of prostate pathology among diabetics.