The field and lab study was targeted to identify the resistant clones of Gmelina arborea aganist the defoliator Calopepla leayana and evaluate the existence of most suseptible and less susceptible clones. Study analyzes through morphological individuality of different genotypes with reference to C. leayana along with the confirmatory study of different clones and identified most susceptible and less susceptible clones through leaf micromorphology and chemical study. Resistant clones were identified through morphological study as most susceptible (08) and less susceptible (07) numbers of clones. Among them following six clones were identified as most susceptible GA006, GA 002 and GA 081 and GA 023, GA 034, GA 095 less susceptible. Where leaf micromorphology and chemical study was also resulted same for the selection of above clones.

This study was conducted to assess the forage growth, yield and nutritional characteristics of five ecotypes of African foxtail (Cenchrus ciliaris) grown under the similar environmental condition at Magadu Dairy Farm (MDF), a facility of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania. The ecotypes used in the study were collected from semi-arid areas of three districts namely Kiteto (Ologoraing’ok namelock and Ologoraing’ok twanga ecotypes), Mpwapwa (Nzingangata and Orupilipili ecotypes), and Kilolo (Iramata mtandika ecotype). Each ecotype was planted in a 12 m2 plot with plants interspacing of 0.5 m, 1.5 m space between plots and three replications. Then 30 tussocks were randomly sampled per ecotype and their plant height, tiller number, inflorescence length, leaf length and leaf mid-width were recorded. The dry matter yield and Nutritional characteristics were analysed from the harvested above-ground biomass in two quadrats of one square metre per plot at the age of six weeks from standardization cut. The results indicated significant variation (p-value<0.05) among ecotypes on the studied characteristics. Orupilipili ecotype indicated higher mean values of plant height (93.8 cm), leaf area (25.8 cm2), inflorescence length (10.1 cm) and dry mater (10.35 tDMha-1). Ologoraing’ok namelock had the lowest growth and yield characteristics except mean tiller numbers (197.3). The lowest-yielding ecotype indicated the highest percentage of Crude Protein (21.15), Acid Detergent Fibre (31.35) and ash content (16.91) but with the lowest Neutral Detergent fibre (55.89). Correlations were significant for all pairs of traits assessed. Discriminant tests suggested close relationship between Ologoraing’ok namelock and Ologoraing’ok twanga, Nzingangata and Iramata mtandika but each ecotype indicated a significant number (>46%) of unique individuals. This study recommends further study on the ecotypes when subjected to stresses such as defoliation, salinity and drought.

The petiole and the stem anatomy of Kalanchoe and Bryophyllum species were studied to document characters that are of taxonomic importance among the species. The species are Kalanchoe crenata, Kalanchoe lanceolata, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Bryophyllum delagoense and Bryophyllum houghtonii. Transverse sections of the median region of the petioles and the stem of each of the species were made using a Reichert sliding microtome at 8-15μm thickness. Unifying and diagnostic features were also identified. Unifying features such as starch grains present on the petiole, parenchymatous pith in the stem were recorded. Diagnostic features such as biseriate to multi seriate epidermis in the stem of Bryophyllum pinnatum were also recorded. The unifying characters suggest that the species of the two genera should be combined into one genus Kalanchoe with sections under it.

The study assessed indigenous practices and beliefs on the conservation of natural resources in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State. Purposeful and simple random sampling was applied to determine the study sample and thus a sample size of 118 was used for the study. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents were male (75.4%) while 24.6% were female. The indigenous and traditional beliefs in the protection of natural resources in the area is reflected in a variety of their practices which included sacred groves and sacred landscapes, construction of masquerades and other traditional artifacts, reflecting greatly the population of the forest resources. The most conserved fauna and flora species identified were; Smutsia gigantea, Elgaria coerulea, Ceyx erithaca, Milvus aegyptius, Centropus steerii and Ophiophagus hannah; Vitellaria paradoxa, Khaya grandifoliola and Abies balsamea. Major challenges identified were; lack of inclusion by governance institution with (98.7%), followed by adoption of other religious beliefs with (97.5%), poaching/illegal logging and population growth/urbanization (91.5%), perception of idolatry (88.9%), Bush fires (89.8%) while frequent use of herbs for traditional medicine (83.1%) had the least percentage. On the ways of improvement was awareness creation had the highest proportion (33.9%), followed by attitudinal change (30.5%), while resource allocation to traditional leaders and integration of traditional conservation in formal resource conservation had the least proportion of 17.8%. It was concluded that traditional practices and beliefs if well managed will enhanced proper conservation and management of natural resources. The study thus recommended that, institutions responsible for conservation of natural resources should be positioned for effective performance and service delivery. Government should have monitoring agents that will help in ensuring natural resource conservation.

