A multilocational study was conducted to investigate the associated mycoflora of leafspot disease of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and evaluate the extent of leafspot damage in selected farms in the central District of Delta State. The disease assessment in four locations of study (Abraka, Sapele, Oghara and Ughelli) was based on two criteria: Number of leafspot lesions per plant and percentage area of leaf surface covered by leafspot lesions. The result indicated that leafspot lesions were greatest on the older leaves and decreased progressively to the apex. The percentage leaf area damaged followed the same trend ranging from 1-48% in various locations. The leafspot disease in Sapele was significantly (P<0.05) greater than those found in Oghara, Abraka and Ughelli. The pathogen isolation study was conducted in the laboratory in potato Dextrose Agar medium with diseased leaf specimens from the study locations. Cochlobolus lunatus, Fusarium solani, Fusarium lateritium, Non-spolulating isolate EMI-E and Mucor hiemalis, F. luteus were found associated with leafspot disease of sweet potato at percentage ferequency of 57.71, 21.71, 10.86, 6.29 and 3.43 % respectively. C. lunatus, F. solani and F. lateritium were pathogenic. C. lunatus was the most frequent and pathogenic of all the isolates. The significance of these findings has a great implication on the food security and income of resource-limited families in the central district of Delta State.

Literature on the use of neem extract as biopesticide in the management of field insect pests on cowpea in Nigeria is scanty. The present study evaluated the efficacy of extract of neem seeds at 5 percent concentration for the control of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab, and a spectrum of pod sucking bugs (Coreidae bugs) all key field insect pests of cowpea. The experiments were conducted in the early cropping season in two locations – Asaba and Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. At Asaba, the study took place in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Agronomy Department, Asaba Campus and at Abraka on a plot of land situated close to the Agricultural Sciences Department, Delta State University, Abraka. The experiments consisted of two calendar sprays – 7 days’ spray intervals at 5 times and 10 days’ spray intervals at 4 times and monitored spray and a control. There were 4 treatments and 3 replicates, organised into a randomised complete block design (RCBD). The results indicated that more insect pests occurred at Asaba than Abraka plot. The calendared spray treatments significantly (P<0.05) reduced M. sjostedti at Asaba and A. craccivora colonies at Abraka plot compared to control. Grain yield was significantly higher at Abraka (1630.70kg ha^-1) compared to Asaba (404.90 kg ha^-1). The neem seed extract at 5 percent concentration in the management of the cowpea insect pest is quite attractive.  However, the botanical causes delay in cowpea flowering

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This study evaluates lichens diversity in Abraka and its environs for the period of six months (January-June, 2017). Data were collected by direct observation and transect walks in and around the study area. Photographs were taken to aid identification of the genera encountered with their hosts. Percentage distribution of the species was calculated. The result revealed the percentage occurrence and diversity of three forms of lichens: crustose (57.1%), foliose (28.6%) and leprose (14.3%). The lichen genera recorded with their percentage occurrence included Candelariella (22%), Chaenotheca (2%), Cyphelium (14%), Parmelia (16%), Lecanora (18%), Physcia (18%) and Psilolechia (10%). Monthly distribution showed that month of May had the highest occurrence (30%) of lichens. The weather pattern showed highest temperature in May (30.7°C), highest mean rainfall (442.6mm) and humidity (90.0%) in June. The result showed that the study area has varying lichen diversity which could be employed in bio-monitors of the environment.