No abstract

Two years study was carried to assess level of resistance to yam beetle and termite attack by some yam genotypes in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design replicated three times. The five yam genotypes tested for yam beetle and termite attack at harvest were; TDr 95/19127, 95/18894, 95/19531, 75/1/2 and Uyo popular local variety eteme. The results showed variations in yield and susceptible to termite and beetle attack at harvest. The TDr 75/1/2 had highest yield 30.41 and 29.75t/ha, followed by TDr 95/18894, 28.86 and 27.93t/ha in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The local variety had lowest yield 9.75 and 10.07 t/ha in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The local variety had 14.58% termite attack in 2008 while 95/19127 had 12.64% in 2009. The local variety had highest beetle attack 45.83% and 32.76% in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The least prone to termite and beetle attack was recorded in TDr 75/1/2, 2.72 and 8.15% respectively in 2008 and 2.99 and 6.59% in 2009 respectively. The study suggested that TDr 75/1/2 and 95/18894 should incorporate in the farming system of the study area due to their high yielding capacity and resistance to pest attack at harvest.

A field study was carried out in Uyo, Southeastern Nigeria in 2011 and 2012 to compare the potential of using pumpkin intercrop as a means of cost effective weed management in water yam (Dioscorea alata) farm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were included no weeding, weeded (3x), chemical weeding (Raft 500) + supplemented hoe weeding at 12 weeks after planting (WAP), Dynamic population densities of 10,000, 20,000, 30,000 and 40,000 supplemented with one hoe weeding at 4 WAP. The result of the study showed that weeded 3x treatment performed better in all the growth and yield parameters assessed but not significantly (P<0.05) above the growth and yield values obtained from 30,000 population density of pumpkin. The weeded (3x) resulted to tuber yield of 22.81 and 20.75 t.ha-1 in 2011 and 2012 respectively, while, the 30,000 pumpkin population density had tuber yield of 19.81 and 19.35 t.ha-1 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The least tuber yields 3.22 and 2.18 t.ha-1 was obtained from no weeding treatment. The weeded (3x) treatment had 9-86 and 8-90 percentage tuber yield above other treatments but 13 and 8% over 30,000 pumpkin population density alone. The study suggests that pumpkin intercrop at 30,000 stands per hectare could effectively reduce weed interference in water yam farm.

The experiment was carried out at Umulolo in Okigwe Imo State in 2016 and 2017 seasons. The experiment was laid in randomized complete block design, replicated three times. The treatments were mulching materials (two synthetic materials-polythene sheet, trampoline sheet) while natural or organic materials were 6/ha sawdust and grasses and control treatment (no mulching). Result showed significant difference in all the weed infestation parameters, vegetative growth and yield parameters assessed. In both cropping seasons, the control had significant higher weed density and biomass. Garden egg fruit yield as influenced by different mulching materials was also significantly different (p<0.05) in both cropping seasons. The highest fruit yield; 22.27 and 23.63 t/ha in 2016 and 2017, respectively was from the plot mulched with sawdust. The grasses mulched plot had 21.19 and 22.17 t/ha fruit yield, respectively. The trampoline plot produced 18.77 and 17.18 t/ha fruit, respectively. The least fruit yield was 5.43 and 6.54 t/ha in both cropping seasons in control treatment. The result showed that the plot mulched with sawdust had 7-76% and 6-72% greater fruit yield compared to the other mulching materials in both cropping seasons. The result of indicated that application of grasses and sawdust were more cost effective in weed management and higher economic returns to management compared to trampoline and polythene sheets. Farmers in the study area were advised to mulch their garden egg field during off-season with sawdust. The application of sawdust would reduce weed infestation and also enhances high fruit yield.

Field experiment was conducted at National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) Uyo-Out station in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. The aim  was  to evaluate the yields of seven maize varieties in humid rainforest of Uyo, Southeastern Nigeria in view of recommending high yield varieties. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. The treatments were seven maize varieties viz- : Uwep (local). FARZ 32, Oba super 2, Oba 98 and suwan-I-SR, Quality protein maize (QPM) and extra-early. Growth and yield data were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant mean were compared using least significant difference at p<0.05. The result showed significant difference(p<0.05) plant height. FAR 32 was the tallest at 9WAP (159.37 and 163.33 cm in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons, respectively) The shortest variety, 121.12 and 122.61 cm, respectively at 9WAP was recorded in QPM. The weight of grains varied significantly different. FARZ 32 had the heaviest 100 grain weight, 42.60 g and 41.30 g in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The least weight of 100 seeds 31.09 g and 32.99 g, respectively was recorded from Extra Early maize. Comparing the maize grain yield, the result indicated significant difference (p<0.05) in both cropping seasons. FARZ 32 had the highest grain yield, 4.37 and 4.30 tonnes per hectare in 2015 and 2016 in both cropping seasons. Oba super 2 had 4.30 and 4.20 tonnes per hectare in 2015 and 2016. The local cultivar Uweb had 2.49 and 2.59 tonnes per hectare grain yield in both years. The least grain yield, 2.32 and 2.45 tonnes per hectare, respectively was from Extra early maize. Oba, Farz -32, Oba super 2 and Oba 98 were recommended to farmers in the study area.