An inventory of pest insect of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) was carried out in 2018 in five localities of Foumbot production area to find out the effects of using synthetic insecticides on the worrying insects. The quantity applied and frequency of application was equally assessed and compared to those prescribed by the producers. Caiman B, Cypercal, Parastar, Cybemex and Plusfort are used. The insects were captured weekly during March and February during fruits formation and when they are getting ripe. The results showed that the doses and the frequencies of applications are different from a producer to the other. A total of 6485 insect pests belonging to the order Diptera, Hemiptera and Lepidoptera were captured. The greatest number of insect pests was captured in the locality of Mangoum 1 (19.75%). Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was the most abundant species (62.94%). The damages bring a setback in quantity and quality of the harvest, fruits are not good any more for consumption. The usage of these pesticides without respecting the norms has not reduced the population of the insect pests of tomato at Foumbot, showing that the insects became resistant. We suggest a strict respect of the doses and frequencies and the use of bio-pesticides and essential oils, respectful of the environment.

Comparative studies of Petiveria alliacea and Hilleria latifolia of the family Petiveriaceae were carried out to provide diagnostic features of the taxa based on foliar anatomy.Conventional practical methods as reported by previous authors of related studies were employed to carry out the studies.There was presence of irregular cell shape, undulate and straight to curved anticlinal walls with paracytic stomata on abaxial and adaxial surfaces of P. alliacea and H. latifolia.The two taxa differ with the presence of starch grains on the anticlinal cell wall of H. latifolia.The foliar anatomy of the two species (H.latifolia and P. alliacea) shows consistent and uniform concentric vascular bundle, irregular parenchyma cells, large and single central vascular bundle.The midrib portion of H. latifolia shows single vascular bundle in concentric shape, irregularly arranged parenchyma cells are common.The pores are solitary, round and numerous with large vessels.Dorsiventral orientations of the leaf with 2 layered palisade tissues are observed in H. latifolia while the midrib portion of P. alliacea shows a single vascular bundle in concentric shape, irregularly arranged parenchyma cells; pores are solitary round and numerous with large vessel.Leaf orientation of P. alliacea is isobilateral containing spongy parenchyma cells.

This study evaluated the properties of hollow blocks produced from Khaya senegalensis and Anogeissus leiocarpus sawdust as a partial replacement for sand. The study was carried out at Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM), Nigeria. Sawdust was collected from Timber Shed in Wurukum, boiled and dried. Mortal was prepared using mixed ratio of 1:6 (cement to sand). River sand was successively replaced with sawdust at various replacement levels of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 percentages, respectively. Block samples produced were subjected to compressive strength, density and water absorption test. Results showed that bulk density of blocks from each sawdust replacement levels decreased with an increase in the percentage of sawdust replacement from 1,111.400 kg m -3 to 1,329.00 kg m -3 . Mean water percentage absorption was least (11.13% and 11.34%) in 4% sawdust replacement level for Anogeissus leiocarpus and 2% Khaya senegalensis, respectively. The highest compressive strength (3.32 N mm -2 and 3.42 N mm -2 ) was recorded for 2% sawdust replacement level. The best sawdust replacement level in this study was 2% for both Annogeissus leiocarpus and Khaya senegalensis and is therefore recommended for non-load bearing walls.

Medicolore is intimately rooted in ancient Sanskrit compendia in Ayurveda. Ayurveda during 5 th -10 th century AD in the Charak-Sushruta era became user-friendly. One such attempt is Madhava Chikitsa conceived and written by Madhacharya in 7th century. Of late, the scientific all-pervasive examination is being carried out. The present author studied it from the standpoint of plant invasion in erstwhile India. Total of 42 exotic plant species pertaining to 41 genera and 30 families of angiosperms have been documented from it. The majority of them (28 species) are under cultivation in India and rest others run wild on Indian landmass. Their nativity is also brought in a clearer focus. Maximum species appeared invaded from Europe (11 species), America (09 species), Africa and Asia (Excluding India) (06 species each), other countries, continents or regions are represented by one or two species each. The consequence of plant invasion is interpreted in Indian context. Our understanding can be enriched to suggest measures for conservation of nature if such introductions of plants revealed from ancient literary sources of India.

Among abiotic stresses, high salinity is the most severe environmental stress, impairing crop production on at least 20% of irrigated land worldwide. In addition, the increased salinity of arable land is expected to have devastating global effects, resulting in up to 50% land loss by the middle of the 21st century. Furthermore, there is a deterioration of about 2 million ha (1% of world agricultural lands) because of salinity each year (Mahajan & Tuteja, 2005). Critically, the problem of salinization is increasing due to the accumulation of tons of salts into the soil as a consequence of bad agricultural practices (e.g., use of fertilizers on a massive scale), draining of aquifers, and a limited regional rainfall. Irrigated land is particularly at risk with approximately one-third being significantly affected by salinity. Despite its relatively small area, irrigated land is estimated to produce one-third of world’s food (Munns, 2002), so salinization of this resource is particularly critical. Water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions has forced the increased use of recycled wastewater and desalination of salty groundwater resources for agriculture use. Current technologies to desalinate or purify recycled waste-water for agricultural use can effectively reduce the concentrations of most toxic elements with the significant exception of boron (B). Boron in recycled water is often concentrated substantially as a result of the recycling process and as such can significantly impact agricultural soils. Therefore irrigation with saline groundwater containing high B concentration occurs in parts of the world where there is a notable scarcity of water. The relations between salinity and mineral nutrition of horticultural crops are extremely complex and a complete understanding of the intricate interactions involved would require the input from multidisciplinary team of scientists. Thus, although information about their independent effects is abundant, information about the combined effects of salinity and B is very limited.