Germination and early growth assessment ofTamarindus indica L. were conducted to determine the suitable medium for germination and seedlings establishment of the species in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The viable seeds of the study species were treated with Conc. H2SO4for 30 minutes and boiling water for one hour and by soaking in water at room temperature for 12 hours. The treated seeds were placed in Petri dishes containing filter paper for germination assessment. The results indicated 68–95% germination ofT. indicaseeds within 3–19 days. Conc. H2SO4treatment gave the highest germination percentage of 95%.T. indicaseeds were treated with Conc. H2SO4for 30 minutes and sown into four (4) different potting mixtures for early growth assessment. Collar diameter, seedlings height, and leaf number were the parameters measured. Seedlings grown in the mixture of river sand and cow dung (2 : 1) had the highest seedlings height and leaf number, while the highest collar diameter was obtained from seedlings grown in the mixture of river sand and poultry droppings (2 : 1). However, growingT. indicain the mixture of river sand and cow dung (2 : 1) after 30 minutes pretreatment was recommended.

The study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of phosphorous and zinc fertilizers on the yield and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) The experiments were  conducted in a factorial experiment under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to determine the effect of P and Zn applications on TZL white composite improved variety            of maize. Four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg P ha-1) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10kg Zn ha-1) were applied on experimental plots of 4.5m x 5m replicated thrice.  The results shows no significant differences in both the  years however, highest mean values of 2327.5 kg ha-1  and 2191.5 kg ha-1 was recorded at 20 kg P ha-1 and 10 kg Zn ha-1 Application of P and Zn at different rates increases their uptake in the stover with highest values of 22.57 mg -1 kg  and 7.8 mg -1 kg  in 2018  at 30 kg Pha-1 and 18.40 mg -1 kg  and 5.21 mg -1 kg  at 20 kg Pha-1  in 2019. While 26.54 mg -1 kg and 21.85 mg -1 kg in 2018 at 10 kg Znha-1 and 6.76 mg -1 kg and 5.27 mg -1 kg in 2019 with 0 kg Znha-1 respectively. It is therefore recommended the best results of the application of 30kg P ha-1 and 10 kg Zn ha -1 should be adopted for optimum yield of maize.

Aim: To empirically survey the damages caused by erosional deposition on farmlands along Jimeta-Yola road, Adamawa state Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted in June-July 2020 rainy season due to the unprecedented depositions on three farmlands (Abattoir, Garage and Yola Bridge) in the area. Methodology: Data was obtained in three phases which include on-farm interviews and questionnaires, direct measurement of depositions using simple bathymetric method and collection of three representative soil samples from the profiles for determination of some physico-chemical properties. Results: The result indicated that rice was major crop grown in the area for about 30 years with an average yield ranges from 2000-8000 kg (20-80 bags). The number of farmlands damaged was 11 with total of 22 acres, at Abattoir, 5 farmlands at Garage having a total of 15 acres and 7 farmlands were also damaged with about 10 acres respectively. Fine sandy soil was deposited to an average depth of 55 cm with an estimated volume of 48.96 m3 at Abattoir area, debris and clay loam was deposited to an average of 20 cm at Garage having an estimated of 12.14 m3 and at Yola Bridge farm location about 4.24 m3 volume of loamy soils were also deposited to an average depth of 10 cm. The depositional soils have pH values ranges from 5.23-6.23, organic matter content of 0.43-2.33%, water holding capacity 35-55%  with rapid to moderate permeability. Conclusion: To combat the damaged imposed by soil erosions on farmlands in the area both preventive and conservative measures should adopted by the government and the farmers with the aim of restoring and sustaining the good soil health that will support food production for growing population.

The study aimed to study the efficacious response of maize growth and soil changes to phosphorous and zinc application on chromic luvisols in North-eastern part of Nigeria conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Modibbo Adama University, Yola during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used in the experiment to test the various levels of P and Zn applications on TZL composite white improved variety of maize. Four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg Pha-1) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 Zn ha-1) were applied on experimental plots of 4.5m x 5m replicated three times. Data obtained on the growth parameters and soil properties were measured and analyzed using ANOVA statistical package. Result indicate that the soil was predominantly sandy loam, organic matter (mean =0.92 gkg-1), total N (mean = 0.35 gkg-1) Available phosphorous (mean = 8.6 mgkg-1) Zinc (mean = 7.25 mgkg-1) and exchangeable cations (means= Ca2+ =0.26 cmolkg-1, Mg2+ =0.27 cmolkg-1, K+ =1.83, Na+ =0.85 cmolkg-1) and CEC = 5.32 respectively. The effects of P and Zn did not show any significant difference on plants height in both years of experimentation except at harvest where main effect of P showed slightly taller plants at  30 kg Pha-1 level in 2018 (202.11 cm) and 2019 (206.11 cm). Generally the mean values of plant heights at various P levels are higher than that at the Zn levels. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the leaf area, however, highest mean values of 236.1 cm2 and 227.6 cm2 was observed at 30 kg Pha-1 and 10 kg Znha-1 in both 2018 and 2019 cropping years. while Leaf Area Index shows highest values of 2.98 cm2 and 2.54 cm2 observed at 30 kg Pha-1 and 10 kg Znha-1 and interaction effects was significant P = (0.05) in both years respectively. Available P in soil after the harvest of 2018 the available P was significantly affected. Highest mean values of P content were 13.14 mgkg-1 and 14.97 mgkg-1 in 2018 and 2019 with 30kg Pha-1. Also, there was significant difference in the main effect of the Zinc treatments on available Zn in the soil in 2019 where the highest mean value of 4.03 mgkg-1 was recorded at 0 kg Zn ha-1. Therefore, application of 30 kg P ha-1 and 10 kg Zn ha-1 as evidenced to maintain the soil nutrients and thus should be employed for sustainable maize production in the area.