Sustainable Environmental Pest Management (New Invention) at Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria (Published)
Sustainable Environmental Pest Management was conducted at the Department of Crop and Soil Science Laboratory, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria for the control of Mosquitoes at Student Hostels, June 2019. The project was sponsored by Tetfund in collaboration with Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State Nigeria, 2018 on the use of plant extracts and plant essential oils (EOs). Plant extracts and EOs were used to formulate a bio-pesticide named Alamicide for effective mosquito control at the students’ Hostels. Excel 2016 was used for the analysis of the data generated from 311 questionnaires received from the respondents, on the efficacy of Alamicide Bio-pesticide application (Fumigation) at the different student hostels were evaluated. Preliminary research findings shown that most of the students (respondents) both Boys and Girls (179) at their respective Hostel Rooms, had a percentage of 60.47% responded that there was significant effect of Alamicide Bio-pesticide application on the control of Mosquitoes when compared with no respondent of 117 students, this value had a percentage of 39.52% from the questionnaires received indicated that Alamicide had no significant application effect on the incident of mosquitoes control. However, from the overall analysis on percentage, Alamicide was significantly effective bio-pesticide that control mosquitoes in the students’ Hostels. Duration of its application indicated that onetime application, its efficacy can last for a period of one-three days (1-3 days) or more as indicated in the graph. One hundred and seventeen (117) Students that had negative responses were the ones that did not obey the instructions from the researcher and his team members. When instructions were followed strictly after fumigation, i.e. windows and doors were closed for about 5-15mins, duration of efficacy can equally last up to 4-5days. This product is first of its kind in the world and its efficacy lasted up 1-5 days after onetime application when the researchers’ instructions were strictly adhered to. Also when compared to other synthetic insecticides like Mobil, Sniper, Total, Mortem and Raid, their efficacy only lasted for few hours. This product is environmental friendly, had no negative side effect on human health when compared to the synthetic insecticides. One can comfortably stay and eat food immediately after application at the spot, because it is harmless, but you can’t perform such activities when synthetic chemicals (are applied. From the respondents (Students) 84% wanted Tetfund Research Grants on Sustainable Environmental pest (Mosquitoes) management to continue at Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State to completely eradicate Mosquitoes in student Hostels to solve the problem of malaria. The first phase of the research is almost completed except one of the boys Hostel. Second Phase is for Lecturers’ offices and the University Administrative block. We are therefore convinced that on completion of the programme, the result will be outstanding when instructions are followed effectively.
Keywords: Alamicide Bio-pesticide, Instructions, Management, Niger Delta University, Pest, Sustainable, Synthetic insecticides
Characterization Classification and Management of Some Soils in Ujam District of Makurdi, Benue State. (Published)
An intensive soil survey was carried out in Ujam District the two sites chosen were designated: (1) Tse-Tswam and (11) Tse-Ordam. The aims were to characterize, classify and proffer management practices for the soils. At each site, three profiles pits were sunk and morphologically described. Samples collected from identified genetic horizons were subjected to analyses using standard analytical procedures. The soil profiles ranged from deep (118cm) to very deep (200cm); well to imperfectly drained; epipedons’ colour varied from very dark brown (7.5YR 2/3)/brownish black (7.5 YR 3/1) due to melanisation; subsoils dull reddish brown (5YR4/4) to rediomophism and brownish gray (10 YR 5/1), imprint of gleization; Mottles on the subsoils may be attributed to drainage impedance; sandy loam or loamy sand surfaces with clay to sandy clay loam subsoils; weak fine crumb to moderate/ strong fine-coarse subangular blocky structures. The soils had medium to high sand (41.20-83.00%), very low to medium clay (06.02.58- 43.25%) and low silt (10.65-16.96%) fractions; medium bulk density (1.19-1.38gmcm-3) and porosity (48.68-56.60%). Soil reaction was slightly acid (5.67-6.50); low organic carbon (1.05-0.30%), nitrogen (0.03-0.18%), Available phosphorus (3.00-10.10%) and EC (0.10-0.13dms-1). CEC was very low (6.34-9.10cmolkg-1) likewise CaCO3 (0.00-2.00%); medium to high base saturation (48.80-91.90%). All soil units (1-V1) possessed argillic horizons with base saturations that were ≤50%(NH4OAc at pH 7) and were classified into Alfisols at soil order level; units 1, 1V and V further qualified into Eutric Haplustalfs (Eutric luvisols/Lixisols Clayiec,kandic), 11 and V1 into Kandic Haplustalfs (Eutric luvisols/Lixisols Clayiec,kandic) while units 111 and V were placed into (Vertic Epiaqualfs (Eutric luvisols/Lixisols Clayiec,kandic) at subgroup. Organic/mineral fertilizers will improve soil fertility, structure and water retention of the soils.
