Nitrogen use efficiency of open-pollinated maize cultivars and topcrosses under low nitrogen soil.

The study was conducted to evaluate the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) of open-pollinated maize cultivars under low nitrogen soil conditions. It took place at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin, Nigeria, during the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. The nitrogen treatments (0, 45, and 90 kg N ha⁻) were assigned as the main plots, while the genotypes were designated as sub-plots in a split-plot design.

Potentials of plantain peel and leaves as soil amendments in enhancing performance and nutritional contents of tomato ( ).

Screen house experiment was conducted in 2020 at the Landmark University Teaching and Research Farm Omu-aran, Kwara State. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the potential of dried unripe plantain peel and as soil amendments and its effect on growth, yield and fruit quality of tomato. Four rates each of dried plantain peel (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) and (0, 10, 20 and 30 t/ha) were applied sole and combined.

Effects of wood biochar and potassium fertilizer on soil properties, growth and yield of sweet potato ( ).

Studies on integrating biochar with potassium (K) fertilizer is not common. Hence, experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 to evaluate the sole and combined applications of biochar and K fertilizer on soil properties and performance of sweet potato. It was hypothesized that the effects of combined applications of biochar and K fertilizer on the growth, and yield of sweet potato will be more than their individual applications.

Organic and in-organic fertilizers effects on the performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) grown on soilless medium.

The effects of organic fertilizers, based on Tithonia diversifolia, and in-organic fertilizers, based on hydroponics fertilizer, were evaluated on the performance, leaves, and fruit mineral concentrations of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants grown under soilless medium in a screen house. The treatments comprised six levels of liquid organic fertilizer (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 mL), in-organic fertilizer, and a control. Both organic and in-organic fertilizers increased the growth, yield, leaf nutrient concentration, and the mineral contents of tomato and cucumber fruits in comparison with the control.

Quantification and health impact assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emissions from crop residue combustion.

Emission of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon compounds from combustion of crop residue was investigated. Crop residues comprising maize cobs, maize husks, rice husks and bean chaff were burnt in a furnace at a temperature of 400 °C and the emissions from the combustion process were characterized using standard methods. Health risk through inhalation was assessed using toxic equivalent factors and excess lifetime cancer risk.

Comparative response of some tropical maize hybrid and their parental varieties to low and high nitrogen regime.

The study was carried to investigate the differential response of some maize hybrids and their open pollinated parents to low and high nitrogen soil condition. Ten open-pollinated varieties were crossed in a partial diallel fashion to generate 45 F hybrids during the 2011 cropping season at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. The 45 F hybrids and the ten parents were evaluated in four environments at Mokwa and Zaria in August, 2012 under high and low N conditions with two different levels of nitrogen application (30kgha and 90kgha) respectively.

Soil productivity improvement under different fallow types on Alfisol of a derived savanna ecology of Nigeria.

Fallowing is considered an important management strategy for the restoration of soil productivity. Therefore, a three-year fallow of pigeon pea (), mexican sunflower () and elephant grass () was established at Landmark University, Nigeria between 2016 - 2019. Leaf nutrient concentrations of maize () planted with soils taken from each fallowed plots after three years were also determined.

Effects of cow dung and wood biochars and green manure on soil fertility and tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) performance on a savanna Alfisol.

Two field experiments were conducted concurrently in 2019. The study investigated the effects of single and combined application of wood biochar (WB) and cow dung biochar (CDB) with green manure (GM) on soil properties, performance, and tuber qualities of tiger nut. The treatments consisted of: CDB at 10 t ha, WB at 10 t ha, GM-Tithonia diversifolia at 10 t ha, CDB + GM, WB + GM, control.

Different organic manure sources and NPK fertilizer on soil chemical properties, growth, yield and quality of okra.

Use of organic manures to meet the nutrient requirement of crop would be an inevitable practice in the years to come for sustainable agriculture since organic manures generally improve the soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Hence, field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018 to compare the impact of different organic manures and NPK fertilizer on soil properties, growth, yield, proximate and mineral contents of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

MgO Fertilizer Sole and Combined with Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers: Effect on Soil Chemical Properties, Turmeric Performance, and Quality in a Tropical Alfisol.

For soil fertility maintenance, secondary nutrient such as Magnesium (Mg) is always being neglected. However, its role is critical in the growth, yield, and quality of crops. Therefore, two field experiments were initiated in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the response of soil chemical properties, performance, and qualities of turmeric ( L.

Selecting Yield and Nutritional Traits in Sphenostylis stenocarpa Landraces for Food Improvement.

Background: Sphenostylis stenocarpa is an underexploited African indigenous food crop that is enriched in nutritional quality.

Objective: Exploring the robust genetic base of this landrace can help to maximize the benefit of the agricultural sector on the economy through production that is enhanced by packaging and patent. This as well will increase the quality of food production and promote African campaign on food sustainability.