Keywords: Base saturation, Characterization, Classification, Management, argillic, fertilizers, haplustalfs, soil profiles, vertic epiaqualfs
Characterization, Classification and Management of Some Soils in Ujam District of Makurdi, Benue State (Published)
An intensive soil survey was carried out in Ujam District, the two sites chosen were designated: (1) Tse-Tswam and (11) Tse-Ordam. The aims were to characterize, classify and proffer management practices for the soils. At each site, three profiles pits were sunk and morphologically described. Samples collected from identified genetic horizons were subjected to analyses using standard analytical procedures. The soil profiles ranged from deep (118cm) to very deep (200cm); well to imperfectly drained; epipedons’ colour varied from very dark brown (7.5YR 2/3)/brownish black (7.5 YR 3/1) due to melanisation; subsoils were dull reddish brown (5YR4/4) due to rediomophism and brownish gray (10 YR 5/1) as imprint of gleization; Mottles on the subsoils may be attributed to drainage impedance; sandy loam or loamy sand surfaces with clay to sandy clay loam subsoils to sandstone parent material and weak fine crumb to moderate/strong fine-coarse subangular blocky structures. The soils had medium to high sand (41.20-83.00%), very low to medium clay (06.02.58- 43.25%) and low silt (10.65-16.96%) fractions; medium bulk density (1.19-1.38gmcm-3) and porosity (48.68-56.60%). Soil reaction was slightly acid (5.67-6.50); low organic carbon (1.05-0.30%), nitrogen (0.03-0.18%), Available phosphorus (3.00-10.10%) and EC (0.10-0.13dms-1). CEC was very low (6.34-9.10cmolkg-1) likewise CaCO3 (0.00-2.00%); medium to high base saturation (48.80-91.90%). All soil units (1-V1) possessed argillic horizons with base saturations that were ≤50%(NH4OAc at pH 7) and were classified into Alfisols at soil order level; units 1 and 111 further qualified into Eutric Epiaqualfs (Vertic luvisols Clayiec,kandic), 11 into Dystric Haplustalf (Dystric Luvisol Kandic, Clayiec) and 1V into Arenic Haplustalfs (Vertic Luvisols arenic, Dystric). Units V was placed into (Haplic Eutrustalf (Glayeic Luvisol Eutric,kandic) at subgroup while soil unit V1 was keyed into Glayiec Haplustalf (Glayeic Luvisol Kandic, Clayeic). Organic/mineral fertilizers incooporation into these soils will improve soil fertility, structure and water retention.
Keywords: Base saturation, Characterization, Classification, Management, argillic, fertilizers, haplustalfs, soil profiles, vertic epiaqualfs
Land Tenure System and Farming Management Practices: A Case of Ilaroin Ogun State (Published)
This paper examined the implications of land tenure system on farm layout and management practices in a rural economy. In addition to the synthesis of the existing literature, key informant interview (KII), Focus Group Discussions (FGD), personal observations and questionnaire administrationwere used in data collection.Simple statistical tools wereused to analyze theland tenure features, farm layout and farm management practices. The results revealed that 58% of farmers have use rightto land, 25% have right to trade offtheir land, 17% use family land and 50% have right to lease their land. Sun shade and storage barn were observed farm facilities with foot part used for layout. About 70% practice mixed cropping while 30% practice mono-cropping with no significant long term investment on farming due to existing tenure system. The paper recommends a review of the existing land tenure to accommodate land right to encourage long term investment to ensure sustainable agriculture.
Keywords: Land, Management, Tenure system, farm, layout, practice